The rookie musician discovery project "CMYK 2026" has finalized the top 10 finalists.
Rolling Hall, considered an iconic venue for live performances in Hongdae, unveiled the teams advancing to the finals of "CMYK 2026," held in collaboration with Paradise Music Lab Company (PARADISE MUSIC LAB COMPANY), officially kicking off the competition. Launched in 2022 and now in its fifth year, the project has established itself as a leading incubating program for rookie musicians.
In particular, the application period for this season, which began on March 19, drew more than 400 applicants in less than a month, marking the largest scale in the event's history and once again proving the high interest in and influence of the project.
The top 10 finalists include bands already recognized for their skills in the Hongdae scene such as cotoba, D82, One Eighth (엔분의일), Haengronan (행로난), as well as promising rookies expected to grow further, including Gaehwa (개화), To More Raw, Ahn Hyoju (안효주), Kikuhashi (기쿠하시), The Joyfools, and Rimei (리메이). Teams with a variety of genres and colors have made the list, foreshadowing fierce competition.
The biggest feature of this "CMYK 2026" is the opportunity for the winning team to advance to a global stage. The final winning team will gain the opportunity to perform on the stage of Japan's largest music festival "SUMMER SONIC 2026," and will also be granted appearance at Rolling Hall's "Sound Planet Festival 2026," record production and management support through Paradise Music Lab Company, and other tangible benefits that help artists grow.
Rolling Hall CEO Kim Cheon-seong said, "More than 400 applications mean more than just a number; they show that countless musicians are craving the stage," adding, "I hope 'CMYK 2026' becomes the most direct gateway to opportunity for them." He added, "In particular, this year we prepared a stepping stone for the winning team to reach a wider stage through collaboration with Summer Sonic. We expect artists with global competitiveness beyond Korea to emerge."
Meanwhile, the "CMYK 2026" final stage will be held on Apr. 25 at Paradise City Rubik, where the final winner will be selected from the top 10.
[Photo] Provided by Rolling Hall
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