A Japanese singer does gymnastics?… J-pop, no more mania music [엑’s 초점]

(Xports News Reporter Myung Hee-sook) J-pop is expanding in popularity, especially among young people in Korea. It is no longer just mania music, but is solidifying its place as popular music in Korea.

Korea’s largest J-POP & Iconic music festival, ‘WONDERLIVET 2024’, was held at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2 for three days from the 8th to the 10th.

‘Wonderrivet 2024’ was attended by approximately 25,000 spectators, according to the organizers, and attracted attention for its spectacular lineup and huge popularity befitting the name of Korea’s largest J-pop festival.

Starting with Yuuri, a representative Japanese singer-songwriter with a strong fan base in Korea, Sumikawa M.Flo, Creepy Nuts, Tatsuya Kitani, girl bands that have recently been attracting attention in Japan, such as Togenashi Togeara, Yama, Atarashii Gakko, etc. The solid lineup attracted attention.

Famous domestic artists participated here, creating a venue for Korean-Japanese music exchange. Baek Ye-rin, Daybreak, QWER, Silica Gel, Thorn Apple, etc. show the essence of the iconic sound.

Some music fans are surprised that over 25,000 audiences attended the J-Pop Festival over three days. However, on the other hand, the growth of J-pop, which is quietly permeating in Korea, is as surprising as the global status of K-pop.

In addition, Yuuri, who was one of the headliners of the festival, finished his solo concert at Yes24 in Korea on the 11th and announced his second concert in Korea in May next year. In particular, they surprised many people by announcing that next year’s performance will be at the Olympic Park KSPO DOME (former gymnastics stadium), one of the largest performance halls in Korea.

It became a hot topic because J-pop singer Yuuri entered the gymnastics stadium, which is considered one of the dream stages for K-pop singers. As Case for Dome can accommodate audiences ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 seats, Yuuri is expected to meet about 30,000 audiences over two days from May 3rd to 4th next year.

In particular, Yuuri’s concert promotional poster says, “I’m sorry it was so hard to get tickets for your first solo performance! Isn’t 350,000 access to the ticket sales site last time a huge hit?”, showing his extraordinary popularity.

Yuuri ranked first in the ‘Japan Songs’ category of ‘Billboard JAPAN’ in the first half of this year with the hit song ‘BETELGEUSE’. In Korea, many popular idols covered his songs, further making his name known.

This is an unusual situation as it has been 21 years since Namie Amuro in 2004 for a J-pop solo singer to enter the gymnastics stadium. It clearly shows the fruits of J-pop’s quiet growth in Korea.

Photo = Wonder Rivet, Concept K Company

Reporter Myung Hee-sook aud666@xportsnews.com