Hanam Successfully Hosts the “Global K-POP Dance Challenge in Hanam”
K-pop Cover Dance Videos Filmed at Union Tower, Misa Regatta Park, and More
Videos Featuring Hanam Landmarks Surpass 10 Million Views on Social Media
Laying the Foundation for Hanam’s Leap as a “Global Hub for Performance Culture”
Hanam City in South Korea has ignited a global sensation with the passion of K-pop dance. The “2025 Global K-POP Dance Challenge in Hanam,” which invited 20 world-class K-pop dance influencer teams with a combined following of 70 million, successfully concluded its three-day festival from October 21 to 23, firmly establishing Hanam as the “new mecca of K-pop.”
Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam City, is taking a commemorative photo with K-POP dance influencers at Misa Culture Street on the 21st. Provided by Hanam City
The festival kicked off on the 21st with the “Dance Film Challenge,” which transformed Hanam’s city center into a massive studio. Participants produced K-pop cover dance videos against the backdrop of Hanam’s landmarks, including Union Tower with its 105-meter-high observatory offering panoramic city views, Misa Regatta Park with its dreamlike pink muhly grass, Misa Lake Park featuring the “Hanami” and “Bangwool” sculptures, Dangjeong Field, and the vibrant Misa Culture Street.
For example, Korea’s “Yeonseo” filmed a cover of “Lips Hips Kiss” (KISS OF LIFE) at Union Tower, Taiwan’s “Lala” performed “Blue Valentine” (NMIXX) at Misa Regatta Park, and France’s “Hoyna” showcased the choreography for “Gabriela” (KATSEYE) at Misa Lake Park, all producing K-pop cover dance videos set against Hanam’s landmarks.
Additionally, Olegi from the United States delivered a performance of “Miniskirt” (AOA) together with other influencers at Misa Culture Street, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
These videos, capturing performances harmonized with Hanam’s scenery at each location, rapidly spread on social media and surpassed a cumulative 10 million views, sparking an explosive response from fans around the world.
On the following day, October 22, “studio video shoots” continued at a professional dance studio. The influencers presented highly polished performances in a meticulously designed environment with music, lighting, and direction rivaling that of active idols. These videos are scheduled to be released on the Hanam Foundation for Arts and Culture’s YouTube and Instagram channels in November.
Dora Roksi from Romania, who participated in the dance film shoot, shared, “Every moment spent in Hanam, filled with romance and energy, was a special experience. In particular, the vibrant atmosphere of Misa Culture Street and the peaceful pink muhly landscape at Misa Regatta Park will remain long in my memory.”
She added, “I will actively introduce Hanam’s beautiful nature and dynamic charm to my friends and followers,” expressing her intention to share her experiences in Hanam.
The highlight of the festival was the “Dance Performance Concert” held on the evening of the 23rd at the Grand Theater of the Hanam Arts Center. All 750 seats sold out on the first day of ticket sales, and for fans unable to attend in person, the event was broadcast live worldwide via the official YouTube channels of Hanam City and the Hanam Foundation for Arts and Culture.
Lee Hyun-jae, mayor of Hanam City, is taking a commemorative photo with K-POP dance influencers. Provided by Hanam City
Additionally, the event was simultaneously broadcast on large screens at major locations such as the Hanam Youth Center, Gam-il and Deokpung Youth Culture Centers, and the auditoriums of Sinjang and Wirye Libraries, turning the entire city into a festival venue.
The event began with witty bilingual (Korean/English) hosting by broadcaster Christian Burgos and introductions by the panel of expert judges, including Park Haeri and SEA NI. Before the main competition, “short-form challenge” videos were screened, further energizing the audience.
Subsequently, 20 influencer teams, including Ten Yujin from Ukraine (23.16 million followers) and Hanna K from Australia (18.36 million followers), delivered spectacular dance performances. Participants showcased powerful stages to K-pop hits such as “LOCO” (ITZY), “All or Nothing” (ENHYPEN), “Money” (LISA), and “like JENNIE” (JENNIE).
In particular, special guest appearances by “active senior influencers” Lee Chan-jae and Ahn Kyung-ja, as well as the children’s K-pop dance team “Wootneunai,” delivered a deeply moving performance that bridged generations. The excitement peaked with a “random dance battle” involving both participants and the audience.
The awards ceremony, which concluded the event, recognized winners in two categories.
First, in the “Short-form Challenge” category, based on the total views of “Dance Film Challenge” videos filmed at Hanam’s landmarks on the 21st and posted on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms by the 22nd (with total views tallied as of 6 p.m. on the 23rd), the winners were: Grand Prize - Kami (Kazakhstan, 2,019,703 views); Second Prize - Avilina (Russia, 1,634,800 views); Third Prize - Olegi (United States, 1,148,619 views); Hanam Friends Award - Ten Yujin (Ukraine, 642,900 views).
In the “Cover Dance” category, determined by the judges at the concert on the 23rd, the awards went to: Grand Prize - Olegi (United States); Second Prize - Ozge Caltakoglu (T?rkiye); Third Prize - Kami (Kazakhstan); Hanam Friends Award - Ten Yujin (Ukraine).
Choi Giwon, a citizen who attended the concert on the 23rd, said, “It was truly moving to see performances by world-renowned influencers right here in Hanam. The passionate performances by the dancers and the atmosphere of unity with the audience created unforgettable memories.”
Hanam City expects that this event will not be a one-off, but rather serve as a crucial starting point for the city to emerge as a “global hub for performance culture” in line with the development of K-Star World.
Lee Hyunjae, Mayor of Hanam City, stated, “This ‘Global K-POP Dance Challenge’ has proven the limitless potential of K-culture and served as an opportunity to showcase the successful vision of a K-culture complex that attracts visitors from around the world. We will continue to expand and operate the ‘Global K-POP Dance Challenge’ to establish Korea’s first global hub for performance culture.”
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