All-India K-Pop Contest 2023 Kicks Off with Record-Breaking Participation

New Delhi witnessed a remarkable showcase of talent as the regional round of the All-India K-Pop Contest 2023 took place at the Ghalib Auditorium, ITO. Organized by the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) in association with LG Electronics, the contest marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and India. With a staggering participation of 11,071 teams from across the country, this year’s event boasts the largest turnout since the contest’s inception in India in 2011.

The All-India K-Pop Contest spans a period of approximately six months and consists of four rounds: online qualifiers, regional rounds, semi-finals, and the grand finale. The online qualifiers were held from April 26th to May 13th, with a diverse range of talented participants vying for their chance to shine. Among them, 28 teams (15 Song and 13 Dance) showcased their skills and passion during the regional round in Delhi, where they received enthusiastic support from the dedicated k-fans in attendance.

Hwang Il-Yong, director of KCCI, highlighted the significance of K-pop as a global medium that brings people together. He expressed his desire to provide a platform for Indian youth who love Korea and K-pop to pursue their dreams and enjoy the show. “I hope all participants and the audience will be able to understand, love, and express themselves freely through K-Pop and our platforms,” he stated.

Jeon Hong-Ju, Managing Director of LG Electronics India, emphasized the growing popularity of K-pop in India and the significance of providing a suitable platform for young enthusiasts to pursue their passion. “We are delighted to co-host the K-Pop Contest with KCCI and offer a stage for the youth to showcase their talent. K-pop has become a global sensation, and Indian youngsters find it resonates with their generation. We are thrilled to see the overwhelming response with over 10,000 teams submitting their entries and numerous people showing interest,” he said.

The regional rounds, which began in Delhi, will continue across 11 cities, including Hyderabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Chennai, Mumbai, and Lucknow. Participants are gearing up to deliver remarkable performances and fierce competition. Winners from the vocal and dance categories in each regional preliminary round will advance to the semi-finals.

The ten winners (five vocal and five dance) from the semi-finals will have the opportunity to receive singing and dance training from experts through the “K-Pop Academy” program. Ultimately, the finalists will compete for the chance to win a visit to Korea as a prize. Delhi will host both the semi-final and final rounds, which will be held as a special cultural event to celebrate the G20 Summit, featuring renowned K-Pop artist bands from Korea.

The All-India K-Pop Contest, now in its 13th edition, has become one of the most significant events organized by the KCCI. While the contest was held online in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event marks a return to an offline, large-scale festival format, showcasing the passion and talent of K-Pop enthusiasts in India.