The Other Side of Mark Tuan in LA on Day 2
Photo cr: Aliyah Hinckley
Artist and producer Mark Tuan wrapped up his first North American tour, The Other Side, in his hometown on November 7th at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. After a 15-show run, Tuan made his second hometown show an unforgettable night. Tuan’s fans, Tuanzys, gathered from all across the globe. Fans from Korea, Thailand, Australia, and more filled the venue from the front to the back and on the balcony. Tuan’s concert was filled with not only the sounds of his music but an incredible live band–drummer Daniel Karasev and keyboardist Eric Stang–to go with his vocals, and Mark was accompanied by dancers–Hugh Aparente and Ken San Jose. Along with the performance, Tuan took the time to connect with his fans on a deeper level in an intimate setting.
Wesley Feng, also known as Wes or weswes, opened the show with an electric and smooth performance of songs like “kimchi pasta (infatuated on rosecrans)” and “Jose Cuervo freestyle,” where he brought tremendous energy to get the crowd cheering and in the right mood. Feng also had fan moments of his own, including throwing out heart gestures to the crowd, chugging down a drink with them, and making the fans laugh between songs. For Feng’s last song, in which he performed “Rainforest,” Tuan, the dancers, and the staff came out onto the stage to dance and have a good time with him. Feng was very thankful to perform in front of everyone and smiled the whole night.
As Tuan took the stage, the venue erupted with gasps and screams; he opened the show with “save me,” “Last Breath,” “let u go,” and “imysm.” Fans sang along with Tuan the whole night. Slowing things down, Tuan sang “only human” and “My Life.” Before the show started, Tuan’s team handed out star signs that said “our star” and scrunchies that would light up at the perfect time of the night to surprise Tuan for the fan project. After “My Life” ended, the staff brought out a screen and played the fan project video for Tuan. While Tuan watched the video, fans turned on their scrunchies that lit up with blue, green, and pink colors as they held up their star signs. The video included the songs “no tears” and “at my low.” As “at my low” played, the crowd sang all together. While watching his growth through the screen, Tuan and the crowd instantly became emotional.
Photo cr: Aliyah Hinckley
Tuan had no idea about the fan project, and he believed that the screen was going to be set up for another show as the staff told him, but little did he know what was in store for him. Tuan made it known that “we’re all family” and that he would be there for his fans. Tuan went on to say, “whatever hard time you guys are going through, just know I go through the same shit. And I made it out because of you guys, so you guys can make it out because I’m here for you guys.”
There was especially high energy from the crowd when “change up” was performed and during the dance breaks of songs like “broken” and “selfish.” Each dance move went with each beat of Tuan’s songs. Feng came back onto the stage to perform “2 faces,” one of the songs that Feng helped write. Fans barked and cheered after Tuan’s “hard 2 love” performance, and they hyped up Tuan and the dancers as they performed “more.” For Tuan’s encore performance, fans jumped up and down with Tuan as he performed “Never Gonna Come Down.” When the remix of “imysm” was performed, Tuan and his dancers splashed water into the crowd, and confetti shot up into the crowd invoking cheers and screams.
Tuan had an intimate connection with his fans during the concert that was special to witness, from singing his personal songs to interacting with fans during his MENTS; it was all such as meaningful time. At one point, Tuan took a fan’s BeReal but then the phone locked, bringing laughter all around. Eventually, he was able to unlock the phone to capture the moment. Also, Tuanzys brought gifts to the front of the crowd for Tuan. Fans brought him roses, a hand-made Ahgabong made out of clay that glows in the dark, amongst other things. These gifts made Tuan very happy and thrilled to receive those gifts. Tuanzys also took the moment to express to Tuan how much he means to them. Some even got emotional as they expressed that they wouldn’t be here without him. Throughout the show, Tuan acknowledged all of the lightsticks from GOT7’s Ahgabong to other lightsticks from K-pop groups like Stray Kids, Blackpink, and Enhypen.
Tuan also mentioned the possibility of him and the rest of the members of GOT7 reuniting for a tour! He asked the crowd if they would be there for the next concert, even if it took a couple of years. He looked elated with the exuberant cheers from the crowd. He went on to ask if the fans were “ride or dies,” and they answered back with cheers of “yes,” to which he then replied by saying, “I love you guys.”
Ending the show, Tuan was very appreciative of his team, tour staff, and fans. Tuan thanked his crew and anyone involved in putting this tour together. Excitingly, Tuan announced that a remix of the song “far away” will come out on December 2, so look forward to it! We will all wait and anticipate the day that the announcement is released about a GOT7 tour, but for now, continue listening to the album, The Other Side, and keep up with Tuan and Feng on their future music releases and social media platforms.