H.O.T. reunion will soon thrill longtime fans as the legendary first-generation K-pop group prepares to return to the stage. On Wednesday, Hanteo Global announced that the group will headline the Hanteo Music Festival in Seoul on September 6–7. This event will take place at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, which can host between 50,000 and 60,000 attendees. Notably, the massive venue has previously featured only top-tier performers such as IU, Seventeen, and Lim Young-woong.
Furthermore, the Hanteo Music Festival is a newly launched event created by Hanteo Global, South Korea’s leading music chart authority. Its goal is to bring together idol groups from all K-pop generations.
Importantly, the H.O.T. reunion on this stage marks their first full-group performance in six years. Their last appearance as a complete group occurred in 2019. Now, the members will reunite for a 60-minute set that organizers say will feel like a full concert.
Moreover, Hanteo Global emphasized the significance of the second day of the festival. September 7 will mark exactly 29 years since H.O.T. debuted in 1996. A representative stated that Hanteo’s 33-year history of trust built over the years made this performance possible.
In addition, organizers will gradually announce more artists joining the festival. H.O.T. originally debuted under SM Entertainment and consists of five members: Moon Hee-jun, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An, Kangta, and Lee Jae-won. The group’s name stands for High-five of Teenagers.
During the late 1990s, the band achieved explosive popularity among youth. Their debut album We Hate All Kinds Of Violence became the first K-pop idol album to sell over two million copies.
With hit tracks like Candy, Happiness, and We Are the Future, H.O.T. set the blueprint for modern K-pop idol success. Their influence extended beyond Korea, as shown by their 2000 solo concert in Beijing.
Although the group disbanded in 2001, fans saw their first H.O.T. reunion on stage again in 2018 at Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium. They followed up with another group show in 2019 at Gocheok Sky Dome.
Now, their return at the Hanteo Music Festival marks a powerful comeback that blends nostalgia with celebration. Therefore, fans old and new are expected to gather for this historic K-pop moment.
