A number of overseas musicians are set to visit South Korea to entertain local fans this year.
Canadian punk rock band Sum 41 will visit Korea in February, as part of the group's final world tour before disbanding.
The five-member group formed in 1996, rising to global acclaim after the success of its first studio album, "All Killer No Filler," in 2001. The band continued to release several hits, including "Still Waiting," "Make No Difference" and "Underclass Hero."
The band's concert in Seoul is the first in 16 years. A concert was scheduled for March 2023, but was canceled 10 days beforehand due to a family health issue. Afterward, the band announced the decision to disband through their official social media accounts on May 8. The upcoming world tour, titled “Tour of the Setting Sum,” is expected to be Sum 41's last.
Sum 41's concerts in Korea will be held on Feb. 27-28 at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
American singer-songwriter MAX, also known by his full name, Maxwell George Schneider, will also visit Korea as a part of his world tour.
MAX is widely admired for his powerful, husky voice and trendy sounds. He is also well known for his active collaboration with Korean artists.
He worked with BTS’ Suga as featured artists on each other's albums, and participated in composing and writing the lyrics of BTS' "Yet To Come." MAX has also worked on the song "Happily Ever After" by boy band TXT. Meanwhile, Huh Yunjin of Le Sserafim will feature one of the songs to be included in MAX's new album, "Love In Stereo," which will be released in February.
Max first visited Korea and held a concert in January 2020. He has participated in domestic music awards and music festivals several times since then.
Max's performance in Korea will be held at 7 p.m. on March 30 at the Myunghua Live Hall in Seoul.
With top Japanese musicians such as Yoasobi and Fujii Kaze holding concerts in Korea, another artist is to entertain domestic J-pop fans. The Japanese band King Gnu will hold its first concert in Korea, continuing the local Japanese music fever.
King Gnu, a four-member band that debuted in 2013, has a strong will to differentiate itself from existing J-pop groups, presenting unique music that accommodates elements of various genres such as rock, jazz, hip-hop and classical music.
The band has been a headliner at numerous rock festivals and has participated in songs of the world-famous animated series. The tickets for the band’s upcoming concert this year at Japan's five largest arenas have already been sold out.
The concert in Korea, which is part of the band's first Asia tour, "The Greatest Unknown," will take place at Olympic Hall, Songpa-gu, Seoul on April 20.