[RECAP] IVE Showcases Growth & Evolution in “SHOW WHAT I AM” LA Stop

Cr. Andy Keilen

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, IVE brought the SHOW WHAT I AM World Tour to the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA, nearly two years after concluding their first world tour, SHOW WHAT I HAVE. Their return to Los Angeles follows a busy first half of 2026 with the release of their second full-length album, REVIVE+, featuring the pre-release single “Bang Bang” and title track “BLACKHOLE.” What makes this tour unique is that it marks the first-ever introduction of individual solo stages for all six members. This tour provides ANYUJIN, GAEUL, REI, Jang JANGWONYOUNG, LIZ, and LEESEO a global platform to showcase their individual styles and talent—something fans had long hoped to see in a full concert setting.

Since debuting under Starship Entertainment in 2021, IVE has established itself as monster rookies and leaders of the fourth generation of K-Pop girl groups with a string of hits including “ELEVEN,” “LOVE DIVE,” “After LIKE,” and “I AM.” They debuted with the message of confidently showing what they already have—a philosophy that has become central to the group’s identity. That message is reflected in the SHOW WHAT I AM tour title and setlist, which celebrates the confidence, individuality, and artistry each member has developed since debut.

Cr. Andy Keilen

The audience was welcomed into the world of SHOW WHAT I AM through a dramatic opening VCR. Portrayed as goddesses wielding supernatural powers, the members appeared one by one as an English narrator questioned who they truly were. Flames slowly gathered across the screen until they formed the glowing title “SHOW WHAT I AM, accompanied by the question, “Are you ready?”

A burst of confetti exploded into the air as enormous phoenix wings illuminated the LED backdrop. Backed by a live band, the six members confidently walked onto the stage in coordinated black leather outfits adorned with sparkling embellishments, immediately establishing the first act of the night with a dark, intense atmosphere.

Cr. Andy Keilen

IVE wasted no time launching into “GOTCHA (Baddest Eros),” marching down the runway together alongside a full team of dancers. The song’s bold energy perfectly matched the runway-inspired staging, with each member exuding confidence as they strutted toward the extended stage.

Without slowing the momentum, the group transitioned directly into “XOXZ,” keeping the energy high before fans immediately recognized the iconic beginning notes of “Baddie.” The members showed a different, more elegant confidence during “Ice Queen with choreography featuring graceful vogue-inspired hand movements that contrasted against previous hard-hitting stages. That elegant confidence quickly turned back into explosive power with “BLACKHOLE.” The live band’s heavier instrumentation gave the title track an even greater impact, while ANYUJIN’s soaring high note was punctuated by a burst of red confetti that showered the stage. As the final chorus came to a close, JANGWONYOUNG greeted the audience with a cheerful, “What’s up, L.A.?” before the members made their way onto the extended stage for a brief group introduction and to hype up the crowd. The band continued playing in the background, seamlessly carrying the momentum and preventing any lull in the show. The incorporation of a full live band throughout the evening created an experience that can only be fully enjoyed at a live concert. With the band, many songs now featured extended instrumentals, heavier percussion, and musically highlighted iconic parts. 

Cr. Andy Keilen

The first extended-stage performance came with “TKO,” where the choreography made full use of the runway. A newly added dance break intensified the performance, while a lone spotlight isolated ANYUJIN during the bridge to bring the song to its climax. The live arrangement of “Holy Moly tastefully utilized heavy percussion and emphasized every beat of REI and GAEUL’s rap sections to make the performance hit even harder than the original recording.

Cr. Andy Keilen

Returning to the main stage for “My Satisfaction,” the girls now leaned fully into a darker theatrical atmosphere. Cloaked dancers surrounded the members beneath crimson lighting, while the cameraman alternated to tight close-ups of each member as they sang their lines directly into the lens, creating an intimate and haunting performance. The members exited the stage while the live band continued performing an instrumental interlude, giving the audience a brief moment to catch their breath before the concert entered an entirely new chapter.

A VCR showcasing the members hanging out in smaller groups marked the beginning of the long-awaited solo stages. Rather than feeling like six disconnected performances, the cinematic VCR portrayed the members as close friends, helping the solo stages flow naturally from one to the next. In the video, JANGWONYOUNG, LIZ, and REI are seen decorating cakes, playing with a dollhouse, answering late-night phone calls, hosting sleepovers, and getting ready together.

