RIIZE’s Sungchan, Hearts2Hearts’ Ian and NCT WISH’s Sion to Host 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer

SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer has confirmed a three-idol MC lineup for its 2026 edition, naming RIIZE’s Sungchan, Hearts2Hearts’ Ian and NCT WISH’s Sion as hosts for the upcoming music event.

The announcement was made on July 13, setting the trio as the public faces of the broadcast ahead of the show, which is scheduled to take place on August 9 at KINTEX in Goyang. The update gives fans a clearer picture of how the event will be framed on stage as SBS continues building anticipation around its summer K-pop program.

A Cross-Group Hosting Lineup

The selection brings together artists from three different teams, each connected to the current generation of idol promotions. Sungchan represents RIIZE, a group that has become a frequent presence in major performance lineups. Ian joins from Hearts2Hearts, while Sion brings NCT WISH into the hosting mix.

That combination gives the event a broad idol-facing identity. Rather than relying on one group or one senior broadcast personality, the MC slate highlights younger performers whose names are already familiar to dedicated K-pop viewers. For a televised music festival, that matters: hosts are not only there to introduce stages, but also to shape the rhythm between performances, interview moments and audience reactions.

For Sungchan, Ian and Sion, the assignment also puts them in a visible position beyond their own group activities. Large network music events often become a test of live timing, camera presence and quick transitions, especially when the show moves between prerecorded packages, live introductions and artist interactions. Even a straightforward hosting role can expand how viewers see an idol’s range.

Why The Summer Edition Matters

SBS Gayo Daejeon is best known as one of Korean television’s major music-event brands, and the summer edition gives it a different seasonal lane from year-end award and festival programming. By placing the 2026 show in August, SBS is positioning the event in the middle of a busy period for comebacks, tours, festival appearances and fan-driven online discussion.

The venue also adds scale. KINTEX in Goyang is a large exhibition and event complex that can support the kind of production-heavy staging associated with network K-pop specials. For fans, the location signals that the show is being treated as more than a routine music broadcast; for artists, it offers the possibility of bigger staging, wider camera movement and a more concert-like atmosphere.

Because SBS has already disclosed the MC lineup, attention now shifts to how the artist roster and stage concepts will come together. A music festival’s host announcement may sound procedural, but it is often one of the first clear markers of the event’s tone. Choosing three idol MCs suggests a broadcast built around fan familiarity, group-to-group crossover appeal and the fast pace expected from contemporary K-pop programming.

What Fans Will Watch Next

The immediate question is how the three hosts will work together on camera. Sungchan, Ian and Sion come from different teams and fan communities, which creates a natural point of curiosity before the broadcast. Viewers will be watching for chemistry, smooth handoffs and any small unscripted moments that travel quickly through short-form clips after the show airs.

The announcement also gives each fandom a concrete date to circle. With the event set for August 9, promotional material, additional performer details and broadcast information are likely to become the next areas of interest. Until then, the confirmed MC lineup gives SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer a recognizable front line and gives fans another reason to follow the rollout closely.

For now, the confirmed facts are simple but significant: RIIZE’s Sungchan, Hearts2Hearts’ Ian and NCT WISH’s Sion will host the 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer at KINTEX in Goyang on August 9.