It’s A “Sure Thing”: Rising Rookies, 82MAJOR, Are Taking The U.S. By Storm!

There’s a new syndrome sweeping the U.S. – an electrifying, uncontrollable burst of rhythm and charisma.  Symptoms include heart-racing excitement, spontaneous dancing, and nonstop chanting.  The cause?  One name:  82MAJOR!

Formed under Great M Entertainment, 82MAJOR is a rising 6-member boy group that’s redefining the rookie standard.  The name “82MAJOR” itself is a nod at South Korea’s country code (+82) and their desire to establish themselves as a “major presence globally”.  After intense trainee years, they officially made their debut on October 11, 2023 with the bold and confident single, “First Class.”  In a 2023 round table interview with K Fuse sat down with group members SEONG IL, SEOK JOON, SEONG BIN, YE CHAN, DO GYUN, and SEONG MOto discuss how they would define being a “major presence”.  SEONG IL defined it as “worldwide recognition, where anyone on the streets knows who we are,” while DO GYUN and SEONG MO spoke about being a comforting and positive presence for people around the world.  YE CHAN summed it up with a bold vision:  “Sold-out tours – everywhere!”  Fast forward to now, and that dream is in motion as the members officially set out on their first North American Tour, <82 SYNDROME>.

Outside the Nashville venue, 82DE showed up early, braving the heat in creative outfits and with handmade signs. DO GYUN, living up to his “hydration king” title, stepped out to hand out water and thank fans personally. Inside, the excitement was already building—fans danced, sang along, and bonded over their love for 82MAJOR. Then—it happened.

Once the lights dimmed and the opening notes of “TAKEOVER” rang through the venue, all bets were off. YE CHAN’s whisper — “Worldwide always greater, open up the third eye” — sent chills through the room.. The moment the beat dropped and the full-group took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. Sharp, synchronized choreography lit up the stage as the group exploded into their opening performance, setting the tone for what would be a night to remember. The seamless mix of controlled, powerful rap lines and smooth, soaring vocals traded between members had the crowd singing along and filling the two tiered venue with a thunderous roar of cheers from the first chorus. The synergy was undeniable—on stage and off—and the energy only climbed from there.  Keeping the momentum high, 82MAJOR immediately transitioned into “STUCK,” delivering a raw, unexpected burst of intensity that went beyond the studio version. SEONG BIN and SEONG MO’s rap verses hit harder live—charged with a grit and urgency that pulsed through the speakers. Their delivery amplified by the crowd’s energy, the performance felt like a direct jolt to the heart, proving that 82MAJOR’s stage presence can’t be fully captured in a recording.

Taking a moment to introduce themselves, 82MAJOR’s leader SEONG IL stepped forward and shouted, “HELLO NASHVILLE! WE ARE…” to which the rest of the group responded in perfect sync, “82MAJOR!” One by one, the members followed with individual introductions, each earning a wave of cheers from the crowd. YE CHAN then took the mic to officially welcome everyone to the 82 Syndrome North American Tour. Excited to be in Nashville for the first time, he didn’t hesitate to bring up a fact most Tennessee K-Pop fans know all too well: “I actually heard that you guys don’t get a lot of K-Pop concerts here.” That line drew an instant response of agreement from the crowd. YE CHAN grinned, soaking it in before adding with a playful nod, “So... who was the first K-Pop artist to perform here?” A beat passed—and then his answer: “My brother.”

When YE CHAN asked how the members were feeling, DO GYUN lit up: “I’m so happy to spend this special time with 82DE!” SEONG IL added, “When we found out we were going on tour, we couldn’t wait to meet all our North American 82DE,” and SEOK JOON followed with, “We worked really hard for this show—hope you enjoy it!” SEONG BIN jumped in with a pumped-up, “Are you guys ready?!”  Before the next song, YE CHAN explained the tour name: “82” from their group and country code, and “Syndrome” symbolizing their dream to become a wave spreading across North America. SEONG BIN quickly added with a grin, “But we’ve already met so many 82DE… I think the syndrome’s already started, no?”

That line sent the crowd into a roar just as the opening beats of “Heroes” kicked in. The crowd erupted with roaring cheers as every move of the choreography landed with razor-sharp precision, the members moving as one flawless unit that electrified the entire room. Fans were jumping in sync and pumping their fists into the air, completely captivated by the group’s dynamic stage presence and feeding off every beat. Next up was the old-school vibe of “Gossip,” and as the familiar intro started, the crowd instantly joined in, singing along with eager enthusiasm. As the chorus hit, the entire venue shouted back with the group in perfect unison: “Talk about me, talk about me, 82 do it better, do it better, you know what I mean.” That shared moment of connection only fueled the excitement, and as the track kicked into full gear, another thunderous roar of cheers exploded throughout the venue, filling the space with pure electric energy.

