In its fourth year, Korea On Stage aimed to present a spectacular night to celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Korea. Hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration, the Korea Culture Heritage Foundation, the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), and My Music Taste, the event was held at London’s OVO Wembley Arena which has seen incredible talent performed over the years with the likes of Queen, David Bowie, and even Michael Jackson. November 8th followed suit and added to history with nine acts on the menu, wowing the vast demographic of all ages and genders ready to celebrate. 

Prior to the concert, the crowd was looked after by the gorgeous Gong Seung-Yeon, a film (Aloners) and K-drama actress (Bulgasal: Immortal Souls), who acted as an MC on that night. Dressed for the occasion in a floor-length elegant black gown, shining in the middle of the stage, she began the evening with a loveable Facetime skit with her younger sister, and Twice’s member, Jeongyeon.

Kickstarting the show was Yageum Yageum, who sat in the centre of the stage dressed in a wonderful Hanbok dress, traditional clothing dating back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The artist introduced us to the stunning gayageum, an old Korean string instrument resembling a zither, featuring 12 strings. Historically, and according to Samguk Sagi (the Three Kingdoms history book), the gayageum dates back to the 6th century when it was first created for King Gasil. Spotify acted as a giant central theme in the background, as she played melodies of popular hits from K-pop’s finest such as BTS, New Jeans, and IVE. 

Korea on Stage began the evening with a significant VCR, taking the audience on a walk down memory lane, featuring the timeline of the diplomatic friendship between the United Kingdom and Korea we know and love today. Colin Crooks LVO, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, delivered a beautiful speech in Korean, wishing for an enjoyable evening.

The second act to take the stage was BOYNEXTDOOR. As they sang One & Only, a bubbly love song with a catchy and school-like charm, the stage screen that was in the background played animated clips featuring Seoul as well as London’s landmarks. Extending that charm through their greetings to their fans in both English and Korean, BOYNEXTDOOR exclaimed that their biggest dream had come true by performing in London. This sentiment rang true and showed in Jaehyun’s excitement causing him to forget his mic pack and lose his in-ear piece, due to bouncing around. Melodic ballad Crying played out exuded by their boy-next-door image dressed in their casual knitwear fits. Their performance was well-received by the audience, concluding their set was brightly coloured fireworks and sparklers which also matched the energy of the group.  

Storming onto the stage with what felt like a point to prove was xikers, a 10-member group that brought a new edge to rookie groups. Hot off their US tour, the group introduced themselves for the first time to the UK’s crowd. Having officially debuted in 2023 you would think this group has been in the industry for years. Confident, and sure of their abilities xikers whipped the audience into a hysteria, kicking off with the electric Do Or Die coordinating with the fan’s energy pretty well. What stood out besides their energy, was the use of stage space; they made it their goal to use every inch of both the runway and the main stage. Having so many members to watch, it was thanks to their appearance and talent, that we, the audience, were paying attention in full. And if you didn’t know who they were, you sure would after the show. It’s almost as if the lost boys from Peter Pan grew up but decided to stay young and form a band. 

Speaking of the relations between the two countries in perfect English, Xikers described the pride they felt in representing their country during such an event. The loud opening of Tricky House had every fan on their feet, even the security guards were dancing making sure everyone was partaking. With enthusiasm, the main theme to describe them boiled down to one word: chaos. Their choreography was very well-polished, and while dancing their hearts away, they continued to interact with fans, leaving an aura of keeping the party well into the night.

Throughout the show, the VCRs presented the history of the Joseon Dynasty and a rich “painting” of its values. Wonderful shots of Seoul descended across the big screen including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and Namsan Mountain with plenty of mini details of what makes Seoul so special. As someone who’s recently returned, it warmed my heart, yet the yearning to go back was strong. Everyone should make it a place to visit as it is filled with kindness, history, and culture. 

Turning the energy up to the maximum level was Xdinary Heroes, a Pop-rock band, who opened their set with one of the most recognisable songs ever, Queen’s We Will Rock You. Only one backdrop could pay homage to such a song, and that was a giant UK flag flying strong behind, completed with roaring fire bringing the heat to the set.

What was particularly compelling was the raw and passionate vocals of Jooyeon, and Jungsu during Break the Brake. The lyrics of “Give me some more, Give me some more” had me wanting just that. The arrangements of the electric guitar, bass, and vocals had me hooked. Having seen many Rock and Metal groups live, Xdinary Heroes managed to engage with not only me but the audience itself very well, and for such a young group, what they proceeded to do on stage was simple Rock & Roll. Interacting with the crowd, maknae Jooyeon gave some advice on Seoul’s historical landmarks, and the group also stated that this was their first UK show hot off their comeback with their new mini-album Livelock. 

Probably one of the most iconic entrances I’ve seen at a show was the rapper and singer, Lee Young Ji. A Mexican wave of screams descended across the crowds, when she started up close and personal, performing in the audience. But that’s Young Ji, a wildly charismatic performer and entertainer, the contrast in previous acts’ performances and genres highlighted how perfectly versatile this show was. 

Dancing with fans as she made her way to the main stage for her empowering Not Sorry, she showed that she is a confident woman who knows how to work the room. Young Ji interacted with her fans the most, her humour was spot on, stating “You probably just know me as the drunk girl on YouTube drinking with your favorite idols, but she can sing, rap, and dance right?” Describing herself as not just rap, but a lover of K-pop core, she delved into a well-received K-pop dance segment on two tracks she guest appeared on, Fighting by BooSeokSoon (Seventeen’s three-piece subunit) and Smoke (Dynamic Duo). Having been incredibly engaging, the set felt like a two-minute appearance, you wanted to see more of Young Ji, it felt like saying goodbye to the fun friend at the end of a chaotic party.

