You Won’t Believe What Happened at the Shocking Weibo Awards in Macau – Top Stars from 3 Countries Clash!

In a dazzling display of talent and cultural exchange, the inaugural WIEA Weibo International Entertainment Awards took place from April 25 to 26, 2026, at the Galaxy Arena in Macau. This highly anticipated event, hosted by Weibo, one of China's most influential social media platforms, attracted a full house, featuring performances from some of the biggest names in Asian entertainment, including stars from China, South Korea, and Thailand.

The two-day gala showcased a star-studded lineup, which included Thai actors and singers BILLKIN and PP KRIT, BAEKHYUN from EXO, Korean-American hip-hop sensation Jay Park, rising K-pop group RIIZE, the Hong Kong mega-group MIRROR, and Chinese singer-actor Zhan Xuan. One of the most memorable moments occurred when Jay Park celebrated his birthday on stage, closing the night with a medley of his hits, and was greeted by fans singing “Happy Birthday.”

During the awards ceremony, BAEKHYUN amazed fans by performing a Mandarin version of the ballad "I Truly Believe." He expressed his heartfelt gratitude in Chinese, stating,

“Thank you, Cherry (BAEKHYUN's fandom name), for letting me stand here. No matter how far apart we are, love can always reach across. Thank you for your unwavering love. My feelings for you have never changed — so please, keep running with me into the future. I love you.”

This emotional moment highlighted Weibo's vital role in bridging cultures within the entertainment industry.

A Celebration of Talent

The awards recognized 19 honors across various categories, celebrating both individual and group achievements. The winners included:

• DOMMIU (Li Youyin) — Rising Star of the Year
• LNGSHOT — Breakthrough Group of the Year (Overseas)
• Hearts2Hearts — Fan Favorite Group of the Year (Overseas)
• RIIZE — Emerging Group of the Year (Overseas)
• SM Entertainment — Label of the Year (Overseas)
• BILLKIN — Breakthrough Artist of the Year (Overseas)
• PP KRIT — Popular Artist of the Year (Overseas)
• Jay Park — All-Around Artist of the Year (Overseas)
• IRENE — Popular Solo Artist of the Year (Overseas)
• 82MAJOR — Promising Group of the Year (Overseas)
• Thomas (Zhuang Xingkai) — Promising Artist (Overseas)
• Kong (Zhu Junrong) — New Artist of the Year (Overseas)
• Zee (Li Haihai) — Artist to Watch of the Year (Overseas)
• NuNew (Lin Jingyun) — Artist on the Rise of the Year (Overseas)
• STAYC — Best Group Stage Performance of the Year (Overseas)
• Apink — Icon Group of the Year (Overseas)
• Zhan Xuan — Fan Favorite Artist of the Year
• MIRROR — Group in the Spotlight of the Year
• BAEKHYUN — Influential Artist of the Year (Overseas)

The performances highlighted the diversity of talent and musical styles, with day one kicking off with high-energy acts from DOMMIU, LNGSHOT, and Hearts2Hearts, and culminating in Jay Park's powerful set. The second day featured a more refined tone, with IRENE captivating the audience with her elegance, followed by a variety of artists like Thomas, Kong, and MIRROR who kept the crowd engaged.

Beyond the performances, the event introduced the Wish Envoy, a cyber wish-granting mascot named MEWOWOW Xiaojin, which added an interactive element as it facilitated fan wishes through cross-screen interactions. The atmosphere was further enriched by the playful interactions from the artists, including PP KRIT playfully expressing his birthday wish to find love, and BILLKIN hinting at a new album during a live Q&A session.

As the event coincided with Jay Park's birthday, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of communal celebration, culminating in an impromptu singalong. BAEKHYUN also engaged fans through viral Weibo requests, showcasing the deep connection between artists and their audiences.

Weibo's Evolution in the Global Entertainment Landscape

The successful launch of the WIEA signifies a pivotal moment in Weibo's strategy to expand its influence beyond China, fostering an interconnected ecosystem that bridges artists, fans, and industry stakeholders across borders. By lowering barriers of geography and culture, Weibo aims to cultivate deeper interactions and shared opportunities within the global entertainment landscape.

Since early 2025, Weibo has broadened its international content strategy, engaging not only with artists from South Korea and Thailand but also reaching out to creators from Europe, the United States, and Japan. This strategic initiative is designed to create collaborative networks by integrating high-impact intellectual property (IP) with upstream and downstream resources.

By supporting a full lifecycle approach to content — from pre-release buzz to post-release engagement and live events — Weibo enhances visibility while creating lasting connections with audiences. This innovative strategy not only facilitates artist visibility in new markets but also transforms fan engagement from passive consumption into active participation, narrowing the distance between artists and their communities.

Looking ahead, Weibo plans to continue expanding its international entertainment initiatives, underscoring its commitment to long-term ecosystem development. With a foundational focus on social connectivity, content as the driving force, and cultural exchange at its core, Weibo positions itself as a leader in fostering a more open and interconnected global entertainment environment.