IVE's Liz to MC 2026 KGMA with a Solo Opening Stage She's 'Been Dreaming Of'

IVE's Liz has wanted to host a year-end awards show for years, and she's made no secret of it. "I watched my members do it so brilliantly and felt so proud," she told Ilgan Sports, "and I always thought, if I ever get the chance, I absolutely want to try it too." That chance arrives on November 8, when she takes the stage as MC for Day 2 of the 3rd Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA), held across November 7 and 8 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul's Guro district.

"It's my first time taking on something like this, so I'm both nervous and excited," she added. "I'm going to prepare hard so I can genuinely share my bright energy with everyone."

A tradition worth inheriting

Since its first edition, the KGMA has built one of its most anticipated rituals around the female MC's solo opening performance. The inaugural ceremony featured NewJeans' Hanni and aespa's Winter each delivering distinct solo stages to open the night. The second year handed that spotlight to Red Velvet's Irene and KISS OF LIFE's Natti. Now the tradition falls to Liz, and she's clearly aware of the weight it carries.

"As the main MC opening the festival, it's a special stage," she said. "I've been thinking about what kind of performance would work best and talking through different ideas." The specifics, she confirmed with a smile, are staying secret for now. "But I'll prepare hard enough that everyone watching feels, right from the start, that KGMA really is something special."

Her co-host for the evening is actor Kim Jae-won, a familiar face from music show hosting. Liz noted she's long admired his quick wit and energy on screen. "I've seen him on Music Bank before, but hosting a ceremony together feels completely different," she said. "Since this is my first time and I know I'll have nervous moments, it's reassuring to know he'll help guide me. I'll bring good energy on my end and we'll show everyone a fun, comfortable chemistry."

A year of quiet vocal moments

Beyond the KGMA announcement, Liz has had a quietly prolific 2026. She contributed a solo track to IVE's second full-length album REVIVE PLUS earlier in the year, and her voice has turned up across several drama soundtracks, including the theme for Sold Out Today and the OST for Chilly Romance. Fans have long called her the "timbre fairy", a nickname pointing to the distinctive warmth and texture of her voice, and this year she leaned into it fully.

On the nickname itself, Liz was candid about her complicated history with it. "Honestly, at the start of my career it felt a little like pressure. But now I know it's something not just anyone gets, so I feel genuinely grateful that people gave me that label." She promised to keep living up to it: "I'll keep delivering a wide range of songs with my own unique voice."

Reflecting on IVE's year more broadly, she highlighted the group's second world tour as the moment that stayed with her most. "Meeting our fans, DIVE, in person across different cities and sharing the stage with them in the same space, that was really meaningful. The energy we get from DIVE is something I felt all over again this year." She noted that the process of preparing and performing taught her as much as the shows themselves did.

With the KGMA still ahead, she signed off with a direct message to every fan planning to attend: "This is my first MC challenge, so it already means something special to me. I hope everyone, DIVE and every fan in that arena, has a night they'll remember for the rest of their lives. I'll show up looking my best and giving everything I have. Let's all meet at KGMA."