Changwon K-Pop festival begins

The 2019 Changwon K-Pop World Festival takes place today at 7 p.m. at the Changwon Sports Park, South Gyeongsang, promising an evening full of K-pop and Korean culture.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Culture and Information Service (Kocis) and KBS, the festival features 63 performances, by either individuals or groups, from 13 countries who will compete for the top six spots in singing and dancing.

The 63 contestants were chosen through an audition held prior to the festival, and spent two weeks receiving professional vocal and dance training, while experiencing Korean culture first hand.

Top K-pop groups - Red Velvet, Monsta X, Momoland, The Boyz, Tomorrow X Together and ITZY - will put on congratulatory performances at night.

KBS will air two documentary episodes on Nov. 9 and 23, featuring the training and competition process of the 63 contestants.

The K-Pop World Festival began in 2011 as a part of the Culture Ministry and Kocis’ efforts to better promote K-culture to overseas fans, by providing a sphere for festivity and communication.

“It’s a festival put together by those around the world who love K-pop,” said Kim Tae-hoon, director of Kocis.

“We will endeavor to expand people’s understanding of our culture through K-pop.”

By Yoon So-yeon