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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-06-01 07:04:52
SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- "Come sit for a while. There's warm soup and meat. Weary traveler, there are things you can never know in the city."
As sibling duo AKMU took the stage, a "Paradise in Rumors" unfolded at the Oil Tank Culture Park in western Seoul, living up to the title of their opening song.
With a gentle smile, younger sister Lee Su-hyun led the melodies, while older brother Lee Chan-hyuk, wearing his trademark playful grin, joined hands with the band members and guided the crowd gathered before the stage into AKMU's musical paradise.
Lee Su-hyun's clear and pristine vocals blended with the cool evening air, creating a refreshing atmosphere, while Lee Chan-hyuk energized the audience with his groovy delivery. Before long, concertgoers found themselves laughing, dancing and singing along, momentarily freed from the burdens of everyday life.
The performance took place Sunday evening at the outdoor music festival "Beautiful Mint Life 2026." AKMU headlined the second day of the two-day event, which began the previous day.
The duo opened with "Paradise in Rumors" and continued with tracks from their fourth studio album "Blooming," released last month, including "Spring Colors" and "Paying Out Bugs."
"Blooming," AKMU's first full-length album in seven years, topped major music charts upon release. Written, composed and produced entirely by Lee Chan-hyuk, the album earned praise from both the public and critics for its pure lyrics and acoustic- and country-inspired sound reminiscent of the duo's early years.
Although it was not AKMU's solo concert, many audience members sang along to songs released less than two months ago, underscoring the album's popularity.
The performance highlighted the strengths that have elevated AKMU to headline major music festivals 12 years after their official debut: Lee Su-hyun's vocal prowess, Lee Chan-hyuk's stage presence and rich band arrangements featuring saxophone accompaniment. Particularly notable was the seamless flow between songs, with transitions unfolding naturally and without interruption.
In addition to new tracks, the duo performed a string of hit songs, including "How People Move," "Love Lee" and "200%."
After performing six songs without a break, Lee Chan-hyuk greeted the audience.
"Did you miss AKMU? We missed you too," he said.
He then shifted the mood by asking, "Do you know what comes after joy?" before launching into the title track of their latest album, "Joy, Sorrow, Beautiful Heart."
As familiar hits such as "Sunlight Bless You," "Nakka" and "DINOSAUR" followed, the venue transformed into a full-fledged festival scene. Though darkness had fully descended, Lee Su-hyun's voice shone like bright sunlight. The siblings later ran across the stage waving flags bearing the AKMU logo and even led a playful conga-line-style procession.
The healing and recovery themes that AKMU delivered to listeners this spring became even more pronounced during the latter part of the set with performances of "The Right Person" and "Elegant Breakfast."
In "The Right Person," the duo asks, "Where is the right person? Where is the wrong person?" They answered that question in the following song, singing, "Changing the world is actually impossible ... Living itself is nothing short of a miracle."
Referring to one of the duo's earlier hits, Lee Chan-hyuk told the audience, "I hope this becomes a night you'll remember for a long, long time."
As AKMU concluded their set, fireworks burst across the night sky above the Oil Tank Culture Park, bringing the festival to a fitting finale.
"Beautiful Mint Life," which had been held at Olympic Park in southeastern Seoul through last year, moved to the Oil Tank Culture Park this year. The venue, a former petroleum storage facility transformed into a cultural complex, provided a distinctive backdrop that blended well with the music.
Other performers at this year's festival included singer-songwriter Jang Ki-ha, DAY6 member Wonpil, Ha Hyun-sang and Roy Kim, all delivering spring-themed performances.
Fans packed the standing area in front of the stage, cheering enthusiastically, while others spread picnic mats on the surrounding grassy slopes and lawns, creating a relaxed outing atmosphere.
The summer-like daytime heat eased as dusk settled in and a cool breeze swept through the venue, further enhancing the festival mood.
Large food-and-beverage booths, table seating, photo zones and merchandise stands offered visitors a variety of attractions throughout the day.
Cho Seo-young, a 24-year-old visitor from Seoul's Dobong Ward, said she enjoyed the festival's setting and lineup.
"The walking trails are nice and the air was clear today, so it was a pleasant experience. The lineup was great as well," she said. "But I arrived around 11:30 a.m., and staying outdoors all day was difficult because of the heat. The entrance line was so long that I missed about half of the band Kkachisan's performance, which was disappointing."
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]