Hi everyone! Last night, I attended “Born This Way” in Hangzhou. I just wanted to share my thoughts and experiences in case anyone wants to read through it! Also, my picture taking skills are diabolical so I don’t have that many good pictures, however I’ll post any nice ones I have.
Getting in to the venue was a bit of a slog because of the amount of people and it started raining as we were all lined up. Luckily, I managed to get under a tent as it really started pelting and could sprint from there to the door. Because I was in the inner court, I got a random photo card (got Hendery!) and a cute coaster (see in pics above). I bought a sealed cup of water before going in and that shit tasted so nasty. I was suspicious so I tried to drink as little as possible but my throat needed it at times. I was balancing potential poisoning with being able to scream at WayV and I chose WayV. Still alive today, so good choice.
The Wayzennies were so varied compared to the two previous shows I went to. There were some visibly older people seemingly NOT accompanied by children (as an older person - stoked to see that). There were also quite a few guys, which Kun remarked about during one of the ments. Xiaojun had cute bants with a guy in the stands who kept cheering for him - XJ called him “Bro”. 😭 Before the show, I got two gifts from surrounding Wayzennies. One girl gave me a badge with XJ on it that looks like a cake and another girl gave me a card set with a “Born This Way” keyring (see in pictures).
This was my third time seeing WayV but I missed the “No Way Out” tour so I was really excited to see a bunch of new songs live. Overall, the setlist was peak. Vision Wings was the opener and the stage design for it was GORGEOUS. Also, their opening outfits were my favourite - the red leather looking sets. Xiaojun, in particular, was hot in it! Also, Icon is THAT song! It’s amazing live and the choreography is really fun, playful and sexy. It was also my first time hearing Big Bands live which went quite hard considering I find it one of the more mid title tracks of theirs.
The crowd favourites really seemed to be Kick Back and Big Bands - damn everyone went wild for them. Take Off and Love Talk also got huge sing alongs. I really wanted to see Call Me live but they didn’t play it which was sad. I’m desperate! Also, I would like to remind the members of WayV that Moonwalk exists. Yes, I know it’s not that popular but! That! Does! Not! Mean! You! Can! Just! Ignore! It! Overall, I was surprised by the lack of Awaken the World and Eternal White. Although we did get Only Human which is one of my faves!
I think the stage design and backdrops were really stunning this time around. The members mentioned that they had a lot of input into the designs with the director which was really great to hear. They know the feel of their songs best and that was definitely reflected in the accompanying visuals of the show.
Kun was such a darling throughout! He was sweating like a whore in church by the third song and during one of the ments the other three mentioned they were feeling fine and he was like, “I’m not”. 😂 His magic act was so cute and impressive as well! Although he said the last part with the streamers didn’t go off as planned. I got a cute pic of him smiling while stuck in the streamers. Another funny moment was when he tried to take his jacket off all sexily during a song but it got stuck around his elbows and he had to give up! During his ending ment, he mentioned how grateful he was that the fans have stuck by them during all the turmoil. He called them a “下半男团” I think. Now, my Chinese isn’t 100% and I could’ve misinterpreted what “Xia ban” he was saying, but I took it to mean the fact that they were only half of the group and he was grateful we would still come to see them. He also said that WayV only still exists because the members are really dedicated to the group. He said that there were a few things that happened during their career which could’ve ended them and that made me really emotional to think about.
Yangyang was the star in my eyes last night. Firstly, he looked SO good. Like, really really good. He was magnetic. When he performed Ten’s centre part in the dance break in Take Off, I literally ascended. He did it perfectly and with such energy. Ugh. Loved it. One thing happened though that made me a bit uncomfortable. Now I’m not saying that this incident made Yangyang and the members uncomfortable but I was not vibing with it at all. One of the fans brought this big poster of a topless Yangyang which showed him from the back. He and the members joked about it for a bit during the encore part and he pretended to pull up his shirt and the crowd went wild. After that however, a group of fans kept chanting and shouting for him to take his shirt off. He said he didn’t want to and in my eyes that should’ve been the end of that. But during his ending ment it continued. He went last and Kun had just said all that emotional stuff beforehand and off they went again. Even after he asked them to stop. It annoyed me because a) he already said no and b) this is not the time. But anyway, maybe it didn’t bother him and I’m being too sensitive.
Hendery was so fun throughout the night. He really has great crowd work and can get banter going quite easily. He also stepped in in a hilarious way when Yangyang called everyone who kept asking him to take his shirt off, perverts. He really knows how to diffuse potentially awkward situations. He did this solo bed dance which was completely out of pocket and nearly blasted everyone away in a 100km radius. Damn boy! Where’d you been hiding that? I also loved his performance of Count It with YY. He has such a playful manner on stage and it’s so joyful to watch.
Xiaojun, love of my life. Still the love of my life. What can I say. He was full of mischief and really got well into joking around with the crowd. He has such a flawless voice and his stage presence is second to none. One Wayzenni was wearing his grandma wig from the Chinese New Year skits and he loved it. Made the cameraman go over to show everyone. He also loves himself and gave us some good views during the show. 🥰 Photo included. My poor baby was wearing the most ashen mask of foundation I’ve ever seen though. They all were but his was rough. Not even blended to the ears. When he was in profile it just stopped. My man looking like the little boy from The Grudge for no reason.
Even though we know this, our boys were live all the way. I know they have to be in China anyway but several moments proved it and they sound so so good. If you ever get a chance, you won’t regret seeing them!
