[Concert Review] CNBLUE Voyages into LA with Heart, Humor, and Rock Energy

Photo Cr. Emma Vurdien // KpopWise

On April 24th, CNBLUE brought their signature blend of rock and charm to Los Angeles, performing a sold-out show at The Novo as part of their “Voyage into X in North American” Tour. The South Korean band, consisting of vocalist and guitarist Jung Yong Hwa, bassist Lee Jung Shin, and drummer Kang Min Hyuk, has been captivating audiences since their debut back in 2009. Now, over 15 years into their career, CNBLUE continues to prove why they remain one of Korea’s most enduring and beloved bands, delivering a night filled with powerful performances, heartfelt moments, and an undeniable connection with their fans, known as BOICE. 

The band wasted no time kicking things off with classics "In My Head," "Where You Are," and "I'm Sorry," immediately setting an exciting tone for the evening. Frontman Yong Hwa’s energy was infectious, mixing English banter about his love for LA's açaí bowls, tacos, and Koreatown's famous gomtang saying "Gomtang in Ktown is bussin’, this is a fact!" with a deep appreciation for the city and its fans. 

Introducing the next segment as some of their most powerful songs, CNBLUE launched into "Cold Love," accompanied by dramatic red and warm stage lights and a striking barbwire video backdrop, enhancing the emotional rock ballad atmosphere. They kept the momentum with “Bad,” a track from their latest album, with fans clapping in rhythm under intense red flashing lights. 

“Tattoo” showcased a different side of CNBLUE, blending hard rock riffs with blue stage lighting, Yong Hwa’s rapping, vocal rock trills, and a fiery guitar solo. The night continued with fan favorites "Loner" and "Love," both of which had the audience singing along in unison, flashing "L" signs with their hands. "Coffee Shop" brought groovy vibes, with Yong Hwa tossing and catching his mic in the air and jamming with Jung Shin and Min Hyuk during an extended instrumental breakdown. 

Shifting into a more emotional gear, CNBLUE performed “To. My Love” and “Then, Now and Forever,” showcasing Yong Hwa’s keyboard skills and the group’s heartfelt vocals. The lyrics projected on the screen made the ballads even more poignant, allowing fans to feel the raw emotion of songs from an album that marked an important chapter in the band's career. 

Announcing a throwback to 2011, the band kicked off a powerful run with "Intuition," a fan-favorite filled with green lights and passionate singalongs. "Racer" followed, pumping fists in the air alongside a dynamic dashboard video, and "99%" amped up the energy even more with colorful visuals and an explosion of clapping and jumping. Regarding the performance of “99%”, Min Hyuk playfully declared “we sang 99% and you filled the rest of the 1%, so I’ll say we sang 100%!” 

During "Cinderella," Yonghwa danced on the podium and hyped up Min Hyuk and Jung Shin by dancing alongside them. "Between Us" kept the energy high, leading into "Radio," where vibrant lyrics filled the screen and the stage exploded with smoke, confetti, and streamers. 

The night wound down with gratitude and promises from each member. Yong Hwa brought out an acoustic guitar for a surprise performance of "Love Light," and closed with the emotional anthem "Young Forever," a song born out of difficult times that has become a beacon of hope for both the band and their fans. The lyrics filled the venue as confetti rained down, bringing the concert to a cathartic, soul-stirring close.

Review and Photos by Emma Vurdien @emmafayev

Special thanks to FNC Entertainment and Platform for the opportunity.