Going into the show, I had a vague expectation that her performance would be especially impressive. IU is held in such high esteem in the Korean music landscape, where it is particularly difficult to be as loved and recognized as a solo artist.

She started off her career at the young age of 15, heralded as the "Nation's Little Sister" by fans and the media alike. Even after 16 years in the industry, her captivating charm coupled with her melodic vocals still have the continued support of the whole country and beyond.

Like many in the arena, I spent a good portion of my teens listening to IU. I particularly enjoyed her slower ballads from 2013-2017, but by the time of this show, it had been years since I actively sought out her music. So I mostly went into this show blind, unfamiliar to her newer releases but eager to hear my 16-year-old self's replays live.

While surrounded by people who've similarly listened to IU's earlier songs when they first released, I was reminded of the times her songs accompanied my walks home from school, or gave me something to look forward to as I anticipated a new music video. It was a special experience to see an artist I’ve known for most of my life finally make her way to the US.

As I wiggled my way to my seat in the multi-tiered venue, IU's synth pop/disco hit "Jam Jam" flooded my ears and I immediately began jamming along. This is one of my favorites among her more upbeat songs, and from my favorite album, Palette. It sort of has a flirty sound to it that makes me dance with my shoulders and feel like a girl, despite it being about the aches and desires of a relationship that will inevitably spiral- maybe that's why.

The stage featured a live 6-piece band, with IU and 14+ dancers in the forefront. IU seemed relaxed and confident in this novel space, running through choreos and smoothly belting her lyrics like second nature. The crowd waved around light sticks in response, which blinked in synchronization to the colors and rhythms of her songs. Subtitles in romanized Korean were projected onto two big screens for each song, and a live translator boomed after every sentence IU spoke. The live translator was really weird to me; she personified a very emotive and dramatic voice contrary to how IU spoke, and I couldn't help but be irked by some of the incorrect translations.

In exchange for being the most neat and tidy show I've experienced, it lacked the intimacy and raw energy I thrive off of in smaller shows. While certain things were appreciated, I think others were better left off in order to showcase the essence of the music and performance. It's hard to thoroughly enjoy something that tries to satisfy everyone, but as a result, doesn't.

Despite the choreographed energy, I sang my heart out to the songs I loved best. IU ended up performing them in her encores, which came after a whopping 18 songs. In her first encore, she sang "23," which was quite fitting as a 23-year-old in the crowd. The direct translation is often described as inaccurate and unjust as the meaning and wordplay is unique to the Korean language and culture. Still, many non-native speakers are able to connect to her songs.

She welcomed fans to shout out requests in her final encore, which was as chaotic and absurd as it sounds. I can't be sure as to whether the encore was pre-determined and she was pretending to hear the requests, or if she hyper focused on one person's mouth and decided on the songs in real time. Either way, she brought relief as she sang "The Shower," "Friday," and "Palette" to end the night. And if there's one song I leave you with, it's "Palette." In the live acoustic rendition, we were graced with her effortless rap of G-Dragon's lines. Her vocals were as fresh and clear as they were at the start of her almost 3-hour set, and at this point, I was dancing and singing along like I was the only one there.