Top Japanese Star Ikuta Toma Confirmed for 'ASEA 2026' Lineup

IKUTA TOUMA, Expanding His Horizons as a Singer, Joins the 'Asia Star Entertainer Awards'

Japanese actor and singer IKUTA TOUMA is set to appear at 'ASEA 2026'.

On April 16, the organizing committee announced that IKUTA TOUMA will perform on the second day (May 17) of the 3rd Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2026 (ASIA STAR ENTERTAINER AWARDS, hereafter 'ASEA 2026'). The music festival, which brings together top-tier artists representing Asia, will be held on May 16 and 17 at the Belluna Dome in Saitama, Japan.

Having debuted in 1996 through NHK's 'Tensai Terebi-kun', IKUTA TOUMA is a top-level Japanese actor and singer celebrating his 30th anniversary this year. He is widely known in Korea for his roles in dramas such as 'Hana-Kimi (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e)' and 'Maou'. In 2011, he was recognized for his acting prowess by winning the Best New Actor award at both the Kinema Junpo Best 10 and the Blue Ribbon Awards for his films 'No Longer Human' and 'Hanamizuki'. He has built a prolific filmography including 'The Mole Song', 'Prophecy', 'Confession', the drama 'If Talking Paid', the Netflix series 'Beyond Goodbye', and the play 'Basarao'.

In 2024, he sang the theme song for his film 'Confession'. Recently, he officially launched his singing career by performing "Super Romance," the theme for the Nippon TV drama 'We Are Worse at Love Than Pandas'. Anticipation is high to see what kind of performance IKUTA TOUMA, who has expanded his reach from acting to singing, will showcase at ASEA.

Launched in 2024, 'ASEA' has established itself as a global awards ceremony that carefully selects and honors artists exercising worldwide influence beyond Asia, showcasing high-quality performances. This year as well, a large number of top-class artists who have achieved significant results over the past year are scheduled to participate and put on spectacular stages.

On the first day (May 16), hosted by MONSTA X's HYUNGWON and IVE's REI, the lineup includes &TEAM, CANDY TUNE, CUTIE STREET, ENHYPEN, FRUITS ZIPPER, IDID, KIMURA MISA, SWEET STEADY, and VVUP. (Listed in alphabetical order). Actors LEE JUN-HO and GO YOUN-JUNG will also grace the event.

On the second day (May 17), hosted by actress LEE SUNG-KYUNG and a yet-to-be-revealed K-pop top star, the performers include ATEEZ, HEARTS2HEARTS, IKUTA TOUMA, KWON EUNBI, NOWZ, THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE, WONHO, and xikers. Actor LEE CHAEMIN will also attend.

'ASEA 2026' is hosted by NEWSEN, South Korea's representative entertainment and sports media outlet celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, and @style, a star & style magazine celebrating its 14th anniversary, and is organized by the ASEA Organizing Committee.

'ASEA 2026' plans to sequentially announce the artist lineup, award categories, and judging criteria through its official website. Ticket reservations began on March 16. Further details can be found on the official Japanese website.

(Photos provided by the ASEA Organizing Committee)