PENTAGON member and solo artist KINO successfully wrapped up his Seoul concert, marking a powerful start to his World Tour 2026. He is now gearing up for the exhilarating North American leg of his 2026 world tour.
On January 24, KINO kicked off his 2026 World Tour ‘FREE KINO’ in Seoul at Myeonghwa Live Hall, spending a special night with fans. The concert served as a showcase of his expanded musical spectrum and commanding stage presence as a solo artist.
The artist explained, 'FREE KINO' carries two meanings simultaneously. The first represents the cry of supporters who shout, “Free KINO! Let him be free!”—a call that champions his liberation. The second signifies KINO himself, who has finally attained true freedom at the end of that cry. This concert traces the journey where these two meanings intersect: the idea that wishing for someone’s freedom ultimately leads to one’s own liberation.
However, 'FREE KINO' is not merely a declaration of liberation, but a story about learning how to be free. Together with the audience, he shouts, experiments, and embodies what it means to live authentically and be honest with one’s instincts right on stage.
During his Seoul performance, he captivated the audience with a diverse setlist that highlighted both his vocal depth and performance versatility. Emotional ballad stages such as “ANNIE,” “Skyfall,” and “BACK IN TIME” allowed audiences to fully appreciate his live vocals. Fan-favorite tracks, including “DIRTY BOY (Feat. JAMIE, UWA)” and a medley of PENTAGON's “Shine" and "Spring Snow,” further captivated the crowd.
Having successfully opened KINO World Tour 2026 ‘FREE KINO’ in Seoul, KINO also officially launched the global leg of the tour beginning February 2 in Frankfurt. He has already completed the European leg of his tour, stopping by Berlin, Paris, London, and Warsaw from February 2 to 9. Notably, the tour also included European cities KINO visited for the first time, signaling a broader global expansion.
Due to overwhelming support, additional stops in Manila, Los Angeles, and Atlanta were added following the initial announcement, bringing the total to 15 cities. He is now set to travel across Asia and North America.
Ahead of the performances in the Asian and North American wings of the tour, KINO took a moment with Allkpop to share his thoughts.
Allkpop: You’ve completed the Seoul concert and the European tour. How do you feel?
KINO: I prepared this tour with a vague but sincere hope in mind: “I want people to feel freer than anywhere else when they’re at my concert. I want to create that kind of show.” But everyone felt a level of freedom far beyond what I had imagined. It reminded me how deeply the audience can respond depending on the mindset I bring to the stage. Seeing everyone lose themselves and jump around together was incredibly moving. Amazingly, an album born from a longing for freedom led to a concert that ultimately helped us experience true liberation.
Allkpop: This is your first solo world tour on this scale. What led you to plan it, and was your mindset different from previous performances?
KINO: Rather than simply putting together a show filled with impressive stages, I poured sincerity into every rearrangement, every setlist decision, and every individual performance, hoping the audience would truly connect with it. I came to understand even more clearly that delivering emotion is more important than showcasing cool movements or music. That’s what sets this tour apart from my previous concerts.
Allkpop: What was the atmosphere like at the shows? Did you notice any differences compared to before?
KINO: Musically, I set up many moments designed to let everyone scream their hearts out and completely let go. And it really worked. After the shows, many people told me, “I’ve never jumped around so wildly in my life without caring about what anyone else thought.”
Allkpop: How do you plan to approach the U.S. tour in April? Are there any special points to look forward to?
KINO: As the tour progresses, I’m learning how to shape the emotional arc of the show more dynamically. By the time I begin the U.S. tour, every song and stage will feel fully absorbed into me. I’m confident that I’ll be able to immerse myself in the music even more and communicate more deeply than I do now. And U.S. fans really know how to have fun. I want to show what it truly means to enjoy the moment together.
Allkpop: You recently performed as a full group with PENTAGON again. How did it feel?
KINO: It was a stage I had missed for a long time. The members, the fans, and I all felt the same way. The hiatus ended up being longer than expected, but the moment we stood together, everything clicked as if no time had passed. Watching the members sync up so naturally made me think, “This is family. This is PENTAGON.” Ten years of teamwork is no joke. It was a stage that made me even more excited for what lies ahead for PENTAGON.
Allkpop: What are your plans moving forward?
KINO: I’m preparing a lot of exciting things. Musically, what excites me most is that the KINO from my early days and the KINO of today are meeting to create new sounds and tell new stories. Once I became honest in front of people, everything started to change. Now, I feel like I can continue meeting the “real me.” I think listening to my music from here on out is like walking through life alongside me.
Meanwhile, KINO will continue his 'FREE KINO' World Tour in Asia and North America. His performances will continue in March and April as he stops by major cities, including Tokyo, Manila, New York, Los Angeles, and more. Below are the full dates and cities for KINO's upcoming world tour performances.
[Asia]
Tokyo 2026.03.07
Manila 2026.03.22
Singapore 2026.03.26
Taipei 2026.03.28
[USA]
New York 2026.04.19
Atlanta 2026.04.21
L.A. 2026.04.24
Chicago 2026.04.25
Columbus 2026.04.26
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