NMIXX Makes History as First K-Pop Group to Perform at Brazil's Carnaval

NMIXX has cemented their place in K-pop history by becoming the first Korean pop group ever to perform at Brazil's legendary Carnaval. The JYP Entertainment girl group took the stage at Bloco da Pabllo, Brazilian superstar Pabllo Vittar's signature carnival block party, on February 16, 2026, in Sao Paulo's Parque do Ibirapuera, performing before an estimated crowd in the millions.

The historic appearance marked a groundbreaking moment not just for NMIXX but for the entire K-pop industry, as no Korean act had previously participated in a Brazilian carnival block party, one of the country's most iconic cultural traditions. The performance blended NMIXX's high-energy choreography with the open-air intensity of Carnaval, giving the group one of the most unusual global stages of its career.

A Setlist Spanning Their Greatest Hits

Throughout the performance, NMIXX showcased their versatility by performing fan-favorite tracks including "O.O," "DASH," and songs tied to their Brazilian collaboration with Pabllo Vittar. The group's powerful stage presence and synchronized choreography drew attention from local media and fans who were seeing K-pop placed directly inside a Brazilian street-festival format rather than a traditional concert hall.

The Carnaval appearance built on NMIXX's growing connection with Brazilian music culture. The group first joined forces with Pabllo Vittar on "MEXE," a genre-blending track that fused K-pop production with Brazilian pop rhythms. The collaboration helped make the Carnaval invitation feel less like a one-off guest appearance and more like a deliberate cross-market push.

New Music Drops in the Wake of Carnaval Success

Riding the momentum of their Carnaval triumph, NMIXX released "TIC TIC (Feat. Pabllo Vittar)" on February 26, marking another collaborative single between the six-member Korean group and one of Brazil's biggest pop stars. The timing of the release capitalized on the global buzz generated by their historic Sao Paulo appearance.

Industry observers noted that the NMIXX-Pabllo Vittar partnership represents one of the most visible cross-cultural collaborations in recent K-pop history, bridging two passionate music fan communities across Korea, Brazil, and the wider Latin American market.

Update: Viña del Mar Result

NMIXX's Latin America push did not end in Brazil. On February 24, the group performed at Chile's Viña del Mar International Song Festival, becoming the first K-pop act to appear at the long-running Latin American festival. Local coverage reported that Quinta Vergara was packed for their late-night set, which included their own hits, Spanish-language moments, and a guest appearance by Chilean artist Kidd Voodoo.

The performance turned the earlier "upcoming" festival milestone into a completed achievement. NMIXX received both the Gaviota de Plata and Gaviota de Oro awards, two audience-driven honors that are among the festival's signature symbols. Reports from Chile and Ecuador highlighted the intense fan response, the group's Spanish greeting, and a setlist that included tracks such as "TANK," "DICE," "DASH," and "Love Me Like This."

Latin America Expansion Continues

These achievements arrived as NMIXX continues to mature from promising rookies into one of JYP Entertainment's most globally visible fourth-generation acts. Members Lily, Haewon, Sullyoon, Bae, Jiwoo, and Kyujin have now placed K-pop on two major Latin American cultural stages within the same month: Sao Paulo Carnaval and Viña del Mar.

The back-to-back milestones matter because they show K-pop's regional expansion moving beyond online fandom and arena touring into local festivals with their own histories, rules, and audiences. For NMIXX, the Brazil and Chile appearances have become a defining chapter in how the group is introduced to Latin America.

As K-pop continues to break down cultural barriers worldwide, NMIXX's Carnaval performance and Viña del Mar awards stand as powerful signals that the genre's next frontier includes the vibrant, music-loving markets of Latin America.

Updated May 26, 2026: This article has been updated to reflect the latest developments.