International students show off their K-pop dance moves on stage during the Hello Mr. K 2018 concert, held at the Chungnam National University in Daejeon on Oct. 25.
By Min Yea-Ji and Lee Hana
Photos = Kim Sunjoo
Daejeon | Oct. 25, 2018
They were amateurs but their energetic dance moves were just as eye-catching as any K-pop idol group on a well-lit stage.
This year the annual Hello Mr. K! concert opened at the Chungnam National University in Daejeon on Oct. 25.
The concert, organized by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), gives international students in Korea a chance to experience Korean culture and perform on stage. The concert is now in its fourth year running.
Though the concert started in the afternoon, the 1,600 seat hall was filled to capacity. The show kicked off with a LED dance performance by the Saengdonggam Crew.
Director Kim Tae-hoon of the Korean Culture and Information Service delivers a welcome address at the Hello Mr. K 2018 concert, held at the Chungnam National University in Daejeon on Oct. 25.
Next, traditional singer Lee Bong-geun hit the stage with well-known tunes from Chunhyangga, a famous pansorifolk tale. When Lee sang “Sarang-ga,” a love song from the tale, members of the audience sang along to the tune in perfect Korean. When the lyrics became too difficult to follow, laughter filled the concert hall.
Demien Mahendran, a French student at Chungnam National said that “the singer’s voice was both sad and powerful,” praising the performance.
The highlight of this year’s program was a K-pop cover dance performance, staged by Fantasma Korea, a group made up of 40 international students. When the group danced to hits like Black Pink’s “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” Momoland’s “Bboom Bboom” and Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” the crowds cheered loudly in support.
“I went through some hard times living here as an international student, but since joining this group and meeting our dance teacher and my dancer friends, I’ve had the best time,” said Zhou Jiahui from China, a member of Fantasma Korea. “I want to perform again at every opportunity,” she added.
Ji Wenhan, a Chinese student who danced in the front row of Fantasma Korea’s act, said that she had danced to K-pop since arriving in Korea. “This was my first time dancing in front of so many people. I’m so thrilled,” she said.
“The hard work you put into prepping for this stage will become good memories. I hope you got a chance to experience more of Korean culture through today’s concert,” said Director Kim Tae-hoon of KOCIS.
Almost all members of the audience stayed the full length of the concert, some even staying after the final curtain call to take photos with one another. Each of their faces lit up with joy.
Traditional pansori singer Lee Bong-geun sings during the Hello Mr. K 2018 concert, held at the Chungnam National University in Daejeon on Oct. 25.
jesimin@korea.kr
