American pop sensation Post Malone, 27, often dubbed the idol of Gen Z, has a unique Korean nickname: 'Po-Seo-Bang'. This moniker emerged in 2020 due to rumors of his relationship with Korean rapper Mello. Last year, after the birth of his child, there were speculations that the mother was not rapper Mello but a Korean student.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the mother's nationality, Post Malone's recent concert at KINTEX Exhibition Halls 4 and 5 in Ilsan, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, was a performance that truly embodied his Korean nickname.
Making a grand entrance in a BLACKPINK t-shirt, Malone captivated the audience of over 30,000 with his earnest attempts at speaking Korean and various heart gestures.
The atmosphere was electric even before the concert began. Malone, holding a beer in one hand, kicked off the show with "Better Now", leading the audience in a massive sing-along. The crowd, reminiscent of soldiers from the MBC military program 'Friendship Stage', greeted the era's top 'hipster' with synchronized hand movements.
Known as the king of the 'melting pot' pop genre, Malone showcased a diverse range of music spanning hip-hop, rock, British rock, country, and ballads throughout the 80-minute performance. At times, he exuded the energy of a rockstar, then switched to the rawness of a hip-hop artist, and even serenaded the audience with sweet ballads accompanied by adorable dance moves.
During "Take What You Want" and his chart-topping "Rockstar", Malone showcased his gritty vocals, at times kneeling towards the audience, elevating their excitement. While performing "Over Now", he proudly displayed his tattoo-covered torso by taking off his BLACKPINK tee.
The concert was a visual and auditory feast, with Malone using pyrotechnics and a live band, including a string quartet, to create a rich sound experience.
During the sweet love song "I Like You", he surprised fans with playful hip thrusts and cute dance moves. In the folk ballad "Feeling Whitney", he serenaded the audience with his acoustic guitar.
Despite being covered in tattoos from head to toe, the charismatic artist's fluid dance moves were a sight to behold.
Throughout the concert, Malone greeted fans in Korean, saying "Hello" and "Thank you", and even shouted, "More beer, please!" Before taking a sip, he'd toast with a cheerful "Cheers!"
A highlight was when Malone invited a female fan he had met at the airport to join him on stage to sing his hit "Stay". He donned a traditional Korean hat gifted by the fan and struck a cute pose, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Since his debut in 2011, Post Malone has become one of the hottest artists in the pop music scene. He's achieved numerous accolades, including Grammy nominations for "Circles" and an 8-week streak atop the Billboard Hot 100 with "Rockstar". His 2019 album "Hollywood's Bleeding" set a record with all tracks entering the Hot 100.
This concert in Korea, part of his world tour celebrating the release of his fifth album "Austin", was surrounded by much anticipation and discussion.
Initially, Malone's team insisted on a large-scale concert. However, due to various venue constraints, they eventually settled on KINTEX Exhibition Halls 4 and 5, creating a makeshift venue for over 30,000 fans. The 19+ event, where alcohol was permitted, had fans buzzing with excitement.
Towards the end of the concert, Malone, now a father, shared heartfelt words with his fans, urging them to live every moment as if it's their last.
Even after exceeding the planned 70-minute performance time, Malone returned for an encore with "Sunflower", a hit from the "Spider-Man" soundtrack, as a large Taegukgi (Korean flag) waved above the stage.
He expressed his gratitude for visiting such a beautiful country and promised to return soon, leaving fans with a message: "There's no one cooler than you. Live your life." The source of Malone's confident and diverse musical range is his love for himself.