Cr. Andy Keilen

JANGWONYOUNG returned to the stage in a striking red two-piece outfit for “8,” immediately establishing her dominance. Her powerful dance break highlighted her confident, sexy stage presence and showed everyone her mature evolution. While all the solo songs were shortened for the concert, each performance still felt packed with impactful moments.

The mood lightened up as REI took the spotlight for “In Your Heart” carrying an oversized pink toy hammer. Dressed in a white tank top with denim shorts, REI embraced a playful Y2K-inspired concept that perfectly complemented the bubbly song.

LIZ slowed things down with “Unreal” as she stood atop a small raised platform in a flowing red dress. Her strong yet bright vocals effortlessly filled the Kia Forum, and as the chorus reached its emotional peak, a burst of confetti floated through the arena. Without choreography or additional props, LIZ was able to command the crowd with just her voice.

IVE_LiveNation_08012026_088.jpg

Another VCR followed, this time featuring the remaining three members, GAEUL, LEESEO and ANYUJIN. Feathers drifted gently through the air as GAEUL awoke, while the members relaxed together reading books and enjoying each other’s company. The softer visuals smoothly transitioned to GAEUL’s ethereal solo, “Odd,” which began with GAEUL mirroring the VCR as if she was waking up from a dream atop a bed. She gradually transformed the stage into her own graceful runway by dancing down the extended stage while incorporating impressive floor work that elicited loud cheers.

LEESEO followed with “Super ICY,” which brought a burst of electricity to the arena. Her playful charisma paired with the intricate, powerful choreography made for an energizing performance. ANYUJIN walked onto the stage and shared a moment with LEESEO before launching into the last solo performance of the night with “Force.” Unlike the previous performances, she used a handheld microphone, allowing her live vocals to shine while simultaneously tackling difficult hip-hop choreography. She topped it all off with a dance solo to the remixed instrumental of “Force” before passing the spotlight to the amazing dancers that helped bring each stage to life so far.

After showcasing six completely different artistic identities, it was time for the group to come back together as a united front. REI began by sitting alone on a couch backstage, pretending to cry and asking for the members. One by one, each member appeared until all six were together again, reinforcing that while each possesses her own unique color, they are strongest when performing as IVE.

Cr. Andy Keilen

The members returned to the stage wearing coordinated white skirts and track jackets accented with delicate angel wings. Before the music began, they gathered together for a group selfie. The familiar video-game-like noise echoed throughout the arena, prompting cheers from fans as “♥beats” began. The lighter styling and song choice were a refreshing contrast to the darker concepts that dominated the first half of the concert. It marked the beginning of a brighter, more playful section of the evening where the members focused on fan interactions just as much as the performances themselves.

As the next song began, JANGWONYOUNG beamed at the crowd and requested, “If you know this song, sing along with us!” L.A. DIVEs happily obliged throughout the joyful, upbeat “WOW.”  The members wandered across the extended stage during the performance, waving to every section in the arena while encouraging fans to sing each chorus back to them. That warmth carried into “Off The Record,” which was rearranged into a mellow, jazz lounge-inspired theme with the support of the live band. The members playfully interacted with DIVEs, pretending to be angels fluttering around. The girls regathered at the extended stage for the playful, flirty “FLU.” 

Cr. Andy Keilen

Before continuing the set, the members joked that it was finally time to say hello after over an hour of performances. The members expressed how happy they were to finally return to L.A. after nearly two years, repeatedly complimenting the crowd’s enthusiasm and energy. Reflecting on the setlist so far, they pointed out how the show intentionally explored multiple sides of IVE. They opened with a dark concept, and now DIVEs were seeing their “angel sides.”

The members eagerly asked fans how they enjoyed each solo performance, and they shared their thoughts and hopes for what they wanted to convey with their individual stages. GAEUL also proudly shared that she had personally choreographed “♥beats,” asking everyone to continue supporting the performances and to look forward to the group selfie that would be uploaded after the show. Her fellow members immediately praised her hard work, encouraging the audience to give her another round of applause.

