“Twenty-five years ago, when the term ‘K-pop’ was still unfamiliar to many, a dazzling star emerged, captivating not only Korea but all of Asia and beyond.” On the opening day of the 2025 Weverse Con Festival, held from May 31 to June 1, ENHYPEN’s JUNGWON and NI-KI introduced this year’s tribute artist, BoA, with these heartfelt words. Debuting at the tender age of 13, BoA paved the way for K-pop’s global rise, achieving milestones such as being the first Korean singer to top Japan’s Oricon album chart and to enter the Billboard 200. Revered as the “Star of Asia,” BoA celebrates her 25th anniversary this year. The Weverse Con Festival, which annually honors artists who have left a profound mark on Korean music history, featured tribute performances of BoA’s iconic songs by ILLIT, TWS, FIFTY FIFTY, and UAU. Alongside behind-the-scenes stories from these stages, we offer an exclusive look behind BoA’s performance as this year’s honoree.

Recreating Rookie Energy: ILLIT’s “ID; Peace B”
On August 25, 2000, BoA stepped into the Korean music scene with her debut album ID; Peace B. At just 13 years old, she boldly announced herself with the title track’s memorable lyrics: “We play together as one / Peace B is my network ID / Now I know for sure, I can make my choices on my own.” The song captured the spirit of teenage freedom, pushing back against the skepticism of older generations toward the burgeoning internet culture. At the same time, it was a powerful declaration from a young artist ready to introduce herself to the world. That year, BoA became the best-selling rookie in Korea, setting records as the youngest artist to achieve such success. A year later, her Japanese debut single ID; Peace B reached No. 30 on the Oricon chart, marking one of the earliest signs of K-pop’s potential to cross borders. “As BoA’s bold debut track, we felt ‘ID; Peace B’ would perfectly showcase a fresh side of ILLIT’s vocals and performance,” said Lee Kyoungmin from BELIFT LAB’s A&R team, explaining the song choice. ILLIT put a new twist on BoA's era-defining debut song during their recent tribute performance, putting forth all the energy of a group just a year past their debut.

Against a digital backdrop that evoked a futuristic, virtual-reality city, a nod to the original “ID; Peace B” aesthetic, ILLIT members took the stage dressed in shiny tracksuits and white T-shirts, mirroring BoA’s iconic debut look. Kim Nayeon of BELIFT LAB’s VC Team explained that the styling aimed to “faithfully recreate BoA’s sleek, straight hair and silky, workwear-inspired outfit that left a lasting impression at the time,” amplifying the Y2K vibe of the original.
Kim Subin, Performance Directing Team Leader at BELIFT LAB, added, “We tried to capture the essence of BoA’s gestures and choreography as closely as possible.” True to that vision, ILLIT’s performance highlighted the sharp arm angles and dynamic footwork that defined the original choreography. The tension soared during YUNAH’s dance break, seamlessly followed by a powerful high-note ad-lib shared between YUNAH and WONHEE in the final chorus. ILLIT’s rendition of “ID; Peace B” was both a heartfelt tribute to a pioneering artist who shaped Korean pop music and a vibrant recreation of the raw energy BoA brought to the stage 25 years ago, beautifully bridging past and present.

A 2025 Reinterpretation: TWS’s “Amazing Kiss”
Amazing Kiss marked a defining moment in BoA’s early Japanese career. Released just two months after her debut single ID; Peace B in 2001, it was her second Japanese single and successfully entered the top 20 on the Oricon Singles Chart, where it stayed for eight weeks. At only 14 years old, BoA delivered a performance that demonstrated remarkable maturity, seamlessly executing partner choreography with a dancer and nailing the song’s climactic high-note ad-libs in a foreign language. This moment firmly established her potential as a solo artist on the global stage. The PLEDIS Entertainment A&R team shared that the arrangement and performance were crafted to capture the charms of both the Korean and Japanese versions, based on a suggestion from MP Han Sung Soo. “We chose to start the performance in Korean and then transition into Japanese,” they explained. During the bridge, where the language switch happens, DOHOON elevated the emotional impact with the song’s signature high note part, “Just the way you are.” SHINYU and YOUNGJAE followed with the partner choreography originally performed by BoA and her dancer. TWS’s rendition reimagined the heartfelt yet powerful emotions BoA conveyed as a rookie, blending lyrical softness with dynamic energy in a fresh, captivating way.

