Once You’re in WayV, there’s NO Way OUT!

Was it really happening? How did it happen so fast? Was this a dream?

On September 4^th, 2025, I walked from a cozy and charming hotel in Shin-Yokohama, Japan towards the Yokohama Arena, located just under a mile away. It was late afternoon and a light rain was coming down. After unsuccessfully trying to fit the both of us under a cute umbrella I’d picked up a few days before, my grown son and concert date decided to pop into a convenience store and buy one for himself. Everything is convenient in Japan. It is a truly lovely place.

I waited outside, not wanting to crowd into the space where many people took shelter from the rain. I also didn’t want to miss a single moment of being outside in this surreal experience. The gentle rainfall, the people crossing the streets, the lightness of the mood, knowing that mere blocks away were Kun, Ten, Xiaojun, Hendery and YangYang, preparing a special evening for all of us WayZenNies. (What WayV call their fans.)

My son eventually came out and now properly protected from the rain, we made our way to the arena. We met up with the dear friends who helped make this whole thing possible (so special getting to see them in person as we mostly interact with each other online) and then about two hours later, a dream I’d envisioned many times over the years finally came true.

I can still see each luminescent light stick, bobbing together in a beautiful sea of greens and reds, as song after song, WayV left it all on the stage. I will never forget this night for as long as I live.

A few weeks before, one of these good friends and colleagues from WayV’s fandom put out a message in our group chat saying she knew it was short notice, but that she had two extra tickets to see WayV’s NO Way OUT concert if anyone was interested. (This is WayV’s 2^nd tour. The first, ON The WAY, held in 2024, was a big success and I had dreamed of attending, always hoping they’d bring it to the US. While that didn’t happen, I was so proud of WayV for the truly breathtaking show they brought to so many of their fans! By virtue of technology, I was able to watch that concert via livestreaming and seeing it on TV only made me know that someday, I HAD to see them live and in person!)

Could I possibly go to NO Way OUT? Life is short, be here now, you only live once…

My friend was only asking for face value of the tickets. The concert itself was to be held in Yokohama, Japan. (I’d been daydreaming about the tour since WayV had first released the official poster.) I saw that a couple hours had passed since she’d posted. A few of our teammates had already thanked her but declined. I thought about it. Traveling to a part of the world I’d never been to. Could I really handle something this huge?

Normally, I would have debated. Talked myself into the rationale that it wasn’t practical, it was too short of notice. I’d have trapped myself in a steady inescapable loop with those pesky thoughts.

This time, however, with this extraordinary opportunity in my lap, I did none of that!

WayV is special to you. Go. (More sweet whispers I listened to.)

So I did. My friend happily accepted my yes and after running it by my family, who were completely supportive and ready for an adventure themselves, we made plans for what would turn out to be one of the most precious trips of my lifetime. A note for all: It is completely possible to put together a last-minute trip to travel-friendly Japan. As long as you have a valid passport, the sky is the limit when it comes to visiting the land of the rising sun. If you’ve ever thought about it, maybe this is your sign to go! No regrets.

In the haze of excitement, I was sure to put together a simple yet fun concert outfit, taking the time to finally sew a WayV patch onto my favorite jeans which I’d accidentally ripped. I guess you could say with that, the deal was sealed. Big smile.

A non-stop, direct plane ride from Los Angeles International Airport to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport is only about 11 hours, give or take a few minutes.

I’ll share more about the beautiful Japan trip in an upcoming blog, today, you guessed it. It’s all about WayV’s NO Way OUT tour stop in Yokohama!

I was there! I really actually flew to Japan to see WayV!

Talk about firsts!

FIRSTS:

-seeing any concert outside of the USA

-seeing WayV perform in their own completely solo tour (not as part of a festival where they are only allotted a couple songs in the lineup)

-not knowing where our seats would be right up until arriving to the arena (I’ll say it again, “Life is not wonderful without surprise”~Xiao Dejun)

-walking to the concert of a lifetime in the rain with my son(this is not a complaint, this was beautiful and reminded me to let go of worrying about my appearance. I was there to enjoy the music and the energy of the band and the fellow concert goers)

-not taking pictures at a concert

This one was huge! Can you remember the last time you attended a concert where no phones or cameras were allowed? And also where it is strictly enforced. In this day and age, it is rare! My friends, who had all been to WayV shows in Japan before, let me know this was a rule that we would all need to honor. Japan is very serious about protecting IP (Intellectual Property) rights of the artists and those who disregard that policy are not allowed to stay for the show. But as my friends said, it would make for a very unique and special concert experience. They were right!

