Hosted by KBS, sponsored by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea and the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival 2025 ROUND was held successfully on 21–22 June 2025 at ZEPP Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Held in celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Malaysia, and in recognition of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, the festival attracted an enthusiastic audience of approximately 3,000 attendees from all 10 ASEAN member states and Korea. Banners and digital billboards were installed across key areas of Kuala Lumpur, including the Petronas Twin Towers and Bukit Bintang—a cultural hotspot for the younger generation—welcoming artists and fans alike. A formal welcome reception was held on the eve of the festival, where artists from across ASEAN and Korea gathered to connect and build friendships, setting the tone for a truly global celebration.

K-pop Proves to Be a Major Force Behind Asian Pop’s Growth

This year’s ROUND Festival featured top artists from Korea and all 10 ASEAN countries, delivering high-caliber performances that bridged cultures and generations. Among them, leading Filipino P-pop boy group 1st One drew special attention with their perfectly synchronized choreography and stage presence, while their leader, Ace, created another special highlight with his personal story. Prior to his debut, Ace participated in the 2015 KBS K-Pop World Festival held in Korea as a member of the Philippine performance team “VxZ,” where he got to witness the level and passion of K-pop up close. In an on-stage interview with host Paul Kim, Ace relayed the fact that he and his fellow members were ardent fans of K-pop and recalled how dancing to Korean music had shaped their dreams, adding that standing on the same stage with the talented Korean artists at the festival was a deeply meaningful experience for him. 1st One’s appearance also served as a symbolic moment, underscoring the positive role of ASEAN–Korea cultural exchange in nurturing the artistic aspirations of young people across the region and reaffirming the powerful influence of such collaboration in driving the growth of Asian pop music and fostering new talent. 

Korean artists also received an overwhelming response from the audience. Rock band TOUCHED opened the festival with a dynamic set that lived up to their reputation as a top-tier live act by instantly energizing the crowd. Rising K-band Dragon Pony followed with a fresh and spirited performance that showcased the next generation of Korean band culture. The event also marked Paul Kim’s first-ever performance in Malaysia. As the host of the festival and widely known across ASEAN as the “Prince of K-Drama OSTs,” Paul Kim received an enthusiastic welcome from fans in the region. He responded with a heartfelt stage presence, engaging with the audience through warm, genuine interactions and a setlist filled with his most beloved hits, delivering a performance that resonated deeply with those who had long awaited his appearance. The stage also featured high-quality performances by leading artists from across the region, including DOLLA, widely regarded as a cultural icon among Malaysian youth, and Marsha Milan, celebrated as the “Queen of Malaysian OSTs.” Other notable acts included Tep Boprek from Cambodia and RETROSPECT from Thailand. Each performance was met with explosive cheers and enthusiastic support from the packed audience, creating an electrifying atmosphere throughout the venue.

A Connected ASEAN, Online and Offline

Social media lit up during the festival, with real-time uploads of audience photos, fan posts, and video clips generating instant engagement. The official ROUND Festival Instagram Reels surpassed 2 million views, with thousands of tags and shares. TikTok challenges featuring 1st One and DOLLA, filmed at the festival photo wall and Petronas Towers, went viral across the ASEAN region, further amplifying the excitement.

The live recording of 2025 ROUND in Malaysia will be broadcast worldwide on the KBS World channel, reaching 150 million households in 155 countries, on July 18th  and 25th. Following the broadcast, full performances will also be made available on the official ROUND Festival YouTube channel. This will be a valuable opportunity for music fans who missed the in-person event to experience the energy and emotion of ASEAN–Korea cultural exchange firsthand.

 

For more information, please visit the official website (http://roundfestival.net) or follow ROUND Festival’s YouTube and social media pages.

Media Inquiries
Jiyoun Han moamoaproduction@gmail.com  
Kwonil Park (Director) cooleng@me.com

 

ROUND Social Media Channels

ROUND Instagram http://instagram.com/roundfestival

ROUND YouTube https://www.youtube.com/roundfestival

ROUND Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roundfestival.official

ROUND TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@roundfestival

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