MBN's world-first Korea-Japan music competition, the '2026 Korea-Japan Music Showdown,' features the top seven from Korea's 'Current King 3' and Japan's 'Current King Japan-Gahee,' produced by Crea Studio. These top artists will represent their countries in a unique musical battle that combines national pride and artistic excellence.
The '2024 Korea-Japan Music Showdown' garnered explosive interest, achieving a peak rating of 12.5% according to Nielsen Korea, marking the first-ever music competition between Korea and Japan. The '2025 Korea-Japan Music Showdown' expanded musical genres, including trot, R&B, rock, and J-pop, attracting MZ fans from both countries.
The '2025 Korea-Japan Music Showdown' introduced Japan to Korea's 'Current King 2' representatives like Park Seo-jin, Enoch, and Choi Soo-ho, while Korea embraced Japan's outstanding vocalists, Takenaka Yudai and Masaya. The nationwide tour concerts featuring 'Current King 2' members and 'Current King Japan' artists, along with the 'Current King All-Star Dream Match' concerts in Tokyo and Osaka, were sold out, showcasing unprecedented popularity. Enoch's recent fan meeting in Japan was a full house, and Yudai and Masaya's fan meeting in Korea sold out in just three minutes. Building on this success, a 'Current King All-Star Dream Match' concert is planned for Kobe in June.
The '2026 Korea-Japan Music Showdown' will begin its first recording on March 22. The top seven from Korea's 'Current King 3' and Japan's 'Current King Japan,' selected through the finals on March 10, will face off in the first battle. These national representatives will engage in an intense competition that blends national pride with musical harmony, promising an unpredictable musical clash. Anticipation is high for the cross-border excitement the '2026 Korea-Japan Music Showdown' will bring.
Crea Studio stated, "The '2025 Korea-Japan Music Showdown' achieved unprecedented success in growing Korean and Japanese members into global artists. Watch to see which Korea-Japan stars will emerge from the '2026 Korea-Japan Music Showdown.'"
Following the 'Korea-Japan Music Showdown,' preparations are underway for 'Current King 4,' a fresh survival show for male artists, aiming for a broadcast at the end of 2026.
Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr