Golden Child Burn the Stage in ATL

Golcha at Center Stage in Atlanta/ photo by the author, Michael~

To purists who believe that K-Pop has lost its magic I recommend you attend a Golden Child concert. The multi-talented ten piece boy group from Woollim Entertainment recalls the height of second generation K-Pop and brings some of the most polished vocals, choreography and stage presence that you can see for the fraction of a typical K-Pop ticket price. 

Woollim Entertainment debuted Golcha in 2017 as the successors to K-Pop royalty Infinite, who’s song “The Chaser” defines the sound of the second generation. As K-Pop concepts have become edgier and darker, Golden Child continues to embrace the light. 

What makes Golden Child so thrilling is that their music is like an instant shock of serotonin. Take “Breathe” or “OMG” for example, two songs that are so funky and pulsating with charm that you will instantly be transported back to 2012 when K-Pop was simultaneously unapologetically positive and upbeat.  

When I saw them in Atlanta on July 8, Golden Child was only three dates away from wrapping up their Meet and Live tour, produced by Studio PAV. “This is our first time in Atlanta,” said Y (or Seung Yoon, as fans usually refer to him as his birth name) halfway through the show. “And even though it’s been really hot,” he said with a smile, “we’ve had a great time.” 

“It’s been only two weeks since we arrived in America,” Joochan, the group’s main vocalist, remarked. “And now I open my eyes and we’re in Atlanta.” The tour, he explained, went by in a flash. “You waited so long for Golden Child.” 

This tour is special for the boys because it is the first time they’ve been able to meet their fans, lovingly called Goldenness, in North America. “I can’t believe so many of you are here,” Jaehyun, the group’s vocalist and visual, said. The fact that so many of the fans were singing back to them in Korean was equally beautiful to the boys. 

Photo by Michael

And even in Atlanta, Golden Child still found pieces of home. “We had a Korean BBQ at Park 27 last night,” they laughed. 

The fact that Golcha could even be with Goldenness at Center Stage felt like an accomplishment to the members. “Since the first show I thought this tour would be hard to do. I knew it would be challenging,” Joochan, the group’s main vocalist, told fans  in their “ending ment” statements. That night the boys had to cover for three members who were absent: Tag, main rapper, who was recovering from an illness, Donghyun, main dancer, who had to sit out three dates due to Covid, and Daeyeol, the group’s leader who is currently serving in the military. 

On stage Joochan continued, “But seeing Goldenness has made me realize how easy it is. Even when we return to Korea please remember our thoughts will be with you.” 

Joochan’s statement accurately describes the strength the seven members tapped into as they performed for two thrilling hours. Even with very little time to cover Donghyun’s vocals and choreography, there was not one piece that felt missing from their performance. 

While I missed the three members, there were many moments of magic on stage thanks to the hard work of Seung Yoon, Jangjun, Seungmin, Jaehyun, Jibeom, Joochan and Bomin. Golcha debuted a trilogy performance of “Wannabe”, “Without You” and “One (Lucid Dream)” that gave me chills. “Without You” is one of the best ballads in Golcha’s discography and it sounded gorgeous that night. But the ballad’s transition into the electrifying beat of “One (Lucid Dream)” is one of the most unexpected, brilliant moments of the show. It’s stages like these that make K-Pop so exciting. 

Golcha sensed how special this night was. As Joochan said near the end of the show, “Because this venue is like a semi-circle, I really felt the energy coming to me. It felt like we were really in this together.” Bomin agreed, and said in English during his ending statements, “I was really surprised by your energy.” 

“We’re so honored to see so many Goldenness in Atlanta,” Jaehyun added. “You guys are awesome.”  

That night as they prepared to enter on stage, Jaehyun said that they looked out and saw a sea of rainbow Golcha lightsticks. Here in the Deep South of North America, thousands of miles away from home, Golcha saw a diverse, beautiful audience of Goldenness who wanted them to know they’re loved. 

Photo by Michael