Stay tuned for Pyo Kyung-min's latest K-pop stories, where she digs into the backstories that matter. She’d love to hear from you — share your thoughts at pzzang@koreatimes.co.kr. After all, every article gets better with insights from those who love the scene, just like she does!
REVIEW All aboard birthday bridge: Seventeen takes over Seoul with epic concert celebration
Some 6,000 fans attend Seventeen's "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage @Jamsu Bridge" concert, the first large scale K-pop show to be held on a bridge across Seoul's Han River, Sunday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment
By Pyo Kyung-min
Even for a K-pop juggernaut that has conquered stages around the world, breaking new ground can still be a daunting challenge.
That seemed to be the case for Seventeen on Sunday night, right before the 13-member boy band's show "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage @Jamsu Bridge" — the first-ever held on a bridge over Seoul's Han River.
The event began in disarray as the unusual layout of the elongated venue led to confusion among attendees trying to find their assigned seats. Yelling matches broke out among some fans, and a few were even moved to tears, delaying the performance by more than 20 minutes.
But the moment Seventeen burst onstage, fireworks erupting, jets of water crashing down from above, the chaos vanished. It was a moment of pure K-pop awe, a thunderous wave that swept over the bridge, the river and the entire city.
K-pop boy band Seventeen performs during its "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage @Jamsu Bridge" concert over the Jamsu Bridge, Seocho District, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment
The performance capped a three-day celebration, "B-DAY PARTY," held from Friday through Sunday across the Some Sevit islets and around Jamsu Bridge in Seoul's Seocho District. With the concert staged directly over the Han River, it brought the genre closer than ever to daily life in the capital.
About 6,000 preselected fans gathered on the double-decker bridge at dusk as the sun set and traffic passed overhead. Many had spent the day attending pop-up events nearby, but fatigue quickly disappeared as they gripped official light sticks, faces glowing with anticipation.
Though Seventeen's agency, Pledis Entertainment, made thorough preparations to ensure a safe and orderly event, the unusually chilly May air and strong river winds only added to the unrest surrounding the delayed start.
Yet, all it took was Seventeen's arrival on stage to turn the mood on its head.
Eleven members of K-pop act Seventeen perform onstage during the "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage @Jamsu Bridge" concert, Seocho District, Seoul, Sunday. Two of its members, Jeonghan and Wonwoo were unable to attend the show due to mandatory military service. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment
The group opened the night with the debut performance of "THUNDER," the lead single from its upcoming fifth studio album, set for release Monday.
Eleven members were present on stage, as members Jeonghan and Wonwoo were absent due to mandatory military service.
"When I heard we'd be performing on Jamsu Bridge, I imagined maybe a yacht or a sunset … but in the end, it turned out perfect in so many ways," said Mingyu.
Seungkwan added, "As a Korean singer, I've never felt as nervous and excited as when I learned we'd be performing on the Han River at Jamsu Bridge, a place that represents Korea itself."
K-pop boy band Seventeen greets the crowd during the "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage @Jamsu Bridge" concert on Jamsu Bridge in Seoul’s Seocho District, Sunday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment
The members also shared more about "THUNDER," describing it as a dance-pop track rooted in electronic dance music.
"After making albums for ten years, I wondered, 'Am I running out of steam?'" said Woozi, a key member of the group's production team. "But the heavens didn't abandon me. Inspiration struck like lightning, and that's how this song was born."
Seventeen then powered through "HBD," another track from the upcoming album, and "HOT," the lead single from the team's fourth album. During "April Shower," a song about a spring downpour, rainbow-colored streams of water fell from Banpo Bridge above, swaying in time with the music.
The water display added to the dazzling spectacle — reflections shimmering across the river while fans turned the bridge into a sea of silver light with their waving light sticks. It was a moment of visual grandeur only possible in the heart of K-pop's birthplace.
Fireworks light up the Seoul sky during K-pop boy band Seventeen's "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage @Jamsu Bridge" concert in Seoul’s Seocho District, Sunday. Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment
Responding to the crowd's energy, Seventeen delivered a nonstop set list of 12 songs, including "Rock with You," "God of Music," "HEADLINER" and "Eyes on You." The show closed with "NICE," the band's customary finale, wrapping up just over an hour of high-energy performance.
Before the final song, a burst of golden fireworks illuminated the night sky above the Han River, casting a celebratory glow over the city and inviting its residents to join the superstar boy band's birthday party.
Seventeen's fifth full-length album, "HAPPY BURSTDAY," is set for release Monday at 6 p.m. The album features three group tracks including "THUNDER," along with solo songs from all 13 members.