Reflecting on their song choice, the PLEDIS Entertainment A&R team explained, “We saw ‘Amazing Kiss’ as an opportunity to showcase TWS’s style along with a fresh side of TWS, distinct from their usual energetic and bright vibe.” Staying true to the original’s spirit, TWS also brought their own unique interpretation as a boy group. The performance opened with a newly arranged band version of ‘Amazing Kiss.’ Unlike the original’s partner choreography introduction, TWS highlighted their strength as a larger group through dynamic synchronized formations that added visual impact. Throughout the stage, especially during the chorus, they faithfully recreated key choreography moments from BoA’s original performance. Lee Haesu from PLEDIS’s Performance Directing Team revealed that the choreography was “reconstructed with TWS’s own style in mind. While preserving elements of BoA’s original moves, we adapted the routine to fit the mood of the new band arrangement.” Kim Woojeong of PLEDIS’s VC Team 2 shared that the members’ outfits, sky-blue MA-1 jackets, white tees, and wide-fit black pants with a streetwear edge, were inspired by the original sleeveless MA-1 look. Through layering, oversized fits, and the use of sky-blue tones, the styling was reimagined as a nostalgic, old-school first-generation idol look. Composed of members born between 2003 and 2007, TWS took on the challenge of honoring BoA, a trailblazing solo artist and K-pop pioneer who launched her career around the time they were born. Looking ahead, TWS is set to release their first Japanese single, Hajimemashite (Nice to see you again), on July 2. Following the footsteps of BoA, who was the first Korean artist to break into the Japanese market, TWS and many other K-pop artists continue to chase new dreams, expanding their reach to even wider horizons.

A Respectful Tribute: FIFTY FIFTY’s “Valenti”
BoA’s 2003 Japanese studio album Valenti marked a major turning point in her career. Building on her milestone as the first Korean artist to top the Oricon chart with Listen To My Heart, Valenti became her second million-selling album. The title track “Valenti” remains one of her biggest hits in Japan to this day. Chanelle Moon of FIFTY FIFTY explained their choice for the tribute stage, saying, “‘Valenti’ is a historic song that carries both symbolism and influence, opening new doors for K-pop female solo artists to succeed globally.” Her words perfectly capture the significance of this iconic track.

FIFTY FIFTY’s performance of “Valenti” began in darkness, gradually bathed in red lights that rose like a sunrise. As the members appeared on stage riding a lift, their silhouetted figures built anticipation among the audience. When the Latin rhythms and powerful beats kicked in, the group launched into precise choreography that highlighted the intricate arm and hand movements unique to “Valenti.” A standout moment came with their execution of the signature “shimmy,” a jazz dance move involving shaking the shoulders and hips. As the members described it, this brought “a stronger, more mature energy, quite distinct from the soft and lovely vibe FIFTY FIFTY has shown so far.” Chanelle Moon explained, “Y2K and retro aesthetics have become a major trend among Gen Z, and because the original track’s sound is so captivating, we wanted to stay true to it.” Building on that original mood, FIFTY FIFTY delivered the song with their signature pure vocals, infused with a layer of maturity that captured the very essence of “Valenti.” Their performance embodied the powerful presence BoA has long represented as a female artist. It was a heartfelt tribute, perfectly echoing Chanelle Moon’s words: “BoA is our ultimate role model.” The stage left a lasting impression, showcasing FIFTY FIFTY’s fresh charm while honoring their inspiration.

Passing Down the Performance Spirit: UAU’s “Better”
Released in 2020 to mark BoA’s 20th anniversary and as her 20th studio album, Better stands as a powerful testament to her lasting legacy as one of K-pop’s leading female solo artists. At the album’s online press conference, BoA described the title track “Better” as “a song that truly represents me.” With mature R&B vocals and flawlessly executed dance moves, her performance reaffirmed her status as a consummate artist. The song gained renewed attention in 2021 when it was selected as the global evaluation track for Mnet’s Street Woman Fighter, further cementing its impact.

