A Melodifestivalen debut by K-pop singer Alexa is drawing major global attention after organizers confirmed her entry for the 2026 competition. Her participation marks the first time a full K-pop act will compete in Sweden’s top national music contest.
Alexa, known from Produce 48 and as the winner of the American Song Contest, will perform her track Tongue Tied during the Sundsvall round on February 28. She is one of 30 selected artists chosen from a record 3,888 song submissions.
After the announcement, Alexa shared the news on Instagram and said she felt honored to join the show. She confirmed her partnership with Sony Music Sweden and thanked her production team. The post helped fuel excitement around her Melodifestivalen debut.
Her entrance reflects growing collaboration between South Korea and Sweden’s music industries. Swedish songwriters helped create Wonderland, the track that led to her American Song Contest win. Industry data shows royalties from K-pop productions involving Swedish songwriters have grown by more than 1,000 percent since 2018.
Alexa’s career adds to the significance. Born in Oklahoma to a Russian American father and Korean American mother, she debuted in 2019 with Bomb, a single that quickly gained millions of views and helped build a global fanbase.
Organizers say the 2026 event aims to showcase broader musical diversity and attract younger international audiences. The show begins on January 31 in Linköping and continues across several cities before Sweden selects its Eurovision representative.
Fans and analysts now watch to see whether Alexa’s Melodifestivalen debut will influence future global participation and strengthen K-pop’s position in European music competitions.
