By Honorary Reporter Dayviana Diaz from Cuba
Photos = Dayviana Díaz

The inaugural edition of the Korean talent contest "The K-Factor" was held on March 14 sponsored by the AICC, a Korea-Cuba international association, at Casa de la Musica de Plaza (House of Music Plaza) in Havana.

The community of the descendants of Korean immigrants to the island nation, Cuban fans of Hallyu, a taekwondo studio, and K-pop cover singers and dancers participated in the event in front of an excited audience.

"The K-Factor" promoted exchanges and promotion of Korean culture in Cuba.

The contest was the first post-pandemic event in Cuba hosted by the AICC, which seeks to resume bilateral exchange through collaboration by organizations to stimulate knowledge and cultural flow between both nations.

Formed in 1999 by Kim Isu, who arrived in Cuba in 1991 following the route of Korean immigrants to Latin America, the AICC was initially a group of people interested in Korea and Cuba but developed into a cultural association in December 2011 based in Busan. It conducts cultural outreach activities between the two countries.

In a social media interview on March 21, the organization's director said, "We held the contest to bring Cuban youth closer to Korean things of great interest in Cuba with a modern and original edge like K-pop dance. We added the singing category to encourage interest in learning Korean since most of the contestants study the language."

Sports, singing and dancing are the highlights of "The K-Factor." 

Opening the event was a taekwondo demonstration by Estrellas de Plaza Budo with members whose ages ranged from 6 to the young teens. The martial art has grown popular in Cuba since its introduction here in 1987.

Then it was on to the competition, which featured 12 contestants including singers, Korean-language students, soloists, and K-pop cover singing and dance groups. The judges included outstanding Cuban artists like singer M Alfonso, dancer Cristian Hernandez, Korean Pacific Unification Advisory Council for Cuba member Julie Mon and the AICC's representative in Cuba Lego Kim.

Shown are the winners of the inaugural "The K-Factor." 

Claudia Soltura, leader of Adhara, one of Cuba's best-known K-pop cover groups, said in an interview, "We entered this contest because of its very interesting and innovative proposal. It was a challenge because we had to create choreography in just three days. It was the first time in almost four years for our group to do something like this and we tried our best. The event was very well organized and the attention with the dancers was excellent, and we would love to share more with the AICC project."

Representative Kim thanked the audience and said, "We Koreans find many similarities with Cubans and admire their solidarity, honesty and joy. We know Cuba's love for Korean culture, and this is why we strive to spread Korean culture and tradition in Cuba to allow youth to show their interests and passions. We hope that this is the first of many opportunities to promote exchange between Cuba and Korea."

msjeon22@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.