Daesung to Host ‘King of Active Singers Japan’ Amid Rising K-POP Influence
In a significant cultural milestone commemorating the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, BIGBANG’s Daesung has been announced as the MC for ‘King of Active Singers Japan’, the Japanese spin-off of Korea’s top-rated music audition show ‘King of Active Singers 2’.
Set to air on leading Japanese broadcaster BS Nittere, the audition show launches its first recording on May 27. Targeting male J-POP vocalists who are currently active in Japan, the program offers an unprecedented platform where experience and genre matters less than passion for singing. The ultimate winner will receive a prize of 10 million yen.
‘King of Active Singers Japan’ serves as the prequel to a wider musical journey that connects Japan’s top 7 vocalists with Korea’s elite male contestants from ‘King of Active Singers 2’. Together, they will engage in high-profile cross-border projects like the ‘Korea-Japan Singing Championship’ and other spinoff programs in the franchise.
Returning to the forefront of media, Daesung brings his cross-cultural credibility and exceptional hosting experience to the show. Known as a Symbol of Global Idol, Daesung has played a pivotal role in bridging Korean and Japanese pop cultures for over 17 years.
His individual influence in Japan is indisputable. His previous appearances with BIGBANG drew over 770,000 spectators in dome tours. Recently, he completed the ‘D’s IS ME’ 10-city solo tour and its Encore edition in Tokyo and Kobe, cementing his solo presence in Japan. Furthermore, Daesung kicked off his ambitious 2025 Asia tour with a Seoul concert titled ‘DAESUNG 2025 ASIA TOUR: D’s WAVE IN SEOUL’, coinciding with the release of his first solo album on April 8.
A veteran judge in both ‘King of Active Singers 1’ and ‘King of Active Singers 2’, Daesung has helped discover talent for the renowned ‘Korea-Japan Singing Championship’. He also earned acclaim as a dynamic host of the hit music talk show ‘Korea-Japan Top Ten Show’, demonstrating a perfect balance of sharp wit and structured presentation.
Speaking about his latest role, Daesung stated, “Having worked across Korea and Japan for 17 years, I’m thrilled to join this journey as the MC. I plan to bring heartfelt joy and warmth, drawing on my experiences in both countries.”
Fans can catch Daesung live in Japan at two upcoming concerts: July 22–23 in Kobe and August 30–31 in Yokohama. As his hosting and musical commitments converge this summer, anticipation grows around the unique cultural synergy he will deliver on the Japanese stage.
