THE PHILIPPINES will send Josh Cullen of P-pop phenomenon SB19 and Gen Z singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo to South Korea to perform at the 2024 ROUND Festival.
On Friday, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) announced the Filipino artists’ participation in the event, which will be held on July 6 to 7 in Busan.
Josh and Zack will perform alongside renowned artists from the ASEAN region and Korea, said the NCCA.
In a video greeting, Josh expressed his excitement to perform on the global stage, adding that they have prepared a “special collaboration stage” for the festival.
“I’m grateful and honored to be part of the 2024 ROUND Festival in Korea on July 6 and 7 at the KBS Busan Hall,” the P-pop idol said.
This is not the first time that an SB19 member performed at the ROUND Festival. The Pinoy supergroup also performed in the 2023, 2022, and 2021 edition of ROUND Festival.
According to the festival organizers, Josh will perform on July 6, while Zack’s performance will be on July 7.
Other international artists who will be part of the 2024 ROUND Festival are H1-KEY, Kim Yuna, Touched, Nerd Connection, and Nell from South Korea; Bunny Phyoe from Myanmar, Rizal Rasid from Brunei; Jasmine Sokko from Singapore; Chet Kanhchna from Cambodia; Masdo from Malaysia; Nogei from Indonesia; Thinlamphone from Laos; and Television Off from Thailand.
Meanwhile, BamBam of the K-pop boy group GOT7 will host the event.
ROUND Festival is the ASEAN-Korea Music Festival project that links ASEAN countries and Korea through popular music and brings people closer to music.
“We hope to connect the hearts and minds of music lovers with the emotions, joy, memories and everything that can be delivered through music,” according to its website.
The festival was launched at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and was streamed online by viewers across the globe. It was first hosted by the Korean broadcasting company KBS in December of that year.
Nine-piece folk-pop band Ben&Ben was the first Filipino act to perform at the event.
About Josh, Zack
Josh is the rapper and singer of the five-member P-pop group SB19 which debuted in 2018 with a ballad single “Tilahula.”
SB19 members have been active both in their solo and group activities, with Josh releasing his latest song “Sumaya” last month. The song drew inspiration from his heartbreaking “life experiences and memories” which were evident in its sincere lyrics.
Meanwhile, Zack is known for blending various music genres in his heartfelt discography. His songs have been gaining traction among international audiences, with popular K-pop idols covering his hit song “Give Me Your Forever.”
The singer-songwriter returned to the music scene this year when he dropped his latest single “Feel This Way” in March.
