RIYADH: Team Everlast, a group of three female dancers, has entered the finals of the K-Pop World Festival after their performance at the Warehouse in Jax District on Saturday.
The South Korean Embassy organized the first final of the festival in partnership with the Saudi Entertainment Academy.
“I think this is 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 will be held in Korea on October 13. And more than 80 countries will participate in that event.
“Unfortunately for now, talented young Saudi men and women do not have the opportunity to participate,” 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,” said Choi.
The K-Pop World Festival is held annually in Changwon, South Korea and welcomes artists from around the world, including Kuwait, Singapore, the US, Spain, Ireland, Canada and Cuba.
The state is going to participate in this festival for the first time. The competition held on Saturday was the final round where the 10 contestants who made it to the primary round got a chance to represent Saudi Arabia at the K-Pop World Festival in Changwon.
“I think this is a big step for Saudi Arabia's bright future under Vision 2030,” the ambassador said.
“We try to contribute to Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 and the first chapter is a vibrant society.”
Before the artists took to the stage to showcase their singing and dancing talents, the Korean ambassador gave a speech in which he highlighted 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 putting a lot of effort into not only diplomatic and economic, but also cultural exchange and tourism,” he said.
After the ambassador's speech, K-pop guest singer Jane took to the stage to perform a song.
Jax's warehouse was packed, with many people standing at the edges and corners of the room to cheer on the performers.
The program was organized by Saudi comedian and MC Khalid Khalifa.
Apart from Team Everlast, other winners included solo artists Selva, Liana, Iman and Harin Kim.
At the conclusion of the event, the warehouse announced that it plans to introduce a new K-pop night at the venue.
