2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon: From Hyunjin's buzz cut to Karina & Yujin's fiery dance, 5 highlights K-pop fans can't afford to miss

It was indeed a Merry Christmas for K-pop fans as top stars of the industry gathered at Inspire Arena in Incheon on December 25 for the 2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon. Pictures and videos from the starry events have now surfaced on social media, leaving fans swooning over stunning visuals and energetic performances of their favourite idols. The event this year held a special significance as veterans like BigBang's G-Dragon and legendary girl group 2NE1 returned to the iconic stage. Meanwhile, 4th-gen idols such as Stray Kids' Hyujin, aespa's Karina, and IVE's Yujin also had surprises planned for fans.

In case you missed the live broadcast on SBS or just simply want to revisit the event, we have compiled five highlights that you can't afford to miss.

1. Hyunjin debuts buzz cut

Hyunjin of Stray Kids had the internet in a chokehold when he debuted his blonde buzz cut at SBS' annual event on Christmas Day. The K-pop idol, known for his long, luscious, shoulder-length hair with curtain bangs, surprised fans as he made a stunning red carpet-appearance with his bandmates. Fans have already dubbed him the internet's new boyfriend, declaring his buzz cut will inspire a new trend in the coming year. Several netizens also highlighted how his striking features make it easier for him to carry every style with effortless charm. ICYMI, check out his new look below:

THIS HYUNJIN LOOK IS FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS pic.twitter.com/LEJ3nRSDXl

¡ª ?? (@spearhyunnie) December 25, 2024

2. Too Hot to Handle: aespa's Karina and IVE's Yujin set the stage on fire

We knew something was cooking between Karina from aespa and IVE's Yujin, but nothing could have prepared us for their internet-breaking performance. The duo, dressed in stylish black attires, performed Valerie Broussard¡®s Killer, putting forward an insanely sizzling act on stage that now has the internet buzzing in disbelief.

aespa's Karina and IVE's Yujin melt the stage while performing.pic.twitter.com/evrKIbmZzE

¡ª About Music (@AboutMusicYT) December 25, 2024

3.BigBang's G-Dragon's iconic comeback

BigBang's G-Dragon marked his comeback in ways no one, not even his fans, could have ever imagined. The K-pop legend returned to the SBS event with an energetic performance on his 2013 single Crooked from his second album Coup d'Etat. The rapper, who was embroiled in a drug controversy last year, further made a statement at the event donning a 'menace to society' shirt.

gdragon performing crooked for the first time in years after the protests that happened in sk while wearing a ¡°menace to society¡± shirt is ABSOLUTE CINEMA pic.twitter.com/4A2iYWsD7P

¡ª ???? (@seoulmogul) December 25, 2024

4, NewJeans' Happy Jump

Amid a high-profile legal battle with their agency, one would assume idols to keep it low-key, but NewJeans is not your regular group, it's a cool group. The five-piece group, comprising Hanni, Haerin, Danielle, Minji, and Hyein, not only appeared their chirpy selves during their red carpet appearance, they also performed a medley of their hits, including Hype Boy, and ended their gig with their signature happy jump.

NewJeans ending with their ¡®Happy Jump¡¯? pic.twitter.com/vuSMftOyHh

¡ª NEWJEANS NEWS?? (@newjeansnews_) December 25, 2024

5, 2NE1's Minzy's stunning split on stage

Minzy said let me show how it's done and redefined her icon status as she did a swift split during 2NE1's group performance. All fans want for 2025 is now a 2NE1 comeback.

Minzy of 2NE1 does a split on the stage.pic.twitter.com/pvwuyPtq5c

¡ª About Music (@AboutMusicYT) December 25, 2024

Which performance stole the show for you at 2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon? Let us know.

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