TWICE has had a special connection with Canada since as early as 2017. After all, their hit single “Likey” was filmed entirely in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The music video showcases some of the most iconic areas in the region from Gastown, Stanley Park to White Rock. News reports described the “Likey” music video as a boon for the tourism industry. And for TWICE themselves, it also marked one of the group’s biggest hits.
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“Likey” set a new record of the fastest K-pop girl group music video to reach 100 million views on YouTube within 33 days. Today, the video for “Likey” has over 601 million views.
Though despite TWICE’s memories of Canada, the group has never had a tour stop in the country until 2023. It only took six years! But it was sure worth it for Canadian ONCEs who have been waiting for a long time.
When TWICE announced a world tour this past February, demand for its Toronto shows was so fierce the group had to add an extra concert date. Fans paid upwards to $900+ for a seat at Scotiabank Arena just to see the girls perform for the very first time.
Since debuting in 2015, TWICE is considered one of the biggest K-pop girl groups in the world right now, selling more than 14 million albums in South Korea and Japan cumulatively.
The group was formed through the 2015 reality competition show Sixteen, with members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, Momo and Tzuyu making up the final line-up. In addition to South Korea, TWICE is comprised of members from Japan (Mina, Sana and Momo) and Taiwan (Tzuyu).
Ever since Seventeen played at Scotiabank Arena last September, Canadian K-pop fans have been eager to see major K-pop groups come to Toronto once the pandemic lightened up. Sure, Blackpink and ATEEZ had stops in Hamilton in recent months. But, the majority of shows have only stopped in the U.S. Therefore, many Canadian fans have had to cross the border to see many of their faves in person.
That’s why I anticipated long lineups when the day of the TWICE concert arrived. While doors opened to the public at 5:30 pm, fans were already camped outside of the venue with the hope of snagging some merch and a coveted lightstick as early as 8:00 AM.
There’s also something magical about K-pop shows, when a community of fans end up hanging around the venue all day to do dance challenges and hand out freebies before heading into the arena. It’s the experience of coming together to share the same passion with thousands of other people. And it just adds to the anticipation for the actual concert.
While I had certainly seen many concert spoilers on TikTok prior to TWICE’s Toronto tour stop, I actually had very little idea of what the setlist order could be.
In fact, the less you know is better when it comes to a TWICE concert. Many of their songs like “Fancy”, “Feel Special” and “I Can’t Stop Me” are catchy pop bangers meant to make you want to hit the dance floor. I kept the element of surprise because I wanted to be extremely hyped for the concert. And boy, was that the right decision.
The concert begins with the ladies of TWICE appearing on stage in jewel-encrusted outfits. Once the light turns on, the screen is split into nine parts, with a camera focused on each member up close. The effect of each member’s visuals is so powerful and striking that it only makes the crowd scream even louder. I also immediately couldn’t help but notice the impressive stage set-up, lighting and visual production design of the show.
Soon, the opening notes of “Set Me Free” begin to play, followed by the ‘80s disco-inspired “I Can’t Stop Me.” It’s an electrifying start to a two-hour plus show. And during the concert, TWICE’s love and appreciation of Canada was shown throughout.
“It’s our first time being in Canada! Were you waiting for us?” said leader Jihyo.
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“Since this is our first time in Canada, we prepared so much for you guys,” Nayeon said soon after.
The tour Ready To Be shares the same name as the extended play TWICE released this past March, and is a phrase that means a lot to TWICE after eight years of performing and growing older together.
“Ready to Be is very meaningful. It means we are ready to show you who we are, just as we are,” said Dahyun.
“As time goes by, we became more comfortable being ourselves and being natural as TWICE by your encouragement and love!”
It should be noted that every time Dahyun appeared on screen, the crowd would start barking. Being the funny goofball that she is, she encouraged the audience by putting her hand to her ear and saying “thank you” to her admirers. She was a total ham, and the crowd (especially male ONCEs) ate it up.
TWICE, often known for cute, girly and sweet concepts, definitely showed their more mature and sexy sides during this tour. “Go Hard”, the dance-pop B-side from TWICE’s studio album Eyes Wide Open, is a particular crowd favourite. During the instrumental chorus, the light drops to show only the members’ dancing silhouettes. It is alluring and visually stunning, and it definitely made the audience go wild.
