IVE Makes History as Lollapalooza Berlin Headliners, 1,319 Days After Debut

After 1,319 days since their debut, IVE’s relentless journey to the world’s top music festivals has become the fiery grand finale of Crazy Rich Koreans Season 1.

On the final episode of KBS 2TV’s Crazy Rich Koreans Season 1, which aired on the 17th, IVE’s members appeared in the studio to share the whirlwind behind-the-scenes story of making it to the stage of Lollapalooza Berlin—one of the world’s four major music festivals.

IVE, who took their first music show win just seven days after debut and became the fastest girl group to sweep rookie awards and grand prizes, are now in their fifth year and known for a steady stream of hit songs.

The only K-pop artists included in Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia” list, IVE was invited to perform at Lollapalooza again this year—after their Chicago appearance last year—cementing their global influence.

This year’s Lollapalooza Berlin, where IVE performed as headliners, was revealed in detail—along with exclusive behind-the-scenes moments—through Crazy Rich Koreans.

After more than 20 hours of travel from Incheon, IVE jumped straight into rehearsals upon arriving in Berlin. Local fans crowded the airport to give them a passionate welcome, and the sheer scale of the stage was evident with over 60 staff members accompanying them.

During rehearsals, their band and dance team joined to recreate the full concert experience. IVE adapted to festival-specific arrangements, new choreography, complex stage formations, and live commentary. Despite jet lag and exhaustion, every member delivered flawless high notes and live vocals, showcasing their professionalism.

The day before the show, an unexpected issue arose with the extended stage.



Leader Yujin reconsidered the setlist and movement routes to ensure the best audience experience and stage quality, actively incorporating the members’ feedback and fine-tuning every entrance and exit. Despite the unpredictable festival environment, each member practiced their new routes repeatedly, preparing for every possibility.

On the day of the performance, the members continued to rehearse and check their condition despite bad weather and heavy rain. They lifted each other’s spirits with positive energy. Major German media outlets and even MTV from the US arrived to cover the event, and the members confidently answered questions in fluent English.

Starting with “REBEL HEART”—named by Billboard as one of the best K-pop songs—IVE exploded with energy from the first note. Their performance of “I AM” had 50,000 fans singing and cheering in unison. Even with last-minute stage changes, they flawlessly pulled off “Baddie,” proving their adaptability.

The stage for “LOVE DIVE”—a song that boasts 10 music show wins, grand prizes, a challenge with 200 million views, and a music video with 500 million views—was the highlight of the night.

The show continued with the intricate formations of “Kitsch,” their debut track “ELEVEN,” “All Night,” and the encore “After LIKE.” Fans from around the world joined in, sharing the energy of K-pop. The Lollapalooza stage overflowed with emotion, as young fans shed tears and international fans cheered in Korean.

The concert was held at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, the historic site of the 1936 Olympics where Sohn Kee-chung became the first Korean to win a marathon gold medal, and Nam Sung-yong took bronze. IVE’s performance added a new chapter to Korean history at this iconic venue.

Crazy Rich Koreans has spotlighted not just glamorous achievements, but the passion, teamwork, and genuine human connections that define a truly “rich” life. IVE’s Lollapalooza journey perfectly captured this message, providing a fitting finale to Season 1.

At the end of the broadcast, the possibility of a second season was hinted at, leaving viewers excited to see which new passionate stars might be featured next. The production team stated, “Various discussions are underway,” further fueling anticipation for the next season.

Photo Credit: KBS 2TV Broadcast Capture

This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews, originally written by Kim Yoojin. This article was translated from Korean using AI-assisted tools and human review to deliver an accurate and culturally appropriate version for international readers.