Some of the biggest names in K-Pop descended on London last week for a special two-day event at OVO Arena Wembley – HallyuPopFest 2022.
The event, held in London for the first time, had been a regular in other countries around the world but returned for the first time since before the pandemic this year.
With headline acts Chen and Kai from EXO, and other acts including Weeekly, Oneus, Everglow, CIX and Kep1er, there was truly something for every fan.
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The event – which took place on July 9 and 10 – also included special showcase slots for two acts each day, meaning fans got a more intimate performance from four acts.
(Image: HallyuPopFest)
Saturday kicked off with Sam Kim and boy group P1Harmony, who took on different challenges on the showcase stage before returning later for the evening concert.
Meanwhile, Paul Kim and girl group Weeekly were Sunday’s showcase artists, with Paul Kim looking especially grateful to be on the stage – he frequently downplayed his own talent and told the crowd he didn’t think anyone would know who he was, despite having a song on uber-popular K-drama Hotel Del Luna’s soundtrack.
More could have been done to take advantage of the showcase artists appearing twice, as, especially on the Sunday, the set lists for Paul Kim and Weeekly were almost identical, meaning fans were hearing the same songs again barely an hour after the first time.
(Image: HallyuPopFest)
For eager fans wanting to get an even closer look at their favourite idols, though, they each walked the red carpet outside earlier in the day.
VIP ticket holders also had the chance of meeting the performers, and got the opportunity to be just metres away from the main stage when inside.
For a number of the performers, it was their first time in the UK, making it an even more special day for European fans who had been left off so-called world tours.
And girl group Kep1er, who debuted in January after being formed on X Factor-style show Girls Planet 999, told the crowd it was their first overseas performance.
(Image: HallyuPopFest London)
Their five-song stint on stage was one of the most special moments across the weekend – they performed the songs Wa Da Da, MVSK, See The Light, Le Voya9e and their latest release Up!.
The nine-member group’s inclusion on the HallyuPopFest line-up meant overseas fans got what could be their only chance to see them perform live, as their contract is only scheduled to last two-and-a-half years.
The audience seemed especially excited to see them, with almost deafening cheers coming from the crowd as the members each introduced themselves.
(Image: HallyuPopFest)
It was fellow girl group Everglow’s first time performing in the UK too, though they were without member Yiren, who is currently on hiatus in her home-country of China.
Regardless, the remaining five members put on an unforgettable performance, with Yiren’s absence giving her bandmate Onda more opportunity to shine.
A common annoyance among Everglow fans is that Onda often gets very little lines in their songs in comparison to other members, however she took many of Yiren’s lines in their songs, which included Dun Dun, Pirate and, the crowd favourite, La Di Da.
(Image: HallyuPopFest)
While the line-up was varied, girl group fans may have felt a little short-changed, with just four of the weekend’s acts female-based – Everglow, Hwasa, Weeekly and Kep1er.
The other 10 acts were all male soloists or boy groups – Sam Kim, Paul Kim, P1Harmony, Oneus, Astro, CIX, Cravity, SF9, Chen and Kai.
And, obviously unavoidable, the festival fell on two incredibly hot days, meaning OVO Arena Wembley was almost uncomfortably hot – something the performers complained of from time to time too.
(Image: HallyuPopFest)
Luckily there were free water stations available – depending on which steward you asked, one laughed when asked where they were – and concert-goers could bring in empty bottles to re-fill.
The energy from the audience was incredible, whether they be joining in with fan chants, singing the lyrics or doing elements of the choreography from their favourite songs.
Despite the few issues, HallyuPopFest London was an unmissable event for K-Pop fans, and something that will hopefully return in the years to come.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
