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The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Delhi's 3plus4crew wins big at K-pop dance finale
Inside the packed O.P. Jindal auditorium auditorium in New Delhi last weekend, the stage pulsed with energy, light, and synchronised movement. The music touched a crescendo and so did the applause. By the end of the electrifying performances, the local team, 3plus4crew not only won the crowd's hearts, but also the national title. Winners of the 15th All India K-pop Contest 2025, 3plus4crew made history by becoming the first team to win the competition twice — a feat they first achieved in 2016. Organized by the Korean Cultural Centre India, the event saw an overwhelming response from K-pop fans across the country, with over 1,278 teams participating. In the end, only three winners stood out, 3plus4crew (dance), Shylee Preetam from Hyderabad (vocal), and Riniya Taku from Itanagar (rap). Nitin Theo and Nikhil Noyal founded the group in 2016 featuring seven young college students. They have come a long way and grown into a 13-member professional crew. 'We are full-time dancers, teachers, and choreographers now. Returning to the K-pop stage after a decade is like coming full circle,' says Nitin. Most members of 3plus4crew are trained in styles ranging from hip-hop and jazz to open-style choreography. Several have taught or performed in reputed institutions across the country and overseas. Despite varied schedules, they regrouped this year eyeing a win. 'Last year, we weren't selected for the K-pop competition and it hit us hard. Later, we came across an interview where choreographer Choi Youngjun mentioned how his inspiration for this choreography came from being rejected at the Street Fighter competition. That really resonated with us. We had been facing similar hurdles in our dance careers. It was a unanimous feeling. This song, 'Super', was something we could pour all our energy into,' says Siddharth Choudhary. Rehearsals began weeks in advance, with long nights and scheduling the routines to fit around work commitments. The challenge was not choreography but coordinating the dancers. 'Balancing personal commitments with intense practice wasn't easy. Aligning our visions, energy, and timing took patience, but it made us stronger,' Nitin recalls. The crew will now represent India at the K-pop World Festival in Changwon, South Korea, later this year — an opportunity they narrowly missed after their 2016 win. 'Though we travelled to Korea then, we didn't get to perform at Changwon,' says Nitin. 'This time, we hope to not just attend, but truly represent India. That's our dream.' While their success story is a source of pride, the group has also faced scepticism. 'People often question why we follow a genre not originally ours,' says Rishabh Negi. 'But for us, dance goes beyond borders. K-pop is a language we've embraced — and we speak it with our own rhythm.'
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
K-Pop Contest 2025: Indian Fans Aim for Global Stage
The Korean Cultural Centre India is hosting the All India K-Pop Contest 2025, which began on May 14 and will conclude with the Grand Finale on July 19 in New Delhi. Now in its 15th year, the contest continues to grow and has introduced a new 'Rap' category alongside Dance and Vocal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This addition reflects the evolving interests of Indian K-pop fans and gives young rappers a space to show their unique take on K-pop rap. The competition follows a three-stage format: Online, Regional, and the Grand Finale. The online round, held from May 14 to June 7, received 1,278 team registrations from across India, showing how popular K-pop has become nationwide. Regional preliminaries will take place throughout June in 10 cities: Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Itanagar, Bhopal, New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kohima, and Hyderabad. Each city's round is managed by local fan communities, with support from the Korean Cultural Centre. Winners from the regional rounds will compete in the Grand Finale in New Delhi. The event will also feature fan meet-ups and performances by K-pop idols from Korea. Winners in each category will receive cash prizes and a chance to represent India at the K-Pop World Festival in South Korea. The contest not only promotes Korean culture in India but also helps young people connect through music. As K-pop's presence grows, the contest offers fans a space to share their passion and talent on a national stage.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Friendship through film: Screening marks India's role in Korean war
Korean Cultural Centre India organises a special screening of Korean film 'Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War' The Korean Cultural Centre India held a special Korea–India Friendship Screening to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. The event honoured the role of India's 60 Para Field Ambulance, which served as part of the United Nations Forces during the war, and highlighted the long-standing friendship between Korea and India. In 1950, India sent 341 medical personnel from the 60 Para Field Ambulance to Korea. They provided critical care on the front lines for over two years. Their service remains a strong example of humanitarian support and international cooperation. The event featured a screening of the Korean film Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War , which focuses on themes of division and brotherhood during the war. The film stars Won Bin and Jang Dong-gun, both popular among Indian viewers. The screening served as a reminder of the values shared by both countries. Visitors also had the chance to explore Korean culture through a calligraphy workshop and an immersive Virtual Reality experience. The VR tour allowed participants to view Korean landscapes and added a hands-on element to the programme. Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India, said the screening was a way to reflect on the sacrifices made and to celebrate the strong ties between the two countries. Prajal Sharma, a student who attended the event, shared that the story of India's involvement in the Korean War made the experience meaningful and strengthened his appreciation for the cultural exchange.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on 25 June 2025
