AGP Executive Report

Streaming & Anime: Crunchyroll added the new Sgt. Frog TV anime KERORO☆ (Keroro Gunsō ☆), debuting Oct 3 and streaming worldwide except Asia. Film & Music Culture: India’s Oscar entry Gondhal announced paid preview screenings in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, drawing on the Maharashtra Gondhal folk ritual that blends music, dance and devotional storytelling. Music Industry & AI Abuse: Jr NTR and Vijay Deverakonda condemned an explicit AI-morphed Chuttamalle clip, calling for strict legal action. Pop Tragedy: Japanese idol trainee Runa Hirata (DIANNA Project) died at 8 from influenza-triggered myocarditis, just days after performing. Regional Music Diplomacy: A China–Vietnam exchange for young media professionals in Hanoi highlighted cultural cooperation, while a China–Germany youth exchange concert in Essen used singing to teach language and build ties. Artangel Space-Earth Sound: London’s Artangel released Earth Rising: Messages from the Pale Blue Dot Vol. II, including Sharda Patasar’s sitar-based track, tying music to humanity’s “rebellion” and connection. Sports-Adjacent Spotlight: South Korea’s Tom Kim won Asian Games gold and a military exemption—an extra headline for Asia’s entertainment-and-sport crossover crowd.

Bollywood x Hip-hop: Emiway Bantai drops “Choozay,” his Bollywood playback debut for spy-comedy Udta Teer, teaming with Sachin-Jigar and Amitabh Bhattacharya; the track is now streaming. AI misuse hits Indian pop culture: Jr NTR condemns an AI-morphed “Chuttamalle” deepfake involving Janhvi Kapoor, vows legal action, and urges people not to watch or share. K-pop on the move: Stray Kids join BTS in boycotting Grammy Awards 2027 music-category consideration, adding pressure to the global awards conversation. Music diplomacy in Asia: Hong Kong harmonica star CY Leo brings “Two Worlds in One” to Singapore’s Esplanade with cross-border musicians during his Asia Tour 2026. Sports-meets-music moment: Tom Kim wins Asian Games men’s golf gold in Japan and secures a South Korea military exemption—an unexpected headline crossover for fans. Streaming/TV guide: Disney+ confirms U.S. streaming for Zootopia 2 on March 11, 2026, with the sequel landing alongside the original. Tech + music infrastructure: Meta announces Petal, a massive subsea cable project aimed at boosting global data capacity for streaming and AI services.

Filipino music in Seoul: A Filipino Night at Rabbit Hall in Hongdae turned a basement venue into a home-away-from-home, with Mindanaoan dance, Tagalog/English karaoke favorites, and Korean ballads bringing the community together. Japan’s monk-pop: In Nagoya, Buddhist monks perform “Nembutsu Boogie” and other original songs, aiming to make temples feel closer through music and simple talks. Music meets heritage tourism in China: A Shandong-to-Xinjiang “intangible cultural heritage” train turned carriages into a moving stage for opera, folk performances, and hands-on crafts, drawing 20,000+ participants. India election protest culture: Mumbai’s Shivaji Park and Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protests over CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation used memes, satire, and poetry-like messaging to rally “cockroaches” for more action. K-pop awards backlash: Stray Kids announced they won’t submit for next year’s Grammys after the Recording Academy kept an Asian pop category, following BTS’s boycott. Streaming milestone: Apple Music finally launched in Pakistan after 11 years, expanding access for South Asian listeners.

Japan Pop Export: JO1 drops “ANIMAL,” its first full English EP and official U.S. debut, produced by Grammy-winner Dem Jointz. K-Pop Solo Momentum: SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan and Joshua tease “DREAMSCAPE” and set Asia tour dates for 2026-27, while Jun releases his first Chinese EP “9.” Streaming & Access: Apple Music finally reaches Pakistan (plus Albania, Brunei, Burkina Faso), and TikTok pushes global campaign POPS for Mrs. GREEN APPLE. Live Music & Festivals: London Symphony Orchestra opens a Hanoi concert with Vietnam’s anthem; a free-stream “a-nation 2026” heads to Avex’s YouTube and TikTok. Music Business Watch: Spotify RAP91 Live returns with a lineup, and the music training education market forecasts long-term growth. Culture Beyond Pop: China’s National Day “Land Fingerprint Concert” lands in Guizhou, while Qingchengshan hosts “Immortal Heroes” guochao events. Legal/Policy Angle: Japan court rules voice can be protected by publicity rights, shaping AI training debates.

