R&B singer-songwriter Kim Hee-soo, known professionally as Colde, brought the soulful sounds of South Korea to the legendary Brooklyn Paramount on Aug. 24 for his first North American Tour Blueprint.
The immersive entertainment palace’s exuberant Rococo-style architecture was bathed in cobalt blue light as Colde serenaded hundreds of adoring fans. It was a Saturday night reminiscent of the musical roots that made the Brooklyn Paramount a revolutionary theater in the late 1920s, except this time with Colde’s smooth R&B English/Korean lyrics and hauntingly soulful voice.
South Korean Canadian singer Jiwoo first warmed up the crowd with his own deep melodies garnering cheerful shouts as some admirers held up supportive signs with tinsel pom-poms. After sharing that he also signed with Colde’s label, Wavy, Jiwoo entranced with his own ethereal sound.
Looking up at the Brooklyn Paramount’s ceiling, Jiwoo shared that he had never seen a venue like it before.
“I haven’t seen anything like this before. Look up if you haven’t already,” Jiwoo said admiring the architecture. “I’m going to remember this forever. Hopefully we make it a memorable night for you guys as well.”
Upon sauntering onto the stage with a coy smile alongside the band Basecamp, screaming fans declared that Colde’s vocal harmonies are the blueprint—aptly the name of his tour—to the soul. His ability to capture humanity and then passionately showcase the love, pain, anger, and happiness in a cohesive rhythm is a testament to his talent.
For 25-year-old Cat Quintanilla—who traveled from Philadelphia—Colde is a creative artist unlike any other due his well-rounded skills, hard work ethic, and sheer passion for music.
“I think he is very inspiring considering how hard he works. I think he is really unique, and I just really like how he can talk about the real world, real life that people can relate to. He is empathetic. He can cater his music to what everyone is going through in their life,” Quintanilla told amNewYork Metro, adding that her favorite songs are “WA-R-R” and “Everything.”
Since 2017, Quintanilla has been a fan of his music, and it also through Colde that she was able to meet her closest friend Brooklynite Jimmy Onela, 25, when they attended a music festival featuring the R&B soloist in South Korea.
“I enjoy songs that are slower. So even if I’m feeling sad or happy, it’s soothing. He is my go-to artist,” Quintanilla said.
“Some artists stick to one niche, and I like that he is dynamic,” Onela said, adding that he hoped to hear “Heartbreak Club” and “Don’t ever say love me.”
Lifting their phones up in the air with their flashlight on, fans embraced as they moved their bodies side to side while listening to Colde sing.
Colde’s career first began with Indie duo OffonOff in 2016, and as he branched off into a successful soloist in 2018, fans could not get enough of his smooth hip-hop sounds. For his concert, he enamored the audience with hits “I color you,” “Toxic love,” “Nirvana Blues,” “Daisy,” and other songs.
To showcase his profound love for his supporters, Colde told the crowd that he stopped by the corner bodega and picked up a bouquet of daisies as he sang his hit song with the same name. After dousing them in water he tossed the flowers into the crowd with a bright smile on his face.
NYC native Jordan-Taylor was one of the lucky few who caught Colde’s daisy, a moment she says she will never forget. For Jordan-Taylor it was already a magical night to remember, but the flower was something tangible to hold onto.
“I know that my flower won’t last forever, but the memory that came with it will last a lifetime. I was having a bit of a rough day, so it kind of felt like I was almost meant to have his daisy. It changed the trajectory of my day,” Jordan-Taylor said.
“Colde is authentic, and you see that with his stage presence. He knows how to put on a show, but in a way where it feels like he has to perform. Good music is good music, and doesn’t have to have a language barrier,” Jordan-Tayolr added.
While Colde’s repertoire was filled with smooth hip-hop and R&B for the concert, he made sure to bring down the house to the tune of his favorite rock song, “Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana.
“A big shout out to you guys. I’m glad I got to be with you. I wish we could be here all night,” Colde told the crowd.
Colde’s next performance will be today in Raleigh, North Carolina at the Ritz and then on Aug. 20 in Orlando, Florida at the House of Blues.
