THE A FESTIVAL is born from a cultural movement that has been sweeping across Europe for several years. Audiences are passionate about Asian music, dramas, new forms of narration, artists who shake up codes, and creative industries that are reinventing themselves. This dynamic has created a need: a space where Asian and European cultures can meet differently, far from classic formats, with a truly human and immersive dimension. The festival meets this expectation by offering an experience that goes beyond a simple concert. The public comes for an artist, but leaves with unexpected discoveries, new emotions, and a deeper understanding of the worlds they love.

The inaugural 2026 edition takes place in a symbolic context. The year marks the 170th anniversary of France–Thailand relations and the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and Korea. Two countries that hold a central place in the programming and whose cultural industries now radiate far beyond their borders. Paris thus becomes the ideal meeting point to celebrate these bonds, welcome artists from all over Asia, and offer European audiences a unique immersion.

At the heart of this vision, one woman plays a decisive role: Emmanuelle Amelin, founder and president of 5 Oceans Entertainment. Her 25-year career has taken her from the luxury sector to artistic and audiovisual production, event management, marketing, and international development. She supports Asian artists and productions on the European market, devises launch strategies, and builds bridges between creative industries. Passionate about dramas and new forms of narration, she is particularly interested in how content becomes a living community. Her work is based on a conviction: stories don't stop at the screen, they continue in exchanges, meetings, and shared experiences. Originally from Réduit, she connects Asia and Europe with rare sensitivity, marked by curiosity, respect, and a deep understanding of audiences.

THE A FESTIVAL carries this philosophy. The festival brings together artists, fans, universes, and cultures to create authentic moments, surprises, and firsts. An event designed to celebrate passions, encourage discoveries, and pave the way for new stories.

1. This is the very first edition of THE A FESTIVAL. How was the idea born, and why launch it in 2026?
Emmanuelle Amelin: The idea for THE A FESTIVAL was born from the evolution of European audiences, who now wish to experience a complete cultural journey rather than just attend a concert. We identified a gap between traditional concerts and conventions, a place where the public can discover, exchange, and participate. 2026 naturally imposed itself: the year marks the 170th anniversary of France–Thailand relations and the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and Korea, two central countries in our programming. Several elements aligned: audience maturity, our experience with Asian artists, and a symbolic year to launch this first edition in Paris.
2. What are the founding values of the festival, and how do you want the public to perceive this first edition?
Emmanuelle Amelin: THE A FESTIVAL relies on two essential values:
• Openness, by bringing together artists from multiple countries and diverse universes—music, series, dance, cinema. Audiences are no longer segmented: they are curious and transversal.
• Proximity, by reducing the distance between artists and fans through workshops, masterclasses, interviews, and encounters. Our baseline, « One Festival, One Community, Endless Experiences », summarizes our vision: a single festival, a united community, but a unique experience for each individual. If a visitor leaves saying: « I came for one artist, but I discovered much more », then we will have achieved our goal.
3. Organizing a first edition implies challenges. What were the biggest obstacles to overcome?
Emmanuelle Amelin: We are used to working with Asian artists in Europe, but the challenge here was to bring together so many nationalities, teams, and universes in the same place. Some artists come exclusively for the festival, others fit into broader tours. This edition also allowed us to collaborate with countries we had never worked with before, each having its practices and procedures. Coordinating over twenty artists, concerts, workshops, masterclasses, and encounters represents a considerable amount of work—but that is precisely what makes this project exciting. The real challenge was putting all our expertise at the service of a broader format, to create a coherent event from multiple universes.
THE A FESTIVAL Atmosphere
THE A FESTIVAL Experience © Global Medias
4. How did you select artists and activities, and what defines the artistic “signature” of the festival?
Emmanuelle Amelin: We wanted a diversified programming: artists from several countries, varied genres, and different levels of notoriety. The goal is to create a global experience where everyone brings something unique. We worked with the artists to transpose their universe into a live experience, sometimes very different from what the public sees on screen. The signature of the festival lies in the creation of unique moments: first performances, unprecedented collaborations, surprises, moments that mark the public's memory. Some experiences are prepared in advance, but we preserve a share of freedom to allow unexpected encounters and moments. THE A FESTIVAL wants to be a place where new stories begin.
5. What do you expect from the public for this first edition, and how would you describe the community you want to bring together?
Emmanuelle Amelin: We have a deep respect for fans, whose commitment plays an essential role in spreading Asian cultures. The festival is designed as a way to recognize this commitment, by letting everyone build their own experience. The community of the festival will be diverse: fans of different countries, genres, and artists, united by a common energy. A community does not need to be uniform to be strong: it is built from different passions that coexist and enrich one another. THE A FESTIVAL wants to offer a space where everyone can share their enthusiasm, discover that of others, and live two days of intense and memorable experiences.

This interview took place by e-mail on September 28, 2026, in a suspended moment where the excitement building around THE A FESTIVAL could already be felt. Even from a distance, Emmanuelle Amelin’s words carried a warmth, conviction, and sincerity that don't deceive. You quickly understand that this festival is not just a professional project: it's a story of passion, encounters, and bridges she has been building for years between Asia and Europe.

And for me, covering this event will not be a simple reportage. It will be the opportunity to see with my own eyes what this vision becomes when it comes to life, when it turns into music, emotions, and exchanged glances between artists and fans. I will be present in Paris to follow every moment, every performance, every surprise, and to tell all this to the readers of Korea.net with the same authenticity that runs through this interview.

THE A FESTIVAL promises to be one of the most striking cultural events of the year, with a first edition taking place on October 24 and 25, 2026, in Paris, at the heart of a weekend entirely dedicated to Asian artists and the communities that support them. A moment where borders fade, universes cross, and passions meet. And I am honored to be able to witness it, on site, at the heart of this energy just waiting to burst.