K-POP Meets Local Communities...Generational-Bridging Performances Across the U.S. and Korea

The popularity of K-POP is expanding beyond global stages to become a generational-bridging cultural activity in various local communities. Fairfax County in Virginia, U.S., has included K-POP performances as a key part of the 2025 AAPI Festival organized by its parks department. This free event, held at Mason District Park in Annandale, will feature lion dances, traditional and modern dances from China, Nepal, Korea, and Vietnam, kung fu demonstrations, hula performances, as well as K-POP and Korean drum shows by local cultural groups. Meanwhile, Gangnam-gu in Seoul will host the “2025 G-KPOP Concert” from May 24 to 25 at the Sinsa-Jamwon area of Hangang Park. Taking place from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for two days under the slogan “Emotional Connection Across Generations,” it is designed to entertain everyone from Generation Z to Generation X. On the 24th, STAYC, Dreamcatcher, Nud Connection, Hwang Ga-ram, RAKE, and Yoon Soo-il will perform, while on the 25th, Kim Taewoo, Jinny, SpaceA, Lee Ja-yeon, Park Mi-kyung, Park Hyun-bin, and COOL Lee Jae-hoon will take the stage. As a free event, it offers a variety of supplementary activities for family audiences, including concerts, busking performances, fireworks, and picnic areas. Additional busking performances will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 25th, followed by fireworks after the two days of performances. Live broadcasts will also be available via 1theK and the Gangnam-gu government’s YouTube channel for viewers who cannot attend in person. Such cultural activities are also fostering a sense of volunteerism among local youth. The K-POP club at Colorado Integrated Korean School visited Anna’s House, a senior care facility in Aurora, on the 4th to deliver a special performance. The club performed five songs: KATSEYE’s “Touch,” BABYMONSTER’s “Forever,” aespa’s “Spicy,” Stray Kids’ “Giant,” and BABYMONSTER’s “Really Like You.” The seniors smiled brightly, kept time with the music, and danced along with the children, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Grandma Lee Maria, 94, who resides at the facility, said, “I cried seeing the children dance so beautifully. It reminded me of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” Sister Ham Ambrosia, director of Anna’s House, stated, “Just having someone show interest, visit, and spend time with us gives the seniors energy. I hope such events happen more often.” Kim Yu-i, a 14-year-old leader of the K-POP club, said she planned this event out of a desire to perform more before school holidays and to bring joy to the local community. The club also donated part of the membership fees collected this semester to the facility. Currently, 18 members, including Kim Yu-i, Park Seo-yoon, Park Chan-sook, and Lee Ga-eun, are learning Korean culture through K-POP.