On December 19, 2025, the K-pop group THE BOYZ took center stage at the 2025 KBS Ga-yo Grand Festival, delivering a performance that not only electrified fans in attendance but also captivated viewers tuning in from around the globe. This annual year-end festival, a staple in South Korea’s pop music calendar, promises spectacle and star power each December, but this year’s event saw THE BOYZ raising the bar with a series of innovative and emotionally charged performances.
The group, known for their dynamic choreography and tight vocal harmonies, showcased both their versatility and unity by presenting a blend of unit and full-group stages. According to Newsen, the night kicked off with a special unit performance featuring members Juyeon, Q, and Sunwoo. The trio took on Justin Timberlake’s classic “Like I Love You,” infusing the original’s iconic groove with their own brand of sophistication and flair. The stage was, as News1 described, "a feast for the eyes and ears," as the members layered special emotions and a cool mood atop the familiar rhythm, drawing cheers from both the live audience and viewers at home.
But THE BOYZ didn’t stop there. The group quickly transitioned to a full-ensemble performance of “Rock and Roll,” a standout track from their third full-length album, Unexpected, released earlier this year. The performance built anticipation from the opening notes, with Younghoon setting the tone before Q, Hyunjae, and Juyeon took over the intro, their vocals blending seamlessly. The rest of the group soon joined, unleashing a wave of energy that rippled through the crowd. As reported by Newsen, their “powerful ensemble and unique charm” were on full display, with the performance culminating in a show of strength and unity that has become a hallmark of THE BOYZ’s live shows.
What set this particular appearance apart was the way THE BOYZ managed to weave these different stages into a single, cohesive narrative. Rather than presenting disjointed numbers, the group moved fluidly from unit to group performances, maintaining a steady escalation of excitement and engagement. As News1 noted, “THE BOYZ once again proved their wide performance spectrum at this year’s festival, seamlessly completing stages with various member compositions and highlighting the team’s unique command and energy.”
Audience members were especially taken by the group’s ability to balance restraint and intensity. The choreography for “Rock and Roll” was described as a blend of "controlled sexiness and powerful group movements," which heightened the sense of immersion and drew a passionate response from the crowd. It’s not every day that a performance at a festival—where artists often have limited time to make an impression—manages to leave such a lasting mark, but THE BOYZ’s stage presence and chemistry did just that.
It’s worth noting that the group’s performance was not just a showcase of technical skill, but also a testament to their growth and adaptability. Since their debut, THE BOYZ have been recognized for their ability to experiment with different musical styles and concepts, and their appearance at the 2025 KBS Ga-yo Grand Festival was no exception. By tackling a Western pop hit like “Like I Love You” and transitioning smoothly into their own original material, the group demonstrated both respect for musical tradition and a willingness to innovate.
For fans, these performances were more than just entertainment—they were a celebration of a year’s worth of achievements and a promise of more to come. The group’s participation in the festival underscored their status as one of K-pop’s leading acts, capable of captivating audiences with both new and familiar material. As Newsen put it, "THE BOYZ delivered a presence befitting a year-end music festival, offering joy to viewers at home."
Of course, the energy and excitement of the night weren’t confined to a single date. THE BOYZ are already slated to continue their year-end run with another major appearance at the 2025 SBS Ga-yo Grand Festival, scheduled for December 25. This back-to-back presence at two of the country’s most prominent music festivals highlights the group’s enduring appeal and the high demand for their performances during the most festive time of the year.
In the broader context of K-pop, such festival appearances are more than mere concerts—they’re a chance for groups to reflect on the past year, connect with fans, and set the tone for the year ahead. For THE BOYZ, the 2025 KBS Ga-yo Grand Festival was an opportunity to reaffirm their identity as a group that thrives on both collaboration and individuality. Their ability to alternate between unit and full-group performances, each with its own distinct flavor, speaks to the depth of talent within the team and the careful planning that goes into their stages.
It’s also a reminder of the power of live performance in an era where much of music consumption happens online. The thrill of seeing a group like THE BOYZ command the stage, interact with the crowd, and deliver a performance that feels both spontaneous and meticulously rehearsed is something that can’t be replicated through a screen alone. As News1 observed, “THE BOYZ’s full lineup attracted attention with their unique charm and powerful stage presence during the performance.”
Looking ahead, fans are already buzzing with anticipation for what THE BOYZ will bring to the SBS Ga-yo Grand Festival. If their recent performance is any indication, it’s likely to be another display of artistry, energy, and showmanship that will keep them at the forefront of the K-pop scene. As the year draws to a close, THE BOYZ have once again proven that they’re not just performers—they’re artists who know how to make every moment on stage count.
With each stage, THE BOYZ continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in live K-pop performance, blending innovation with tradition and leaving audiences eager for whatever comes next.
