30 years in the music industry is no small feat, especially in a landscape that shifts as rapidly as K-pop. SM Entertainment has been at the forefront of this evolution, launching some of the most iconic acts to emerge from South Korea and helping to push K-pop into the global spotlight. On Saturday night (28th of June), SM’s legacy came alive at The O2 in London, as some of the industry’s biggest names – and brightest rookies – came together for a spectacular celebration. The lineup reflected just how far K-pop has come in the UK, with fans showing up in force for a night of excitement, cherished memories, and next-gen energy.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, SMTOWN brought together 14 artists, ranging from K-pop pioneers to rising young rookies, for the first-ever K-pop festival at The O2. Following two sold-out concerts in Seoul this January, the show made stops in Mexico City and LA. On Saturday, it marked a return to Europe for the first time in 14 years.

With the spotlight now on London, it was finally time for UK fans to see their favourites in person. And if there’s one thing we know, we Brits know how to party, and that energy was unmistakable throughout the four hours of fun.

Opening the special occasion was TVXQ!, the legendary duo whose legacy runs deep in K-pop history. Their powerful performance kicked off the night perfectly, with Rising Sun reminding everyone why they’ve stood the test of time. It showed just how much they had grown over 20 years. It’s hard to believe, but this was their first time performing in the UK, and you could feel their emotions when they talked to the crowd later.

From newcomers to future stars, the next-generation trainees under SMTR25 did not disappoint. With sharp, in-sync choreography, they presented K-pop classics like SHINee’s Lucifer and EXO’s Growl, energising the crowd even more. Using these two iconic hits was a clever choice; it got the crowd hyped and showed that the future of K-pop is in capable hands.

Newly debuted girl group Hearts2Hearts took to the stage with The Chase, kicking off their set with the same vibrant energy seen at the Busan One Asia Festival just weeks ago. Despite being rookies, they projected confidence while engaging the crowd. Their track Butterflies reflected their bright, youthful concept, like the kind of pop girl group you grew up loving: sweet, stylish, and selling the pure essence of pop.

UK boy group Dear Alice were met with deafening screams as they performed in front of a home audience. They performed Ariana, delivering impressive choreography with some freestyle flair. They also debuted their live performance of Save Us. The group’s journey, documented in the BBC One series Made in Korea: The K‑Pop Experience, presented their 100 days of intense training in Korea. Without a doubt, their harmonies were beautiful, and it left you wanting more.

Boy group RIIZE brought the energy back with Boom Boom Bass, instantly creating a party atmosphere with chants echoing around the venue. You could really feel their excitement about performing in London for the first time as they connected with the fans before diving into 잉걸 (Ember to Solar), a bold change from the last song that showed off their amazing range.

There was barely time to breathe before the queens of the night, aespa, stormed the stage with Whiplash. The atmosphere buzzed with vibrant energy as fans awaited the performance. Having last rocked London at their sold-out Wembley Arena show in March, the crowd was more than ready to dive headfirst back into aespa’s incredible discography. When Next Level kicked in, aespa not only performed, they soared, showing confidence and charm, they proved again why they’re leaders in K-pop and why today’s girl groups are so powerful.

Red Velvet graced the stage with Bad Boy, then cast a cool, confident spell with the devilish Run Devil Run. Set against a bold red backdrop and featuring chair choreography with burlesque flair, it gave the girls space to showcase their vocal and visual sophistication. That energy continued with Hyoyeon (HYO) of Girls’ Generation, who performed her latest single Retro Romance. Speaking to the crowd, she expressed her excitement to be in London and teased a special stage to come.

Fans were truly spoiled as all NCT units were present – the first time all were represented together in Europe. It was a wonderful mix of vocals, visuals, and tightly executed choreography. NCT Wish stepped out first, regal in white, performing Wish against a lush green floral backdrop. A highlight came when the venue sang Happy Birthday to Riku before the group moved to Steady. NCT Dream took the stage next with 90s nostalgia When I’m With You, teasing a July comeback. They kept the vibe lively with Smoothie, a playful, fun song that had fans copying the dance moves.

WayV brought the house down with a near-flawless performance of the Korean version of Give Me That, then stunned the crowd with the heartfelt Frequency. The powerful contrast demonstrated their incredible range and left fans craving even more.

But the undeniable cool kids of the night were NCT 127, who made a slick, calm, and collected entrance, bathed in neon green from both the stage visuals and the sea of NCT lightsticks. From the moment they stepped onstage, it felt like they were the main characters, launching straight into 삐그덕 (Walk) followed by Fact Check (불가사의; 不可思議). The set felt like a tribute to their Asian heritage, with Korean palaces and cultural symbols projected behind them, an effective touch of storytelling that accompanied their intense choreography, as the crowd screamed along word for word. After a short interval, a VCR played celebrating SM’s legacy, with an edit of memories through the years. It was fitting that EXO’s Suho opened the second half of the show. Performing 1 to 3 against a vibrant animated backdrop bursting with colour, he confidently made his way to the extended stage, waving to fans as he wrapped the song before making a swift exit. It paved the way for a special trio stage, giving the three attending EXO members their moment to shine.

Speaking of shining, Chanyeol showed what it means to be a powerful live vocalist as he performed Hasta La Vista. Though widely known for both rapping and singing, his vocals lived up to his reputation: the notes, the range, and the effortless projection – mesmerising.

