BIGBANG fills Tottenham Stadium with 'group singing' after selling out Paris... BBC "The kings of K-pop have returned" [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Before BTS and BLACKPINK, there was BIGBANG" BBC on BIGBANG filling Tottenham: "The kings of K-pop have returned"

The group BIGBANG filled London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the UK, completing a meaningful stage for their 20th-anniversary world tour. The UK's BBC focused on BIGBANG's London concert, titling an article: "Before BTS and BLACKPINK, there was BIGBANG. Now, the kings of K-pop have returned."

BIGBANG held 'BIGBANG 2026 WORLD TOUR [XX : COSMOS]' at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the UK on the 26th (local time). This is part of a world tour commemorating BIGBANG's 20th anniversary since their debut in 2006. The European tour followed Paris's Stade de France on September 19 and continued to London.

The UK's BBC published a lengthy article spotlighting the group immediately after the London concert.

BBC described the London venue as filled with yellow crown-shaped light sticks and thousands of fans singing along in Korean. As the powerful synth sound of 'Fantastic Baby,' which kicked off the performance, echoed through the stadium, cheers erupted from the crowd, creating an atmosphere nearly at full capacity.

During this concert, BIGBANG performed signature hits including 'Bang Bang Bang,' 'Haru Haru,' 'Lies,' 'Blue,' 'Bad Boy,' and 'Bang Bang Bang' after opening with 'Fantastic Baby.' G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung each presented their own solo stages. Later in the show, they followed up with 'My Heaven,' 'Last Farewell,' 'Flower Road,' and 'Let's Not Fall in Love.'

BBC noted that the group has returned, having proven the potential for K-pop's overseas success far earlier than BTS and BLACKPINK. According to the article, BIGBANG became the first K-pop group to win a trophy at a major Western awards ceremony at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards, and their 2012 Wembley Arena European debut show sold out in just two hours for its first run, prompting additional dates.

In 2016, they became the first K-pop artists to appear on Forbes' Celebrity 100 list. Haekyung Um, a senior lecturer in music at the University of Liverpool, stated that unlike previous generations who remained confined to the Asian market, BIGBANG were true international stars. Just as Michael Jackson is called the 'King of Pop,' she said they should be referred to as the 'Kings of K-pop.'

The BBC reporter, who personally attended the 2012 Wembley concert, pointed out the changed atmosphere. Unlike that time when they were promoting a new album and trying to prove themselves, this night was more like a festival organized for fans.

It is evaluated that songs were rearranged to fit the three-member lineup, competing with dazzling set designs through pyrotechnics, live bands, and stage dominance. Outside the venue, fans exchanged handmade gifts and photocards, while volunteer fan groups distributed approximately 35,000 custom-made banners throughout the stadium, raising them in unison during specific songs. The yellow crown-shaped light stick 'Bang Bong,' created at G-Dragon's suggestion, also drew attention; BBC noted this became the prototype for K-pop light stick culture.

The audience was diverse. Sharon, a fan from Singapore, said BIGBANG did not follow the standardized 'K-pop pretty boy' formula but pushed forward with more powerful music and hip-hop elements, calling them a pioneer to her. Annie, who flew in from New York, stated that their journey through adversity gave greater meaning to their music. Gemma, who came from Edinburgh wearing a jacket she made by hand with her daughter, revealed she discovered BIGBANG through T.O.P from 'Squid Game' and fell in love with K-pop. Kevin, an overseas Korean fan, recalled that while there was a strong tendency to imitate the West at the time, BIGBANG fully maintained their own identity.

While they did not directly mention the departure of two former members on stage, the absence was clear. When T.O.P's recorded voice echoed through the stadium during the final song 'Still Life,' a wave of emotional tears spread through the audience seats, according to BBC. During the encore, G-Dragon expressed emotion, saying he never expected their music would remain so relevant even 14 years after their London debut. Amid fireworks lighting up the night sky, the three members joined hands and bowed deeply to the crowd.

BBC described that day's venue as a scene where yellow crown-shaped light sticks waved like waves and thousands sang along in Korean. The performance began with the powerful synth melody of 'FANTASTIC BABY' echoing through a stadium nearly at full capacity, and before the members even appeared, chants for 'BANG BANG BANG' rang out first, triggering cheers. During the 2008 ballad 'Haru Haru,' the entire stadium joined in group singing. Other signature hits like 'LOSER' and 'Lies' followed, and G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung each performed solo stages showcasing their individual personalities. The recently released new song 'BiiiG' also took the stage, demonstrating the tour's concept of connecting the past with the present.

Reactions continued on X (formerly Twitter) immediately after the concert. One fan posted a video with the message: "London showed up for BigBang," while the official BIGBANG fan account noted that Tottenham Stadium is enormous, spanning four levels, calling it an incredible party. Other accounts shared the BBC article, highlighting the passage about BIGBANG being pioneers who expanded K-pop beyond Asia.

After the concert, photos of BLACKPINK's Jisoo with the three members backstage in London also became a topic of discussion. Although Jisoo was not part of that night's performance lineup, the four appeared relaxed and playful in photos shared the following day. Singapore's IBTimes focused on the meeting of two generations of artists sharing the same YG history.

Reactions to the earlier Paris concert were reported by French K-pop specialty media. The Stade de France, with a capacity of over 80,000 seats, served as BIGBANG's first stage there. K World titled its live report 'A Miracle After 20 Years,' reporting that the performance began as the first note of 'FANTASTIC BABY' rang out and fans' light sticks turned the stadium into a golden wave. KPOP in PARIS wrote that during performances of 'Blue,' 'LOSER,' and 'IF YOU…,' members came down close to the audience to meet fans, and Daesung shouted "On y va!" (Let's go!) throughout the show in awkward French. It also added that more than 20 dancers and a live band filled the stage.

After completing their European schedule, BIGBANG is scheduled to conclude their grand tour of 31 shows starting with Taipei, Taiwan on the 10th–11th of next month, then visiting Singapore, Hanoi, Sydney, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Japan, before wrapping up in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on the 27th–28 next year.

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*This content was translated by AI.