Hyunwon and Rei will co-host ASEA 2026, a major music festival featuring top Asian artists, on May 16-17 at Belluna Dome.
March/17/2026 19:02
Hyunwon of MONSTA X and Rei of IVE will synchronize as MCs. The music festival 'ASIA STAR ENTERTAINER AWARDS' (hereafter 'ASEA 2026') will be held on May 16 and 17 at Belluna Dome in Saitama Prefecture, gathering top-class artists representing Asia. The organizing committee announced today (17th) that Hyunwon and Rei will serve as MCs on the first day. The two showcased stable hosting last year as MCs for 'ASEA', although they were MCs on separate days. This time, they will work together as MCs on the first day of 'ASEA 2026'. After resuming his MC activities with 'ASEA' following his discharge last year, Hyunwon has continued to make steady progress as a member of MONSTA X. MONSTA X recorded their highest initial sales with the commemorative album 'THE X', celebrating their 10th anniversary, and has appeared on various global charts, including the US 'Billboard 200'. As a representative producing member of the group, Hyunwon participated in album production, showcasing his musical prowess and presence on world tours and global festival stages. Since 2017, he has been active as a DJ under the name DJ H.ONE, expanding his musical spectrum. He also participated in MONSTA X's remix digital single 'N the Front (H.ONE Remix)' and displayed his candid charm and variety sense through variety shows. MONSTA X is set to release a new song 'Unfold' in the US on April 3. Rei, who perfectly handled her first award ceremony as an MC through 'ASEA' last year, has had a fulfilling year with notable achievements in both group and individual activities. She has been selected as an advertising model for various brands, appointed as an ambassador for luxury brands, served as a special MC on music shows, and showcased her presence in variety shows. Additionally, she participated in MONSTA X's Jooheon’s solo song 'Push', flaunting her soft singing voice and demonstrating her abilities as a musician again. IVE's global achievements continue as well. They achieved a perfect all-kill on major domestic music charts with their 2nd full album 'REVIVE+' released in February and recorded nine wins on music shows. The title track 'BANG BANG' ranked on the 'Billboard Global 200' and 'Billboard Global (excluding the US)' charts for two consecutive weeks, achieving high rankings on various global platforms. IVE is set to continue their world tour 'SHOW WHAT I AM' across major regions including Asia, Europe, America, and Oceania. Launched in 2024, 'ASEA' is positioned as a global award ceremony that selects artists who exert influence beyond Asia and showcases high-level performances. This year, many top-class artists who have achieved meaningful results over the year are expected to participate and present a splendid stage. Previously, artists such as ATEEZ, &TEAM, ENHYPEN, Hearts2Hearts, and xikers have confirmed their appearances. 'ASEA 2026' will sequentially release information on the artist lineup, award categories, and judging criteria through its official website.
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