Clouds loomed over Chicago’s South Side on September 1, as an excited crowd chattered outside of a local community theatre. The buzz of anticipation was palpable as fans of OMEGA X, known as FOR X, waited outside the Beverly Arts Center ahead of the group’s performance in the Windy City. Chicago fans last saw the boy group in 2023 during their KEEP GOIN’ tour.
Since then, the group has released a new mini-album, a Japanese EP, and formed a four-member subunit called OX:N, proving they’re not taking their feet off the gas anytime soon. While Hangyeom and Taedong are completing their mandatory military service, members Jaehan, Hwichan, Sebin, Jehyun, Kevin, and Yechan held it down on tour this time. Xen and Hyuk are taking personal and health-related hiatuses and were not able to join the rest as they made their way to North America.
As FOR X checked in and made their way inside the cozy theatre, the enthusiasm only grew as fans took pictures in front of the stage, prepared their lightsticks, and made friends with each other as the clock ticked closer to showtime.
Finally, the moment FOR X had been waiting years for had arrived as the lights dimmed and an EDM intro of “BAILA CON OX” began playing. The six members ran onto the stage bathed in red backlight, each donned in matching red and white jerseys, their names emblazoned on the back. An eruption of screams from the audience brought the energy in the room to another level as FOR X jumped along to the hype song, their glowing green lightsticks waving frantically in the air.
“VAMOS,” a Latin-inspired track featuring some Spanish lyrics, came next and exhibited the group’s precise synchronization. The choreography featured smooth floor work and energetic bouncing.
After ringing in the evening with their infectious energy, the group took some time to catch their breath, address the crowd, and introduce themselves.
“This venue is on fire today!” Yechan exclaimed. He commented on the group’s matching red and white outfits, explaining with a laugh: “Originally, our costume today was something else. But we had an idea that we wanted to look like the Chicago Bulls!”
Cheers erupted throughout the theatre as fans voiced their approval. “I also drank a lot of Redbull!” Yechan joked. “The title of our tour is ‘NO LIMIT,’ so we will show you limitless energy tonight!”
With that, OMEGA X dove right into the next stage, “JUNK FOOD,” a rap-heavy track with bass that resounded throughout the venue. “LOVE ME LIKE” followed, highlighting Jehyun’s satisfying falsettos and Kevin’s melodious voice. Next came the B-side track “Day Zero,” from their latest mini-album UNCAPPED. In between songs, members reflected on how the process of recording the mini-album brought them closer together as a group.
“Touch” saw OMEGA X more chilled out, performing fluid choreography that highlighted their versatility as a group. Keeping up the more relaxed vibe, the group continued with the dreamy song “BINARY STAR,” showcasing their crisp vocals and romantic harmonies as they serenaded FOR X with beautiful lyrics that declared, “It was only after I met you that I found my light.” Concertgoers took in every passionate lyric, waving their bright lightsticks and phone flashlights from side to side, turning the Beverly Arts Center into their own starry night sky.
For the next portion of the show, OMEGA X presented several unit tracks, starting with “Cork,” featuring Hwichan, Sebin, Jehyun, and Kevin. Jaehan and Yechan returned to the stage to prepare for a duo performance of “Close to me,” which, when performed, perfectly highlighted their chemistry as they danced together and along with fans. Standing microphones were brought onto the stage for “DANCE WITH U,” another chance for Hwichan, Sebin, Jehyun, and Kevin to show off their soothing vocals.
OX:N members Jaehan, Jehyun, and Yechan then returned for “SUIT & TIE.” The adventurous track brought the trio to the front of the stage to personally interact with fans in the front rows. Jaehan in particular shined with his expertly placed ad-libs and silky voice, which perfectly elevated the shanty-inspired song. The last unit stage, “LOVE,” featured Jaehan, Hwichan, and Yechan, wrapping up this segment of the evening with a sweet ballad that boasted the trio’s velvety harmonies. Each performance gave every member a chance to shine as they exhibited their strengths in vocals, dancing, rapping, and stage presence. Afterwards, all six members returned to the stage for “Dry Flower,” another tune that tugged at FOR X’s heartstrings.
Yechan teased his members for being too shy to come up to the very front of the stage, prompting them to step past the monitors to prove themselves. The action elicited a round of squeals from concertgoers in the front row, now just feet away from their favorite group. He introduced the next song, “Life Detox,” hoping the rendition would help both fans and the group get rid of all their stress and enjoy living in the moment together.
Members took time to walk to each side of the stage, connecting hand hearts with fans, singing directly into phone cameras, and handing their mics to attendees to give them opportunities to sing. “ISLAND” had the group acting silly, pirouetting around the stage, and sending heart poses to each other and fans in the crowd.
Their latest title track, “UNCAPPED,” came next, with the members promising to put all their energy into the last three songs. Sebin began comically stretching in preparation for the next stage, prompting the other members to conjure up their wildest stretch poses to the fans’ amusement. With that, the Afro-beat instrumental began, bringing back the group’s dynamic choreography with it. “VENUS” followed, letting Sebin show off his striking rap flows. Yechan specifically stood out throughout the night with his effortless swag and expert crowd play, keeping fans energized.
OMEGA X turned the venue into a club with the next track, “RENEGADE,” the fully English jam released specifically to sing with FOR X while on tour in the United States. The group put their all into their dance moves as multicolored lights flashed behind them, fully immersing the crowd in the electrifying nightclub atmosphere.
The energy was taken up a notch with their last song, “TAKE’EM ALL” as the members bounced around on stage, urging audience members to jump around as well. In a bold move, Yechan made his way into the theatre’s aisles to interact with fans, singing and dancing with them as they tried to keep their cool. Jehyun, Jaehan, and Hwichan kept the fans cool in another way, spraying water onto FOR X as they screeched back in excitement.
The group left the stage on a high note, leaving FOR X wanting more as the lights dimmed. As fans waited on the edge of their seats, chants of the group’s name echoed through the venue, hoping the members would come back out. To attendees’ delight, the six members reappeared, this time donning NO LIMIT tour merch as they pumped up the crowd with the hip-hop beat of “ICETAG” and the bubbly tune of “PLAY DUMB.” Hwichan and Jaehan made their way into the aisles of the theatre, high-fiving audience members and even taking the hand of one lucky fan and swaying with them from side to side. Other members also sat on the edge of the stage to mingle with FOR X, taking their phones and grabbing lightsticks to wave around.
“Don’t forget us! We’ll have more fun next time!” Jaehan declared, catching his breath.
“We’ll have more new songs, more performances, and more members!” Yechan promised the Chicago fans.
For the actual final song of the night, OMEGA X each carried a phone to capture the final moments of the evening from their point of view. Members moved around the theatre with their cameras as they sang, taking selfie videos with audience members, dancing giddily with them, and recording fans singing back to them. An atmosphere of joy and exhilaration filled the Beverly Arts Center as FOR X experienced intimate moments with their favorite group. Fans in the front, back, sides, and balcony could all interact with the members as they filmed a memory to cherish for a lifetime.
As the night came to a close, the members said their heartfelt goodbyes and took the time to share how grateful they were to Chicago for giving them a great night.
“Since we kept our promise to come back [to Chicago] last time, I think we can keep our promise to come again next time!” Jehyun assured fans, to a round of thunderous cheers.
With that, the night came to an end as OMEGA X waved to Chicago FOR X one final time as they exited the stage, leaving concertgoers with a night they will never forget. The group turned the evening into a celebration with their contagious energy, genuine fan interaction, and all-round performance skills. There’s still time to catch OMEGA X on the NO LIMIT tour; make sure to grab tickets here before it’s too late!