[Review] ‘SHINee World VI’ in Hong Kong
The Princes of K-pop, SHINee, made a triumphant return to Hong Kong for the final stop of their SHINee WORLD VI: Perfect Illumination.
Image: SHINee Official Twitter/X.
Members Key, Minho and Taemin delivered an electrifying performance at the AsiaWorld-Arena, which left the devoted Hong Kong crowd captivated from start to finish.
The K-pop icons launched into a high-energy set, kicking things off with “Sherlock (Clue + Note)” before transitioning into “Dream Girl,” which really set the tone for a night filled with SHINee’s beloved discography. The first part of the setlist was rounded with the artistic 2018 track “Good Evening.”
The connection between SHINee and their Hong Kong Shawols was palpable. The members addressed the audience in Cantonese when they could, but the audience were able to respond when the members spoke in their native Korean, demonstrating the power of Hallyu.
Taemin jokingly said that the audience had been watching too many K-dramas, before Key explained the group should watch more Cantonese shows so that they can communicate fully in Cantonese with fans.
The setlist struck an impressive balance, blending iconic anthems such as “Lucifer” and “View” with newer tracks from their 2023 album Hard. The third part of the setlist largely consisted of ballads, including a striped-back rendition of their debut track “Replay.”
There was an electrifying atmosphere all evening, with enthusiastic singing and fan chants feeding off SHINee’s infectious energy. Throughout the evening, Hong Kong Shawols proved to be an integral part of the concert experience, participating in four fan projects to show their devotion to SHINee.
The projects included various fan-made slogans, as well as lighting up the arena with phone lights during “An Encore.”
Image: Vincent Li for Cherry Chu Magazine.
As the concert drew to a close, SHINee returned for an encore which included their latest single “Hard” and the uplifting “Runaway.” However, this wasn’t the end of the concert, as the crowd were chanting for another encore, to which the members responded by performing “View” again, demonstrating their heartfelt gratitude to Hong Kong Shawols.
Ultimately, SHINee World IV: Perfect Illumination in Hong Kong was a masterclass in live performance, blending technical prowess, enduring charisma and a deep connection with their fans. For those in attendance, it was a night to remember, solidifying SHINee’s status as the “Princes of K-pop.”
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.