Writer: Ayesha Zamar (Delhi, India)

Editor: Kakumani Navya Sri (Hyderabad, Telangana, India)

Rang De Korea was held on October 23 and 24, 2026, at Nexus Select CITYWALK in Saket, New Delhi, making it a little corner of Korea as the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) hosted its popular cultural event, which was organised as part of Korea Culture Day 2026. It brought together Korean food, music, beauty, traditional arts, and entertainment for Korean culture enthusiasts in India.

This year’s theme was “One Light, Two Cities”, which was inspired by India’s Diwali and Korea’s Chuseok. Although these are celebrated in different countries, both festivals share similar values of family, happiness, togetherness, and new beginnings. Rang De Korea celebrated the friendship between India and South Korea and brought the cultures of both countries a little closer through this theme.

There was a lot to explore throughout the two days. From food and shopping stalls to cultural activities, dance performances, and a special appearance by K-Pop group NTX, the festival offered something for everyone interested in Korean culture.

A JOURNEY THROUGH KOREAN CULTURE

The theme of this year’s festival was an important part of the celebration. By bringing together Diwali and Chuseok, Korea Culture Day 2026 highlighted the similarities between the two festivals. During the opening ceremony, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, H.E. Lee Seong-ho, delivered the welcome remarks and spoke about the shared values of both festivals, especially their focus on family, community, and togetherness.

One of the best things about Rang De Korea was the variety of activities and stalls spread across the venue. There were different sections dedicated to K-Pop, K-Beauty, K-Food, traditional Korean games, and K-Content, giving visitors a chance to explore different sides of Korean culture.

The food and shopping stalls were among the busiest sections, and the cultural activities gave visitors a chance to learn more about Korean traditions. The Hanbok stall was particularly popular, with a long queue of people waiting to try on the traditional Korean outfit. The event also had a corner for traditional Korean games where fans tried their hand at Yutnori.

Another interesting spot was the K-Drama Zone. With its K-drama-themed look and eye-catching setup, it was a great place to take pictures. There were several other decorated corners around the venue to make sure that visitors could capture themselves at different spots.

The entertainment initially began with the Random Dance Play, which brought huge excitement for the visitors. K-Pop fans got to enjoy their favourite songs, dance their heart out on familiar choreography, and join in the fun. There were also energetic flash mobs by two dance groups who had practiced hard for the event. Both groups put on impressive performances with their synchronised moves and energetic choreography. With music, dancing, and audience participation, the opening activities set a lively mood for the rest of the event.

A STAGE FILLED WITH MUSIC, TRADITION AND ENERGY

The main performance stage was one of the biggest attractions at Rang De Korea 2026. The stage looked beautiful with lantern decorations and an event-branded backdrop. The lighting added to the overall look, especially when it lit up during the performances. The entire setup gave the stage a concert-like feel and made each performance even more enjoyable. The lineup included a mix of traditional Korean music, classical performances, dance, and martial arts.

Daekyeung University Taekwondo Demonstration Team brought energy to the stage with their Taekwondo demonstration. The students showcased impressive strength, discipline, and coordination through their moves. Their performance was a great way to introduce the audience to the skill and practice involved in this traditional Korean martial art. Eolssigu presented a lovely musical performance featuring traditional Korean instruments such as the Gayageum, Haegeum, and Bipa, along with the piano. The mix of instruments created a beautiful sound and gave the audience a glimpse of Korea’s traditional music.

The violin duo AYUNI, featuring Ahn and Yuni, brought a different mood to the stage. Their performance was extremely graceful and soothing, offering a calm and soulful touch to the evening. Atti Classic was a mixed pop-opera and vocal crossover quartet that impressed the audience with their vocal performance. They also surprised everyone by performing “Kesariya”, a popular Bollywood song. It was a lovely moment that brought Indian and Korean music together. DEEPER also brought something really different with its combination of four wind instrument players and a DJ. Their performance mixed electronic music with live instruments, creating a sound that felt like a live band performance.

The programme also included a traditional instrumental performance by two female musicians, who played the much-loved Korean folk song “Arirang.” The beautiful and calming rendition was a lovely way to experience a part of Korea’s musical heritage.

NTX BRINGS K-POP ENERGY TO DELHI

One of the most awaited parts of Rang De Korea was the performance by South Korean boy group NTX. The group brought their usual energy to the stage, performing their own songs along with some exciting Bollywood mashups. Their sharp choreography, coordinated moves, and stage presence kept the audience entertained throughout.

