SBS Gayo Daejeon 2025: Star-Studded First Lineup & 'Golden Loop' Theme Revealed
Get ready for the ultimate K-pop Christmas party! The 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon has unveiled its first lineup, including Stray Kids, IVE, RIIZE, and more. Here''s everything we know.
Your complete guide to the star-studded K-pop year-end festival, featuring a massive first lineup and this year”s “Golden Loop” theme.
A Christmas Gift for K-Pop Fans Arrives Early
Christmas is coming early for K-pop fans! SBS has just dropped the bombshell first lineup for its annual Gayo Daejeon, and it”s already shaping up to be the biggest music event of the year. Held once again on Christmas Day, this festival is a beloved tradition where the industry”s brightest stars gather for a night of spectacular performances.
What is the SBS Gayo Daejeon?
For newcomers to the K-pop scene, the SBS Gayo Daejeon is one of the three major year-end music festivals in South Korea, alongside events from KBS and MBC. It’s less of an awards show and more of a grand celebration, known for its high-production value and special collaboration stages you won’t see anywhere else. This year, the event will take place on December 25, 2025, at the state-of-the-art Inspire Arena in Incheon, promising an unforgettable experience for fans globally.
Insight #1: The “Golden Loop” and a Powerhouse Lineup
The theme for this year”s festival is “Golden Loop,” symbolizing the glorious conclusion of 2025 and the forward momentum of K-pop into the future. The first lineup perfectly embodies this theme, featuring a stunning mix of 4th and 5th-generation leaders who have dominated global charts this year.
According to the announcement on October 21, the 11 groups confirmed are:
- Stray Kids
- TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)
- ENHYPEN
- IVE
- LE SSERAFIM
- BOYNEXTDOOR
- ZEROBASEONE
- RIIZE
- NCT WISH
- BABYMONSTER
- ALLDAY PROJECT
This roster brings together artists known for their powerful performances and massive international fanbases, setting the stage for a truly dynamic show.
Insight #2: A World-Class Venue for Global Superstars
The choice of the Inspire Arena for the second consecutive year is significant. Opened in late 2023, it is South Korea”s first arena built specifically for live music performances, boasting a 15,000-seat capacity and cutting-edge sound and stage technology. This move highlights SBS”s commitment to creating a world-class experience. Hosting the Gayo Daejeon at a premier K-pop venue underscores the global status of the performers, many of whom, like Stray Kids and LE SSERAFIM, have completed massive world tours in 2025.
Fact-Check
- Confirmed: The event is on December 25, 2025, at the Inspire Arena.
- Confirmed: The theme is “Golden Loop.”
- Confirmed: The 11 artists listed above are in the first lineup.
- Uncertain/Changing: The second lineup is yet to be announced. Details on special collaboration stages and the full performance order remain under wraps.
Practical Takeaways
- What: 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon, a major K-pop year-end festival.
- When: December 25, 2025.
- Where: Inspire Arena, Incheon, South Korea.
- Who (so far): Stray Kids, TXT, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, RIIZE, and more.
- What to Watch For: The announcement of the second lineup and details on unique artist collaborations.
Glossary
- Gayo Daejeon (가요대전; ga-yo dae-jeon): Literally “Music Battle,” a major year-end music festival broadcast by SBS.
- Lineup (라인업; la-in-eop): The list of artists scheduled to perform.
- Inspire Arena (인스파이어 아레나; in-seu-pa-i-eo a-re-na): A modern performance hall in Incheon, designed for large-scale concerts.
Stay tuned for the second lineup announcement, and check out our guide to the 2025 The Fact Music Awards for more year-end K-pop events!