JUNHEE Enters Solo Era with INTO THE OCEAN US Tour Kickoff in Dallas
- EC Stanzel
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
JUNHEE, the charismatic leader of K-Pop group, A.C.E, marked significant milestones in his career with the release of his solo mini-album, The First Day & Night, and launch of his first US solo tour, INTO THE OCEAN. The tour kicked off on January 5th in Dallas, a city JUNHEE had previously performed in during A.C.E’s [TO BE AN ACE] Tour. This time, under the colorful stage lights of Club Dada, JUNHEE returned as a soloist and reconnected with his fans, affectionately known as Clover.
Though he only has eight tracks in his solo discography, JUNHEE still captivated the audience with his engaging stage presence and strong vocal delivery, holding the crowd’s attention and energy from start to finish. The thoughtfully curated setlist blended songs from The First Day & Night with surprise covers and a few fan-favorites. The result was an engaging concert showcasing the range of JUNHEE’s artistry.
The night opened with "Supernova," JUNHEE’s solo debut single with an infectious chorus that immediately energized the crowd. The set continued with performances of all remaining tracks from the mini album: “Sugar,” “You should come,” “Night,” “Too Bad,” and “Umbrella.” A rarity in concert setlists and a simple joy unique to beginning a new era. As the night unfolded, JUNHEE also surprised the audience with a series of well-chosen covers. Seamlessly woven into the setlist, the selections included “Beautiful” by Bazzi, “Soft Spot” by keshi, “toxic til the end” by ROSÉ, and “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd. Each song chosen was well suited for JUNHEE’s vocals and sung with his own personal flair.
The most anticipated cover, however, was “Your Idol” by the Saja Boys from the hit movie, K Pop Demon Hunters. JUNHEE’s rendition of the song was originally uploaded to his YouTube channel on June 30th, just ten days after the animated film had premiered, and was met with overwhelming excitement and virality. Whispers rippled through the crowd as fans realized the moment they had been hoping for since last June was finally here. To no surprise, JUNHEE’s live rendition earned one of the loudest reactions of the night.
Another notable moment I had not anticipated. Rather than spending a speaking portion of the show asking for Texas-style recommendations, JUNHEE took a moment to taste test a Whataburger Patty Melt, onion rings, and milkshake mid-set. It was the perfect “shake-up” of the typical concert conversation starter of “What’s good here?” and a lighthearted interaction that will remain a fun memory for Dallas Clover.
The latter portion of JUNHEE’s set paid tribute to his roots with a trio of A.C.E favorites: “Clover,” “Just Better,” and “My Girl.” Rather than feeling like a departure from his solo identity, these performances felt like a celebration of continuity between A.C.E’s Park Junhee and soloist JUNHEE. Among them, “Clover” stood out to me the most. Originally released in 2020, the song expresses A.C.E’s gratitude to their fans, Choice. The song’s inclusion felt especially fitting given that it was co-written by JUNHEE himself, grounding the moment in both personal history and creative ownership. With that emotional foundation set, JUNHEE shifted the focus back to his present chapter, closing the night with “Too Bad,” the final performance from The First Day & Night.
If the INTO THE OCEAN tour’s opening night in Dallas made one thing clear, it’s that JUNHEE’s solo era will be an exploration of who he is as an artist. From the setlist to the pacing of the show, the choices made reflect an artist who’s honoring his roots while carving out space for something distinctly his own. A new chapter focused on creative expression and reaching new heights as an international solo artist.
JUNHEE
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