Group NOWZ, IDID, THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE will appear at 'ASEA 2026'.
The music festival where Asia's top-class artists gather in one place, "the 3rd Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2026" (ASIA STAR ENTERTAINER AWARDS, hereafter "ASEA 2026"), will be held May 16 and 17 at Belluna Dome in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and the organizing committee said on March 19 that groups NOWZ, IDID and THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE have been confirmed to perform.
In 2024, NOWZ (Hyunbin, Yoon, Yeonwoo, Jinhyuk, Siyun) debuted under the team name NOWADAYS and last year changed their name and rebranded, enjoying a successful year. Their first mini album 'IGNITION' saw nearly double first-week sales, and the title track 'EVERGLOW' was selected by Billboard in "the 25 best K-pop songs of 2025: staff picks."
NOWZ, who released their first Japanese EP 'NOWZ' on March 4 and officially debuted locally, recently released their first Japanese EP 'NOWZ', began activities there and has been receiving strong responses as they perform on various stages. Having won the 'ASEA hot trend' at 'ASEA 2025' last year, expectations are rising for what NOWZ will show this year.
New boy group IDID (Jang Yong-hoon, Kim Minjae, Park Won-bin, Chu Yu-chan, Park Seong-hyun, Baek Jun-hyeok, Jung Se-min), formed through Starship's large-scale project "Debut's Plan," debuted last September and shone by winning first place on music shows immediately after debut. Their debut album I did it. (I did it.) sold 441,524 copies in its first week, topping the Circle Chart weekly album chart and standing out on various charts, demonstrating their 'mega rookie' status.
IDID, who showed highly polished performances ranging from refreshing to charismatic, communicates with fans through their own content "NALDID," showing a different charm offstage. At their first fan concert "WITHID it." to be held in April, they plan to present various special corners and show diverse sides. Attention is focused on their first appearance at 'ASEA' as well.
THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE is a 16-member dance vocal group that made its major debut in 2017 with the single 'Lightning.' Their single released in July 2024, '24karats GOLD GENESIS,' reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time since their debut and achieved four major ranking crowns on Billboard and Oricon. They have continuously evolved, successfully holding a solo concert at Tokyo Dome, and are currently on the arena tour "THE RAMPAGE LIVE TOUR 2026 -(R)MPG," performing 23 shows across 11 cities nationwide.
THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE, who have appeared on the 'ASEA' stage for three consecutive years since 'ASEA 2024,' are a point of interest for what kind of stage they will present this year.
Launched in 2024, 'ASEA' has established itself as a global awards ceremony that selects and honors artists who exert influence beyond Asia and presents high-quality performances. This year, top-class artists who achieved meaningful results over the past year will participate in large numbers to deliver spectacular stages. ATEEZ, &TEAM, ENHYPEN, Hearts2Hearts, xikers (in ABC order) have confirmed their appearances. Also, MONSTA X's Hyungwon and IVE's Ray will serve as MCs on the first day, joined by singer and actor Lee Jun-ho and Go Youn-jung.
'ASEA 2026' is hosted by Korea's leading entertainment and sports media Newsen, which marks its 21st anniversary this year, and @style, a star and style magazine marking its 14th anniversary, and organized by the ASEA organizing committee.
'ASEA 2026' will announce artist lineups, award categories and judging criteria sequentially through its official website.
Meanwhile, ticket reservations began on the 16th. For details, see the official Japanese website. [Photo] Provided by the ASEA organizing committee, CUBE Entertainment, Starship Entertainment, LDH JAPAN [OSEN]