By Honorary Reporter Martina Marrandino from Italy
Photos = Martina Marrandino

Seoul Olympic Stadium on June 18 hosted offline the "Dream Concert," which had been canceled over the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in three years.

Considered Korea's largest K-pop concert, the event celebrated its 28th anniversary this year and was co-hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and Korea Entertainment Producers' Association. I was one of 2,504 foreign fans living in Korea invited to the event by the KTO. The concert was also livestreamed for fans around the world.

As an expat living in Seoul, I was lucky to get a free ticket to attend the "Dream Concert."

Before entering the concert venue, fans spent time in a designated area set up by the KTO. A karaoke booth, "random play dance experience" and photo zone along with other activities were set up under the theme "Dive into K-pop in Korea." The slogan "Travel to Korea Begins Again" was also used to remind international fans abroad that the country had fully reopened for tourism.

Fans could sing at the karaoke booth and engage in "random play dance" at a designated area of the concert venue.

NCT 127's Doyoung and IVE's Yujin hosted the concert, which ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Among those who performed were Laboum, Golden Child, STAYC, Oh My Girl, Red Velvet and NCT Dream. CRAVITY, this year's promotional ambassadors of Korean culture for the Korean Culture and Information Service, opened the show. 

The amazing performances kept all 45,000 spectators entertained.

IVE (left) and CRAVITY (right) electrified the audience with their dynamic performances.

Seeing a live K-pop show since COVID-19's outbreak was an emotional experience for both the audience and artists, both of whom were all excited to see each other again after such a long time. The fans turned on their light sticks to illuminate the stadium and show their support for the performers on stage. 

The wonderful atmosphere there was something only a concert can provide, along with a unique feeling that comes from hundreds of people at the same place at the same time and who enjoy the same music.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.