Dutch DJ and EDM star Martin Garrix headlined the 2018 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony in Pyeongchang, South Korea with renowned K-pop stars on Sunday, Feb. 25.
After three weeks of watching each participating nation's representatives battle it out on snow and ice, the host country, South Korea, turned the closing ceremony of the worldwide sports event into a giant dance party.
K-Pop Stars Heat Up Closing Ceremony
Among those who performed onstage was CL of the now-defunct girl group 2NE1. The female performer appeared midway through the ceremony, garbed in black clothing and accompanied by dancers with brightly-colored hair. She first performed a rendition of her hit single "Baddest Female" before transitioning to the 2NE1 2011 hit "I Am The Best."
CL's blood-pumping performance was followed by Kai who appeared onstage wearing a hanbok and accompanied by a lone percussionist. He performed a traditional dance before seven of his groupmates (Lay was MIA) from the boy group EXO joined him to sing "Growl" and "Power."
2018 Winter Olympics Guitar Kid Slays
However, it was Yang Tae-Hwan, 13-year-old prodigy, who almost stole the show from more seasoned performers at the closing event on Sunday night. The Korean guitarist turned classical music, like "Winter" from Antonio Vivaldi's 1725 baroque symphony "The Four Seasons," into rock and roll.
Wearing a beige turtleneck with blue jeans and a leather jacket, Tae-Hwan stole the hearts of viewers all over the world.
Dance Party Down South
It was EDM superstar Garrix who ended the closing ceremony. According to EDM Sauce, the 21-year-old is only the third electronic music artist to play at the Olympic Games. Prior to his appearance in South Korea, Tiesto and Kygo played at the 2014 and 2016 games respectively.
Garrix, a native of the Netherlands, previously collaborated with the likes of Dua Lipa, Troye Sivan, and David Guetta. Also performing during the set was South Korea's DJ Raiden.
The next Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, China in 2022.