K-Event Coverage: HYBE Pop-Up Park in India

Writer: Aishwarya Khale (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)

Editor: Ankita Panda (Kolkata, West Bengal, India)

In early April 2026, HYBE India announced a POP-UP PARK experience for fans across multiple locations in India, and its HYBE Pop-Up Park Tour began in early May. It continued till mid-June, starting in Guwahati, followed by Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and ending in Delhi. It was a free event by the company, allowing fans to register to be part of the exclusive fan culture, which included Live performances, Random Dance Play, and booth experiences.

Fans from across the city happily exchanged memories from the day. Each city had its own unique adventure at the park, introducing new booths and performers. Let’s explore how the HYBE Pop-up Park tour unfolded in all six cities of India from the fans’ perspective. Fans from across the city happily exchanged memories from the day. Each city had its own unique adventure at the park, introducing new booths and performers.

Picture Credits: HYBE INDIA (via Instagram)

Let’s explore how the HYBE Pop-up Park tour unfolded in all six cities of India from the fans’ perspective.

Guwahati — The Pop-up Park Tour Began 

On May 2, 2026, the Pop-up Park by HYBE was set up at Guwahati’s City Center Mall. The very first episode of the tour included various activities exclusive to fans. Neeti Deka from Guwahati, who attended the event, was quite surprised by the decorations and had a memorable evening.

Venue, Booths and Performances 

As the fans entered the mall, they were greeted by K-pop songs, which doubled the excitement while they waited in the queue for the fandom passport. It was a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Even though everyone waited 45 minutes in the queue, they were lost in songs, singing along with the lyrics, and interacting with each other. 

The Fandom Passport was full of surprises at the end; fans had to take part in activities at the booths and get their passport stamped as many times as they could. The booths of well-known brands like Nongshim, Shoppers Stop, H&M, Kia, and Samsung, along with a dedicated photo booth, had interactive games and engaging experiences for the fans, rewarding them with giveaways and stamps. 

The special site for fan experience was the Weverse Wall, a space where fans could write messages for their favorite artists or groups. Along with booths, there were other fun activities – K-Quiz, Random Play Dance, K-Dance party, and a performance of  Zephyrtone (Pop Music Duo) was arranged. 

Fan’s Experience

Neeti Deka stated how she enjoyed every bit of her time there! It was her first event; she had never been to a large-scale event like this, with all the booths featuring huge displays that immediately grabbed her attention. 

“I was very much excited, since the event was held inside the mall in our city. The moment I entered, K-pop songs were playing inside the mall, which made it feel so homely. Honestly, I went in with very few expectations because our city was the first host of the Pop-up park. I even assumed we would have to buy products to collect stamps. 

But after attending, my friends and I had a lot of fun. It was way better than I had imagined. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the tasks were games, which made the whole experience really enjoyable. I didn’t expect to receive so many freebies. The staff present at most of the booths were really kind.

I collected five stamps in total. We first visited Nongshim, then Shoppers Stop, and at H&M, we initially skipped the glitter makeup and only played the game because we planned to collect the stamps quickly. After that, I went to the Kia and Samsung booths. Unfortunately, I completely forgot about the photo booth since it was located a bit away from the other shops, so we ended up missing it. 

After collecting all five stamps, we got the HYBE merch and then went back to line up for the glitter makeup. It was so pretty and definitely the most popular activity. We waited for almost one and a half hours, but it was absolutely worth it! I especially remember the Nongshim counter because they were so sweet; they even gave out noodles to people who didn’t win when asked. 

As for activities, getting the glitter makeup done was my favorite. It made me feel like I was getting ready for a concert, and it added such a fun touch to the whole event. 

After the experience booths, we mainly headed to the HYBE merch stall, as there weren’t any other shopping stalls. Unfortunately, I missed the Random Play Dance because I was still waiting in line, and after spending so much time there, my friends and I were so hungry that we headed straight to the food court. However, from what I saw, the dance area seemed pretty restricted, and only a few people got the chance to participate, even though it was supposed to be Random Play Dance. 

We also had a DJ night, but we were expecting more K-pop songs; most of them were English songs, so we didn’t stay for very long. Even so, we had already enjoyed ourselves so much at the booths and activities that we left with really happy memories.

