Filipino performers showcased P-Pop and OPM through performances and Korean artist collaborations.
Filipino artists KAIA and TJ Monterde represented the Philippines at the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival 2026 ROUND in Incheon, South Korea, on 7 and 8 November 2026. Organised as a regional cultural event featuring musical acts from the Republic of Korea and all 10 ASEAN Member States, the festival provided a platform for Filipino performers to present P-Pop and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) to international audiences.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Philippines’ lead organiser for its participation in ASEAN cultural initiatives, supported the country’s engagement through the ASEAN Cultural Center in Manila (ACCM). The ACCM serves as the central programme for the Philippines’ ASEAN cultural activities, facilitating cultural exchange and regional cooperation through artistic initiatives.
Held at Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon, the two-day festival featured 15 musical acts. The ASEAN line-up included Fakhrul Razi of Brunei Darussalam, LA CIMA of Cambodia, Eastern Indonesian Collective of Indonesia, BIGPOM of Lao PDR, HAEL HUSAINI of Malaysia, Velocity of Myanmar, KAIA and TJ Monterde of the Philippines, GEN NEO of Singapore, Tilly Birds of Thailand, and marzuz of Viet Nam. Korean performers included 10CM, LEE YOUNGJI, Roy Kim and LEE SEUNG YOON, with 10CM also serving as the festival’s host.
On 7 November, Filipino P-Pop girl group KAIA performed individually before joining Korean girl group EVERGLOW for a collaborative stage. The performance held particular significance for KAIA, which had previously covered EVERGLOW’s songs during its pre-debut period. The group also participated in a fan meeting, performed on the Wish Bus and visited the Philippine Embassy in Korea, where they were received by Ambassador Bernadette Fernandez and embassy officials.
On the festival’s second day, singer-songwriter TJ Monterde represented the Philippines and received an award in recognition of his participation and contribution to the event. Known for his OPM compositions, he also performed with Korean singer-songwriter 10CM, following their earlier musical encounter at ROUND in the Philippines.
The participation of KAIA and TJ Monterde highlighted the range of Filipino music, from contemporary P-Pop performances to OPM songwriting. Their appearances and engagements with Filipino fans and the Philippine Embassy in Korea also provided opportunities to promote Filipino music and cultural representation among international audiences.
Source: National Commission for Culture and the Arts
