ONE PACT’S “NEW WAVE” TOUR MAKES A SPLASH IN NEW JERSEY
ONE PACT (Source: Leonel Salcedo, Hailey House Imnida)
I got the amazing opportunity to attend ONE PACT’s “The New Wave” tour in Jersey City this last September, on behalf of Hailey House Imnida. While I’m familiar with the music industry through a background in concert photography, I’m very new to the world of Kpop and just beginning to understand this side of the music scene. Many concepts were unfamiliar to me —like fanchants, lightsticks, and photo cards— things you don’t often see in other genres but are essential to the Kpop fan culture. This article features photos shot by HHI photographer Leonel Salcedo and myself, with real fan perspectives from the show. I’m so honored to share my first Kpop concert experience here!
ONE PACT is a South Korean band of talented singers, dancers and producers managed by ARMADA Entertainment. The group debuted in November 2023 with their EP MOMENT and has since captured the hearts of fans around the world. Their fanbase, nicknamed “&heart” (or “&♥”), endlessly support the five members: Jongwoo, Jay Chang, Seongmin, TAG, and Yedam. Earlier this summer, the group announced “THE NEW WAVE” North American Tour, which will be nearly complete at the time of publishing.
ONE PACT and their team have been open about the obstacles they’ve faced in making this tour possible. Organizing an international tour is a difficult and costly process, involving everything from visa applications to travel logistics, merchandise production, venue availability and staffing. They had to cancel their first show in Minneapolis due to visa issues, and on our night in Jersey City, Yedam was still unable to perform. Despite these challenges, the remaining four members poured their full energy into the stage and put on an unforgettable show.
&heart (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
The night began outside the venue, where fans lined the block, chatting excitedly and snapping selfies. Some came dressed casually, while others showed off stylish looks - baggy jeans, studded boots, and floofy skirts. Many fans held bags adorned with cute keychains and charms, and some brought adorable frames holding photo cards of their biases (favorite members). Alongside standard tickets, ONE PACT also offered special packages that included a pre-show soundcheck and Q&A, as well as a post-concert meet-and-greet photo op.
Fans with soundcheck access were let into the venue early for a more intimate mini-show. With minimal production and simple stage lighting, ONE PACT performed a short set that gave fans a taste of what was to come later that night. The members then chose some fan-submitted questions to answer, prompting moments like showing off dance moves or sharing their favorite superheroes. The group was playful and entertaining, helping each other bridge the English-Korean language barrier, while interacting with their fans. I’ve been to more technical soundchecks before, but this was my first fan soundcheck experience, and it was such a special moment that added a little extra personality to the concert. After the show, we asked fans for their experience during the soundcheck, fan meetings and show and they had such kind words to say!
“Finally being able to meet ONE PACT after supporting them for so long was a dream! It was one of the best nights I've had in so long. Especially getting to meet TAG, get a photo with him, and tell him how much I adore him will forever be a core memory.” - DRI
“I've been waiting since ONE PACT debuted to be able to see them perform in person. They did super well and brought so much energy to the stage!!” - Alize
ONE PACT (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
As the rest of the crowd poured into the venue, I could feel the energy begin to rise as the start time crept closer and closer. Fans carried handmade signs and waved glowing lightsticks, channeling in their excitement for the upcoming show. Unlike most shows I’ve been to, this tour didn’t feature an opening act - but the fans didn’t mind. The venue was packed as the room lights shut off at 6PM, sending the audience into an eruption of cheers and applause. The intro video began, as ONE PACT walked onto the stage.
Jongwoo, Jay Chang, Seongmin, and TAG kicked off the show with their hit song “FXX OFF.” At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect - but by the end of the first beat drop, one minute and ten seconds into the song, my jaw was on the floor in shock. Enchanted. I finally understood the hype. In that moment, crouched in the photo pit with a group of stars performing just feet away, the music and lights crashing over me, I had an epiphany. I thought the era of boy bands ended when One Direction split up, but I was simply looking in the wrong places. Boy bands are alive and well - and they’re thriving in Kpop.
Throughout the next hour and a half, ONE PACT wowed the crowd with song after song. Rapper TAG carried a nonchalant, almost aloof persona, but fans went feral over his lines —for good reason. His flow was insane. Seongmin was smiling and laughing nearly the entire night, dancing along during the others’ solo sections. When it was his turn to shine, the rest of the group watched in awe alongside the crowd as he sang his heart out. ONE PACT leader Jongwoo was an intense rapper, singer, and dancer — a true all-star and a sweetheart to the fans. Jay Chang also stood out as a fantastic performer. From hitting the high notes and absolutely nailing the choreography, he also seemed to be emoting nonstop - jumping around, striking poses every given moment. It was as if a cartoon character took over the body of a popstar. Since Jay is actually from New Jersey, there was an extra spark that night— it was his hometown show, and the energy spread like wildfire throughout the entire room. I was so impressed by ONE PACT’s team dynamic and how well their unique personalities shone through in both performance and fan interactions.