Even while waiting in lines, we were all singing along to the songs that played. We were standing in the Kia line and missed the pop-up quiz, but we were still shouting the answers from afar. Obviously, they couldn’t hear us, but it was so much fun! Moments like these reminded me why I love the K-pop community so much. I wasn’t there during the dance performances. But I was present during Zephyrtone’s performance (An Electronic Pop Duo from India), and the crowd was definitely having fun and enjoying the music. 

What I loved the most was the fans around us. Whenever we didn’t understand the rules for collecting stamps, people waiting in line happily helped us out. Seeing strangers helping each other and sharing the excitement made the experience feel even more special. 

Overall, the event exceeded all my expectations. I came expecting very little, but I left with amazing memories and a greater appreciation for the K-pop community: we somehow ended up becoming really good friends with people we had just met. It made the whole experience feel even more special.”

Mumbai — A Weekend Full of Celebration

HYBE India POP-UP PARK’s next stop was organized on May 9 and 10, 2026, at Malad’s Inorbit Mall in Mumbai. Fans across the city were quite excited about the new experience that HYBE India officially announced.

Venue, Booths and Performances 

Fans were thrilled and curious about the fandom passport, patiently waiting in line for a long time. There was K-pop music buzzing at the venue entrance, followed by the large Weverse message wall, then booths by Snapchat – a space for snapping pictures with your favorite filters, including your idols, and Kia, allowing fans to enjoy and record their moments inside the car.

H&M had interactive games, sticker tattoos, and a glitter photo booth for attendees, while Samsung invited everyone to experience its exclusive phone camera features through activities, and Shoppers Stop had a personalized make-up and color analysis experience. 

The HYBE MERCH corner had gifts and goodies as well as purchases for fans, along with the sale of BTS’s Official Arirang Album. Nongshim’s two-flavour noodle (spicy and cheese) tasting was the highlight, featuring a wheel game for freebies, leading to a long queue of people. Food Park and the Marketplace (accessories and unique items) attracted fans to explore and shop. 

The K-Quiz, Random Dance Play by ADCO, dance showcase by Team Cruisers from Seoul, K-Dance Party with Rouge, and live performances by Shriya Rao, Kayan, Outstation, and Adi & Dishaan on both days, respectively, kept fans entertained and energetic throughout the evening, creating a magical experience. 

Fan’s Experience

Sayli Randive from Mumbai shared that while some moments were quite overwhelming, others left her a bit disappointed towards the management and some fans. 

“We have been to many K-pop events, so my expectations were quite high, and since it was organized by HYBE Company in India, we expected it to lean more toward Korean culture. The very first disappointment hit us when we learned that the fandom passport was given to fans with an age limit on the second day, while on the first day it was allowed to everyone. Still, we were happy to participate and enjoy the experience, waiting inside the venue.

I loved HYBE INDIA’s Event display across the venue. It was great for photo sessions and capturing memories. Our very first stop was the Weverse Wall, where I dropped a cute message on BTS’s section. After seeing the long queue, it was difficult to choose any one booth, so we decided to go for the H&M one, where we got temporary tattoos, my glitter-decorated photocard, and a keychain through a game. While we waited in the queue, we witnessed the K-Quiz session and Random Dance Play, with the fans screaming their answers and dancing along with the performers. 

Samsung’s booth provided beautiful giveaways after participating in their interactive activities arranged to showcase their phone’s camera features, but the experience of waiting in the queue was quite disappointing, as there were no management personnel to manage the crowd, which led to chaos and fans joining in between out of nowhere.

Our experience at Shoppers Stop was satisfying and the most unexpected; from getting our make-up done by the experts, to knowing our personal color analysis was fun. Then, we took some snaps with BTS and V at the Snapchat booth while devouring cheesy flavor ramen at the Shin Ramyun booth. 

We were tired, so we ended up missing the experience at Kia, but we met up with fellow fans and created memories instead. We enjoyed the live performances along with RDP, but the most beautiful memory that will live forever was the BTS’s Body To Body ‘Arirang Bridge’ moment, the whole venue buzzed during the interlude. We felt that the HYBE POP-UP PARK lacked the K-Culture elements, but it was fun to meet the K-pop community and be part of an event like this.”

Pune — Making New Memories with Fellow K-pop Fans

Pune’s Liberty Square Phoenix Marketcity was ready to be the next stop for HYBE’s Pop-Up Park. Set up on May 16, the evening was filled with echoes from fans enjoying the day’s activities and highlights. Vamini, Sakshi, and Aarya, a group of three friends from Pune, visited the pop-up and shared their unexpected and overwhelming impression on the D-day. 

