Posters for films “SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO CINEMAS," left, and “HYPERFOCUS: TOMORROW X TOGETHER VR CONCERT" / Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment and Amaze VR
Movie theaters are emerging as a new venue for K-pop fans to enjoy performances by their favorite stars. This shift comes as more concert films are being released, filling the gap left by the underwhelming results of recently anticipated blockbusters.
K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN will be releasing the concert film “SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO CINEMAS” on Aug. 14, according to its agency Pledis Entertainment. The movie will follow the group's two-day concert “SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN TO SEOUL,” filmed on April 27 and 28 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, Seoul.
The film will show the 13-piece group's first performance at one of the largest concert venues in Korea, performing songs from its latest album “17 IS RIGHT HERE,” including “MAESTRO,” “LALALI” and “Spell.” The performances are captured through 360-degree cameras and cinematic cameras to offer a full view of the stage.
The concert movie will also be screened in special effect theaters: ScreenX with a 270-degree panoramic screen, 4DX with motion seats and effects and ULTRA 4DX.
“As SEVENTEEN's first concert at World Cup Stadium since their debut, the members proved their reputation as ‘masters of performance' by connecting with about 70,000 audience members over the two days. Such heated atmosphere from the live concert will offer another level of immersion on screen,” the agency said in the release.
K-pop girl group BLACKPINK is also set to release its concert film “BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN CINEMAS,” on July 31, celebrating the eighth anniversary of the group's debut.
The movie will deliver the four-piece act's powerful performances during the finale concert of its world tour “BORN PINK” at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, in September 2023.
K-pop girl group BLACKPINK performs during its world tour “BORN PINK” concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, in a file photo from September 2023. Courtesy of YG Entertainment
The group set a record as the K-pop girl group with the biggest-scale world tour, holding about 66 concerts in 34 different countries and drawing over 1.8 million fans to attend.
The film will also offer the footage from the group's global tour, as well as the spectacles of its finale performance. It is scheduled to be released in theaters across 110 countries.
K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER's first virtual reality (VR) concert film is also set to hit the theaters on July 31.
Titled “HYPERFOCUS: TOMORROW X TOGETHER VR CONCERT,” the movie will show the group performing its hit songs, such as “Sugar Rush Ride” and “Deja Vu" in a VR setting.
“As we contemplated how to more closely communicate with fans, we had the opportunity to participate in a new type of content, so we came to do this VR concert,” the group said in the release. “Just as it was a unique experience for the members, we hope it will be a fantastic memory and experience for the fans as well.”
The film will be screened exclusively at Megabox COEX in Gangnam District, Seoul, and is scheduled to additionally open in five cities in the United States, including Houston, Chicago and New York, starting with Los Angeles on Aug. 8.
Singer and actor Lee Jun-ho's concert film will have an exclusive screening at CGV on July 24, in celebration of the 11th anniversary of his solo debut.
The film, “2024 Lee Junho Concert: The Day We Meet Again” (direct translation), will follow the singer's concert of the same name, held in January at Jamsil Arena in Songpa District, Seoul. It will show the singer performing a set including his self-written songs against the band's live music.