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 every week — possibly two — after its recording date, however producers determined to shelve it till this week’s Lunar New Yr. I assume 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 business has largely forfeited the month of January and I anticipate 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.
Normally, MBC’s pageant is aired in two components on a single night time. This time, they’ve determined to separate the published between two days so I’ll be following go well with and providing a separate countdown for every night time. It will permit me to highlight extra acts and see which night time 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 an enormous deal, and I additionally assume it’s a good suggestion to pair seasoned hosts with a novice. The distinction offers alternative for some attention-grabbing dynamics. I do know I’m biased, however he did a wonderful job. Very pure!
To match this rookie power, the theme of this 12 months’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 had been younger kids with desires of stardom, I’m shopping for what MBC is promoting right here.
Since tomorrow will probably be that includes a lot of the 12 months’s greater/extra established acts, night time one is devoted primarily to rookies and trot singers. I’m okay with the previous since lots of my favourite teams of the second are of their first or second 12 months of promotions, however I can’t say I used to be as enthused with the trot singers. Nonetheless, I admire the custom and the truth that they’ve all the time been an enormous a part of MBC’s pageant.
I’m not conversant in this tune nevertheless it 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 remaining efficiency as a full group and the members had been clearly emotional on the finish, however I want Pledis had allow them to do one thing particular relatively than a comparatively simple music present stage.
8. Mark x Lee Youngji – Fraktsiya
This is able to most likely be larger if I loved the tune extra. It will get on the checklist due to their power and the staging, which was among the most dynamic of the night time.
7. NewJeans – Proper Now + How Candy + Damage
I actually just like the jazz model of Proper Now. Their music really 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 customary, however I nonetheless thought this was a strong medley.
6. TWS – Plot Twist
I feel there’s a been a remix/rearrangement in each single considered one 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 completely reinvents the tune. This efficiency positively wasn’t that, nevertheless it was fairly cute. Bringing within the youngsters was a enjoyable addition.
5. Lee Eunji x Lee Youngji x Mimi (Oh My Woman) x An Yujin (IVE) – Fireplace + I Am The Greatest
This was an attention-grabbing team-up! Two idol singers, a rapper/singer and a comic. It’s type of wonderful 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 12 months’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 carried out a pleasant job re-imagining Now Or By no means in many alternative methods. This “piano concerto” model was the very best but. The tune 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 participating as a tune, nevertheless it improved vastly by including a stay band. This was additionally an excellent 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 proper opening for the present and the blokes sang with such gusto. An prompt temper lifter.
1. BOYNEXTDOOR x ZEROBASEONE – Mr. Mr. + Taking part in With Fireplace + No.1
Three nice woman 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 Taking part in With Fireplace so properly. Nonetheless, that is the type of particular medley I covet on these year-end festivals. The No.1 team-up finale was an enormous spotlight. It’s an unimaginable tune to start out with and it’s so enjoyable to look at it carried out by a bunch – or on this case, two teams!