Stage of KCCN K-POP festival 2024

The Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria gave fans across the country an unforgettable experience at the highly anticipated K-pop festival which took place at Terra Kulture, Lagos, Nigeria on May 25th, 2024.

Attendees on the red carpet at KCCN K-pop festival

This annual K-pop festival organized by the KCCN is famous for attracting K-pop enthusiasts across the country to experience Korean Culture and also enjoy the biggest Korean singing and dancing competition in the country. Here, contestants in both categories battle for the prize of best team standing and a chance to represent Nigeria at the Inter-Country Finals in South Korea.

More Korean enthusiasts taking pictures

The event kicked off with the red carpet followed by registration of attendees who were treated to yummy snacks and given complimentary festival merch which included Tees, clappers, books on Korean culture and a raffle draw ticket courtesy of LG who were sponsors of the event.

Korean meets Nigeria: Hearts Connect

The opening speech was given by Lee Sang Ho, Korean Embassy Legal Consul who spoke about the rise and acceptance of Korean culture in the country, encouraging attendees to enjoy the festival.

The Consul General, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Lee Sang Ho giving his opening speech

The event continued with the introduction of the judges which included Praize, Celebrity Dancer and Ex- housemate from Big Brother Naija, Voice Coach Seo Ye Na and Dancer Jang Eun Jae from Korea followed by a performance from last year's Dance category winners, The Royals Dance Crew.

All competitors, judges and sponsors come together for a thrilling k-pop competition

The Competition began with a performance by Macwhitney Myles, who serenaded the audience with "Meet You Among Them" by Kim Ho Joong followed by solo dancer Adubiaro Tobi Wale who brought armys to a screaming frenzy with ON by BTS then the dance duo Team Blaze responded with an electrifying performance of Stray Kids' "Back Door".

The singing performances continued with Mari who channeled 5th gen energy with "Smart by Le Sserafim", and Ikeji Blessing gave major exhuma “Kim Go Eun” energy with popular Pansori hit "Changgwi by Ahn Ye Eun".

Olonade Victor Joseph performing, "Truth Untold by BTS"

Other acts include Amarachi Doris Amushi with “Love Is The Moment by Lee Chang Min, Olonade Victor Joseph made Armys sentimental with “Truth Untold by BTS”, Mayowa Miller gave a beautiful cover of “Back by Infinite”, Adeniji Queency Moyinoluwa with “Beautiful by Crush”, and Victory Mbagwu ended the segment singing “ I Will Go To You Just Like The First Snow by Ailee”.

Victory Mbagwu with LG and KCCN representatives taking pictures with prizes

The singing competition was bagged by Victory Mbagwu who won the grand prize of 400,000 naira, a Samsung TV and will be representing Nigeria in the Finals at South Korea.

Mayowa Miller awarded with 2nd place cash prize

Macwhitney Myles taking pictures of 3rd place cash prize with Judge Seo Ye Na.

The second and third place went to Mayowa Miller and Macwhitney Myles respectively. Macwhitney also won the most memorable singer award winning an additional cash prize of 200,000 naira.

The dance performance, on the other hand, were also unforgettable with energetic performances and colourful costumes from various teams such as FemmeForce who stormed the stage with "O.O by Nmixx", B-STARS with "Batter up by Baby Monster", Michelle Okonkwo’s epic solo performance of 2NE1 Mashup, Enigma Revolution’s warm performance of "Hello by Treasure", Classic Royalz DC with a sassy rendition of "Eve, Psyche and The Bluebeards Wife by Le Sserafim", and others.

XMOB receiving their 1st place award in dance category

XMOB dance crew won the competition with their powerful rendition of "S-class by Straykids" and got the cash prize of 700,000 naira, a ticket to representing Nigeria in South Korea and other complimentary prizes

Femmefetale with judge receiving 2nd place win

The second and third place was awarded to the fierce FemmeForce and sassy and energetic B-Stars. FemmeForce also scored another won taking home the most memorable dance performance award and the cash prize of 200,000 naira.

All winners of both categories on stage with their prizes pose with LG and KCCN representatives

Judges Seo Ye na and Jang Eun Jae also gave the audience treats with wonderful solo performances.

The audience were not left out of the winning streak as the LG raffle draw ended with four attendees winning prizes which included: 32" inches Samsung LED TV, Microwave, Sound Bar and Earbuds.

The event ended with audience cheering all contestants followed by dance dance dance. It was truly a memorable and exciting one.

Can't wait for next year's edition. Let's go guys. Hamkee Chingu!