Sure, you learn that title proper. We’re going again to 2024 for 2 nights with MBC’s (delayed) Gayo Daejejeon. This end-of-year pageant was filmed on New Yr’s Eve, however its broadcast was postponed after the tragic Jeju Air Crash. On the time, I assumed the pageant would air per week — possibly two — after its recording date, however producers determined to shelve it till this week’s Lunar New Yr. I suppose this is smart given how the pageant has all the time been centered round New Yr’s celebrations. And actually, this feels just like the official kick off to Ok-pop’s 2025. The trade has largely forfeited the month of January and I count on the idol comeback floodgates to open from this level on. Even so, as somebody who has watched (and written about!) this pageant for a decade now, it feels very bizarre watching it on the finish of January.
Often, MBC’s pageant is aired in two elements on a single evening. This time, they’ve determined to separate the printed between two days so I’ll be following swimsuit and providing a separate countdown for every evening. This may permit me to highlight extra acts and see which evening I discovered to be the strongest.
As an enormous TWS fan, I used to be excited to see Dohoon taking a rookie host slot alongside veterans Yuna and Minho. That’s a giant deal, and I additionally suppose it’s a good suggestion to pair seasoned hosts with a novice. The distinction supplies alternative for some fascinating dynamics. I do know I’m biased, however he did a superb job. Very pure!
To match this rookie power, the theme of this yr’s pageant is “Wannabe”… as in, “I wanna be a star.” And proper from the opening with its montage of clips that includes present idols after they have been younger kids with desires of stardom, I’m shopping for what MBC is promoting right here.
Since tomorrow will likely be that includes a lot of the yr’s greater/extra established acts, evening one is devoted primarily to rookies and trot singers. I’m okay with the previous since a lot of my favourite teams of the second are of their first or second yr of promotions, however I can’t say I used to be as enthused with the trot singers. Nevertheless, I recognize the custom and the truth that they’ve all the time been a giant a part of MBC’s pageant.
I’m not accustomed to this music but it surely felt like a missed alternative for this energy trio to decide on one thing a bit extra dynamic.
I needed to place this on my checklist because it was their last efficiency as a full group and the members have been clearly emotional on the finish, however I want Pledis had allow them to do one thing particular relatively than a comparatively easy music present stage.
8. Mark x Lee Youngji – Fraktsiya
This may most likely be larger if I loved the music extra. It will get on the checklist due to their power and the staging, which was among the most dynamic of the evening.
7. NewJeans – Proper Now + How Candy + Harm
I actually just like the jazz model of Proper Now. Their music truly works very well in that setting. The dance break into How Candy was additionally an actual deal with. Chairography will all the time win the day. From right here, the efficiency was extra commonplace, however I nonetheless thought this was a stable medley.
6. TWS – Plot Twist
I believe there’s a been a remix/rearrangement in each single one in every of TWS’s year-end and award present performances (of which there have been many!). That’s severely spectacular on their group’s half. Plot Twist appears to be the toughest of their singles to remix. I personally need to hear a heavy EDM or rock combine that absolutely reinvents the music. This efficiency positively wasn’t that, but it surely was fairly cute. Bringing within the youngsters was a enjoyable addition.
5. Lee Eunji x Lee Youngji x Mimi (Oh My Lady) x An Yujin (IVE) – Fireplace + I Am The Finest
This was an fascinating team-up! Two idol singers, a rapper/singer and a comic. It’s sort of superb it labored in addition to it did. They’d glorious materials to work with, although. I’m having fun with the 2NE1 love at this yr’s festivals. And naturally, I can’t transfer on from this remark with out mentioning Eunji’s drop into the splits throughout Fireplace!
4. CRAVITY – Now Or By no means
I haven’t been giving CRAVITY a lot love on these year-end pageant round-ups, however they’ve completed a pleasant job re-imagining Now Or By no means in many alternative methods. This “piano concerto” model was the very best but. The music itself isn’t my favourite, however I really like the drama.
3. NMIXX – See That?
By now, you all know that I’m a sucker for a rock remix. I don’t discover See That tremendous partaking as a music, but it surely improved vastly by including a dwell band. This was additionally an awesome alternative to showcase the group’s robust vocals. The dance break was enjoyable, too.
2. Dohoon & Shinyu (TWS), Taesan (BOYNEXTDOOR), Hao (ZEROBASEONE) – Time Of Our Lives
These are a few of my favourite folks working in Ok-pop proper now singing a monster hit that has reinvigorated DAY6’s profession and legacy. What extra may you ask for? It was the right opening for the present and the fellows sang with such gusto. An on the spot temper lifter.
1. BOYNEXTDOOR x ZEROBASEONE – Mr. Mr. + Enjoying With Fireplace + No.1
Three nice lady group/feminine soloist tracks carried out by two of the very best fifth gen boy teams. It’s disappointing that Riwoo was lacking from BOYNEXTDOOR’s efficiency. His vocals would have match Enjoying With Fireplace so nicely. Nonetheless, that is the sort of particular medley I covet on these year-end festivals. The No.1 team-up finale was a giant spotlight. It’s an unbelievable music to begin with and it’s so enjoyable to observe it carried out by a bunch – or on this case, two teams!