While Epik High fans - High Skool - rejoiced following the announcement that the iconic hip-hop group will join Coachella 2022, BIGBANG fans - VIPs - who waited for two years since its postponement in 2020 were left disappointed after not seeing any sign of the group in the official lineup.
On January 13, Coachella 2022 released an official poster revealing the official artist lineup and schedules for the 10-day festival.
In particular, Coachella is the hottest music festival around the world held every spring for two weeks in Indio, California. It is called the "dream stage" of musicians because prominent musicians participate every year and can access various music regardless of the genre such as rock, hip-hop, and electronic.
Epik High to Perform on Coachella for the Second Time, Proves 'Top Artist' Status
ALSO READ: Epik High Gives Coachella 2016 A Taste Of Korean Hip-Hop
In the lineup, the K-hip-hop icon Epik High confirmed their appearance at the Coachella 2022 for the second time since their first attendance in 2016.
In history, they will be the first K-pop act to perform for the U.S. largest music festival twice, as well as the only Korean artist to be officially invited to Coachella three times in 2016, 2020 and 2022.
These new feats will be added to their title as the first-ever act from Korea to break the wall and perform in the aforementioned festival.
In the poster, Epik High will open the festival on the first day on April 15 and the 22nd, along with top international stars Harry Styles, Carly Rae Jepsen, Big Sean and more, proving its global popularity at home and abroad to be included in this lineup.
Meanwhile, the 19-year Epik High comprised of Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz announced their active activities with their comeback and performances in 2022, who will return this year with the second installment of their 10th full-length album "Epik High Is Here."
Where is BIGBANG? VIPs React as the Group is Not Included in the Lineup
Coachella 2022 will be held from April 15 to 24 and will feature top stars including Epik High. While High Skool expressed their delight, VIPs conveyed various reactions when the group is excluded in new lineup.
In 2020, BIGBANG was originally invited to the music festival and expressed their anticipation to meet global fans after members' military enlistment.
However, due to coronavirus, Coachella 2020 was indefinitely postponed; later on, canceled.
When fans found out that there was no sign of BIGBANG in the new poster, fans expressed frustrations and commented, "Why there's no BIGBANG?" "It hurts to see that they are no longer participating," "I expected BIGBANG to attend though," and more.
On the flip side, some accepted that the quartet will have no appearance in the festival, saying, "Taeyang just recently have his baby, I doubt he will leave his wife to go to the U.S.," "Trust BIGBANG, guys," "Isn't it because they don't have any previous release?" and more.
With this, industry insiders also demand YG Entertainment's statement of BIGBANG's absence in Coachella.
READ MORE: BIGBANG's Widely Anticipated Return Through Coachella 2020 Cancelled
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Written by Eunice Dawson