Hong Kong National Day Music Moment: Crowds packed Victoria Harbour for an eight-part fireworks show with music marking the PRC’s 77th anniversary, part of a full day of HKSAR celebrations. K-pop Box-Office: BoyNextDoor hit Billboard’s Top Tours chart at No. 26 after grossing $5.8M from six “Knock On Vol. 2” concerts, with a repackage album “Home: Deluxe” also out now. SHINee Solo News: Onew teams up with Zico for “Tic Tac Toe,” one of three focus tracks from his single album “Delusion,” due in full on Oct. 20. Japan Pop + Anime Tie-In: Keisuke Kuwata released “Hitotarashi,” his first anime theme written specifically for “Akane-banashi.” Asia Friendship Through Orchestra: Vietnamese and Chinese artists shared the stage in Hanoi with the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and choirs for a friendship concert. Festival Watch (HK): Cathay • WestK Jazz Fest 2026 returns in November with Kenny G, Diana Krall, Stacey Kent and more. Gaming + Live Music Crossover: G-STAR 2026 in Busan reveals a big global lineup and indie showcase as it returns to BEXCO in November. Stage Spotlight (Philippines): Lea Salonga will star in “Ang Tahanan ni Bernard Alba,” the Filipino adaptation of Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba,” in Feb 2027. Streaming/Tech Note: Apple Music expands to more countries including Pakistan, 11 years after its debut.

Live Music & Classical: Escondido’s San Diego Music Society kicks off its six-concert “Intimate Classics” season Oct. 4 with pianist Natasha Paremski, running through June 20 with chamber and all-cello programming. Local Community Music: La Crescenta and Sunland-Tujunga get new midweek and weekend gathering spots, with organizers aiming to add live music at the Foothill Community Market and a new Cravings Night Market. Copyright Watch (India): India’s Supreme Court refused to interfere with a Delhi High Court order restraining use of Ilaiyaraaja’s “En Iniya Pon Nilave” without a Saregama licence, keeping the dispute’s next steps in motion. Film Music Spotlight (Taiwan): Golden Horse nominations are led by Sabu’s “Arrested Memory” (11), with Shu Qi’s “Girl” close behind (10), keeping attention on the region’s screen-to-sound ecosystem. Tech Meets Music Culture: Spotify users report outages in India, while Apple expands music services to new countries—both likely to affect how fans stream and discover Asia-Pacific releases.

K-pop to Japan: EXO’s Chanyeol announces his second Japanese solo EP, Tabi, dropping Friday, with a six-track mix led by modern rock “Song For You,” plus a Japan tour starting Oct. 14. Live music in Australia: The Teskey Brothers headline Global Citizen Nights: Perth on Oct. 20, with South Summit and Ruby Rodgers, as the Global Citizen NOW summit runs Oct. 18–20. Pacific culture preservation: A Fijian academic is pushing Pacific families to record elders’ stories—songs, chants, lullabies and memories—through the Talanoa Vei Ira na Luveda initiative. Southeast Asia heritage push: Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore back a UNESCO bid for the Zapin dance in 2027, aiming to keep the tradition living across borders. Music tech + nostalgia: In China, young shoppers are driving a comeback for obsolete formats like old CCD cameras and vinyl, chasing the look and “imperfections” smartphones smooth out. Classical sound in Japan: A new pipe organ inspired by 1700s designs is unveiled in Chiba, with thousands of pipes and a Bach-era aim. Streaming/tech note: Reports say Spotify is down for some users in India and elsewhere, with playback/search errors. Handmade textiles in India: Bengaluru hosts the Naturally Dyed Handmade Festival starting Oct. 2, spotlighting khadi, natural dyes and community-led craft.

ASEAN Music Spotlight: Sofronio Vasquez, the first Filipino and first male Asian winner of “The Voice” Season 26, teamed up with the Young Voices of the Philippines for “Seas Unbroken,” created for the 2026 ASEAN Philippine Chairship and performed on the Wish 107.5 Bus. Regional Talent Hunt: Toyota Kirloskar Motor crowned Stereo Groove from Nagaland as NE Star 2026, with Pateng Band (Meghalaya) and Naad Band (Sikkim) taking runner-up spots at the NE Star 2026 finale in Guwahati. Classical Breakthrough (Japan): 15-year-old violinist Himari became the youngest artist to hit Japan’s Oricon Top 3 with her Decca Classics debut album “Debut,” featuring a live recording with the Berliner Philharmoniker. Streaming/Tech Buzz: Reports say Spotify was down for users in the US, UK and India, with “Something went wrong” errors. Music & Culture (Central Asia): Uzbek archivist Anvar Kalandarov is helping resurface Soviet-era Central Asian recordings through Maqom Soul Records, including new reissues and compilations. Pop Culture (India): Yami Gautam’s “Nayyi Navelli” trailer is out, pitching a mystery-filled new-bahu story set for cinemas on Oct. 16, 2026.

