IU dazzles in front of sold-out Oakland Arena crowd for first world tour

OAKLAND, Calif. ( KRON ) — It was a monumental night for Bay Area IU fans who have waited years to see the K-pop star live. Since debuting in 2008, Lee Ji-eun, better known as IU, has amassed millions of fans and performed in many different countries.

But none of the concerts were in North America, let alone the Bay Area, until this year. IU’s Oakland Arena show Tuesday night was only one of six in the United States on her “HEREH” world tour - a concert that sold out "quickly ."

Each fan in the arena was given a gift from the artist herself, a mini gift box with IU merchandise and memorabilia (pictured below).

In her first-ever live Bay Area performance, IU kicked off the show a little after 7:30 p.m. with “Holssi” as thousands of screaming fans let out all their excitement — singing along to the second track of her 2024 EP “The Winning.”

After finishing her second song, "Jam Jam," IU introduced herself to the Oakland Arena audience and was received by a huge cheer.

Later in the show, two lucky fans received a gift from IU herself: one on each side of the arena. One was given a rose and the other a special coin - an unforgettable moment for each.

IU's three-hour setlist included hits like " Bbiibbi , " Celebrity ," " Eight ," "Strawberry Moon," " Shopper " and "YOU&I."

Towards the end of the show before the encore, the 31-year-old singer-songwriter slowed things down with a tearjerker. IU performed her 2024 hit " Love Wins All ."

After the heartfelt ballad, some audience members shed a tear - or five.

A married couple, who traveled from the Dallas area in Texas, was dressed up as a bride and groom and received inspiration from the “Love Wins All” music video.

An encore to remember

Before she closed out her set, IU treated fans with several more songs: "Shh…," "Twenty-Three" and a "Holssi" reprise.

But wait. There's more.

The crowd was prompted to participate in a sing-along to get IU to come back out for another song(s). Thousands sang acapella to several of IU's songs, and it worked.

IU returned on stage. She then took suggestions from the crowd on what she should sing next.

It was decided she would come out to "Lilac." She then brought it back with her 2010 hit " Good Day. " After a few more songs, IU officially closed the night with " Palette ."

A roaring applause from the Oakland Arena crowd then ensued - not knowing if the South Korean singer would ever come back to the Bay Area.

That might've been the best three hours and 10 minutes of any IU fan's life.

"I hope our next meeting comes very soon," IU told the crowd - perhaps teasing a return to the Bay Area.

Fans line up outside of Oakland Arena on morning of show

Despite the venue’s policy of no camping , several diehard fans lined up as early as 9:30 a.m. outside of the Oakland Arena gates. Although seating isn’t general admission, fans were lining up to get their hands on tour merchandise that “may sell out early,” per the venue.

The merchandise truck did not officially open until 2 p.m., but fans started to line up well before the 7:30 p.m. showtime.

Oakland Arena to host more K-pop concerts to end year

The venue has been the unofficial home for K-pop fans in the Bay Area with 16 such concerts since the first one in 2018 when BTS came to town .

Oakland Arena is set to host several more K-pop shows to end the year. (G)I-DLE and NCT Dream are scheduled to perform at the venue in September.

If a renowned K-pop act is coming to the Bay Area, chances are they are performing at Oakland Arena.

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