At first, I was just a tiny bit missing being able to come away with a picture of WayV or a selfie of my son and I with WayV performing in the background at our first concert. But having started attending shows as a child back in the 80’s, I saw this as a chance to appreciate live music the way we used to, before smartphones. So, rather than be disappointed, I decided to appreciate it as the gift it was. The chance to be fully immersed in the performance that WayV had worked so hard to prepare for us. I can also imagine how nice it must be for artists to perform in this way. I’m sure it is just as meaningful when they look out into the audience and see the priceless expressions on the faces of their fans completely engaged in the experience with them rather than a sea of screens. The hands that are free to wave up and down and side to side because they aren’t burdened by a device. To be able to properly clap and applaud the whole time!!! Plus, WayV’s official social media accounts are wonderful about sharing a photo of the band from each night’s concert stop. Here they are from the night we attended.

We Are Your Vision. (This is the English meaning of WayV.)

As WayV came out, they did not disappoint.

They began their songs right away. Dressed in these incredible, richly decorated red and black suits that blended Chinese and Mariachi styling in a way I’ve never seen before. The beads, the tassels, the embroidery, the strong shoulders, with each suit tailored to the preferences of each member, a signature of WayV’s style. It was exactly how I hoped WayV would come out! I loved all of their costumes this night, but the opening suits were my favorite!

Their first number was an English version of Bad Alive, a bold and suggestive song with an underlying hint of tenderness that came out in 2020 about the conflicted life of a rock star who is pondering what meaningful love might be like for him.

As it finally sunk in that I’d finally made it to a WayV concert, the tears began to fall. I cried the kind of cry where your shoulders shake. I tried to stop but in the end, I let my heart do what it had come there to do. Appreciate mine and WayV’s journey together as fan and artist, with no judgment or holding back.

I knew WayV were one of the best in their field, but I remember being especially impressed at this concert. They sang live and danced full choreography for almost all of their songs. The only time they did not do both simultaneously was during a few of their ballads, at which time they are usually still performing light choreo or at a minimum, swaying in time with their fans. The rest of the time it was vocals and dancing to the max! It was like bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. WayV going off one hit song after another!!

I still can’t believe I got to see them perform their concert version of the iconic song, Nectar. (There are many fan videos from the non-Japan tour stops uploaded to YouTube. Just do a YouTube search: WayV Nectar No Way Out ) Seeing WayV dance the tango while singing in English and Chinese is priceless! It was the definition of a dream come true!

The entire setlist was amazing and truly meaningful for a long-time WayV fan. Because WayV dealt with many challenges at the beginning of their career, it took them longer than most bands to take their music out on the road for a proper tour. With 11 releases under their belts, they have an incredible discography to choose from and what a treat it was to see them perform the new music alongside all our favorites. I’d say the most meaningful for me was All For Love. This song is something special. It is one of the most beloved songs of WayZenNies (WayV’s fans). In fact, during the weekly music parties that I host on WayV’s Stationhead channel, All For Love is the most-requested track. How can I describe it? It’s a dark yet gentle song about what love can put a person through. In a way, I think it represents what WayV has been willing to go through for their undying love of music, the world and the people they make it for.

Just like the concert itself and this miraculous night, I know it’s time to gently wrap up this post. I hope I’ve given you a taste of what WayV is all about.

I’d like to thank WayV for the 25 songs they did for us this night. For the glowing love and energy they filled the arena with. The long plane ride there and back was worth it. I’d fly that route a million more times to get to spend such a special night with my favorite band and fellow WayZenNi. And I’d like to send a big hug out to the friends I ate with that night afterwards, the ones who made this night possible. We enjoyed delicious Izakaya at a nice spot close to the venue. Conversation and smiles with them were the perfect way to end the night.

Once the concert ended, I was able to take a picture from inside the arena. This is me, full of “heart photos” that I hope will never fade.

Until next time, WayV! Thank you for being our Visions!

And thank YOU, dear readers, for allowing me to re-live such a special night. WayV are always welcoming new WayZenNies into their hearts so perhaps I’ve made one out of you? Smile.

As they said at their concert, “Once you’re in WayV, there is NO Way OUT.”

With love,

Carlene