Three powerhouses, one historic track. In a massive cross-border link-up that has completely set social media ablaze, KAIA, HORI7ON, and 1ST.ONE have officially joined forces.
Serving as the official anthem for the ROUND Festival 2026, this heavyweight collaboration is more than just a song. Tt’s a game-changing moment for P-Pop and Southeast Asian music.
The link-up we should watch out for!
While their music is known to be distributed globally by Sony Music Philippines, We recall the three groups as all major players in the P-pop landscape. Derived from the Tagalog word kinaiya, KAIA is a P-pop group under ShowBT Entertainment. The group champions female empowerment and resilience through a seamless musical blend of hard-hitting EDM, hip-hop, and R&B.
HORI7ON is a trailblazing seven-member global P-pop boygroup under MLD Entertainment and ABS-CBN who made history as the first all-Filipino group to officially debut and promote in South Korea.
Managed by FirstOne Entertainment and distributed by Warner Music Philippines, 1ST.ONE completes this powerhouse lineup as a fierce P-pop boy group. Celebrated for their high-caliber showmanship and trendsetting concepts.
Behind the Scenes of a Historic Link-Up
For the members of KAIA, diving into this project represented far more than a routine musical partnership. It was an experience rooted in mutual respect, intense creative synergy, and a shared passion for the craft that united every single artist, dancer, and producer behind the scenes.
“Even though we come from different groups with different styles, concepts, and individual journeys, everyone shared the exactly same goal of representing Filipino music and showing what P-Pop can achieve when we stand together.”
Shares the acclaimed pop quintet KAIA in an exclusive press statement. The members iterate that the project felt like a collective effort, proving that the special performance was not only about the artists in front of the camera, but also about the incredible community working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this massive vision to life.
In a music landscape that often emphasizes fierce competition, “Sulong” delivers a beautifully loud statement of solidarity. It breaks down the invisible barriers between fandoms and agencies alike, proving that when local artists collaborate, they create something infinitely bigger than themselves.
This unity is crucial for growing both P-Pop and the broader ASEAN music scene internationally, fostering a tighter global community of listeners who are eager to see Filipino talent thrive.
Clear Your Schedules: How to Watch the Live Stage
Ready to see this powerhouse unit completely clear the stage and deliver the performance of the year? You won’t have to wait long to witness the magic live. The official performance of “Sulong” is locked and loaded to air globally on KBS World TV and its digital platforms. Check out the broadcast dates below so you don’t miss a single second of the action:
Television Broadcast (KBS World TV):
May 21 (THU) at 21:50 KST
May 22 (FRI) at 21:50 KST
KBS World YouTube Premiere:
EP1 & EP.2 (Back-to-Back) — May 22 (FRI) at 23:00 KST
Make sure to hit up the official ROUND Festival social media channels to catch exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, member interviews, and countdown teasers.
The movement is moving forward, and the revolution is being broadcast globally. “Sulong” is out right now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Go stream it, add it to your heavy rotation, and let the world know that P-Pop is officially taking over!
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