How many artists would you say evoke happiness or bring tears to your eyes when you listen to their music? For me, there are only a rare few who can achieve this, and that includes JUNNY, a Korean-Canadian singer-songwriter. Although the artist debuted in 2017 with the EP Monochrome, it was in 2020 when he first came to my attention. The day I heard Aura, I knew that JUNNY, like Brian McKnight, Maxwell, Erykah Badu, and Glenn Lewis, is a one-of-a-kind singer.

JUNNY doesn’t fit into the stereotypical status of a “star”. On the contrary, he became a household name in the eyes of many people for being one of the most approachable artists within the Korean music industry. No, you cannot walk all over him, but yes, he will make time for his fans, even if that means staying after the show and signing fans’ phone cases or taking selfies with them. Without a shadow of a doubt, JUNNY has both charm and a sense of humour, and a certain “savoir faire” when it comes to interacting with his audience. 

On March 12th of this year, JUNNY kicked off his first Europe tour, blanc TOUR 2023, at The Lafayette in London. The venue itself is a stylish place with a capacity of 600 people, and features a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Prior to JUNNY’s performance, the audience was entertained by the show’s supporting act: SHOKU, an emerging R&B singer, accompanied by KYZA, a DJ. In spite of the fact that their performance was brief, they did provide great entertainment during those first 30 minutes. It was SHOKU’s first-ever show, and, although he seemed a bit nervous at the beginning, he did deliver an exciting performance.

Following his set, it was time for Minjeong to come on stage and throw some beats. The DJ’s slot was also half an hour, but it was just as exhilarating as the previous performance. She presented such a good mix of tunes that the crowd went wild. It was hard not to jump and dance when she played Usher and Snoop Dogg. Minjeong’s upbeat personality and stage presence added to the already vibrant atmosphere of the venue. 

When 8:15 pm hit the clock, fans became fervent as soon as JUNNY appeared on stage. The singer began his show with Color Me, a track from his latest album, blanc. This was followed by Obvious, and JUNNY quickly showed us why his concerts provide such a special experience. His soulful and impressive vocals, upbeat R&B music, and a smile to die for exuded so much positive energy, staying with you long after the show was over. After the first two songs, the artist addressed the crowd: “I am back in London again!” 

And while he loves chatting with fans during his performances, the singer didn’t waste his time and moved on to perform Not About You and Mugshot. And JUNNY wouldn’t be JUNNY if he didn’t take his fans’ phones and record videos or take selfies while performing. He was a total pro as he didn’t miss a beat or go off-tune while doing so. 

The atmosphere at JUNNY’s concert was electrifying and vibrant, with fans singing (in tune, like a church choir) and dancing along to their favourite songs. The artist created a sense of community as everyone shared the same enthusiasm and energy during the show.  The crowd’s excitement definitely elevated the performance itself. 

The entire show was a mix of old songs, such as Aura (2020), Fame (2021), and Distance (2019), as well as songs from his latest studio album, blanc. The song that everyone was waiting to hear was Optimist, a feel-good track and a collaboration between JUNNY and Blase. Optimist is a perfect mix of R&B and Drill, creating a unique listening experience. And although it was set to be released on March 13th, London got to hear it the day before. 

“I wrote this song when I came back from performing in London last year. I thought, why should you be stressed when you can be optimistic?” JUNNY candidly admits after singing Optimist. 

Among the 20 songs that JUNNY sang during the show, he also found time to perform some songs acapella while taking a few requests from his fans, too. Summing up, attending his concert was a thrilling and unforgettable experience – I simply cannot get enough of JUNNY. From his impressive vocals to his high-energy performance, the singer offered a wonderful night-out for his fans.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, 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 / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}