JIU from Dreamcatcher’s sub-unit UAU explained their choice of “Better” for the tribute stage: “Because the song embodies BoA’s strong spirit and seasoned artistry, we wanted to bring UAU’s own flavor of skillfulness and maturity to the performance.” Dressed in sleek black tailored suits combining jackets and shorts, UAU members performed in seamless harmony with dancers clad in all-black outfits, creating a cohesive team presence. Though originally a solo track, the collaboration with dancers allowed them to highlight the song’s strengths through a dynamic group performance, showcasing the power of teamwork. Departing from the original’s heavy bass-driven sound, the tribute featured a live band arrangement and backing vocals recorded by the members themselves, adding rich layers and polish to the stage. While faithfully recreating the original choreography, UAU delivered steady, confident vocals throughout. This tribute was both a heartfelt homage to BoA’s unmatched solo career and a powerful introduction to UAU’s evolving identity as a unit.

BoA, Still Our No.1
On May 31 and June 1, after tribute performances by younger artists, BoA took the stage. Illuminated atop a grand staircase with a vintage design evoking a temple, she opened with “Hurricane Venus,” descending toward the audience. Departing from the original’s synth-heavy sound and driving beats, the live band flanking the stage emphasized drums and electric guitar, enhancing the immersive live experience. LP Eum Hyejeong of Creative Concert Directing Studio 2 at HTS Concert Production Team, who directed the 2025 Weverse Con Festival, explained that the production aimed to visually capture iconic themes like “Star of Asia” and “Venus” on a grand scale, while the live band performance brought out the rich textures of BoA’s classic hits.

Descending the central staircase, BoA launched into “Hurricane Venus,” delivering both choreography and vocals with powerful intensity, setting a compelling narrative for the performance. Released to mark her 10th debut anniversary, “Hurricane Venus” was a pioneering track that showcased BoA as a fierce female solo artist with its electronic sound and bold performance style. BoA then moved confidently across the red-lit stage and onto the extended platform with “My Name.” The song was a defining moment in her career, boldly asserting her identity while shedding her earlier “young girl” image to establish herself as a sophisticated and mature diva. After igniting the crowd with these dynamic performances, BoA shifted focus to her vocal strengths with “Only One” and “No Matter What.” “Only One,” her first self-composed title track, was performed with delicate emotional nuance, highlighting the song’s depth. She followed this with “No Matter What,” a track she introduced as ideal for summer festivals. Moving fluidly around the stage, BoA closed the gap with the audience, amplifying the vibrant festival atmosphere.

BoA, who captivated the audience with her dynamic performance skills in the early part of the show and showcased her emotional vocal talent in the middle, closed the concert with two iconic songs: “Atlantis Princess” and “No.1.” “Atlantis Princess” not only topped numerous music shows and earned multiple awards but has also remained a beloved classic, frequently featured as background music and covered by various artists over the years. Delivering the song with ease, BoA warmly invited the audience to join her in singing, asking, “Shall we sing together?” just before the song’s close. The finale, “No.1,” perfectly embodied the tribute stage’s theme, “Still Our No.1.” A major milestone in BoA’s career, the song surpassed half a million sales and helped her become the youngest artist to win grand prizes at both the Seoul Music Awards and SBS Gayo Daejeon at just 16 years old. Even in the concert’s final moments, BoA delivered powerful vocals and a dynamic performance, while the audience naturally joined in, demonstrating music’s unique ability to unite.

“The title ‘No.1’ earned by a young girl was not just a ranking. It was a declaration that ushered in a new era.” As LE SSERAFIM’s KIM CHAEWON and HONG EUNCHAE reflected in their opening speech on June 1, the second day of the tribute, BoA’s stage was a powerful reminder of her enduring influence as an artist who continues to inspire across generations. LP Eum Hyejeong shared the vision behind the performance: “We wanted to showcase BoA’s originality through a stage that presents her exactly as she is.” She added, “Even 25 years after her debut, a timeless classic remains a classic. We hope this performance renewed appreciation for BoA’s sophisticated music, which still feels trendy today.” True to form, BoA will continue to shine brilliantly with her unique music and performances, carrying her legacy forward.