KBS2 'Immortal Songs' showcased Psy's star power, heating up Gyeongju. Expectations for the 'APEC 2025 KOREA' event, which will be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in October, are also rising.
According to the ratings agency Nielsen Korea, 'Immortal Songs' (directed by Park Hyung-geun, Kim Hyung-seok, Choi Seung-beom) recorded a nationwide rating of 5.1% for the 711th episode, securing the top spot in the time slot for 124 consecutive weeks, proving the dignity of music variety shows that are second to none.
The broadcast of the 711th episode, aired on the 21st (Saturday), featured the '2025 Gyeongju APEC Special,' with Psy, god, ATEEZ, Lee Seung-yoon, Song So-hee, Hwasa, Jung Dong-won (JD1), Kiki, and Jo Jae-joong granting performances. Artists spanning generations took the stage, perfectly portraying the diverse spectrum of K-pop.
This special was planned to commemorate the APEC summit being held in Korea after 20 years, and a special array of stages unfolded in Gyeongju, where tradition and modernity coexist. MCs Shin Dong-yup, Kim Jun-hyun, and Lee Chan-won opened the show, stating, "Gyeongju, the city of a thousand years, is the perfect place to showcase the beauty of Korea," declaring, "At this moment, the K-POP summit that the world is watching is beginning," marking a grand prologue.
The opening stage began with Jo Jae-joong powerfully singing Coreana Cosmetics' 'Hand in Hand.' A children's choir joined in on this peace-themed masterpiece, adding a warm resonance and delivering an emotional message with beautiful harmonies. Gen Z representative Kiki took the stage with the candid and bold track 'I DO ME,' exuding fresh energy. Captivating the audience with trendy sounds and performances, Kiki showcased herself as a new K-pop rookie. Jo Jae-joong then returned to the stage to sing 'Do You Not Know?' which was filled with his unique emotionality, provoking a retro feel. His deep emotional lines and relaxed stage manners evoked admiration from the audience.
Jung Dong-won (JD1) shone with his characteristic energy and charm in a performance filled with 'Excitement,' perfectly captivating the audience with his stage presence as he demonstrated his growth as an artist. Hwasa kicked off her performance with 'I Love My Body,' stirring excitement and sharing sincere interactions with the audience. Her stage for 'Maria' featured a lyrical intro arranged in R&B style, which garnered admiration, and in the latter part, she heated up the stage with an explosive performance.
Song So-hee delivered the beauty of Korean traditional music with high perfection through performances of 'My Country' and 'Odd Tteokki.' The stage, which brought together the melodies of gugak (Korean traditional music) and modern sensibilities, harmonized exquisitely with the atmosphere of Gyeongju, a city of a thousand years, proving the dignity of our sound. Lee Seung-yoon completed distinct stages with different charms through 'Waterfall,' infused with his narrative sensibility, and 'Fireworks Time,' which exploded with emotion and energy. His vast musical depth drew the audience's immersion.
ATEEZ displayed the hallmarks of a performance master leading the global K-pop fandom. They overwhelmed the venue with sharp choreography, explosive energy, and commanding stage presence through performances of 'Ice On My Teeth' and 'Style.' The stage expressed ATEEZ's presence vividly as they are at the forefront of 'the present of K-pop.'
The national group god delivered a heavy resonance with 'Road' and followed up with 'Friday Night' and 'Where You Should Be,' leading to audience sing-alongs. During the encore stage of 'One Candle,' thousands of audience members sang together, creating a heartwarming moment that demonstrated the grandeur of a national group.
Above all, world star Psy, living up to the title of 'the ultimate K-POP performance master,' delivered a euphoric experience with 'That That' and 'It's Art.' The stage, which began with his shout, "I will present a great gift prepared by KBS and me. Everyone jump!" exploded with delightful energy, and the audience responded with chills to his eruptive energy.
This '2025 Gyeongju APEC Special' was arranged as if each stage were a K-pop conference featuring top-level artists. The fantastic stage that adorned Gyeongju's night sky further highlighted K-pop's status, which will resonate throughout the world. It encompassed everything from tradition and present to emotional and powerful performances, leaving a lasting impression.
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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