K-pop Is Not a Guest at Coachella Anymore, It's a Headliner

Beatriz Passagem
Apr 14
3 min read

Beatriz Passagem - Contributing Writer at TINYGMUSIC | April 14, 2025

For years, Coachella has been a benchmark of global musical relevance, a space where rising stars and genre-defining acts make their mark before an international audience. In 2025, the continued presence of K-pop artists made a resounding statement: Korean acts are no longer novelties at Western festivals, they are necessities.

ENHYPEN - From Global Rookies to Coachella Performers

When ENHYPEN took the stage at Coachella 2025, the desert heat was not the only thing electrifying the crowd. As one of the fastest-rising boy groups in the K-pop scene, their presence at the world-famous music festival may have surprised casual onlookers, but for ENGENEs, it was a moment of pure pride. Coachella, long known for its curation of the hottest and most genre-defining acts in the world, gave ENHYPEN the global spotlight they have more than earned.

Kicking off their set with "Blockbuster," ENHYPEN launched into a tightly executed performance that screamed festival-ready. From the punchy choreography to the commanding vocals, songs like "Blessed-Cursed" and "Pass the MIC" carried the kind of relentless energy that festival crowds feed on. The group’s vocal stability, synchronisation, and stylistic choices, like a on-theme denim-on-denim fits, reflected a group that is more than ready for the global mainstage.

They closed their set strong with "Brought The Heat Back" still full of energy, smiles on their faces, visibly soaking in the moment. What felt like a huge moment for the group was also a larger signpost for the industry: K-pop is not just making guest appearances anymore, it is becoming essential to the festival experience.

ENHYPEN were not alone. BLACKPINK members LISA and JENNIE made separate solo appearances that commanded just as much attention!

LISACHELLA - Owning the Stage, Solo

LISA, the global K-pop sensation and member of BLACKPINK, made a triumphant return to Coachella, this time under her own name. Stepping into the spotlight at the Sahara Tent, the Thai-born artist delivered a powerful solo set that marked a defining moment in her career.

LISA from BLACKPINK performing at Coachella 2025 — LISA performing at Coachella 2025 - Photo Credit: X

Far from a typical performance, LISA’s set was a theatrical exploration of her newly introduced alter egos — Roxi, Kiki, Vixi, Sunni, and Speedi — characters first teased in her debut solo album Alter Ego. Each persona brought a distinct flavour to the show, allowing LISA to navigate a spectrum of styles, moods, and aesthetics in a display of bold creativity and control.

The performance featured hits like the viral track "Money," delivered with explosive charisma and a sharp choreography. But beyond the spectacle, there was a clear evolution on display: LISA as an artist coming fully into her own, she stood onstage as a solo force, owning every beat and transition with confidence.

JENNIE - Understated, Elegant, and Completely in Control

Elsewhere on the Coachella schedule, JENNIE also made waves with her first solo appearance at the festival.

JENNIE brought a different kind of energy: smoother, more soulful, but just as powerful. She stepped into her solo era with confidence, and it showed in every part of her set.

Sharing the stage with Kali Uchis for a duet of "Damn Right," JENNIE delivered a performance that was effortlessly chic and emotionally resonant. Her vocals, stage presence, and styling worked in harmony, crafting a set that felt curated, not constructed, every detail was intentional, every beat true to her evolving solo identity.

Dressed in fashion that mirrored the mood - sleek, minimal, and undeniably JENNIE - she leaned into elegance over extravagance. This was not a loud, over-the-top kind of set. It was clean, intentional, and incredibly effective. JENNIE owned her moment without needing to shout about it.

K-pop's Permanent Place at Coachella

What is striking about Coachella 2025 is not just that K-pop artists are not just being invited, they are being expected. And they are delivering. With performances that matched, if not exceeded, their Western counterparts in production value and fan response, ENHYPEN, LISA, and JENNIE helped redefine what global representation looks like at festivals like Coachella.

As K-pop continues to break through cultural and language barriers, fuelled by massive global fan engagement, its presence on major festival stages is no longer the exception, it is becoming a cornerstone of modern pop culture. And festivals like Coachella? They are finally catching up.

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