“Even if I fall again, I rise again. This is more than just a game, it is our DNA(This is not just a game. It is our DNA)”

Korean lyrics rang out at the opening ceremony of the North and Central American World Cup. Ejae, a singer who became a global star with the Netflix animation <K-pop Demon Hunters> ‘Golden’ (Golden), performed the World Cup anthem ‘DNA’ at the opening ceremony held at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on the 11th (local time).

‘DNA’ is a song featuring Ejae and Bocelli, American singer Megan Thee Stallion, and France-born DJ David Guetta. Among them, Ejae and Italian vocalist Andrea Bocelli took the stage as the opening ceremony performers.

Ejae and Bocelli stood side by side on a circular stage surrounded by people holding the flags of the participating nations. Bocelli opened with lyrics that included Italian (anche se cadiamo poi ci rialziamo, even if we fall, we rise again). Wearing a blue dress, Ejae followed in Korean with lyrics of the same meaning. With a rich vocal presence that did not fall behind the operatic Bocelli, Ejae filled the stadium.

The opening ceremony featured global pop star Shakira, along with Mexican singers Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda Peregrin, and Lila Downs; Danny Ocean from Venezuela; J Balvin from Colombia; Tyla from South Africa; and artists from various countries.

Stages by K-pop stars are set to roll out throughout the North and Central American World Cup. Because the tournament is being held in three countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), the opening ceremony will also be held three times. BLACKPINK member Lisa will appear at the Los Angeles opening ceremony in the United States. BTS will co-headline the first-ever halftime show to be held at a World Cup final, together with pop stars Madonna and Shakira.

A Korean singer first took an official World Cup stage when Jungkook of BTS performed the official anthem ‘Dreamers’ at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Repeated overtures from FIFA to K-pop stars demonstrate K-pop's elevated standing worldwide.