Korean singer and record label founder Jay Park and his first produced K-pop boy group LNGSHOT kicked off the North American leg of their Serenades and Body Rolls Tour in Atlanta, Georgia on September 8 to a packed Gas South Arena. The crowd was a curious mashup of older fans who grew up listening to Jay Park and younger ones who had discovered LNGSHOT, showing a generationally diverse audience. As the audience settled in, a quiet anticipation filled the room as everyone waited for the show to begin.
Suddenly, LNGSHOT hit the stage. The tense silence dissipated, and the venue collectively erupted. LNGSHOT were as advertised: youthful, energetic, and talented, but the weight of the moment was palpable. This was, after all, the first date of their first world tour and one of their first major appearances in the US, at an arena no less.
In contrast, Jay Park’s walkout was an exercise in experience. An immediate confetti cannon marked his arrival and his undeniable ability to not only own a room but an entire arena. With 18 years of experience under his belt and an American upbringing, Jay’s deep understanding of the US crowd was evident in the way he worked the room with his energy, showmanship, and effortless confidence.
Outlining his plans for the evening, Jay announced a progression from ballads to bangers. And he delivered. The first half of the concert consisted of slow jams, a perfect warm up before the BPMs increased and the performances became notably racier. Pacing himself as a seasoned veteran, Jay opened with “Ohx3.” With its easily imitable “oh oh oh” chorus, the crowd instantly fell for Jay’s chant trap.
“Ganadara” was another slow jam that, originally recorded as a duet with IU, allowed the crowd to sing along with Jay. Perhaps the most surprising song in the Serenades portion of the show was a cover of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way,” where the crowd took over singing duties and relegated Jay Park to sit back and become an audience of one.
The Body Rolls half of the set began with another cover, the late Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” complete with his iconic single rhinestoned glove and unmistakable choreography. From that point, the beats only got heavier, the wardrobe flashier, and the number of dancers larger, as Jay teased the audience with booty shakes, body rolls, shirt lifts and even some break-dancing.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the evening was not Jay’s epic solo anthems such as “Mommae” or “McNasty,” but rather the onstage collaboration with LNGSHOT on tracks such as “Yeah Yeah” and especially “Gukbbong.” Seeing Jay onstage with LNGSHOT, dancers, a DJ, and an entire arena singing along is a reminder that, despite his dance moves, smooth vocals and sharp rap lines, perhaps Jay’s greatest talent lies in his ability to bring it all together.
