If you know us here at THP HQ, or if you’ve been here for a while, you probably already know we have a bit of an obsession with Jagwar Twin. So, you already know that we’re losing our minds over the success that he’s found since the first time we discovered him. We’ve watched this artist evolve from a user with 8k YouTube subscribers to one with over half a million—and he’s still on the rise! So, if you haven’t stanned yet, literally what’s your deal???
We’re going to get off our soapboxes about him though (this is a lie) and get on with the point of this article. And yes, we have a point. Buckle in, because our favorite artist (and he better be yours, too) just had one of the first full-circle moments of his career. We are geeking out and want you to be too.
One Universe Music Festival
Jagwar Twin finally (and by finally, we mean FINALLY) made his way to South Korea for Incheon’s One Universe Music Festival in Paradise City. And let’s just say even if it hadn’t been summer, then we would’ve been warm because that stage was FIRE! But how is this a “full-circle-moment,” you ask? Well, Korea has been part of Jagwar Twin’s bigger story for years now. His arrival there is a special moment and one that could not be more chef’s kiss if it tried.
The thing is, Jagwar Twin had presented ‘Happy Face‘ to his label, and it was so disliked that he got dropped for it. But, virality doesn’t listen to record labels and aren’t we thankful for that! The tides started turning, and Korean fans were some of the loudest. Translation videos began popping up on YouTube, introducing it to a brand new audience! ‘Happy Face’ became a movement that started on TikTok and ended up a global phenomenon (and if it had been up to his label, a defining music trend would have never been heard at all).
Then, what started as a whisper turned into a full blown roar when the song found its way further into the Korean music scene with celebrities like IVE dancing to the track and NCT 127’s Yuta sharing his love for Jagwar Twin. So, after years and years of receiving love from halfway across the globe, Jagwar Twin taking his music to South Korea for live shows is kind of a big deal. We’re actually getting emotional about it.
It was beautiful chaos. One of those experiences I know I’ll never forget.”
Jagwar Twin
Have MERCY, Jagwar Twin Has Led Us Down Another Rabbit Hole…Except It Has Cat Ears
And as if seeing Jagwar Twin live wasn’t enough, we found our newest obsession at the same time. We are genuinely #blessed. It’s almost like Jagwar Twin read our minds and knew what we needed when he brought the artist MERCY onstage to join him for their collab ‘not your homie.’
MERCY co-wrote the lucius lullaby track and lends her vocals to the record as its featured artist, so seeing the two bring it to life together already had our attention. Add MERCY making her own Korean performance debut in a black cat-inspired leather look while massive water cannons erupted over the crowd, and… hi, MERCY, you officially have our attention. 👀 Consider us intrigued, because something tells us this won’t be the last time you hear her name around here.
Apparently Korea Is Sir Lucius’ Kingdom Now
As if 20,000 people singing Jagwar Twin songs wasn’t enough excitement for one trip, Sir Lucius discovered that he may have been underestimating his own celebrity status.
Simply attempting to walk around the festival grounds turned into its own event, with fans gathering around him, screaming, taking photos, following him through the grounds, and even bowing.
Honestly, we have questions. Primarily: Sir Lucius, how does it feel to discover you’ve apparently been famous in Korea this entire time?
Someone get him an entourage! STAT!
But Wait! There’s MORE!
But one of our favorite parts of Jagwar Twin’s first Korean adventure actually happened after the festival.
As if we hadn’t been blessed enough, Jagwar Twin gave a small acoustic performance to his OG fans, chatting, taking photos, and signing merch. There isn’t a more beautiful thing to us than an artist who appreciates the people who helped them succeed. We are so lucky. Festivals are always so cool. But at the end of the day, the trip was about the people who were there before—the people who carved out this space for Jagwar Twin to begin with: the fans.
Honeybees, we have to know: were you lucky enough to catch Jagwar Twin at One Universe Music Festival or the surprise park performance? And if Jagwar Twin comes back to Korea, which song absolutely has to make the setlist? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter! And if you need a place to vent your new love for Jagwar Twin, come over to our Facebook and Instagram.
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