Entertainment and lifestyle company +82 (plus82) will debut Playground K-culture festival this May 2025 in Singapore with a K-pop line-up headlined by MONSTA X’s Joohoney and I.M, Jessi, and more. Here’s what you need to know.
K-hip-hop fans, vibe to the best South Korean urban and pop acts at +82’s debut Playground K-culture festival in May 2025.
The ‘Playground’ concept is billed as a “360 immersive new entertainment concept that combines K-pop and K-Culture: the hippest K-pop acts; Korean food and drinks; immersive games; and headline performances”.
Happening on 3 May 2025 at Pasir Panjang Power Station, ‘Playground’ will be the hive for high-energy performances and entertainment experiences like a ‘Squid Game’-style interactive challenge.
The audience will also have opportunities to become an integral part of the performance at Playground and influence the show’s direction by interacting with performers in real-time. Thus, the distinction between artists and audience is blurred by this approach, which produces a dynamic, constantly shifting setting that perfectly captures the adventurous, fun nature of a playground.
‘Playground’ will commence in the early afternoon and run late into the night, with ticket prices ranging from S$188 to S$358.
The list of +82 Playground K-pop Singapore festival 2025 line-up
JOOHONEY and I.M. of MONSTA X
Known to fire hard-hitting raps despite their charismatic killer looks, Joohoney and I.M. from six-member K-pop MONSTA X are will set the stage ablaze. The multi-talented duo (rapper, songwriter, and producer) shaped the group’s tight raps and dynamic sound. Joohoney’s fiery stamp is on ‘Gambler’ and ‘Love Killa’ whereas I.M. provides his deep, charismatic voice and introspective lyricism on ‘Alligator’ and ‘Fantasia’.
Outside of MONSTA X, Joohoney has released his solo debut with mini album Lights in 2023 while I.M. had a solo project via EP album Duality.
JESSI
Prepare for explicit banters alongside catchy tunes by the ever-charming and bold JESSI. The solo rapper made her name in the K-hip-hop scene with viral hits like ‘Zoom’, ‘NUNU NANA’, the sultry ‘Cold Blooded’, and more. With a career spanning over a decade, Jessi continues to push boundaries, inspiring fans worldwide with her confidence and unapologetic artistry.
GRAY
As the master of melody and rhythm, veteran rapper GRAY will blend his soulful voice with intricate rap verses on stage with smooth songs like ‘TMI’, ‘Connected’, and ‘Rule Breaker’. With his knack of producing sleek hits for other top-billing artists and signature R&B-infused hip-hop sound, GRAY continues to influence the Korean music scene.
LOCO
A close pal to GRAY, LOCO is set to enchant the audience with his commanding flow and unique story-telling on impactful raps of ‘Too Much’, ‘Late Night’, ‘Can’t Sleep’, and more. Winning the first season of Show Me the Money, he quickly rose to fame with hits like ‘Hold Me Tight’ and ‘Some’, blending melodic rap with heartfelt lyricism, solidifying his place as one of Korea’s most versatile and beloved hip-hop artists.
YUNGIN (David Kim)
The Grammy-winning mix engineer is also a producer, and rising hip-hop artist with an impressive resume spanning both Korea and the U.S. His production skills are evident in his solo songs as well, having worked with well-known international artists like Kendrick Lamar and BTS. YUNGIN stands out in the current wave of K-hip-hop thanks to his blend of hip-hop, R&B, and foreign influences.
HOLYBANG
All hail the all-female winning dance crew from the inaugural season of reality dance competition Street Woman Fighter. Led by renowned choreographer Honey J, witness them fuse hip-hop, street dance, and an electrifying stage presence to deliver a jaw-dropping routine. They tapped on their neat skills and clean moves while working with notable names like top artists Jay Park and Jessi.
LIL CHERRY and GOLDBUUDA
Sibling Duo LIL CHERRY and GOLDBUUDA will enchant the audience with their upbeat, honest raps in a playful, experimental style. Known for viral hits like MUKKBANG! and CATWALK, they blend unique flows, hyper-pop beats, and eccentric visuals to create a fresh, genre-defying sound. Their fearless creativity and global appeal make them stand-outs in Korea’s evolving hip-hop landscape.
Random K-pop dance segment
Besides the explosive music performances, the audience can flaunt their clean-cut moves and knowledge of K-pop with the festival’s random K-pop dance segment. This event will be helmed by DJ RAW & MC Jasmin from Seoul Searching, who will execute their signature Last Man Standing with dynamic beats.
+82 presents PLAYGROUND 2025 will happen on 3 May 2025 at Pasir Panjang Power Station in Singapore. Ticket prices begin at S$188 to S$358.
(Feature and hero image credit: Starship Entertainment/UNNI Company Inc)
