Who is Monetrey? Meet Cambodia’s representative at Eurovision Asia 2026

On Saturday 14 November, the One Bangkok Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, becomes the centre of the Asian music world as it hosts the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia.

With Woody Milintachinda and Cindy Bishop as hosts, it is a historic event bringing together 11 countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam) in a competition that aims to bring the spirit of the Eurovision format to Asia while celebrating the continent’s cultural, linguistic and musical diversity.

With acts from different genres, backgrounds and artistic approaches, this first edition sets out to be an international showcase for new voices and sounds from one of the most diverse regions on the planet.

With the big night almost here, we take a closer look at the careers of the acts hoping to win. In a series of profiles, we introduce the artists taking part in this historic contest: their origins, their musical careers, their biggest hits and the stories behind each entry. 11 countries, 11 songs and one stage: Bangkok, where a new chapter in the history of international song contests is about to begin.

This time, we meet Monetrey, who represents Cambodia at Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 with “I Let You Go”.

Meet Monetrey, the new voice of Cambodian pop who stays true to his Khmer roots

Monetrey Ek, known professionally as Monetrey, is a singer and songwriter of Cambodian and French descent who has become one of the rising names on the Cambodian music scene. With a sound that blends contemporary pop, urban influences and Khmer cultural references, Monetrey faces the biggest challenge of his career as he represents his country at the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia with “I Let You Go”.

Monetrey was born on 7 February 2002 in Bondy, France. With Cambodian and French heritage, he is part of a new generation of musicians who are helping to refresh Cambodia’s music scene, with a sound that links international trends with their cultural roots.

His music moves between modern pop, urban influences and emotional melodies, with songs in both English and Khmer. At 24, Monetrey has built a career shaped by collaborations, collective projects and a growing presence on digital platforms.

Beyond his work as a performer, he pays particular attention to the visual concept of his releases. His creative world brings together music, visual storytelling, fashion and youth culture, so that each song has its own identity and works as a complete artistic experience. This approach has helped him connect with young Cambodian audiences in particular and begin to take his career towards an international market.

Early steps and ties to the Cambodian music scene

Born in France, Monetrey completed his secondary education through an online programme at Excel High School. His personal journey and family roots have helped shape an artistic identity that draws on different cultural influences.

His music career is closely linked to La Cima Cartel and the creative circle around Plus 855 Music, both associated with the development of new music in Cambodia. Through these projects, the singer has been able to work with other artists, experiment with different sounds and take part in collective initiatives that have helped him raise his profile in the local industry.

“Wonderful” (2019), “Grateful” (2020), “With You” (2020) and “18” (2020) are among his early releases, all with a strong personal stamp.

In those first releases he began to define his own style, built on a mix of pop melodies, urban elements and a delivery that puts emotion first. Monetrey’s repertoire also reflects a desire to break down language barriers, switching between English and Khmer to connect with different audiences.

Later songs included “Love and Sunshine”, “Far” and “Saturday Night”, three titles that are part of his development as an artist and the gradual growth of his catalogue.

Another notable release from this period is “Come To Me”, a collaboration with Mut Phearin and Meezy 24K. It reflects one of the most recognisable features of his career: his willingness to work with other artists from the Cambodian scene and explore different possibilities within pop and urban music.

2025-2026: a period of growth and consolidation

During 2025, Monetrey kept expanding his repertoire and working on new songs. His releases from this period include “Would You Give Me A Chance”, which joined earlier tracks such as “RIDE”, “With You” and “Grateful”. His catalogue shows a steady evolution, both in production and in the way he presents his projects to the public.

One of the most interesting aspects of his career is his involvement in projects that bring together different artists from the Cambodian scene. This has allowed him to broaden his range, experiment with new sounds and build connections with musicians and producers around him.

2026 brought one of the high points of his career with “PISEY”, a song released on 6 March through Plus 855 Music. Sung in Khmer, the track marks a more direct return to his cultural and linguistic roots.

The song was produced by Monetrey himself, with Sofia Bou and Mut Phearin also involved in the songwriting. Mixing and mastering were handled by JR RECs. The release came with a polished official music video directed by Tim Win and filmed at Pearl Beach Resort.

The project involved a large creative team and staging that underlines the importance the singer places on image and visual storytelling. As well as the video, “PISEY” has an acoustic version, which shows another side of the song and brings out its melodic qualities from a different angle.

The song made a considerable impact on YouTube, passing six million views according to the music tracking data we consulted. It also reached the Cambodian charts, becoming one of the most successful solo releases of his career up to that point.

Another important release in 2026 was “Ocean Breeze”, a collaboration with All3rgy released in the summer. Associated with La Cima and Plus 855 Music, the song brings together both artists’ identities and is one of the clearest examples of Monetrey’s collaborative side.

The release was well received on digital platforms. Its music video and related posts racked up millions of plays, while the song climbed high in the Cambodian music charts. Production was by Mut Phearin and Hellboi, strengthening Monetrey’s ties with the professionals in his musical circle.

These releases show how his career has evolved: Monetrey does not simply put out one-off songs but develops projects with a recognisable visual identity, paying attention to production, art direction and how he builds his public image.

Signing with Soriya Entertainment and “One Million Nights”

On 3 September 2026, Monetrey took another step in his career by signing with Soriya Entertainment, the label with which he began a new chapter in the Cambodian music industry.

His first release with the company was “Muoy Lean Reatrei (One Million Nights)”, a collaboration with NPN released on 18 September. The song, whose Khmer title refers to the idea of a million nights, added another joint project to his repertoire and strengthened his presence on digital platforms.

