H.O.T. to Headline Inaugural Hanteo Music Festival
K-pop’s original trailblazers, H.O.T., are making a grand comeback. After six years off the stage as a full group, they’re headlining the first-ever Hanteo Music Festival—aka ‘Han-Eum-Pe’—on September 6–7 at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Why This Reunion Is a Big Deal
Not only is this H.O.T.’s first entire-group performance since 2019, it also comes right as they gear up for their 30th debut anniversary. In fact, September 7 marks precisely 29 years since their debut, making this stage a nostalgic, full-circle moment for K-pop fans who’ve been around since the cassette tape era.
The group is set to perform for over an hour—basically a mini-concert of their own within the festival. That’s a lot of iconic choreography and puffy white outfits coming our way.
Hanteo Music Festival: A Generational Celebration
Organized by Hanteo Global (home of Hanteo Chart—you know, the real-time K-pop ranking OG), this new festival aims to spotlight the evolution of the genre. From 1st-gen idols like H.O.T. to 5th-gen rookies, it promises to be a musical time machine across decades of K-pop.
“This will become a landmark event in K-pop’s history,” Hanteo Global said, adding that more acts will be revealed in the weeks to come.
A Cultural Power Move
The partnership between H.O.T. and Hanteo isn’t just a nostalgia fest—it’s a strategic alliance. As the music data powerhouse behind Korea’s first real-time chart, Hanteo Global brings both legacy and legitimacy to this festival stage. And H.O.T.? They bring the legend.
With anticipation already building, fans are hoping this Won–Jae–Tony–Kangta–Heejun reunion won’t be a one-off. Who knows—maybe we’re entering the golden age of second comebacks?
Final Thoughts
This fall, the spotlight returns to the idols who started it all. Whether you’re a ’90s OG fan or just K-curious, the Hanteo Music Festival might be the cultural throwback we didn’t know we needed. Are we ready for another round of “Candy”? Because H.O.T. sure is.