Venue, Booths and Performances 

As expected, there was a long queue at the registration desk for entry bands and fandom passports. The activity booths by brands like H&M, Kia, Nongshim, Samsung, Shoppers Stop, and the Weverse Wall caught the fans’ attention. There was a food park for fans to try their favorite dishes, a walk-in stage for HYBE India Audition, and a K-photo booth corner for fans to carry memories back home. 

Along with those experiences, fans had the opportunity to participate in K-Quiz, Random Play Dance, and enjoy live performances by Indian artists Adi & Dishaan (Indie Pop and R&B Duo) and Gini (Indie-Pop Singer). The crowd was lost in the music and the experience, making it unforgettable. 

Fan’s Experience

Vamini, Sakshi, and Aarya from Pune shared how the crowd and the vibe at the venue completely enchanted them. They said – 

“We all were excitedly waiting for the entry gate to open, but even while waiting, the energy did not seem to be down. Everyone was so hyped up! It started with fan chants, followed by singing along to the songs and whatnot. We had no expectations because we just wanted to go and enjoy the moment. To us, this was something new that felt more connected. It felt beautiful. 

Sadly, we were not able to go to all the booths due to the long lines, but we went to every booth to learn about it and ask our questions, and everyone was really sweet to us. We attended only three to four booths and also collected the stamps. It was AMAZING! 

Everyone being themselves without caring who is watching them! Because whoever was watching them was cheering and hyping them up. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to meet other friends. But after we uploaded our reel, we got a lot of messages from people who were there, and we missed the opportunity to meet them. 

The host was super energetic and sweet. She had such a vibe that pulled everyone towards the stage – listening to her. During the Random Dance Play, we truly enjoyed ourselves, and seeing everyone dance was fun. The performers there were so nice! 

We had already seen a few of them on social media. And watching them perform in person took it to the next level. It was super fun! Every performance made us join in, even when we didn’t know the choreography. We still belted out the songs at the top of our lungs. The energy was so good that everyone was having fun. 

There was nothing that surprised us. But the gifts we received and our interaction with everyone made it more special. There were a lot of things we already knew that would take place at the event, and meeting Damien Woochang Lee, the CEO of HYBE India, felt really special.

The dance and the Shin Ramyun stall were definitely the highlights of the day for us. It felt really special about the event taking place in our city. It was one of the best experiences this year.”

Hyderabad — K-Pop Fans Get-Together 

Inside Hyderabad’s League Financial District, a Pop-Up Park by HYBE was set up on May 23, for fans to experience and celebrate music and the fan culture. Monika, a K-pop fan from Hyderabad, shared her experience from the park. 

Venue, Booths and Performances 

The Pop-up Park in Hyderabad featured booths similar to those in other cities— H&M, Samsung, Kia, Nongshim, Shoppers Stop, and a space for fans known as the Weverse message wall. The following day, there were additional activities, excluding the booths, that were arranged. It included a live performance by Sarah Black (Indian Musical Artist), K-Quiz, Random Dance Play, K-photo booth, and K-Dance Party with a food park and walk-in audition stage for fans. 

Fan’s Experience

Monika from Hyderabad shared that the pop-up felt lively yet chaotic and disorganized.  

“As we entered, the Shin Ramyun pop-up stall was the first thing that caught our attention. I expected it to be similar to the North events that happened, but it was completely different. The food and beverage choices were very limited. The only good thing was that they had arranged hydration points. This event meant a lot to us, since it was the first time such a Korean event had happened in Hyderabad. Every single one of us was hyped up before the event, with enthusiasm and happiness. 

I got to experience the Shin Ramyun and H&M booths. The other booths were too crowded, and it was so difficult for me to choose my favorite activity because it was chaotic. Most of us were literally struggling to breathe. Except for the crowded booths, everything else felt good; we sang and rooted for our biases, and enjoyed getting to know each other. I also made new friends and met a few fellow fans. 

All the games and activities hosted were kinda mix. Most of the freebies were for Fandom Passport holders, and the long queue at every booth was kinda disappointing. I was excited for Sarah Black, and then we left. But overall, the crowd’s reaction was good. 

