Crea Studio

‘2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers’ unleashes historic stages that will set viewers abuzz from the very first episode, as the South Korean national representative TOP7 (Hong Ji-Yoon, Cha Ji-Yeon, Lee Soo-Yeon, Goo Soo-Kyung, Kang Hye-Yeon, Kim Tae-Yeon, Solji) and the Japanese national representative TOP7 (Bon Inoue, Azuma Aki, Natalia D, Tae Ri, Shimokita Hina, Nagai Manami, Arakawa Karen) take the stage.

Premiering at 9:50 p.m. on the 14th, ‘2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers’ is the only Korea-Japan music national team competition in the world, bringing together the TOP7 from Crea Studio production ‘Active King of Singers - Gahee (Japan edition)’ and South Korea series ‘Active King of Singers 3’ to represent their nations and face off with national duty and pride at stake.

Above all, ‘2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers’ carries great significance by offering the moving power of music that transcends borders and genres and by serving as a firm bridge for cultural exchange between Korea and Japan. Moreover, the Korea-Japan TOP7 who appeared in ‘2025 Korea-Japan King of Singers’ sold out a joint concert in Tokyo early, and the Japan team champion Yudai sold out a solo fan concert held in Korea in just five minutes, setting brilliant records and proving the show to be a launchpad for the birth of mega-stars across both countries.

In Episode 1 of ‘2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers,’ which proceeds as the Korea-Japan scouting match ‘100-Second Round’ on the 14th, stages that spark an explosion of emotion and admiration, shock, and hands-over-mouth reactions come in a torrent. The Korean and Japanese TOP7 condense and unleash their talent and passion within 100 seconds, delivering a concentrated feast for the ears and eyes. Attention centers on which team, in this neck-and-neck showdown, will take first place in the ‘100-Second Round.’

After one active singer sheds tears when the performance ends, the Korean and Japanese teams grow misty-eyed with cross-border empathy. In addition, as ‘special judges,’ ‘Hanil Gawangz’ Park Seo-Jin and Yudai each pick a one-pick member from the other team, drawing focus. Curiosity rises over who the active singer was whose onstage tears united the two countries, and who the standouts were whose skill moved Park Seo-Jin and Yudai.

Also, a close friend of the third champion of South Korea, Hong Ji-Yoon, appears as a member of the Japan team, stealing the spotlight. Hong Ji-Yoon and this friend have been close since their twenties, and through ‘2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers’ they go from best friends to rivals. Smiling at a blunt yet affectionate truth-telling from Hong Ji-Yoon (“You are definitely a bit less quick than when we first met in our twenties.”), the identity of this friend arouses curiosity. In addition, a contestant who received high praise from Kim Tae-Yeon (“You have an Ariana Grande vibe.”) also appears, focusing attention on the Japan team member who showcased a different kind of J-pop.

Meanwhile, Shin Dong-Yeop takes firm control of the scene with peerless hosting. At one crowning one-liner from Shin, the entire Japan team is astonished and the set is turned upside down. Why the flustered Japan TOP7 suddenly kept apologizing, saying, “Sorry!”, and the perfectly timed quip from Shin Dong-Yeop that set the Japan team buzzing, draw attention.

‘2026 Korea-Japan King of Singers’ premieres at 9:50 p.m. on April 14.