K-Pop Festival in SA Draws Record Crowd as K-Pop's Popularity Soars
The growing enthusiasm for K-pop in South Africa was on full display at the largest K-pop event in the country, the K-Pop Dance Festival, hosted by the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA). The event took place on 9 November at the ZK Matthews Great Hall at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria, attracting over 1,000 enthusiastic fans and participants.
As K-pop continues to gain significant traction in South Africa, this year’s festival underscored the genre's increasing influence, with local fans celebrating their love for K-pop culture through dance, music, and fashion. The K-Pop Dance Festival is one of the key events that brings together South Africa’s vibrant K-pop fan community, showcasing the diverse appeal of K-pop across the nation.
The festival offered a diverse range of exciting programmes, including K-pop dance performances by local talents, the ever-popular K-pop game 'Random Play Dance' in which participants collectively dance to the randomly played K-pop songs following their respective choreographies, a 'K-pop Red Carpet' showcasing the iconic stage costumes of K-pop idols, and a special 'K-Pop History Exhibition' highlighting the evolution of the genre from early pioneers like Seo Taiji and Boys to global superstars such as BTS and BLACKPINK.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the event also featured a food and merchandise market, offering scrumptious Korean dishes and K-pop-themed goods, which proved to be a hit among the attendees.
The highlight of the day was the K-Pop Dance Competition, where 20 teams, both solo and group performers, battled it out on stage. After a rigorous nationwide selection process, the finalists delivered impressive routines set to the latest K-pop hits. The competition was fierce, but the grand prize was awarded to the dynamic mixed-gender duo Kat & Jiyaad.
“We are beyond thrilled to have won this competition,” said Kat & Jiyaad, whose performances have garnered attention across South Africa in recent years. “Thanks to K-pop’s popularity, we’ve had numerous performance opportunities, and now winning this festival is an incredible honor. But beyond the victory, we’re even more excited to meet so many fellow K-pop fans today and connect with the K-pop community.”
The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa first introduced the K-Pop Dance Competition last year, aiming to provide a space for local K-pop fans to unite and celebrate their shared passion. This year’s expanded festival provided an even richer experience, drawing even more participants and fans eager to immerse themselves in the world of K-pop.
The K-Pop Dance Festival marks another milestone in South Africa’s growing love for K-pop, demonstrating how the genre’s cultural impact continues to thrive in countries around the world, including South Africa.
Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원
• Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kccsa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa
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