[SINGAPORE] NCT’s Doyoung on First Solo Concert: “I’m So Happy Sia”

Riding on his newfound fame as South Korea’s next vocal sensation, NCT’s Doyoung was in Singapore for his 2025 ‘DOORS’ tour — his second Asia tour as a soloist.

Without the typical video intro, the singer himself appeared from the get-go and kicked off the evening by belting Wake From The Dark, accompanied by a 4-man live band. Doyoung looked like royalty in a long white coat as a translucent curtain in front of him fell to reveal the stage.

Screens on stage created the illusion of him stepping out of an aircraft to perform Dallas Love Field, From Little Wave, Little Light, Lost in California, and Sand Box, vocals crisp but tender. Honouring the name of the tour, Doyoung stepped out of various doors throughout the show, both on screens and on stage, each door marking a different mood for the tracks he will perform next. 

One of these moods happened to be a genre rarely touched by K-pop, much less live at a K-pop concert. Doyoung appeared in a half-unbuttoned burgundy shirt and turned the theatre into a swanky lounge to deliver a medley of jazzy remakes, including NCT U’s YESTODAY, NCT 127’s Love Song, NCT DOJAEJUNG’s Perfume, and from his solo repertoire, Serenade and Like A Star. He even joined the pianist on his bench for a surprise piano duet at the end of the jazz medley.

“Today’s jazz was the most fun I’ve had so far,” the singer declared, teasingly buttoning up his shirt shortly after because it “doesn’t fit the vibe of the next songs”. He followed up with lyrical ballads Sonnet and The Story, before changing into a green varsity jacket and jeans for First Step, Time Machine, and Be My Light. 

“The next two songs make me think a lot,” Doyoung said solemnly, vowing to overcome the language barrier through his performance. And overcome did he — his lachrymose delivery of Luminous overcame the audience with so much emotion that they held their applause until the end of the next song, Still. The voice that escaped those defined cupid’s bows was anguished yet delicate, keeping the theatre in a poignant silence through Warmth, Rewind, and Just Friends.

Perhaps it is to combat the loneliness of a solo concert, but Doyoung shared that he intentionally asked for lyrics to be flashed on screens for fans to sing along with him. “Of course I’m not forcing you to sing,” he claimed, but during Lost In California, the singer shouted “Sing along lah!” with the gusto of a local school camp facilitator, so fans had to accede.

There were more flashes of Singlish throughout the evening, the singer revealing that he picked up some phrases during the rehearsal. That was not the only way he paid tribute to the host country — Doyoung also performed a short acoustic cover of local musician Regina Song’s the cutest pair, but being the perfectionist that he is, he performed it twice and requested fans to upload only the better version.

Doyoung enjoyed Singapore so much that he wants to perform in an outdoor venue the next time he is in the country. “I’m so happy sia,” he sighed, marvelling at the crowd’s loud reception of him. “Please come again if you don’t have anything on then. Promise? Confirm plus chop.”

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

Written by: Gloria
Photos by: FriedRice Entertainment

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