On January 31, singer-songwriter, composer, and producer KINO wrapped up the U.S. leg of his I think I think too much tour at Los Globos in Los Angeles. After seven years with K-pop group PENTAGON, he launched his solo label, NAKED, which symbolized his commitment to be his honest, authentic self with his music. The challenges of starting this new chapter inspired the tour’s concept, with its 18-song setlist divided into thematic sections representing different sides of his inner self. Eager fans, many proudly sporting PENTAGON’s lightstick, were treated to KINO’s solo releases, unreleased tracks, and beloved PENTAGON fan favorites, creating a memorable and intimate experience for all in attendance.
The night began with the first section, “It’s All A Mess.” Amidst the screams from the crowd, KINO slowly made his way on stage as audio of his racing thoughts played through the speakers. He kicked off with a bang with “Broke My Heart” followed by his recent release “Everglow” and his solo rendition of PENTAGON’s “Call My Name.” KINO nailed every note and dance move, commanded the stage, and drenched the crowd with water within the first 15 minutes of the show – perfectly setting the tone for the night.
After that explosive opening set, KINO took a moment to greet his fans and welcome them to his long-awaited concert, “It’s been five years, but I kept my promise!” But soon the mood shifted to a serious tone to address the devastating wildfires that ravaged city prior to his arrival. “When I heard [about] the wildfires in L.A., I was so worried and sad,” he confessed. “My heart goes out to you, L.A. Always. I pray for you.” The crowd warmly appreciated his thoughtful words and responded with cheers and applause.
For the second section of the show, “The Urge to Explore,” KINO showcased his versatility with songs that ventured out of his comfort zone. He captivated the audience with his alluring R&B Soundcloud track, “Voicegasm Demo,” before igniting a headbanging frenzy with his solo rendition of “Cerberus,” a song originally performed by himself and PENTAGON’s Wooseok and Yuto. The tour featured a live band — Chesley on guitar and Mario on drums – that amplified each performance, with a spacey bassline guiding fans through the former while thunderous drums added a nice rock edge to the vibrant hip-hop track. “I wanted to move out of my comfort zone when I was making these songs. I had the urge to explore something new and challenge myself,” he shared. “I was a little worried about the public’s comment and feedback when I was making these songs, but after I performed in front of [the fans], I became confident.” Based on the crowd’s hollers and cheers throughout the performances, those risks paid off.
As KINO caught his breath, he asked for the house lights to be turned on so he could clearly see and engage with the audience. As he read out funny signs, cracked jokes, took selfies, and even received a “Kinofornia Republic” flag covered with fan messages, the interactions felt personable and laid-back, as if he was reconnecting with old friends.
KINO then introduced the third section of his show, “Relaxation Induced Anxiety.” Through performances of “Valentine,” “Tell Me What You Want,” and “Pose,” he wanted the audience to experience his version of relaxation, and then the anxiety that would immediately follow. During “Valentine,” the fans happily sang along to the feel-good track while holding up their lightsticks and turning on the flashlight on their phones, creating a dreamy atmosphere accentuated by the venue’s disco ball above. The energy continued with “Tell Me What You Want” and “Pose,” during which KINO announced that the choreographer of “Pose,” Taryn Cheng, was in the room. She was welcomed onstage to cheers and comments such as “You’re choreo is soo good!” KINO also chimed in with his own praise for her, “She made my first solo song’s choreography. She’s the best in the world!”
Starting with a beautiful piano solo of his latest release, “Skyfall.” It was a moving stage, with KINO’s heartfelt performance showcasing his vulnerability to the crowd. The song served as an opener to the fourth section of the show, titled “Regretting and Overcoming Mistakes,” which focused on his personal growth. “As people do, I always make mistakes, I always have regrets, but I always overcome them,” he said leading up to his next song, “Do I Deserve It.” “I wrote this song regretting the past when I didn’t appreciate the fans’ love. I hated myself for it, but I overcame it.” The stripped-down, heartfelt, jazzy performance perfectly conveyed his journey from self-doubt and guilt to deep appreciation for his fans’ unwavering love and support.
The I think I think too much tour marked KINO’s long-awaited return to U.S. stages since PENTAGON’s 2019 Prism tour. PENTAGON fans, called Universe, filled the venue while still proudly sporting their fandom lightsticks. As a nod to his roots, KINO dived into PENTAGON’s “Nostalgia” and “Sparkling Night,” two sweet-filled tracks about reminiscing and cherishing happy memories. The set was well received, with fans raising their phone lights and lightsticks as they sang along in unison.
As the night continued, KINO kept the energy high with “Solo” and “Freaky Love.” Following the performance he brought a fan named Gizelle onstage to help teach the “Freaky Love” choreography to the audience before dancing the chorus together. After a quick poll, Gizelle was crowned the winner of their “dance battle,” though KINO jokingly promised to beat her the next time he returned. For the “final” three songs, he went all out, performing the dreamy, city-pop track “How It Was,” splashing the crowd with water during “Dancing on the Road,” and closing the set with “Fashion Style,” his first release under his label, which celebrates self-acceptance and individuality.
After a brief break to change into his tour t-shirt, KINO returned to the stage for the highly anticipated encore, performing a mashup of PENTAGON’s iconic songs, “Shine” and “Spring Snow.” The opening piano riff of “Shine” immediately sent the audience into a frenzy as they screamed and enthusiastically recited the fan chants while KINO beamed in happiness. Following the performances, the crowd began chanting for him to sing “Daisy,” another treasured PENTAGON song. Although it wasn’t part of the setlist, he and the fans sang the song acapella, with him and his band beaming at everyone’s enthusiasm and impressive Korean skills. Despite the years that had passed since these songs were released, they still held special places in everyone’s hearts.
KINO closed out the U.S. leg of his I think I think too much tour with an unreleased track called “Back in Time.” Although an unconventional choice, he explained that the song’s lyrics perfectly captured his personal journey. As the performance neared its conclusion, KINO invited the crowd to sing along. Their harmonious echo filled the venue, and KINO’s smile spoke volumes of his gratitude.
Through the I think I think too much tour, KINO not only captivated audiences with his stage presence, but also his ability to craft deeply personal and relatable music. As his world tour draws to a close, KINO is carving out his own path as a multifaceted artist with a loyal fanbase who will support him through all chapters of his career.