On June 12 (local time), Lisa took the stage at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area, delivering one of the most talked-about performances of the tournament’s opening celebrations. The K-pop superstar joined Brazilian singer Anitta and Nigerian artist Rema to perform Goals, a track featured on the tournament’s official album.

Lisa opened the performance dressed in an elegant white outfit, immediately commanding attention with her live vocals, dynamic stage presence, and powerful choreography. Surrounded by a large ensemble of dancers across the stadium field, she showcased the charisma that has helped establish her as one of K-pop’s most recognizable global stars.

The appearance was particularly significant as Lisa became the first member of a K-pop girl group to perform a live stage at a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, marking another milestone for the genre’s international growth.

The World Cup festivities also featured another Korean artist. Singer-songwriter EJAE performed the official World Cup anthem DNA alongside world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli at Estadio Azteca. Wearing a blue halter-neck dress, EJAE impressed audiences with her powerful vocals and emotional delivery. One particularly memorable aspect of the performance was the inclusion of Korean lyrics that EJAE helped write. The line, “Even if I fall again, I rise once more,” resonated with fans and football supporters around the globe.

With both Lisa’s opening ceremony performance and Lee Jae’s contribution to the tournament anthem, many observers viewed the World Cup celebrations as another demonstration of K-pop’s expanding international influence. The global spotlight on Korean artists is expected to continue throughout the tournament. Reports have also indicated that BTS is scheduled to headline the FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, potentially making K-pop a major part of the competition from opening day through the championship match.

Lisa has continued to thrive as a solo artist since concluding her individual management agreement with YG Entertainment while maintaining group activities with BLACKPINK.

Meanwhile, EJAE has been expanding her international profile through various projects, including contributions to the soundtrack of the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters.

Their participation in one of the world’s largest sporting events highlights the increasing role Korean artists play in shaping global entertainment and music culture.

Sources: 네이트 뉴스