On 30 May, the 2026 Asia Top Music Festival, presented by Hong Leong Bank, officially lit up the Sepang International Circuit in Selangor, Malaysia. Co-organized by JOOX and QQ Music under Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME), Day 1 delivered a powerhouse opening with a star-studded lineup featuring KUN, DAESUNG, NMIXX, WINNER, Win Metawin, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski and NexT1DE.
Before diving into the main highlights, our Malaysia’s own vocal powerhouse Aina Abdul delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises. She captivated the crowd with stunning covers of iconic Korean drama and K-pop hits, including Davichi’s This Love, Ailee’s I Will Go to You Like the First Snow, Golden from K-pop Demon Hunters, and BLACKPINK’s How You Like That. Her flawless Korean pronunciation stunned the audience, with many fans joking that she sounded ready to release a full Korean album next. Aina’s artistry and vocal control earned thunderous applause, marking one of the most memorable crossover moments of the night.
Representing Thailand, Win Metawin brought charm, versatility, and a wave of excitement from start to finish. Beyond performing his signature tracks like Yours, Ten Years Later, and Night Ride, he surprised fans with a string of unexpected covers, including Pink Sweat$’ At My Worst, Justin Bieber’s What Do You Mean?, and a standout moment—BTS Jungkook’s Standing Next to You. The crowd erupted as Win confidently delivered the performance while playfully interacting with fans, repeatedly teasing them to call him “P’Win” for attention. He humorously admitted he would ignore anyone calling him “Nong Win.” The playful banter quickly became one of the festival’s most talked-about moments.
As the sun set over Sepang, NMIXX took the stage, perfectly timed with a breathtaking orange-purple sky. Opening with Crescendo, Heavy Serenade, and DICE, the group immediately ignited the crowd. Returning to Malaysia for the second time, NMIXX expressed their excitement and gratitude, with members warmly greeting fans between stages. The set continued with high-energy performances of DASH, See that?, Love Me Like This, Spinnin’ On It, and the fan-favourite Blue Valentine. Lily even commented that their sunset slot was the “best performance timing ever,” as the Malaysian sky created a surreal backdrop despite the intense heat. The combination of music, visuals, and atmosphere turned their set into a festival highlight.
Next, WINNER elevated the energy with a vibrant and interactive performance that kept fans engaged from start to finish. The group kicked off with Love Me Love Me, Island, and Empty, before continuing with hits like Millions, I Love You, Don’t Flirt, and Ah Yeah. The members frequently moved closer to the audience, hyping up fans and creating an intimate festival experience. During the ment, leader Yoon surprised fans by revealing that his new drama OST, No Breaks from Reborn Rookie, was released that very day, even giving a short live teaser. The set continued with Everyday and La La, accompanied by playful water splashes that helped cool down the crowd under the hot weather. Just when fans thought the set had ended, WINNER returned for an encore with Really Really, closing their stage on a powerful vocal high note that left no disappointment behind.
Finally, legendary vocalist DAESUNG is back for his high-energy finale. He performed recent releases such as Universe, JUMP, and Beautiful Life, alongside beloved fan favourites like Wings and Look at Me, Gwisun. A major highlight came when he brought his globally recognized Coachella performance of Hando-chogua to the Malaysian stage, sending fans into a frenzy. Despite a relatively shorter setlist, DAESUNG maximized every moment with his signature humor, warmth, and powerful vocals. He even attempted to speak in Malay to connect with the crowd, earning loud cheers. In a light-hearted moment, he joked, “I would like to perform more, but it’s contract, so I can’t,” which drew laughter across the stadium.
Closing out the night was China’s own superstar KUN, who brought Day 1 to a powerful and stylish finale. As Day 1 came to a close, the festival delivered an unforgettable blend of music, culture, and emotion under the blazing Malaysian sun. With soaring temperatures and equally soaring performances, fans were reminded to stay hydrated, bring portable fans, and prepare for another exciting day ahead.
