Lisbon Lives the K-pop Age of Exploration at Music Bank in Lisbon 2025

Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | October 10, 2025

When Music Bank World Tour swept into Lisbon on September 27, 2025, the vibe at MEO Arena was nothing short of electric, an atmosphere befitting the tour’s official theme, the “K-POP Age of Exploration.” This concept symbolised K-pop’s rising cultural voyage across the globe, inviting fans to celebrate the genre’s universal reach and its growing community of international devotees. 

Music Bank World Tour Lands in Lisbon: A New K-pop Milestone at MEO Arena

Lisbon was proud to host some of South Korean pop’s most electrifying acts. These artists entertained a full house of adoring fans with eye-watering, jaw dropping showcases, fulfilling the long-held dreams of Portuguese K-pop fans. Marking the tour’s historic debut in Portugal, the event brought thousands of fans together for what many describe as one of K-pop’s most immersive live experiences in Europe this year.

Originally launched in 2011 by KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), the Music Bank World Tour has evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated K-pop concert circuits, spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas with vibrant live productions that pay homage to both music and fan culture. Over the years, the tour has drawn an estimated 250,000 fans across multiple continents, and Lisbon’s edition was no exception.

The choice of Lisbon’s MEO Arena, one of the city’s most prestigious concert venues, as host for the event underlined the city’s growing importance on the global music map.

The festival boasted a star-studded line-up featuring some of K-pop’s most influential artists:

• izna – Emerging artist adding unique flair to the festival’s diverse bill. 

• RIIZE – The rookie sensation bringing sleek choreography and dynamic stage presence.

• ZEROBASEONE – Fresh off global chart dominance, captivating Lisbon audiences with signature hits including “ICONIK” and “Lovesick Game.” 

• ATEEZ – Known for commanding energy and intense performance storytelling.

• IVE – One of the genre’s leading girl groups, known for chart-topping anthems.

• TAEMIN – Legendary soloist and SHINee member, renowned for artistry and precision.

For over three hours, fans were treated to performances with high-impact choreography, polished visuals, and genre-spanning music. They ranged from hard-hitting pop to emotive R&B-infused tracks. 

Master of Ceremonies: Park Bo-gum Anchors the Night

Adding charm and charisma to the Lisbon show was actor and long time Music Bank MC, Park Bo-gum, who returned as the sole host for this special world tour stop. Park Bo-gum, a familiar face to K-pop fans from previous Music Bank World Tour events guided the audience through performances and introductions, bringing a warm sense of familiarity and professionalism to the evening. His presence tied together the energy of live performances with the show’s global broadcast filming.

Standout Performances & Setlist Highlights

The line-up read like a mosaic of some of K-pop’s most dynamic artists, each bringing a blend of fan favourites, high-energy numbers, and unforgettable musical moments.

izna: Rising stars izna made their Lisbon debut with a high-energy set that included the comeback track “Mamma Mia” (live debut) alongside other tracks like “SIGN,” “IZNA,” and “BEEP.” A special TWICE cover of “What is Love?” added a universally loved touch, drawing crowds into sing-alongs and cheers. 

ZEROBASEONE: Kicking off with a punch, ZEROBASEONE launched into “ICONIK,” a fiery anthem that set the tempo for the event. Their set continued with emotionally charged tracks like “Lovesick Game” and the fan-favourite “CRUSH,” before closing with “In Bloom.”

Later in the evening, fans were then treated to a special cover of EXO’s “Love Shot.” The group’s blend of choreography precision and vocal depth had the crowd roaring from start to finish. 

ATEEZ: With their high-voltage stagecraft treated fans to both surprise and signature hits. Their set opened with a special cover of LISA’s “MONEY,” performed by Seonghwa, Yeosang, and Wooyoung, before diving into classic ATEEZ tracks like “In Your Fantasy,” “Lemon Drop,” “WAVE,”“BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS),” and “Guerilla” where the Portuguese fans shock the MEO Arena with their chants of “Break The Wall.” The group’s relentless energy and crowd engagement made their performance one of the night’s most unforgettable. 

IVE: The global icons segment was both commanding and intimate and had fan interaction. They opened with a nod to their breakout track “ELEVEN” before launching into fan favourites like “XOXZ,” “After LIKE,” “REBEL HEART,” “Kitsch,” and “I Am.” A particularly memorable moment came during “Call From IVE,” a fan segment hosted by Jang Won-young where lucky attendees received spontaneous onstage shout-outs, a moment that crystallised the bond between the group and their fans. 

TAEMIN: Legendary solo artist Taemin brought refined artistry and collaboration to the stage with his sultry and dynamic performances of “Guilty,” “Sexy in the Air,” “Advice,” and “IDEA.” A standout highlight of the night was “MOVE” performed alongside ZEROBASEONE’s Han Yujin. This unexpected collaboration was a showstopper, blending Taemin’s signature style with a fresh twist. 

The Lisbon Experience: More Than a Concert

Beyond the music, the Lisbon edition of Music Bank was a cultural moment where fans from across Europe (and beyond) gathered in Parque das Nações to celebrate K-pop’s diversity and shared energy. From the opening moments just after doors opened in the early evening to the closing encore, the vibe was electric, with fans singing along in multiple languages and bonding over mutual admiration for the artists onstage. For many locals, it was the first time seeing multiple top K-pop groups in one night; for international visitors, it was a must-see stop on a tour that’s steadily expanding its footprint beyond Asia and North America. 

The Music Bank World Tour Stop in Lisbon was more than just another dare on the calendar. It was a celebration of K-pop's global exploration and the international spirit that drive its fans.

Looking Ahead

The success of Music Bank in Lisbon suggests an increasingly global future for K-pop touring circuits, where European cities aren’t just occasional stops but key hubs for world-class production and fan engagement. Portugal’s capital, with its rich cultural fabric and passion for live music, proved to be a perfect stage for this vibrant wave of Korean pop culture, a wave that looks poised to return again.