Ahead of the concert we had the opportunity to hear 8TURN’s thoughts about the tour. We asked about touring the world for the second time, 8TURN says the experience feels like a different journey altogether. For Jaeyun, the change is easy to name: the crowds are bigger. “The biggest difference is the size of the audience,” he said, with a satisfied face. Seungheon sees it as a matter of growing comfortable in their own skin. The first tour was full of unknowns, but this time around, he said, the members can simply be themselves and enjoy the ride even more.
That ease has shown in the way 8TURN has presented itself with each new release, revealing a different side of the group every time. We asked whether there is still a side they haven’t shown fans, Myungho pointed to the live experience. He said the group wants to make songs that the members and the audience can truly have fun with together, tracks that fill a room with great energy. Yungyu, for his part, had a nostalgic answer. If he could pick the next genre, he said, it would be something from the group’s early days, before breaking into laughter.
Before the concert, 8TURN also held a soundcheck, creating a much more intimate and relaxed atmosphere than what would follow later that evening. They performed songs such as 'Close To Me', a beautiful and relaxed song that was a lovely way to start the day. Personally, I really enjoyed getting to experience this calmer side of the group before the energy of the main show took over.
The group’s newest songs, 'BESAME' and 'Stagefright', were also a particularly pleasant surprise when performed live. Both songs brought something fresh to 8TURN’s performances, especially through their choreography. 'BESAME' was a visually beautiful stage, opening with Yungyu dancing on stage with a rose in hand. It was a softer and more elegant side of the group, while still retaining the confidence that has become such a noticeable part of their performances.
Yoosung was unfortunately feeling unwell during the day, but still came out to perform and gave everything he had on stage. Seeing him continue to give his all despite not feeling his best made his performance all the more meaningful.
One of the things that made the concert especially enjoyable was how interactive it was. There was also a wheel of fortune, with different challenges depending on where it landed. At one point, Minho was challenged to do aegyo for the audience. He gave it a try twice, but neither the members nor the audience were quite convinced. As a result, he had to take on an additional dance challenge, performing Rain’s 'Hip Song'. Moments like this brought out the playful side of the members and gave the concert a more spontaneous feel rather than making it feel overly rehearsed.
Despite being 8TURN’s second time performing in Finland, the group managed to make the evening feel fresh and memorable. Overall, 8TURN’s Helsinki concert was an unforgettable night, filled with powerful performances, unexpected moments and plenty of interaction between the group and their fans. It was clear that the audience left with a memorable experience, and hopefully, this won’t be the last time 8TURN returns to Finland to see their Finnish TURNINGs.
