Jang Keun-suk Returns to Japan with Emotional Solo Live ‘Nevertheless’
South Korean actor and singer Jang Keun-suk made a powerful return to the Japanese stage with his special solo concert ‘2025 Jang Keun-suk Special Live ‘Nevertheless’, held on April 22 and 23 at Makuhari Event Hall. This was his first solo live in over a year, and a long-awaited comeback for fans — especially after a five-year absence from performing in Japan due to military service and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The concert was structured as a retrospective journey through Jang’s solo career, starting from his debut and culminating with his latest work. Each performance was not just a song, but a storytelling moment where Jang revisited past performances, memories, and milestones, creating a deeply moving experience for his long-time fans.
Kicking off the concert with a live band, Jang opened with his Japanese debut single ‘Let me cry’, followed by hits like ‘Bye Bye Bye’, ‘Turn Off’, ‘Day by day’, and ‘Chamomile’. The setlist showcased his vocal growth and stage charisma, invigorating the audience with both nostalgia and renewed energy.
The crowd erupted in cheers, responding with love and excitement to his fully live performance. Jang, visibly emotional, shared, “When you say ‘okeairi’ to me in person at a live show like this, it truly feels like I’ve come home.”
The encore was especially emotional with the first-ever live performance of his new track ‘Curtain Call’. The song captures the warmth and solitude of the moments following a grand performance, further resonating with fans as Jang symbolically reflected on his journey thus far. Speaking in fluent Japanese, he chose his words carefully, making a heartfelt impression that led some fans in the audience to tears.
On the final day, Jang treated fans to a double encore with a heartfelt cover of ‘Starting from I Love You’ by Safe Zone — a song he discovered recently through a live video and felt compelled to share with his audience. It was a warm finale that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of love and connection that defines Jang Keun-suk’s career.
This concert symbolically closed the first chapter of Jang’s music career, paving the way for a fresh new start. Looking forward, Jang will reconnect with fans as part of his music unit TEAM H during the upcoming ‘TEAM H RIGHT NOW 2025’ concerts scheduled for June 18–19 in Tokyo and July 22–23 in Osaka.
