Manila is set for another busy month of K-pop events, with two prominent girl groups scheduled to meet Filipino fans through their respective concert and fan-tour programmes in September 2026.
The first major act to arrive will be Babymonster, the newest girl group from YG Entertainment, the agency behind influential acts such as 2NE1 and Blackpink. The group will perform at the Mall of Asia Arena on 5 September as part of its “Choom” world tour.
The Manila concert will be particularly significant for Babymonster as it will mark the group’s first performance in the Philippines since its debut in 2024. The show is being produced by Live Nation Philippines and takes its name from the four-track extended play released by the group in May.
Seven members are part of Babymonster’s line-up, but only six are expected to take the Manila stage. Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rora and Chiquita are scheduled to perform, while Rami remains on hiatus for health-related reasons and has yet to resume group activities.
Babymonster has quickly established an identity associated with YG Entertainment’s hip-hop-oriented sound. The group’s music combines forceful rap sections, powerful vocals and energetic performances, with songs such as “Drip”, “We Go Up” and “Choom” showcasing those characteristics.
For Filipino fans, the September appearance will offer an opportunity to experience the group’s performance style in a live setting for the first time in the country.
Later in the month, STAYC will return to the Philippines for its “Stay Closer” fan concert tour. The six-member group will hold the event at the University of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City on 20 September.
The event is being presented by CDM Entertainment and will mark STAYC’s return to the Philippines after the group performed at Waterbomb Manila in February 2025.
STAYC consists of Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon and J. The group, whose name stands for Star to a Young Culture, made its debut in 2020 under High Up Entertainment. The label was established by the successful K-pop production duo Black Eyed Pilseung.
Unlike Babymonster’s harder-edged musical approach, STAYC has developed a reputation for its bright and youthful style, which the group describes as “teen fresh”. Songs including “ASAP”, “Teddy Bear” and “Bebe” have helped establish that identity and build a substantial international following.
The group also has more than one million monthly listeners on Spotify, reflecting its reach beyond South Korea and its continued popularity among global K-pop audiences.
However, not every Manila event originally planned for September will go ahead. FIFTY FIFTY, best known internationally for the viral success of “Cupid” in 2023, had been scheduled to hold a fan concert in Manila on 20 September. That event has now been cancelled.
Promoter Hello Live announced the cancellation after what it described as careful consideration and discussions among the organisers. The promoter also acknowledged the disappointment among TWENY, the name used for FIFTY FIFTY’s fans, who had been anticipating the group’s appearance in the Philippines.
The cancellation means that Babymonster and STAYC will remain the two major K-pop girl-group events currently scheduled in Manila for September.
There will also be an opportunity for fans to meet a male K-pop performer during the same month. Kim Seunghun, formerly a member of CIX, is scheduled to hold a fan party for his Filipino supporters in Pasig City on 22 September.
The exact venue for Seunghun’s event has not yet been publicly disclosed. According to information shared through his Instagram account, the location will be provided exclusively to confirmed ticket holders.
With multiple K-pop acts originally planned for the month, September 2026 was shaping up to be a particularly active period for Filipino fans. Although FIFTY FIFTY’s cancellation has reduced the schedule, Babymonster’s first Philippine concert and STAYC’s return are expected to keep attention firmly on Manila’s K-pop scene.
