Long-awaited SMTOWN concert thrills Indonesian fans

K-pop

Published: 25 Sep. 2023, 18:36

Long-awaited SMTOWN concert thrills Indonesian fans

“SMTOWN LIVE 2023 SMCU PALACE @ Jakarta with KB Bank” [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

More than 50,000 K-pop fans filled a stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia for the “SMTOWN LIVE 2023 SMCU PALACE @ Jakarta with KB Bank” concert on Saturday, according to SM Entertainment.

The concert starred SM Entertainment’s boy bands and girl groups including TVQX, NCT 127, NCT Dream, Super Junior, Red Velvet and aespa. Newly debuted boy band, Riize, also took the stage.

The concert at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta was a long time coming for Indonesian fans, who waited 11 years to see SMTOWN return to their country. The concert sold out, and fans who failed to find tickets tailgated outside of the stadium.

Besides the K-pop fans who attended the concert on site, fans from all over the world joined online through streaming platforms such as HYBE's Weverse, Japan’s KNTV and Beyond Live.

The concert featured a total of 41 songs and lasted approximately 4 hours after its opening act at 6:30 p.m.

The artists performed popular songs from their music catalogs. A set list included “MIROTIC” (2008), “KICK IT” (2020), “Candy” (2022), “SORRY SORRY” (2009), “Get A Guitar,” “Red Flavor” (2017) and “Next Level” (2021). Giselle from aespa and Taeyong, Jeno, Hendrey and Yangyang from NCT made a collaborative special performance titled “ZOO.” For the finale, all the performers took the stage together and sang “Light” (2021), a symbol of SMTOWN.

“SMTOWN LIVE 2023 SMCU PALACE @ Jakarta with KB Bank” [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

“We long looked forward to rejoining Indonesian fans. It’s giving summer festival-like vibes as SMTOWN has always been festival,” said TVXQ.

“It is exceptionally meaningful to perform as Indonesia and Korea mark 50 years of relations,” Super Junior added.

SM Entertainment has been one of the most prominent entertainment agencies in Korea, nurturing various artists who have become big names in the K-pop industry.

“SMTOWN LIVE” began touring across the world in 2008 targeting global K-pop fans, stopping at major international cities including New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Dubai, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore and Santiago.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]