[REVIEW] Dua Lipa dances past political tensions at Seoul stop of world tour

By Pyo Kyung-min

"Tonight is about us. Nothing outside matters. It's just me and you."

Performing for more than 20,000 fans at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome, pop star Dua Lipa made it clear — the show must go on.

The Seoul leg of the singer's "Radical Optimism" world tour began on Wednesday, coinciding with the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law late Tuesday night, and the decree's subsequent revocation the following day.

Defying the tense political atmosphere, the Wednesday night concert drew massive crowds, offering an escape from the lingering anxiety felt across the country. The two-day event continues through Thursday, bringing a much-needed burst of celebration to a shaken city.

Under flashy laser lights, Lipa opened the night with her track "Training Season," commanding the stage in a glamorous black bodysuit. Flanked by dancers, the singer combined sultry choreography with runway-worthy elegance, setting the tone for an electrifying evening.

The energy swelled as the singer transitioned to crowd favorites including "One Kiss" and "Illusion." Raising her hand with a playful exclamation, "Sing it!," Lipa invited the audience to join her, and the crowd responded in eruptive, ear-splitting cheers.

After a whirlwind opening sequence, Lipa paused to connect with her Korean fans. "I'm so happy to be here dancing and singing with you," she said. "It's been a while since I've been here, but we are going to have a party tonight. Nothing else matters — it's just you and me, us."

Lipa's message, that the world outside could wait, rang true as she powered through hits including "End of an Era," "Break My Heart," "Whatcha Doing," "Love Again" and "Pretty Please." Her deep, flawless live vocals and high-energy dance moves captivated the crowd, proving her status as one of pop music’s biggest stars.

Initially focused on capturing the moment on their phones, the crowd quickly surrendered to Lipa's infectious energy, tucking their devices away to fully immerse themselves in the performance. By the time she launched into "Levitating," a fan-favorite in Korea, thousands were singing and dancing in unison.

The night reached its peak during "New Rules," the breakthrough hit that won Lipa multiple awards. The heat continued with "Electricity," while "Cold Heart," her duet with British singer Elton John, brought a tender moment as fans lit up the dome with phone flashlights, creating a scene as memorable as the song itself.

On a heartfelt note, Lipa took the stage to thank her fans for the night. "I last performed here in 2018. Thank you to each and every one of you for waiting," she said. "The world has been changing, and we've all collectively been going through a lot. So thank you so much for letting this happen."

For the encore, Lipa leaned into themes of empowerment and magic. She performed "Dance The Night," the hit song from the sensational "Barbie" (2023) movie soundtrack, before closing with "Houdini," a playful finale that had the crowd cheering until the final note.

Kicking off in Europe, Lipa's "Radical Optimism" tour saw sold-out shows and additional dates added in major cities across Europe and Asia. Its two-day Seoul show marks the close of the tour's Asian leg.