Melon Music Awards announces 26-act lineup for November 14–15 in Seoul
In short
The 2026 Melon Music Awards finalized a lineup of 26 acts for November 14–15 at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome. Performers include I.O.I and aespa on the first day and IVE and CORTIS on the second, Korean outlets reported on October 14.
Read the full story 1 min read
The 2026 Melon Music Awards has completed its 26-act lineup for a two-day event at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on November 14–15. Melon, the music platform of Kakao Entertainment that organizes the awards, announced the final additions on October 14, Newsis reported. The fourth lineup announcement added 11 acts, including I.O.I, aespa, IVE and CORTIS. Seoul Economic Daily reported that 15 acts had already been announced in three earlier rounds. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The November 14 program will feature 14 acts, including I.O.I, aespa, NCT DREAM and ATEEZ. Newsis said I.O.I had reunited after about nine years. The second day's 12-act program includes IVE, CORTIS, NCT 127, PLAVE and ILLIT. Seoul Economic Daily also listed NCT WISH, 82MAJOR, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, LNGSHOT and AND2BLE among the November 15 performers. The daily programs divide the final lineup between the two dates rather than placing all 26 acts on the same day. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The awards will introduce a Global Top 10 category linked to the Global-K Chart, a combined music indicator covering South Korea, China and Japan. Korea Economic Daily and Seoul Economic Daily reported that Melon, Tencent Music and LINE Music jointly launched the chart. Seoul Economic Daily said the new category aims to reflect overseas fans' interest and participation as well as domestic music performance. It identified KakaoBank as the title sponsor of the 18th edition of the awards. The reports describe the announced program and category, with the event scheduled for next month. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The event adds a Global Top 10 category tied to a Korea-China-Japan music chart. The two-day program will feature 14 acts on November 14 and 12 on November 15.
Key facts
- The awards will take place on November 14–15 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The final lineup comprises 26 acts. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The latest announcement added 11 acts to the 15 previously announced. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The event will introduce a Global Top 10 category linked to the Global-K Chart. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]