JYP Tour in Orange County

Pointing and laughing at crowds of fan girls and boys hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite JYP Tour performer and/or occassional chain-smoking back-up dancer? Guilty as charged. Worry not, JYP fans. Last night in my native land Orange County, I was sentenced to two and a half hours of fanatical screaming in my ear! Before you condemn me to JYP hell, consider this: My ability to lose my cool over celebrities has been significantly depleted by age. This however, isn’t to say that I didn’t have a good time.

Luckily for Orange County JYP fans at the La Mirada Theater, the JYP show program mirrored the LA Wiltern show in everything from costumes to set lists. The only difference I could catch from being nosy in the lobby post-show, was that the Orange County crowd was more responsive to the performers requests to get up and lose their inhibitions. Way to make me proud, Orange County. I was overly impressed by all the old, married people getting up to dance and yell sexually charged statements to their children’s beloved JYP entertainers. To the older Korean woman sitting behind me, thank you for yelling “TAKE ME HOME WITH YOU!” to JYP. I want to say that you made my night, but you didn’t throw your panties at him.

The following are just a few things I took note of:

- Openers G-Soul and J.Lim, undoubtedly talented, but possibly really nervous given the fact that they didn’t use the full extent of the stage to their advantage.
- Some of the WG stage costumes reminded me a lot of last year’s Maison Martin Margiela and Gareth Pugh’s work for Beyonce. And the 80’s, obviously.
- Weak stage presence and vocals for the WG. Although, I admire that they didn’t lip sync their numbers, despite the amount of choreographed dances.
- 2 PM’s gratuitous booty touching/shaking…HAVE MERCY! Bboy moves were excellent as well.
- 3 different versions of the WGs’ “Nobody”…not so necessary.
- Ye Eun performed the song she penned, “Saying I Love You,” on piano along with the girls. Great song, but it could’ve done without the cheesy explanation of it.
- JYP’s death video leading into the WG performing the “One Night Only” Dream Girls’ cover was among the most entertaining performances for me.
- My usually cool and composed friend Mihwan, surprisingly lost it. JYP played ALL the hits she grew up listening to in the 90s. Please note that this is the same person that snickered at fan girls and boys with me.
- JYP’s going to a lady’s home scenario was really creative. I’m convinced he purposefully had all the performers give lackluster performances so as to not outshine their creator.

Overall, fun night. Looking forward to next year!

Photo Credit: Michael Ribs