The final wave of this triple attack came from KAI, exuding charisma and sex appeal. Known for his visuals, his deep, hypnotic vocals carried Wait On Me, while his fluid dance moves projected emotion with every step. His discography is hugely popular in the UK, and many were hoping for one of their favourite song, Rover or the new single Adult Swim. So, getting just one solo song felt a little disappointing compared to other acts performing two.

But that tinge of disappointment vanished the moment MINHO hit the stage, confident and ready to own it. Kicking off with Call Back, he displayed the impressive range of his vocals, effortlessly shifting from soft, delicate tones to bold, powerful dance moves that showed his strength and confidence. Ever the charmer, he greeted the crowd in English, sharing how nervous he was to use it after practising for so long. He needn’t have worried, it was flawless. MINHO spoke of his love for London, especially Arsenal FC, and mentioned SHINee, promising to return with his members. From the crowd’s reaction, you could tell they would hold him to that. He closed with the beautiful Something About U as fan project banners filled the air, a joy to witness. He truly proved himself to be the ultimate idol: charming, talented, and visually magnetic.

Then came the much-anticipated special stage from HYO, kicking off with the fierce 2020 EDM track Dessert. As if that energy wasn’t enough, out came aespa’s Giselle and WayV’s YangYang -bringing multi-generational synergy that felt fun and fresh. More of these intergroup collaborations would’ve been a treat. HYO remains an icon for a reason, and her empowering energy had everyone singing, “You know what I deserve, DESSERT!”

For EXO-Ls, a long-awaited dream came true when the three EXO members reunited for a surprise collab stage, performing 투지 (鬪志, Git It Up!), originally performed by H.O.T.. As soon as they stepped out, the atmosphere turned mind-blowing. It was a beautiful throwback, but strange that it was a cover. A medley of their own iconic songs would have made this moment even more memorable. Still, when they teased a possible new album, the crowd screamed even louder, waving their EXO lightsticks with pride.

Speaking of lightsticks, it was heartwarming to see so many fandoms blended together. The venue sparkled with a rainbow of colours, and before the show, fans exchanged freebies. It was a reminder that, beyond online fandom drama, K-pop is about community, meeting new people, and enjoying the music together.

TVXQ! returned with Psycho (originally by Red Velvet), backed by visuals reminding us of the iconic thriller film, adding drama and flair. Still, it was surprising to see several major acts covering songs from others, especially with such rich discographies of their own. A track like Rebel would’ve been a rare treat. As TVXQ! addressed the crowd, emotions ran high, it was their first performance in London, a surprising fact given their global legacy.

Another short edit followed, reflecting the bond between artists and fans and transitioning into the next part of the show. SMTR25 trainees returned for a 30th-anniversary performance, again showing off razor-sharp synchronicity, you’d think they were the veterans. SUPERB PERFORMANCE by all those young people.

The future was on full display as hearts2hearts performed the early 2000s-inspired Style with sugary sweetness. Then came NCT WISH with the bouncy poppop. As the lights went dark, RIIZE took over with their newest single, Fly Up. Like KAI, it was surprising they didn’t include their hit Get a Guitar. aespa returned to deliver another massive hit, Supernova, and NCT Dream followed with the fiery crowd-pleaser Hot Sauce. The extended catwalk stage was put to full use as WayV emerged in sleek black fits to perform the sensual Love Talk. Their mature vibe was a striking contrast to earlier performances, and the crowd was completely into it.

Red Velvet brought joy with 빨간 맛 (Red Flavour), getting the crowd dancing along to the summery chorus. Then came the ultimate hype track, NCT 127 closed with 영웅 (Kick It), a true anthem. For me, they were a standout. From staging to song choice, they gave a masterclass. Unlike other groups, they brought their heritage to the stage with backgrounds of animated palaces and temples – a beautiful touch.

At last, the legends themselves, TVXQ!, returned to close the night with the iconic 주문-MIROTIC, the very track that proved they are superstars. The moment those first notes hit, the atmosphere transformed completely. Their dramatic leather outfits, BDSM-inspired and still eye-catching, reminded everyone just how bold they were even two decades ago. Today, such concepts are common, but back then, they were brave to push those boundaries. It was the perfect encore to a night that celebrated how far K-pop has come. You could see the pride on TVXQ!’s faces; they were there from the beginning, and they knew it.

Just before the final bow, a final VCR played, reflecting on the power of music. For many, music is more than sound; it’s presence, comfort, inspiration, and memory. I found the message genuinely touching: music is meant to be shared in moments like this, with friends, waving lightsticks, dancing, and making memories. K-pop isn’t about online drama or chart races. It’s about joy, progress, and connection. And on this night, that truth rang loud and clear. The evening concluded with 빛 (Hope from KWANGYA), bringing all the artists back on stage in SMTOWN merch to mark the end of a truly special night.

The entire event was a huge success, with the staging and production alone deserving a standing ovation for elevating every performance. My only hope? That more veteran artists make their way to UK tours. The audience’s enthusiastic response to TVXQ!, MINHO, and NCT 127 showed just how long fans have been waiting. And judging by a few subtle hints throughout the night, we might just get our wish. One thing was clear: the cultural legacy and future of K-pop are in passionate, capable hands.

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Written by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of SM Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}