Last year at this time, the members of K-pop sensation Le Sserafim were huddled around a Coachella livestream, watching Blackpink's historic performance as the first Korean headliner. Fast forward to this Saturday, and they were in their own artist trailer, getting ready for their Coachella debut. "Coachella was a distant dream, even as spectators," said Huh Yunjin, a member of the groundbreaking HYBE girl group. "Watching acts like Blackpink and Billie Eilish online, we thought, 'It would be amazing to stand on a stage like this one day.'"
For Kim Chaewon, Coachella was also a dream opportunity, as she mentioned, "It's a very famous festival in Korea as well. For a lot of artists there, it’s a dream opportunity."
This year, that dream came true for a new wave of Korean acts. Following Blackpink’s rise to the top, Coachella is now embracing the next generation of K-pop and South Korean music. While the festival's lineup has always shifted between genres, from classic rock to EDM to rap and pop, it seems that South Korean music has become a new core element of Coachella's identity.
On Friday night, Ateez, a K-pop group already selling out arenas in the U.S., delivered an explosive performance to many fans experiencing them live for the first time. "When I was training, I really looked forward to this kind of big festival," said Ateez’s captain Kim Hongjoong. "Coachella has a lot of iconic stages, and Korean fans really love to see Beyoncé, the Weeknd, and Blackpink perform here. I think our performance style really fits at this huge festival. I’ve waited a long time for this."
The group left everything on the stage that night, singing, rapping, and dancing with a ferocity and skill that demonstrated the hard work they've put in. While headlining Coachella may still be a dream for them, Ateez is leading a new wave of Korean acts striving for that goal.
For Kim Woosung, lead singer of the Korean rock band The Rose, Coachella felt like a hometown show, having spent much of his childhood in the Valley. "I personally always loved Coachella," Woosung said. "Performing here was always a goal for us, after our first international festival run we left so inspired by the vibe. It’s a dream to be here on stage just one year later."
The Rose's sound is reminiscent of richly detailed, expansive rock bands like U2 and the 1975. Hits like “Back to Me” and “You’re Beautiful” resonate on their own terms and have taken the group to venues like The Forum in Inglewood. Woosung recently collaborated with BTS' Suga and the late Ryuichi Sakamoto on the song "Snooze." Their magic-hour Sunday set on the Outdoor stage showcased a different side of Korean music, appealing to new audiences beyond the K-pop scene.
The variety of Korean music at Coachella extends even further, with longtime Goldenvoice affiliates 88 Rising hosting a Mojave Tent set called “Futures,” highlighting emerging pan-Asian talent that often includes Korean acts. South Korean DJ and producer Peggy Gou found success in underground club music, outside the K-pop scene, with her single “(It Goes Like) Nanana” becoming a TikTok sensation. Gou has also become a sought-after fashion model and, with her debut LP, “I Hear You,” is on her way to becoming a major crossover success in house music.
Saturday night saw Le Sserafim making their mark on Coachella. Dressed in custom Nicolas Ghesquière leather, the group performed electrifying Afro-Latin tracks like “Antifragile” and even brought out Chic legend Nile Rodgers for their collaboration “Unforgiven” — a huge endorsement from someone admired by previous Sahara Tent legends Daft Punk and Avicii.
“We only met him in person for the first time yesterday,” Yunjin said. “It was absolutely crazy to work with him. He taught us that when you collaborate, you never want to take away from that person. You always want to add. There are so many acts that came before us that we have so much gratitude for.”
The group's music is refreshingly candid about the pressures young women face in K-pop, a sentiment that resonates with many young fans. Despite forming in 2022, the packed Sahara Tent suggests that SoCal will be seeing much more of Le Sserafim in the future.
“After this, we really want to go to the beach in Santa Monica,” Yunjin said. “And we hear L.A. has a pretty great K-town.”
Login