'2024 K World Dream Awards' First Lineup Announced...
5th Generation Idols Join in Large Numbers
The organizing committee of the '2024 K World Dream Awards' (K WORLD DREAM AWARDS) announced the first lineup on the 12th, revealing the participation of numerous 5th generation idol groups.
This award ceremony aims to attract 10 million K-pop tourists and will be held on August 22 at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
The groups included in the first lineup are QWER, Young Posse, NCT WISH, ILLIT, UNIS, and BADVILLAIN. These groups, having debuted recently, are rapidly growing 5th generation idol groups leading the new wave of K-pop.
QWER is a four-member girl band formed by YouTuber Kim Gyeran, gaining popularity with the title track 'Addiction to Worry' from their mini album 'Manito.' Despite the rush of major artist comebacks, they are maintaining top positions on major music sites, establishing their position as a talented girl band.
Young Posse, launched by DSP Media, is a girl group known for their unique concept of 'K-pop's Rebel Frogs.' Their March release 'XXL' received much love for its B-grade aesthetics music video, distinctive vocals, and trendy melody.
SM Entertainment's new unit NCT WISH has shown rapid growth, winning first place on music shows just 8 days after debut and recording over 530,000 initial sales with their second album 'Songbird.' They are actively expanding their global fandom, targeting both Korea and Japan as key markets.
HYBE's new girl group ILLIT gained syndrome-level popularity with their debut track 'Magnetic.' Formed through JTBC's 'Are You Next?', ILLIT is making significant achievements as HYBE's 'super rookie.'
UNIS, formed through SBS's 'Universe Ticket,' is gaining significant popularity in Asia, including the Philippines. They successfully conducted promotions in Japan and tours in the Philippines immediately after their debut, expanding their global fandom.
BADVILLAIN from Big Planet Made Entertainment made a mark with their debut single 'Overstep,' whose music video surpassed 40 million views within a week. They are rapidly growing, becoming a noteworthy rookie girl group.
The '2024 K World Dream Awards,' which began as the '1st Soribada Best K-Music Awards' in 2017, is now in its 8th year as a K-pop festival.
This event aims to reaffirm the global influence of K-pop and promote the tourism industry through K-pop.
Music critics commented, "This lineup showcases both the present and future of K-pop," and evaluated that "the participation of 5th generation idols reflects the continuous growth and new trends of K-pop." They also predicted that "global fans' interest will increase due to their participation."
The award ceremony will be broadcast live to 198 countries worldwide through the global live fandom platform 'Hello Live.' This is a measure for global K-pop fans who cannot attend the event in person, reaffirming the worldwide popularity of K-pop.
A K-pop industry insider said, "This event will reaffirm the economic impact of K-pop," and added, "It is expected to significantly help attract tourists to Korea." They also mentioned that "the activities of 5th generation idols are a good example of the sustainable growth of the K-pop industry."
The '2024 K World Dream Awards' plans to announce additional lineups in the future, with more K-pop stars expected to participate. This event is expected to once again confirm the global influence of K-pop and positively impact Korea's tourism industry.
This award ceremony goes beyond being a mere festival for K-pop artists, positioning itself as an important event that connects Korea's cultural and tourism industries. It is expected to play a significant role in globalizing Korean culture through K-pop and generating tangible economic benefits.