The calm and subtle guitar chords rang out as duo Jannabi took to the stage. Mellowing the crowd with their soft sounds, and performing three of their tracks, the vibe they provided was happy and free-spirited, which also allowed the audience to sway gently and bask in the warm feeling of retro track, Summer.

It was the leader, Junghoon, who radiated a sunny disposition connecting with the crowd as he soaked in the chants and love. Touched by the reaction from their fans, both members threw Jannabi’s flags into the crowd, a touching gesture that you could tell was very much appreciated.

What struck me the most was their track For Lovers Who Hesitate, which brought comfort through their poetic lyrics singing: “Once again forever/Nevertheless my love/Has the same dream again/Nevertheless I won’t/Postpone my dream again.” Their slow vocals against the gentle drums sounded like a blend of the Arctic Monkeys mixed with that of The Beatles. Expressing their love for growing up on British music – which is evident in their vibe and look, their outfit and backdrop were reminiscent of The Beatles’ most recognisable album cover 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

A special collaboration stage occurred between Jannabi as they welcomed 19-year-old British singer, Henry Moodie. Riling the crowd up with Hey Jude, an anthem that was lit up by the lightstick colours of the UK and Korea. As Jannabi left the stage, it was Henry’s time to shine with his smash singles Drunk Text and Pick Up The Phone. For his age, his voice was well-suited for the contemplative ballads he sang, declaring he was slightly overwhelmed that people knew his songs and were singing along.  

Sleek and effortlessly cool are two words that nailed what P1Harmony delivered throughout their set. Currently on their EU tour (while writing this article), the majestic P1Harmony blared in with the track Look at Me Now clad out in black motorcycle leather outfits to complete their look.

It was impressive how in sync they worked together onstage, completed with a firey backdrop and heat to match their bold Hip-hop track Back Down. Main dancers Jongseob and Intrak shone with their quick dance style and fast-paced rap. Yet, it was members Theo and Keeho who consistently led the way, their vocals commanding attention. Although they were a member down, with vocalist Jiung unwell, as a five-piece they made up for his absence by never letting the energy dip.

The crowd screamed in Korean, word for word, and this is what I love about K-music, while not everyone may be native to the language, the passion from the fans will always be there if they engage and relate to the vibe and message of the song. All interacting with fans in English they focused on creating energy for the remainder of the show with Jump, an apt song, with a message of enjoying the moment. Their set displayed how compact, and well-oiled they work as a group, making for easy viewing.

In a flurry arrived STAYC, a six-member girl group that was tooth-achingly pure sugary K-pop, starting with RUN2u. Although a little disjointed dance-wise, they were well received by fans, with a sweet-filled pink backdrop coordinating well with their outfits and aurora. In all honesty, it was Sieun who truly dazzled and held the set together, encouraging the girls to walk the catwalk stage and greet fans. It was she who led the way with conversation as the rest would have held back shyly exclaiming “Nice to meet you all”. While a choreography practice with fans went down well for the track Poppy, it was clear that most of the set was lip-synced. STAYC rounded off with The Spice Girls’ hit Wannabe, a light-hearted and uplifting track that every generation can sing along to.  

MC Yeongoun wrapped up the evening describing the event as a night to remember, and excitement for the ongoing tight friendship between the nations in the years to come. Reflecting on the night’s performances proclaimed that the final act, ATEEZ, was to round off the wonderful show with a bang.

Before ATEEZ appeared on stage, it was clear this was a moment many fans in the arena were waiting for. A five-track set allowed the group to present their dramatically arranged choreography with the first song, Pirate King. Strutting across the runway they moved to introduce themself one by one, halting with a surprise crowd participation in wishing leader Hong-joong a happy birthday.

The eight-piece decided to get spicy with their next track, the critically acclaimed Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers). With the reaction from the crowd at an ear-splitting level, it was clear this was the song the crowd (and myself) had eagerly anticipated. Whilst the group moved into a sleek dance routine, it was the main vocalist, Jongho, that shone. For me, his vocals were the most striking of the whole evening, bordering on angelic, it was hard to not be taken back by such talent. As they dispersed across the stage interacting with fans and having fun with one another, their set was filled with a lot of passion. Hearing great things about ATEEZ, being one of the biggest names on the line-up, and with a longer set, it would be easy to be extra critical. However, they went above and beyond. It was evident that the care and energy they put into the set at OVO Wembley Arena was similar to their own solo shows. After seeing them live up to their reputation, I hope to see them again in the future.

There was also an encore that brought all the acts together on stage. United, they danced to BTS’ Dynamite. They also gathered for photo moments and greeted fans for a wholesome ending. Music on that night was filled with joy and excitement, and the three hours spent under the roof of the OVO Wembley Arena took everyone on a magical journey through Korean history and music. From start to finish the atmosphere was superb and a show-stopping way to celebrate the unity of two countries with a strong friendship built over the last 140 years. I, for one, was blown away by the sheer magnitude of the crowd’s energy, witnessing fans dressed in their best concert fits, ready with their handmade signs and slogans. The event also showed that music is more than a feeling; it truly is a bonding experience. 

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Written by Kirsty Bright

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}