Fromis_9 tightens focus at Seoul encore concert, signals new chapter as quintet

K-pop girl group fromis_9 may now be smaller in number, but the team feels more focused than ever. That clarity defined the encore show of “[NOW TOMORROW.],” a concert that framed the girl group’s current identity while signaling where it hopes to head next.

The Seoul leg of the “2025-26 fromis_9 WORLD TOUR ENCORE [NOW TOMORROW.]” was held Friday to Sunday at Hwajeong Gymnasium at Korea University in Seoul’s Seongbuk District. The encore followed a world tour that covered 11 cities, including stops in the United States, Tokyo and Taipei, and served as the tour’s final chapter across three nights in Seoul.

The five fromis_9 members — Song Ha-young, Park Ji-won, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-gyung and Baek Ji-heon — opened the night in coordinated white outfits, returning to a Seoul stage for the first time in six months.

Baek Ji-heon of K-pop girl group fromis_9 covers Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” for her solo stage during the group’s Seoul encore concert, Friday. Courtesy of ASND Entertainment

After opeing the night with string of hits, including “WE GO,” “Supersonic” and “Stay This Way,” fromis_9 greeted a crowd that included both longtime fans and first-time attendees, easing quickly into a familiar rapport.

Lee Chae-young admitted she felt “a bit emotional,” noting that the encore shows had been newly reworked.

“We prepared new outfits and reorganized the show entirely. Just like the changed opening, there’s a lot waiting ahead, so please look forward to the rest of the stages,” she said.

The set then leaned into fan favorites built around band-driven arrangements. Tracks like “REBELUTIONAL,” “Love=Disaster” and “Twisted Love” emphasized a more live-stage-oriented approach, while the use of stand microphones during the section allowed each member’s performance styles to come through.

K-pop act fromis_9’s Lee Chae-young performs “Toxic,” delivering a choreography-driven solo stage set to the original recording, during the group’s “2025-26 WORLD TOUR ENCORE [NOW TOMORROW.]” in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of ASND Entertainment

Solo stages followed. Lee Chae-young performed “Toxic,” giving the song an added edge, while Baek Ji-heon opted for a cover of pop icon Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” Lee Na-gyung delivered a rendition of “All About You” from the hit TV series “Hotel Del Luna,” while Song Ha-young showcased her stable vocal skills through Adam Levine’s “Lost Stars.”

The format, however, also led to some uneven execution. In some stages, live vocals were often difficult to separate from pre-recorded backing tracks. In particular, Lee Chae-young’s rendition of “Toxic” relied on the original Britney Spears recording, limiting the performance to choreography rather than a full reinterpretation.

The most convincing sign of potential came from Park Ji-won, who covered Ariana Grande’s “Greedy” live. Her stable pitch and powerful projection stood out immediately, pointing to star power beyond her idol status.

Park Ji-won from K-pop girl group fromis_9 covers Ariana Grande’s “Greedy” during the Seoul stop of the group’s encore tour. Courtesy of ASND Entertainment

The concert was a turning point for fromis_9, as it marked the band’s first tour since leaving Pledis Entertainment under HYBE Labels and signing with ASND Entertainment, as well as their first major stage outing as a five-member group. A mid-show VCR reflecting on that transition underscored the reset.

That theme carried into the finale. Ahead of the encore, a Q&A-style VCR had the members reflect on the past year. Song Ha-young called 2025 “dreamlike” and “full of gratitude,” while Lee Na-gyung described it as “exhausting but fulfilling,” emphasizing the significance of reuniting as five.

Looking ahead, the group outlined clear goals. Lee Chae-young said the encore concert itself checked off a long-held wish, while a fan meeting now tops her list.

Baek Ji-heon expressed hopes of releasing another song with the resonance of “White Memories,” and suggested the timing may finally be right for a full-length studio album.

K-pop girl group fromis_9 poses onstage during “2025-26 fromis_9 WORLD TOUR ENCORE [NOW TOMORROW.]” at Hwajeong Gymnasium at Korea University in Seoul’s Seongbuk District, Friday. Courtesy of ASND Entertainment

Fromis_9 returned for the encore stages in relaxed outfits, performing “Love Bomb” as they moved through different levels of the venue to greet fans up close.

Since changing agencies last year, fromis_9 have released the mini album “From Our 20’s” and the remake single “White Memories.” Alongside “LIKE YOU BETTER,” the releases performed solidly on local charts, reinforcing the group’s staying power eight years into its career.