The 10 Best Things About SMTOWN’s 2023 NYE Concert
The 10 Best Things About SMTOWN’s 2023 NYE Concert
In no particular order, here are the elements of SM Entertainment’s annual New Year’s Eve show that were the most impressive!
#1: All Things aespa
While the night was full of nostalgia for SM Entertainment artists who debuted over a decade ago, some of the most exciting stages previewed what the company’s future has in store. aespa reassured audiences that the “Fourth Generation” of K-pop is in beyond-capable hands, showing off chic fashion, fierce choreography, and a killer stage presence every time. aespa proved to be quickly blossoming as performers, expanding their range to include everything from an adorable Christmas song (“Beautiful Christmas,” with Red Velvet) to confident anthems like “Girls.” They maintained interest with “Illusion,” which they performed in all-black outfits and in front of colorful lighting.
#2: The Performance of “Yours”
Raiden, in a surprising twist for him, accompanied the singers on the guitar for “Yours.” WINTER covered LeeHi’s lines and performed alongside CHANYEOL and MARK on a picturesque stage. The outline of a roller coaster was lit up above them, giant faux flowers and colorful balloons were around them, and bubbles floated everywhere. The whimsical stage setup and fresh combination of performers gave this sweet song a new life and lightness.
#3: KEY Performing “Gasoline”
In an interesting departure from the norm of the night, an intro video played before KEY took the stage. He performed well into the night but did so as if he was the grand opening number. His fierce posing and sparkly looks stole the show on the screen, and they then stole the show for real once he rose up from the bottom of the stage! He shouted out fans of his group, SHINee, before breaking into “Gasoline,” reinforcing how he was determined to make this show his own. His commanding presence effectively embodied his “Gasoline” music video character and injected this very-long show with new excitement and intrigue. Just as the show could have started to overextend its welcome, KEY emerged conveying the message “Not so fast”!
#4: KAI Performing “Mmmh”
KAI’s live performances of this song never get old! He delivers nonstop sultriness and chicness every time, and the latest live version was no different. He showed off fluid dance moves and equally alluring vocals while modeling a lace spin on formalwear. The song’s live version proved for the upteenth time to be a treat for both the eyes and ears!
#5: NCT 127 Performing “Cherry Bomb”
NCT 127 proved they’ve still got it! They brought back their 2017 hit as if it came out yesterday, flawlessly recalling the choreography and wearing camo ensembles reminiscent of their early-career aesthetic. This fan favorite track did get a few tweaks to it, though, including color-changing lasers.
#6: Improvements to the Show’s Format
This year’s concert did away with the awkward intermissions of previous years. There were still intermissions, but they were less clunky than during past shows, since the speakers this time remained the same and they chose brevity over banter. The concert transitioned from stage to stage in no time, which is key to keep a show with fifty-plus songs engaging!
#7: The Premiere of a New “Hope from KWANGYA” Music Video
Although this writer is biased because of the superb song title, it truly is such a feel-good delight to kick off every new year with a new music video for this song! “Hope from KWANGYA” reminds viewers why they fell in love with SM Entertainment’s artists. Their happy, wholesome sing-along is always very charming!
#8: Variety was the Name of the Game
The show had something for every musical taste: old and new, slow and fast, silly and serious. Particularly welcome were the times artists spanning multiple K-pop generations teamed up. BoA, WENDY, and NINGNING stunned in little black dresses and with powerful vocals for “Time After Time.” Equally stirring was the live rendition of “Priority,” from MAX CHANGMIN, TAEYEON, and WINTER. By pairing older and newer artists together throughout the show, SM Entertainment represented both what makes its past impressive and its future bright.
#9: Artists Got to Shine Both Solo and in Groups
The audience was not just reminded how talented each SM Entertainment act is, but also how talented each individual member is! Each performer carried themselves with impressive confidence and skill. SEULGI did particularly well channeling her darker side for “28 Reasons” and turning on her cheerful, carefree side for Red Velvet’s stages. KAI also showed off his duality, looking mature and stunning for “Mmmh” but appearing sweet and approachable during EXO’s “The First Snow.” Group members getting to add their own spin on songs was also appreciated, like when MARK made a verse on “Yours” his own.
