On tour for the first time, Hojean’s hard work pays off with sold out shows, dedicated fans, and the recognition of his raw talent; all very well deserved. 

Justin Hojean Yi, most commonly known as Hojean, is an artist that has made a name for himself as a singer who is humble, real, and independently works hard for the success that he has accumulated. His first releases date all the way back to 2017 and he has continuously released music since then, refining and improving as he goes. His songs now reach from half a million to 31 million plays, and his numerous music videos have led listeners to being hooked by his persona and the sound of Hojean.

So when he announced his, “To Cherie, With Love!” tour, I knew I had to go as I’ve been in love with his music and overall vibe since 2020. The closest show to me was Washington D.C., but when the VIP sold out right before I was about to buy tickets, I had to reassess and go to Philadelphia; the last stop of the tour.

The VIP ticket included a lanyard, a signed poster, early access to merchandise with a discount, a meet and greet with Hojean, the ability to take pictures with him before and after the show, and the massive bonus of getting into the venue over an hour earlier than GA. Since Hojean has continuously had over 1 million listeners on Spotify, I was expecting to be anxious and a bit intimidated when meeting the beloved singer, but it ended up being the most welcoming meet and greet I’ve ever been to.

While talking to him, he suggested the cutest pose for our photo according to the Instagram caption I had in mind, guessed the spelling of my name before signing my poster, and asked where I was from. Everything was exactly how fan and artist interactions should be: natural and fun. I was blown away, and yet, the concert hadn’t even started.

Throughout the duration of the tour there were five opening acts to appreciate depending on the city: Kevin Holliday, Deb Fan, Jaylon Ashaun, Sayak Das, and Jereena Montemayor, each artist complimenting Hojean’s music in different ways. The fantastic Jereena Montemayor opened the Philadelphia show and warmed up the crowd effortlessly with her enchanting vocals and lovely personality.

After enjoying Montemayor’s set, the crowd was vibrating with excitement waiting for the man of the night to come onstage. When he did, the crowd began singing almost before Hojean out of bubbling anticipation. Starting with “You Ain’t Gotta”, a song off his album Swing, the mood was set; this was the place to be.

With songs like “far from here,” “Let Me,” and “Pick Up Your Phone,” long-time fans were left satisfied, and they told him as much. In between every song there were fan interactions on all sides of the stage. Everyone was acknowledged. People in the tight knit crowd held up messages on their phones trying to talk to the artist, and he answered. Jokes and full conversations between fan and artist were exchanged between songs.

With a live band playing behind him, and a bit of guitar playing from Hojean himself, it was masterful and intimate. He lost his voice in the middle of the tour, and though reassured by fans about how amazing he was doing, he expressed his worries online about his performances. During the last show on tour, with a nearly fully recovered voice, his vocals were raw, honest, and soothing. Singing completely live, the slower songs like “weekends” (a personal favorite), “Cruel,” and “Cherie” hit the audience even harder, filling the venue with a wave of eerie comfort.

Originally discovered by many of his listeners from songs like “Over 85,” and a newer song released just prior to tour, “Lock Me In,” these were highly anticipated by the crowd and given a lot of love and energy, especially from the singer himself. Not having lost any stamina throughout the two hour performance, as a gift to the last location on the tour, “Lock Me In” was sung twice, solidifying that this was the artist’s personal favorite. On top of this, “Memory” was added to the Philadelphia set list as requested by a VIP fan, and trust me, everyone was grateful. After throwing five tour sweatshirts into the crowd as a goodbye gift, the concert closed with the ethereal vibe of “Cherie.”

As a final thank you to everyone who made their way out to his tour, Hojean offered signatures and pictures to anyone who came back to the merch table to purchase any posters and hoodies that remained. They sold out quickly, and even then, fans waited just for a chance to say hi and express their love for the artist. He graciously accepted and reciprocated the sentiment. With adoration in every interaction until the last fan left, the “To Cherie, With Love!” tour soon came to an end.

Until the next tour.

Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.