HT City, 11.25

At Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, a colourful wave of youngsters recently stood out as they gathered for the grand finale of the All India K-pop Contest 2024, hosted by the Korean Cultural Centre India. The contest, which kicked off in May with online auditions, culminated in a dazzling finale with thousands of fans in attendance. The highlight of the evening? A special performance by K-pop sensation LUN8. The competition saw six vocalists and six dance teams make it to the finals from a staggering pool of 10,559 participants across India, all vying for the grand prize — a trip to Korea. Among the finalists, some clear fan favourites emerged. Leading the charge was The Trend, a dance group from Itanagar, who ultimately clinched the top spot in the dance category. In the vocal category, the title went to Abhipriya Chakraborty, who couldn't believe her ears when her name was announced. The finale was an unforgettable experience not only for the participants but also for the audience "I came all the way from Chhatarpur, and it was well worth the long trip to Dwarka," said Aryan Sharma, one of the many attendees, adding. "The vibe of the auditorium was contagious, and I've made so many friends who share the same passion for this unique Indian-Korean "I had been waiting for this moment for so long," said Gepi Bagra, a BAMS student in Delhi, who originally hails from Itanagar, adding, "I came specifically to see The Trend perform, and they did not disappoint!" The coveted Korea trip wasn't just reserved for the winners. A lucky draw was held for attendees, and student Amisha Chettri got one of the two golden tickets. "I stayed back out of curiosity to see curiosity to see who'd win, and then I heard my number. For a moment, everything went silent. Who would've thought I'd be the one? It's surreal, I can't wait to visit Korea!" she said in disbelief.