LIVE REVIEW — 8TURN in Orlando (Oct. 25)

On October 25, 2026, K-pop boy group 8TURN brought their tour to The Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida, for a night full of amazing performances, fan interactions, and so much love for TURNING. But for me, this concert was extra special because I had the opportunity to cover the show as press, attend the press conference, and interview the members myself! Getting to experience a concert as both a fan and someone covering it professionally is always exciting, but having the chance to actually sit down and ask the members questions made this experience even more memorable. From the moment I arrived, I was looking forward to seeing the group perform, but I also knew I would be leaving with memories from the interview that I would be thinking about long after the show ended. And honestly, between the members’ energy onstage and how sweet they were throughout the night, 8TURN gave us plenty to remember.

For anyone who might not be familiar with them yet, 8TURN is an eight-member K-pop boy group consisting of Jaeyun, Myungho, Minho, Yoonsung, Haemin, Kyungmin, Yungyu, and Seungheon. Since debuting in 2023, the group has continued to show off their versatility through different musical styles, strong choreography, and performances that let each member bring their own personality to the stage. Their music ranges from energetic tracks that get everyone moving to songs that show off a softer side of the group, making their live performances a fun experience for fans. What I especially enjoyed about this Orlando show was how comfortable the members seemed onstage. They were smiling, interacting with fans, and clearly having a good time, which made the entire concert feel welcoming.

Before the concert, I had the opportunity to attend the press conference and interview the members of 8TURN. We had five questions prepared, covering different topics that gave the group a chance to share more about their experiences together. Whenever I prepare questions for an artist, I always enjoy asking something that might lead to a more personal answer instead of only focusing on the usual questions about music and touring. I wanted to give the members an opportunity to share a memory that meant something to them, even if it was a small moment that fans might not necessarily know about.

One question that stood out to me was: “You’ve probably experienced so many unforgettable moments together, both onstage and behind the scenes. What’s one memory from your time as 8TURN that might seem small or ordinary to everyone else, but is actually really special to you? It could be something with the members, the staff, or even a moment with TURNING.”

I really liked the answers we got because they showed how much the little moments with fans can mean to the members. One of them brought up a memory from Ohio, where the fans had a little chant for the group. The members would say “O-H,” and the fans would respond with “I-O,” spelling out “O-H-I-O” together. It’s such a simple thing, but I thought it was adorable that the members remembered it and brought it up when talking about their favorite memories. It shows how even something fans might come up with spontaneously can stick with an artist long after the concert is over. Fans are always finding creative ways to support their favorite groups, whether through chants, signs, fan projects, or little traditions that become part of a particular tour stop. Knowing that the members remember those moments makes all that effort feel even more meaningful.

Another memory they shared was from their hello82 concert in Los Angeles. While waiting to go onstage, the members were underneath the stage rather than in their usual waiting area off to the side or toward the back. From there, they could hear the fans screaming and cheering when their VCR appeared on the screen. Hearing that reaction before they had even stepped onstage gave them an extra boost of energy. I thought that was such a sweet story because it shows just how much fans can impact a performance before the first song even begins. The audience might think they’re simply cheering because they’re excited to see their favorite group, but those sounds can actually help the members feel supported and ready to give their best.

Those answers were one of my favorite parts of getting to interview 8TURN. As fans, we often remember the big moments: seeing our favorite members perform our favorite songs, hearing a song live for the first time, or getting a wave from the stage. But artists have their own memories of touring, and sometimes the smallest interactions end up meaning the most to them. Getting to hear the members talk about those experiences made me appreciate the relationship between 8TURN and TURNING even more. It also made me excited to see how they would interact with the crowd once the concert started.

The concert itself kicked off with “BRUISE,” immediately setting the tone for the night. 8TURN followed it with “RU-PUM PUM,” “WALK IT OUT,” and “TIC TAC,” giving the audience a strong opening run of performances. One thing that stood out to me throughout the show was how much energy the members brought to the stage. They weren’t holding back, and the crowd was right there with them. Since the entire concert was general admission, fans had the opportunity to experience the show together on the floor, and everyone around me was so kind. It was nice seeing people enjoying themselves, cheering for the members, and sharing the space with other fans who were just as excited to be there.

The group continued with “WONDER,” “8PM,” “Like a Friend,” and “SKETCH,” showing a different side of their setlist before moving into one of the night’s special stages. One of the fun things about K-pop concerts is that you never know what surprises a group might have planned, and 8TURN made sure to give fans something extra to look forward to. Along with their own songs, the setlist included several covers that allowed the members to show off different performance styles.

