How to Be Chill When You Meet Amber Liu at the Gone Rogue Tour in Toronto

Ahhhh! I met Amber Liu during her Gone Rogue Tour in Toronto at The Opera House. You may not know this about me (or it may be super obvious) that I like listening to k-pop occasionally. Over the years, I listen to it less because God has been really working on my music taste lately, haha. Nonetheless, as an ode to the hay days of my k-pop fangirling, I had to see Amber in concert. Amber is a member of the popular girl group, f(x) which debuted in 2009. I started listening to their music during high school around 2011. My favourite songs from the group are LA chA TA, Nu ABO, 4 Walls and Mr. Boogie.

#1 Remember Why You Are Supporting the Artist

As a Los Angeles native, Amber did something bold when she was a teenager. She left home and joined an intense training program at SM Entertainment in the hopes that she might be selected for a new girl group. Being in a strange place that you have to make your home is something that many of us can relate to. On top of that, Amber has always had a unique style, opting for a tomboy appearance which stood out a lot in South Korea. I think it’s her confidence, passion for creating music and vulnerability that has made her so appealing to such a wide range of people.

Despite knowing Amber in the girl group f(x) for years, I only became a “fan” of her in June 2018. I discovered her YouTube channel and after watching every single video, I started listening to her solo music. 

Personally, I choose to listen to clean music which I define as songs that do not contain suggestive content or curse words. I would say 90% of her solo music fits that bill and those songs are the ones I would love for you to check out. I loved Borders, Countdown, XL Uber, Beautiful and Closed Doors. I started listening to Amber’s music this summer at a time when I was super conflicted about my career path. I spent every afternoon and lunch break repeating these songs over and over as the pain and lyrics reflected exactly how I felt about my career path.

#2 Think About What You Two Share in Common

It’s not hard to guess that Amber Liu’s talents were really not that appreciated. They made her the rapper in the group f(X), and no one knew she could sing until she started creating her own music. Amber’s home-made music videos that she made with her friends inspired me to start making my own content and putting it out there instead of relying on someone else to do it for me.

What’s the meaning behind the Gone Rogue Tour? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, to go rogue means:

to start behaving in a way that is not normal or expected, especially by leaving your group and doing something dangerous

Let’s face it, the Korean Pop industry is a machine. They create groups like they are creating products in a factory. Each group’s worth is based on their popularity and trendiness. f(X)’s music was not as popular anymore and so it feels like they have been dismissed. f(X)’s last album, 4 Walls, came out in 2015. In the K-Pop music industry, that’s a bit odd since most popular groups release a new single or album each year.

Amber created a post on March 13 2017 that suggests she was frustrated with her entertainment group, SM. A year later, in April 2018,  she released the free mixtape, Rogue Rouge and a series of music videos.

This path that society has laid out for so many of us is exhausting and has many holes in it. When you work in an entertainment job, your life is your job.

Creators need to create. Sharing what we create can give us joy. Building community and making an impact keeps us going. 

#3 Remember That She’s Just Another Human

I am thrilled that I met Amber and was chill about it. It helps when you don’t idolize human beings. Pan (a new friend I met via Facebook) and I attended the concert together and we both shared the same sentiments about being chill when meeting her.

Also, let’s be honest, Amber is a down-to-earth celebrity. She’s humble and doesn’t put herself on a pedestal.

Meeting Amber Liu at the Meet & Greet

I talked to Amber for 48-seconds and I could tell that she was exhausted and very short on time. I think she was on Day 3 of the Gone Rogue Tour. Unfortunately, the meet and with her was a short 48 seconds. Many other fans agreed that they wished they had more time with Amber.

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I asked her if she would do a collaboration with Tori Kelly on a gospel album which she promptly replied, “I wish!”. She’s a huge fan of Tori Kelly.

Oh, and she did say hello to the vlog (coming soon) with a lot of enthusiasm. That’s one thing about Amber…her energy level is insanely high. I thought I was super energetic, but I ain’t got nothing on this girl. 

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Perhaps we’ll meet in the future and the encounter will be different when she’s not exhausted and short on time.

#4 Enjoy the Gone Rogue Tour Performance

Overall the concert was well-organized. When Justin Park and Amber Liu were on stage, you could see the training and practise come alive. It was evident that there was work behind their amazing vocals and choreography. The colourful lights that flooded the small concert venue were exciting to watch from a production point-of-view. Moreover, Amber was so at home on stage.

At one point, after explaining that she has yet to sing her cheesy love song, “Three Million Years” without laughing, Amber literally rolls on the floor laughing (I think I have it on video so stay tuned for the vlog). It was adorable.

Her message for the Gone Rogue Tour was to create a “Be Yourself” zone and to enjoy the concert enthusiastically or quietly. Just be yourself. Just do you.