K-Event Review: All India K-Pop Contest 2025: Grand Finale

Writers: Ayushi Verma and Divyanshi Gaur (Delhi, India)

Editor: Pooja Vishwanathan (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)

On July 19, 2025, in New Delhi, the All India K-Pop Contest 2025 Grand Finale, India’s biggest celebration of Korean pop culture, was held with full excitement. The 15th edition of the event, which was organized by the Korean Cultural Centre India, celebrated more than ten years of the expansion of K-pop fandom in India. Following its inspiring tagline, “One Beat, One India Over a Decade of K-pop,” this year’s finale was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of talent, youth, and the growing cultural bonds between Korea and India.

About NOMAD & NOMAD Fan Meet Experience

At the Finals of the All India K-pop Contest 2025, the spotlight was stolen by the sensational boyband NOMAD, who flew in from Korea to grace the stage. The K-pop fans were amazed by their flawless choreography and captivating stage presence, energetic moves of their popular songs like No Pressure, Carnival, and California Love. But NOMAD’s charm extended beyond the stage. During their special fanmeet, the members Doy, Sangha, Rivr, Won, and Junho experienced the warm-hearted interaction directly with their Indian fans. One of the highlights was when members started greeting and trying to interact with their fans by saying some Hindi phrases,  “Namaste, Aaapse Milkar Hume Bahut Accha Laga, Hum Aapse Bahut Pyaar Karte Hain,” and did a handshake with some fans, which strengthened the cultural bond with them. Their humility and genuine affection for the audience created an unforgettable experience for everyone. 

The two members from the group Rivr and Doy stepped into the role of judges, evaluating passionate performances by Indian finalists across their electrifying dance, rap, and vocal categories. Their presence brought authenticity and star power to the judging panel, inspiring other judges and participants with every applause and comment.

For all K-pop finalists and to the K-pop fans, NOMADS’s visit wasn’t just a performance; it was a cultural connection between idols and their fandom. From their powerful performance to their heartwarming fanmeet service, they left a lasting impression, showing that music truly transcends borders. Their experience in India celebrated K-POP’s growing influence and the strong emotional bond between Korean artists and Indian fans. 

Opening Ceremony

There was a lot of excitement in the air with bright lights and fans cheering. The event started with dynamic anchoring by Akansha, who welcomed the crowd and set the stage. The judges’ panel included Oh Hyun Jeon and Wook Kim, CEO of W KOREA, along with Rivr and Doy from the K-pop group NOMAD. They praised the growing talent in India and highlighted the cultural power of K-pop in uniting fans worldwide. The ceremony continued with words from special guests Lim Sang-Woo from the Korean Ministry of Culture, P. Manisha Swami from ICCR, and Hwang Il-yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India. All of them praised how K-pop has helped bring Indian and Korean youth closer together and praised the passion of Indian fans.

Vocal Performances

The vocal category of this year’s final contest was nothing short of magical. Each participant brought their unique vocal style and emotional depth in their performance on the stage, turning the competition into a celebration of pure musical talent. Proving that K-pop vocals have found a talented and passionate home in India. The vocal performance started from Lazi Doma Bhutia from Kolkata, the city of sweet voices. She sang beautifully on SNSD’s song Lion Heart, whose stage presence and vocal control wowed both the judges and audience. Vibha Rawat from Mumbai lit up the hall with her expressive vocals by singing IU’s song Eight ft. SUGA, which left the audience emotional. Priyanka Phukon, representing Itanagar, brought a unique calm in her performance and a blend of softness in her voice by delivering every line of Taeyang’s Eyes, Nose, and Lips with heartfelt sincerity.

D. Shylee Preetam from Hyderabad added a vibrant, eye-catching performance with full confidence shining through each note of the song U&I by Ailee while interacting with the audience and judges, which made her performance more lively. Last but not least, the vocal night closed with a soothing performance of Sruthi Ramnarayan from Chennai and kept the audience on their toes by singing My Star by LeeHi. Together, the vocalists proved that K-pop in India isn’t just about dance routines, it’s about stories told through songs, emotions carried on each melody, and a growing artist that sings in more than one language, but speaks in one voice.

Dance Performances

The powerful dance performances from finalists across India officially started the contest. Every group and each solo performer gave their best, showing amazing choreography, stage presence, and love for K-pop. Every performance lit up the stage, and the audience loved their renditions. 3plus4crew from Delhi performed on SUPER by SEVENTEEN and became the Winner of the Dance category, ZYPHER from Bengaluru became First Runner Up, and Second Runner Up was Pranamrita Mongjam.

The highlight of the evening was a special performance by K-pop boy group NOMAD, who took the stage by storm with their hit tracks. With synchronized choreography, smooth vocals, and unbeatable charisma, they turned the venue into a sea of excitement, echoing with fan chants and cheers. Korean-themed booths enhanced the immersive experience, and people were delighted watching skincare and K-beauty demonstrations, taking part in cultural games and activities while sampling Korean snacks and goods.

Winners’ Announcement

Riniya Taku from Itanagar made history when she dominated the stage in the debut rap category with her powerful performance of Backpacker by ZEROBASEONE. Having participated in the competition regularly since 2017, her long-awaited victory felt like a fitting conclusion to her student journey. As she reflected on the years of perseverance finally paying off, she said,

This moment feels incredibly fulfilling after so many attempts and hardwork.

Shylee Preetam from Hyderabad won a well-earned victory after seven years of trying in the vocal category with her heartfelt performance of Ailee’s U&I. It’s unbelievable, she remarked, clearly moved.

I come back every year full of hope, and it feels like the universe has finally filled my dream. 

The audience erupted as Delhi’s 3plus4crew, the only team to win the dance title twice, performed on Seventeen’s SUPER with unparalleled vigour. Nidhin Deo, co-founder of the group, stated,

We are still trying to believe it. It feels like a full circle to win again all these years. 

All the winners received ₹72 lakh prize money and the privilege of representing India at the K-Pop World Festival in South Korea, demonstrating that aspirations can come true if they are tenaciously pursued.

Overall Experience

The All India K-POP Contest 2025 Grand Finale was full of music, fun, and emotional moments from the opening remarks to the last performance.

It was not just a competition, but a celebration that showcased how music and culture can unite people. The event showed that K-pop in India is becoming more and more popular each year and continues to motivate thousands of fans to pursue their goals, dance to their favorite tunes, and proudly join the global Hallyu wave. 

Did you attend the All India K-Pop Contest Grand Finale? Would you like to grace more such events in the near future? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.