Christmas 2025 delivered the ultimate gift for K-pop fans as the annual SBS Gayo Daejeon transformed INSPIRE Arena in Incheon into a glittering celebration of music, fashion, and festive collaborations. Hosted by DAY6’s Young K, IVE’s An Yujin, and NCT DREAM’s Jaemin, the December 25 spectacular showcased why this year-end festival remains Korea’s most anticipated music event.
K-Pop Red Carpet Fashion Rundown
| Group/Artist | Style Theme | Standout Detail |
|---|---|---|
| IVE | Santa-inspired red dresses | Christmas glamour meets haute couture |
| ILLIT | Doll-like coordinated looks | First Gayo Daejeon appearance |
| Stray Kids | All-white ensemble | Clean, sophisticated aesthetic |
| aespa | Formal gowns | Elegant evening wear |
| ENHYPEN | Sharp black suits | Classic menswear |
| MEOVV | Cat-themed outfits | Playful brand identity |
| BABYMONSTER | Black dresses | Chic minimalism |
The red carpet became a fashion showcase where groups expressed their unique identities. IVE captured holiday spirit with festive red attire, while rookie sensation ILLIT made waves with their coordinated “doll-like” appearance that dominated social media conversations. TREASURE and LE SSERAFIM coordinated in pristine white, creating striking visual moments that photographers couldn’t resist.
Performance Highlights That Broke the Internet
The festival delivered unforgettable stages across multiple genres. ILLIT commanded attention with their special Gayo Daejeon version of “NOT CUTE ANYMORE,” transitioning seamlessly through “jellyous,” “I’LL LIKE YOU,” and their viral hit “Magnetic” in performance mode.
Special unit stages stole the show, featuring cross-group collaborations that rarely happen outside year-end festivals. The highlight? BOYNEXTDOOR’s Woonhak paired with ILLIT’s Wonhee for a heartwarming rendition of IU’s “Merry Christmas Ahead,” while TXT’s Yeonjun teamed up with KATSEYE’s Yoonchae for an exclusive Christmas track premiere.
A surprise rap unit featuring The Boyz’s Sunwoo, TREASURE’s Haruto, and ALLDAY PROJECT’s Woochan delivered a self-composed Christmas special that had fans demanding an official release.
Who Performed at Gayo Daejeon 2025?
The lineup read like a who’s who of K-pop royalty: Stray Kids, ATEEZ, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, aespa, ENHYPEN, NMIXX, LE SSERAFIM, BABYMONSTER, ZEROBASEONE, RIIZE, and dozens more—over 40 acts total spanning generations and genres.
Related: Discover more about K-pop’s biggest year-end festivals and what makes these events unmissable for global fans.
The broadcast aired on SBS TV starting at 4:50 PM KST, with international fans tuning in via SBSKPOP’s YouTube channel and KOCOWA+ streaming platform. The three-part structure allowed emerging rookies and established legends equal spotlight, reinforcing the festival’s reputation as K-pop’s ultimate Christmas celebration.