The Bollywood mashups were the most fun addition. Hearing familiar Indian songs like “Kesariya”, “Kaala Chashma”, and “Koi Mil Gaya” mixed with K-Pop made the performance even more special. It was a fun combination of two music cultures, and the group clearly enjoyed connecting with their Indian audience. But NTX’s appearance was not limited to the stage.

The members also spent time interacting with fans around the venue. They handed out goodies, tried speaking in Hindi, and even used a few words that a fan had taught them. The group also visited their photo booth to promote their haircare brand and continued meeting people around the venue. These small interactions made their appearance more personal and gave fans another reason to remember the day.

EXPLORING KOREAN FOOD AND SHOPPING STALLS

Food was another big part of Rang De Korea. The venue had several stalls offering Korean food, snacks, desserts, and drinks. There was a huge variety to choose from, whether visitors wanted to try something new or enjoy some familiar favourites. Some of the stalls included Got Tea, ARIH, LEHEM, Seoul Station, Beekend Drinks, Tacorea, Gurgaon Kimchi, and I-KETS.

Got Tea served refreshing tea, while ARIH brought its ramen products to the festival. LEHEM offered mochi, buns, and other snacks, making it a good stop for anyone with a sweet tooth. Seoul Station had a variety of food options, including sushi, corn dogs, and tteokbokki. It also offered several vegetarian options, which were a welcome addition for visitors who prefer vegetarian food.

Beekend Drinks served refreshing beverages, including fresh orange juice, while Tacorea offered tacos. Gurgaon Kimchi brought different varieties of kimchi along with lemon tea, giving visitors a chance to try different Korean flavours. There were many other stalls serving different types of food and snacks, so the food section had something beyond just Korean dishes.

Apart from food, visitors could also explore shopping stalls selling beauty products and other merchandise. While most of the stalls focused on food, a few were dedicated to K-Beauty, offering a chance to discover Korean beauty products and trends.

FAN EXPERIENCE

Sweety from New Delhi shared her experience of how she enjoyed every bit of the event and fell in love with Korean culture even more.

Rang de Korea 2026 was crazy! Attending again after four years and experiencing it with my younger sister made it even more memorable. From finally ticking hanbok off my bucket list to exploring food stalls, shopping, photogenic spots, and cultural activities, everything was so lovely! I absolutely loved the vegetarian food at Seoul Station, Got Tea’s delicious drinks, and all the little fangirl moments. The decorations, lanterns, and evening lights were beautiful!

There were Random Dance Play and flash mobs too. The two dance groups I remember most were Outkasted and Sun1set. They were so cool! Their performances were such bangers, and I enjoyed watching them. The energy, the dancing, and the overall vibe made the performances really entertaining. The cultural performances, especially Taekwondo, were fire; it made me want to learn Taekwondo myself. Then the traditional music and dance were really amazing. I absolutely adored NTX’s performance! Their Bollywood mashups, insane choreography, and sweet fan interactions stole the show. Their energy, effort, and the way they connected with Indian fans made the whole experience so much more memorable!

Came back with a full heart, countless memories, and even more love for Korean culture.

CELEBRATING THE INDIA-KOREA BOND

The two-day event was also a reflection of the Korean Cultural Centre India’s efforts to introduce Korean culture to more people in India and strengthen the bond between the two countries. Although the activities remained almost the same for both days, the fans enjoyed the experience and appreciated the hard work of the performers. Over the years, Rang De Korea has become an important platform for cultural exchange. It gives Indian audiences an opportunity to experience Korean traditions and allows Korean artists to connect with their growing fanbase in India.

This year, the celebrations were not limited to Delhi either. The festivities continued with K-Harmony Festa in Hyderabad on October 25, 2026, taking the celebration to another city. With its mix of food, music, traditional performances, and interactive activities, Rang De Korea brought together different parts of Korean culture in one place, as it was a celebration that went beyond K-Pop and K-Dramas and gave visitors a chance to discover more about Korea.

As interest in Korean culture continues to grow in India, events like these give people more opportunities to experience the Hallyu wave up close and learn about the culture behind it. Did you attend Rang De Korea 2026? What was your favourite performance or attraction? Let us know in the comments!