“I believe my younger self would feel an immense sense of relief seeing who I am today,” remarks K-pop sensation and EXO member Baekhyun, relaxing on a plush leather sofa backstage at London’s OVO Arena Wembley. It’s July 22nd, mere hours before the last European stop of his Reverie World Tour, and he’s in a contemplative mood.
Baekhyun's journey in K-pop commenced in 2012 when he debuted as one of the primary vocalists of the legendary boy band EXO. However, his solo career didn’t officially take off until 2019 with the highly praised EP ‘City Lights’.
“Back then, I often felt confused and unsure, filled with anxiety thinking, ‘What if this isn’t the right path for me?’” he confides. Now, six years, five EPs, and millions of albums sold later, that anxiety has transformed into a solid sense of confidence. Baekhyun is currently living out dreams he once had — such as headlining his first solo world tour.
‘Reverie’ began in June, covering both North and South America before moving on to Europe, where Baekhyun performed in Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, and now London. The complete tour will encompass 28 cities across five continents. “Initially, I wasn’t certain I could handle it all by myself,” he admits. “But throughout this European tour, I found myself becoming much more at ease. The concerts felt like a shared moment of enjoyment. There’s this feeling of freedom and relaxation.”
Exploring areas of the world he had never visited has been a therapeutic experience. “I got to experience each region’s unique atmosphere and blend into their daily lives,” he shares. “I’m always curious about how people live and their cultures, so being able to witness even a small part of that is delightful.”
Especially in Europe, he has had the opportunity to wander and explore far more than he anticipated — a rarity in the hectic schedule of an idol. He even attended Lollapalooza Berlin, where he watched Justin Timberlake’s performance. “I drew a lot of inspiration from him and contemplated how I want to approach my future performances.”
On stage, Baekhyun aims to create an atmosphere where the audience can “dance along, sing loudly, and truly be in the moment.” He mentions that this tour has made him realize how much he enjoys singing alongside his fans — although he never misses a chance to tease them about their singing abilities.
He has also appreciated the variety of cheers and chants from the continent. “Perhaps it’s because of the numerous football matches in Europe, but the cheers were quite novel and enjoyable for me,” he notes. The stamping particularly left a strong impression: “I was really taken aback because the stage was literally shaking. For a moment, I feared it might actually collapse,” he chuckles.
Fueled by their energetic response and playful nature, the audience serves as his energy source. “It would be dishonest to say [the tour] isn't tiring,” he confesses. “I do feel drained at times right before stepping on stage, but the second I see the fans, I forget all about that. I draw strength I didn’t even know I had. It reassures me that being a singer truly suits me.”
As he concludes this segment of the tour, Baekhyun has just one regret: not including the fan-favorite “Cry For Love” from his third mini-album ‘Bambi’ in the setlist. “I honestly didn’t anticipate it becoming such a unanimous favorite,” he admits with a suppressed laugh. “Next time!”
Reverie promotes his May mini-album, ‘Essence Of Reverie’, which delves into the interplay between reality and dreams. Aimed primarily at popular sounds his fans enjoy, he mentioned in a YouTube livestream prior to the release: “I aimed to showcase the Baekhyun you envision and the authentic Baekhyun.”
‘Essence Of Reverie’ is also significant as it marks the first time Baekhyun received credit for songwriting and lyrics. As an artist who can embody any song as if living through it, gaining insight into his own artistic vision is a delightful experience. “I wanted to write based on my desires and my experiences,” he reflects on this new pursuit. “When I started penning lyrics, I became more ambitious, and that’s where it all began. I wanted to craft music that mirrors my own identity.”
The tour setlist follows this philosophy, leaning more into Baekhyun’s personal musical preferences. “I did attempt to include the types of songs fans love, but if I’m not enjoying myself on stage, they can sense that energy,” he clarifies. “I wanted a setlist that would allow me to connect and interact with them.” Alongside well-loved hits like ‘Elevator’, ‘
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“I believe my younger self would experience immense relief seeing who I am today,” shares Baekhyun, a K-pop star and member of EXO, as he relaxes into a plush leather sofa.