P1Harmony is rapidly becoming a household name within the K-pop genre, and their Most Wanted Tour was a shining example of what makes them so popular. The six-piece took the stage at the United Center in Chicago earlier this month, and they put on one of the best concerts of 2025.
Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul, and Jongseob are no strangers to arena stages, though. What made this experience really stand out from their previous tours (and other K-pop productions) was the members’ ability to make the show feel like both a large-scale production and an intimate gig at a club. The massive atmosphere was fully utilized (smoke machines, backup dancers, pyrotechnics, programmed lightstick production, etc.), yet it felt like the group was comfortable enough with their fans (called P1ece) to try to connect with as many as they could and have fun with them while performing.
The North American leg of this tour had one special add-on, as well. P1Harmony’s labelmates AMPERS&ONE opened the evening with a brief set of their own. Earlier this year the group went on a lengthy solo run across the states, but this opportunity allowed them to show even larger audiences what they were made of. It worked well for both the group and the crowd: the members were full of energy and charisma to get people warmed up for the main act, and based on the cheers it seemed like a lot of people may have found a new group to support alongside the headliner. AMPERS&ONE’s lighthearted and personable demeanor paired with their sharp performance felt like the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of the night.
P1Harmony’s setlist was full of some of their most boisterous and energetic tracks in their discography, and their ability to keep their energy up throughout the show was nothing short of impressive. Each member had the opportunity to highlight their unique skills and personal tastes with a solo stage, as well. They’re well-rounded idols who function wonderfully as a group, but getting to see them flaunt their individual strengths in a wide variety of performances was especially fun. Theo’s cover of “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes was an unexpected (but excellent) choice, and everyone was more than happy to sing along with him.
Leading up to this run, the group released their first English mini album EX as a way to express their appreciation for their international audience. The EP landed at #9 on the Billboard 200 shortly before the Chicago stop, setting a new record for the group and reflecting just how much people really loved it. Before singing one of the new tracks (“Stupid Brain”), the members gave an explanation of the song’s touching message and invited P1ece to take that moment to connect with each other and really let the lyrics soak in. This release was a sincere gesture of gratitude and an attempt to make their fans feel understood, not just a half-baked cash grab.
There’s something special about attending a concert where the artists on stage truly enjoy their job. Musical talent and the ability to keep a crowd’s attention are obviously vital skills for artists like P1Harmony to have, but it adds an extra layer of enjoyment as a viewer when you can feel the happiness radiating off of them (Jiung seemed especially ecstatic). It seemed like the members were just as excited to see their fans as P1ece were to greet their idols. They were handing compliments out to the audience like confetti, challenging people to dance battles, and smiling ear-to-ear the whole time.
During one of the final talking segments of the evening, Keeho spoke about how Chicago felt like a second home to the group. Jiung then told a story about being inspired while out on a run to bring his family and give them a tour of the city. While it’s true that most artists praise nearly every city they perform in (Keeho said just as much), it really felt like there was a special connection happening at this venue. The members and the fans were feeding off each other’s energy, and it kept the whole arena in high spirits all night. Chicago audiences are welcoming to every artist that comes through town, but this show felt like a welcome home party for an old friend.
It’s no surprise that this group is becoming such a hot topic. P1Harmony is a powerhouse, and it feels like they’re just getting started. Their sound is fresh, their choreography is smooth, they sound wonderful live, and their music gets better with every comeback. Whether you’re in the nosebleeds or at the barricade, you’re guaranteed to have a great time if this group is on stage. The Most Wanted Tour was one of the most entertaining K-pop shows of the year, and P1Harmony is well on their way to the genre’s hall of fame.
Tickets for the remaining stops of P1Harmony’s Most Wanted World Tour here.