Hippoplaya Seoul 2025: A Thunderous Indoor Celebration of Music, Art, and Unforgettable Vibes

We were beyond grateful to be invited to our very first festival coverage in Seoul, thanks to Gig Pro Life and the Hippoplaya team — and what an absolutely wild ride it was!

From the moment we stepped into KINTEX, the venue buzzed with color, energy, and the kind of electric anticipation you only get when something legendary is about to happen. This year marked a major shift for the festival — it was the first time held indoors, and honestly? A genius move. With May being stormy and cold in Korea, the comfort of an indoor setup was a total win. Clean restrooms, clearly labeled food stalls (yes, with multiple options!), and even sponsored booths like The Venti offering lattes and slushies during the ongoing shows — it was thoughtful, smooth, and made for a seamless experience.

Two Stages. One Wild Day.

The setup featured two simultaneous stages -- One with modern R&B-centered performances, bringing in soulful powerhouses like Zion.T, Dean, and more. The other, a hip-hop lover’s dream, showcasing an explosive lineup led by CHANGMO and the newly formed label KC and Friends, the brainchild of SIKK. This crew included up-and-coming JMIN, the already-iconic HAON, and others, and their energy was absolutely unmatched.

The crowd went INSANE for KC and Friends. No exaggeration. People were pulling off full-blown hip-hop dance moves before the set even began. It was pure hype.

Premium Vibes, Perfect Timing

As Premium GA ticket holders, we got to enjoy some pretty sweet perks such as a VIP-only T-shirt as memorabilia (seriously cool), a drinks stall right inside our standing zone — no need to leave the stage to grab a drink, and even extra lounge space in the back if you just wanted to chill and soak in the sounds.

Despite the festival being super long, it flew by. Sets were on time, transitions were smooth, and there was always space in the schedule to grab food, check out display cases of merch, or take part in the spray-paint graffiti wall.

That Surprise Guest Tho?!

Okay, let’s talk about the secret guest. Rumors were flying ever since an April Fools’ teaser hinted it might be Playboi Carti — but honestly, what we got was even better. The surprise appearance by DPR Dabin shook the crowd to its core. He dropped an incredible DJ set, previewed unreleased tracks, and left everyone speechless.

There were moments of pure emotion — artists like Tabber really hit us in the feels, while ZICO had the entire venue jumping. And the finale? KC and Friends absolutely lit the place on fire, complete with a giant cat on stage and crazy visual effects that took the whole experience to another level.

The screen visuals were massive, with drone cameras swooping around the artists during live sets — a super clever way to avoid obstructing views with bulky camera crews. And for everyone still buzzing from the festival? The official Hippoplaya playlist on Spotify lets you relive the magic. We definitely found ourselves Shazaming songs non-stop and dancing like there was no tomorrow — even when we didn’t know the lyrics.

From the insanely hyped crowd to the flawless shuttle system, organized food ordering, and affordable lockers — Hippoplaya 2025 was everything a music lover could hope for and more. We’re already counting down the days to see what this incredible team has planned for next year’s breathtaking edition. Let us know if you are just as excited as us in the comments below for Hippoplaya 2026!