RIYADH: Team Everlast, a group of three female dancers, advanced to the finals of the K-pop World Festival after their performance at the Warehouse in Jax district on Saturday.
The South Korean Embassy, in cooperation with the Saudi Entertainment Academy, hosted the first final of the festival.
“I think it's a very meaningful and important event for both countries,” Choi Byung-hyuk, South Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told Arab News. “The K-pop World Festival is on October 13 and will be held in Korea. and more than 80 countries will participate in this event.
“Unfortunately, talented young Saudi men and women did not get a chance to participate there,” he said.
“That's why we planned this event to select talented young men and women who want to participate in the Korean K-pop festival,” Choi said.
The K-pop World Festival is held annually in Changwon, South Korea and welcomes artists from all over the world including Kuwait, Singapore, USA, Spain, Ireland, Canada and Cuba.
This is the first time that the Kingdom will participate in the festival. The competition, held on Saturday, was the final round where 10 contestants who made it through the primary rounds performed for the chance to represent Saudi Arabia at the Changwon World K-pop Festival.
“I think this is a big step forward for the bright future of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030,” the ambassador said.
“We are trying to contribute to the vision of Saudi Arabia 2030 and the first chapter is a vibrant society.”
Before the performers took to the stage to showcase their singing and dancing talents, the Korean ambassador gave a speech highlighting the strong cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
“South Korea and Saudi Arabia have had a very special and friendly relationship for the past 62 years and are important countries to each other.
“Korea is making a lot of efforts, not only diplomatically and economically, but also in cultural exchange and tourism,” he said.
After the ambassador's speech, K-pop guest singer Jenn took the stage to perform a song.
The warehouse at Jax was packed, with many people standing on the sides and corners of the room to cheer on the performers.
The event was hosted by Saudi comedian and MC Khalid Khalifa.
In addition to Team Everlast, other winners were solo artists Selwa, Leana, Eman, and Harin Kim
At the end of the event, Warehouse announced plans to introduce a new K-pop night at the venue.