American pop star Olivia Rodrigo performs during the Korean leg of her second world tour, "GUTS," at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Bonboo Entertainment
American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo proved her status as a pop sensation during her first visit to Korea, captivating fans with her live vocals and commanding stage presence.
The Korean leg of Rodrigo's "GUTS World Tour," took place at Seoul's Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Songpa District, last Friday and Saturday, drawing a total of 15,000 eager fans.
Rodrigo debuted back in 2021 with her hit single, "driver's license," quickly followed by the release of her debut album "SOUR." Featuring global hits like "deja vu" and "good 4 u," the album resonated deeply with Millennials and Gen Zers around the world, also making her a sensation among younger listeners in Korea.
Her latest single, "vampire," and sophomore album, "GUTS," released last year, have also garnered widespread acclaim, setting the stage for the singer's second world tour "GUTS," which kicked off in February.
American pop star Olivia Rodrigo performs during the Korean leg of her second world tour, "GUTS," at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Bonboo Entertainment
Rodrigo took to the stage on the first day of her Korean concert, Friday, in a glimmering silver outfit, her energy undeterred by the heavy downpour that night.
The American pop star opened the show with hits like "bad idea right?" and "Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl." Within minutes, she invited the audience to stand up and join in the fun, getting the crowd to rise to their feet, fully engaged with the night's performance.
The show that followed the electrifying opening was a direct testament to why Rodrigo's rise has been so meteoric. Her raw, unrestrained energy captivated the crowd, a sharp contrast to the choreographed precision typical of K-pop performances.
The 21-year-old smoothly guided the audience through slower, more intimate moments with piano renditions of "traitor" and "teenage dream." She then seamlessly shifted gears, energizing the crowd with dynamic performances of "pretty isn't pretty" and "love is embarrassing."
American pop star Olivia Rodrigo performs during the Korean leg of her second world tour, "GUTS," at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Bonboo Entertainment
One of the evening's standout elements was the intricate stage production, adding a visual depth to each performance. During "vampire," Rodrigo's movements were framed by a crescent moon projection, while "traitor" featured her vocals intertwined with graceful choreography that turned the performance into a visual spectacle.
The night reached its peak with Rodrigo's performance of "logical," where she descended from the venue's ceiling sitting on a moon-shaped prop suspended over the audience. As the moon slowly rotated, Rodrigo waved with a big smile, her connection with the audience palpable.
Throughout the night, she engaged warmly with her Korean fans, sharing how much she had enjoyed kimchi and how she had shopped at the popular beauty store Olive Young. Her attempt to say "thank you" in Korean drew cheers and she further charmed the crowd by declaring, "Korea is the most amazing place I've ever been."
American pop star Olivia Rodrigo performs during the Korean leg of her second world tour, "GUTS," at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Bonboo Entertainment
Rodrigo's energy remained relentless even as the concert neared its conclusion. She delivered emotional performances of her hit ballads "happier" and "favorite crime," sitting casually with her guitarist, before shifting gears and returning in a bold red mini dress for energetic renditions of "jealousy, jealousy" and "obsessed."
Running across the stage with her brunette hair flowing, she embodied youthful vibrancy, leaving the audience screaming for more throughout the whole show.
For the encore, Rodrigo returned to deliver powerful performances of "good 4 u" and "get him back!" Darting across the stage, she shouted "I love you" to her Korean fans, ending the night on an electrifying note.
Rodrigo's deep connection to Korea was further demonstrated through her commitment to women's issues, as she allocated a portion of the ticket proceeds from her Seoul concerts to the Korea Foundation for Women. This donation supports the foundation's initiatives, which include promoting gender equality, preventing violence against women and empowering economically disadvantaged groups such as single mothers and migrant women.
Having begun in Palm Springs in California, Rodrigo's "GUTS World Tour" is set to conclude in March 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia, comprising 99 shows across North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and South America.
American pop star Olivia Rodrigo performs during the Korean leg of her second world tour, "GUTS," at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Bonboo Entertainment