For the first time, the Philippines played host to the Asia Artist Awards, one of the most anticipated annual evenings in the South Korean and Asian entertainment scenes, on 14 December at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

the glittery affair, hosted by IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, Kang Daniel and ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin, featured a virtual constellation of stars as over 50 singers and actors from various Asian countries, accompanied by an ardent audience of thousands of cheering fans, lit up the Philippine Arena with their presence and performances.

The electrifying night showcased talents like SEVENTEEN-BSS, Lee Young Ji, Ash Island, Paul Blanco, Kang Daniel, Kim Jaejoong, Pinoy pride SB19, &TEAM and many more.

The awards covered a multitude of prize categories, including six prestigious Daesang (Grand Prize) awards honoring the brightest stars in the Asian entertainment industry.

SB19 made a sensational representation of Philippine pop and OPM with a blistering opening medley of their hits “Gento,” “Mana,” “Bazinga” and “Crimzone,” which got many of the Asian idols jumping up from their seats to vibe with the P-pop kings and their guest performers, the multinational boy band &TEAM.

SB19 would further reaffirm that they have indeed arrived in the larger Asian scene by winning two major awards at the end of the evening: Hot Trend and Best Artist Award (Singer).

YAOCHEN, KINGDOM, Ash Island, TEMPEST and NMIXX had their own numbers, while the likes of K-actors Lee Junho, Kim Seonho, EXO’s Suho, Kentaro Sakaguchi and Filipino actress Melai Cantiveros-Francisco were featured in interview snippets throughout.

Cantiveros-Francisco went on to win Best Actor for the movie Ma’am Chief, shot in Seoul, and delivered a zany speech that was lapped up by the crowd. Ben&Ben, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla and HORI7ON were the other Filipino talents recognized with individual awards.

From NewJeans’ rousing performance of “OMG,” “ETA” and “Super Shy” to LE SSERAFIM’s enchanting rendition of “Perfect Night” and “Eve Psyche, and The Bluebeard’s Wife,” the night unfolded with a heady blend of music and spectacle.

AKMU, ITZY, The Boyz, Lim Young Woong and Stray Kids were among the other acts that captivated the full-house audience, which untiringly roared and shrieked for their idols throughout the over-four-hour show.

The highlight of the evening was the closing act by SEVENTEEN ‘BooSeokSoon’ , featuring “7PM,” “Fighting” (with Lee Youngji) and “Just Do It.”

All in all, it was a historic event, one that will surely be remembered for long by the massive fandoms of K-pop and Asian talent. Congratulations to all!

The full list of winners of the 2023 Asian Artist Awards:

Daesang – Actor of the Year: Lee Junho

Daesang – Singer of the Year: NewJeans

Daesang – Song of the Year: NewJeans

Daesang – Album of the Year: SEVENTEEN

Daesang – Performance of the Year: SEVENTEEN (BSS)

Daesang – Stage of the Year: Stray Kids

Daesang— Fandom of Year: Lim Young Woong

Best Artist Award (Singer) — SB19, AKMU, Itzy, The Boyz, LE SSERAFIM, IVE 

Best Performance – LE SSERAFIM

Top of K-Pop Record – Kim Jaejoong

Best Actor – Kim Sejeong, Ahn Hyoseop, Lee Donghwi, Melai Cantiveros- Francisco, Lee Junhyuk

Best Musician – KARD, STAYC, ZEROBASEONE, Kwon Eunbi, Sakurazaka46

Best Acting Performance – Kim Youngdae, Lee Junyoung, EXO’s Suho, Moon Gayoung

Fabulous Award – NewJeans, Stray Kids, Lim Young Woong, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla

Scene-Stealer Award – Jung Sungil

Best Choice – NMIXX, Ben&Ben, Dreamcatcher, Lim Youngwoong, DinDin, Kim Jaejoong, Lee Youngji, BOYNEXTDOOR, Kang Daniel, &TEAM, NewJeans

Rookie of the Year – ZEROBASEONE, Moon Sangmin, Lee Eunsaem

Asia Celebrity – NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, Jang Wonyoung, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Kim Seonho

Emotive Award – ONEUS, BOYNEXTDOOR, &TEAM, EXO’s Suho

Hot Trend – NewJeans, SB19, Lim Young Woong, Ahn Hyoseop, Lee Junho

AAA Icon – TEMPEST, NMIXX, Kep1er, Cha Jooyoung

AAA Popularity Award – Lim Young Woong, Sakurazaka46, Lee Junho, Kim Sejeong

New Wave Award – YAOCHEN, KINGDOM, Ash Island, Park Jaechan

AAA Potential – Lapillus, ATBO, Paul Blanco, Yoo Seonho

AAA Focus – HORI7ON, LUN8, The Boyz’ Younghoon, Ahn Donggu

Best Producer – Seo Hyun Joo (Starship Entertainment)

Best Creator – 3RACHA (Stray Kids’ Bang Chan, Changbin, HAN)