There were plenty of moments in this year’s K-pop scene that sliced through the din. While the COVID-19 pandemic halted in-person events for most of 2021, K-pop groups managed to entertain fans across the world via online performances, television program engagements, live streams, and social media. There’s also the release of new songs.
There were notable and memorable performances, such as when Hyunjin of Stray Kids danced to “Play With Fire” to announce his comeback from hiatus. There were several hilarious, viral moments, such as when BTOB’s Eunkwang told the crowd to yell even though it was illegal, or when dancer/YouTuber Hyok Fork danced ITZY’s “Loco” at a café.
Some K-pop performances, on the other hand, had a bigger influence on fans than others, whether it was because they went viral, created a trend, or marked an important milestone. Here are some of the finest and most significant K-pop performances from 2021, listed in chronological order.
1. “Encore” reassures GOT7’s anxious fans
The year 2021 began with the end of an era when all seven members of the popular boy band GOT7 chose to quit JYP Entertainment after their contracts expired. Anxious fans assumed that this change indicated GOT7 was breaking up, which was not an unrealistic assumption.
2. At MTV Unplugged, BTS’s amazing Coldplay song brings everyone back to life.
With British chart-toppers “Butter” and “Permission to Dance,” BTS maintained their worldwide domination in 2021. Though both of the group’s cheerful singles garnered plenty of airplay and praise, it was their euphoric version of Coldplay’s “Fix You” in their historic MTV Unplugged show that astonished and calmed many fans this year, with the original YouTube videos garnering over 63 million views.
3. The earworm “Next Level” by aespa has inspired a slew of dance covers.
When Australian musician A$ton Wyld debuted “Next Level” in 2019, it was most recognized for being used on the soundtrack for Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw. Two years later, Vespa’s rendition of “Next Level” has topped various music charts, even displacing BTS’ “Butter” to grab the top place on Melon’s 24Hits list. That’s no minor effort, as everyone with internet access knows.