Running onto the stage while eagerly waving at the crowd, Korean pop and R&B singer BIBI welcomed the audience to her first world tour, [EVE]. Fitting for Oakland’s Paramount Theatre, the show began with a performance of the city pop track “Midnight Cruise.” Crooning into a standing mic, BIBI was flanked by two large screens that featured skyscrapers among the twinkling stars, which set the tone for the theatrical show to come.
The first half of the show centered on a series of videos that told the story of Eve, a successful singer, and her clone and successor Eve 2 (both played by BIBI) as they navigate the challenges of life, self-love, and identity. In between each video, BIBI performed a few songs, sometimes just one, that were loosely related to themes featured in the short film. It made for unconventional pacing between performances and videos, but the off-kilter approach was engaging as it was a mystery what would come next. While BIBI was able to flex her acting chops in the short film, the performer acknowledged the storyline could be hard to understand. “You never asked to be born, and I feel like I always have to live with expectations. I’m just a normal person, so I think other people might have these same feelings,” she explained. “[Through this story] I wanted to say that you are lovely because you’re a person. Please remember I love you so much, and I’m going to be here to make music for you.” The touched crowd cheered in response.
Perhaps like singer, like fan, one of the most memorable highlights of the night was BIBI’s humorous interactions with the audience. Taking a break from performing, the singer went into the crowd to ask people to raise their hands if they have an “extraordinary job,” something really unusual. When one fan had the mic, he surprised everyone with a few lines of Taeyang’s infamous “yeoreobun” song. Jokingly dissatisfied with his rendition, BIBI delighted attendees with her own. Another fan said she makes ice cream for a living, to which BIBI scoffed and bent over in a suggestive pose said, “OK well, I make ice cream every night,” earning gasps and laughter from the audience. When one fan said they were a certified nurse assistant, BIBI confusedly asked, “You’re a certified narcissist??” Even her unintentional humor had attendees grinning. Usually she would bring up a fan onstage for a flirtatious serenade of “Best Lover,” but she was surprised to find out the fan she invited in Oakland was a minor. The performer paused with a serious expression before saying, “Friendship is love too,” and did a sweet age-appropriate version of the performance, all while holding the squealing fan’s hand.
What’s clear throughout the whole show is that BIBI’s charm is irresistible. Her emotive facial expressions paired with her vocal delivery is second to none. There’s a theatrical nature to her performance; she’d shrug her shoulders, bring her hands together, and add a staccato effect to her singing to emphasize cuteness, while she’d flip her hair and elongate her notes with a seductive drawl for more mature tracks. She can change her aura in an instant; one moment she is a sweet doe-eyed dreamer, taking light dainty steps across the stage while yearning for a simple yet true love in “Bam Yang Gang,” and the next she is a hypnotizing seductress performing on a bed while bathed in red lights in “Burn It.” Her eyes alone convey deep emotion. She can lovingly gaze into the audience for one song and snap into a hardened intense stare singling you out among the crowd in another. Standing on the stage, BIBI shared, “This is my favorite view in the world.”
Returning for an encore, she performed an unreleased song, “Bumpa.” Bouncy and fun, the festive song had BIBI bumping hips with her dancers and bounding back and forth across the stage, while encouraging concertgoers to sing the infectious chorus. Bidding fans farewell, BIBI gave the audience “her love to-go” with an endearing performance of “Eat My Love.” If BIBI didn’t mention that she had a cold, it’s likely no one would have known, given the fantastic show she put on. Leaving the show utterly charmed, Oakland is eager to welcome BIBI again and hopefully in better health.
