Every year, SM Entertainment being one of the most influential labels in K-pop, tours around the world with their most famous artists—giving unforgettable shows for the public.
Until now, the “SM Town Live” has been held mostly in Asian countries with some exceptions like last year, which was held in Dubai. This time, SM Entertainment took a big step and presented the show for the very first time in South America.
#SMTOWN_SpecialStage_in_SANTIAGO Day 2 #SUPERJUNIOR #EXOinChileDay2 #BoA #SMTOWN_CHILE #Yuri #Hyoyeon #SHINEE #Key #Taemin #Amber #NCTDREAM #NCT127 #RedVelvet #SMTOWNenChile #EXO #SMTOWNinChile ?Felipe
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Chile, as the well known K-pop capital was chosen to host this memorable festival this year. In the actual context where K-pop enjoys such popularity, the show was programmed in the National Stadium with two dates; which only states the interest of the fans to assist.
Sweet! ?#SMTOWN_SpecialStage_in_SANTIAGO Day 2 via #NoiX #smtown #SUPERJUNIOR #EXOinChileDay2 #BoA #SMTOWN_CHILE #Yuri #Hyoyeon #SHINEE #Key #Taemin #Amber #NCTDREAM #NCT127 #RedVelvet #SMTOWNenChile #EXO #SMTOWNinChile pic.twitter.com/B62omCSQIq
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The lineup for this show contains stars from all the generations. BoA is a legend with an 18-year career. SNSD’s Hyoyeon and Yuri presenting their solo works. Super Junior visiting the country for the third time. Red Velvet and NCT representing the new generation. The incredible synergy from Amber of f(x) to SHINee’s Key and Taemin. Then, the extremely popular members of the top boy group—EXO. A lineup which promises an incredible show with all of these artists’ hits and unbelievable collaborations.
Stepping into 7PM, the pre-show started in charge of DJ Hyo (Hyoyeon) who already showed her bias for EDM and Electro music. Pumping the show and previewing what it will be. Stepping into 8PM, the introductory video in a post-apocalyptical scenario which showed all the members who will present in the night. As the first group, the young members of NCT Dream turned on the stage with ”Go” and ”1, 2, 3” with a small interlude of the members talking about their tour through the Chilean capital and their experience with the fans following them.
Sadly, only two of the five members of SNSD came to the country, but that didn’t stop them from performing as professionals—being part of one of the most popular girl groups in history. The recently debuted solo artist, Yuri, picked the—in my opinion, best song from the mini album. It’s the title track with the tropical house style, ”Into you” making the hot weather work on her favour. Giving the baton to Amber representing f(x) who then performed ”Countdown” and made everyone dance. Next came SNSD’s Hyoyeon who came back to the stage, presenting the dance hit ”Punk right now” which was produced by the well known EDM producer, 3LAU. SHINee’s Key then came up next to perform ”one of those nights” and ”good good”, closing the first section of the already magical event.
The second part was mostly dedicated to the cross-groups collaborations and subgroups interpreting where we could see covers like Ariana Grande’s ”Greedy” by Irene and Seulgi. BoA going alone with her stage presence interpreting ”No matter what” with Taeyeon covering Benzino verse and both Yesung and Wendy with beautiful ballads for diversity.
EXO possesses the biggest fandom in the country and that was clearly shown when for the first time Chanyeol and Sehun came with” We young” to make all the EXO-L‘s go crazy. Finally, to close the second section, NCT 127 and Taemin presented their songs, the first one with the recent hits ”Regular”, ”Irregular”, and ”Simon Says” displaying that great charisma that characterizes them.
Taemin as a well known dancer didn’t disappoint either with his hits ”Move” and ”Danger” accompanied by hundreds of fans in the popular dances and a special talk with the fans apologizing for not coming with all the members as he promised last time he was in the country, but securing a future show of SHINee.
And one of the most expected and heated moments of the night was the solo presentation of EXO where the National Stadium was overwhelmed by the fan chants and scream of support. The presentation included three of their biggest hits ”Ko Ko Bop”, ”Tempo” and ”La la la” even if it was a short stage the incredible performance of the group will be remembered by the fans for a long time.
BoA having an 18-year career in her back showed why she still is so popular. The veteran of SM performed ”One shot, two shot” and ”Only one” with the help of Taemin. BoA is one of the best dancers in the industry rivaling even the artists half her age and the experience comes out afloat, especially when she sings and at the same time, maintains a clear and stable voice despite the hard choreography.
Then an old friend of the country came out, Super Junior have visited the country not once or twice but three times and received the immense love of the ELF’s, between jokes and fun interpreted an interesting song list with one of their biggest hits ”Sorry Sorry” proceeding with their latest release with Reik ”Otra vez” and even their cover of the famous artist Luis Miguel ”Ahora te puedes marchar” being one of the most solid performances of the night.
Red Velvet debuted in the country last night and the fans excitement was proportional to the wait. The five-member group counts with a big fan base. The girls sang in unison with their hits like ”Peek-a-Boo”, ”Bad Boy”, and ”Red Flavor”, not for nothing is one of the biggest girl groups in the world.
Getting closer to the end, the groups presented their latest releases which lead to the final presentation where all the groups and artists sang the last song in togetherness and with fans cheering and asking for more. This is really an experience that any K-pop fan would want to have at least once in their lives—and thousands of fans definitely had their dreams come true last night.
This was a challenge for both SM and the producer NoiX Entertainment. A show like this is K-pop at the highest level and the preparation is arduous and many suffered but in the end, the smile of the fans make it worthwhile and shows why K-pop is not only music. Chile once again was the meeting point for regions to enjoy such a show and this opens the doors to see more groups visiting in the future.
Photography by: NoiX Entertainment, Sylvia Coria, Checho Garcia Pardo