South Korean K-pop sensation TWICE delivered a historic headline performance at Lollapalooza 2025 in Chicago’s Grant Park on August 2, marking their debut as the first K-pop girl group to headline the iconic festival.
The nine-member group, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, captivated a crowd of over 100,000 with high-energy choreography, vibrant visuals, and a 21-song setlist showcasing their fourth studio album, This Is For (also referred to as FOUR in promotional materials).
Jeongyeon’s charisma and vocal strength shone brightly, particularly during fan-favorite tracks like “Feel Special,” cementing her as a standout performer of the night.
The performance, held at the Bud Light stage, was a milestone for TWICE, who have been dubbed “The Nation’s Girl Group” in South Korea.
Their setlist blended hits like “FANCY,” “What Is Love?,” and “Cheer Up” with tracks from This Is For, released on July 11, 2025, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records.
The album, their first full-length Korean release since Formula of Love: O+T=<3 in 2021, debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 with 80,000 equivalent album units, including 68,000 pure sales.
The title track, described as an empowering anthem, resonated with the audience, with Jihyo noting its message of uplifting fans and boosting confidence. Jeongyeon’s performance of “Right Hand Girl,” a personal favorite, drew cheers for its emotional depth and her ability to connect with the crowd through heartfelt gestures and powerful vocals.
Jeongyeon, born Yoo Jeong-yeon, emerged as a focal point of the night. Her commanding stage presence and vocal delivery during “Feel Special” sparked widespread praise on social media, with fans dubbing it the “Jeongyeon era.”
Having overcome health challenges, including a 2020 spinal disc herniation and subsequent anxiety-related hiatuses, her return to form was a testament to her resilience. Jeongyeon’s long, straight hair and stylish Y2K-inspired outfit amplified her visual impact, with netizens comparing her to a “K-pop goddess.”
Her solo cover of Lizzo’s “Juice” from previous tours was not performed, but fans celebrated her versatility, recalling her contribution to the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack alongside Jihyo and Chaeyoung, which peaked at 86 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Lollapalooza set was part of TWICE’s packed 2025 schedule, which includes their This Is For World Tour, kicking off with two shows in Incheon on July 19-20 and covering cities like Osaka, Sydney, and Singapore.
The Chicago performance, livestreamed on YouTube, drew global viewership, with fans (known as ONCE) praising the group’s synchronized choreography and colorful stage production.
TWICE shared the festival’s spotlight with artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and Rüfüs Du Sol, but their historic headline slot underscored K-pop’s growing influence at major U.S. festivals.
Other Korean acts, including BOYNEXTDOOR, Xdinary Heroes, and wave to earth, also performed, making 2025 the festival’s most K-pop-heavy year yet.
The group’s preparation for Lollapalooza was meticulous, with members adhering to their pre-show ritual of gathering to chant, “TWICE, TWICE, let’s get it together, let’s go.”
Jeongyeon, who described This Is For as her most challenging album to record due to its diverse genres, expressed pride in her vocal growth. The album features 14 upbeat tracks, including subunit songs like “G.O.A.T.” by Mina, Dahyun, and Chaeyoung, and reflects TWICE’s evolution over their decade-long career.
Their 10th anniversary will be further celebrated with the October release of a documentary, Twice: One in a Million, highlighting their journey since debuting in 2015 via the survival show Sixteen.
TWICE’s Lollapalooza performance also highlighted their global reach, following their 2023-2024 Ready to Be world tour, which sold out venues like SoFi Stadium and attracted 1.5 million attendees.
Fans trended, with posts praising Jeongyeon’s audience engagement, including her waving to fans and leading sing-alongs. The group’s ability to maintain their bond with ONCE, despite a rigorous schedule, was evident in their heartfelt interactions.
As TWICE prepares for their next Japanese album, Enemy, set for release on August 27, their Lollapalooza triumph solidifies their status as K-pop trailblazers, with Jeongyeon’s standout moments stealing the show.
