Show Review: Lee Young-ji’s All or Nothing concert is a gift to her 16-year-old self

Though she’s known for her bright and high-spirited demeanour on camera, Lee Young-ji tells a different story on stage. At the Singapore leg of her [All or Nothing] World Tour, the South Korean rapper brought hits which draw from her life story.

Songs based on her life experiences

Those anecdotes, now turned into chart-topping songs, have seemingly struck a chord with fans. One of them was the catchy earworm she recently dropped with EXO’s D.O., Small Girl (2024).

She wrote about her insecurities from her past relationship, where she didn’t fit into the mould of a demure and petite girl.

Romance aside, she touches on familial ties as well. Hailing from her newest album, Unknown Guy (2024) is about her father whom she hasn’t seen for long.

She sang the track onstage with a telephone booth as a prop, like vocalising a conversation. Evidently emotional, she was on the verge of tears as she worked through the song.

“Life goes on, it’s fine,” she said, as if a form of comfort to herself. She’s an optimist, and that’s a big reason why fans love her.

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Even when people around her called her out for having ADHD, Lee remained unfazed. Instead, she writes a song about it to raise awareness for those who are truly struggling with the condition.

Though her tracks mostly touch on rather sombre themes, she finds a way to liven up her sets — whether it’s teaching fans how to chant along at certain parts or engaging with comical banter with them.

Sharing the spotlight

The highlight of the evening, though, is when she chose a fan to duet with her for Not Sorry (ft. pH-1) (2022). Out of five candidates, Lee ultimately chose a lucky one, clad in a t-shirt with Lee’s unglamorous photos no less.

That was not the only juncture where Lee shared the spotlight. In her concert, she also introduced her band and gave her dancers some airtime to flaunt their choreography.

Lee also shared that most of her dancers, who were members of the dance team Amazon from Street Woman Fighter 2, also accompanied her to Singapore during her last show here.