R&B Superstar Alicia Keys perform at the Jamsil Gymnasium, located in the Olympic Sports Complex, southern Seoul, Thursday.
/ Courtesy of Sony BMG


By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

R&B superstar Alicia Keys might have been late for her concert in Seoul Thursday evening, but her fierce performance more than made up for it.

Fans at the Jamsil Gymnasium, located in the Olympic Sports Complex, southern Seoul, impatiently waited for Keys to hit the stage at 8 p.m. Instead, K-pop singer Taeyang, a member of the popular group Big Bang, came out to keep the crowd entertained with two songs.

At around 8:30 p.m., someone announced over the PA system that Keys was still preparing for the show, garnering a few boos from the crowd.

however, by the time she came on stage at 9 p.m., the audience was ready to forgive her for the long wait. Fans screamed excitedly as Keys finally came appeared on stage, wearing a pair of fitted high-waist jeans and a blue tank top adorned with a diamond flower brooch. For an R&B diva, her stage outfit was somewhat simple but it soon became apparent that Keys did not need any flashy costumes or fancy stage sets.



Keys started belting out hit song after another, ``Go Ahead,'' ``You Don't Know My Name,'' ``Teenage Love Affair'' and ``Heartburn.'' The multi-Grammy Award-winning singer showed off her strong vocals to full effect, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

``Thank you, Korea. I'm so grateful to be here tonight. I'm so excited to share my music. I appreciate such a warm welcome here,'' she said. This was Keys' second time in Seoul, and she seemed to appreciate the crowd's passionate reception once again.

Keys, an accomplished pianist, made sure to sit down at the piano and play a few tunes. She brought a slice of New York's Spanish Harlem by performing a sultry, Spanish-tinged version of ``Karma.''

Keys had the audience in the palm of her hand. When she told the audience to snap their fingers as she sang the catchy tune ``How Come You Don't Call Me'' they unquestioningly obeyed.


K-pop singer Taeyang, a member of the popular group Big Bang, performs as a guest. ``If you ever feel down, this song is for you,'' Keys said, before singing the inspiring song ``Superwoman.''

One of the highlights was Keys' duet with back-up singer Jermaine Paul, singing ``Diary'' and ``Tender Love.'' But she saved the best for last. As she sang the first lines of the hit song ``Fallin,'' everyone in the audience was screaming.

``You'll see me again. Thank you for welcoming me tonight,'' she said, as she exited the stage.

As the crowd screamed for an encore, Keys came back to sing her hits ``No One'' and ``If I Ain't Got You.''

After her one night concert in Seoul, Keys headed over to Japan, where she will perform at the Summer Sonic Rock Festival in Tokyo and Osaka this weekend.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr