SMTOWN LIVE 2024 SMCU PALACE＠TOKYO was held at Tokyo Dome for 2 days, featuring NCT WISH, RIIZE, and veteran artists.
February/23/2024 11:40
"SMTOWN LIVE" where SM ENTERTAINMENT artists gather. The 20th performance "SMTOWN LIVE 2024 SMCU PALACE＠TOKYO" was held at Tokyo Dome for 2 days on February 21st and 22nd. NCT WISH, a group formed through the pre-debut reality show "NCT Universe:LASTART" that aired from July to September last year, opened the show. They performed "NASA" and "Hands Up" and made a vivid debut in Japan. RIIZE, who debuted in September last year, also made their first appearance at the Japanese "SMTOWN LIVE". They performed "Get A Guitar" and "Love119 (Japanese Ver.)" and proved their popularity. In addition to these fresh groups, veteran artists also appeared one after another. Cho Mi, who appeared on "SMTOWN LIVE" for the first time in 8 years, collaborated with SUPER JUNIOR's Unyok and Ryok to perform "Mañana (Our Drama)" and "Starry Night". Kanta, a veteran, played the piano and sang "Doll" with NCT 127's Doyon, and then performed "Eyes On You" with a group of dancers. Girls' Generation members Taeyeon and Hyoyeon sang "To.X" and "Picture" respectively. Hyoyeon also performed "DESSERT (Feat.YANGYANG of WayV)" with WayV's Yangyang, and Taeyeon performed "Starlight (Feat.JAEHYUN)" with NCT 127's Jaehyun. These special stages were a hit. In addition, the collaboration that can only be seen here is one of the charms of "SMTOWN LIVE". Among them, the performances that excited the audience at Tokyo Dome were "U" by SUPER JUNIOR and NCT WISH, and "Rising Sun" by Tohoshinki and RIIZE. "U" was a challenge song for NCT WISH on the audition program "NCT Universe:LASTART", so it was truly special for the two groups to perform it together. The combination of the youthful NCT WISH and the powerful SUPER JUNIOR was truly impressive. Tohoshinki and RIIZE's "Rising Sun" was truly energetic! This combination and this song were also a topic of conversation at the "2023 MAMA AWARDS" at Tokyo Dome last year. The fusion of RIIZE's momentum and Tohoshinki's outstanding star quality naturally captivated the audience. Furthermore, J-POP covers that make Japanese fans smile every time! This time, SUPER JUNIOR's Yesung performed Official Hige Dandism's "Pretender", Red Velvet's Wendy and aespa's Winter performed Aimyon's "Sora no Aosa wo Shiru Hito yo", and Tohoshinki's Changmin, SUPER JUNIOR's Kyuhyun, and RIIZE's Shotaro performed YOASOBI's "Idol" with perfect choreography. Of course, each group's stage was also full of energy. NCT DREAM, who will hold their first dome tour "2024 NCT DREAM WORLD TOUR＜THE DREAM SHOW 3＞" from May to June at Kyocera Dome Osaka, Tokyo Dome, and Vantelin Dome Nagoya, livened up Tokyo Dome with refreshing pop tunes "Best Friend Ever" and the speedy "We Go Up". Red Velvet made their first appearance in Japan with the title track "Chill Kill" from the full album "Chill Kill" released in November last year, and captivated the audience with a dramatic and varied dance. aespa also decided on their second arena tour "2024 aespa LIVE TOUR - SYNK: Parallel Line-in JAPAN" with 8 performances in 4 cities nationwide in July. At this "SMTOWN", they captivated fans with "Next Level" and "Drama", which combined coolness and sexiness. The end of the show was even more exciting! When NCT U performed "Baggy Jeans" with a wild taste typical of a boy group, NCT WISH performed their debut single "WISH" cutely. Their concept is to support everyone's wishes and dreams with their music and love, and to make them come true together. Their debut song, which expressed this, had already given hope and courage to the packed audience. Ten, who released his 1st solo mini album "TEN" on February 13th, showed a dynamic performance of the melodious "On My Youth (English Ver.)". NCT 127, who is currently holding the "NCT 127 3RD TOUR 'NEO CITY:JAPAN-THE UNITY'", sang the aggressive song "Fact Check", which was a huge sing-along in Tokyo Dome! SUPER JUNIOR, who showed a lot of presence in such a space, performed "Black Suit" with an adult-like composure. They also performed "Sorry, Sorry" and "BONAMANA" in the middle, and entertained the fans with their fun MC. The live performance by Tohoshinki, who closed the show as artists, was truly impressive. The staging of "Rebel" with flames rising and a group of dancers was impressive. Furthermore, in the big hit song "Spell -MIROTIC-", which they called out to the audience to sing together, their group color of bright red penlights enveloped Tokyo Dome, and the large venue was completely unified. The overwhelming live performance that lasted about 4 hours ended with "Hope from KWANGYA", where all the artists appeared on stage. "SMTOWN LIVE" always creates the best time. In 2024, it gave warmth and happiness to 100,000 people over 2 days. Interview / Text / Eriko Takahashi Photos = Yusuke Takamura, Takahiro Kugino Photos = Yusuke Takamura, Takahiro Kugino Photos = Yusuke Takamura, Takahiro Kugino
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