IVE's Leeseo Takes the MC Stage at "Inkigayo Live in Tokyo" — A "Multi-Player" Bridging Singer and Host
IVE's Leeseo is broadening her range as a "multi-player" who moves between singer and broadcast host. Taking the MC role at a large-scale concert in Japan, she has signaled a further-grown presence as a host. Main MC for Two Days at Japan's Belluna Dome on the 22nd and 23rd Leeseo takes the stage as MC of "SBS Inkigayo Live in Tokyo," held on September 22 and 23 at Belluna Dome in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. At this large-scale concert bringing together domestic and international artists, she hosts across both days as the main MC, and on the 23rd she also takes the stage as an IVE member — showing her presence as a "singer-and-MC." This concert is a large-scale stage that brings together not only Korea's leading K-pop artists but also Japan's representative J-pop stars in one place. Leeseo teams up with special MCs including CORTIS's Gunho and Seonghyeon on the 22nd and &TEAM's Euiju on the 23rd. With a host's role — stage transitions, introducing performers, and steering the atmosphere on-site — being crucial, attention is on whether Leeseo can carry the bright energy and composure she showed at home in front of a global audience too. A Special Bond with "Inkigayo" Leeseo's bond with "Inkigayo" traces back to the days of IVE's debut song "ELEVEN." The spirited facial-expression acting she showed on stage at the time drew buzz, and that became the occasion for her continued ties with the program. Afterward, Leeseo served as an MC of SBS's "Inkigayo" on two occasions — from April to September 2024, and from October to December 2025 — showing steady hosting skills and witty repartee. On the show, beyond hosting, she actively took part in concept-fitting comedy sketches and situational bits, as well as artists' new-song choreography challenges. Putting the expressiveness and quick wit she honed as an idol to use in broadcasting, she earned recognition for carving out her own domain as an MC. Testing Her Hosting Experience on an Overseas Stage — "I'll Show a Grown Side" This Japan concert is an occasion to test, on an overseas stage, the hosting experience she has built up. With artists representing both Korea and Japan performing, the role of bridging artists and the audience through smooth hosting matters more than ever. Through her agency, Leeseo shared her thoughts: "As the MC of 'Inkigayo Live in Tokyo,' I'm so happy and thrilled to be with 'Inkigayo' once again. Building on my past MC experience, I'll show a side that has grown even more." She added her resolve: "Since it's a special occasion where global fans and various artists connect together, I'll do my best to give everyone unforgettable memories." Showing both her stage as a singer and her skills as a host at once, Leeseo — how will she unfold her charm as a "multi-player" on a global stage, beyond domestic music shows? Fans' anticipation is gathering.
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