Joining Soriya Entertainment is a significant move for his career, opening up new opportunities for distribution, promotion and collaboration. It also shows his intention to diversify his partnerships within the Cambodian music industry while keeping his ties with the creative circle around La Cima and Plus 855 Music.

As for his discography, his known output consists mainly of singles and collaborations. One of his main goals is to release a debut studio album that brings together his work and showcases his personal and artistic signature.

Monetrey’s road to Eurovision Asia 2026

Monetrey’s big international break came in October 2026, when he was announced as one of the seven acts in Cambodia’s Finest Voice, the national selection to choose Cambodia‘s representative at the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia.

The competition, organised by TV5 Cambodia with several partners from the music and broadcasting industries, featured seven original songs competing for the ticket to represent the country in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Monetrey entered with “I Let You Go”, a song notable for its emotional tone and heartfelt delivery. It mixes English, Khmer and French, with language choices that reflect his multicultural identity and his connection to Cambodia.

The national final was held on 17 October at the AEON Mall Sen Sok Event Hall in Phnom Penh. After the seven performances, Monetrey came out on top and was crowned the winner, earning the right to represent Cambodia at the first edition of the Asian contest.

His win is recognition of the work he has put in over recent years and a chance to present his music to a far wider audience. “I Let You Go” also holds a special place in his catalogue, as the song chosen to represent his country.

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A new generation of Cambodian artists with international reach

Monetrey’s career reflects the rise of a new generation of Cambodian musicians looking to connect their cultural identity with international trends. His upbringing between different cultural references, his songs in English and Khmer and his involvement in collective projects have helped him build a distinctive artistic personality.

Add to that his interest in the visual side of music, which is especially clear in his most recent releases. For Monetrey, every release is an opportunity to tell his own story through music, image and fashion.

With songs such as “PISEY”, “Ocean Breeze” and “One Million Nights”, Monetrey has strengthened his presence on the Cambodian music scene and shown he can thrive in both solo projects and collaborations.

Now, Eurovision Asia is the biggest challenge of his career. With “I Let You Go”, Monetrey has the chance to show an international audience an entry that reflects his musical growth and his Cambodian roots, as one of his country’s new musical ambassadors.

“I Let You Go”: Monetrey’s entry for Cambodia at Eurovision Asia 2026

Monetrey represents Cambodia at Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 with “I Let You Go”. The song combines English, Khmer and French.

It tells a story of heartbreak, betrayal, disappointment and the struggle to accept the loss of a loved one. Through bilingual verses, the song expresses the pain of a relationship that seemed full of trust and love but turned into an emotionally devastating experience.

From the opening line, “The stars are gone” stands for the loss of the light, hope and happiness that once filled the relationship. The narrator remembers how their partner made them feel safe and comfortable, to the point of trusting them completely. But that trust is shattered when the narrator discovers they have been deceived. The sense of darkness reflects the emptiness left by someone who once mattered.

One of the most intense moments comes with the repeated question “Baby, did you love me?”. It reveals deep insecurity and a need to understand whether the love they shared was real or just an illusion. The narrator had put their partner on a pedestal, idealising them as someone extraordinary, only to end up feeling betrayed and emotionally broken.

There is also a wish to meet one last time, perhaps to get answers, say goodbye or recover some of the connection that once existed. The tears, worries and pleading show that the feelings are still there, even though the relationship is over.

The refrain “You let me go” marks the moment of accepting a painful reality: someone the narrator loved chose to let them go. Yet the title, “I Let You Go”, can also be read as a decision of personal liberation: leaving behind the person who caused so much suffering, even if it still hurts.

Ultimately, “I Let You Go” is about loving someone deeply, discovering that your trust has been betrayed and learning to let go, even when the heart is still looking for answers. It is a song about loss, nostalgia and the difficult process of choosing your own peace after heartbreak.

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“I Let You Go” by Monetrey: lyrics of Cambodia’s Eurovision Asia 2026 entry

Listen to all the songs of Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 on the ESCplus playlist on Spotify:

How Monetrey won his ticket to Eurovision Asia 2026: victory at Cambodia’s Finest Voice

Monetrey will represent Cambodia at the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia with “I Let You Go”, after winning the national selection Cambodia’s Finest Voice, held on 17 October in Phnom Penh. It was the last national selection to take place, completing the line-up of competing artists.

Cambodia chose its representative for Eurovision Asia 2026 through Cambodia’s Finest Voice, a national selection featuring seven artists, all with original songs. Broadcaster TV5 Cambodia organised the show together with the advertising agency GIGIL Phnom Penh and Phoenix Communications.

Nov Dana, GOOFY, Sam Rocker, KESORRR, Satiya, MC PICH and the eventual winner, Monetrey, made up the line-up of acts hoping to represent Cambodia in Bangkok.

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The competition used a mixed voting system in which both a professional jury and the public played a decisive role. The final score was split into three parts: the professional jury accounted for 40% of the result, the Cambodian public another 40% and international viewers the remaining 20%. This meant fans in other countries could also have a say in choosing the representative through the official ZOOP platform and the official Eurovision Song Contest Asia website.

The professional jury, made up of well-known figures from the Cambodian music and entertainment industry, scored each of the seven performances after it was presented.

The national final took place at the AEON Mall Sen Sok Event Hall in Phnom Penh and was hosted by Heng Bonika and Davuth Chheang.

In the end, Monetrey won with “I Let You Go”, a song he wrote himself, and became Cambodia‘s representative at Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026. KESORRR and Nov Dana completed the top three.