Saturday 21-09-2024 - 20:06

With the coronavirus finally behind them, Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and HueningKai are ready to leave the studio and take the next steps in their idol journey – their first in-person concert tour.

 

4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

“We don’t have seasons. We’re always in the studio,” Beomgyu says, following up with a joke to mask the acceptance of this being the norm when no big events are upcoming. It’s no surprise for fans to learn how frequently K-Pop idols practice; anyone interested in the industry is aware of their gruelling schedules. If they aren’t practicing day in and day out, they’re at fan meetings or – as seen in this documentary – on tour. Maybe that’s why Beomgyu also states that they finally have their "seasons" back now.

 

The documentary follows the five members of Tomorrow X Together (shortened to TXT by their fans, ‘MOAs’) as they embark on their first world tour post-pandemic, covering Southeast Asia and America. Debuting on March 4th, 2019, TXT took the world by storm, being nominated for 20 awards and winning an impressive 9 in their first year alone. The coronavirus pandemic hit only a year after their debut, putting a hold on much of their growth, with members even questioning whether performing was something they wanted to continue after their first online concert in an empty venue in 2021. This, plus a run-through of their albums and achievements post-debut, is summed up in a minute-and-a-half montage at the start of the documentary – a little overwhelming for average viewers unfamiliar with the group.

 

The documentary explores the trials and tribulations they face, starting and ending at Lollapalooza, with the focus on their Act: Lovesick Tour in 2022. From exclusive interviews that give insights into their thoughts during crucial moments to handheld camera footage of backstage moments before and after shows, it offers a stripped-down version of what’s usually hidden by their company. It doesn’t shy away from injuries or emotional topics, which is refreshing for fans who are often only shown the positives to uphold the group’s reputation. However, despite these efforts, it’s clear the film is heavily edited. While personal scenes are shown, they’ve undoubtedly been carefully handpicked by the company to portray them in the best light – leaving many unreleased scenes in the vault.

 

For the average viewer, it provides a brief look at what the members do before, during, and after tours. For those more invested in the group, it’s a documentary that highlights how much TXT has persevered to reach where they are today, standing proud on main stages and becoming the first K-Pop group to headline Lollapalooza in Chicago. Being a member of a world-famous K-pop group isn’t easy, and the documentary effectively highlights some of the struggles that are usually hidden from fans. It shows moments like why Beomgyu had to miss half of a show, HueningKai contracting a nosebleed mid-performance, and Soobin revealing how lingering feelings of loneliness persisted even after the pandemic. The group's friendship isn’t explored in much depth – likely because viewers are assumed to already know their dynamics – so audiences unfamiliar with them may feel lost at times. Overall, it offers a lovely insight into what Tomorrow X Together experiences during world tours and the challenges they face.

 

Written by: Elisha