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Korea Herald
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
[Grace Kao] Astro's ‘Call Out' at 'Astroad Stargraphy' 2025
Because I live in the US, attending a K-pop concert in Korea is a very special treat for me. This past weekend, with my fellow Arohas, I experienced Astro's 2025 'The Astroad Stargraphy' concert on June 7 at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. There was a full band at the left and right ends of the front stage. Astro's members are MJ, Jinjin, Cha Eunwoo, Moon Bin, Rocky and Sanha. It was a sold-out show, and bittersweet for several reasons. First, there were many reminders of Moon Bin's absence due to his tragic passing. He was listed on the banners and in the closing credits. Many of the dance formations held a vacant spot for him, including an empty mic stand during 'We Still.' Second, Cha Eunwoo is scheduled to enlist in the military in July. Lastly, Rocky, who officially left the group in 2023, joined the group on stage for all of its older songs. This was the first group concert in more than three years, and given Cha Eunwoo's enlistment, Moon Bin's passing and Rocky's departure, Astro's future configuration is, at best, uncertain. There are so many amazing parts of the experience of a K-pop concert in Korea that are absent in both K-pop and other pop concerts in the US. This show was a full 3 hours and 20 minutes long. In America, I've only attended one concert with a single artist that lasted that long, and that was Bruce Springsteen in the 1980s. Astro's light sticks are intricate, and the arena was dominated by pink and purple lights. According to fans' listings of the set list, the group performed 29 songs. Honestly, I don't know how they did it. Audience members were given diffraction glasses — when we wore them, all of the white stage lights turned into beautiful rainbow stars, befitting the theme of the concert. We enjoyed a traditional T-stage, which connected to a secondary stage at the back of the floor. This meant that at various parts of the concert, the five members could see different segments of the audience. I have actually never seen such a thoughtful layout for audience members. Astro's intricate stages and light shows were beautifully well-planned. The large video screens behind the members, as well as on the side panels of the moving segments of the stage, were visually appealing, and the concert made generous use of lights and flares. I also loved the dangling lights hanging above the circular stage, which were manipulated into astrologically inspired designs as the lengths of the strings shifted. Because my Korean is limited, I was unable to follow most of the conversational parts (ments) of the concert. However, there was one clear theme — nostalgia for the early days of the group. Videos and song backgrounds featured old images of the group, including those of Moonbin. 'We Still' in particular was accompanied by a montage of photos and videos. In contrast to many K-pop concerts, this show evoked a wide range of feelings from the audience. The emotional ballads 'Circles,' 'Twilight,' and 'Fly' were newer singles and express philosophical and somber themes about life, including those related to Moon Bin's passing. These were composed primarily by leader Jinjin and producer and topliner Subin Kim. 'Circles' may have also evoked the circular section of one part of the stage. At other times, their early songs lightened the mood. Astro's debut song 'Hide & Seek' received thunderous applause. This was followed by 'Breathless,' another tune from early in their catalog that is nothing if not cheerful. 'After Midnight' featured a large video background of ocean waves, which matched the lyrics of the second pre-chorus: 'I'm fine, not fine, the endless ocean.' This song was preceded by the upbeat 2022 song 'Candy Sugar Pop' — one of the last singles that featured all six members. I also enjoyed their performance of 'Crazy Sexy Cool,' although I imagine it was hard to dance in their white and heavily embroidered sparkly suits. The members were in top form, and their personas were intact. Jinjin, whom I had the pleasure to meet and write about last year, was energetic and expressed seemingly endless positive energy. His leadership qualities were on full display. MJ was the silly one, joking throughout the evening. I just adore his singing. Cha Eunwoo, who is often known as the most handsome idol in K-pop, was treated as such. The almost entirely female audience fanatically screamed, especially when he took off his jacket near the end of the show. Rocky was treated as the long-lost member who returned — fans were so thrilled to see him and wished he would stick around. Finally, Sanha was the sweet and friendly member who was bright and cheerful all night. The show ended with the song 'Call Out.' This song lasted at least 15 minutes as the members would pause in the middle of the chorus to offer additional ments while other members would run through the audience sections. The lyrics are about the members calling out to their fans to remember them. I doubt any of the Arohas at the concert will soon forget Astro.