During the next talk segment, the members shared that they had prepared two new songs and worked hard on their English to better connect with 82DE. They said they brought their energy—but were getting even more back from the crowd. DO GYUN thanked fans for waiting in the heat, and when asked what he prepared, YE CHAN joked about his English skills before saying, more seriously, that he brought his whole heart to this tour.

DO GYUN, ready to move to the next stage, called out to 82DE to make sure they were ready before the group launched into “Face Time.” Fans bounced up and down to the beat, singing along and cheering for each member as their individual parts began, keeping the energy alive throughout the performance. Without missing a beat, 82MAJOR smoothly transitioned into their next stage. As the beat for “Thorns” dropped, the crowd once again filled the venue with cheers. YE CHAN took a moment to tell about the two songs that they just performed, playfully struggling with his “practiced English skills,” which had the crowd laughing right along with him. He translated the song’s Korean title with a smile, saying, “A thorny path is also okay. This song means that no matter what path we take, even if it be a hard one… wow, English…” He paused, chuckling at himself before correcting, “Even if it is a hard one, it will be okay because we have you guys.” The genuine warmth in his words resonated deeply with the fans, who responded with cheers and applause, feeling the heartfelt message behind the song.

Before moving on, the members shared their excitement about being in Nashville. DO GYUN said he’d looked up the city and wanted to explore and take photos, while SEONG MO was eager to check out the music scene on Broadway. DO GYUN praised the crowd’s energy, calling it fitting for the “City of Music.” SEOK JOON brought up Nashville’s hot chicken and asked for food recs—YE CHAN misheard a fan shout “Arby’s,” but the crowd quickly corrected him with chants for “Hattie B’s,” drawing big laughs.

Getting ready to lift the energy again with a trifecta of fan-favorites, DO GYUN signaled the start of the next stage by softly singing, “Happy birthday to you.” The crowd erupted in cheers, waving lightsticks and singing along to the chorus with joy. As the song came to a close, the entire venue joined 82MAJOR in singing the heartfelt final lyrics in perfect harmony:

“Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday my baby, Happy birthday to you.”

Without missing a beat, the group transitioned into the bright and youthful vibes of “Sure Thing,” instantly lightening the atmosphere. The crowd swayed and bobbed side to side, completely caught up in the carefree energy that filled the venue. Not wanting to lose a single moment of momentum, 82MAJOR immediately jumped into their next track, “PASSPORT.” The energy in the room soared as fans jumped and sang along with the catchy chorus, their voices blending in perfect harmony. Each member’s distinct parts were met with enthusiastic cheers, but it was SEOK JOON’s smooth, lower-ranged entrance with the line “Can’t nobody” that brought the house down, triggering a deafening roar of excitement from the crowd.

Next, it was time for 82DE to experience something extra special — the two songs that 82MAJOR created just for the tour. SEONG BIN took the lead, casually motioning for fans to simply vibe with them, even if they didn’t know the tracks yet. Then, with a knowing grin, he began humming the melody, teasing what was coming. The moment YE CHAN blended in with a playful “Oo-ee-oo-ah-ah,” the crowd caught on instantly, echoing the line back in unison — a moment that felt like an inside secret shared between artist and fan. With the crowd locked in, the group launched into the bright, easy-going rhythm of “Say More.” The stage lit up with color and warmth as fans danced, swayed, or simply smiled along, soaking in every beat. The mood quickly shifted, though, as 82MAJOR transitioned seamlessly into the moody, bass-driven “Suspicious.” The performance carried a darker, more mysterious energy — full of slick choreography, piercing gazes, and a magnetic stage presence that showed yet another side of the group’s versatility.  YE CHAN later explained the song “Say More” as a romantic song written by himself and SEONG MO, and SEONG BIN saying “the next stage, Suspicious, felt so different performing here in Nashville.”

Showing their playful side, the members turned the next talk segment into a comedy moment. DO GYUN signaled the next stage, but YE CHAN, mid-sip, joked, “I’m trying to drink water. Wait a minute.” The crowd cheered, and DO GYUN fired back, “But you always say you’re born ready.” YE CHAN replied, “Being born ready doesn’t mean you don’t need rest,” sparking more cheers. SEONG BIN then joked he was sad the crowd wasn’t screaming—prompting an immediate roar of energy. With the vibe fully recharged, it was time for the trifecta of 82MAJOR’s signature high-energy tracks. First up was their pre-debut track “Illegal.” While longtime fans had been with the song since its original release, many were introduced to it through the group’s second mini album ‘X-82.’ Regardless of when they joined the fandom, everyone in the room knew the chorus by heart — screaming the lyrics with passion and power that echoed off the venue walls. Next, the group jumped straight into formation for “Choke,” and the energy hit a whole new level. 82DE danced and shouted along with every drop, fully synced with the group’s electrifying stage presence. And just when it felt like the night couldn’t go any harder, a seamless transition launched the crowd into “82.” The cheers were deafening as fans jumped in unison with the group, fists in the air, yelling “EIGHTY-TWO!!” at full volume. The entire room felt like one massive party — artist and fan moving as one.

