SINGAPORE: South Korean girl group Mamamoo reunited in Singapore for their first concert here in three years, delivering a performance that reaffirmed the quartet's chemistry and enduring appeal after a period focused on solo careers.
In the music industry, it is ironic that once a group tastes success, its members might shift their focus from group activities to solo careers. A band's rise, therefore, sometimes spells the beginning of the end.
That was what fans feared when South Korean girl group Mamamoo went on hiatus after their first world tour, which included two concerts at The Star Theatre in 2023.
Since then, the four members – Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein and Hwasa – have each performed here as solo artistes. But nothing beats seeing the quartet perform the hits that catapulted them to stardom.
The theme of their current tour, 4ward, combines the number "4" and the word "forward", symbolising moving together as one. The show, which lasted two hours and 40 minutes, reminded more than 7,700 attendees that this third-generation group is still very much united. Here are three highlights:
When Mamamoo burst onto the scene in 2014, they challenged several conventions that had become associated with girl groups, such as relying on recorded vocals and presenting polished stage personas.
Instead, the Mamamoo members were spontaneous and different from other female K-pop stars of their time. For example, Moonbyul has worn many tomboyish outfits, while Hwasa's sultry, provocative dance moves and gestures have prompted pearl-clutching from more conservative quarters.
The members also contributed to the writing of some songs, sang live and were dubbed "performance queens" for their powerful vocals and stage presence.
Fans were reminded of these standout qualities in early hits such as Mamamoo's debut single Mr. Ambiguous (2014), which they performed in all-white outfits, supported by eight back-up dancers.
Electronic swing number Piano Man (2014) demonstrated their ability to incorporate genres such as jazz into K-pop, while R&B dance hit Um Oh Ah Yeh (2015) was accompanied by waves of confetti that seemed to celebrate how far they have come.
In the late 2010s, Mamamoo embarked on an ambitious musical project called Four Seasons, Four Colors. This undertaking spanned four EPs, each assigned to a member, and became a significant part of the group's discography.
Several songs from this project were included in the setlist, such as the lovelorn Starry Night (2018), about remembering a past lover, and the Latin-influenced Egotistic (2018).
The cheerful Waggy (2019) made it into a medley of songs, while the energetic, reggaeton-influenced Gogobebe (2019) gave the members a chance to showcase their dance moves.
These numbers harked back to a time when the group were developing a more mature sound and showcasing their depth as artistes. They were a delightful throwback for fans who have stood by the group over the years.
Since the 2020s, Mamamoo's members have focused mostly on their solo careers. Each member demonstrated their growth during a segment of the concert, which featured Hwasa's So Cute (2026), Wheein's The Symphony Of Fxxkboys (2026), Moonbyul's Hertz (2026) and Solar's Blues (2024).
Each member sang into a microphone before passing it to the next person like a baton. Besides showing that the artistes were singing live, the concept suggested that despite their individual pursuits, each member's evolution and skills have contributed to the team.
The inclusion of the band's latest single 4 Flowers, released in June 2026, further demonstrated the group's unity. Its lyrics depict flowers that bloom and wither, but are joined by the same roots – a metaphor for a group whose members have reunited to welcome a new spring.- ST/ANN
