As the Esports World Cup 2025 commenced in Riyadh with a fully booked opening ceremony, the attention was not solely on the competitors. The music aspect also shone brightly, featuring performances by Post Malone, Alesso, Tina Guo, and DINO from SEVENTEEN.
A memorable highlight of the evening was the live introduction of ‘Til My Fingers Bleed’—a collaborative piece by DINO, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of The Word Alive, which blended K-pop, hip-hop, and rock into an energetic anthem for the tournament.
The song rapidly garnered over three million streams on Spotify and was designated the official Song of the Year for the Esports World Cup. For DINO, this experience held personal significance, marking his return as a solo artist and creating an opportunity to reach a new audience.
“I was thrilled when I learned I’d be collaborating with Duckwrth and The Word Alive,” he remarked in a Zoom conversation from Riyadh before the performance. “It’s always a great joy to share the stage with new artists, and I was eager to see how we could shape the performance together.”
His excitement grew upon hearing the track. “When I first listened to the song, I thought it perfectly embodied the Esports World Cup. There was truly no other way to describe it. The intense energy resonated with me, and I felt enthusiastic as well.”
This collaboration marked DINO's inaugural work directly within the gaming realm, although he was somewhat familiar with the energy and vibe of esports. “I had envisioned the type of synergy we would create on stage with the three of us working together,” he stated. “After our rehearsals, I found it to be very harmonious. I believe our distinct styles combine to generate a more vivid result. Merging different colors creates something even more brilliant and captivating, which I think the audience will find refreshing and enjoyable.”
With thousands present and millions streaming the ceremony online, the pressure was high. However, DINO expressed that he wasn't intimidated by the event's enormity or by being the only performing member of SEVENTEEN. “Honestly, I didn’t feel much pressure,” he noted. “I genuinely enjoy performing solo, so it was rather exhilarating. I viewed it as a fresh chance for myself—through this opportunity, I hope to explore other types of stages, like festivals and more.”
This eagerness for new experiences has significantly influenced DINO's recent endeavors. In 2023, he debuted his first solo mixtape, ‘Wait’, and in 2025, he released ‘Trigger’, a candid solo track featured on SEVENTEEN's 10th anniversary album, ‘Happy Burstday’, which opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
“For 'Wait', that was my debut as a solo artist,” he explained. “I developed it by focusing on discovering my strengths as an artist. With 'Trigger', I aimed to portray my true self—exactly how I felt at that moment. Therefore, the lyrics are straightforward, sincere, and somewhat raw. That’s the main distinction between the messages of the two songs, I believe.”
The opportunity to perform ‘Til My Fingers Bleed’ at the opening ceremony came at a crucial time. For DINO, it represented a unique experience: “It truly feels like a valuable and fresh experience,” he remarked. “Sharing a stage like this with such an impressive lineup—and the overall atmosphere of the event—will be significant for me. I think it will serve as a solid foundation for my future, whether I’m touring or performing on other platforms.”
Although he’s involved in esports, DINO admits he isn’t exactly a dedicated gamer. “To be honest, I’m not very skilled at games. I really am not,” he chuckled. “But I've enjoyed playing StarCraft and Sudden Attack before. However, I prefer arcade games. I really like Street Fighter—those games align more with my interests.”
Nonetheless, he feels that the connection between music and gaming comes naturally to him and is creatively fulfilling. He’s open to future cross-industry collaborations, but emphasizes: “Honestly, I love performing the most. So any opportunity to collaborate with another artist on stage excites me. I’d be eager to do that anywhere.”
When asked about artists he'd like to work with one day, he didn’t hesitate: “Ah… there are so many I admire, it’s tough to pick! But I have great respect for Childish Gambino, and I'm also a big fan of Dua Lipa.”
Looking ahead, DINO is prepared for new opportunities whenever they arise. “I’m always getting ready and remain open to new possibilities. I’m continuously contemplating the right timing for a release. And of course, I’m looking forward to SEVENTEEN’s next comeback, so I want to manage both aspects carefully. Finding the perfect timing is essential. But please do
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As the Esports World Cup 2025 began in Riyadh with a fully booked opening ceremony, the focus extended beyond the players. Music became the main attraction.