Cr. Andy Keilen

The concert quickly shifted gears as the members disappeared briefly into the darkness to kick off the “ATTITUDE stage. As the lights returned, the white jackets and skirts had disappeared, revealing bejeweled corset-inspired stage outfits underneath. The rock-influenced live arrangement gave “ATTITUDE” an entirely new edge. The song featured an extended interlude after the second chorus that allowed the members to confidently strut one by one, treating the extended stage like a catwalk. Bringing back the early “SHOW WHAT I AM” theme song, the girls transformed into high fashion models, building up the tension to the last chorus back on the main stage.

Without allowing the excitement to fade, IVE launched directly into “LOVE DIVE which drew deafening cheers from the DIVEs that have been with IVE since debut. The momentum continued with “REBEL HEART,” whose live arrangement became even more impactful thanks to the band’s thunderous percussion. By the song’s climactic final chorus, confetti once again filled the air, creating one of the evening’s biggest visual spectacles.

Drawing from their stacked discography, IVE performed the uplifting song “I AM” and immediately transformed the arena into a massive singalong. Fans enthusiastically shouted every lyric and cheered after each of the iconic high notes.

Cr. Andy Keilen

As the song concluded, the members teased the crowd by asking if the show had been everything that they hoped for and prompted fans to cheer for more. To make up for it being the last song, IVE got closer to the fans by returning to the extended stage. The opening notes of “BANG BANG” echoed throughout the arena, launching what appeared to be the concert’s final performance. While bursts of confetti erupted during the final chorus, the music transitioned into an extended EDM outro, giving the members one last chance to race back toward the main stage and celebrate with fans before disappearing backstage.

Rather than ending the evening there, the concert transitioned into a lighthearted “DIVE TIME” segment that celebrated both IVE’s career and the fans who have supported them since debut.

The arena screens filled with fans dancing along to nearly every era of IVE’s discography, from “ELEVEN” and “LOVE DIVE” to “After LIKE,” “I AM,” “ATTITUDE,” and even “XOXZ.” The playful interlude transformed the Kia Forum into one giant random play dance session, with every corner of the audience joining in.

A behind-the-scenes film followed, offering an intimate look at the preparation behind SHOW WHAT I AM. Fans watched footage from the members’ first solo rehearsals, moments inside dance practice rooms, and conversations about the hopes they carried into this new tour. Rather than focusing on perfection, the VCR emphasized their desire to deliver performances that reflected who they are today. As the video came to a close, one final message appeared that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening: “We’ve been completed this way.”

Cr. Andy Keilen

The members soon returned to the stage, this time dressed comfortably in black tour merchandise, immediately creating a more relaxed atmosphere for “Wild Bird.” The encore was dedicated to creating moments with fans. A highlight included ANYUJIN tying a long pink streamer around LIZ’s head and presenting LIZ as her present to DIVEs. 

As the music faded, each member took a moment to share her final thoughts with their fans. REI expressed how much she missed being with DIVEs during their recent visit in L.A. for promotions. ANYUJIN gave a special shoutout to fans who attended IVE’s previous L.A. concert, revealing that she intentionally styled her hair the same way to commemorate their return nearly two years later. It was a small but thoughtful detail that demonstrated just how much the members remembered their fans between tours. One by one, the members thanked DIVE for continuing to support them throughout another chapter of their journey before waving goodbye and walking off stage.

The lights dimmed, and the screen turned black. Suddenly, white text appeared across the massive LED screens: “Did you think this was the end? Do you want more?” and in response to the growing cheers, the screen prompted the crowd with a single word: “LOUDER.”

Cr. Andy Keilen

Appearing behind a DJ booth, JANGWONYOUNG slipped on a pair of headphones and playfully hyped up the audience and asked, “What are you guys waiting for? Everybody stand up!” “Supernova Love” transformed the concert into a massive dance party, with the members bouncing across the stage and encouraging every section of the arena to keep their energy high. Just when fans thought the surprises were over, DIVEs were treated to “KITSCH” and then the unmistakable opening of “After LIKE” echoed through the venue. As one of IVE’s defining hits, the song served as the perfect finale. Every lyric was sung back by thousands of voices and built up to one last explosive celebration as the final shower of confetti filled the arena to officially conclude a jam-packed night at the Forum.

Cr. Andy Keilen

The L.A. stop of the SHOW WHAT I AM world tour demonstrated IVE’s determination to share bigger stages, more hit songs, and new sides with DIVEs. The diverse solo stages, live band rearrangements, and the surprise double encore created an unforgettable experience that DIVEs will remember fondly

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.