Throwback Thursday: Best Award Show Performances
We are back with another Throwback Thursday! Previously, we covered the best collaboration stages; this time we’re looking at some of the best award show performances done by a group or artist. Award shows bring some of the biggest stages of the year, so here are some of the best that have broadcasted.
CL & The 2NE1 Reunion We All Needed
The 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards was truly an award ceremony to remember. During the height of her solo career, CL made sure to bring all the fire and heat to the Hong Kong stage. The 2NE1 leader brought her charisma and energy with her song “Hello Bi*ches” by having a grand entrance with motorcycles and The Royal Family crew from the music video dancing alongside her. But the true gem that shocked many around the world was when CL brought out all the 2NE1 members for a reunion stage. Fans had been wondering when the powerhouse girl group would be making a comeback together, and wishes were granted when the group performed “Fire” and “I Am The Best.” But this bittersweet stage marked the return of Park Bom after a lengthy hiatus and also the last time all the 2NE1 members would stand together as four. Not long after, Minzy announced her departure from the group with their disbandment following soon after. Nonetheless, 2NE1 is forever immortalized as one of the best girl groups in K-Pop and went out with a bang for their final performance together.
IU’s Touching “Dear Name”
Sometimes the best stages are the simplest. Fans worldwide know IU is a definite force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Although she does not promote as actively as when she first started out, she makes sure that whenever she does perform, she leaves a lasting impression. During the 2017 MelOn Music Awards, IU lit up the stage in one of the most touching and endearing ways possible. For “Dear Name,” she shared the stage with aspiring musicians, giving them a chance to perform on a large scale. She gave these musicians half of the stage and let them sing along to her song as she fondly listened to them. These musicians also had a chance to tell the audience their names and to remember them as they continue on their journeys in music. Instead of making the stage about her, IU gave these musicians a platform for them to be recognized. Regardless of fandom, those in attendance made sure to have their lightsticks shining brightly and to wave them throughout the song, cheering as loudly as possible for the performers.
BTS & The Billboard Music Awards
While BTS has performed on several award shows with grand stages, we simply cannot skip the group’s stage from the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. It was their first comeback stage for hit single “Fake Love.” It was hard to choose between this and their performance at the 2017 American Music Awards. However, 2018 marked such a great year for BTS. The performance proved that BTS isn’t just some boy group from South Korea; they are one of the biggest boy groups in the world. Getting to perform on such a grand stage like the Billboard Music Awards was a great achievement. Those who were in attendance—regular attendees and celebrities alike—were hyped for their performance. Now, we will patiently wait to see BTS stand on stage and receive an award at the GRAMMYs in the future.
EXO & The Winter Olympics 2018 Closing Ceremony
While this isn’t an award show performance, EXO performed on one of the biggest world stages at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics this year. EXO is another boy group with many accomplishments and award stages, but nothing can really compare to their stage in Pyeongchang. It definitely put K-Pop on the map, showing that there is an untapped reserve of groups that many across the world are missing out on. EXO’s stage blended traditional musical elements—thanks to Kai’s introduction— with technology through their “Call Me Baby” and “Power” stages. It is quite a feat to be able to say you have performed during the Olympic closing ceremony.