Fans of the popular band Coldplay were treated to an unexpected surprise during their concert in Seoul, South Korea, on April 16, 2025. The iconic British rock band welcomed K-pop sensation Twice on stage, where the nine-member girl group performed a new version of Coldplay's song "We Pray." This collaboration, which features a new verse sung in Korean, marks a significant moment in the intersection of Western and K-pop music.
Coldplay shared a clip from the concert on social media, announcing that the track, titled "🎵✨ WE PRAY - TWICE Version," is set to be released at midnight on April 18 in Seoul (11 a.m. EST). The excitement among fans was palpable, with many taking to social media to express their joy. One fan exclaimed, "MY FAVORITE BAND WITH MY FAVORITE GIRLGROUP! this feels like a beautiful dream ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜." Another commented, "This is actually INSANE!!!" while others referred to the collaboration as "The collab we didn’t know we needed."
In a world where music genres often collide, this partnership between Coldplay and Twice highlights the growing influence of K-pop on the global stage. The performance showcased the vocal talents of Twice members Jihyo, Jeongyeon, Nayeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, who all contributed to the new rendition of the beloved song. Fans were quick to express their pride, stating, "I’m so proud of my girls," and praising their vocal prowess with comments like, "Their vocals are on fire."
Meanwhile, over in California, the Japanese Hip-hop/R&B group XG made headlines at Coachella 2025, where they delivered a groundbreaking performance as the first Japanese female group to headline the Sahara Stage. Taking place during the festival's first weekend from April 11 to April 13, XG's set was a vibrant blend of genres that captivated the audience.
Taking the stage as the closing act, XG's performance was a historic milestone for Asian representation in the music industry. They opened with a powerful fusion of their tracks "HESONOO + X-GENE" from their debut mini-album, NEW DNA, instantly igniting the crowd with their dynamic choreography and unique fashion. The seven-member group, dressed in custom-designed outfits, showcased a blend of style and energy that resonated deeply with the audience.
Among their setlist was the viral hit "WOKE UP," which dominated the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart for nine consecutive weeks and topped YouTube trending charts in 19 countries, including the U.S. The intensity of their performance only escalated with tracks like "GRL GVNG," which became the first Japanese song to reach the top of Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart powered by X (formerly Twitter).
During their performance, group members CHISA and MAYA engaged the audience with enthusiasm, with CHISA cheerfully asking, "What’s up Coachella?" and MAYA expressing their excitement about finally being at the festival. Their warm interactions amplified the electric atmosphere, making the performance even more memorable.
A standout moment came with the surprise debut of a new performance titled "SHINOBI (DANCE BREAK)," inspired by traditional ninja themes and featuring masked dancers alongside an intense visual spectacle. XG continued to impress with hits like "LEFT RIGHT," which holds the record for the longest-charting track by an Asian girl group on Mediabase’s Top 40 Radio Airplay Chart, and their newest single "IN THE RAIN," released just two days before their Coachella appearance.
Their set also included dance-heavy tracks like "TGIF," "PUPPET SHOW," and the fan-favorite "IYKYK." The performance of "IS THIS LOVE," a global anthem for Shiseido’s Anessa campaign, drew roaring applause from the crowd, further solidifying XG's place in the hearts of festival-goers. The set concluded with the anthemic "SHOOTING STAR," wrapping up a thrilling 13-song, one-hour performance that featured a live band and bespoke stage design.
The impact of XG's performance extended beyond the festival grounds, as the concert was streamed live on YouTube, generating a wave of global reactions. The hashtag #XGCHELLA quickly climbed into the Top 5 global trends on X, hitting #2 in the U.S. and trending in over ten other countries. Following their success at Coachella, XG is scheduled to return to the Sahara Stage for Weekend 2 on April 20, 2025.
This performance is part of their ongoing XG 1st WORLD TOUR "The First HOWL," which spans 47 shows in 35 cities across 18 countries. The tour, which began in Japan in May 2024, is approaching its grand finale at the Tokyo Dome on May 14, 2025, coinciding with the release of their new single "MILLION PLACES."
Both Coldplay and XG exemplify the evolving landscape of music, where collaborations across cultures are becoming the norm rather than the exception. As fans eagerly anticipate the release of the new version of "We Pray" and XG's return to Coachella, it's clear that the fusion of different musical styles and backgrounds is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse global music scene.
