With a packed schedule of thirty-two shows, ITZY’s second major tour proves their massive popularity in the US and Asia once-more, and sees the powerhouse group making a long overdue yet successful foray into new territories such as Europe, Latin America and Oceania – including an epic show at the iconic Wembley Arena in London. Putting on an undeniable firecracker of a show in London, the BORN TO BE tour predominantly highlights the brilliance of ITZY’s multi-faceted second studio album of the same name, while also unearthing gems buried within their under-rated catalogue.

Through an opening trio of the bass-driven title track, smooth synth-pop banger “RACER”, and stylishly jittery melodies of “KIDDING ME”, ITZY exudes dizzyingly high levels of energy from the get-go, pummelling the stage with crowd-pleasing choreography and backed by a full live band. Setting a tone of empowerment and independence, ITZY delivers a performance with their signature brand of unapologetic badassness.

The carefully curated setlist spotlights fan-favourites such as 2021’s “SWIPE” – a sassy B-side about rejecting unwanted advances characterised by slickly delivered hand-swiping choreo – as well as the riotous one-two punch of rhythmic dance-pop bops “Gas Me Up” and “Dynamite.” ITZY’s intentional choices to focus on dance-heavy numbers pays off throughout the setlist, consistently exhibiting themselves as a powerhouse unit.

Of course, ITZY’s signature hits light up the stage in a high-energy, back-to-back segment. The sight of rainbow-coloured waves of ITZY ‘Light Rings’ pulsating to the electro beats of “WANNABE” is heartwarming, eventually setting the stage for the fearless anthem “Not Shy” – a bouncy hip-pop number that encourages confidence in love – and the intense “LOCO,” both introduced with dramatic flair to add to the excitement.

The BORN TO BE show artistically offsets those grittier pop moments with the sweet yet inspiring “CAKE” and their Marmite single “Sneakers,” ultimately showcasing ITZY’s dynamic artistry and the overarching spirited nature of their songs. The show’s profound closing image of their twelve female dancers striking powerful poses under a massive crown is sure to emblazon itself into the consciousness of every audience member, while proudly affirming ITZY’s overarching message of resilience from a female perspective.

Taking a brief break before the US leg of their tour, ITZY reflected on their European shows and the preparations for their demanding schedule. Meanwhile, their insights into pre-performance routines reveal the dedication behind their spectacular shows. Read on for more about ITZY’s experiences and preparations.

Read the full interview…

Hi ITZY! You recently wrapped up your first-ever European leg of the BORN TO BE world tour, meeting many European MIDZYs for the first time. What were you expecting before you hit the stage in Europe?
Yeji: It was my first time performing in Europe, so I was excited and curious about what the reaction would be and what kind of energy our European MIDZY would have!

Yuna: It was my first European performance, so I was both excited and nervous. The atmosphere in each city was so good that I was looking forward to performing with our European MIDZY even more. When I performed on stage, our audience were very wonderful!

The European tour came after your stops in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Latin America. How did those previous shows get you ready for the European crowds?
Ryujin: I prepared a lot to convey the energy as best as I could, with the mentality of putting on an enjoyable performance based on the experience I had gained since our last tour.

Chaeryeong: There are many things I felt while performing several times. I fully felt the atmosphere of the concert hall and thought I could enjoy the stage a bit more! I hope everyone enjoys it!

Did you notice any standout reactions from European MIDZYs to certain songs or moments in your setlist that were different from other international audiences?
Yeji: I was really surprised when I heard our fans singing along to “CAKE.” Although it was the first time I heard fans overseas singing along to “CAKE,” I think it was in this moment that I realised how much this song was loved.

Chaeryeong: Our fans enjoyed “In The Morning” more than I thought! It showed me that we should go with “In The Morning” in our next tour!

BORN TO BE is not just your tour’s name but also the title of your latest album. How do your live performances reflect the boldness and confidence of the BORN TO BE vibe?
Ryujin: I think we tried to create a more energetic and confident atmosphere by concentrating more on our dance songs than delivering conversations.

Yuna: BORN TO BE is a song and album that contains ITZY’s strengths. By linking it with the tour, we wanted to convey ourselves as having strong energy. I think we showed boldness and confidence through our strong live performance.

We love that each of you has a solo stage during the show. What do you each hope to highlight or showcase individually with your solo performances?
Yeji: I think my energy is my strength. Even though it was a concert, I wanted to make it like a festival, with an explosive energy that we could all enjoy together.

Yuna: I wanted to give MIDZY some happy energy through my solo performance. I hoped it would be a stage where we could all smile together.

A lot of your fans, MIDZYs, aren’t fluent in Korean. How do you keep that connection strong with your audience throughout your performances despite the language barrier?
Yeji: I think our fans enjoy the music and performances that we worked hard on. They recognise our efforts and experience a variety of emotions when they watch our performance on stage. Even if there’s less communication, we build a bond through music!

Yuna: As you said, I was very moved to see people singing along to many of our songs despite the language barrier. Also, I think I felt an indescribable thrill at the feeling of everyone in the large concert hall being together because of our music. I want to study more languages and communicate with all.

What kind of thoughts and emotions do you typically experience right before you’re about to go on stage?
Chaeryeong: Since we rehearse without our MIDZY, I think about what an audience full of MIDZY would look like!

Yuna: I hope that we all pull off a good performance without getting hurt. We also promise to do our best for our fans who give us their precious time.

Do you have any pre-show rituals or routines that help you get hyped and ready to perform?
Chaeryeong: I do plenty of stretching!

Ryujin: We give each other feedback while stretching!

Touring is a very strenuous activity, both physically and emotionally, and you still have many tour dates remaining for the rest of 2024. How do you maintain your wellbeing whilst you’re on tour?
Yuna: Whenever I have time, I try to take care of my body and mind. I try to take care of myself by consistently stretching, taking care of my physical condition, and writing.

Ryujin: I think I’m trying to rest as much as possible between tours. I receive care from my stretching teacher, eat outside, and refresh myself!

Lastly, as you gear up for the US leg of the BORN TO BE world tour, what message do each of you want to share with your fellow ITZY members?
Yeji: I feel like I have become closer to the members as I prepare for this tour, although we were originally close. I am really proud of them and I wanted to say thank you. I hope no one gets sick and that it will be a tour where we come back with good memories!

Chaeryeong: Let’s take care of our health and have lots of fun!

Ryujin: All of the members work very hard and I am thankful to see that they always do their best! There are still various performances left, but I hope we can finish this tour well while making many happy memories together! Let’s finish well and be healthy.

Yuna: I am grateful that I was able to travel to cities around the world with our members and make good memories. Don’t get hurt for the rest of our US tour! Let’s go and do a great performance! I love you!