H.O.T. to reunite as full group after 6 years for Hanteo Music Festival

K-pop group H.O.T. reunites for the first time in six years. Courtesy of SALT Innovation

Iconic first-generation K-pop group H.O.T. is reuniting as a full group for the first time in six years, marking a major milestone ahead of their 30th debut anniversary.

Hanteo Global announced on Wednesday that H.O.T. will perform as the headliner for the inaugural Hanteo Music Festival, set to take place at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sept. 6 and 7.

As headliners, the group is scheduled to deliver a solo-style performance lasting over 60 minutes. This marks their first complete group performance since 2019 and comes at a significant time, with their 30th anniversary just around the corner.

Notably, Sept. 7 will also mark exactly 29 years since their debut, making the moment even more symbolic.

The Hanteo Music Festival, being held for the first time this year, is expected to be a historic celebration of Korean music. According to Hanteo Global, the lineup will span K-pop acts from the first to fifth generation, offering a panoramic view of the genre’s evolution.

Hanteo Global, the organizer of the event, has operated the real-time Hanteo Chart for the past 33 years and has played a central role in the development of the K-pop industry.

“This will be a landmark festival in K-pop history,” the company said. “Starting with H.O.T., the full lineup of performing artists will be revealed in stages.”

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