K-pop & Tours: Taemin postpones his North American leg over US visa uncertainty for key staff, with refunds via original purchase. Festival Buzz (Asia-Pacific): Laneway Festival 2027 is set for Sydney (Feb 12), Brisbane (Feb 13), Melbourne (Feb 19) and Auckland (Feb 21), led by Fontaines D.C. and “The Hayley Williams Show,” with Slayyyter, ADÉLA, Kim Petras, MUNA, Rico Nasty and more; presales begin Oct 7. Music Business/Charts: Evan (ex-ENHYPEN’s Heeseung) debuts on the Billboard 200 at No. 49 with his solo EP “Death of Me,” after strong sales and TV chart wins. Immersive Pop Culture: Beijing Happy Valley launches the Amazing Pop Carnival (through Nov 15) with 300+ interactive NPC performers and daily live shows. Local Culture & Heritage: Singapore’s National Museum reopens its revamped Singapore History Gallery on Oct 10 with immersive, multimedia storytelling on multicultural identity. Streaming/Tech: Reports say Spotify is down for users in the US, UK and India, with “Something went wrong” errors. Regional Music Scene: Malaysia’s zine culture is spotlighted as a DIY way to archive underground music and local subcultures.

K-pop x motorsport crossover: Tzuyu (TWICE) is set to visit Singapore for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Oct 9-11), recording a theme song and music video for the Dan Da Dan crossover with Atlassian Williams F1 Team, with the Fan Zone running Oct 5-13. Streaming outage: Spotify went down for thousands of users in the US and India, with app, audio, server-connection and login issues reported. China church crackdown: ChinaAid says Beijing Jiaquan Church pastors and workers were detained in a widening crackdown on unregistered house churches, including Noah Music School staff. Concert disruption: Filipino singer Moira Dela Torre’s Oct 4 SM Mall of Asia Arena show was postponed to next year by promoter Ovation Productions, with refunds via Ticketmaster. Tech for music worlds: Japan’s hololive Dreams (“holodori”) launched its new “Soda Pop Lagoon” area update with fishing, boat exploration, and a new area theme song. Music in the air: Starbucks opened its first Xinjiang stores in Urumqi, featuring local design and Xinjiang-inspired menus.

Live Music & Festivals: Singapore International Film Festival returns for its 37th edition (Oct 21–Nov 1) with “The Assassin(s)” opening and Aamir Khan set for a Screen Icon Award moment. K-pop Tour: Seventeen subunit Jeonghan X Joshua announce a six-city “Journey into Dreaming” run across Korea, Japan, Macao, Taipei, Busan and Hong Kong, tied to EP “Dreamscape.” China Culture on Stage: Beijing’s Grand Canal hosts the 4th Canal Arts Fest (Sept 24–27) blending music, dance and international troupes during Mid-Autumn. Traditional Music Spotlight: China National Traditional Orchestra prepares “Towards the Light,” a symphonic choral work marking the 90th anniversary of the Long March, premiering Oct 13 in Ganzhou. Interactive Concerts: Hong Kong’s East Kowloon Cultural Centre unveils “Unbox EKCC 2026” with multimedia electro show “IMMERSION,” new media dance “Sál,” and audience-participation installations. Public Transport Rules: Singapore tightens fines for disruptive bus behavior, including loud audio—another reminder that music on the move has to stay respectful. AI & Society: Pope Leo XIV pushes back on “fake news” claims, saying AI safety concerns must be discussed and acted on.

Philippines Pop Milestone: The Senate in Manila unanimously commended SB19 for becoming the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago, spotlighting their Lollapalooza set and “Lawless” debut. Singapore Music & Culture: Tributes highlighted late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s lifelong love of music and violin, including performances for charity—an unexpected cultural note from Malaysia-Singapore public life. China Cultural Calendar: Xinhua covered ceremonies marking Confucius’ 2,577th birth anniversary, with traditional music and dance across Qufu and Taipei. North Korea Crackdown: A report says brokers are openly advertising North Korean workers on WeChat despite UN sanctions, while Amnesty describes harsher punishments for watching South Korean entertainment as defections hit new lows. Japan Pop Meets Global Media: hololive’s “holodori Takeover” is rolling out across seven cities worldwide with big transit and billboard activations. South Asia Indie Spotlight: Shreya Ghoshal backed independent music for creative freedom, as she releases “Bairi Piya.” Nepalese Folk-Rock Abroad: Nepathya drew hundreds of Nepalis to a packed South Korea concert during Chuseok, turning the night into a homecoming. Asia-Pacific Live Music: Coda (Kazuso Oda) announced a New York Jazz Gallery show on Nov 8, bringing his JoJo anime themes to a full band outside Japan.

