ITZY was “Born to Be” in Chicago, IL

When it comes to concert and performance shows, ITZY is quickly becoming known as one of the strongest South Korean girl groups. Earlier this year the ITZY announced they would be going on tour again with their 2nd World Tour “Born To Be”. Starting in February and running through August, the group will be traversing through Asia, Europe, and North America. On June 26, we had the pleasure of attending the performance in Rosemont, IL (Chicago), and we had an absolute blast.

As expected, the group delivered yet another electrifying performance at the Rosemont Theatre. With one of the group members, Lia, still on temporary hiatus for health reasons we were curious if this would effect their energy at all. It is great to say that ITZY remained focused and with high spirits throughout the night. Performing as a five person act for years, and having to switch it up for an album release followed by multiple tours is no easy feat. But Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna lived up to the task and then some.

The Rosemont Theatre is a great setting for fans to catch an artist of ITZYs popularity, especially if they are one of your favorites. There is not a bad seat in the house at the theatre, but if fans wanted a truly intimate experience the pit was the best choice. The pit section brought you right up face to face with ITZY in a standing room form that was perfect for dancing and jumping along. The girls definitely picked up on this as well, as throughout the show they gave out the microphone to fans to give them a chance to shout along with them.

The setlist featured a great track selection that included mix of their biggest title tracks such as “Wannabe” alongside some of the most revered b sides from their discography. Each of the four current performing members also did their solo stage performances from “BORN TO BE”. While the crowd was alive and well throughout the entire show, the energy went through the roof during “Not Shy” and “Don’t Give A What“. The group even stopped briefly after those tracks to ask “You guys really like those two songs don’t you?” with a “Wow!” attached to the end.

The members—Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna—took time between songs to engage with their fans. They shared personal stories, expressing their gratitude, and so on. When Ryujin began to introduce herself, the upper levels began the beloved “ooo ooo” chant, to which Ryujin responded, “thank you my ooo ooo warriors.” She let out an audible laugh before continuing on.

ITZY has this raw and genuineness to them that made the concert feel as if you were catching up with four old friends who just so happen to be pop stars now. One can tell that they worked really hard to create an intimate yet exhilarating atmosphere.

Throughout the entire performance the production was also really well done. The various stages were adorned with dynamic visuals, including a giant LED screen that displayed vibrant graphics and thematic backgrounds for each stage (that normally matched the M/V if the current song had one).

The lighting design complemented the music perfectly, adding dramatic flair to slower ballads and intensifying the energy during dance-heavy tracks. Special effects such as pyrotechnics and confetti showers added an extra layer of excitement, making the concert a multi-sensory experience.

The concert concluded with an encore that featured fan favorites that we don’t want to spoil for you! Let’s just say that ITZY made sure fans from all eras were sent home happy. As the lights dimmed and the final notes echoed through the theatre, it was clear that ITZY had left an indelible mark on Chicago once again. Social media buzzed with raving reviews and heartfelt messages that had attendees praising the group’s high energy, professionalism, and the emotional connection they fostered throughout the night.

It is definitely safe to say that Chicago loves ITZY, and ITZY loves Chicago. We are sure they will be back in the future.

Photos: ITZY Official Media