HWASA becomes first K-pop female solo act on Rock in Rio's main stage, performs 13 songs for 80,000
HWASA took the Palco Mundo stage at Rock in Rio 2026 on Sept. 11, performing 13 songs for roughly 80,000 fans—the first K-pop female solo artist to headline the festival's main stage.
HWASA opens K-pop's door on the Palco Mundo
HWASA stepped onto the Palco Mundo—Rock in Rio's main stage—at Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Park on September 11, 2026, becoming the first K-pop female solo artist to perform there. About 80,000 people watched a roughly one-hour set.
She opened with HWASA and ran through 13 songs: Chili, I Love My Body, 멍청이, Kidding, NA, EGO, 주지마, I'm a 빛, a MAMAMOO medley, So Cute, Maria, and Good Goodbye. The crowd joined in on Maria, 멍청이, and Good Goodbye. During So Cute, she walked down to the audience seating area to meet fans face-to-face. She closed with So Cute, Maria, then Good Goodbye.
Good Goodbye, released in October 2025, has 750 perfect all-kills on iChart's all-time integrated online music chart rankings. That number gave the final song real weight.
What she said on stage and after
Mid-show, HWASA told the crowd: "I really wanted to see you. I am someone who loves the Rock in Rio festival and Brazil very much." She mentioned that K-pop was being showcased at Rock in Rio for the first time and hoped everyone would leave happy.
Afterward, she reflected: "I knew the history and weight of Rock in Rio, so I had been waiting for this moment to stand on this stage." The crowd's response hit her hard. She wants to reach more global fans going forward.
The wider Rock in Rio 2026 picture
The Palco Mundo lineup also featured Elton John, Maroon 5, and Stray Kids. Stray Kids headlined separately, drawing 100,000 spectators over roughly two hours—the first K-pop act to headline the festival. They're following the Rio dates with their own festival tour, STRAYCITY, in Argentina and Mexico.
For the first time since Rock in Rio began in 1985, official light sticks were allowed inside the venue.
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