Written by: Ayushi Verma and Aayushi Mishra (Delhi)
Edited by: Jasmine Khan (Dubai)
The All India K-pop Contest 2024 Grand Finale, organized by the Korean Cultural Centre India and presented by LG, was held on 23rd November 2024 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Dwarka, Sector-25. Delhi. The competition featured two categories: Vocal and Dance. After an intense competition in the semi-finals, 12 outstanding teams and participants advanced to the grand finale, where they gave their all to claim the top spot in each category. The highlight of the evening was a spectacular performance by the much-anticipated group, LUN8, which had the crowd buzzing with energy. The entire event was a treat for K-pop fans, packed with excitement and unforgettable moments. Read ahead to know more about this spectacular event!
Opening Ceremony
The All-India K-pop Contest 2024, started with a heartfelt speech by Mr. Sanjeev Kishor Gautam, Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Art setting a warm and exciting tone. Mr. Hwang Il-yong, Director of the Korean Culture Centre India, spoke about the power of music to unite people. The excitement reached new heights when the K-Pop group LUN8 made their most-awaited entrance. The band enthralled the crowd with their performances, turning the hall into a vibrant sea of light sticks and cheers. Fans embodied the global appeal of K-Pop as they danced, sang along, and enjoyed the thrilling environment.
The standard was raised for the competitors by the addition of renowned judges Kim Wook, CEO of W KOREA content creative company; Bongyoung Park from 1 Million Dance Studio; Go Tae-kyung, the “dancing pharmacist,” a KPOP dance YouTuber; and renowned artist, and Kim Jin-soo, Head of Fantagio Entertainment Team, were among the esteemed judges who chose the winners. They praised the contestants for their artistic talent and commitment.
Video Credits: Korean Cultural Centre India
Performances
Twelve finalists from across the country brought their A-game, delivering awe-inspiring performances that showcased their dedication, creativity, and love for K-Pop. WeUnite from Mumbai, GirlCrush from New Delhi, Krazyones, The Flower Knights, and Abhipriya Chakraborty from Kolkata were among the notable bands and performers. All the performers were judged based on their stage presence, expressions, pitch, choreography, and vocal skills respective to their categories.
Video Credits: Korean Cultural Centre India
After the K-pop band LUN8’s incredible final performance, the eagerly awaited winners were revealed. The Trend from Arunachal Pradesh won the dance category with their ferocious performance of “God’s Menu” by Stray Kids. The First Runner-Up was New Delhi’s Outkasts, who stunned with “O.O.” by NMIXX. Hyderabad’s Sejal Dubey was placed as second runner-up with an enthralling rendition of Taemin’s “Criminal.”
In the vocal Category, the winner was Kolkata’s Abhipriya Chakraborty, who moved the crowd with IU’s heartfelt “Love All Wins.” From New Delhi, Bem Khuvung became the first Runner-Up by performing “Still Love You” and Nuu Anu from Kohima became the Second Runner-Up by singing an emotional rendition of “You Are My Everything.”
Kimchi Festival and Random Play Dance Session
Combining tradition, creativity, and community, the 2024 Korea Kimchi Festival and the Grand Finale created an experience that will never be forgotten happening alongside the Grand Finale. Every moment was a celebration of culture, from a delicious kimchi-making session with Chef Jang Yun-jeong to dancing together during the Random Play Dance Session. Under the guidance of Chef Jang participants were asked to mix aromatic spices, layered napa cabbage with care, and immersed themselves in the hands-on process. It wasn’t just about cooking; it was an opportunity to connect with Korean heritage while enjoying with fellow participants.
It was a perfect celebration of Korean culture, bringing together food lovers, music enthusiasts, and culture all together at one place. The event was not yet over, the energy picked up at 3 PM with the K-Pop Random Play Dance session, where fans from all walks of life danced their hearts out to popular K-Pop tracks followed by the epic Grand Finale.
Overall Experience
LUN8’s uplifting contest conclusion and their thrilling debut performance were just like the icing on the cake of a day. This event was really significant for every K-pop lover because of the hands-on fun of cooking kimchi, the lively K-pop setting, and the friendly companionship of other attendees. It was more than just a festival; it was a colorful demonstration of how culture can unite people and transcend divisions.
How was your experience of attending the Grand Finale? Tell us in the comments!
I love how india is promoting another country’s culture
🩷🩷🩵
Kimchi making was fun and congratulations to winner’s
I am glad that I have heard song from bts one day and now I’m in love with them 💓
I love to try new things and when I have try kimchi in the event and process of making i enjoyed alot in such event looking forward to attend more events.
I love to try new things and when I try kimchi in the event loving it so much I’m looking forward for such event to explore new Korean culture
Though I was not here in this event, but I felt like I attended through this amazing article written by the team!
#TheTrendCrew ☺️🫰🏻🔥😍🌟💯💫
Loved their performances! #favfavfav
I love to try new things and when I try kimchi in the event loving it so much I’m looking forward for such event to explore new Korean culture
I attended through this amazing article written by the team! looking for events
Yeaaahhhhhhh event
I attended most of Korean event my favourite one is k pop finale
Performance of Lun8 and kpop finalist was really amazing 😍
The energy was amazing at the event! Had so much fun this time! 🔥🔥
Feel like I am in Korea there thank you so much
Amazing experience! Loved the K-culture vibes
Amazing experience ✨✨✨
I missed kimchi workshop 🥺🥺🥺
I really like Korean event thank you for organising
Really amazing experience thanks for covering this
Korea event in india it’s really amazing 😍
Feel like I am in Korea
Thank you for wonderful event 😊
Experience Korean culture is available so amazing 😍
I love this event 😍❤️❤️
Amazing 😍😍🫰💜💜✨
It was such an amazing experience!!😍
Wow ❤️❤️
wow
Awesome
The All India K-pop Contest 2024 Grand Finale was nothing but a magical celebration of talent, culture, and unity! It had the breath-taking performances of the finalists to the show-stopping debut of LUN8. Every moment was filled with passion and energy that brought fans together like never before. The event was so beautiful because it combined the spirit of competition with cultural immersion through the vibrant Kimchi Festival and the thrilling Random Play Dance session.✨
A huge round of applause to the organizers, participants, and judges for creating an unforgettable experience that highlighted the power of music, food, and art to connect hearts across boundaries. The fusion of Indian and Korean culture truly left a lasting impression, and it’s incredible to see how K-pop continues to inspire and unite people worldwide. I hope in future it will come sooner.
It was such a fun event and the organisers did a good job
It was alot of fun ✨✨
Enjoyed a lot💗
Such a nice experience it was🌟
The event was amazing got to see my favourite the trend performing too and ending up as winners
It was literally one of the best days of 2024 for me! I enjoyed a lot and met many cool people that day. Manifesting for another k-pop event to happen of this scale in Delhi again soon!
❤️❤️❤️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Nice
🤧🤐🤐
🩷🩷
Would love to participate next time~
Great experience there😍❤️🩹
The best time I spent😍✨️💜
최고🎉
💘💘
ICONIC🌹🌹👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
Couldn’t clear the Semis this time, but will definitely try my best next year🫶
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Damnn
Loved it
Wow
Great
Damnn
Miss the day
Amazing experience. Thank you for wonderful event 😊
It was a great program to explore and experience korean culture so closely in India i went there.