The ‘2024 KBS Song Festival’ presented a feast of legendary stages.

On the afternoon of the 20th, the ‘2024 KBS Song Festival Global Festival’ (hereafter referred to as ‘Gayo Daechukje’) held at KINTEX in Ilsan was broadcast on KBS 2TV. Zico, Ive‘s Jang Won-young, and actor Kim Young-dae served as MCs, and K-pop musicians created a stage with the concept of ‘Infinity’ to connect generations through music.

In particular, legendary artists such as Jinusean, Baby V.O.X, and Bada appeared at the ‘Gayo Daechukje’ that day, while currently active artists such as Ive, NCT, and Enhypen also joined them. The variety of special stages by these individuals spanning generations and genres added to the fun.

In the opening, Eunice showed off her fresh and youthful charm with ‘Only You Don’t Know’, and Triple S showed off their girl crush charm with their powerful performance and overwhelming energy with ‘Girls Never Die’. Kepler showed off her signature bright and energetic charm with the ‘TIPI-TAP’ stage. Afterwards, Goo Jun-yeop appeared and did some DJing, while Eunice, Triple S, and Kepler decorated the ‘초련’ stage together, delivering a hot atmosphere that transcended time.

ONEUS prepared a stage for Fin.K.L.‘s ‘NOW’, and completed a fantastic stage with a sensational reinterpretation. Lee Young-ji showed off her charismatic stage manners with a medley including ‘Small girl’, and showed off her fantastic chemistry with NCT Mark with their new song ‘Fraktsiya’ for the first time on TV with their powerful rap and performance.

CRAVITY showed off an intense rock version arrangement and powerful performance on the ‘Now or Never’ stage, and showed off a different charm by collaborating with Bada on the ‘Mad’ stage. After that, Bada showed off her explosive singing ability and splendid performance worthy of a legend in the music industry with ‘Dreams Come True’ and aespa’s ‘Next Level’. Aespa then appeared and definitely showed their presence with their unique concept and performance with ‘Whiplash’ and ‘Armageddon’.

The second part featured trot stages loved by all generations. Lee Chan-won delivered his sweet voice and deep emotions through ‘Times of Destiny’ and ‘A Flowery Day’, while Jang Min-ho heightened the festive atmosphere with an exciting performance on the stage of ‘Sound the Music’. Young Tak created an energetic stage with ‘Foam Crazy’ and ‘Why Did You Come Out From There’ with P1Harmony.

After that, P1Harmony showed their presence with strong performances on the stages of ‘Ttaekkal’ and ‘SAD SONG’, and actor Kim Young-dae, who was in charge of the MC, showed fantastic chemistry with Enhypen‘s Heeseung by delivering warm emotions on the stage of ‘Snowman’.

Boynextdoor filled the stage with their refreshing and youthful charm on the ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ stage, and showed off perfect chemistry that transcended generations by gracing the ‘Phone Number’ stage with hip-hop legend Jinusean. Jinusean also perfectly recreated the 90s sensibility on the ‘A-YO’ stage, and showed off unique chemistry with the only female MC, Jang Won-young, on the ‘Tell Me’ stage.

Ive overwhelmed the audience with his beautiful visuals and powerful performance on the ‘Blue Heart’ and ‘HEYA’ stages. (G)I-dle’s Miyeon, Enhypen‘s Jungwon and Jay, Ive Riz, and Boynextdoor’s Sungho also presented beautiful harmony through g.o.d‘s ‘Gil’ stage.

KISS OF LIFE dominated the stage with their girl crush charm on the ‘Get Loud’ stage, and then the first-generation girl group Baby V.O.X.O.X. returned to the stage as a full group after 14 years. Baby V.O.X.O.X. displayed their unchanging charisma and performance through the ‘Get Up’ and ‘Uyeon (Gloomy Coincidence)’ stages, and then showed off the fantastic chemistry between seniors and juniors through the ‘Killer’ collaboration stage with Kiss Of Life.

In particular, Baby V.O.X.O.X., who performed on stage as a full group for the first time in 14 years, said, “We practiced almost all night for two weeks. Also, they said, “Thank you for giving us this opportunity, we had a happy time,” and “Thanks to you, we had a great time crying, laughing, and dancing together.”

NCT DREAM then showed off their refreshing and energetic charms through the stages of ‘Smoothie’, ‘Skateboard’, and ‘When I’m with you‘, while ENHYPEN showed off their diverse charms and performances through the stages of ’No Doubt‘, ’Daydream‘.

(G)I-dle showed off their unique concepts and strong charisma through the stages of ’Revenge‘ and ’Super Lady‘, while NCT 127 heated up the atmosphere with powerful, synchronized dances through the stages of ’Hero (英雄; Kick It)‘ and ’Pigeuduk (Walk)‘.

Lastly, Yoon Soo-il appeared and performed the ’Apartment‘ stage with all the artists. They combined Yoon Soo-il’s ’Apartment‘ with Rosé‘s ’Apartment‘, and together they presented a masterpiece that transcends generations, finishing it off.

Choi Yoon-na, Donga.com Reporter yyynnn@donga.com