These upcoming K-pop concerts deserve a spot on your calendar (and no flight to Seoul is required).
Every few months, K-pop fans convince themselves this will finally be the year BigBang announces a Vancouver stop.
It hasn’t happened yet, but that doesn’t mean the city has been left behind. In fact, Vancouver is becoming an increasingly regular stop for some of the biggest names in fourth-generation K-pop, with two arena tours already on the calendar this year.
Whether you’re planning your outfit around a light stick or perfecting the fan chants ahead of time, these are the shows worth clearing your schedule for.
Surprise surprise, Wongyoung is front and centre in a group photo. | IVE / Facebook
IVE
IVE has mastered the art of making confidence look effortless. Between chart-toppers like “LOVE DIVE,” “I AM,” “After LIKE” and “Baddie,” the six-member group has built one of the strongest discographies in fourth-generation K-pop.
Their Vancouver stop on Aug. 9 marks the final North American show of the SHOW WHAT I AM world tour, which means fans can expect a polished production and a crowd ready to sing every word.
When: Aug. 9. Starts at 8 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: Starting at $131. Buy tickets via Ticketmaster.
Legs for days. | aespa / Facebook
aespa
If there’s one group built for an arena, it’s aespa. Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning have become known for turning high-concept visuals into full-scale live productions, backed by a catalogue that hardly lets the energy dip.
Expect hits like “Supernova,” “Whiplash,” “Drama,” “Armageddon” and plenty of synchronized fan chants echoing through Rogers Arena. Even casual listeners will leave understanding why aespa has become one of K-pop’s biggest global acts.
When: Oct. 11. Starts at 8 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way
Cost: Starting at $131. Buy tickets via Ticketmaster.
The author is part of Vancouver Is Awesome’s content studio team.