Troxy, London. The clock strikes 8 pm, the lights fade away, and music begins to play. SUNMI, to the piercing cheers of her fans, appears on stage alongside her dancers. She commences her performance with Siren, an enchanting song from her 2018 EP, Warning, which is inspired by the retro beats of the 80s. Following SUNMI’s high energy, the crowd begins bopping to the rhythm. The opening hit-songs, Siren and LALALAY, are followed by a touching speech from the artist about how happy she is to be in London with Miya-nes (the official name of SUNMI’s fanbase). 

Motivated by the squeals and applause of her fans, SUNMI smoothly continues the show, performing songs such as pporappippam and SUNNY. While dancing her heart away, the singer adds more excitement to the already flirtatious atmosphere of the show with her exhilarating choreography. 

In between of her performances, SUNMI interacts with the audience, saying: “I am really happy that I can finally show you songs that are close to my heart”. After singing Black Pearl, Narcissism, Call, and Childhood – as well as undergoing an outfit change – the singer brings a bass guitar onto the stage and performs What the Flower and Noir. Noir is a special song for many – although it has a gentle and low-fi vibe, the lyrics depict a complex correlation between society and social media. It also illustrates one’s struggle to meet social media expectations while trying to live an ordinary life. 

“Ahh, playing the guitar and singing at the same time is so confusing”, admits SUNMI with a chuckle before moving to her next song, Heart Burn. Rather than offering another signature retro tune, the song takes its listeners on a more sentimental road. Singing live throughout her show, SUNMI’s evocative vocal tone thrills even the most demanding listeners. Between her breaks, two short films are played: Distorted and Moulin Rouge. And after taking a breather, the singer appears on stage in a fresh, leopard-print outfit and sings 24 hours, Oh Sorry Ya, and Tail.

The dancers who accompany SUNMI also deserve a round of applause. It is difficult to shine on stage with such a star in front of you, however, the performers manage to mark their presence in a fearless manner throughout the set. 

Also, the musical arrangements that were used during the show perfectly complemented the artist’s performance. SUNMI proves once again that she is a truly versatile artist who isn’t afraid to explore different sounds and genres. 

No one could have imagined the show without Heroine, a 2018 hit-song that manages to showcase the singer’s strong vocals. The performance of the song is staged with the use of a prop chair as the centre-piece of the choreography, with dancers surrounding the singer on both sides.

After an hour and a half, the show is about to end. The artist concludes her performance with You Can’t Sit With Us, one of the most upbeat songs from SUNMI’s discography. Having truly dazzled the crowd with her smooth vocals and charming stage presence, the singer finally says goodbye to her fans.

SUNMI attracted huge crowds at her London concert. While attending the show, I met young people from Wales, Scotland, and even Italy. The one-hour and fifty-minute show turned out to be an amazing journey through SUNMI’s repertoire. Her catalogue as a soloist has allowed Miya-nes to discover the true persona of the artist – the singer clearly presents herself as an elegant yet powerful performer.

The opportunity to watch such an accomplished and skilled artist as SUNMI was a one-of-a-kind experience. While the career of many K-pop idols rarely survives the 7-year mark, SUNMI is about to celebrate 16 years in the spotlight. Seeing the quality of the singer’s music and the dedication of her ever-growing fanbase, there is no doubt that the artist has already become one of the best performers in the K-pop industry.  

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Written by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, arts, and fashion, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}