Top 10 K-Pop Performances That Didn't Have to Go THAT Hard

Forget about flowers, iKON deserves the whole garden for this performance. The drumline intro, fused with the traditional Korean sound, leads to the smoothest segue as “Killing Me” glides in. As if the track wasn’t already powerful enough, the live arrangement makes it even more cinematic. Then, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. “Love Scenario” is here and it’s sweeter than ever. This is one of those songs that never fails to get you up on your feet. The members are doing what they do best, the fans are having the time of their lives, and the synergy is impeccable. What more does a performance need to be iKON-nic?

The fact that this performance even happened makes it legendary, given the context. 2NE1 were on hiatus, and in K-Pop, that often means one thing: the dungeon. Nevertheless, CL tore up the stage as the “baddest female”, exceeding expectations. Then, the hype went through the roof when the rest of the members showed up for “Fire” and “I Am the Best”. 2NE1 have always been known for their high energy performances but something about the intensity of this one, combined with its emotional significance, transformed it into one for the K-Pop history books. The crowd were a lucky bunch.

Need a reminder of how majestic and fierce you are? Look no further than this blazing performance of “Lion”. Can you believe this smash hit came from a competition show? Now that’s what we call creative genius. Leader Jeon So-yeon worked on the lyrics, composition and production of the song, proving her title of “ace”. Then, the members breathed straight fire into the track, making for something unforgettable. The level of perfection in the live vocals and rap, combined with the theatrics of the choreography gave us life. The G in (G)I-dle stood for god-tier on this day.

You knew this was gonna be here, didn’t you? No conversation about the best K-Pop acts would ever be complete without SEVENTEEN. As the true blue kings of performance, the expectations are always sky-high for this group. With “Super”, they transcend all physical limits and go beyond. Even if you watched this performance thirteen times, focusing on one member each time, you would probably still miss some of the intricate details they poured into it. At this point, calling them a powerhouse would be an understatement. This team is a titan collective.

Nothing can prepare you for the visual extravaganza that is this performance. Even by the “MAMA’s” standards, which are admittedly quite high, ITZY are in a league of their own. From bringing “Squid Game” star Heo Sung-tae to the stage to live stunts and storytelling like a K-Drama, it is unlike anything you’ve seen before. You might as well be watching a K-Pop musical! “Loco” is the perfect first act, followed by a glorious rock version of “In the Morning”. The final dance break will definitely leave you wanting more.

In 2019, BLACKPINK reached a major career milestone as the first-ever K-Pop girl group to perform at Coachella. Then, in 2023, they made history as the first Korean act to headline the festival. Three words: Paved. The. Way. Just like all the prestigious brands these women are ambassadors for, their performance was also ultra-luxurious. Be it their unbeatable confidence, unshakeable vocals, or unmatched stage fashion, no one’s doing it like BLACKPINK. This bold and beautiful rendition of “Shut Down” is BLACKPINK at its finest. So, when they’re in your area, you pay attention.

Name a bigger K-Pop power move than dissing the very show you’re on. We’ll wait. That’s right, there hasn’t been one as savage as this. BIGBANG’s G-Dragon was speaking for many fans when he called out “MAMA’s” award system in his rap. Then, he joined Taeyang and proceeded to rock the same stage with every other K-Pop idol in the audience, including BTS’ V, dancing along. If you ever want to introduce K-Hip Hop to someone, especially how hardcore and addictive it can be, show them this performance of “Good Boy” and “Fantastic Baby”. You’ll have yourself a fellow stan in no time.

Is it a surprise that the man who brought the world “Gangnam Style” also gave us the catchiest post-pandemic bop? “That That”, produced by and featuring Suga of BTS will always represent the liberation of the world finally healing from COVID. We went hard after months of being stuck in our homes so it was only right that we got a party anthem that went even harder. To top it off, this live performance kicks it up another hundred notches when Suga pops in for his surprise appearance. The crowd goes absolutely wild and everyone onstage is reflecting that energy back. It tells you all you need to know about the impact of this high-profile collaboration.

These guys came in with guns ablaze, concept on point, and one mission on their minds: to entertain like we’ve never been entertained before. Like lightning in a bottle, this performance was thunderous. With peak showmanship, SKZ combined two of the most explosive K-Pop tracks, BLACKPINK’s “DDU-DU DDU-DU” and their own “God’s Menu”. By blending BP’s effortless swagger with their signature razor-sharp precision, they put on a total production and we just can’t get enough. The “Deadpool” inspo even caught the eye of Ryan Reynolds, marking the beginning of an epic crossover friendship that resulted in the actor even featuring in their music video!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jeon So-yeon feat. BIBI & Lee Young Ji, “DF LIVE” (2021)
Arguably the Most Badass K-Pop Girl Gang Ever

ATEEZ, “Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival” (2024)
Making History Is a Fantastic Look On Them

EXO’s Kai, “M COUNTDOWN” (2004-)
The Dancing Machine Strikes Again

ONF, “dancEAR” (2024)
Watching This Makes You Instantly Cooler

SHINee, “SHINee World IV” (2015)
Because Legends Are Legends for a Reason

Warning: may cause unstoppable headbanging and butterflies in your stomach at the same time. The Bangtan boys took over the 2019 MMA stage for an exhilarating 40-minute set that was no less than a full-fledged concert. After performing several outstanding, chart-topping hits, the show reached a climax with a revved-up, larger-than-life version of “Dionysus”. Despite the ornate set design, complete with Greek elements reminiscent of the mythical god in question, our attention is inevitably zoomed in on our seven kings. With electrifying energy that makes us question if they’re even human, BTS kicked it out of the park with this performance, showing everyone who’s boss in the process. Dionysus may be the god of madness and ecstasy but BTS owned those words this time.

Which of these performances do you think is the best representation of K-Pop? Sound off in the comments!