ROUND Festival offered a preview of its upcoming spectacle with performances by Kaia and Hori7on, building momentum for the main show set for April 18 and 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. As the Philippines assumes the Asean chairmanship this year, it is also preparing to host the 2026 Round Festival, which will feature Filipino acts including Ben&Ben, TJ Monterde, Cup of Joe, Kaia and Hori7on.
Round Festival is a cultural exchange through music, bringing together musicians from Asean countries and South Korea. It connects artists and their listeners, uniting them through their shared love for music.
Since 2020, the Philippines has participated in the music festival, sending remarkable local artists to represent the country. In 2020, OPM band Ben&Ben performed in the first-ever online Round Festival, followed by P-Pop trailblazers SB19 in another online edition in 2021. After pandemic restrictions eased, SB19 once again represented the country at the 2023 festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.
In 2024, singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo and SB19 member Josh Cullen performed in Busan, South Korea. Later that year, rising P-Pop group Kaia showcased the captivating Filipino sound at Vientiane, Lao PDR. More recently, in 2025, another P-Pop group, 1st.One took part in the festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
At the press conference, host Kim Hyeonyul warmly welcomed the festival organizers, media members, guests, and fans, keeping everyone engaged with his lively presence throughout the event. Shortly after, KAIA performed their pre-debut song “KAYA,” which filled the Quantum Skyview Deck with uplifting energy. In response, their fans expressed their support with passionate cheers and creative banners.
National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Eric Zerrudo, officially opened the program by welcoming the audience to the historic gathering at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Essentially, he highlighted the unifying power of culture and music, where shared rhythm connects Asean communities.
He also shared a hopeful outlook, stating, “We look forward to a future where the Philippines becomes a capital for performing arts in the Asean region, shaped by the natural talent of Filipinos, nurtured by our communities and our neighboring countries.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa said that the festival is a testament to the enduring and flourishing partnership between Korea, the Philippines, and ASEAN. “ROUND 2026 stands as a premier example of how sustained partnership creates meaningful, visible cultural engagement, particularly for the youth who represent our collective future.”
Director of KBS World TV Lee Hansol commended the Filipino talents, citing notable local artists who performed in previous years. “In particular, SB19 has performed with us three times. Watching them grow into global icons who now tour the world makes us incredibly proud.”
In addition, she noted, “It proves that ROUND is truly a platform where world-class talents meet.”
With KBS World reaching audiences in 155 countries and a global community of over 20 million YouTube subscribers, Lee highlighted the network’s commitment to showcasing world-class talent and connecting global audiences through music.
Afterward, Chief Producer Kuk Chan Hwang reflected on his original vision for the first Round Festival, which he had planned to hold in the Philippines before the pandemic.
“Hosting a Round at the historic Araneta Coliseum also reflects our respect for the country’s rich music culture,” he shared. “We chose the Philippines because it is the perfect place to create the biggest wave of connection between Korea and Asia.”
Furthermore, he described the event as a celebration of Philippine pride and regional participation, praising Filipino fans for their unmatched passion.
Closing the press conference, Hori7on performed their 2024 single “Sumayaw Sumunod,” a modern reimagining of the classic VST & Company OPM hit. The familiar upbeat sound transformed the finale into a celebration and warm invitation to Filipino culture.
In a side interview, Kaia expressed their excitement about showcasing Filipino pop music both on the regional stage and to a global audience. Aside from their fellow Filipino artists in the lineup, the members also named Pamungkas, Velocity, and 10CM as artists they’re looking forward to seeing at the festival.
Along with the Filipino acts, Korea’s 10CM and MeloMance, Brunei’s Syafiq Abdilah, Cambodia’s G-Devith, Indonesia’s Pamungkas, Lao PDR’s JoJo Miracle, Malaysia’s Mimifly, Myanmar’s Velocity, Singapore’s Regina Song, Thailand’s Tilly Birds, and Vietnam’s Chillies will perform at the festival.
