14,000 Fans, Two Days of Excitement 

The Power of Music Ignites Manila

10CM, MeloMance, and Top ASEAN Artists All Came Together

as Part of a Cultural Connection that Transcends Borders and Language,

Cementing ROUND’s Position as a Global Cultural Platform

Hosted by KBS WORLD, sponsored by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Secretariat (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the ASEAN·Korea Music Festival – 2026 ROUND in the Philippines was successfully held on April 18 and 19 at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. 

Held in Manila, the Philippines—the ASEAN Chair for 2026—the ROUND Festival drew continuous attention even before its opening. The festival was positioned as a long-awaited “homecoming” concert, marking its first local staging in six years following its 2020 pandemic cancellation. Anticipation grew further as the event was announced on an unprecedented scale. In fact, within just two days of ticket applications opening, approximately 100,000 people applied, showcasing the explosive interest in ROUND. 

Throughout the festival period, the Araneta City district, where the venue is located, was transformed into a massive festival hub. Nearby commercial areas, including Gateway Mall and Farmers Plaza, were filled with excitement from visitors, while long lines of fans formed at photo zones set up throughout the area for commemorative photos. In particular, the three-day "ROUND Village" featured a variety of programs, including a history booth showcasing the journey of ROUND and a makeup showcase linked to KBS WORLD’s “LIU’s Makeover Show K-Beauty Pop-Up,” highlighting its dynamic role as a cultural platform connecting ASEAN and Korea. Meanwhile, the official welcome event held at PICC on the day before the concert became a vibrant platform for global exchange, where artists from various countries built friendships amid the warm hospitality of the host country, the Philippines.  

10CM, MeloMance, and Superstars from All 10 ASEAN Countries 

At this year’s ROUND Festival, top-tier musicians representing all 10 ASEAN countries and Korea came together to deliver outstanding performances that transcended language and borders. 10CM, known for its strong fanbase in the Philippines, and Filipino Gen Z icon Gabbi Garcia served as co-hosts, creating a lively festival atmosphere while embracing the spirit of the event. The opening stage, jointly hosted by three leading Filipino P-pop groups—HORI7ON, KAIA, and 1st One—symbolically highlighted the growth of the Philippine music industry in combination with the K-pop system, instilling a strong sense of pride among local fans. As the festival unfolded, a captivating collaboration featuring the Philippines’ beloved band Ben&Ben, known for their healing sound, alongside Thai rock band Tilly Birds, who are leading the globalization of Thailand’s music scene, brought the homecoming celebration to its peak.  

As if responding to the long-awaited anticipation of local fans, a series of special moments unfolded. MeloMance, widely loved across ASEAN as the "K-drama OST king," surprised the audience with a flawless Tagalog cover of the Filipino classic "IKAW," creating a breathtaking moment as the entire crowd sang along in unison. The excitement reached its peak when 10CM and Filipino singer-songwriter TJ Monterde delivered an emotional performance of their duet "Silver," captivating the audience. Following the concert, social media was flooded with praise, including comments such as, “I was happy to deeply connect with artists who respect and truly understand Filipino culture and language.” 

ROUND Stands Out as the Pinnacle of ASEAN–Korea Cultural Exchange

The excitement from the venue seamlessly carried over to the online world. Real-time reactions from multinational audiences flooded social media, while live Reels on ROUND’s official account surpassed 6 million cumulative views (as of April 20) immediately after upload, generating thousands of shares and tags. Local media outlets widely covered the festival, praising it as “the largest-ever music festival connecting ASEAN and Korea.” Particular acclaim was given to the close collaboration between KBS WORLD and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines, which delivered a well-organized large-scale event and high-quality stage production. 

This festival went beyond a simple performance, serving as a meaningful occasion to reaffirm the strong cultural solidarity between ASEAN and Korea and the growing presence of ROUND year after year. True to the vision set forth at its launch in 2020, ROUND once again proved itself to be a genuine cultural platform where everyone can communicate equally through music—transcending borders, language, culture, and traditions. 

Capturing the vivid excitement of the festival, the broadcast of 2026 ROUND in the Philippines will air worldwide on KBS WORLD on May 21 and 22 before being later released on the official ROUND Festival YouTube channel. More information can be found on ROUND’s official website and social media channels. Meanwhile, the excitement of the ROUND Festival will continue with the 2026 ROUND MUSIC FORUM, which is set to be held on July 30. Buzz around this year’s forum is especially strong as it will be held in collaboration with the Pentaport Music Festival in Incheon.