Before the final stretch, 82MAJOR took a moment to reflect on their high-energy songs that hold special meaning for the group. YE CHAN shared why “82” is more than just a song title—it’s a symbol of their identity, saying confidently, “82 is who we are.” He then talked about “Illegal,” explaining that it was originally a five-member release before he joined. But he made sure to add his own impact, saying, “My verse, my intro, my bridge, and my choreo go hard. I did what I had to do. I showed up. I represent.” The crowd erupted in cheers as he capped it off with a playful Gen Alpha phrase: “I ate up and I ate down.” DO GYUN then checked in with the fans, asking if they were having fun, to which the crowd shouted back enthusiastically. The mood shifted when SEONG BIN announced sadly, “It’s so sad that I have to do this line every time, but unfortunately, this is going to be the song,” sparking a chorus of passionate “NOOO!”s from the crowd who clearly didn’t want the night to end.

As the show neared its end, the members of 82MAJOR took a few heartfelt moments to reflect on their time in Nashville. One by one, they shared their thoughts, the emotion in their voices matching the warmth radiating from the crowd.

SEONG IL opened the segment with gratitude, thanking everyone in attendance for bringing such incredible energy to the night. His words were calm but full of appreciation — a true leader’s way of acknowledging the fans who made it all possible. SEONG BIN followed with a wide smile, explaining how much he enjoyed performing with such a fired-up audience. The genuine excitement from 82DE had clearly made an impact on him, and he didn’t hide it. SEOK JOON, full of quiet fire, added that he’s already looking forward to sharing even more passionate and powerful stages with 82DE in the future. Meanwhile, SEONG MO wore his heart on his sleeve, expressing his love for the fandom and how much pure fun he had on stage. “I want to come back and have even more fun,” he said, his joy impossible to miss. DO GYUN’s tone turned thoughtful as he looked ahead with hope, saying he’s excited to keep making great memories with 82DE. It wasn’t just about tonight — it was about everything that could come next. And finally, YE CHAN stepped forward to close out the reflections, his voice full of emotion. He shared that performing in Nashville had always been a dream of his — something he’d imagined for years — and now that it had come true, it felt like a blessing to do it in front of 82DE. “I really hope we can come back,” he said, before complimenting the crowd’s electric energy one last time.

It was a heartfelt pause before the final stretch. SEONG IL stepped forward with a grin, rallying the crowd: “When I say jump, I want to see you jump!” The room exploded in cheers. Spotting a toddler, the members joked, “That includes you, baby. A baby jump!” — drawing laughs and awws. Ever thoughtful, they added, “But please be safe. If you can’t jump, just scream!”

With that, the opening beat of their debut track “FIRST CLASS” dropped — and the venue lit up with an energy that somehow topped everything before it. Fans jumped to their feet, shouting the lyrics at full volume, waving their arms, and matching the group’s every move with pure adrenaline. Then came the moment: “JUUUUMP!” SEONG IL roared into the mic. Each time he shouted the cue, the entire venue moved like a wave — rows of 82DE leaping into the air, fists pumping to the beat, chanting back, “JUMP! JUMP! JUMP ON ANOTHER CLASS!” It was a finale powered by joy, adrenaline, and connection, with every fan holding nothing back. As the final chorus echoed into the night and the stage lights dimmed, 82MAJOR took their leave, exchanging hearts and waves with the crowd as they disappeared backstage. But Nashville wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet.

A chant started to rise. “ENCORE! ENCORE!” quickly transformed into something even louder — “82! 82! 82!” 

The venue shook once again as 82MAJOR returned to the stage and flipped the atmosphere once more — this time trading high-energy hype for something softer, more sentimental. As the opening chords of “Promise” began to play, the crowd immediately caught the shift. Lightsticks swayed gently from left to right, casting a sea of color across the venue. It was a calm, glowing moment — but one still brimming with emotion. Onstage, the members made the most of every second. SEONG BIN and YE CHAN took the lead, playfully directing the waves from the stage with childlike energy that had the crowd laughing and following along. Just as the vibe settled into something sweet, SEOK JOON’s rap verse lit another spark — fans pumping their arms in rhythm to chants of “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!” It was a perfect balance of joy and tenderness, a finale that felt more like a celebration between friends than the end of a concert.

Before stepping off stage for good, the members paused one more time to thank Nashville for such an unforgettable night. But the energy still didn’t let up — so much so, they couldn’t help but sneak in a little reprise of “Sure Thing,” sending the crowd into one last round of cheerful movement. With waves, hearts, and lingering smiles, 82MAJOR finally leaving the stage — but not the hearts of 82DE.

From start to finish, 82MAJOR’s Nashville stop on their <82 SYNDROME> tour was more than just a concert — it was an experience. Full of laughter, unforgettable fan moments, electrifying performances, and emotional sincerity, the night proved one thing for sure: 82MAJOR isn’t just chasing their dream — they’re living it. And judging by the roar of the crowd, they’re taking 82DE right along with them every step of the way.