Korea Culture Day Draws Hyderabad Crowds

Seoul met Hyderabad in a colourful celebration of music, dance and cultural traditions as hundreds of youngsters and Korean culture enthusiasts thronged Shilpakala Vedika for Korea Culture Day 2026 on Sunday.

The venue witnessed an overwhelming turnout, with crowds filling the open space and steps to catch a glimpse of the performances. Many visitors raised their mobile phones to capture the celebrations, while energetic Taekwondo demonstrations and traditional drum performances kept the audience enthralled.

The K‑Harmony Festa, organised under the theme One Light, Two Cities, brought together Korean traditions and Telangana’s cultural heritage, offering visitors a chance to experience Korean music, fashion and customs.

The main attraction was NTX, a South Korean K-pop boy group as part of Korea Culture Day 2026. The event also featured the Taekwondo demonstration team, along with Korean traditional music, classical and crossover performances, and Telangana’s Perini dance and Dappulu performances. NTX is an eight-member group that debuted in 2021.

For many youngsters, their fascination with Korea began with K‑dramas and K‑pop. Madhu, a professional dancer, said Korean dance forms and fashion attracted him to the culture. “I am fond of K‑dramas and K‑pop, particularly their dance forms and style. That is how my interest in Korean culture began,” he said.

Anupama, another visitor, said watching K‑dramas initially began as a pastime but gradually became her favourite entertainment. “I like how many Korean dramas portray women as strong characters and show that education is not the only aspect of life. The chemistry between characters is also appealing,” she said. She added that she had picked up basic Korean expressions, including greetings and words of affection.

Deepthi, a visitor, said she experienced the traditional Korean attire, Hanbok, for the first time after previously seeing it in Korean television series. Another visitor, Kavya, said such festivals helped people understand cultures beyond what they watched on screen.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said Korea’s global cultural influence demonstrated how a nation’s strength extended beyond economic and military power. He stressed that cultural exchanges could strengthen people‑to‑people relationships and open opportunities for cooperation in technology, education, tourism and investment.

South Korean Ambassador to India Lee Seong‑ho said Hyderabad was hosting the celebration for the first time. He explained that the theme drew inspiration from Diwali and Korea’s harvest festival, Chuseok, both symbolising family, togetherness and gratitude.