Youtube Theater Inglewood, CA
Contact: ill@feelghood.com
Web: bibibullet.com
Players: BIBI, vocals
Being sick did not stop Korean singer-songwriter BIBI from delivering a highly entertaining show. A cityscape illuminated the stage as BIBI kicked things off with the jazzy melodic tune “Midnight Cruise.” BIBI was accompanied by a set of dancers who helped bring her ambitious theatrical vision to life through the night. Each song performance told a story, which made it feel like we were watching a Broadway play.
The song “Scott and Zelda” featured a fun school skit where BIBI and her lover snuck into a classroom and got caught by a security guard. A bed emerged on stage for “Burn,” as BIBI sultrily danced with her dancers through red flood lights. For “Hongdae R&B,” BIBI showcased her fierce fighting skills with a choreographed brawl skit. BIBI’s no stranger to drama as she’s an acclaimed actress in Korea, winning the Best New Actress—Film at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2024 for her role in the neo-noir thriller film Hopeless. It was a nice surprise to see her utilize her acting skills in the show.
Interwoven throughout the show was the story of pop star Eve, focusing on her sophomore album, Eve: Romance. An elaborate short film played between songs about Eve, who tragically suicides, and is cloned as Eve-1. The album follows their journeys, and Eve-1 grappling with her origins and future. The video left an impression as it contains a very dark storyline that delves into themes of mental health and societal pressures in the entertainment industry. BIBI is not afraid to push the boundaries with her art.
Although BIBI was ill that night, her impressive vocal range was smooth and impactful. Her voice works well for R&B, pop, and soul. She's effortlessly able to adlib and belt out high notes, especially in ballads like “Bluebird.” Her voice is sultry and sweet. Her voice sounded the most strained when she did her rap verses, it was extra raspy, so it was often hard to hear her. If she hadn't mentioned she was sick, one would have been able to tell. Her bubbly personality and interactions with the crowd were the biggest highlight of the night. BIBI is a natural performer, she's fun, cheeky, and not afraid to speak her mind. She had so much fun entertaining fans, in fact, she went around the aisles of the venue asking fans to tell her their “extra-ordinary jobs.” Everyone was trying to get her attention and tell her what they did for a living. The entire show felt as if we were watching a friend perform, cheering her on through every song.