#CineCall What: Korea – India Friendship Screening Catch It Live on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.(Photo: Anurag Mehra/HT) Where: Korean Cultural Centre India, Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar-IV When: June 25 Timing: 2pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Moolchand (Violet Line) #LitTalk What: The Conscience Network -- Sugata Srinivasaraju, Ravi Chopra, SR Hiremath, and Anand Kumar Where: Lecture Hall II, India International Centre Annexe, Lodhi Road When: June 25 Timing: 6pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh (Yellow Line) #TuneIn What: Sufi Night ft Master Saleem Where: Khubani, Andaz Hotel (Entry from Gate 8), Aerocity When: June 25 Timing: 8pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Aerocity (Airport Express Line) #Staged What: NSD's Summer Theatre Festival 2025 | Andha Yug Where: Abhimanch Auditorium, National School of Drama (NSD), Bahawalpur House, Bhagwandas Road, Mandi House When: June 25 Timing: 7pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Mandi House (Blue & Violet Lines) #ArtAttack What: Galliyon se Guzarti Nazar (A Glance Through the Lane) – An exhibition of watercolour, ink and charcoal by Mohd Israr Where: Art Gallery, India International Centre (IIC) Annexe, Lodhi Estate When: June 25 to July 1 Timing: 11am to 7pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh (Yellow Line) #StepUp What: Maadhuryam ft Gayatri Seth (Bharatanatyam) Where: The Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road When: June 25 Timing: 7pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium (Violet Line) #JustForLaughs What: Gaurav Kapoor Live Where: The Laugh Store, CyberHub, DLF Phase II, Sector 24, Gurugram When: June 25 Timing: 9.45pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Cyber City (Rapid Metro) For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Winners will be nominated to represent India at K-Pop World Festival in Changwon
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): The Korean Cultural Centre India presents the All India K-Pop Contest 2025, which began on May 14 and will culminate with the Grand Finale on July 19. In its 15th year, the contest has come up with much more excitement and surprises. This year's contest has seen an exciting new addition--a dedicated 'Rap' category--highlighting the evolution of the Indian K-Pop scene and encouraging participants to showcase how they interpret and perform K-Pop rap in their distinctive styles. With this expansion, there will be a total of three categories this year: Dance, Vocal and Rap, as per the press release. The competition is structured in three stages: Online, Regional and Grand Finale. The online round was held between May 14 and June 7, and it received a total of 1,278 team registrations from across the country, underlining the nationwide appeal of K-pop. After the first evaluation by regional judges from Korean culture fan communities, selected participants will move on to regional preliminaries held in June in 10 major cities. The Regional Round will kick off in Chennai on June 22 and will thereafter travel to Bengaluru, Kolkata, Itanagar, Bhopal, New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kohima and Hyderabad, bringing the excitement of K-Pop to cities nationwide. These rounds will be organised independently by each local fan community, with support and oversight from the Korean Cultural Centre India. The selected winners of the three categories from the 10 cities will compete in the Grand Finale that will be held on July 19 in New Delhi, which will again unfold many surprises. The final event will also include a fan meeting event and special performances by K-pop idol groups invited from Korea. The winners in each category will receive cash prizes of Rs 2,00,000 for first place, Rs 1,00,000 for second, and Rs 50,000 for third. Moreover, the champions will be nominated to represent India at the prestigious 'K-Pop World Festival' in Changwon, South Korea, as per the press release. Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India, said, 'This event, which has been held for the past 15 years under all circumstances, is a very meaningful festival for young people in India who love Korea and Korean culture. I would like to express my gratitude to the representatives of the Korean Culture Fan communities in 10 cities who have been of great help as the organisers of the regional preliminary rounds of the All India K-pop contests in recent years. It is touching to see young people in India empathising and communicating with each other through the unified culture of Korean music and K-pop, despite the large size of the country and the diverse languages and cultures in each region. I hope that Indian friends will participate and continue to create a place for empathy and communication through K-pop culture in India.' Oinam Surchandra, a candidate who will participate in the newly introduced rap category, said, 'I feel incredibly grateful to the Korean Cultural Centre India for giving upcoming rappers like us a platform to showcase our love for K-pop and rap. In a country where K-pop rap is still growing, this opportunity means the world. I genuinely hope that the rap category continues in future contests, as there are so many aspiring artists who dream of expressing themselves this way.' To offer a unique and enjoyable experience for K-culture fans in India, the Korean Cultural Centre India held a surprise K-pop Random Play Dance event on June 1 in New Delhi, in collaboration with the Korean Culture India Fan Club in Delhi. Around 400 fans gathered and danced to popular K-pop songs, creating a vibrant and energetic scene. Prerna Tiwari, president of the fan club, said, 'Having seen the Korean Wave grow in India for over a decade, the All India K-Pop Contest has become a source of pride for many fans. We are truly thankful to the Korean Cultural Centre India for making this experience possible,' as per the press release. (ANI)
