[REVIEW] DAY6 serenades 38,000 fans at historic Gocheok Sky Dome concert

K-pop band DAY6 poses with their audience during the group's concert, 'The Present,' at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

K-pop band DAY6 poses with their audience during the group's concert, "The Present," at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

By Pyo Kyung-min

K-pop band DAY6 made history by becoming the first K-pop band to perform a solo concert at the monumental Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, gifting fans an unforgettable finale to 2024. With an audience of 38,000 over two nights, the quartet delivered a powerful 30-song performance that underscored its growing influence in the Korean music scene and beyond.

The four-piece band — Sungjin on guitar and vocals, Young K on bass, guitar and vocals, Wonpil on keyboard and vocals and Dowoon on drums and vocals — staged the second show of its special two-day concert, "The Present," at the iconic venue in Seoul's Guro District, Saturday.

The performance capped what has been a landmark year for DAY6, with its appearance at Gocheok Sky Dome — a venue renowned for its ability to host the largest concert audiences in Korea — serving as a testament to the group's broad appeal.

The concert marked the band's third major Korean show this year, following performances at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in April and Inspire Arena in September.

Young K, the leader of JYP Entertainment's K-pop band DAY6, performs during the group's concert, 'The Presdent,' at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Young K, the leader of JYP Entertainment's K-pop band DAY6, performs during the group's concert, "The Presdent," at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Serving as a retrospective of the group's journey since its 2015 debut, the Saturday show opened with DAY6's commanding energy, performing hits like "Colors," "I Need Somebody" and "Monster." Accompanied by a 56-piece orchestra, the band created a grand, immersive soundscape that set the tone for the night.

The band continued with fan favorites such as "Still There," "Didn't Know," and "You Were Beautiful." Its debut track, "Congratulations," added an emotional touch, with fans lighting up the dome with their mobile phone flashlights. Wonpil, visibly moved while performing the song, momentarily paused as tears welled up.

During a brief break for the emotional member, Young K addressed the crowd, thanking fans for their unwavering support. "I thought I could handle this calmly, but this moment is overwhelming," he said. "Instead of focusing on the song, I started reflecting on everything that led us here."

When Wonpil returned to the stage, he also shared his gratitude. "Being able to perform on this stage feels like a blessing," he said. "We've worked hard on our music and schedules this year, and being here with people we love fills me with so much emotion."

DAY6 member Wonpil performs during the group's 'The Present' concert held in Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

DAY6 member Wonpil performs during the group's "The Present" concert held in Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Although the group showed slight vocal strain at the beginning, the members gained momentum as the concert progressed. Walking onto an extended stage, the quartet energized the crowd with lively performances of "COUNTER," "Shxtty Game," "Days Gone By," and "HAPPY," driving the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

The concert's climax came with "Somehow," as fans danced and jumped to the upbeat rhythm, syncing with Dowoon's passionate drumming. The energy was so intense that a technical glitch with Wonpil's keyboard briefly disrupted the performance, prompting Young K to joke, "With all the vibrations and heat, it's no surprise the equipment needed a break."

As the night wore on, DAY6 delivered high-energy renditions of "I Wait" and "Shoot Me," followed by emotionally charged orchestral-backed performances of "I'm Fine," "Sad Ending," "Sweet Chaos," and "Love Me or Leave Me," leaving the audience in awe.

Dowoon, DAY6's drummer, performs during the group's concert, 'The Present,' at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Dowoon, DAY6's drummer, performs during the group's concert, "The Present," at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

The encore also featured a string of hits, including "Say Wow," "Sing Me," and "Best Part." Recent chart-toppers "Welcome to the Show" and "Melt Down" energized the crowd further, while the fan-favorite "Time of Our Life" provided a fitting close to the evening's lineup.

Reflecting on the milestone performance, Wonpil expressed heartfelt gratitude. "Time flies so quickly. Your support gives us the strength to keep moving forward," he said. "Performing at Gocheok Sky Dome feels like a dream come true. We'll keep striving to deliver great music and shows."

Dowoon echoed the sentiment, saying, "Being on stage with you is my happiest moment. Seeing your joyful faces makes me truly happy. I'll work hard to become an even better artist."

Young K concluded the night with a message of love and appreciation. "Thank you for making this dream a reality," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I hope our love and happiness continue to resonate with you. Thank you for allowing us to dream of the future."

Sungjin, the eldest member of DAY6 performs his instrument during the group's concert, 'The Present,' at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

Sungjin, the eldest member of DAY6 performs his instrument during the group's concert, "The Present," at Gocheok Sky Dome, Guro District, southwestern Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

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