Hwasa Becomes First Female K-POP Soloist on Rock in Rio Main Stage

Singer Hwasa took the main stage at Rock in Rio, one of Brazil's largest music festivals. She is the first female K-pop soloist to headline that stage.

Hwasa performed at Palco Mundo, the main stage of Rock in Rio 2026, at 7 p.m. local time on September 11 at Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro. This year's Palco Mundo lineup also included Elton John, Maroon 5, and K-pop group Stray Kids.

She sang 13 songs over about an hour in front of a crowd of roughly 80,000 people.

Hwasa opened the set with her self-titled intro track "HWASA," followed by "Chili," "I Love My Body," "Meongcheongi," "Kidding," "NA," "EGO," "Don't," and "I'm a 빛." She also worked in a medley of signature songs from her group, MAMAMOO.

Midway through the show, Hwasa spoke to the Brazilian audience. "I've missed you so much. I really love the Rock in Rio festival and I love Brazil," she said. "I heard this is the first time K-pop is being introduced at Rock in Rio. I hope you all leave happy. Let's have a hot night together."

Later in the set, during "So Cute," she moved down toward the audience to make eye contact with fans. She then performed her hit "Maria" before closing with "Good Goodbye," a track she released in October last year. At the end of "Good Goodbye," she wrapped herself in a Brazilian flag as she finished the song. Fans sang along to "Maria," "Meongcheongi," and "Good Goodbye."

After the show, Hwasa shared her thoughts on the moment. "I knew the history and the weight of Rock in Rio, so I had been waiting for this stage for a long time," she said. "I was so excited to show Brazilian and global fans a stage full of my own heart, and the response in person was overwhelming. I want to meet even more fans around the world who want to see me."

Rock in Rio is one of the largest music festivals in the world, and Palco Mundo is its flagship stage. Hwasa's booking marks a new step for female K-pop soloists on that platform, as more Korean acts move into the festival's headline slots alongside Western pop and rock artists.