K-Pop's First Brazilian Carnival: The Latin Crossover History NMIXX Wrote in Front of 2 Million at São Paulo with 'TIC TIC'
NMIXX officially released their second collaboration with Brazilian pop star Pabllo Vittar, 'TIC TIC,' on February 26, 2026. Having become the first K-pop group to participate in the São Paulo Carnival — previewing the track in front of approximately 2 million people — this collaboration marks a new milestone in K-pop's expansion into the Latin music market.
Why You Should Pay Attention Right Now: Today (Feb. 26) at noon KST, NMIXX drops their new track 'TIC TIC' — the very song they already debuted in front of 2 million people at Brazil's São Paulo Carnival, making history as the first K-pop group to take that stage.
TL;DR
- NMIXX releases 'TIC TIC (Feat. Pabllo Vittar)' simultaneously worldwide on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 KST
- Their second collaboration with Brazil's top pop star Pabllo Vittar, roughly six months after their first ('MEXE', August 2025)
- On February 16 (local time), NMIXX appeared as a surprise special guest at Pabllo Vittar's Carnival block party in São Paulo — the first K-pop group ever to participate in the São Paulo Carnival
- World-premiered 'TIC TIC' live in front of an estimated 2 million people
- A global campaign that continues with 4th-anniversary special content and a performance at Chile's 'Viña del Mar Festival'
The Facts: What Happened
NMIXX is a six-member girl group under JYP Entertainment that debuted in February 2022, now celebrating their 4th anniversary. Their new single 'TIC TIC' is the second collaboration with Pabllo Vittar, a Brazilian LGBT+ icon and pop megastar.
The two acts first joined forces with 'MEXE', released in August 2025. That track — blending K-pop with Brazilian Funk and featuring Latin-inspired choreography — generated significant buzz. 'TIC TIC' builds on and extends that winning formula.
The pivotal moment came on February 16, 2026 (local time), when NMIXX joined Pabllo Vittar's Carnival block party in São Paulo as special guests. Over the course of about three hours, they performed a joint 'TIC TIC' stage alongside hits including 'O.O', 'Dice', 'Love Me Like This', and 'DASH'. This marked the first time in history that a K-pop group participated in the São Paulo Carnival, with the crowd estimated at approximately 2 million people.
Why It Went Viral: The Structural Factors
Several key reasons explain why this event captured global attention.
1. The Global Reach of the Brazilian Carnival
The Brazilian Carnival is one of the world's largest open-air music festivals. Unlike Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome, São Paulo's block parties turn entire streets into stages — an open format that accelerates social media virality to an extreme degree. Footage of NMIXX's performance went viral simultaneously across Latin America, North America, and Europe.
2. The Pabllo Vittar Platform Effect
Pabllo Vittar commands tens of millions of monthly Spotify listeners in Brazil alone. This collaboration offered NMIXX a prime gateway to a Latin fanbase with virtually no overlap with the existing K-pop fandom.
3. A 4-Year-Old Group's Declaration of 'Genre Transcendence'
Marking their 4th anniversary, NMIXX is making clear strategic moves to position themselves as global pop artists — not just a K-pop group. The release of 'TIC TIC' is the culmination of that declaration.
Context and Stakeholders
| Stakeholder | Role | Interest |
|---|---|---|
| NMIXX / JYP Entertainment | Korean girl group | Expanding Latin fanbase, boosting global streaming performance |
| Pabllo Vittar | Brazilian pop star | Securing a foothold in the Asian market |
| Brazilian fanbase | Local audience | Greater access to K-pop |
| K-pop industry at large | Competitive/collaborative ecosystem | Setting a precedent for the Latin market |
| Korean Wave promotion agencies | Government / Ministry of Culture | K-pop virality as a metric in the 2025 Global Hallyu Trend Report |
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism released its '2025 Global Hallyu Trend Analysis Report' on February 25, 2026, noting that K-pop accounts for 38.1% of media coverage in Latin America. NMIXX's Carnival appearance is one of the events driving that statistic.
Outlook: How Long Will the Momentum Last?
- Short-term (1–2 weeks): Chart performance and music video views immediately after the release of 'TIC TIC' will serve as indicators of Latin crossover success. The key metrics to watch: whether the track enters the Brazilian, Mexican, and Argentinian charts.
- Mid-term (1–3 months): A joint tour with Pabllo Vittar, or a solo Latin American tour, is possible. With an already-scheduled appearance at Chile's Viña del Mar Festival, momentum in the Latin market should continue.
- Long-term: If this becomes the 'precedent' for K-pop's full-scale entry into the Latin market, it could signal a third wave after BTS and BLACKPINK. Conversely, without deeper localization, it could fade as a one-off collaboration trend.
Estimated lifespan: Half a day to one week (peak interest immediately after release) → Sustainable for 1–3 months if music activities continue
Checklist: What to Watch Right Now
References
- NMIXX Announces New Track 'TIC TIC' on the 26th…World Premiered in Brazil — Donga Ilbo
- NMIXX Drops Special Content → Performs at '2026 Viña del Mar Festival' — News Nate
- 'K-Pop Is Still the Hallyu Trend'…BLACKPINK Tops at 14.2% — Yonhap News
- BLACKPINK DEADLINE 3rd MINI ALBUM Release Info — YG Family
Image Credit
- Cover image: Brazil Carnival Parade (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA) — Official NMIXX photos cannot be used due to JYP Entertainment copyright. This image is used as an alternative to convey the atmosphere of the Brazilian Carnival.