Fans waiving BIBI lightsticks – Seattle, WA at Paramount Theater photo by Morgen Schuler

At the end of last month BIBI, the effervescent and multi-talented entertainer from South Korea, graced the stage of STG’s Paramount Theatre. While I had been told by many that her show was not to be missed, I didn’t know much beyond that. With my penchant for K-Pop and given the opportunity to photograph AND write about one of these shows, I was eager to see what I had been missing out on. Let me take you on a little journey through the force that is BIBI.

BIBI in Seattle, WA at Paramount Theater photo by Morgen Schuler

Unlike the typical K-Pop idol, she didn’t debut as part of a group and then add in solo work down the road. She began as a solo artist, moved into film and tv, and has made a name for herself. Making it as a solo artist, especially when you’re not backed by one of the big three companies (YG, SM, and JYP… and lets be real, Hybe now too) it’s even more difficult to get the media coverage and exposure necessary to build popularity in Korea’s entertainment industry. From the moment she stepped on stage, I understood why things worked out for her. The charisma she exudes while also being completely down to earth makes it impossible not to be charmed. I don’t know if it’s because K-Pop idols come to the states or what, but they seem to feel a little less inhibited (ie they cuss and act a little more relaxed), but I have a feeling BIBI is like that wherever she goes. It’s not an act, she’s really just that way… very relatable, silly and fun.

BIBI in Seattle, WA at Paramount Theater photo by Morgen Schuler

Throughout the evening, she told us stories about herself; like how she started out rapping, but soon realized how bad she was and to avoid killing her career before it started, she quickly switched gears (I have a suspicion she’s better at hip hop and rap than she lets on). As expected, there were about five costume changes but instead of a cool mechanical lift descending into the floor or smoke filling the stage to let her exit mysteriously, she ran off giggling or said “wait, just one minute, I have to change!” and slipped out the side just to come back two seconds later (or several minutes) with a shirt update or a piece of clothing removed. Near the end she had a white tank and bright red booty shorts with a huge “belt buckle” (more like a huge scripted metal sign covering her waist) that said “Naked bibi” (using her name as a slang for baby I think). While this would have put me off a bit normally, it just felt like another color in the rainbow that makes up this talented woman.

BIBI in Seattle, WA at Paramount Theater photo by Morgen Schuler

I haven’t even mentioned her voice yet, which filled the room with a powerful, resonant beauty during the slow songs and a sexual tension during the more lusty songs (and there were a few… complete with male dancers all up in her and each other’s biz). Then, to top it off, she had fan interactions (again, typical of this kind of show) that made us adore her that much more. Bringing a woman from the audience up on stage and singing to her while doing a lap dance (sweet red-faced embarrassment from the fan, but she had a great time) and had another up on stage, handing her the mic to croon the star in return (incredible voice!).

BIBI in Seattle, WA at Paramount Theater photo by Morgen Schuler

As a last note, I’ve never been so entertained by a concert VCR in my life (videos made specifically for the tour to give the performer time to catch a breath and change clothes). There was a story that connected all of them, and I don’t mean some weird metaphorical and artistic stream of consciousness like other groups have had of late, a legitimate storyline. It was really dark in nature, about an singer (played by her) seemingly in the forties, beautiful, talented and tortured who ends up killing herself. Jump forward a century and they’ve perfected cloning, so they create a clone of this woman and the deep psychological trauma that the original felt along with being compared to that original nearly drove the clone mad… it was incredibly in-depth and powerful.

If you have the chance, see BIBI the next time she comes to the states. Full stop.

BIBI in Seattle, WA at Paramount Theater photo by Morgen Schuler