The genre has exploded in global popularity in recent years.
The 2025 Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters had the highest number of views for an English-language movie on Netflix in the first 91 days of its release, with 325,100,000 views – beating second-place film Red Notice by almost 100,000,000.
It won the 2025 Oscar for best animated feature and best original song for its hit track Golden.
The hybrid show will feature tracks from the movie with songs by K-pop bands Blackpink, Rose, BTS, K/DA, Katseye, Saja Boys and Huntr/x.
The music is sung by avatar characters Luna, Mia, Xander, Jade and Gray, who form the K-Pop Icons band.
Each character had a personality inspired by real people the creators knew, Anikeyeva said.
“Our Icons, the avatar characters, bridge the fantasy and reality worlds together. Everyone has had some connection during their childhood to a fictional character. There’s something about a character and a made-up world that feels magical,” she said.
Live back-up dancers, the Dream Team, support the virtual band onstage.
“We wanted to create something children would lean into and connect with that felt exciting at the same time.”
The audience will vote for their favourite Icon character live during the show, with the winner announced at the end.
“We believe the hybrid model of this K-pop experience is one of a kind. We have a show that leans into the virtual world whilst still bringing that real energy and connection.”
Whanganui District Council venues and events manager Erin Banks said the family-friendly show had “something for everyone, whether you’re already a fan or simply curious”.
“It’s exciting to have a world tour stop in Whanganui, giving local audiences access to unique entertainment without needing to travel to a larger city.”
Anikeyeva said the show was excited to bring its “high-quality” live entertainment to Whanganui and the surrounding region.
“The Royal Whanganui Opera House is a stunning venue and exactly the kind of theatre we love performing in.”
Tickets range from $39 to $90 and are available on the K-Pop Icons World Tour or Whanganui Venues and Events websites.
More information about the show and each Icon’s character description is available on the tour’s website.
“We cannot wait for the Icons and Dream Team to meet the families of New Zealand,” Anikeyeva said.
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.