JYP Entertainment’s flagship girl group, TWICE, has officially announced a significant expansion of their fifth world tour, "READY TO BE," marking a historic milestone in the group’s eight-year career. The announcement, disseminated through the group’s official social media channels on April 23, confirms that the nine-member ensemble will bring their high-energy performances to Europe and Southeast Asia for the second leg of their global trek. This extension follows a highly successful launch in Seoul earlier this month and a massive initial rollout of 17 dates across Australia, Japan, and North America.
The expansion is a strategic move by JYP Entertainment to capitalize on the group’s surging international popularity, particularly following the commercial success of their 12th mini-album, also titled READY TO BE. The tour’s second part includes highly anticipated debuts in major European cities, a region where the group’s presence has been long requested by their dedicated global fandom, known as "ONCE."
A New Era for the Global K-Pop Quintessential Group
The "READY TO BE" world tour serves as a testament to TWICE’s enduring longevity and their successful transition from a domestic powerhouse to a global touring force. Unlike previous tours that focused heavily on East Asian markets and select North American cities, this fifth world tour represents the group’s largest undertaking to date.
The momentum for this tour was galvanized by the release of their 12th mini-album in March 2023. The project was led by the disco-punk-inspired title track "SET ME FREE" and the English-language pre-release single "MOONLIGHT SUNRISE." The latter achieved significant chart success, debuting at number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking TWICE’s second career entry on the prestigious chart. This achievement signaled a clear appetite for the group’s music in Western markets, providing the necessary data for JYP Entertainment to greenlight an expanded touring schedule.
Furthermore, the album READY TO BE debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, achieving the biggest sales week for any female K-pop act at the time of its release. The group also took their promotions to a massive audience by performing "SET ME FREE" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a move that introduced their polished choreography and stage presence to millions of mainstream American viewers.
Detailed Chronology of the READY TO BE Tour
The rollout of the "READY TO BE" tour has been meticulously planned to align with TWICE’s promotional cycles. The timeline began in early 2023:
- January 20, 2023: Release of "MOONLIGHT SUNRISE," the group’s second original English single, setting the stage for international expansion.
- February 22, 2023: JYP Entertainment announces the first part of the world tour, covering Seoul, Sydney, Melbourne, Osaka, Tokyo, and several major North American cities, including stadium venues like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- March 10, 2023: Global release of the READY TO BE mini-album.
- April 15–16, 2023: The tour officially kicks off at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, South Korea, featuring a revamped setlist and solo performances by all nine members.
- April 23, 2023: Official announcement of Part 2, introducing the European and Southeast Asian legs.
European Leg and Venue Significance
The inclusion of Europe in the "READY TO BE" tour is a pivotal moment for TWICE, as it marks their first-ever headlining concerts on the continent. The European leg is scheduled for September 2023 and consists of three major arena stops:
- London, United Kingdom: The leg begins at the iconic O2 Arena on September 8. With a capacity of approximately 20,000, the O2 is a premier global venue. Tickets for the London show are scheduled to go on sale at 10:00 AM BST on April 28, with high demand expected to lead to rapid sell-outs.
- Paris, France: The group will perform at the Accor Arena on September 11. Known for hosting major international music acts, the Accor Arena serves as the primary hub for K-pop in France.
- Berlin, Germany: The European leg concludes at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on September 14.
Industry analysts suggest that the selection of these three specific cities—London, Paris, and Berlin—reflects a data-driven approach by JYP Entertainment, targeting the European markets with the highest density of streaming numbers and physical album sales for the group. By securing major arenas, TWICE joins an elite tier of K-pop artists capable of filling 15,000 to 20,000-seat venues in the European market.
Southeast Asian Expansion
In addition to the European dates, the Part 2 announcement confirmed several stops in Southeast Asia, a region where TWICE has maintained a dominant market share since their debut in 2015. The new dates include:
- Singapore: September 2 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
- Bangkok, Thailand: September 23 at Impact Arena.
- Bulacan, Philippines: September 30 at the Philippine Arena.
The inclusion of the Philippine Arena is particularly noteworthy. As the world’s largest indoor arena, with a capacity of up to 55,000, it highlights the massive scale of TWICE’s popularity in the Philippines. This venue choice indicates that the group has moved beyond the "arena" level in Southeast Asia and is now operating at a "stadium" level of demand.
Supporting Data and Commercial Impact
TWICE’s expansion into larger venues is backed by impressive commercial metrics. According to JYP Entertainment’s financial reports, the group’s touring revenue has seen a steady upward trajectory since the resumption of live events post-pandemic. Their previous "III" World Tour (2021-2022) saw multiple sold-out shows in North America, prompting the addition of an encore stadium show at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, which made them the first female K-pop group to headline a stadium in the United States.
The "READY TO BE" tour aims to surpass these records. The North American leg alone includes several NFL-sized stadiums, a feat previously reserved for global icons like BTS and BLACKPINK. This expansion into Europe and the Philippine Arena suggests that TWICE’s total tour attendance could potentially reach over 700,000 to 1,000,000 fans by the conclusion of the tour, placing them among the highest-grossing female touring acts globally.
Implications for JYP Entertainment and the K-Pop Industry
The announcement of the "READY TO BE" tour extension has broader implications for the K-pop industry and JYP Entertainment’s market position. Following the renewal of all nine members’ contracts in late 2022, the group has entered what fans call their "second chapter." This period is characterized by greater creative input from the members and a more aggressive global strategy.
For JYP Entertainment, TWICE remains a primary revenue driver. The success of this world tour is expected to significantly bolster the company’s second and third-quarter earnings for 2023. Furthermore, the successful expansion into Europe paves the way for the company’s junior groups, such as Stray Kids and ITZY, to further penetrate those markets.
The "READY TO BE" tour also signifies a shift in K-pop’s global distribution. While North America has been the primary focus for "Western expansion" for the last five years, the heavy investment in European arenas suggests that K-pop agencies now view Europe as a mature and highly profitable market rather than a secondary consideration.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As TWICE prepares to embark on this massive global journey, the "READY TO BE" tour stands as a celebration of the group’s evolution. From their early days of "color-pop" hits like "Cheer Up" and "TT" to the sophisticated, disco-infused sounds of their recent work, the nine members—Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu—continue to redefine the boundaries of what a K-pop girl group can achieve on the world stage.
With the European leg set to begin in September and ticket sales commencing in late April, the group is poised for a record-breaking year. As the K-pop genre continues to integrate into the global mainstream, TWICE’s "READY TO BE" tour will likely be remembered as a landmark event that solidified the group’s status as a permanent fixture in the international music landscape. Fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely as the group heads to London, Paris, and Berlin, marking the start of a new chapter in TWICE’s historic career.
