KARD performed in Greece for the first time, bringing their 2026 world tour “NOW HERE” to Athens on September 17. They performed at Universe Multivenue in front of Greek fans, marking a long-awaited milestone in their decade-long career. Known for their distinctive co-ed lineup and dynamic blend of K-pop, hip-hop, EDM, dancehall and Latin influences, the members of the group BM, J.Seph, Somin and Jiwoo delivered a two-hour live performance featuring their latest music alongside some of their most recognizable hits. The Athens concert was produced by HY LIVE, co-produced by TMR Entertainment and Envol Production, with K-pop World Greece and Sejong Stories handling artist booking and promotion.
The day began with an extensive program of exclusive fan experiences. Check-in began at 16:00, followed by a hi-touch session, group photographs, individual photographs and a fan sign. Soundcheck doors opened at 18:00, while Premium and General Admission doors opened at 19:00, followed by dance group performances at 20:30.
At 21:00 the concert started bringing together the four members’ striking energy. Songs from across KARD’s career were met with enthusiastic responses from the Greek audience and that energetic atmosphere lasted from the opening moments until the final performance.
One of the things that has made KARD’s music stood out within the K-pop scene is its fusion of genres, as well as its co-ed format. This distinctive identity translated particularly well to the Athens’s live stage, where the four members delivered a performance that showcased apart from their undeniable stage presence, their versatility. The powerful vocals, the sharp choreography, the impressive production and the group’s genuine interaction with the audience came together and created a high-caliber concert experience.
That genuine connection between the artists and their Greek fans was also evident during the memebers’ ment segments. BM addressed everyone with warmth, saying, “Athens, thank you for having us in your beautiful city tonight”. Reacting to the crowd’s energy, he added, “You are crazy. We love you so much”. During his ending ment, he reflected on the significance of finally reaching Greece after ten years: “Ten years ago, we never would have imagined that we would one day come all the way to Greece. Thank you for giving us so much love and support. He also noted that Athens was the final city of their European tour.
Somin greeted the audience in Greek and encouraged fans to enjoy the concert until the very end. In her closing remarks, she spoke emotionally about the group’s ten-year journey: “I’m so incredibly happy that we got to spend this time together here in Greece. These ten years have gone by so quickly”. Expressing her gratitude to the fans, she continued, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for supporting me, for giving me the strength to keep running toward and pursuing what I love”. She also acknowledged the physical demands of touring, explaining, “The tour has been physically exhausting, but whenever I hear your voices and feel your support, all that exhaustion disappears. You give us strength”. She ended by wishing the audience continued health and happiness.
Jiwoo similarly reflected on the long-awaited visit to Greece. Thanking fans for attending despite it being a weekday, she said, “We had such a wonderful time with you tonight”. She then returned to the significance of the group’s first visit: “After ten years, it’s all thanks to you that we finally had the opportunity to come to Greece and meet you”. With a smile, she added, “Isn’t it a little crazy that it took us ten years to come here for the first time?”. She concluded with a promise to the Greek audience: “We’ll do our very best so that it won’t take another ten years for us to meet again”.
J.Seph also emphasized the unexpected depth of the welcome they received. Reflecting on the audience’s support, he said, “You loved us beyond who we are and beyond anything we could have imagined. If we had known that, we would have come to Greece back in 2017”. Describing the Athens concert as a truly special day, he also acknowledged the demanding nature of touring before thanking “everyone who worked behind the scenes and supported us throughout this journey”.
This concert was significant as it was KARD’s first performance in Greece, but it also reflected the gradual development of the country’s infrastructure for hosting international K-pop events. Greece’s potential to establish itself as a consistent destination on the global K-pop touring circuit will depend not simply on the strength of its fanbase, but on its ability to built and sustain the professional networks that turn cultural enthusiasm into lasting industry opportunities.