TAG (Source: Leonel Salcedo, Hailey House Imnida)
The show itself was a well-balanced blend of songs, videos, and speeches. The setlist flowed through high and low-energy moments, giving both the artists and fans time to breathe before ramping it back up. For some songs, the disco ball lit up, and fans raised their lightsticks and phone flashlights, casting thousands of tiny light particles across the venue and letting the group see their fans’ faces. At one point, they filmed a TikTok with the audience, teaching the crowd a dance to one of their songs.
One of my favorite moments was when they had an intermission to share a montage of stories and videos from their journey so far. Even though ONE PACT is a newer group, each member has worked incredibly hard to reach this point. Watching the footage reminded me why I was there —documenting the event, literally capturing history. As a photographer, it’s easy to fall into the “shoot, post, move on” mindset, but for artists and their teams, the work we do is visual proof of years of work and the legacy they’re building. It was emotional and beautiful. They also honored Yedam, who couldn’t be there that night due to visa issues; he appeared in solo dance videos on the screen, and the group performed some songs “with” him. It was a heartfelt touch, and despite the missing member, fans could feel the connection throughout the show.
“The show was AWESOME. I love how they made the stage feel like all 5 members were there even though we were missing Yedam. The vocals were also insane like their mics were ON. Their stage presence and dance is just so cool and I was very happy to finally see them live especially in Jay’s hometown 🥹” - Val
&heart (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
ONE PACT closed the show with an upbeat tempo shift, performing some of their most popular tracks. Each member took time during the songs to step close to the pit, waving to fans from the edge of the stage. They wrapped up with a strong encore and a bow, thanking the crowd for an amazing night before heading offstage. As the house lights came up, I looked down from my spot in the balcony, curious to see everyone’s reactions to the end of the show. I saw so many genuinely happy smiles, people shaking their heads in disbelief at the show they’d just witnessed. Fans were hugging, taking some final selfies, and lingering like they weren’t quite ready for the night to end. Honestly, I felt the same way. What do you even do after a show like that… head home, replay your videos, or just sit with the moment for a while?
Fans were hugging, snapping a few last selfies, and lingering like they weren’t quite ready for the night to end. Honestly, I felt the same way. What do you even do after a show like that—head home, replay your videos, or just sit with the moment for a while?
Even though the concert was technically over, the night wasn’t yet. Minutes later, tour and venue staff reset the room for the final meet-and-greet and photo op. Fans with designated tickets were able to take a Polaroid with the four members who performed that night, or a selfie or Polaroid with an individual member of their choice. I loved watching ONE PACT interact with &heart; even though the moments were brief, they genuinely seemed to enjoy meeting fans, and the expressions on everyone’s faces were priceless afterwards. When the last fans finished their photos, I felt a little sad to leave; it was as if the whole room let out a collective sigh of relief and fulfillment.
ONE PACT + &heart (Source: Leonel Salcedo, Hailey House Imnida)
All in all, ONE PACT in Jersey City was an incredible night. For my first Kpop show, I was so impressed by the quality of the performance, the fan engagement, and the level of respect and care shared between the artists, crew, and fans. As someone who started my career because I was a fangirl, I was reminded again of how essential dedicated fandoms are to a group’s growth. You can tell that ONE PACT genuinely loves performing these shows, meeting people, and sharing their music - and that love is reflected right back at them through the people they reach. I’m officially “&heart” now, and I can’t wait to see them succeed in the future. Thank you for such a wonderful show, ONE PACT! :)
“Meeting ONE PACT and getting to see them perform live after nearly two years of being their supporter was truly a dream come true. I have supported all the members of ONE PACT from past experiences they’ve each had, so getting to meet all of them was truly amazing.” - Karolina
“The show was something I will never forget. I think this has to do with how they interacted with the crowd. I was recognized by Jay due to me meeting him a couple other times. You can feel how much they love being around &hearts. They would joke around during the show based off something that was said by a fan. They created so many opportunities to connect with &hearts. From holding a soundtrack, doing q&a, to doing fansigns and photos. Like the way they sang to my camera multiple times. That just shows their showmanship and eagerness to perform. And the way I could have conversations during the photo time, so casually because they make you feel comfortable.” - Elizabeth
ONE PACT (Source: Sydney Wright, Hailey House Imnida)
Special thanks to ONE PACT, ANKR Entertainment and ARMADA Entertainment, and to fans Alize, DRI, Elizabeth, Karolina and Val for your sweet interviews.
Photos by Leonel Salcedo (@lsdivisions) and Sydney Wright (@sydneth_) on behalf of Hailey House Imnida.
Written by Sydney Wright