BIGBANG, the rookie group that shook up the music scene 20 years ago, put on a performance proving why they remain the kings of K-pop even after two decades. This took place at the venue of BIGBANG's world tour held at Goyang Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 23rd.

When the lights went out and a video of a falling meteorite filled the screen, the numbers "2006–2026" immediately popped up. As BIGBANG members G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung stood on stage together, fans from all over the world simultaneously unleashed the cheers they had been holding back. Kicking off the show with "FANTASTIC BABY," the audience immediately responded with sing-alongs.

Such mass sing-alongs were largely made possible by the open stage structure and the power of the sound. By adding a long extended runway to the straight-line main stage, most of the audience was able to narrow the distance from the members. The 23-ton mobile LED structure applied multi-motor torque synchronization technology, allowing the gigantic stage equipment to move seamlessly and visually realize a worldview leading from "BIGBANG" to "CHAOS" and "COSMOS."

However, some audience members right in front of the stage evaluated that their views were blocked due to the high stage. In other words, the structural limitations characteristic of large concert venues could not be completely resolved this time either. The overall sound was stable, and the lighting and stage setups—especially the fireworks that went off at just the right moments—elevated the mood of the songs. It was a stage rich in both things to see and hear.

The setlist was filled with 32 songs encompassing a 20-year trajectory, ranging from early debut tracks like "Lies" and "Day by Day" to their latest releases. With so many hit songs, sing-alongs were a default throughout the concert. The stages where the members rearranged their songs to fit a band sound were also fresh. "Day by Day" was reinterpreted into a rock version with impressive shouting vocals, while the encore wrapped up with early debut tracks like "Heaven" and "Sunset Glow," stimulating nostalgia.

Stepping up as the first runner for solo performances, Daesung performed "Universe" and "Over Limit" back-to-back, executing tight synchronized choreography with dancers and boosting the atmosphere with playful facial expressions. Next, Taeyang opened his solo stage with "BAD" on a stage featuring steel structures. His live performance, backed by strong ad-libs, was evaluated as the epitome of Taeyang-esque style. While singing "LIVE FAST DIE SLOW," he stepped down off the stage to narrow the distance and communicate with the audience.

Above all, what stood out was G-Dragon's vocals. Unlike his recent solo concert where he drew attention for poor condition, on this day he delivered much more stable and comfortable tones. His performance also continued seamlessly with high quality and without a hint of fatigue. After opening his solo stage with "POWER," he performed "Crayon" rearranged with a rock sound, and sang "Crooked" while lying down on the stage, never losing his signature swag.

Sincerity could also be felt in the comments directed toward the fans who have been together with them for 20 years. G-Dragon continued conversations on stage, saying, "This is definitely not to stall for time, but because it's the last Goyang show and I want to savor it," and reflected on their 20th-anniversary activities by stating, "I consider this a culmination."

Behind the high perfection of this performance was a glamorous production lineup. YG took charge of production, and the band "The Wah Wahs," who has worked with Usher, Post Malone, and Rihanna, handled all live instrumental performances. Twenty dancers added strength to the group choreography, while Mike Carson, who directed the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, and Es Devlin, who designed the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, participated in the direction and stage design. The high-precision timing of the aforementioned fireworks and lighting direction likely stemmed from this producer lineup.

The new song "BiiiG," unveiled for the first time on this day, was released on the 19th. It effectively served as their new digital single released after 4 years and 4 months, and a track kicking off their first concert in about 9 years since their 2017 Japan dome tour. The members shared their thoughts with the fans who protected them for 20 years, saying, "You guys are soon BIGBANG, and you yourselves are a huge inspiration."

Starting with this Goyang concert, BIGBANG will plunge into the full-fledged journey of the "BIGBANG 2026-2027 WORLD TOUR 〈XX : COSMOS〉," holding a total of 33 shows across 19 cities worldwide, including North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

Photo=YG Entertainment



(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Kyung-yoon)