EXO's Kai returned to the stage—and he didn't just perform, he owned it.
🔥 Kai's First Solo Tour Kicks Off in Seoul
On May 18, Kai launched his first-ever solo concert tour 'KAION' at Seoul's Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium. Performing for over 9,000 fans across two nights, he delivered 23 songs in 140 minutes, marking his return from a two-year military hiatus with an unforgettable performance.
💫 'KAION' = Kai + Aion (Eternity)
The tour title KAION fuses Kai's name with the Greek word Aion (eternity), symbolizing "the eternal beginning of Kai on stage." The concert was structured into four themed acts:
- A Stranger in the Mirror
- Multiple Selves Within
- The Unification of All Selves
- A New Journey Begins
👑 A Theatrical Opening
The show began with a striking triangular stage shaped like the letter "A" from "KAI." Dressed in a sleek silhouette, Kai opened with 'Sinner', delivering a hypnotic solo in front of a mirror. The energy surged with fire effects and 16 dancers joining in, followed by fan favorites like 'Mmmh', 'Nothing On Me', and 'Slidin' on a multi-tiered lift.
🎤 EXO Medley & Emotional Flashbacks
In the second act, Kai walked fans through his musical timeline, performing EXO classics like 'My Lady', 'Baby Don't Cry', and 'Into Your World'. The moment 'Baby Don't Cry' hit, the stadium went silent—then softly echoed with fans singing along.
"It made me emotional to hear EXO-Ls sing again," Kai shared. "It felt like we were reminiscing on all those years together."
🌊 From Summer Vibes to Full-On Fire
He then switched it up with breezy visuals in 'Adult Swim', before returning with a fiery trio of 'Wait On Me', 'Pressure', and 'Bomba'—the latter leaving both Kai and the audience soaked in sweat and screams.
⚡ The Dopamine Hits Harder on Stage
Act three cranked up the heat. In 'Confession' and 'Domino', Kai donned bold styling—leather jacket, open shirt, and snapback—firing off fierce choreography and joking,
"I was trying to slay you guys, but I'm the one dying up here."
He added,
"This stage is my dopamine. Watching you be happy watching me—that's my happiness."
EXO members Suho, Chanyeol, and D.O. surprised him mid-show with a special video appearance, drawing cheers and hearts from the crowd and Kai alike.
💙 Tears, Whistles, and Love Confessions
The encore began with 'Blue', followed by 'To Be Honest', where Kai walked the stage, locking eyes with fans, soaking in every second. When a whistle cue led the crowd to shout "Jongin, we love you!", Kai paused, overcome with emotion, tearing up onstage.
Reading the concert slogan, "Even the time I spent waiting for you was love," Kai choked up again.
"This was the most exhausting but happiest concert I've ever done."
He waved to every corner of the venue, promising,
"I'll never forget today. Let's keep making memories—until the end."
While some vocals relied on AR backing tracks, Kai's unrivaled stage power and choreography left no doubt: he remains a top-tier performer.
🌏 Next Stop: Asia Tour
Following the Seoul kickoff, Kai will continue his tour across 10 Asian cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Jakarta, and Singapore.
[Photo Credit: SM Entertainment]
