SEVENTEEN member DINO made history on Wednesday night as the first K-pop artist to perform at the Esports World Cup (EWC), held at the anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The singer and dancer took the stage during the Opening Ceremony to debut the tournament’s official anthem, Til My Fingers Bleed, in a live performance featuring American rapper Duckwrth and Telle Smith of rock band The Word Alive.
The high-energy performance blended K-pop, hip-hop, and rock, with DINO delivering live vocals and intricate choreography alongside a group of nearly 30 dancers. The stage design incorporated immersive digital visuals inspired by gaming environments, aligning with the theme of the event.
‘Til My Fingers Bleed’ was released on June 30 and produced by a team behind music for BTS, ATEEZ, and League of Legends. The track has been described as a genre-bending anthem that reflects the intensity of competitive esports.
In a brief pre-show interview, DINO expressed excitement about the opportunity, calling it “a new kind of challenge” and noting that he worked closely with producers to develop a vocal style that matched the song’s tone and energy.
This year’s Esports World Cup is being held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, featuring 25 game titles and drawing players and fans from around the world. Organizers expect more than 2.6 million in-person attendees, with over 500 million viewers tuning in online throughout the competition. The total prize pool for the tournament stands at $70 million, making it the largest in esports history.
DINO joined an international lineup of performers at the EWC Opening Ceremony, which also included Post Malone, Alesso, and cellist Tina Guo. The event marks Saudi Arabia’s continued push into global entertainment and digital culture as part of its Vision 2030 initiative.
DINO’s solo appearance follows SEVENTEEN’s ongoing world tour and individual member activities. The performance in Riyadh further cements his reputation as a versatile artist capable of commanding stages both as part of a group and independently.
