ATEEZ、ENHYPEN、NMIXXら出演！ヨーロッパ最大級のK-POPフェス『2026 MUSIC BANK in BARCELONA』をU-NEXT独占で配信決定！

In a significant development for K-POP enthusiasts in Japan, the video streaming service U-NEXT has announced it will exclusively broadcast the landmark 2026 MUSIC BANK event held in Barcelona, Spain. Scheduled for live streaming on October 17, 2026, this marks a major expansion of K-POP's global footprint, bringing one of Europe’s largest K-POP festivals directly to Japanese audiences without additional fees for subscribers.

The MUSIC BANK event is a prominent fixture in the Korean entertainment calendar, originally produced by South Korea’s KBS network. It has evolved into a globally touring music festival, spotlighting the hottest names in the genre. The 2026 edition took place on September 12 at the monumental Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, underscoring Europe’s growing role as a vital hub for K-POP culture and fandom.

The Barcelona concert featured seven leading K-POP groups, including fan-favorites ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, and NMIXX. Also performing were emerging and popular acts such as xikers, NCT WISH, CORTIS, and ALPHA DRIVE ONE, collectively delivering a diverse showcase of contemporary Korean pop music. The event was helmed by celebrated actor Park Bo-gum, who served as the master of ceremonies, bringing additional star power and prestige to the production.

Following its initial broadcast in South Korea on October 7, the Japanese audience can experience the festival at a near-simultaneous pace through U-NEXT’s platform. The streaming will provide high-definition video and superior audio quality, promising an immersive viewing experience that captures the energy and scale of the live concert.

In addition to the live stream, U-NEXT plans to offer on-demand viewing shortly after the event’s conclusion, accommodating fans who may have scheduling conflicts. It is important to note that the stream will not include subtitles or dubbed audio, presenting the original performances in Korean.

This exclusive streaming arrangement highlights U-NEXT’s strategic commitment to diversifying its content offerings beyond traditional films and dramas. The platform boasts a vast catalog exceeding 480,000 titles, spanning multiple genres and formats, including live sports and stage performances, thereby appealing to a broad spectrum of entertainment consumers.

The inclusion of MUSIC BANK in U-NEXT’s lineup reflects the increasing global influence of K-POP and the demand for accessible live concert experiences outside of Asia. Barcelona’s selection as a host city for such a large-scale K-POP event signals the genre’s robust international growth, particularly across European markets.

While the full details of the broadcast schedule and device compatibility have been outlined by U-NEXT, viewers are advised that timings may be subject to adjustments. Furthermore, the streaming initiative is part of a larger trend where digital platforms are becoming pivotal in connecting global audiences with live music events amid evolving consumption habits.

The 2026 MUSIC BANK festival in Barcelona stands as a testament to K-POP’s expanding global reach and U-NEXT’s role in facilitating this cultural exchange through cutting-edge streaming technology. Fans in Japan now have unprecedented access to one of the genre’s premier international showcases, underscoring the continued fusion of Korean pop culture with worldwide entertainment platforms.