We expect the future events to be better planned and organized. Such events encourage people and allow fans to know more about Korean culture and explore the roots in depth. It’s exciting to experience these events in our city. But my favorite memory will be of the crowd singing and screaming for their biases while waiting for the gates to open.”

Bengaluru — Once Again a Weekend Celebrating with the K-pop Community

HYBE India Pop-Up Park took over two evenings in Bengaluru, i.e., on May 30 and 31, 2026, at Ebisu Convention Center, Chokkanahalli. Keertana Gowda, a K-pop fan who attended, shared her expectations and wonderful experience at the event.

Venue, Booths and Performances 

The booths were diverse, starting with H&M’s innovative tattoo and photo experiences, and engaging games. The Samsung booth was impressive, highlighting Galaxy AI features and including fun, interactive activities. The Shin Ramyun stall offered food tastings, Kia and Shoppers Stop also had many activities, and Weverse Wall, the fan letter zone, had an enjoyable photo booth. 

Special performances by artists like Ranj x Clifr, Sarah Black, and Adi &Dishan were highlights of the event. The stage also provided opportunities for group performers like The Helix, Serin, and more. The event activities included a thrilling three-round K-Quiz game, Random Dance Play, and the Gymnastic performance by a talented crew, which was phenomenal.

Along with that, there was a food park to explore food and the marketplace to shop for handmade goodies. The crowd enjoyed every bit of the day, with their immense excitement fueling the enthusiasm.

Fan’s Experience

Keertana Gowda from Bengaluru shared how the high-quality setup grabbed their attention. Since it was a HYBE event, the excitement was palpable, making it memorable from start to end. Despite the long queuing, the exceptional setup and overall atmosphere made it fantastic.

“On the first day, I had some doubts based on social media reports about the potential queuing issues and management. However, attending day two of the official HYBE POP-UP event in Bengaluru completely exceeded my expectations. The overall management, event lineup, brand collaborations, and unique fan engagement strategies were truly fantastic. 

The booths were highly engaging. The event arrangements had interesting interactive games, such as song-guessing challenges, followed by the Random Dance Play and performances, which were particularly exciting. The atmosphere was electric. While queuing was a challenge, it was understandable if we look at the large fan base in India.

It was an opportunity to connect with fellow fans and share similar interests, which was invaluable. The gathering encouraged discussions about biases, music taste, and artistic means for each individual. It was a truly wonderful time that made me appreciate the company and the fandom.

The way everyone participated with such excitement made it a very engaging and memorable atmosphere. A particularly surprising moment for me was the responses during the song-guessing games. The crowd was so knowledgeable that it was a challenge for the hosts to select winners, which was both surprising and impressive.

Also, the photo booths, RDP, and artist lineup were thoughtfully done, and the encouraging approach to the Indian group auditions all contributed to a genuinely outstanding event. As a devoted BTS fan for over six years, the establishment of the official HYBE office in India has been incredibly significant following the Golden Exhibition. It fueled my anticipation for official events, similar to those in America, South Korea, and Japan. 

Since the event primarily focused on K-pop and the K-entertainment industry, I noticed a significant lack of ‘K-culture’ elements. And I truly hope that the future events will embrace Korean cultural elements.

It feels truly fantastic to have an event like this take place in my city. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with a fan community that passionately shares similar interests and be part of such a significant cultural moment. The one memory that will undoubtedly stand out a year from now is the overwhelming enthusiasm and positive collective energy of the crowd that created a truly memorable atmosphere.”

Delhi — The Grand Finale of the HYBE Pop-Up Park1

On June 13 and 14, HYBE India’s Pop-up Park took over Yashobhoomi (IICC), New Delhi, for two unforgettable evenings, setting an excitement among all K-pop fans across the city. Pratyusha Dash, one of the attendees, revealed how heartwarming it was to see so much love and passion in one place, and the way fans enjoyed the music together truly created a memorable atmosphere. 

Venue, Booths and Performances 

It was a large venue packed with fans waiting in line for a HYBE Passport, as fans had to participate in activities at the booths and collect stamps to win freebies, which made the experience more engaging.

