Beloved Kpop boy group TREASURE (트레저) was formed in 2019 through the survival show, “YG Treasure Box” under the judgement of YG Entertainment. Upon their debut, the group was even bestowed the title of “Fastest growing Kpop act in the world” by fans on Twitter which led to an increase in their fan base including Malaysia. Thus, to celebrate their fans in Malaysia, the group made their way to Axiata Arena on 22nd June 2024.
TREASURE’s fans known as TEUME are seen gathering around the gates of Axiata Arena, adorned in a combination of red and black clothing to match the aesthetic of the group’s recent release titled “KING KONG”. As attendees entered the stadium smoothly, hues of turquoise flooded the scene followed by fans singing along to the songs “Hello” and “Move”.
Fans continued singing the songs until 6:10 pm when the speaker increased in volume out of sudden, exciting fans immediately. The lights dimmed down in an instant as a short introduction clip began playing before a countdown began. The stadium went dark for a short minute before a familiar voice echoed around the hall, “Malaysia, make some noise!”
Flashes of fireworks combined with colourful strobe lights had fans screaming before the members of TREASURE were spotted in the middle of the stage in their bold and sparkly ensemble. The event started with the loud and upbeat “BONA BONA”, accompanied by glamorous stage design and fiery shots of flames, leading to fans waving their lightstick in joy.
The song then transitioned to “JIKJIN” where a chorus of ‘woah’ were heard from the audience upon its impressive strobe light effects, complementing the group’s choreography and music seamlessly. Yet, the shrilling screams grew louder when the melodies of their song “BOY” blared through the speakers as well as when member Choi Hyunsuk was caught throwing wink during his flawless rap.
Towards the end of the song, the group’s musical band took centre stage with their guitarist stealing all the attention with his never-ending riffs. Yet, the surprise didn’t end there when TREASURE performed their latest hit, “KING KONG” for the first time, marking Malaysian fans as the only ones to have seen it live so far.
As the song ended, the energy in the crowd remained while members of TREASURE can be seen standing on stage, catching their breaths. The leader, Choi Hyunsuk greeted the fans first, mentioning his excitement to meet fans in Kuala Lumpur once again. However, during his speech, he belted out “TREASURE Tour Live in Manila …Malaysia”. Fans giggled at his confusion but the leader then got to his knees in embarrassment before the rest of the members playfully teased him.
Choi Hyunsuk re-announced once again, mentioning Malaysia this time and cheers filled the room once again. Immediately after, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Jeongwoo, Doyoung, Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto introduced themselves with each member expressing their gratitude towards Malaysian Teumes. Junghwan took his introduction a notch further when he said, “Hi sayang!”, leaving fans to laugh at his cute Malaysian accent.
The introduction session concluded not long later as the group’s excitement to put up their best performance were written all over their faces.The show relaunched with the infectious melodies of “HELLO” and “멍청이 (STUPID)”, shifting the energy to a fun and cheerful one as several fans were spotted mimicking the group’s choreography with fervent enthusiasm, reflecting TREASURE’s excitement itself.
The enthusiasm didn’t wane after the initial performance. Following another fan interaction session, TREASURE turned the tables and sought recommendations from the crowd. They queried the fans on local delicacies they should try in Kuala Lumpur. Hilarity ensued when a chosen fan who wasn’t local suggested “Chicken Canai“, leaving the entire stadium in confusion including TREASURE members themselves.
The fan then corrected herself and properly stated “Roti Canai”. The members repeated the words until they nodded in agreement, claiming they will try and find it once the concert ends. The playful exchange left the audience thoroughly amused for quite some time.
Midway through the show, TREASURE took a costume break and left the crowd to watch a short drama clip. The skit, reminiscent of a popular SNL Korea segment, showcased the members’ quest for love through cassette tapes with each cassette offering a different “ideal girl” trope.
Laughter erupted as several members donned iconic female leads from Korean dramas, with Junkyu’s portrayal of the Goblin’s heroine sending the audience into a frenzy. But the comedic search for love took a heartwarming turn as the members discovered a cassette labelled “Forever Girlfriend,” followed by a camera pan to the adoring crowd in Axiata Arena, sending the venue into a euphoric uproar.
As the stage lights dimmed again, a hush fell over the audience signalling TREASURE’s return. The vocal unit appeared on stage with a vision of elegance in their crisp white attire. Bathed in a mesmerising interplay of purple and blue hues, they launched into “THE WAY TO”. The crowd, their voices primed from enthusiastic participation, responded in kind. Fans transformed into a unified chorus, each word imbued with raw emotion, creating a palpable connection between performer and audience.
After the iconic performances of their addicting beats including “B.O.M.B.S”, the insatiable desire for more hung heavy in the air. “Encore!” fans roared with each chant growing louder than the last. Yet, a single melancholic melody pierced the silence, drawing the crowd into a shared moment of hushed reverence as they sang along, their voices a unified plea for TREASURE’s return on stage.
A jolt of electricity surged through the arena as the opening chords of “DARARI” with a rock twist ripped through the calmness. TREASURE, clad in relaxed rockstar outfits,exploded onto the stage. Uninhibited joy radiated from the members as they jumped around the stage. members Haruto and Asahi, surged towards the edges of the stage with their outstretched arms igniting a wave of enthusiasm, leaving the entire stadium transformed into a sea of hands reaching skyward.
As the set ended, all members expressed their gratitude towards fans, promising they’ll be back for more. The screams kept coming when it was Junkyu’s turn to give a final speech, making the idol smile shyly but he managed to say “Terima Kasih”.
On the other hand, Doyoung gave a full sentence speech in Malay and was struggling to say the word “gembira” and so he said, “Kami sangat gerambila kerana kamu semuya”. Despite this, fans were happy and cheered on his effort.
The electrifying energy of the encore reached a fever pitch when TREASURE launched into a rousing rendition of “I WANT YOUR LOVE,” the song’s infectious melody transforming the stadium into a unified sea of voices. The show took a turn as a spontaneous combustion of energy suddenly erupted as fans, having everyone in the stadium stood up and danced along to the music.
Frankly, it was a beautiful communion and a testament to the powerful bond between performer and audience. Each jump, each grin by both the idols and the audiences reflects an authenticity that resonated deeply–showcasing how much fans treasured them with all their heart. It was a spectacle not of performance, but of pure and unadulterated connection, quietly stating a perfect encapsulation of the magic that unfolds when music becomes a shared language.
With playful winks and cheeky goodbyes, TREASURE officially bid farewell around 8pm. The fans were sad with exhilarated fans waving fervently in their wake. The night had transcended a mere concert as it had blossomed into an unforgettable experience
From the artistry of TREASURE’s mind-blowing performance to the seamless execution of the entire event, every detail conspired to weave a tapestry of inexplainable magic. Surely, with such stunnning performance will etch in the hearts of every attendee forever. Let’s hope they will visit Malaysia again as they mentioned, “We will be back soon“!
Ariani Soraya contributed to this article.
