By Priscilla Osaje
The Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) on Friday graduated 12 talented children from its 2025 K-pop Dance Academy during a ceremony held at the centre in Abuja.
K-pop, short for Korean pop, is a music genre blending pop, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic dance music, and is central to South Korea’s cultural identity and global cultural diplomacy.
The academy aims to promote cultural exchange through music and dance between South Korea and Nigeria, helping children appreciate K-pop while building their creativity, teamwork, and performance skills.
Ms Yunjin Lee, Programme Officer at KCCN, during the graduation event, said the 2025 academy focused solely on children, as other ongoing classes already catered to youths interested in singing and dance choreography.
She explained that while most K-pop lyrics were in Korean, many including English, and the universal language of dance allowed participants to connect regardless of language or nationality.
“Dance brings people together. We’re not preaching Korean culture; it’s about shared interest.
“Anyone curious about K-pop or dance is welcome to participate and enjoy the experience,” Lee said.
She encouraged parents to register early for the next session, adding that 2025 turnout improved due to better timing during school holidays.
“For future classes, we’re considering sessions for specific groups like the ‘mummies group’ requested by some parents,” Lee added.
The month-long programme concluded with a live performance by the children, showcasing skills they acquired during the academy’s intensive dance training.
Mr Isaac Ajiga, the dance instructor, said the children showed great improvement and resilience, even though not all registered participants could complete the course.
He noted that the presence of dedicated parents made a big difference, and in spite of initial challenges, the class environment enabled the children to thrive and bond with one another.
Ajiga commended KCCN for creating a programme that fostered unity, teamwork, and creativity among children, using culture as a bridge between nations.
“KCCN’s programme promotes diversity and teamwork. Culture has made this possible, and the children have grown through it.
“Parents even asked for similar classes for adults,” he said.
Master Morireninioluwa Garba, who won the Best Male Dancer award, said he was proud of his performance and grateful to his mother and friend Ekene for their encouragement.
“This is not my first time at KCCN, I originally came for Taekwondo.
“Returning for the dance programme has been exciting, and I love how supportive everyone here is,” he said.
Miss Dabeluchukwu Ezeoni, 13, received the Best Female Dancer award.
She said her love for K-pop helped her overcome shyness and succeed in the programme in spite of its challenges.
“I’m grateful to be among the graduands. This was a fun yet tough experience, and I thank KCCN for helping us discover our hidden talents,” she said.
NAN reports that other awardees include Miss Osas Igweike, Somce Igweike, and Salma Hyelakumi, who were recognised for punctuality and dedication throughout the training.
(NAN)