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By Damiete Braide
•Contestants in a group photograph with organisers
The K-Pop Festival in Lagos concluded with a thrilling and competitive atmosphere as XMOB emerged victorious in the dance competition last Saturday. The event, which held at Terra Kulture on Victoria Island, saw 10 dance groups vying for the top spot. The contestants sang different songs from popular Korean Pop artistes to the admiration of the audience.
XMOB’s exceptional performance earned them the grand prize of N700,000 and a television. FemmForce secured the second position, taking home N500,000 and a television while the B-Stars Dance Group came third, winning N300,000 and an X Boom speaker,
•XMOB displaying their gifts with organisers
In the singing category, Victory Mbakwe claimed the first prize, standing out among 10 contestants. Her victory earned her N500,000 and a television. Mayowa Miller won the second prize with N300,000 and a television and Machinery Myles secured third place, taking home N200,000 and an X Boom speaker. FemmForce also won the popularity vote category, receiving an extra N200,000.
Mr. Lee Sangho, the Consul General at the Lagos Office of the Embassy of Korea, welcomed attendees to the grand finale of the regional preliminary round for the 2024 Korean Pop World Festival. He highlighted the significance of the festival, marking its 12th anniversary, as the largest Korean wave festival globally.
The event, which began in 2011, is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, and the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS). It features preliminary rounds in numerous countries worldwide.
In his address, Mr. Lee emphasized the remarkable talents and artistry of Nigerian youths, particularly their passion for dance and music. He acknowledged that Nigerian musicians have consistently created globally acclaimed music, showcasing their unique potentials.
Mr. Lee stressed the festival’s importance as a platform for cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria, which established diplomatic relations in 1980. He noted the growing popularity of K-Pop among Nigerian youths, highlighting how the beats and dance steps resonate with their aspirations and dreams.
“K-Pop is trending and becoming more popular among many young people, especially Nigerian youths. K-Pop beats and dance steps are tunes that Nigerian youths can really dance, sing, and relate with as it keeps their hope, aspirations, and dreams alive,” he remarked.
Victory Mbakwe, beaming with joy, shared her excitement about winning the singing competition. “I really have a love for singing, especially Korean songs. I have always liked to sing, not as a professional singer. When it comes to Korean music, I love singing. I feel ecstatic and happy,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, she added: “This is not the first time that I have competed in the Korean Pop Festival singing competition. Two years ago, I competed for the Ambassador’s Cup in Abuja but didn’t win any prize. Winning the first prize today makes me happy that this has happened to me.”
Raphael Chinomerem, the leader of the five-member XMOB dance team expressed the team’s joy and relief. “This is our first time as a team participating in the competition. Preparing for the competition as a team was not easy because we traveled from Port Harcourt to Lagos to participate. We are so happy that all our efforts were not in vain for winning the competition,” he said.
The K-Pop Festival in Lagos continues to be a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange, showcasing the talents and passion of Nigerian youths while strengthening ties between Nigeria and Korea.
