SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Yonhap) -- Leading Asian pop stars will gather here in October to lend the city a festive mood ahead of the G-20 summit that will be held for the first time in Asia later this year, organizers said Monday.
The Asia Song Festival, an annual pop music event hosted by Korea, was set for Oct. 23 this year in celebration of the November meeting of leaders from the world's 20 biggest economies in Seoul, they said. All proceeds from the festival will be donated to UNICEF for children in flood-struck Pakistan.
"I've been trying to do this kind of peace concert for many years," Jackie Chan, a Hong Kong actor and producer named as the honorary chair of the festival's organizing committee, said in a press conference.
"Every day I watch the news and read newspapers. I ask myself, 'What's wrong?' Natural disasters we cannot stop, but people-created disasters we can stop," he said. "It's not only about a concert, it's also about a message -- love each other."
South Korean pop diva Boa, also active in Japan and the United States and set to make her Hollywood acting debut next year, will perform at the festival. The tentative lineup also features Jane Zhang, dubbed China's Mariah Carey for her high octave range, Taiwanese singer and entertainer Joe Cheng and Malaysian singer-songwriter and Asia-wide sensation Michael Wong.
A total of 15 teams from seven countries will participate in the event to be held at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul, the organizers said. Lee Min-ho, a South Korean actor known for his lead role in the hit drama series "F4," will also promote the event as its publicity ambassador.
The Asia Song Festival, launched in 2004, is jointly organized this year by the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, the Metropolitan Government of Seoul and the Korean Committee for UNICEF.
Jackie Chan appointed honorary chair of Asia Song Festival
From left, Hong Kong star Jackie Chan and Korean actor Lee Min-ho pose during a photocall of a press conference for the 7th Asia Song Festival held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Seoul, South Korea on August 23, 2010. [Jackie Chan's Official Website]
Hong Kong star Jackie Chan has been appointed honorary chairman of the 2010 Asia Song Festival (ASF) which brings together top artists from around the region to Korea every year.
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Jackie Chan has long been known for his charity work including serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNICEF for several years now and running his own charity foundation.
Korean actor Lee Min-ho, Goodwill Ambassador for Korea's UNICEF, also turned up at the ceremony, promising to promote the festival as a way of spreading the values of hope and sharing.
Numerous top singers from around Asia have taken part in the ASF so far such as Korea's Super Junior, Big Bang and Girl's Generation, Japan's Backt and mihimaru GT, China's Chris Lee and Taiwan's Show Luo at last year's fest.
The 7th ASF will take place at the Olympic Park in Seoul on October 23 and be attended by 15 teams of artists from seven countries around Asia.
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