ATEEZ brought K-pop to one of Seoul’s most distinctive heritage sites. The group’s performance at Deoksugung Palace featured “Drip” and “BAD” against the monumental stone columns of Seokjojeon Hall. The special stage aired on October 31, 2026, in episode 778 of KBS2’s Immortal Songs, as part of the 2026 Royal Culture Festival special, Palace, Awaken the Arts (궁, 예술을 깨우다).
The combination of modern choreography, palace architecture, theatrical lighting and specially made costumes offered viewers more than a standard music-program performance. According to the broadcaster’s publicity, ATEEZ became the first K-pop idol group to stage a special performance at Deoksugung.
Why the ATEEZ Deoksugung Palace performance is so memorable
Seokjojeon, a Western-style stone hall within the grounds of Deoksugung Palace, gave the performance an unusual visual scale. Its symmetrical facade, tall columns and broad steps formed a natural stage. Under shifting pink, purple and blue lights, the architecture became an active element of the performance rather than just a background.
ATEEZ’s tailored black-and-white costumes featured contrasting piping, decorative shoulder pieces and embroidered details. Reports on the KBS special described the clothing as inspired by the image of princes of the Korean Empire. The result was a modern stage design that nodded to its historical surroundings without presenting the costumes as authentic period dress.
Wide shots showed dancers arranged across the stone steps, while close-ups highlighted the members’ precise movements and expressions. The contrast between energetic K-pop and stately architecture is one of the video’s strongest visual ideas.
“Drip” and “BAD” against the Seokjojeon facade
ATEEZ performed two tracks, “Drip” and “BAD,” in the October 31 broadcast. The supplied performance footage features dramatic formations, sharp choreography and tightly framed vocal moments. Red lighting makes one sequence feel intimate; another pulls back to reveal the full group and dancers under purple lighting. In a cooler blue-lit scene, the contrast between dark uniforms and pale stone columns becomes especially striking.
This presentation demonstrates how an international K-pop performance can introduce viewers to a physical piece of Korean cultural history. For fans abroad, the palace itself is likely to be as memorable as the stage design.
Deoksugung vs. Gyeongbokgung: Where was the show filmed?
There is an important distinction in the event’s locations. The 2026 Royal Culture Festival’s main concert was held at Heungnyemun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace. The special ATEEZ performance shown in the video, however, took place against Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace.
KBS’s episode 778 also featured NMIXX, BOYNEXTDOOR, Lee Seung-gi, Lyn, Kim Chang-wan Band and Park Ji-hyun. The wider special brought together modern idol music, established vocalists and Korean popular-music traditions.
Watch ATEEZ at Deoksugung Palace
Video credit: KBS2 “Immortal Songs” / YouTube. Watch the original KBS performance on YouTube.
Four things to notice in the performance
- The location: Seokjojeon’s stone facade gives the performance an unmistakable Deoksugung Palace backdrop.
- The costumes: The group’s tailored uniforms and decorative shoulder details reference an imperial-era visual language.
- The choreography: Wide group formations take advantage of the building’s steps and symmetrical lines.
- The contrast: Contemporary K-pop energy meets a landmark connected with Korea’s modern royal history.
ATEEZ’s palace stage: Essential facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Artist | ATEEZ (에이티즈) |
| Songs performed | “Drip” and “BAD” |
| TV program | KBS2 Immortal Songs, episode 778 |
| Broadcast date | October 31, 2026 |
| ATEEZ stage location | Seokjojeon, Deoksugung Palace, Seoul |
| Main festival concert location | Heungnyemun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul |
Why the performance matters beyond K-pop
Seoul’s royal palaces are often presented to overseas audiences through historic buildings, exhibitions and ceremonial events. A performance like this offers another route to cultural discovery. Viewers who arrive for ATEEZ can become curious about Deoksugung and the history of the Korean Empire. Visitors interested in Seoul’s heritage, meanwhile, may discover the contemporary artists who reinterpret historic settings through music and visual performance.
The stage’s power lies in that combination: a contemporary sound, a centuries-deep cultural setting and a setting that remains accessible to visitors. Anyone planning a trip should check official Deoksugung visitor information for current opening times and access to Seokjojeon.
For more on the group, read our ATEEZ GOLDEN HOUR Part.6 comeback guide.
How to connect the performance with a Seoul palace visit
Travelers interested in the filming location can look up Deoksugung Palace and Seokjojeon Hall in central Seoul. The video’s outdoor setting is the stone facade and steps; access to individual palace buildings may follow separate visitor rules. Before visiting, check the official palace website for admission, opening times, guided tours and any temporary restrictions.
For travelers exploring both locations mentioned in the program, our Gyeongbokgung Palace day-trip guide explains how to plan a separate visit to the main festival venue. For additional Korean-heritage experiences, see our Changdeokgung Secret Garden guide. These sites are different palaces, and the filming location should not be confused with the concert site.
Fans following the broader K-pop lineup can also read our coverage of NMIXX’s stage performance, another group featured in the 2026 palace television special.
Frequently asked questions
Where did ATEEZ perform for Immortal Songs in 2026?
The special ATEEZ performance was staged in front of Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul. The broader Royal Culture Festival show used Gyeongbokgung’s Heungnyemun Square.
Which songs did ATEEZ perform?
KBS officially lists “BAD” and “Drip” for the group’s appearance in episode 778.
When was the palace performance broadcast?
It aired on KBS2 on October 31, 2026, during the 2026 Royal Culture Festival special.
Sources: KBS episode 778 listing; iMBC 2026-10-30 report; iMBC 2026-11-01 performance report. Video and performance footage © respective rights holders, KBS.