On December 20, 2023, the highly anticipated '2024 KBS Gayo Daechukje Global Festival' was held at KINTEX, featuring performances from various generations of artists and marking the beginning of the year-end awards season.
A standout moment came when babyvoxx reunited on stage for the first time in 14 years, captivating fans with their hit songs including 'Get Up' and 'Killer.' Despite being all in their 40s, the members showcased their impressive dance skills and impeccable live vocals, proving their ability to shine alongside younger groups like Kiss of Life. The collaboration between these two girl groups highlighted the evolution of the girl crush concept from its inception to the present.
Yoon Eun-hye expressed her gratitude about the reunion, saying, 'I’ve spent the last two weeks with the members, and tomorrow I’ll want to see them again. I'm grateful for the chance to have such wonderful time together.' Fellow member Han Mi-yeon added, 'Thanks to the '2024 Gayo Daechukje,' I had such good time dancing and laughing with the members. I'm thankful.' Meanwhile, Shim Eun-jin shared her admiration for the hard work of her fellow members, saying she loved them for their effort and dedication to preparing the performance.
The festival was hosted by popular singer Zico, Ive's Jang Won-young, and actor Kim Young-dae, making it a star-studded affair. Performers also included NCT 127, NCT DREAM, Enhypen, Aespa, (G)I-DLE, and many more, showcasing diverse line-ups and high-energy stages.
IVE, the rising 'MZ wannabe icon,' also drew attention at the festival, presenting several engaging performances. Group member Jang Won-young teamed up with Zinooshun to deliver 'Tell Me,' perfectly capturing the 90s sentiment. Later, IVE performed 'Blue Heart'—Jang Won-young's solo songwriting effort—alongside 'Heya,' enchanting audiences with sophisticated visuals and powerful dances.
IVE's 'Blue Heart' made its debut at the festival, offering both fans and critics insight on the poignant message within the lyrics, emphasizing resilience and hope. Dressed in stunning outfits resembling butterflies under the sea, the group mesmerized viewers with their exquisite artistry and harmonies, especially when Liz joined other artists to recreate g.o.d's 'Road,' eliciting emotional responses with her beautiful voice.
The 2024 Gayo Daechukje signifies the start of South Korea's busy awards season, kicking off with the KBS event, followed closely by the SBS and MBC Awards. Upcoming events include the '2024 SBS Entertainment Awards' and 'KBS Entertainment Awards', both scheduled for December 21, providing audiences with even more entertainment options. On December 25, the '2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon' will occur unusually on a weekday, promising to continue the festive celebrations.
Following the party atmosphere, on the 29th of December, MBC will hold the '2024 MBC Broadcasting Entertainment Awards,' and the next day, the '2024 MBC Acting Awards,' wrapping up the year with flair. Finally, on December 31, all three major broadcasting companies, KBS, MBC, and SBS, will take part in year-end celebrations ranging from awards shows to entertainment specials as the year transitions to 2024.
