BANGKOK - The Eurovision Song Contest is holding its first Asian edition in Bangkok, Thailand, with eleven countries competing on Saturday, BBC News reported. The broadcaster described the event as the world's biggest and longest-running song contest coming to Asia.
The New York Times reported that South Korea, the Philippines and nine other countries will compete in the Asian edition of what it called Europe's "high-camp original song competition." Francesca Regalado wrote the report.
The Guardian reported, in a piece by Raphael Rashid and Natasha May, that the contest, which it described as beloved by millions across Europe, will arrive in Bangkok next week for its inaugural Asian edition.
The Guardian's piece profiles three hopefuls, including a bar singer, a K-pop veteran and a so-called railway track diva. It said that for some performers the contest is a "first big break," while for others it is a chance to secure their fame.
According to The Guardian, organizers hope the event will bring the fanfare associated with the glitzy song contest, and all 11 acts have the opportunity to become Asia's first ever winner.
The sources differ on timing. The Guardian, which published on November 12, said the contest would arrive next week, while BBC News described the competition as taking place on Saturday. None of the summaries gives a calendar date. The outlets agree on the number of participants, eleven, although The Guardian counted acts and BBC News and The New York Times counted countries.
Sources: The Guardian: The bar singer, the K-pop veteran and the ‘railway track diva’: meet three Eurovision Asia 2026 hopefuls; BBC News: Can the Eurovision Song Contest succeed in Asia?; The New York Times: Eurovision Song Contest Asia: What to Know.