The first cover was “FaSHioN” by CORTIS, performed by three members. It was fun seeing the group take on a song from another K-pop act and put their own spin on it. Cover stages can be such a great way for idols to show fans what music they enjoy and experiment with a different style from their usual performances. Next came “Bang Bang Bang” by BIGBANG, performed by five members. Considering how iconic the original song is, it was an exciting choice for the setlist. BIGBANG’s music has had such a major impact on K-pop, so seeing 8TURN take on one of their songs was a fun moment for the audience.

The covers continued with “BOUNCY” by ATEEZ with all members, which fit right in with the high-energy atmosphere of the show. I always enjoy seeing groups perform songs outside their own discography because it gives them the chance to approach familiar music in their own way. These stages also let fans see a different side of the members, especially when the choreography or overall energy differs from their original songs. For 8TURN, the covers added another layer to the concert and gave the audience even more reasons to get excited.

After the cover stages, the group returned to their own music with “Heartache,” “Close to Me,” and “BESAME.” The members continued to keep the energy up while making time to interact with the audience, and it was clear they were enjoying being in Orlando. Sometimes the atmosphere of a concert depends just as much on the artists’ personalities as it does on the production, and 8TURN made the night feel fun and approachable. They seemed genuinely happy to be performing for TURNING, and that excitement carried through the rest of the show.

As much as I enjoyed the performances, one of my favorite parts of the concert was getting to photograph the members and watch how they interacted with the camera. Since I was covering the show as press, I had a different experience from someone attending purely as a fan, but the members made those moments so much fun. While I was photographing them, they kept noticing the camera, interacting with it, and even coming over to pose. I thought that was incredibly sweet of them because they didn’t have to go out of their way to do that, but they made the effort anyway.

My favorite member is Yungyu, so you can probably imagine how happy I was when he kept coming over to wave and pose for my camera! Those little interactions genuinely made my night. When you’re photographing a concert, you’re focused on capturing the performances and making sure you don’t miss the important moments, so having a member notice you and play along with the camera is always a fun surprise. Yungyu was so sweet about it, and I really appreciated that he took the time to interact with me throughout the show.

What made it even better was that it didn’t feel like the members were only focused on the people at the very front. They seemed happy to interact with fans and make the most of the time they had onstage. Even small gestures, like waving, smiling toward the camera, or stopping to pose, can make a concert feel more personal. Those are the kinds of moments fans end up remembering long after the music stops, and as someone who was there to cover the show, I was especially grateful to have those interactions captured through my camera.

It also says a lot about how comfortable and happy the members seemed throughout the concert. They were in such a good mood, and their willingness to interact made it easy to see how much they enjoy being around TURNING. The entire audience was general admission, and the fans around me were kind and respectful, which made the experience even better. There is something really nice about being at a show where you can feel the excitement in the room without losing that sense of community among fans. Everyone was there to support 8TURN, and the members gave that love right back.

As the concert continued, 8TURN performed “Electric Heart,” “LEGGO,” “Stagefright,” “EXCEL,” and “NOM,” keeping the momentum going toward the final part of the setlist. The members continued to show off their performance skills, and the crowd stayed engaged throughout the night. One of the best things about seeing a group live is getting to appreciate the details you might not notice as much when watching a music video or performance online. The expressions, the way members react to each other, and the little moments between choreography all help make the experience feel different from simply listening to the songs.

The concert closed with “I was there,” giving the audience one final performance to enjoy before the night came to an end. After seeing the group interact with fans so much throughout the show, it felt fitting to end the night with everyone having shared another memory together. Between the original songs, the covers, and the members’ playful interactions with the crowd and camera, the setlist offered plenty of variety.

Looking back, I think what made this concert stand out was how much the members seemed to enjoy being there. Of course, the performances were a huge part of the experience, but their personalities made the night feel even more special. They were smiling, waving, posing for the camera, and finding ways to connect with the people who came to support them. As someone who had the chance to photograph them, I loved seeing those little moments happen in real time. And as a fan, I appreciated that they made the effort to interact with the audience instead of treating the concert as just another stop on the tour.

8TURN gave Orlando a night full of energy, and TURNING made sure the members felt loved every step of the way. Between the performances, the fan interactions, and the little memories shared both onstage and during the interview, the concert was a reminder that sometimes the best parts of live music are the moments you never could have planned for. I went in excited to cover the show, and I left with new memories, a greater appreciation for the members, and plenty of reasons to look forward to seeing what 8TURN does next.

8TURN Live Review by Shay Claudio.
8TURN Live Photos by Shay Claudio.