ASEA 2025: First-Round Results Reveal Early Favorites – Top 20 Finalists Announced

- PLAVE, NiziU, and Lim Young-woong Lead Their Categories Amid Fierce Global Support
- Carry Sunjae on My Back Stars Byun Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon Sweep Acting Categories
- Japanese Artists Like Timelesz, Sakurazaka46, and HANA Secure Top 20 Spots

The first-round results of the Asia Star Entertainer Awards 2025 (ASEA 2025) have been officially announced. Following an intense wave of global fan participation, the Top 20 finalists for each category—who will advance to the second round of voting—have now been revealed.

The first-round voting was held from March 18 to early April, covering a total of 13 categories including Best Group, Best Solo, Best Trot Artist, Best New Artist, Best OST, and various Fan Choice awards.

In the highly anticipated Best Male Group category, virtual idol group PLAVE dominated the competition with a 16.85% vote share, demonstrating their formidable fanbase. Following closely behind were TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) with 9.46%, and HYBE Japan’s &TEAM, who recently earned “Best 5 Albums” honors at the 39th Japan Gold Disc Awards, with 9.32%.

In the Best Female Group category, NiziU, returning for a second consecutive year at ASEA, topped the rankings with 16.27%. Japanese group Sakurazaka46 (15.33%) and K-pop sensation Dreamcatcher (14.14%) also posted strong performances, showcasing their global popularity.

The Best Solo categories also highlighted the immense power of fan support. In the male solo division, trusted chart-topper Lim Young-woong claimed first place, with BTS’s V and Jin following closely. Among female soloists, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo took the crown with 17.15%, ahead of Red Velvet’s Irene (15%) and ITZY’s Yeji (13.5%), both noted for their commanding performances and distinct charm.

Lim Young-woong further solidified his popularity by leading the Best Trot Artist category, with fellow trot stars Young Tak and Lee Chan-won rounding out the top three.

In the Best New Artist category, up-and-coming groups made their presence known. HATSU TO HATSU (18.83%) impressed with their fresh energy, while LUN8 (13.1%) and NEXZ (11.7%) showcased their potential as rising stars.

For Best OST, BTS’s Jin topped the list with "Close to You" (28.16%), an emotive ballad that deepened the narrative of the drama Ask the Stars. PLAVE’s “Was It Different?” (To My Harry) and TXT’s Yeonjun’s “Boyfriend” (Cinderella at 2 AM) ranked second and third, respectively, capturing fans’ hearts with their emotional resonance.

In the Fan Choice categories, Lim Young-woong again garnered overwhelming support, leading the Fan Choice Artist division. Meanwhile, actors Byun Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon from the popular drama Carry Sunjae on My Back swept the male and female acting categories, as well as the Couple and Character divisions, underscoring their ongoing popularity even after the drama’s conclusion.

In the Fan Choice 5th Generation Artist category, emerging K-pop leaders RIZE (28.1%), N.SSign (21.1%), and XODIAC (19.4%) demonstrated explosive growth and fan momentum, solidifying their status as next-generation powerhouses.

An ASEA 2025 spokesperson expressed gratitude, saying, “We sincerely thank all fans for their incredible support during the first round. Your continued votes in the second round will be crucial in determining the final winners.”

The second round of voting will run from April 10 to April 29. Fans can participate easily through ASEA’s official voting platforms: IDOLCHAMP, MY1PICK, and PODOAL. Full Top 20 results and category breakdowns are available on the ASEA official website (www.asea.kr).