Arunachal Dance Group, Kolkata Singer Shine at All-India K-Pop Contest Finale In Delhi

New Delhi, November 24: The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) hosted the Grand Finale of the All-India K-pop Contest 2024 at the Yashobhoomi International Exhibition and Convention Centre, drawing thousands of fans to a vibrant celebration of Korean music and culture. This event offered an exhilarating experience for K-pop enthusiasts across India, making it a standout moment for Hallyu culture in the country.

In the dance category, Arunachal Pradesh’s eight-member group ‘The Trend’ took home the top prize with an electrifying performance of Stray Kids’ “God’s Menu.” Meanwhile, in the vocal category, Abhipriya Chakraborty from Kolkata earned the winner’s title with her soulful rendition of IU’s “Love Wins All.” Both winners are set to visit Korea, where they will immerse themselves in the country’s dynamic culture.

Other standout performers also left their mark on the competition. New Delhi’s Outkasts secured the first runner-up position in the dance category with an impressive performance of “O.O” by Nmixx, while Hyderabad’s Sejal Dubey claimed the second runner-up spot with her interpretation of Taemin’s “Criminal.”

In the vocal category, Bem Khuvung from New Delhi placed as the first runner-up with his heartfelt rendition of “Still Love You” by Lee Hong Gi and Yoo Hwe Seung, while Kohima’s Nuu Anu came in third with “You Are My Everything” by Gummy.

As India’s largest K-pop contest, the event has become a milestone in celebrating the Korean wave, also known as Hallyu, within the country. The 14th edition of the contest made history by offering large-scale seating for the first time and drew immense interest, with promotional posts amassing nearly 7.9 million views online.

This year’s finale featured performances by 12 teams, chosen through rigorous regional qualifiers and semifinals from an initial pool of 10,559 applicants across 11 cities, including Bengaluru, Kohima, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and more. A panel of experts, including choreographer Park Bong-Young, judged the finalists on their talent and stage presence.

The excitement extended beyond the finale with cultural events held on November 23. These included a Vegan Kimchi Performance led by celebrity chef Jang Yun Jeong, where 300 fans learned to make kimchi and took their creations home. Another highlight was a K-pop Random Play Dance led by Go Tae-kyung, known for his viral “dancing pharmacist” persona, which energized the crowd.

Fans were also treated to a special stage performance by LUN8, a rookie boy group that debuted in 2023. Their powerful and charismatic performance gave Indian fans a taste of a live K-pop concert, heightening anticipation for future events.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre in India, expressed gratitude to Indian fans for their unwavering enthusiasm. “The love Indian fans have shown for K-pop has been incredible. We are thrilled to have reached this Grand Finale and are already looking forward to returning next year with an even bigger event.”

Adding to the excitement, the KCCI organized a giveaway where two lucky fans—Amisha Chettry and Elly M Swu—won round-trip tickets to Korea through a lottery system tied to pre-booked ticket codes. Fans were also delighted with exclusive K-pop merchandise, making the event an unforgettable celebration of Korean culture in India