Gaho’s sound hits like a flash of light: impossible to ignore. Before stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, he was already developing the sound of K-dramas, writing memorable OSTs that reached every corner of the world. His journey began behind the scenes with Come To Me for While You Were Sleeping, but it didn’t take long for his own voice to take centre stage. With his 2018 debut, Preparation for a Journey, and the success of Start Over from Itaewon Class, Gaho stepped out from the shadows of the recording studio and showed the world what he was capable of.
Diamond, released in 2023, was a wonderful mini-album. More music followed, this time with KAVE, a rock band that he and his mates formed back in 2024. Gaho, KekiNu, Ownr, Hyun, and Jisang have created something extraordinary; KAVE gained recognition with their first EP, Flights of Ideas, followed by the second EP, Say My Name
Something fitting about seeing Gaho and KAVE take over The Underworld in Camden, a small venue built on a legendary legacy of artists who have performed there, is how its intimacy made the show even more personal. For 90 minutes, the group just kept on rocking.
Gaho’s vocals have always been powerful, but live, they hit differently. The show opened with Beautiful Night from the Diamond EP, and it was immediately obvious I was going to witness a strong setlist, with a live arrangement richer, fuller, and more dynamic than the studio version. Then came the ad-libs, effortless high notes that seemed to appear out of nowhere yet landed perfectly every time. It was beautiful, yes, but with a vocalist like Gaho, anything less would have been surprising.
Having KAVE on stage made everything stronger; without a doubt, the band represents a natural extension of Gaho’s musical direction, bringing a stronger rock edge to his already versatile catalogue, and it shows. High was one of those moments where the band truly locked in. The bassline alone gave the track a new kind of punch, and with a live band behind Gaho, the song gained a physicality you could feel in your chest. Gaho’s voice – clean and controlled – sat effortlessly on top. It’s one thing to sound good in the studio; it’s another to own a room like this. Start Over, the breakout hit from Itaewon Class, and arguably the moment many in the crowd had been waiting for, followed next. Fast, emotional, and vocally demanding, it gave Gaho space to show just how precise his technique is, especially in his falsetto, which has always been impressive. Midway through, he laughed: “Guys, how do you know that song? How are you better than Korean people at following the songs? In my eyes, we are from the same country.” That easy humour never left him all night. Even a short keyboard cover of Hey Jude by the Beatles slipped into the set, a thoughtful nod to the British crowd that landed warmly.
A softer sound came with To Mars, his newest English release. There’s always something fascinating about how an artist’s voice shifts between languages, but in Gaho’s case, the tone remains consistently beautiful, smooth, and warm.
“It’s a song we wrote when we were 20 years old with Hyun,” he shared before moving to Stay Here, his debut single. This is the exact song through which I discovered Gaho. The arrangement had been adapted slightly, but in a way that made it feel fresh rather than altered. The ad-libs added new layers, and Hyun’s piano outro gave the song a powerful, almost cinematic finish.
But if there was a point where the night truly tipped into chaos, in the best way, it was with KAVE’s Follow Me. Opening with a rapid piano line before crashing into full rock mode was brilliant. Tracks like Venom and Die For U kept that great energy, showing the band’s range and willingness to push beyond a single sound. At one point, Gaho joked, “Are you guys having fun? This venue sounds like a club,” and honestly, he wasn’t far off. Jisang’s electric guitar solo showed his talent all the way; it was loud and played with real confidence. For a moment, it genuinely felt like being at an AC/DC show.
New material also made an appearance, including KAVE’s unreleased Power, a track that falls fully into Gaho’s rock instincts. “Today is our last show, and we’re going back to Korea tomorrow,” he told the crowd. “Based on your reaction, we’ll decide what song will be released first.” It’s a clever way to test the waters, but judging by the response, the audience wasn’t exactly holding back. Dangerous brought another change – chaotic and wildly fun. At one point, a fan was brought on stage, leading to spontaneous barking (yes, barking) that somehow made perfect sense in the moment. It was ridiculous, joyful, and completely in tune with the atmosphere of the night.
As the show edged towards its end, there was a shared reluctance in the room. No one really wanted it to stop. A final run through Stone, Right Now, and even an impromptu reprise-like moment didn’t feel like the end, but like the night was still being stretched out. At one point, there were beers raised – Guinness, of course – and for a brief moment, Camden felt like it had merged with Seoul into one loud, joyful gathering. “I promise you we will be better prepared with a better performance next time. Thank you so much,” Gaho said before leaving the stage. It was a humble note to end on, but if this was them not at their “best,” it’s hard to imagine what that next level looks like.
I have to admit that it was one of those rare shows where everything clicks: the music, the energy, the humour, the connection. Ninety minutes was far too short, and a reminder that when Gaho and KAVE return, it probably won’t be to a room this small again.
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Written by Maggie Gogler
View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.
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