By Honorary Reporter Andra Michaela Pena from Romania

The first "Music Bank" concert in Barcelona on Sept. 12 is held at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Spain's No. 2 city. (Andra Michaela Pena)

The K-pop event Music Bank World Tour on Sept. 12 held its first show in Barcelona, Spain's No. 2 city, drawing 37,500 spectators to Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

Hosted by actor Park Bo-gum, the event featured performances by ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, NMIXX, xikers, NCT WISH, CORTIS and ALPHA DRIVE ONE.

The evening opened with all seven groups appearing together under the theme "K-pop Colors the World." Several of them prepared content tailored for the Spanish audience, notably the girl group NMIXX, who performed Karol G's "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido" (If I Had Met You Before), a Spanish-language version of NMIXX's hit "Sonar (Breaker)" and an acappella rendition of "Besame Mucho." 

All seven groups took to the stage to perform BTS' "Dynamite" for the finale.

K-pop fans on Sept. 12 take part in a random dance near Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. (Korean Power)

The event did not remain confined to the stadium. A K-pop random dance was also held outside the facility on concert day, giving fans more time to meet, dance and soak up the atmosphere.

K-pop stores and cafes across Barcelona from Sept. 11-13 organized cupsleeve events, or fan-organized gatherings at a cafe, bakery or boba store to celebrate a K-pop idol's birthday, debut anniversary or group milestone, photobooth frames, giveaways, freebies, merchandise, photocards, stickers, quizzes and drawings.

Around Montjuic, a historic hill overlooking the port and city center of Barcelona, fans exchanged photocards, stickers, bracelets and other small gifts, while bags decorated with photocards and character plushies often started conversations. Through these activities, specialized stores and themed cafes, the event reinforced the sense that Barcelona had hosted not just a concert but a K-pop weekend.

A crowd on Sept. 12 gathers for the Music Bank World Tour at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. (Korean Power)

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was 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.