[SINGAPORE] The Light Still Goes On After 12 Years for HIGHLIGHT

One of the most iconic 2nd Generation K-Pop group, HIGHLIGHT (formerly known as BEAST), made a triumphant return to Singapore after 12 years for their highly-anticipated concert. Held on September 8 2024 at Arena @ EXPO Hall 7, the concert was filled with 4,500 fans who managed to snap a ticket to the sold out show, demonstrating the enduring love and loyalty of Lights/B2UTY. As the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted in cheers, it was clear that the wait after all these years had been well worth it. The quintet delivered a setlist packed with their biggest hits and fan favourites, proving why they remain one of the most beloved acts in the scene. 

Turning the Lights On with New Hits

HIGHLIGHT wasted no time in setting the stage ablaze with their opening numbers, Switch On and Privacy. HIGHLIGHT’s vocal prowess was on full display, with each member showcasing their unique talents and harmonies. The other songs, PAPER CUT and Feel Your Love tugged at the heartstrings, reminding fans of the group’s versatility. Before launching into their latest hits, HIGHLIGHT took a moment to introduce themselves to Lights and expressed their gratitude for the unwavering support of their fans. Though the group came to Singapore in 2018 for Shilla’s 4th Anniversary and 2015 for BEAST’s fan-meeting, they apologised for taking so long to do a full-fledged concert in Singapore. The group then ignited the party with their upbeat hit Plz Don’t Be Sad, and the crowd went wild when HIGHLIGHT performed their latest hit, BODY. The energy was infectious, and the fans sang along with every word. 

Beyond their musical abilities, HIGHLIGHT’s stage presence was equally impressive. The members interacted with the audience, making eye contact and throwing playful gestures. Their genuine smiles and enthusiasm were irresistible, creating a warm and exciting atmosphere.

Walk Down Memory Lane with BEAST

The highlight of this concert would have to be the nostalgic performance of classic hits like Bad Girl, Shock, Shadow, Good Luck, Breath, On Rainy Days and a ballad rendition of Fiction which transported fans back to the group’s early days. The energy in the venue was palpable as the crowd swayed and danced to the familiar tunes.

It was a bittersweet moment, filled with both joy and nostalgia as HIGHLIGHT’s decision to perform under the name BEAST was a significant one as it allowed fans to reclaim the identity of B2UTY. The performance of these classic hits not only caused enthusiastic screams but also brought tears to the eyes of many fans, who were overwhelmed by the emotional connection.

Additionally, one of the most impressive aspects of HIGHLIGHT’s concert was the group’s incredible stamina. Despite being in their thirties, the members delivered a high-energy performance that rivalled their younger days as BEAST. Their ability to dance, sing live, and interact with the crowd is evidence of their dedication to their craft and fans. 

Singlish Time and TMIs

Despite the group coming to Singapore multiple times, Singlish still proves to be a challenge for them except for the words, “Steady lah”, Steady lah” which was thrown randomly throughout the ments. While doing their personal Singlish time, Yoseob struggled the most with “Stay with us long long hor/orh”? The vocalist repeated multiple times but did not get a reaction, leaving the audience confused until Dongwoon attempted with “We won’t forget today lah” and got a good reaction. This gave Yoseob the confidence to try again and he managed to get a response after fans figured out what he was trying to say. Upon seeing his ment, Doojoon questioned if it was Singlish as it was just English, causing an eruption of laughter when the member confirmed that “Stay with us forever okay?” was just English. Lastly, Gikwang said “Thank you for being with me tonight lah” and had an epiphany moment where he realised that adding “lah” behind everything will make it Singlish, which enlightened his group’s understanding. 

They also shared some TMIs regarding their trip where Yoseob brought a camera to record his stay in Singapore while Doojoon only ate breakfast prior to the concert. Gikwang went to the gym to exercise and enjoyed the hotel facilities while Dongwoon shared his love for “Song Fa Ba Ku Teh”. Though he was unsure who prepared it, he coined the food “Best 3” in his life.

Saving The Best for The Last

As the concert drew to a close, HIGHLIGHT performed an energetic but heartfelt encore, leaving the audience wanting more. The final song, How to Love, was a fitting end to the memorable night. Throughout the concert, the group provided fan-service with unlimited poses and hearts. To prove their dedication to giving fan-service, Gikwang nearly tripped during the encore while trying to notice a message for him but he quickly regained his composure and reassured that he was fine.

During their last ment, Yoseob thanked fans for coming despite the rainy weather and that they received a lot of love and energy that night. Though he is unsure of when the next tour will be, he hopes that everyone will be healthy and happy till then. Dongwoon followed up by saying that while time flew too fast for this concert, he truly enjoyed the time spent together from the preparation till the last stage. Gikwang also mentioned he was informed that compared to their BEAST days, there are more fans who came for HIGHLIGHT and considering their age and experience, he recognises that it is not an easy feat and once again, thanked the fans for not forgetting about them and hopes there will be more Lights the next time they come back. Lastly, leader Doojoon concluded that he has always been receiving messages through SNS about overseas Lights who were waiting for them and as the group did their tour, he realised that there were more fans than he expected and promised to meet more of their international fans again.  

For the group to kick off  HIGHLIGHT LIVE 2024 [LIGHTS GO ON, AGAIN] as HIGHLIGHT but ending with BEAST has definitely made the Singapore stop very special as the last leg of the concert tour. Their concert was also a testament of the group’s enduring popularity and talent.

It was a dream come true to witness the group perform live after all these years with a good mix of new and classic songs that not only evoked nostalgia but also created unforgettable memories for Lights/B2UTY. Though they are unsure of when the next tour will be, HIGHLIGHT promises to put Singapore as part of their stop to return Light’s ardent support, so do keep a lookout for that! 

The Seoul Story would like to thank CK Star Entertainment for the media invite.

More Photos HERE.

Written by: Phebs
Photos by: CK Star Entertainment

The Seoul Story – Connecting K-Pop Fans Since 2011 
WEBSITE | TWITTER | LIKE US | WATCH US