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2NE1: The nostalgia continued in 2NE1’s set. While member Park Bom was notably absent, fellow members CL, Sandara Park, and Minzy reunited to deliver a high-energy performance from their iconic discography to excited fans. Just before the set began, staff tossed out LED light sticks into the audience, ones that synced and changed color throughout the performance, turning the crowd into a sea of coordinated lights. The set opened with “FIRE” and included hits like “I Don’t Care,” and “Falling in Love.” CL also performed solo songs “The Baddest Female” and “MTBD,” earning the loudest crowd reactions of the night.

DEAN & Tabber: These two artists made their HITC stage appearance together, showing off their strength as artists both individually and as a duo. Both artists specialize in R&B and moody synths, and together they leaned into intimacy of the notes over spectacle. Noteworthy tracks included “007” and their collaborative song “Chi-Ka” which all showcased their ability to weave vulnerability into melody, balancing DEAN’s soulful vocals with Tabber’s textured harmony. What made them stand out was the way they played with each other's emotional tone, like a conversation unfolding in front of the audience. The crowd was there to witness in their live studio session, creating an energy magnet that locked in everyone completely from start to finish.  

Rich Brian: Indonesian rapper Rich Brian performed his new songs with a theatrical entrance, descending a black staircase while mimicking the visual motif from the trailer of his upcoming album WHERE IS MY HEAD? His setlist included tracks like “Tokyo Drift Freestyle,” “Who That Be,” and “Jumpy,” the third of which also included a guest appearance by Ski Mask the Slump God. His songs reflected on his personal experiences and were accompanied by childhood photos that were displayed on stage.

KUN: Making his official debut at HITC, Chinese pop artist and former nine percent member KUN brought a polished, passionate set to the HITC stage. His appearance was a standout moment for Mandopop fans, marking the growing presence of Chinese talent in the global festival circuit. Among the highlights of the performance of his new single “Deadman,” a moody atmospheric track layered with a spotlight cast over a fog-covered stage. The song leaned into a darker, more vocal heavy sound than his earlier pop-centric release. Signaling a new artistic direction: one that is more introspective, cinematic and emotionally raw. As the lights dimmed, KUN was reborn as a new artist.

Jackson Wang: Jackson Wang’s goals for the MAGIC SHOW Party were more about presence than performance. He invited the audience to not just watch but to experience his own musical universe: shaped by his emotions, lived experiences, and inner conflicts. Stepping on stage to promote his track “GBAD”, he invited his friends and family to sing along on stage leading to a solidarity finale. The song delivers blunt honesty, with lyrics like “life is bad, just gotta be a dick sometimes” capturing his current mindset. Rather than standing alone in the spotlight, Wang surrounded himself with friends and collaborators who sang “GBAD” with him on stage. He walked along the barricades, reached out to fans, and strolled side by side with fellow artists mid-set. Wang created a space for shared emotions, held up by the people around him.