All the Iconic Moments That Went Down at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards

Often dubbed Asia’s Oscars or Grammy Awards, the prestigious Asia Artist Awards are held annually to celebrate and honor Asian excellence in the realms of television, film, and music. Now in its eighth year, the ceremony was held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan last December 14.

The star-studded event was hosted by IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, Kang Daniel, and ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han Bin. Attendees included a plethora of K-pop luminaries such as LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, BOYNEXTDOOR, Stray Kids, ITZY, SEVENTEEN’s BSS, and more. Esteemed Korean actors, such as Kim Sejeong, Ahn Hyoseop, Kim Seon Ho, and many more graced the event.

Adding to the grandeur, Filipino celebrities and musicians Melai Cantiveros, Kathryn Bernardo, SB19, HORI7ON, and more joined the festivities.

Presented by PULP Live World and Star News Korea, the awards ceremony featured an impressive array of performances by K-pop acts. Couldn’t catch the show? Don’t worry, because we’ve listed down all the highlights that occurred last night. Here’s what you missed:

LOOK: All the Asia Artist Awards 2023 Highlights

1. It's Showtime host Ryan Bang stole the show with his witty red carpet hosting, effortlessly switching between English, Filipino, Korean, and Japanese. His humorous side comments made waves on X (formerly Twitter), earning him praise from netizens for his entertaining hosting skills.

2. P-pop sensation SB19 kicked off the main event with a powerful opening number, showcasing a special mashup of their hits. The electrifying performance set the tone for the evening, and later, SB19 clinched the AAA Hot Trend Award alongside NewJeans, Lim Young Woong, Ahn Hyo Seop, and Lee Jun Ho.

3. A lighthearted moment emerged when Jang Won Young of IVE interviewed actress-comedian Melai Cantiveros. The video quickly went viral, capturing Melai's amusing comparison of the event to being the first honor at a graduation ceremony. LOL! "I feel like I am the first honor and valedictorian attending AAA," Melai proudly answered. The actress later took home the Best Actor Award.

4. Kim Sejeong and Ahn Hyo Seop's on-screen chemistry in Business Proposal translated to real success as both actors took home the AAA Best Actor Award. Kim Sejeong also bagged the AAA Popularity Award, receiving thunderous cheers from the audience.

5. South Korea-based Filipino boy band HORI7ON achieved a significant milestone by winning the AAA Focus Award. Expressing gratitude, the band members thanked the audience for the opportunity, reflecting on their journey from dreamers to award-winning artists. “Last year, pinapangarap lang namin na baka makapanood ng live sa mga iniidolo namin, pero ngayon na nabigyan kami ng opportunity na makasali sa prestigious award na ito. Kaya nagpapasalamat talaga kami," said leader Vinci Malizon during their acceptance speech.

6. Pinoy talents continued to shine throughout the night as Ben & Ben took home the AAA Best Choice Award, expressing genuine surprise and gratitude for the unexpected honor. "We did not expect this, honestly. We are very, very surprised, but we just wanna say thank you to each and every one of you for being here,” said Miguel Benjamin.

7. In another triumph for Pinoy talent, Kathryn Bernardo graced the AAA stage in a mesmerizing white dress by Anthony Ramirez. The actress not only captivated the audience with her stunning appearance but also secured the prestigious AAA Fabulous Award next to NewJeans, Stray Kids, and Lim Young Woong. "I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody for supporting Filipino-made series and movies. Patapos na ang taon but I'm feeling so blessed. I'm sharing this award with all of you. Maraming, maraming salamat po," she said during her acceptance speech.

 

8. Heartthrob Kim Seon Ho received the AAA Asia Celebrity Award, captivating the audience and fans with his Dolce & Gabbana ensemble. Netizens also couldn’t get enough of Ryan Bang's “sobrang gwapo” and “take your time basta ikaw” comments on the red carpet, with many of them agreeing they’d do the same if they were him.

9. True Beauty and The Interest of Love actress Moon Ga Young won the Best Acting Performance Award, making a fashion statement in a head-to-toe Dolce & Gabbana outfit, from her panelled silk-satin corset dress down to her ankle strap heels. She was a vision! 

10. There was never a dull moment during the 2023 Asia Artist Awards, with electrifying performances from acclaimed K-pop idol groups hyping the audience throughout the event. NewJeans, a standout of the night, not only mesmerized the audience but also clinched the AAA Grand Prize Singer of the Year and Song of the Year for their sensational track "Ditto," leaving an indelible mark on the event.

Stray Kids, with their dynamic presence, secured the AAA Grand Prize Stage of the Year, showcasing their unparalleled stage prowess. Adding to the spectacle, BSS (Seventeen) emerged victorious with the AAA Grand Prize Performance of the Year, highlighting their exceptional performance skills.

What a night! See you next year!

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