KBS announced on November 28 that actor-singer Lee Jun-young and Jang Won-young of IVE will be hosting both nights of the highly anticipated 2025 Music Bank Global Festival in Japan, taking place on December 13-14 at Tokyo’s National Stadium. According to Yonhap News, this will be the first K-pop concert held at the iconic 60,000-capacity venue, which has previously hosted major events like soccer matches and the Olympics. The festival will feature approximately 24 top K-pop acts, marking a historic milestone in the Japanese invasion of Korean music.
Jang returns as the Music Bank festival MC for the fourth consecutive year, while Lee brings his rising star power, having gained significant attention through his roles in popular dramas like The Tale of Lady Ok. Their dynamic pairing is sure to elevate the event, which has already generated buzz for its stellar lineup and venue choice.
Day 1: RIIZE, ATEEZ, ITZY Lead the Charge
The first day of the festival, December 13, will feature 11 acts, including RIIZE, ATEEZ, ITZY, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), ENHYPEN, NMIXX, BOYNEXTDOOR, ILLIT, KickFlip, Hearts2Hearts, and a special guest performance by J-pop group Snow Man. This lineup brings together K-pop powerhouses from the fourth and fifth generations, blending their immense popularity with crossover appeal to Japanese audiences. ATEEZ and ITZY, who dominated the 2024 Music Bank festival, will once again deliver high-energy performances.
Tickets for the ¥22,000 ($140 USD) seated event are already in high demand, and the stadium’s unprecedented K-pop booking underscores Japan’s growing embrace of major K-pop agencies like HYBE and JYP, whose artists have recently topped local charts.
Day 2: Stray Kids, Yunho, IVE Explode
On December 14, the festival will escalate with 13 acts: TVXQ’s Yunho, Stray Kids, IVE, &TEAM, xikers, ZEROBASEONE, TWS, NCT WISH, NEXZ, izna, KiiiKiii, CORTIS, and NiziU. The second day will be headlined by Stray Kids, fresh off their RIAA platinum certification, alongside IVE, whose MC Jang will share the stage with her group for maximum fan service.
Stray Kids, having gained international recognition, and IVE, with their massive fanbase, will provide thrilling performances, while Japanese acts like NiziU and &TEAM will ensure the cultural fusion at the heart of the festival. The event will also offer VIP upgrades for closer encounters with the artists.
MC Chemistry: Lee Jun-young and Jang Won-young Spark Magic
The chemistry between Lee Jun-young and Jang Won-young is set to ignite the stage, with Lee bringing his charismatic gravitas — honed through over 20 drama roles — and Jang contributing her polished idol poise, built through years of hosting Music Bank. Fans are especially excited for the potential banter between the two, with many anticipating fireworks as Jang’s IVE takes the stage on Day 2.
The 2025 Music Bank Global Festival will be broadcasted on December 30 at 8:30 PM KST on KBS 2TV, allowing fans worldwide to enjoy the spectacle, even if they couldn’t secure a ticket to the sold-out shows.
Stay tuned for more updates and news on this electrifying event.