Fans also had the opportunity to explore the brand booths of H&M, Kia, Nongshim, Samsung, Shoppers Stop, along with a Weverse wall for messages and a Snapchat photo booth to snap moments with their favorite artist. The energetic live performances by Reble, Bharg, Pho, and Akshath, respectively, arranged for both days, got the entire crowd dancing and singing along. To make the atmosphere more exciting, DJ Zelo took the stage, playing amazing K-pop music, followed by a K-Quiz session, fans joining in for Random Dance Play by ADCO, and the food park for fans to enjoy the selection. 

Pratyusha shared that the moment that surprised her the most was the fan message board, where people poured their hearts out by writing messages for their favorite artists.

All the songs played were crowd favorites, which made the RDP even more exciting. Especially, hits like “Dynamite” by BTS, “Super” by SEVENTEEN, and multiple songs by ENHYPEN, ILLIT, and other HYBE artists had everyone singing and dancing along. With the incredible energy, it was impossible for fans not to join in. 

Fan’s Experience

Pratyusha Dash shared how captivated she felt seeing the large venue, and every corner filled with enthusiastic, energetic fans. 

“It was impossible to ignore the lively atmosphere. Everyone was interacting with one another, participating in fun quizzes and activities, enjoying delicious food, and simply having a great time. The excitement was contagious, making the event feel like more than just a pop-up. It felt like a celebration. The vibrant energy immediately made me feel excited to explore everything at the venue.  

Before I entered, there was a huge rush of people, excited to enter, and the atmosphere felt so vibrant and welcoming. Once inside, there were several pop-up stalls, a message wall where fans could express themselves, random dance plays, and plenty of opportunities to meet and interact with fellow fans. 

I was really excited before attending the park because it was one of South Korea’s biggest entertainment companies hosting a large-scale free event in India. I was excited to see how everything would be arranged and come together. While it could have had more activities and the long queues at the pop-ups were overwhelming, the event still met my expectations in many ways. The quizzes, random play dance, food, fellow fans, and live performers created a fun and memorable experience. 

Attending this pop-up park event meant a lot to me as a fan because it gave me the chance to celebrate my love for major HYBE groups like BTS, SEVENTEEN, and TXT while interacting with fellow fans who share the same passion. One of the highlights for me was enjoying performances by Reble, Bharg, and dance crews like Outkast. The entire experience felt like a celebration of music, community, and fandom that I’ll always remember. 

I was able to visit the Nongshim booth, where I played a game and won a prize, which was a fun experience. However, due to the huge crowds and long queues, I couldn’t explore all the pop-up booths. I especially enjoyed the live performances, including Reble’s set, the random play dance sessions, and the quizzes. The message board was also a nice touch, allowing fans to share their thoughts. We also had fun taking photos with the themed props. Overall, it was a decent and enjoyable experience despite the crowd. 

There were plenty of games and interactive activities that kept the audience engaged throughout the event. The various pop-up booths offered fun games and freebies, while quizzes encouraged fans to participate. The random play dance sessions were a major highlight, bringing everyone together. There was also good food, a hydration center, and several photo opportunities, making the experience enjoyable. 

I attended the event with some of my older friends who share my love for K-pop, and we had an amazing time enjoying the performances and activities together. I also interacted with several new people throughout the event. Everyone was friendly and enthusiastic, and the overall vibe made it easy to connect with fellow fans. I think events like this help people experience Korean culture in a new way.

Since the event was free and open to everyone, it encouraged people from different backgrounds to participate, even if they weren’t previously interested in Korean culture. It felt like a significant moment as an Indian fan. It gave me the feeling that our city is finally being recognized on the global K-pop map.”

Conclusion 

Starting from May 2, 2026, HYBE INDIA organized an exclusive official POP-UP PARK experience for fans across India. Cities like Guwahati, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi experienced a vibrant event until June 14, 2026. Each city’s POP-UP PARK had various booths and interactive games along with an electric atmosphere during the random dance play and performances. 

Fans from each city shared how meeting fellow fans, singing along to familiar songs, and cheering together created a strong sense of community and made the event feel even more special. Some even observed parents accompanying their children and enjoying the event with the same energy.

By combining music, games, food, and fan activities, the event tried to introduce Korean culture in a fun, welcoming, and accessible way for people of all ages across India. The overall energy showcases the excitement and enthusiasm for events related to South Korea, K-pop, and its culture. 

Were you able to attend the Pop-Up event? How was your experience? Tell us know in the comments!!

One Comment Add yours

  1. Moumita Mondal says:

    Want to attend someday 🥰

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