As 'ASEA 2025' officially kicks off, attention is drawn to the award nominees for this year's ceremony.
On May 28 and 29, the 'Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2025 presented by zozotown' (ASIA STAR ENTERTAINER AWARDS 2025 presented by zozotown, abbreviated as ASEA 2025) will take place at K Arena Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan.
During the two-day ceremony, it will be exclusively broadcast live in South Korea through Naver Chijijik (CHZZK) and Naver TV, while in Japan it will be live-streamed through Japan's TBS Channel 1 and the Japanese OTT platform Abema (ABEMA).
'ASEA 2025' is the second edition of the awards, which first took place in April last year. Leading the event was Stray Kids, which won three awards including the grand prize, along with other top artists such as TOMORROW X TOGETHER, DAY6, TREASURE, SHINee TAEMIN, and Creepy Nuts, who thrilled music fans.
Thus, there is great attention on this year’s awards as well. Unlike last year, this year’s ceremony is taking place over two days, which has intensified interest. On the first day, May 28, performances by aespa, ENHYPEN, Hearts2Hearts, KiiiKiii, NCT WISH, NEXZ, NiziU, NOWADAYS, timelesz, and Xdinary Heroes have been confirmed. The members of The Boyz, Juyeon and IVE's Rei, will serve as MCs, with actor Jang Geun-suk presenting the grand prize.
On the second day, May 29, the lineup includes ATARASHII GAKKO!, &TEAM, BADVILLAIN, BTOB, FANTASY BOYS, HANA, i-dle, JOYURI, NouerA, n.SSign, SAKURAZAKA46, SKY-HI, THE BOYZ, THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE, and ZEROBASEONE. Actors Kim Hye-yoon, MONSTA X's Hyungwon, and The Boyz member Younghoon are selected as hosts, and actor Choo Young-Woo will present the prestigious grand prize. Actor Choo Young-Woo and singer-actor JOYURI will attend as presenters.
Among them, the artist most likely to win the grand prize is aespa, which achieved a 'supernova,' 'Armageddon,' and 'Whiplash' hat-trick last year. aespa has won the grand prize at more than eight award ceremonies, starting with the '2024 The Fact Music Awards,' and their song 'Supernova' was selected as Song of the Year at the 22nd Korean Popular Music Awards held last February.
There is anticipation that aespa may win the prestigious grand prize trophy at this year's 'ASEA 2025' awards ceremony.
In addition to aespa, artists who have been active this year, such as ENHYPEN, &TEAM, i-dle, BTOB, THE BOYZ, and ZEROBASEONE, will be present, along with new K-pop stars that have emerged, including KiiiKiii, NCT WISH, Hearts2Hearts, and BADVILLAIN. Hot stars like Byun Woo-seok and Choo Young-Woo are also expected to appear as presenters, generating excitement.
Meanwhile, 'ASEA 2025' is hosted by Newsen (NEWSEN), South Korea's leading entertainment sports media celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and AtStyle (@style), a star and style magazine celebrating its 13th anniversary, along with The Star Y&M, with the ASEA Organizing Committee and zozotown overseeing the event.
[Photo] Provided by OSEN DB, ASEA Organizing Committee
[OSEN]