TWICE heats up Coldplay concert with parade of hits, teases own tour

K-pop group TWICE performs a medley of hits as the opening act for Coldplay’s Korea concert. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

K-pop girl group TWICE lit up the opening stage for British band Coldplay’s Korea concert with a 40-minute set packed with their biggest hits, including “TT,” “Cheer Up,” and “Alcohol-Free.”

During the performance, the members surprised fans by hinting at an upcoming solo concert planned for later this year.

TWICE is appearing as a special guest at all six shows of Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour” in Korea, held at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province, from April 16 to 19 and 22 to 25. It is Coldplay’s first return to Korea in eight years, and anticipation has run high.

On the first night, TWICE took the stage about an hour and 20 minutes before Coldplay’s scheduled set at 8 p.m., opening with “Set Me Free” and “Fancy.” Greeting the audience, the members joked that their in-ear monitors made it hard to hear fans singing along and playfully expressed their disappointment.

Rock band Coldplay kicks off their first Korea concert in eight years with a surprise duet performance with a fan. Courtesy of Live Nation Korea

“We’re honored to open for Coldplay’s concert in Korea,” said Nayeon, addressing the crowd from center stage. “Are you ready to fill the venue with energy before the main act begins?” The group continued with a string of fan favorites including “Feel Special,” “What Is Love?,” “Heart Shaker,” “Talk That Talk,” and “Dance the Night Away,” prompting loud singalongs from the audience.

Sana commented on the crowd’s energy, saying, “We could hear your voices throughout the set and thought, ‘Wow, Coldplay fans are incredible.’” As the atmosphere heated up, the group noted that the performance felt like their own concert. “We’re really enjoying this stage like it’s our own show,” she said.

Nayeon added, “Thank you to all the Coldplay fans for sincerely enjoying our stage,” while Tzuyu shared, “We’re truly grateful to be opening for artists we admire so much. This will be an unforgettable memory.”

She then asked the audience, “Will you come to our concert too? We’re planning to hold one this year, so please join us,” drawing cheers from fans.

K-pop girl group TWICE / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

In a surprise moment during the main concert, TWICE returned to the stage for a joint performance of “We Pray” with Coldplay and fellow opener Elyanna, a rising Arab pop star who also performed.

Standing beside Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin during the piano-driven finale, TWICE and Elyanna sang the chorus, leaving fans with a lasting impression.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.