#10: The Pre-Show Forum
While last year’s show spent ample time laying out the origin story of the “SMCU,” this year’s bonus content focused on the company itself. The show last year was focused on showing what the narrative appeal of SM Entertainment is, and this year’s focus was on showing the world the potential to utilize this appeal. CEO Soo-man Lee made clear his intent to continue expanding SM Entertainment’s influence globally and using pop culture to build bridges. This year’s pre-show was a “Humanity & Sustainability Forum,” featuring a panel and several speeches on South Korea’s historic reforestation efforts. Professors highlighted K-culture fandoms’ sense of community and ability to rally around a common cause as transferable to combatting the climate crisis. The overall thesis of the forum was that the power of pop culture should not be underestimated. After all, pop culture is what inspires thoughts and feelings that lead an individual to act, and every movement begins with a single actor. The potential for music to mobilize people was stressed in remarks like Soo-man Lee’s: “Can’t a song change one’s life? In the same way, one tree can change the world.” While specific details regarding SM Entertainment’s eco-friendly future were sparse, and certain concerns went unaddressed (there was no mention of the company’s carbon-intensive NFT projects, for example), the forum was a worthwhile way to get fandoms thinking about the ways they could turn their strengths towards this cause.
Overall, SM Entertainment proved to be a company full of amazing artists and driven by an inspiring message. Its ways of actually embodying that message fall short in significant ways, but it is hard to not be charmed by its artists and pleased with its conversation-starting efforts. SM Entertainment might not save the world, but its artists’ music can certainly motivate people to try, or at least to turn the solidarity-forming power of fandoms towards a noble cause. SM Entertainment rang in the new year vouching for artists and viewers alike to join forces and embrace a spirit of community.
The latest episode of 17 Carat K-Pop covers more key takeaways from the show: the highlights, the lowlights, the ways it compares to last year’s concert, and more! The episode is available on all major podcast platforms and at the links below!
Listen on Apple Podcasts here!
Here is the Full Setlist!
NCT DREAM, “Beatbox”
NCT DREAM, “Hot Sauce”
aespa, “Girls”
WayV, “Love Talk”
WayV, “Take Off”
NCT 127, “Cherry Bomb”
KAI & SEULGI & JENO & KARINA, “Hot & Cold”
Red Velvet & aespa, “Beautiful Christmas”
SUHO, “Let’s Love”
CHEN, “Last Scene”
KANGTA, “Polaris”
KANGTA & YESEUNG & SUHO & TAEIL & RENJUN, “Happier”
BoA & WENDY & NINGNING, “Time After Time”
SUPER JUNIOR, “Celebrate”
NCT DREAM, “Candy”
MAX CHANGMIN & TAEYEON & WINTER, “Priority”
KANGTA, “Eyes On You”
EXO-SC ft. SUHO, “Fly Away”
EXO-SC, “Rodeo Station”
MINHO, “Chase”
EXO, “The First Snow”
Red Velvet, “Red Flavor”
Red Velvet, “Queendom”
Raiden & CHANYEOL & WINTER & MARK, “Yours”
XIUMIN, “Brand New”
ONEW, “DICE”
aespa, “Illusion”
HYO, “DEEP”
TAEYONG & JENO & HENDERY & YANGYANG & GISELLE, “ZOO”
SUPER JUNIOR-D&E, “Danger” (rock remix!)
SUPER JUNIOR, “Black Suit” (rock remix!)
SUPER JUNIOR, “Sorry, Sorry”
SUPER JUNIOR, “Mango”
NCT 127, “Kick It”
NCT 127, “Sticker”
KEY, “Gasoline”
KAI, “Mmmh”
SEULGI, “28 Reasons”
TAEYEON, “INVU”
Red Velvet, “Feel My Rhythm”
BoA, “Forgive Me”
NCT U, “The 7th Sense”
TVXQ!, “MAXIMUM”
TVXQ!, “The Chance of Love”
TVXQ!, “Keep Your Head Down”
BoA, “Better”
WayV, “Phantom”
NCT U, “Universe (Let’s Play Ball)”
NCT DREAM, “Glitch Mode”
aespa, “Next Level”
NCT 127, “2 Baddies”
Red Velvet, “Birthday”
NCT U, “Baby Don’t Stop”
EXO, “Love Shot”
SUPER JUNIOR, “Mr. Simple”
TVXQ!, “MIROTIC”
GOT the beat, “Step Back”