IVE’s Rei and MONSTA X’s Hyungwon took center stage at the Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2026 (ASEA 2026), held on May 16 at Belluna Dome in Saitama, Japan.

Rei returned for her second consecutive year as MC, opening the night with a bold short haircut transformation. She appeared in a white dress during the first part of the show and switched to a pink dress in the second, drawing attention throughout the ceremony.

Building on her experience from ASEA 2025, Rei led the event with more confidence and ease this year. Her chemistry with co-MC Hyungwon added a lively energy to the stage, while her interviews with attending artists stood out for her quick reactions and smooth switching between Korean and Japanese.

Beyond hosting duties, Rei also marked a major milestone with IVE winning the “THE PLATINUM” main award for the second year in a row. The group’s recent success includes strong chart performance, multiple music show wins, and global reach through their ongoing world tour.

Rei shared that returning as MC and receiving the award with IVE made the moment especially meaningful, crediting fans for their continued support.

Meanwhile, Hyungwon also returned as MC for the second year, where he guided the ceremony with calm and steady hosting. He impressed with his refined visuals and smooth delivery, wearing white for the first part and black for the second.

Hyungwon also received the “Top Touring Artist” award with MONSTA X, adding another highlight to the night. He expressed gratitude to fans and shared excitement for MONSTA X’s ongoing world tour and the upcoming unit comeback.

The night placed both idols at the center of ASEA 2026, balancing hosting duties with major career milestones on the same stage.