With their latest comeback and an imminent North American tour this June/July, 82MAJOR aren’t so much knocking on the door of global recognition as they are dismantling it with style. Their new album, SILENCE SYNDROME, delivers tracks like TAKEOVER and PASSPORT, each one a swaggering nod to their rapid rise, building confidently on the momentum of their previous release, X-82. Subtle? Hardly. Effective? Absolutely.

Sunday, June 8th, marked the end of their third consecutive run at Myunghwa Hall in Seoul, another sign of the group’s rising success, with fan demand continuing to exceed expectations.

From the fierce momentum of their new track TAKEOVER, all sharp edges and no apologies, to Choke, my personal favourite, a song that delivers the kind of drama and payoff you secretly crave from a live stage, 82MAJOR made it clear they weren’t here to simply tick boxes. But it was PASSPORT that whisked us somewhere else entirely. With high-impact staging, strobing visuals, and their names blazing across the screen like a neon roll call of destiny, not to mention the obligatory but deeply satisfying lasers, the whole number leaned into spectacle with unapologetic flair. The crowd responded in kind: chants roared like sonic waves that, for a moment, it felt less like a concert and more like a kinetic ritual disguised as pop.

While fan chants have become increasingly common among Western audiences, typically characterised by enthusiastic shouting of group names or sheer decibel-driven devotion, what was revealed on Sunday was something far more refined. The crowd’s support took on a level of precision rarely seen: each chant delivered in perfect unison, meticulously memorised, not as an afterthought but as a deliberate act of participation. 

There’s nothing better than a great chorus that makes you want to get involved and join the carefree crew. That’s exactly where Gossip comes in. That confidence of staying unfazed, singing and rapping “talk about me, talk about me.” It’s a sentiment that I’m sure we’ve all related to at some time or another. Again, so focused in their own lane, making it look like it was the easiest thing to do. That vibe was carried into the cool FaceTime, this time they sat back and let the vocals lead the way.

Just as impressive as their talents are their personalities. Humour might not be the most important thing, but there’s something really charming about how they share a fun, almost silly friendship. To me, it shows they’re very confident in what they can do. And that confidence, liberating ability to simply be themselves, has undoubtedly played an important role in 82MAJOR’s success.

Equally deserving of applause are the fans themselves, not only for their impeccable execution of fan chants and genuine declarations of “Saranghae,” but for their dynamic reciprocity: matching the group’s vibrant energy and engaging in a spirited exchange of affection and laughter that transforms the performance into a shared celebration.

A perfect example of the humour mentioned earlier came through in their VCR moments. While such segments can sometimes feel like mere filler, that was definitely not the case here. What they presented was quality content—genuinely engaging and thoroughly entertaining. Styled and produced to resemble a social media platform, it featured three variety show-style videos. The third VCR was especially hilarious, showing that they know how to make each other laugh, and others, too.

But for me, the undeniable highlight – hands down – was the cypher rap battles. To say they slayed would be an understatement bordering on insult. What they did was set the stage on fire without so much as breaking a sweat. It was pure old-school rap battle bravado: sharp, self-assured, and laced with a deliciously cocky edge that somehow only made them more loveable. There was grit, there was swagger, and above all, there was a sense of artistic duality – playful and fun one moment, then suddenly mature and strikingly precise the next. 

The atmosphere between them was teasing yet competitive, with each member clearly enjoying the chance to wind the others up. And while my non-existent Korean kept me from catching every word, it was obvious they were going all-in and, more importantly, playing to win. What followed was a full dose of “baby girl” energy, with Yechan, Seokjoon, and Seongil delivering a sassy performance of TOMBOY by (G)I-DLE, followed by Seongmo, Seongbin, and Dogyun taking on aespa’s Whiplash. Those guys expressed the spirit of aespa with remarkable conviction. They swished and shantayed across the stage as if their lives, and possibly their eyeliner, depended on it.

And that’s precisely the point: this is their life, and they’re clearly relishing every minute of it on stage. A third consecutive sold-out show, performed before a sea of devoted fans holding handmade signs, was met with adoration at every turn. You could see it clearly: the discipline, the vocal power, the teamwork, all of it on full display. Perhaps it’s this very combination of grit, talent, and camaraderie that has created something exceptional. That, in essence, is the magic of 82MAJOR. 

Almost two hours flashed by like the speed of light as they wrapped up with their goodbyes and endmets. Before the final encore, which consisted of an impressive five songs – they really didn’t want to leave – they performed Promise You, a touching dedication to 82DE. 

Standing with microphones in hand, they delivered a heartfelt and sentimental performance, one that truly conveyed gratitude for the shared moment between artists and fans. Behind them, a montage of intimate scenes played, featuring personal, handheld footage captured by the members themselves, and handheld film footage shot by the members, adding that extra touch of personal memories to their show. 

With their growing demand in the West, I can confidently say that anyone who has tickets to their upcoming North American tour made the right decision, as they will be in for the time of their lives. As for those of us in Europe, we’ll have to be patient, but trust me, it will be so worth the wait. 

Be sure to check out the latest interview we did with 82MAJOR on their newest album TAKEOVER.

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Written by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of GREAT M Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}