CNA
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
JinJin of K-pop group Astro exempted from military service
K-pop boy band Astro's leader and rapper JinJin has been exempted from military service. Astro's agency Fantangio released an official statement on Monday (Jun 2), saying: 'JinJin has been deemed unfit for military duty following a detailed medical examination by the Military Manpower Administration due to health issues related to an autoimmune condition.' In South Korea, upon turning 18, all able-bodied men are required by law to perform 18 to 21 months of military service. The agency said: 'While his condition does not interfere with daily life, he requires regular hospital visits for examinations and ongoing management. Based on the medical opinion that it would be difficult for him to participate in military service under such circumstances, he has been granted an exemption from mandatory military duty." 'We sincerely thank all the fans for your constant love and support, and we kindly ask for your continued interest in JinJin's future endeavours," they added. JinJin's fellow bandmate Cha Eun-woo will enlist in the military on Jul 28 and serve in the army's military band. The location and time of his enlistment will be kept confidential 'in order to prevent safety accidents due to crowding", according to Fantangio. JinJin debuted as part of the six-member boy group in 2016 and was part of JinJin and Rocky, Astro's sub unit from 2022 to 2023. In February this year, he held his first solo concert titled Jin Lab Vol 1 Find Your Groove at South Korea's Yes24 Wonderlock Hall.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
K-pop's ‘Face Genius' Cha Eun-woo gets his marching orders, to enlist July 28
SEOUL, May 31 — K-pop heartthrob Cha Eun-woo is swapping the stage spotlight for military stripes this July, as his agency Fantagio confirmed on Thursday that the 28-year-old singer-actor will officially enlist in the South Korean army on July 28. Known for his breakout role in True Beauty and as the 'Face Genius' visual of Astro, Cha will be joining the army's military band. Fantagio shared in a statement: 'Cha Eun-woo, who recently applied to join the military band, received the final acceptance letter from the Military Manpower Administration today. He will enter the training camp on July 28 to receive basic military training, and then perform his duties in the military band.' The bittersweet announcement marks a significant pause in the star's ever-rising career, though fans — affectionately called Arohas — have known this moment would come. Military service is mandatory for all able-bodied South Korean men, typically lasting 18 to 21 months. Fantagio took the moment to thank fans for their unwavering support, saying: 'We would like to express our gratitude to the Arohas who have always given endless love to Astro... We ask everyone to give Cha Eun-woo strong support so that he can faithfully perform his duties and return in good health.' The agency also confirmed that his enlistment details will remain confidential to 'prevent safety accidents due to crowding.' Before the uniforms and bugles, though, fans can expect one last emotional hurrah. In June, Astro will reunite on stage at South Korea's Inspire Arena for a two-night concert, Stargraphy. The event is already shaping up to be a momentous send-off, especially with former member Rocky — who departed the group in 2023 — rejoining them for the show. Adding to his sentimental swan song, Cha also made a brief but memorable appearance in IU's recent music video 'A Beautiful Person'.
Malay Mail
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
K-pop's ‘Face Genius' Cha Eun-woo gets his marching orders, to enlist July 28
SEOUL, May 31 — K-pop heartthrob Cha Eun-woo is swapping the stage spotlight for military stripes this July, as his agency Fantagio confirmed on Thursday that the 28-year-old singer-actor will officially enlist in the South Korean army on July 28. Known for his breakout role in True Beauty and as the 'Face Genius' visual of Astro, Cha will be joining the army's military band. Fantagio shared in a statement: 'Cha Eun-woo, who recently applied to join the military band, received the final acceptance letter from the Military Manpower Administration today. He will enter the training camp on July 28 to receive basic military training, and then perform his duties in the military band.' The bittersweet announcement marks a significant pause in the star's ever-rising career, though fans — affectionately called Arohas — have known this moment would come. Military service is mandatory for all able-bodied South Korean men, typically lasting 18 to 21 months. Fantagio took the moment to thank fans for their unwavering support, saying: 'We would like to express our gratitude to the Arohas who have always given endless love to Astro... We ask everyone to give Cha Eun-woo strong support so that he can faithfully perform his duties and return in good health.' The agency also confirmed that his enlistment details will remain confidential to 'prevent safety accidents due to crowding.' Before the uniforms and bugles, though, fans can expect one last emotional hurrah. In June, Astro will reunite on stage at South Korea's Inspire Arena for a two-night concert, Stargraphy. The event is already shaping up to be a momentous send-off, especially with former member Rocky — who departed the group in 2023 — rejoining them for the show. Adding to his sentimental swan song, Cha also made a brief but memorable appearance in IU's recent music video 'A Beautiful Person'.
Korea Herald
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Astro's Cha Eunwoo to enlist in July
Cha Eunwoo of Astro will start serving his mandatory military service from July 28, agency Fantagio said on Thursday. He was accepted by the Army marching band and will be the second member of Astro to enlist, after MJ. Earlier this month, the 28-year-old had an interview and received notification of his acceptance on Thursday along with the enlistment date. He debuted as a member of Astro in 2016 and in February last year, released his first solo material, the EP 'Entity.' The idol has forged a career as an actor as well, appearing in a slew of dramas and movies. He is currently shooting the Netflix drama 'The Wonder Fools,' which airs next year, and a movie with the working title 'First Ride.' Separately, he starred opposite IU in her music video for 'A Beautiful Person,' which was unveiled on Thursday.
