K-pop icons G-Dragon and 2NE1 made unforgettable returns at the SBS Gayo Daejeon 2024, marking a star-studded end to the year’s biggest K-pop music festival.
Held on Christmas Day, the annual event, themed “Merry Freaky Christmas,” brought together 29 of the genre’s top acts, including NewJeans, IVE, ZeroBaseOne, and more, at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. This year’s festival offered a dazzling mix of rookie talent and established stars, creating a celebration of K-pop’s ongoing evolution.
One of the most anticipated performances of the evening came from BigBang leader G-Dragon, who graced the SBS Gayo Daejeon stage for the first time in eight years. “This makes me feel like I’m still an idol,” the artist told the crowd. “I thank all my fans for this glory.” The legendary rapper and singer delivered a powerful set, including his hits “Crooked” (2013), “Sober” (2016), and “Power,” bringing the arena to life with his signature charisma.
Equally electrifying was the return of 2NE1, who performed together at the festival for the first time in a decade. The beloved girl group, a cornerstone of K-pop’s global rise, delighted fans with a medley of classic tracks like “Come Back Home” (2014), “Fire” (2009), and “I Am the Best” (2011). Their reunion on stage was one of the festival’s most celebrated moments, rekindling the group’s massive influence on the K-pop scene.
The event opened with performances by rookie groups, including BabyMonster and ILLIT, who showcased fresh tracks like “Drip” and “Magnetic.” As the night progressed, groups like NewJeans, Le Sserafim, aespa, and Ateez delivered vibrant performances.
One of the evening’s standout moments was a special collaboration between Riize’s Sungchan and Anton with TVXQ and Super Junior for a performance of “Show Me Your Love” (2005). Additionally, aespa’s Karina and IVE’s Yujin teamed up for a rendition of Valerie Broussard’s “Killer,” further elevating the night’s energy.
As one of the biggest events in K-pop, the SBS Gayo Daejeon capped off a year of extraordinary performances and cemented its place alongside MBC Gayo Daejejeon and the KBS Song Festival as a must-see year-end celebration of K-pop’s finest talent.
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