Eurovision Stages First Asia Edition in Bangkok
At a Glance
Eurovision is holding its first Asia edition this Saturday in Bangkok.
Eleven countries are competing in the inaugural contest.
Ticket sales have been sluggish, and the budget has been cut.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia opens on November 14 in Bangkok, bringing the European contest's blend of kitsch and geopolitics to Asia for the first time.
Key Statements and Focus Area
Producer on the Expansion: "Eurovision is very big in Europe, and it's very new in Asia." — Assaf Blecher, Executive Producer.
Expert on the Entries: The show is "lacking some provocation or some meaningful messaging that can resonate with international audiences." — Dean Vuletic, Eurovision author and expert.
Focus Area: The launch of Eurovision Asia and the questions over its audience and production.
Contestants from countries including Laos, Mongolia, and the Philippines will compete, with Vietnam's Toc Tien tipped as a favorite.
South Korea is sending K-pop star Junhee, Bangladesh, an all-male beatbox group, Beatmosphere, and Nepal's Pratik Himal Rai.
India, Japan, and China are absent. Organizers acknowledge limitations in the first year, after a reported budget cut of one million dollars, but promise a beautiful production.
Voting combines juries and viewers, with no country able to vote for itself, which could pit neighbors such as Cambodia and Thailand against each other after last year's border clash.
Blecher says 16 or 17 places are already interested in hosting a 2027 edition, including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
FYI
Eurovision began in 1956 and drew 131 million viewers in 2026, down 35 million from the previous year after five countries boycotted over Israel's participation.
It launched artists such as ABBA and Celine Dion. A US version was held in 2022 but not repeated.
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