The eagerly awaited pop-up exhibition, which officially threw open its doors to the public on August 2nd, showcased an illustrious roster of K-Pop superstars under the Hybe umbrella, encompassing heavyweights like BTS, Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together, Le Sserafim, Enhypen, TWS, and many more.
On the eve of the exhibition's grand opening, TWS, the six-member boy band from Pledis Entertainment, a subsidiary of the K-Pop behemoth Hybe, convened in front of a colossal photograph of themselves, proudly adorning the walls of the Grammy Museum's latest immersive pop-up experience. To commemorate the highly anticipated debut of "Hybe: We Believe In Music, A Grammy Museum Pop-Up," this fledgling ensemble graced the stage of the Global Spin Live series, performing amidst a change of scenery—the rooftop of the downtown Los Angeles museum, where guests indulged in Korean delicacies like Japchae, a savory stir-fry of glass noodles and vegetables, along with fried chicken and more.
Fresh from their maiden voyage at KCON L.A., TWS—comprised of Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon, and Kyungmin—took another leap forward in their international journey. The K-Pop festival marked a significant milestone for the group, who debuted just in January, and Jihoon underscored its importance as a catalyst for their continuous growth as a collective. "It was a breathtaking experience," the 18-year-old enthused to The Hollywood Reporter, reminiscing about their festival performance. "As this was our maiden U.S. stage, we garnered invaluable insights." The group enthralled audiences multiple times over the weekend, culminating in a special showcase during The CW's live telecast of the final night's concert at Cyrpto.com Arena.
At the Grammy Museum, TWS engaged in an intimate chat with moderator Emily Mei and treated an intimate audience of ardent fans who managed to secure tickets before they swiftly vanished. The band belted out several tunes, including their debut smash "plot twist" from their EP Sparkling Blue, which continues to reign supreme in Korea's music charts, six months after its release (currently occupying the esteemed 17th spot on Korea's Circle Chart's streaming and digital charts). Their latest offering, "If I'm S, Can You Be My N?," released in June, is also scaling Korean charts, hovering in the mid-20s on streaming and digital platforms.
While the early triumphs of Sparkling Blue have understandably thrilled the sextet, they candidly shared their mixed emotions while crafting their latest EP, Summer Beat!. "We were a tangle of excitement and anxiety, a blend of contrasting feelings," Dohoon revealed to THR through a translator. "Nonetheless, we channeled all our energies into giving it our all."
As TWS gracefully navigates the second half of their inaugural year, they exude a humbling enthusiasm for the unfolding journey ahead. "Each moment feels fresh and exhilarating," Kyungmin eloquently shared. "We're immensely grateful for the doors that have opened wide, inviting us into a world of endless possibilities."
Following the dynamic performance by the boy group, enthusiasts were ushered into a realm of firsts—the Grammy Museum's latest K-Pop extravaganza, "Hybe: We Believe In Music," a vibrant pop-up exhibition solely dedicated to the Korean entertainment juggernaut. This showcase serves as a testament to the museum's unwavering two-year pledge to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of K-Pop, showcasing its evolution and influence.
The grand opening on August 2nd heralded a spectacular assembly of stars, including BTS, Seventeen, TXT, Enhypen, Le Sserafim, Zico, fromis_9, Boynextdoor, TWS, &Team, Illit, and Katseye, spanning a rich 12-year history of K-Pop excellence.
BTS, the undisputed giants of the scene, command a formidable presence within the exhibition. Two stunning ensembles, straight from their iconic Proof anthology and the mesmerizing "Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)" music video, grace the halls. A chronological journey of their meteoric rise, from humble beginnings in 2013 to global domination, unfolds before visitors' eyes, accompanied by a captivating collection of over 70 polaroids from 2018, capturing the essence of the group's evolution.
Stepping into the music video fashion room is akin to stepping into a dreamscape, adorned with the stunning costumes from Seventeen's "Maestro," TXT's "Sugar Rush Ride," Enhypen's "Sweet Venom," and Le Sserafim's "Easy." This space also offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process, with videos from Hybe's esteemed producers and artists playing on loop. Adjacent to this, a glittering display of accessories and jewelry from fromis_9, BoyNextDoor, TWS, &Team, and Illit adds a touch of glamour to the proceedings.
The exhibit breathes life into each group's music, with screens continuously playing their music videos. To further immerse visitors in the K-Pop experience, the Grammy Museum has incorporated interactive elements such as a karaoke room, where fans can belt out BTS' "Dynamite," TXT's "LO$ER=LO♡ER," and Seventeen's "Aju Nice." A random play dance room completes the package, where snippets of music videos play in an endless loop, inviting visitors to groove along. In this vibrant space, artifacts from Hybe's visionary chairman, Bang Si-Hyuk, alias Hitman Bang, serve as a testament to his artistic prowess, with a focus on the books that inspired BTS' lyrics and album titles.
"Hybe: We Believe in Music, a Grammy Museum Exhibit" is a must-see spectacle that runs until September 15th. Access to this unparalleled experience comes at a mere $20 addition to a general admission museum ticket. For more details and to secure your spot in this K-Pop odyssey, visit the museum's official website.
