JYP Entertainment’s flagship girl group, TWICE, has officially confirmed a significant expansion of their fifth world tour, "Ready To Be," marking a pivotal moment in the group’s international trajectory. Announced via the group’s official social media channels on April 23, the extension introduces a series of highly anticipated dates across Europe and additional stops in Asia, responding to an overwhelming surge in global demand. This announcement follows the successful inauguration of the tour earlier this month in Seoul, where the nine-member ensemble—comprising Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu—performed to sold-out crowds, setting the stage for what is projected to be the largest touring cycle in the group’s eight-year history.
The "Ready To Be" world tour originally garnered international headlines in February when JYP Entertainment unveiled an initial 17-stop itinerary covering major cities in Asia, Australia, and North America. However, the latest update confirms that the group will finally bring their high-energy production to the European continent, a region where the K-pop genre has seen exponential growth in recent years. The European leg is scheduled to commence at the prestigious O2 Arena in London on September 8, followed by a performance at the Accor Arena in Paris on September 11, and concluding at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on September 14. Tickets for the London engagement are slated to go on official sale at 10:00 AM on April 28, with industry analysts predicting rapid sell-outs across all venues.
Strategic Significance of the European Expansion
The inclusion of London, Paris, and Berlin represents a strategic milestone for TWICE. While the group has maintained a dominant presence in the Asian markets—specifically South Korea and Japan—and has successfully cracked the North American market with previous tours, the European market remained a relatively untapped territory for their live performances. By securing headline slots at some of Europe’s most iconic indoor arenas, TWICE is positioning itself alongside the few elite K-pop acts capable of sustaining arena-scale tours in the West.
The O2 Arena in London, with a capacity of 20,000, and the Accor Arena in Paris, known for hosting global superstars, provide the necessary infrastructure for the complex stage designs and synchronized choreography that have become TWICE’s trademark. This move is seen by industry observers as a calculated effort by JYP Entertainment to diversify the group’s revenue streams and solidify their "global girl group" status in the face of increasing competition within the fourth and fifth generations of K-pop.
Contextualizing the Ready To Be Era
The expansion of the tour is inextricably linked to the commercial success of the group’s 12th mini-album, also titled Ready To Be, which was released in March. The album served as a stylistic evolution for the group, moving away from the "bubblegum pop" aesthetics of their early career toward a more mature, sophisticated sound. The lead single, "Set Me Free," accompanied by the pre-release English-language track "Moonlight Sunrise," showcased the group’s versatility and linguistic range.
"Moonlight Sunrise," in particular, played a crucial role in building momentum for the tour. The track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, marking TWICE’s second career entry on the prestigious chart. This feat was followed by a high-profile promotional blitz in the United States, including a landmark performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The televised performance of "Set Me Free" was widely praised for its live vocal stability and intricate choreography, significantly boosting the group’s visibility among general American audiences and driving ticket sales for their upcoming North American stadium dates.
Chronology of the Ready To Be World Tour
The timeline of the "Ready To Be" tour reflects a meticulously planned rollout designed to maximize global engagement.
- February 2023: JYP Entertainment releases the first teaser for the world tour, outlining a 17-city trek. The announcement highlights TWICE’s first-ever stadium shows in the United States, including venues like the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- March 2023: The release of the Ready To Be mini-album. The project peaks at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, confirming TWICE as one of the top-selling female groups globally in terms of pure album sales.
- April 15-16, 2023: The tour officially kicks off at the KSPO Dome in Seoul. The two-day event featured a diverse setlist, including solo stages for each member, which allowed them to showcase individual musical identities ranging from rock covers to contemporary dance.
- April 23, 2023: The official announcement of "Part 2" of the tour, adding the European dates and expanding the Asian leg to include cities such as Bangkok and Bulacan.
This chronological progression demonstrates a "phased" approach to touring, allowing the label to gauge demand in real-time and adjust the scale of the tour accordingly.
Analytical Implications: The Stadium Frontier
A defining characteristic of the "Ready To Be" tour is its transition into stadium-sized venues. TWICE has become the first K-pop girl group to headline and sell out the SoFi Stadium and MetLife Stadium, a feat that places them in a rarefied tier of touring artists. This shift is not merely a matter of prestige; it carries significant economic implications. Stadium tours allow for larger-scale production values, including pyrotechnics, extended catwalks, and massive LED installations, which in turn command higher ticket prices and drive higher merchandise sales.
The success of these bookings indicates that TWICE has successfully transitioned from a "fandom-driven" act to a "mainstream-touring" powerhouse. While K-pop has historically relied on dedicated fanbases (known as ONCE in TWICE’s case), the ability to fill 50,000-seat stadiums suggests a broader cultural penetration.
Industry Reactions and Economic Impact
Market analysts have noted that JYP Entertainment’s stock performance often correlates with the touring schedules of its primary artists. The expansion of the "Ready To Be" tour into Europe is expected to have a positive impact on the company’s Q3 and Q4 earnings for 2023. Furthermore, the "Ready To Be" tour serves as a testament to the longevity of the group. Having renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment in late 2022, TWICE has defied the "seven-year curse" that often leads to the disbandment of K-pop groups.
In a statement following the Seoul kickoff, JYP Entertainment emphasized that this tour was designed to "repay the love of global fans" and to "showcase a more confident and liberated side of the members." While official statements from the members themselves have focused on their excitement to meet European ONCEs for the first time, the underlying message is one of endurance and growth.
Production and Artistic Direction
Fans attending the upcoming European and Asian dates can expect a production that balances the group’s massive hits with newer, more experimental tracks. The Seoul concerts featured a live band for several segments, a move that added a "rock-concert" energy to the traditional K-pop spectacle. Each member’s solo stage has been curated to reflect their personal growth: Nayeon performing her solo debut "POP!", Jihyo showcasing unreleased material, and the "Japan Line" (Momo, Sana, and Mina) delivering high-concept performance art.
The thematic core of the tour, "Ready To Be," mirrors the album’s message of breaking free from societal expectations and being true to oneself. This narrative resonance has been a key factor in the tour’s marketing, appealing to a demographic that values authenticity alongside high-gloss entertainment.
Future Outlook and Global Standing
As TWICE prepares to embark on the North American leg before heading to Europe, the "Ready To Be" world tour is set to redefine the boundaries for female K-pop acts. The group’s ability to maintain a rigorous release schedule while executing a massive global tour speaks to the efficiency of the JYP production system and the stamina of the members.
The expansion into London, Paris, and Berlin is likely just the beginning of a broader push into the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region. If the European leg performs as expected, it could pave the way for even larger venues in future tours, including European stadiums. For now, the focus remains on the upcoming ticket sales and the logistical execution of a tour that spans multiple continents and time zones.
With the "Ready To Be" tour, TWICE is not just performing; they are documenting their transition from regional idols to global icons. As the September dates approach, the international music industry will be watching closely to see how the "TWICE effect" translates in the historic arenas of Europe, further cementing the group’s legacy in the annals of global pop music.