[Dispatch=Reporter Yuha] "We burned it down like this, so the rain should have stopped by now." (Yuuki)

Before the performance, heavy rain and strong winds swept through. However, the interior of Olympic Hall was filled with hot energy. Bad weather could not stop NEXZ and their fandom's passion.

It was their first Asia tour 2 years and 5 months after debut. NEXZ filled the concert hall without backup dancers or elaborate stage setups. On stage, they showed seasoned professionalism, and in their attitude toward the stage, they displayed rookie boldness.

High-intensity performances continued without pause. Members did not miss their live vocals even during intense choreography. As their breathing became heavier, the roars from fans grew louder. Over 150 minutes, they delivered 28 songs.

NEXZ held their first Asia tour "SAUCIN' THE WORLD" at Olympic Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul on October 17-18. Dispatch attended the final performance.

◆ Burning Hot From the Start

NEXZ opened with "Umtzuk." The video board displayed a car racing. Members rushed to the extended stage from the start. They lifted the atmosphere with explosive energy.

They revealed their excitement for their first Asia tour. Yuuki and Hui said, "We finally opened the curtain on our first Asia tour. It's all thanks to Nextee," and pledged, "Like the concert name, we will captivate the world with NEXZ's colors and music."

In "Oh Really?" they exuded cheerful charm. While executing the choreography, they sent their gaze across the audience. They made eye contact with fans and waved their hands with ease. Their improved stage manner stood out.

The next stage was "One Bite." They showcased a different appeal with a Korean version. With intense eyes and restrained movements, they revealed mature masculinity. Especially when Hui performed with an eye patch, the concert hall erupted in roars.

"Burning Black" and "Hard" had heavy beats that pounded the heart. Members moved in unison with the strong rhythm. The venue was ablaze with cheers at the relentless choreography.

"Want More? One More!" impressed with emotional production. Seven lights turned on in sequence, capturing attention. Added to this were Tomoya's clear, soaring high notes. They dominated the stage with powerful performance and vocals.

◆ Beside Nextee

NEXZ added to the concert's enjoyment with appropriate pacing. In "Aliens" and "Costa," they appeared in school uniforms. Against a school backdrop, they revealed fresh boyish charm.

The musical harmony was also impressive. Yuuki's sweet tenor and Haru's powerful rap contrasted. NEXZ freely navigated between freshness and charisma.

In "Ride the Vibe," the members' natural chemistry shined. They joked with each other as they moved across the extended stage. When they sang toward the audience, fans responded with their fanchant. The glow of support lights rippled to the rhythm.

NEXZ came down from the stage. Moving along the aisle, they made eye contact with fans one by one. Soon they stood in the middle of the audience. They performed right in front of the first row.

The unexpected treat drew cheers. Nextee savored the stage unfolding before them. Members carefully looked after the audience on the second floor too. They posed toward cameras and waved. They created unforgettable memories.

"Nextee, stand up!"

At a single word, the entire audience stirred. All seated fans rose from their seats. Colorful confetti scattered through the air. The EDM version of "Appetite" blared. The concert hall instantly transformed into a massive party venue.

◆ Boundless Performance

"Nextee, are you ready to tear it up again?" (Haru)

NEXZ returned to the stage in intense burgundy outfits. The atmosphere heated up further. Haru's solo performance opened the barrage. Then, in "Legacy," the seven members' synchronized choreography exploded.

They continued the momentum in "I'm Him" and "Shimmer." Continuously changing formations, they commanded the stage. They boasted seamless chemistry even with high-difficulty choreography. It was hard to believe this was the latter half of the performance, with so much energy overflowing.

"Beatboxer" was masterful in harmonizing stage production and performance. Laser lights created a boxing ring. Members transformed into boxers and performed b-boying. The audience completed a wave of red support lights.

The heated atmosphere was cooled by sweet songs. "Twenty Now" and "Run with Me" followed. They sang about the future NEXZ and Nextee would paint together. Fans held up slogan boards inscribed with "We paint tomorrow in our own language."

The emotion did not end there. "Twenty Now" was filled once more with only the fans' voices. Hui removed his in-ear monitor and listened to Nextee's singing. He marveled, "Nextee's voices are really beautiful. You did so well."

◆ Again, NEXT

Soon, the final stage of "Saucin' The World." NEXZ soothed the regret with "Hypeman" and "Eye to Eye." They turned toward the audience once more. True to the song title, they greeted fans one by one while making eye contact.

Even encores were not enough. Following fans' passionate support, an additional encore followed. NEXZ unveiled the Korean version of "Keep On Moving" and "Next to Me." They burned themselves out until the very last moment.

NEXZ poured the stage experience they had accumulated into their first tour stage. Fans gathered from across Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and beyond also supported their new beginning. The sea of support lights and roars that filled the venue proved their passion.

At the end of the performance, members conveyed sincerity to fans who shared their first tour beginning. It contained gratitude, excitement, and future pledges.

"I've gained a lot more confidence compared to debut. Thanks to Nextee, I was able to find my strengths too. I want to keep showing you cool sides going forward. You want to see our new sides, right? Please look forward to it!" (Yuu)

"Nextee, thank you so much for filling the concert hall today. We'll go meet fans in various parts of Asia now. We'll run hard through the end of the year, so please look forward to it. Nextee, I love you!" (Tomoya)

"Wherever Nextee is, NEXZ will find you. I want to stand on bigger stages in Korea too. We'll work harder going forward and show you many great sides, so please keep watching!" (Haru)

"Lately, I've felt that 'nothing is a given.' It's not like Nextee comes to meet us as a matter of course, right? When the performance ends and we part with Nextee, it feels so regrettable. When I return to the dorm, it feels empty somehow. That's why this moment feels more precious and special." (Sou Gun)

"When something precious disappears before your eyes, words don't come out, right? I think that's love. For me, the members and Nextee are such presences. I worked really hard to create a performance that makes Nextee want to come again. Going forward, please hold our hands tight and be with us to the end." (Seita)

"Today's energy was really crazy! We had the time of our lives. The fact that we can stand on stage like this is all thanks to Nextee. I feel so proud that we showed you an even cooler and more grown-up side compared to last time. We'll continue to grow as NEXZ, so please look forward to it." (Hui)

"I was worried a lot before the performance. But once we came, this time felt so short. Happy times go by fast, right? It really felt like it ended in an instant. If we burned it down like this, the rain that was coming down earlier should have stopped by now. (Laughs)" (Yuuki)

<Photos provided by JYP Entertainment>