A First for ‘M:ZINE’ — And It’s Big
Imagine your favorite K-pop magazine coming to life — that’s exactly what happened when Japan’s TV Asahi took their music variety show M:ZINE from studio to stage for the very first time. Fans gathered at the legendary Saitama Super Arena on June 9 for M:ZINE LIVE, an event stacked with high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing segments.
A-List Lineup, No Filler
The stage was pure fire thanks to NCT DREAM (minus Mark and Haechan), THE BOYZ, IMP., and BALLISTIK BOYZ. From killer choreography to fan-favorite tracks, each group brought their A-game — and then some.
Games, Giggles, and Goofy ‘Kimegao’
It wouldn’t be M:ZINE without its signature quirky games. This time, idols competed in the hilariously titled “Who’s the Ultimate Kimegao Monster?” contests — think exaggerated facial expressions and splashy punishments. And yes, fans ate it up. There was also the beloved segment “Young Wakai’s Path to Dance Monsterdom,” which added just the right dose of chaos to the mix.
TV Coverage: Mark Your Calendars
If you missed the live event (FOMO is real), don’t worry. M:ZINE is airing all the madness over four Friday night episodes in October (Oct 3, 10, 17, 24) from 1:30 – 1:50 a.m. on TV Asahi. That’s a late-night snack for the soul.
And just when you think it’s over, a special edition is coming to CS Tele Asahi Channel 1 on Saturday, November 15 at noon, complete with backstage interviews and bonus content.
Fans Still Buzzing
Fans flooded social media with reactions. One tweet summed it up perfectly: “NCT DREAM WENT OFF 🔥 Even without Mark and Haechan, they owned the stage!” Another wrote, “The Kimegao games had me crying. I didn’t know I needed that in my life.”
What’s Next for M:ZINE?
With this kind of debut success, don’t be surprised if M:ZINE LIVE becomes an annual staple. After all, where else can you see your faves perform, act goofy, and maybe get dunked on — all in one night?
