From K-Idol to Artist: JUNHEE Brings the Beat Into the Ocean in San Francisco

Watching Junhee perform in front of fans after nine years in the music industry, it was clear to see his transformation from idol to artist. When someone has been in a band for many years, transitioning into an individual artist can be daunting. However, Junhee paid tribute to his past idol self by performing popular songs such as “Just Better,” “Clover,” and “My Girl” from A.C.E, showing gratitude to the loyal fanbase he deeply respects. Despite this being his first solo tour and having a relatively small solo discography, the setlist painted a clear picture of who Junhee is as an artist. He shared new music from first solo album The First Day and Night, covers of songs by artists who inspire him, and beloved hits from A.C.E that helped shape his artistry.

A fun highlight of the night came during the encore, when Junhee decided to sing nearly the entire first half of his set again. As the night went on, fans refused to let it end, continuously chanting, “ONE MORE SONG!” Feeding off the infectious energy, a huge smile spread across his face as he continued to sing.

For his closing remarks, the singer shared:

“Thank you all for being here. I think it’s crazy sometimes when I think about how much passion and love you have for all of this. I’ve always thought it’s amazing how you can relate to so many different stories and feelings in K-pop. This goes for A.C.E and my new solo chapter as well—thank you for all the love and support. It makes me happy to see you happy. To love someone, support them, and put your all into that is not an easy thing to do. You guys are so amazing. Thank you so much, San Francisco.”

Catch Junhee on the next leg of his In the Ocean Tour in Europe starting March 4th in Amsterdam, and stay tuned—we’re looking forward to his next album release.