K-pop and hip-hop fans were in for a treat as Kanye West (now known as Ye) made his highly anticipated return to South Korea for the first time in 14 years. The occasion? A special listening party for “Vultures, Volume 2,” his collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign. The event, held on August 23, 2024, was more than just a listening session—it was a full-fledged concert that attracted a star-studded audience.

NewJeans and Other K-pop Icons in Attendance

Among the most talked-about attendees were members of the popular K-pop girl group NewJeans. Minji, Hanni, and Danielle were prominently spotted in the crowd, eagerly awaiting Ye’s performance. Their presence quickly became a topic of buzz, especially when they were seen exchanging greetings with other notable K-pop stars.

2NE1’s iconic members CL and Minzy also made headlines with their appearance. The duo was seen mingling with the NewJeans members, adding to the excitement among fans. The event was a rare gathering of K-pop’s brightest stars, underscoring the global appeal of Kanye West’s music.

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A Star-Studded Event

The event attracted a wide range of celebrities, especially from the K-pop and K-hip-hop scenes. Notable attendees included:

• 2NE1’s CL and Minzy
• aespa’s Giselle and Winter
• Jeon So Mi
• B.I
• TREASURE’s Jihoon, Hyunsuk, Yoshi, Doyoung, and Haruto
• NewJeans’ Minji, Danielle, and Hanni

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For the Korean fans present, the listening party was an unforgettable experience. Kanye West delivered an extraordinary 2.5-hour performance, during which he performed a medley of 77 of his songs. This marathon performance was a highlight for many, as it’s rare even at his own concerts.

The Rise of NewJeans: K-pop’s New Generation Leaders

NewJeans is a South Korean girl group that has quickly become one of the most influential acts in K-pop. The group, composed of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, debuted on July 22, 2022, with their hit single “Attention.” The track dominated South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart, securing the number-one spot.

Their follow-up single, “Hype Boy,” set a record as the longest-running song on the Billboard Global 200 by a K-pop female act. The group’s name, NewJeans, symbolizes their aim to create a timeless image, similar to the enduring appeal of jeans, while also representing a new generation of pop music.

Their success has been meteoric. Their second EP, “Get Up,” topped the US Billboard 200 and sold over one million copies in South Korea. The lead single, “Super Shy,” became their highest-charting track on both the Billboard Global 200 and the US Billboard Hot 100. The group has won numerous rookie awards and has been featured in prestigious lists like Time’s Next Generation Leaders and Forbes’s Korea Power Celebrity 40. In 2023, IFPI named NewJeans the eighth best-selling artist worldwide.

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