The Ready To Be tour also marks the first time each member gets to perform a solo stage of their own, whether it’s a cover or an original song. Dahyun came out in a stunning gown and a piano and sang Colbie Caillat’s “Cry”. Tzuyu came out in a Michael Jackson-esque inspired get-up to perform a dance number to Charlie Puth’s “Done For Me.”
Jeongyeon on the other hand, sang “Juice” by Lizzo. It’s a sly “F U” to the haters who questioned changes to her body image and concerns around her health. She looked the most confident she’s ever been, wearing a robe with feathers. She even showed off her signature sense of humour by performing a short routine on her trusty recorder— all while adorably messing up the routine and giggling afterwards.
Jihyo and Chaeyoung sang original songs that have yet to be released. Though Jihyo mentioned the track “Nightmare” will soon come out this August as part of her solo debut. Meanwhile, Nayeon performed her hit “Pop!” from last summer.
But the highlight of the night was undoubtedly the solo stages for TWICE’s Japanese line, who heated things up for the crowd. It began with Sana performing a sultry performance of Dua Lipa’s “New Rules.” Soon after, Momo lit up the stage with her impeccable dance moves to Beyoncé’s “Move”, ending the routine with a show-stopping pole dance routine that had the crowd screaming.
However, it was Mina (who I’ve always thought was reserved and quiet), coming out on stage to perform Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” that really had the audience wanting more. She twerked as the confetti machine blew out custom dollar bills with her name on it. I guess there really is something in the water in North America!
When it was time for the TWICE members to reunite on stage, the girls sang a medley of crowdpleasers including “YES or YES”, “What Is Love?”, “CHEER UP”, “LIKEY”, “KNOCK KNOCK”, “SCIENTIST” and “Heart Shaker.”
Lots of fan service was paid to Canadian ONCEs the moment “LIKEY” started playing, with Momo leading the song’s iconic dance break, and the rest of the members following suit. Jihyo later said that they all performed the dance specifically for Canadians who welcomed them to Canada during the filming of the “LIKEY” music video.
Just before the encore TWICE even gave room for fans to show off their best moves on the camera, dancing to some of their top hits.
One of my favourite things about the fandom is seeing how many groups of male ONCEs went to the concert with their friends and how much they enjoyed the show. They were rowdy!
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They knew all the dance routines and twerked intensely for the camera just for their two minutes of fame. Needless to say, their energy was infectious. The male ONCEs were definitely a highlight of the whole concert experience.
During the second and final night of TWICE’s Toronto tour stop, Canadian ONCEs also prepared a moving fan-made video welcoming the group to Canada and thanking them for their music.
The fan video had footage of the members in their early days performing in schools to now selling out arenas and stadiums. Visibly moved, the members of TWICE promised fans they would be back.
“ONCE, please stay healthy and happy and we’ll come back later in the future!” said Jihyo.
“We got so much strength from you guys. Thank you so much for supporting us on this last day in Canada!” Nayeon added.
As mentioned on this newsletter, K-pop became my reprieve during the pandemic. While I often mention groups like BTS and Seventeen, I would be remiss not to count TWICE among the acts that gave me happiness. Spending time at these concerts over the Canada Day long weekend certainly felt like a healing, full circle moment.
It’s clear how much Canadian ONCEs loved and appreciated TWICE on their very first stop in the country. Here’s hoping that more K-pop groups can come here and receive the same love.
Rookie group FIFTY FIFTY cancels KCON:LA appearance, ‘Barbie Dreams’ music video amid legal battles
FIFTY FIFTY continues to face a legal dispute with its agency ATTRAKT.
The group announced earlier this week that it would not be appearing in KCON LA 2023.
“We are sorry to inform you that FIFTY FIFTY will not be able to be on the stage due to internal circumstances of the agency, as released early through the media outlets.” the girl group’s agency Attrakt said in a statement.
FIFTY FIFTY is also cancelling the music video for “Barbie Dreams”, which will appear on the soundtrack for the new Barbie movie. However, fans were still able to listen to the track, which was released on Thursday on YouTube.
BTS’s Jungkook to kick off Good Morning America’s Summer Concert series with the release of new single ‘Seven’
Jungkook will be heading to New York City next Friday to perform as part of Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series. This comes as he prepares to promote his official solo debut ‘“Seven” on the very same day.
Jungkook also released a concept film and photos this week in anticipation of his new single. Suffice to say, it had my group chats blowing UP!
With ARMY Day this Sunday and a comeback from Jungkook, it looks like the BTS fandom will not be getting much sleep in July after all!
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