From Aillet to TWICE... This Year's Kohaku Uta Gassen Also Shows 'K-Pop Dominance'

TXT, LE SSERAFIM and 2 More K-Pop Groups Invited

This year again, K-pop is set to heat up Japan's year-end music festival NHK's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen.' Following the inclusion of groups TWICE and LE SSERAFIM on the invitation list, the rise of rookie groups is also remarkable.

Group TWICE. [Photo by JYP Entertainment]

Looking at the list of this year's Kohaku Uta Gassen performers announced by NHK on the 19th, TWICE, LE SSERAFIM, and Aile It are included in the Red Team (female team). On the White Team (male team) list, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) made the cut.

Started in 1951 and marking its 75th edition this year, 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' is a program where the White Team (male) and Red Team (female) compete in singing battles every year at the end of the year. It is a popular Japanese music program boasting a long history and tradition.

As much as the program's popularity and prestige, appearing on Kohaku Uta Gassen itself has been understood as recognition as a top-tier artist in the Japanese music market.

TWICE is performing at Kohaku Uta Gassen for the fifth time, LE SSERAFIM for the third time. Aile It and Tomorrow X Together are making their first appearances.

At a press conference held at NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo, Japan, Tomorrow X Together said, "We are honored to appear on 'Kohaku Uta Gassen.' We have always wanted to stand on this stage someday, and we are truly happy. We will work hard to deliver a wonderful stage and performance fitting for the last day of 2024," expressing their thoughts on the appearance.

Group TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
[Photo by Big Hit Music]

Aile It also said, "We are honored to be able to stand on the big stage of 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' in our debut year. We will show a great performance that can convey energy to everyone, so please look forward to it."

JO1, a group from 'Produce 101 Japan' affiliated with Lapone, a joint venture between CJ ENM and Japan's Yoshimoto Kogyo, and MIAI, a group from 'Produce 101 Japan Girls' affiliated with Lapone Girls, another joint venture between CJ ENM and Yoshimoto Kogyo, are also scheduled to make their first appearances at this year's Kohaku Uta Gassen.