The first-ever pre-party for a K-pop awards ceremony, the HANTEO MUSIC ADVENTURE NIGHT PARTY, was a resounding success, heating up Lotte World Adventure on February 14. The event, held from 11 p.m., marked the official pre-party for the 32ND HANTEO MUSIC AWARDS (hereafter, 32nd HMA 2024), featuring performances from a star-studded lineup of K-pop artists. Kim Jae Joong, EPEX, 8TURN, SAY MY NAME, LIGHTSUM, and NOWADAYS took the stage to perform for thousands of fans who braved the cold and were swept away by the excitement of the night. SAY MY NAME kicked off the evening with a dynamic set, performing their singles “WaveWay” and “Goldilocks Water.”
Following them, NOWADAYS energized the crowd with “TICKET” and “Why Not?” LIGHTSUM kept the momentum going with “VIVACE,” “i,” and “ALIVE.” As midnight passed, the energy of the event only grew stronger. 8TURN performed “Like A Friend” and “SKETCH,” while EPEX delivered live renditions of “Attosecond,” “Youth2Youth,” and “Breathe in Love,” engaging the audience with their interactive stage presence. The night reached its peak with the highly anticipated appearance of Kim Jae Joong. Known as a long-time leader in the K-pop industry, his mere presence ignited a wave of enthusiasm from the crowd. He performed live versions of “HOPER,” “Humanity,” and “To The Boy,” while offering heartfelt words of encouragement to fans pursuing their dreams, creating an emotional and memorable moment.
Following the K-pop artists, DJs Chawon, Hanini, and Hyunah kept the energy alive with a K-pop mashup EDM performances that carried the excitement into the early morning hours, much to the delight of the audience. Special events, including a stamp rally and prize drawing, added to the fun. Stamp booths scattered throughout Lotte World Adventure featured traditional Korean mini-games like gonggi and ddakji, drawing large crowds. Participants collected stamps, which earned them a chance to win a variety of prizes, enhancing the overall experience.
Lotte World Adventure also supported the event, operating more than 12 attractions and opening food and beverage stalls, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable “night party” atmosphere for attendees. Kim Sang Hyun, head of Hanteo Global’s Strategic Planning Department, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to have successfully concluded the first-ever pre-party for a K-pop awards ceremony, the HANTEO MUSIC ADVENTURE NIGHT PARTY. We hope the audience created special memories and had a great time. We look forward to providing an even better experience next year.” Following the success of the pre-party, the 32nd HMA 2024 main awards ceremony will be held at Jangchung Arena in Seoul on February 15 and 16.
The lineup for the 32nd HMA 2024 includes performances from Kim Jae Joong, NOWADAYS, (G)I-DLE’s Minnie, SAY MY NAME, ARTMS, Yeonjun, Lee Mu Jin, EPEX, Insooni, TXT, tripleS, RIIZE, LIGHTSUM, 8TURN, NCT WISH, Young Tak, YOUNG POSSE, EVNNE, Lee Seung Yoon, YENA, and HYB (Huh Gak, Shin Yong Jae, and Onestar).