'SMTOWN LIVE 2022' Recap: TVXQ Hints at Comeback, GOT Debut with 'Step Back,' SM New Units Perform + Concert Surpasses 51M Streams
"SMTOWN LIVE 2022: SMCU EXPRESS at KWANGYA" has successfully ended! At the concert, SM Entertainment artists completed the event with their incredible stages, as well as new units debut and announcement of TVXQ's return this year!
On Jan. 1, "SMTOWN LIVE 2022: SMCU Express@KWANGYA" was broadcast free of charge around the world through global platforms exclusively for YouTube and Beyond Live, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch.
Here's a Recap of the 'SMTOWN LIVE 2022: SMCU EXPRESS@KWANGYA'
At the annual concert, top lineup drew massive attention following the stages of their previous releases in 2021. From Kangta, BoA, Super Junior's hit medley, Girls' Generation Taeyeon & Hyoyeon solo performances to SHINee Onew, Key and Minho, EXO Kai, Red Velvet, NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV Kun & Xiaojun, and aespa's presentation of their hit tracks, every production number caught the eye of K-pop enthusiasts all over the globe.
Another highlight of the concert were the collaborations of multiple artists under the company. In particular, BoA and NCT Shotaro's performed the former's hit song, "Only One."
SHINee's Key and Girls' Generation's Taeyeon also showcased a live stage of their collaboration song, "Hate That..." while senior and junior artists SNSD Hyoyeon and aespa Giselle's "Second," Hyoyeon and Yangyang's "Dessert" and SHINee Onew and aespa NingNing's "Way" attracted viewers with their warm chemistry, too.
In addition, new SM units also debuted. "SM Balladeers" Super Junior Kyuhyun, SHINee Onew, and NCT Taeil's showcased their first live stage of "Ordinary Day" along with the "Rap Unit" NCT Taeyong, Jeno, Hendery, Yangyang and aespa Giselle who showed off a special stage of "Zoo."
ALSO READ: Girls on Top (GOT) to Possibly Have New Lineup Every Comeback — Is it a 'Hybrid' of SuperM and NCT U Concepts?
On top of that, Girls on Top: GOT The Beat, the first unit of the performance-based group of SM Entertainment, also debuted with a powerful dance track, "Step Back."
Pink Bloods' (fandom of SM Entertainment artists as a whole) curiosity was also piqued after NingNing and SHINee Minho hinted at their connection with naevis, a significant character from the "Metaverse Origin Story" created by SM Entertainment.
Lastly, through a VCR, TVXQ! 2022 was unveiled, which hinted at a possible comeback or release of the duo after four years of hiatus. MAX Changmin, who is set to return as a soloist in January, performed his sidetrack "Fever" as a pre-release, raising expectations.
'SMTOWN LIVE 2022' Breaks Own Records as Most-Viewed Korean Online Concert After Reaching 51M Streams
SM Entertainment announced the success of the free online concert on January 2.
"SMTOWN LIVE 2022: SMCU EXPRESS@KWANGYA " concert recorded about 51 million streams in 161 regions around the world based on the online concert platform "Beyond Live." This is 1.4 times the number of streaming (35.83 million) of the same performance held last year."
Also, fans from 161 regions around the world reportedly watched SM Entertainment's online concert.
The concert was organized as a free performance to conform fans around the world amid the prolonged COVID-19, and to convey hope against the backdrop of "SMCU Express Station," where all artists gather in a virtual space called "KWANGYA."
READ MORE: From aespa to EXO to NCT Dream: What is the Connection of 'KWANGYA' and These Groups in SM Culture Universe?
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Written by Eunice Dawson
