SINGAPORE — K-pop fans in Singapore have another major reason to look forward to New Year’s Eve as South Korean boy group Highlight has been confirmed as the headline act for The Kallang Countdown 2027.
The quartet, formerly known as Beast, will lead the celebrations at Stadium Roar on December 31, 2026, marking another significant appearance in Singapore for a group whose music has remained familiar to K-pop listeners across generations.
The announcement adds a major international act to Singapore’s year-end entertainment calendar. While the complete performer lineup and ticketing information are expected to be released later in November, Highlight’s confirmation has already given fans an early glimpse of what could become one of the city’s major New Year’s Eve attractions.
For longtime followers, the appearance also carries a sense of nostalgia. The group has performed in Singapore several times over the years, building a connection with local fans that stretches back to its early days as Beast.
Highlight Takes Centre Stage at The Kallang Countdown 2027
Highlight will headline The Kallang Countdown 2027, scheduled for December 31 at Stadium Roar in Singapore.
The group currently consists of four members: Yoon Du-jun, Yang Yo-seop, Lee Gi-kwang and Son Dong-woon. Together, they are expected to bring their established stage presence and catalogue of popular songs to the year-end celebration.
The Kallang’s countdown concert is part of Singapore’s wider ONE Countdown 2027 programme, which brings together celebrations and entertainment activities across the country.
Organisers are expected to announce additional performers, including international, regional and homegrown acts, in the coming weeks. Details about ticket sales and the full event programme are also expected later in November.
The early announcement gives fans time to prepare, particularly those hoping to secure tickets for the headline performance.
A Special Return for a Group With Singapore History
Highlight’s upcoming appearance is more than another concert booking. It marks a return to a city where the group has performed at several important points in its career.
The quartet last performed in Singapore in 2024 during its Lights Go On, Again Asia tour. The show took place at Singapore Expo and formed part of the group’s celebration of its 15th anniversary.
That performance gave local fans an opportunity to reconnect with the group’s music and see the members together on stage.
Their history in Singapore goes back much further.
When the group was still known as Beast, its early local appearances included a fan meeting at Singapore Expo in 2011, followed by its Beautiful Show concert in 2012. The group returned for an Ordinary fan meeting at Suntec in 2015.
After changing its name to Highlight in 2017, the members continued their connection with Singapore, including a fan meeting at Changi Airport in 2018.
The December 2026 countdown will therefore be another chapter in a relationship that has developed across different stages of the group’s career.
From Beast to Highlight: The Evolution of a K-pop Act
Highlight first debuted in 2009 under the name Beast, becoming known for its energetic performances, emotional songs and strong vocal arrangements.
The group gained recognition during the second generation of K-pop, a period that helped establish South Korean pop music as a major international entertainment force.
Among its best-known releases were Shock in 2010, Fiction in 2011 and On Rainy Days, also released in 2011.
These songs helped build the group’s reputation beyond South Korea, attracting listeners throughout Asia and contributing to its popularity in Singapore.
In 2017, the members adopted the name Highlight following their departure from their previous agency and the start of a new chapter in their career.
The group later continued as a quartet after changes to its membership in 2019. Despite the transition, its remaining members maintained their activities and continued releasing music.
For fans who followed Beast from its debut, the name change did not erase the group’s musical identity. Instead, Highlight represented a continuation of the members’ work under a different name.
Newer Releases Keep the Group Moving Forward
Although nostalgia is likely to be part of the appeal of the Singapore countdown performance, Highlight’s career has not been limited to revisiting its earlier hits.
The group has continued producing music and maintaining its presence in the K-pop industry.
Its 2024 EP, Switch On, was among its releases during the period surrounding its 15th anniversary activities. In 2025, the group released its sixth EP, From Real To Surreal, adding another chapter to its discography.
The releases demonstrate how the members have continued developing their sound while maintaining the musical identity that attracted their original fan base.
For concertgoers, the countdown performance could offer a combination of familiar favourites and material from the group’s more recent releases. However, an official setlist has not yet been announced, so fans will have to wait for further event details before knowing which songs will make the final programme.
The Kallang Countdown Adds Another Major Concert to Singapore’s Year-End Calendar
Singapore has increasingly positioned its New Year’s Eve celebrations as a combination of live entertainment, community activities and large-scale public festivities.
The Kallang is one of the venues associated with the nationwide countdown programme. Its previous celebrations have featured major music acts alongside activities across the surrounding precinct.
For the 2027 edition, Highlight’s headline appearance provides an early indication of the entertainment direction organisers are preparing.
The event is also expected to feature regional and Singapore-based performers, giving the programme a broader mix of music and entertainment.
The final lineup will be important in determining the overall appeal of the concert. International K-pop fans may be drawn by Highlight, while the addition of local performers could attract a wider audience beyond the group’s established fan base.
The December 31 event also places the concert within a busy period for Singapore’s tourism and entertainment sectors, when residents and visitors look for ways to celebrate the arrival of a new year.
Ticket Information: What Fans Should Know So Far
For those planning to attend, one of the biggest questions is when tickets will become available.
As of November 4, the complete ticketing details have not yet been announced. Further information, including the full lineup and ticket arrangements, is expected later in November.
Members of The Kallang Kaki loyalty programme are expected to receive priority access to tickets.
That early-access arrangement could be particularly useful for fans hoping to attend the headline concert, although the exact eligibility requirements, ticket allocation and sale schedule should be checked once organisers publish the official announcement.
Fans should rely on updates from The Kallang and its official ticketing channels rather than unverified resale listings. Waiting for confirmed information can help avoid confusion over ticket prices, sale dates and legitimate purchasing platforms.
The concert is scheduled for December 31, 2026, at Stadium Roar.
Why Highlight’s Appearance Matters to Longtime K-pop Fans
Highlight’s confirmation reflects the lasting appeal of groups that helped shape the international growth of K-pop.
The group’s journey from Beast to Highlight has included changes in its name, membership and musical direction. Yet its continued performances and releases have allowed longtime supporters to follow the members beyond their early years.
For fans who discovered the group through songs such as Fiction and Shock, the Singapore countdown offers a chance to revisit music associated with an important period in K-pop history.
For newer listeners, the performance could provide an introduction to a group whose influence extends beyond its current lineup and recent releases.
The timing also gives the concert an added emotional element. Rather than simply appearing at a regular tour stop, Highlight will perform as Singapore prepares to welcome 2027 — a setting that could make the event especially memorable for both the group and its audience.
The Bottom Line
Highlight’s confirmation as the headline act for The Kallang Countdown 2027 gives Singapore’s New Year’s Eve entertainment calendar an early boost.
The quartet — Yoon Du-jun, Yang Yo-seop, Lee Gi-kwang and Son Dong-woon — will take the stage at Stadium Roar on December 31, continuing a relationship with Singapore that began during their years as Beast.
With a history of popular releases, multiple appearances in the city and newer music that keeps the group active, the countdown performance could appeal to longtime fans as well as audiences discovering Highlight for the first time.
However, several important details remain outstanding. Organisers are expected to reveal the additional performers, ticket arrangements and other programme information later in November. Fans interested in attending should monitor official announcements, particularly if they intend to use the Kallang Kaki priority-access arrangement.
As the countdown approaches, one question remains: Will Highlight’s return be the biggest attraction of Singapore’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, or will the rest of the lineup bring even more surprises for K-pop fans?
