The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold a nationwide K-pop dance festival called "K-pop Playground" from May 31 through September.

The event, jointly organized with the nonprofit Visit Korea Committee (VKC), is one of 10 programs the Culture Ministry has planned for the Visit Korea Year 2023-24, according to the Culture Ministry on Wednesday. Visit Korea Year is the government's two-year tourism project in a more long-term bid to attract a cumulative 30 million tourists to Korea by 2027.

With events in 10 different locations across the country, "K-pop Playground" strives to draw tourists to the greater Seoul area as well as regional cities.

"K-pop Playground" will hold a "K-pop Random Play Dance" competition as its main event. K-pop acts H1-KEY and Billie, as well as famous dance teams HolyBang, Hook, Ladybounce, Bebe and Mbitious, which appeared on Mnet's dance audition programs "Street Woman Fighter" and "Street Man Fighter," will make an appearance.

Outstanding participants will be selected through a total of nine rounds to compete in the final, 10th "Grand Prix" round. The winner will be given prizes and an opportunity to produce a video of their performance.

"K-pop Playground" will also be setting up "K-Culture Sparkling Stores," which offer further experiences of the local culture and products, such as beauty items.

"We hope that domestic and foreign fans who enjoy K-pop will enjoy the 'K-pop Playground' event together and revitalize local festivals and tourist destinations," said Park Jong-taek, head of the Culture Ministry's Strategic Tourism Export Division. "The Culture Ministry plans to further revitalize our country's tourism by providing various activities and entertainment based on K-content."

"K-pop Playground" will kick off at the Chuncheon Mime Festival in Gangwon on May 31 followed by the Busan One Asia Festival on June 8, Hongik University Korea Beauty Festival in western Seoul on June 15, Daegu Chimac Festival on July 6, Boryeong Mud Festival in South Chungcheong on July 20, Haenam People's Square (translated) in South Jeolla on Aug. 3, Jeonju International Sori Festival in North Jeolla on Aug. 17, Gyeongju Cultural Center 1918 Plaza (translated) in North Gyeongsang on Aug. 31, Incheon K-pop Concert on Sept. 7 and Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Sept. 28.

Times and locations are subject to change.

To find out more about them, visit Celeb Confirmed!



BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]