May 23, 2025
BEIJING – Sing! Asia, a new singing competition show to discover and nurture promising musical talents across Asia, is slated to premiere tomorrow on iQIYI, said the streaming giant at a sneak preview on Tuesday in Beijing.
First of its kind in Asia, the iQIYI-produced show, with veteran Hong Kong musician Kubert Leung as music director, gathers 32 aspiring singers and groups from nine Asian countries, including China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Mongolia.
As all the young singers compete for the top prize, they will receive mentorship from a lineup of world-class musicians. This includes Taiwan pop singer Jeff Chang, British singer and songwriter Jessie J, Chinese pop singer Jane Zhang, and Malaysian singer-songwriter Azora Chin.
The show offers an immersive experience that blends various Asian cultures through music. Filmed on a large cruise ship, the journey begins in Shanghai, China, and includes visits to several iconic locations in the region, such as Okinawa, Japan; Ha Long Bay, Vietnam; Singapore; and Klang, Malaysia, before returning to China in Hong Kong.
According to Chen Di, iQIYI’s vice-president and the show’s executive producer, the casting team only handpicked singers aged between 20 and 25.
“Being young means that they boast infinite potential,” Chen said when asked how the show can compete with other music competition shows featuring established singers.
Sing! Asia aims to unite the most promising young talents in Asia, providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills in competition and thrive together, Chen added.
The executive producer also revealed that despite manifold challenges of filming on the sea, the stage created on the deck not only brings all singers an unprecedented experience but also ensures a level playing field for all participants.
Three Chinese participants—Pan Hong, Wang Honghao, and Yang Runze—attended the Tuesday event and shared what they had gained from the show. The young musicians agreed it’s a journey to explore diverse music styles from other Asian countries and make friends with kindred spirits.
As of now, nine other singers and groups have been announced for the first round of competition. They include Aisin-Gioro Mei, Ke Lou, and Zhou Feige from China; Amsyar Leee from Malaysia; DALI from Mongolia; Daneliya from Kazakhstan; May’n from Japan; and Flower.fa and SOILBOY from Thailand.