The Copernicus Center in Chicago has become a common venue choice for K-pop artists that come through the midwest, but last week was an extra special occasion. Veteran idol ONEW put on a one-man show for his 2026 tour Onew the Live: Percent (%). Originally debuting in 2008 as a part of the iconic boy group SHINee, he’s since proven himself to be a solid soloist as well. His live performance was an impressive feat, and a solid reminder of why he’s been such a beloved artist for almost twenty years.
ONEW is a superstar through and through; the stage never once felt empty, and his vocal ability is truly something to marvel at. There were no props, dancers, or LED backdrops, just an idol with decades of experience and an immense amount of talent. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he’s one of the strongest singers in the entire genre. Some of that comes from years of practice, sure, but it’s fascinating to watch him do it all so effortlessly. The ballad section of the evening (featuring his classic single “Starry Night” featuring Lee Jin Ah) was a beautiful showcase of his soothing voice. ONEW laughed about how difficult and exhausting that portion of the concert was after the fact, but you certainly couldn’t tell from the way he pulled it off. Never sounding out of breath or out of practice, that performance seemed like it was as easy for him as breathing.
The rest of the night was upbeat, energetic, and occasionally hilarious. ONEW typically wraps this show up by wandering through the aisles during the encore and interacting with people, but couldn’t do so at this venue due to restrictions. Instead, he tossed signed trinkets into the crowd as if he was hoping to be the first round draft pick for the Chicago Cubs (everyone in the balcony was appreciative of his effort and accuracy). His bright personality and the love Jjingus (his fans) have for him kept the room lighthearted, and the setlist choices had the audience up and dancing throughout most of the night.
Despite ONEW’s previous U.S. run ending less than a year ago, the crowd was just as excited to see his new tour and hear songs from his latest album PERCENT. One thing that stood out about the crowd compared to other K-pop events was the fact that it consisted almost exclusively of grown adults. The genre’s boom in worldwide popularity happened long after it took off in the ‘90s, and international listeners had to be dedicated until fairly recently. It took a massive amount of effort to find lyric translations, watch video content, or even hear the music itself since streaming culture was nonexistent at the time. Being a casual fan was less common with how much work it was to dive into that world, so those that were devoted to these artists were really committed. There was something very different about being in a room full of older fans (or “hags”, as miserable people on the internet would say) who were probably in the trenches of the internet back in the day just to support their favorite singers. Most of the audience that came to see this concert have probably been supporting ONEW since a time when K-pop was nearly unheard of in this country. It was a real-life reminder that the concept of the genre being a fleeting “young people craze” is silly and misinformed, and that older fandoms are often still alive and thriving.
Seeing such a talented and legendary idol finally getting the chance to give his longtime international listeners such high-quality performances was truly cathartic. ONEW is a household name for those who’ve been into K-pop since the late 2000s and early-mid 2010s. After seeing his concert in Chicago, it’s easy to understand why. He really is one of the best of the best; his unique vocals, signature charisma, and colorful discography made for a memorable evening. Onew the Live: Percent (%) felt like a breath of fresh air for the new year. It was a polished and entertaining show from start to finish, and hopefully just the beginning of ONEW’s success here in the U.S.
Listen to ONEW’s latest album PERCENT here!
