The 711th episode, aired on the 21st, was a '2025 Gyeongju APEC Special' featuring performances by Psy, god, ATEEZ, Lee Seung-yoon, Song So-hee, Hwasa, JD1, Kiki, and Zo Zazz. These artists spanned generations, delivering a diverse spectrum of K-pop. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 5.1%, securing the top spot in its time slot for 124 consecutive weeks.
This special was organized to commemorate the APEC summit returning to South Korea after 20 years, with Gyeongju, a city where tradition and modernity coexist, providing a unique backdrop for the performances. Hosts Shin Dong-yup, Kim Jun-hyun, and Lee Chan-won opened the show, declaring, “Gyeongju, a city of a thousand years, is the perfect place to showcase Korea's beauty. At this moment, the world is watching the K-POP summit.”
The opening act featured Jo Jae-joo passionately singing Koreana's 'Hand in Hand', joined by a children's choir, delivering a warm and harmonious message of peace. Gen Z's rising star Kiki captivated the audience with her energetic performance of 'I DO ME', showcasing her fresh energy and trendy sound. Jo Jae-joo returned to the stage with 'Do You Know', evoking retro emotions with his unique sensibility and stage presence.
JD1 shone with his energetic and charismatic performance, captivating the audience with his universal appeal and showcasing his growth as an artist. Hwasa started her set with 'I Love My Body', engaging the audience with her heartfelt connection, and followed with 'Maria', featuring an R&B-styled intro and explosive performance that heated up the stage.
Song So-hee delivered a high-quality performance of Korean traditional music with 'My Country Korea' and 'Odolttogi', blending traditional melodies with modern sensibilities, perfectly matching the atmosphere of Gyeongju. Lee Seung-yoon showcased his narrative-driven emotion with 'Waterfall' and the explosive energy of 'Firework Time', drawing the audience into his musical depth.
ATEEZ demonstrated their mastery of performance, captivating the global K-pop fandom with 'Ice On My Teeth' and 'Swagger', showcasing sharp choreography, explosive energy, and stage presence, embodying the 'present of K-pop'.
National group god delivered a powerful message with 'Road', followed by 'Friday Night' and 'Where You Need to Be', leading the audience in a sing-along. The encore performance of 'One Candle' united thousands of fans in song, showcasing their enduring appeal.
World star Psy, known as the 'ultimate K-POP performer', electrified the audience with 'That That' and 'It's Art'. His call to the audience, “KBS and I have prepared a big gift for you. Everyone jump!” ignited the stage with excitement, and the audience responded with enthusiasm.
The '2025 Gyeongju APEC Special' was crafted like a K-pop conference of top-tier artists, with each performance lighting up the night sky of Gyeongju, reaffirming the global status of K-pop. It seamlessly blended tradition and modernity, emotion and powerful performances, leaving a lasting impression.
Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr