[OSENWORLD] IVE has made a historic first appearance at one of Japan’s biggest music festivals.
On Sept. 15, the group took the Lotus Stage at Rock in Japan Festival 2025 in Chiba’s Soga Sports Park, delivering a powerful 10-song set that made their debut unforgettable. With tens of thousands in attendance, their debut at Japan’s representative rock festival underscored IVE’s growing status as a global powerhouse.
They kicked off with Rebel Heart, the Korean hit that topped charts earlier this year, followed by their megahit I AM, instantly igniting the crowd. After greeting the audience, they carried the energy into Attitude, the title track of their third mini album IVE EMPATHY, and maintained high energy with Kitsch and HEYA.
The setlist shone with special touches for local fans. Performances of ELEVEN – Japanese ver. and DARE ME (OST for the NTV drama Dame Mane! – Unsuccessful Talent, We’ll Manage!), along with the very first live stage of Be Alright, the title track of their third Japanese album, sent the audience into a frenzy. Fans responded with massive sing-alongs, turning the festival into a sea of voices.
They then performed their newest Korean single XOXZ, already a strong chart performer in Japan, before closing with the global anthem After LIKE — a triumphant finale to their festival debut.
After the show, IVE expressed gratitude through Starship Entertainment:
“It was an honor and a truly meaningful experience to perform at Rock in Japan Festival, which is so beloved here. We were excited throughout preparations, but the audience gave us even more strength. We’ll continue to repay this support with great music and performances.”
IVE’s rise in Japan has been remarkable. Since their official debut in 2022, they’ve filled Tokyo Dome on their first world tour and drew 100,000 fans for their April fan-concert series IVE SCOUT IN JAPAN. In July, their third Japanese album Be Alright topped Oricon’s Weekly Combined Album and Weekly Album charts, as well as Billboard Japan’s Top Album Sales chart, reaffirming the “IVE syndrome.”
Up next, IVE will open their second world tour IVE WORLD TOUR ‘SHOW WHAT I AM’ with three shows at Seoul’s KSPO Dome from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
Courtesy of Starship Entertainment
