By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Alexandra Taseva from Bulgaria
Video = Friday Chopticks

For seven years now since 2011, every summer and autumn the world is K-pop! The reason—the Changwon K-pop festival.

The festival is organized by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) with the support of overseas diplomatic missions and embassies of South Korea. After going through a few preliminary rounds, fans of K-pop are invited by the South Korean government to take part in the final round of the competition held every year in Changwon, South Korea. Groups such as TVXQ, Apink, INFINITE, EXO, Miss A, BLOCK B, IU, SISTAR, SHINee, EXID, VIXX, Red Velvet, TWICE, ASTRO and more are known to have joined the festivals.

According to the organizers, the purpose of the event is to bring Hallyu fans from all over the world to South Korea, thereby fusing the culture of Korea with the cultures of various other countries. “In an effort to make the event one where Korean culture comes together with the cultures of the participants, those who reinterpret or rearrange K-Pop by fusing it with their traditional music or instrument sounds, will be given extra points,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Every year the finals undergo a strong scoring system that is separated into 70% judges' choice, 20% local choice and 10% global vote. The goal for all the fans—the Grand Prize!

After six years, more than 30 participants and 18 winners, Bulgaria will participate in 2018 at the final concert in Changwon, South Korea.

Meet Kris, Kiril, Kircho, Kristiyan and Svet, the first male Bulgarian K-pop dance cover group called TOXIC a.k.a. NOODLES. With a lot of hard work, daily rehearsals, a lot of motivation and a little luck last year they won third place at the Bulgarian preliminary of the K-Pop World Festival.

So, a dream 11,000 kilometers away is already at their fingertips. They are the first Bulgarian K-pop dance cover group to compete on one stage with groups from all over the world. They left for South Korea on September 24 and the big prize they will fight for is USD 15,000. Their stay and the costs are covered by the Korean government, which has a strong policy of supporting and distributing K-culture. The boys from TOXIC will fight for the sympathy of the jury of professional dancers, for the love of the local audience or for both. All Bulgarian K-pop fans are wishing them good luck! The choreography--uncompromising!

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.