- South Korean First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young, and JYP Entertainment’s founder J.Y. Park turned an Indian K-pop event into a strategic soft-power platform.
- India, notably, is the second-largest market for Korean culture consumption, next to the Philippines.
- Eminent K-pop agencies are launching audition drives while eyeing entry into the Indian market, focusing on the development of local talent ecosystems.
Amid President Lee Jae Myung’s diplomatic state visit to India, the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi transitioned into an epicenter of soft power on Monday (April 20, 2026). The First Lady of South Korea, Kim Hye Kyung, joined a capacity crowd of 3,000 audience for the "K-Dream Stage: All India K-Pop Grand Championship 2026." The event highlighted the intensifying cultural affinity between the two countries.
The venue’s atmosphere reached a fever pitch when Anupam Tripathi, the Indian actor who gained global acclaim through his Squid Game role, introduced the First Lady. Kim addressed the crowd by saying that she was recently made aware of India’s growing interest in Korean culture, and experiencing the "vivid passion and enthusiasm" in person gave her a more profound testament to the bilateral bond.
South Korean First Lady Kim, Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young, and J.Y. Park Headline Star-Studded Panel
The “K-Dream Stage: All India K-Pop Grand Championship 2026” was hosted by the Korean Cultural Center India this year, marking a milestone for an initiative that has evolved steadily since its inception in 2011. The competition operates under a "champion of champions" format, where top winners from the past five years are put against one another. The finalists in the vocal category performed songs by Ailee, Shannon Williams, and IU, while the ones competing in dance performed to the hits by Kep1er, Aespa, and Riize.
The South Korean First Lady Kim’s visit to the venue was marked by the presence of South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young and K-pop pioneer J.Y. Park. Notably, J.Y. Park, the founder of JYP Entertainment, currently serves as co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange.
This JYP India event with the South Korean First Lady had renowned waacking specialist LIP J and a diverse lineup of performers, like the group Younite, Indian singer Dhvani Bhanushali, and the multinational group X:IN, featuring Indian member Aria. Additionally, HYBE India head Lee Woo-chang was also present at the event.
Did J.Y. Park Perform Live at the India Event?
Although J.Y. Park attended as a judge, there have been no confirmations of JY Park performing anytime soon. However, this event does raise hope for fans to expect a JY Park India collab in the future. Notably, in Dec 2025, reports suggested that the Stray Kids agency was looking for an Indian entry just like BTS’ label HYBE. However, no other developments have been reported from JYP’s side yet. On the other hand, HYBE India has already launched an audition drive in the country for a girl group.
What is the Role of Cultural Diplomacy between India and South Korea?
According to the "Survey on Overseas Hallyu Status" released by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on March 30, India is listed amongst the 30 surveyed nations where Korean culture is popular. Interestingly, the Bollywood-country only trails behind the Philippines, ranking at No. 2, on the list.
The South Korean First Lady highlighted the strategic importance of these base-level connections to the spectators and dignitaries present at the event "Culture has the power to connect people across borders," Kim said, defining the championship as a tool to broaden cultural exchanges and enhance mutual empathy between the two nations. As the top three teams advanced to the finals, the event emphasized a new reality. It signaled that K-pop and K-drama are no longer some foreign exports, operating in an industry miles away; rather it is slowly starting to take root as a permanent and thriving fixture within the Indian landscape.