Music Loss: Chinese singer Liu Huan, the 2008 Beijing Olympics duet partner of Sarah Brightman, has died at 63; Brightman called him a “true gentleman,” remembering their “You and Me” performance. Pop & Awards: The 2026 MTV VMAs kicked off with early wins including LISA’s Best Pop for “Dream,” Taylor Swift taking Video of the Year, and Madonna winning Best Dance and a Best Collaboration nod. Tech for Music: Amazon launched Alexa+ in India, aiming to help users discover and play music and podcasts via mood and description, plus smart-home control. K-pop/Asia Tours: Japan group TWS returns with a second single in November and continues its Asia tour, with stops including Bangkok, Singapore, and Kaohsiung. Gaming with Regional Music: Singapore and South-east Asia get Ondeh Ondeh Kaya’s Tasty Tale in 2027, a rhythm-and-puzzle adventure where music drives exploration and combat. Cultural Spotlight: New Zealand barbershop choir Pacific Connection won big at the national convention, celebrating Pacific languages and harmonies. Community Arts: Kelantan wayang kulit practitioner Kang Boon Ann and his family are keeping the shadow-puppetry tradition alive for the next generation.

K-pop Stocks Watch: HYBE shares fell 48.9% and JYP dropped 41.4% over six months, with analysts blaming heavy dependence on BTS and Stray Kids. Big Screen Music & Culture: PVR INOX opened a new 5-screen multiplex at MyMoon in Kochi, leaning into Kerala’s cinema-and-music heritage with “multiplex in a garden” design. Global Animation Buzz: “We Are Aliens” won the Grand Prize at Ottawa’s 50th animation awards, while Eri’s short and “Candy Caries” also took top honors—set for Busan screenings next. Tech Meets Music Accessibility: India’s WAVES OTT from Prasar Bharati passed 1.2 crore registered users and 1.5 crore downloads, boosting audio-first access. Pop Star Health Update: Regine Velasquez says she’s dealing with a “menopause voice” despite clean vocal cords, after checking in Singapore. Industry & IP: HelloWorks plans to revive Korea’s 1959 SF comic “Rayphie” as a global IP business, starting with a documentary at Global Stage Hollywood on Oct 3. Legal/Crime Impacting Music Communities: CBI carried out searches in a ₹11.42 crore “digital arrest” cyber fraud case, arresting two accused.

Loss in Mandopop: Chinese singer Liu Huan, famed for performing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has died at 63 in Shanghai; his cause wasn’t disclosed and he requested a simple farewell. Devotional Live Music: Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre hosts Nandagovindam Bhajans on Oct 9, bringing Kerala-style collective bhajans to the Aotea Centre with tickets via Ticketmaster. K-pop/Concert Industry: HYBE Cine Fest 2026 is going global with BTS, SEVENTEEN, TXT and ENHYPEN concert films and live broadcasts across 60+ territories. Box Office (South Asia): Tamil action drama “Mandaadi” climbs to Rs 87 cr India net by Day 17; “Dorothy” adds Rs 1.17 cr on Day 2; “VIBE” jumps 80% on Day 9 to Rs 12.65 cr India net. Cultural Festivals: Mid-Autumn celebrations keep rolling across China and beyond, with events and performances marking the holiday’s family-and-moon theme. Music & Science (debunking): A new explainer revisits claims that music boosts plant growth, tracing them to older, widely criticized experiments. Community Music Events: AsianFest marks its 12th year in Iowa with food and live cultural performances.

Instrument Craft in China: In Henan’s rural Queshan County, violin making has turned into a full production chain—about 400,000 violins a year, with 2,600 local workers and most exports—showing how a European craft can take root far from its origins. Indian Classical on Tour: Ustad Shafaat Khan brings “Where East Meets West” (sitar, surbahar and tabla) to New Jersey’s Centenary Stage Company on Oct 4, blending Indian classical/folk with flamenco, pop and western percussion. Festival Soundtrack (Nepal): Kathmandu’s Indra Jatra returns with chariot processions, masked dances and religious performances, kicking off a month-long autumn festival run. Hong Kong Pop-Culture Collab: Jackson Wang debuts his “Under the Castle” fantasy IP in Hong Kong via Ocean Park’s Halloween Fest, with a VIP event drawing 1,000+ guests. Bollywood Meets Online Creators: “Ramayana” promotion in Mumbai features MrBeast chanting “Jai Shree Ram” alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. Music + Culture Diplomacy: Nigeria and China spotlight cultural exchange and creative-economy links as Hunan’s song-and-dance troupe performs in Abuja. Asian Games Ticket Woes: Organizers say they’re “not satisfied” with empty seats, with accommodation and transport issues also blamed. South Asia Film Music Debate: Tamil film “Dorothy” sparks LGBTQ-related online discussion after its Sept 25 release, with reports of bans abroad adding fuel. Chinese Music Loss: Iconic singer Liu Huan dies at 63, known for “Heroes’ Song” and mentoring on The Voice of China.