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Kadek Gamantika (c), Ahmad Ramdoni (wk), Danilson Hawoe, Dharma Kesuma, Gede Pradipta, Fernandinho Banunaek, Gaurav Tiwari, Gede Priandana, Gede Arta, Ketus Pastika, Kirubasankar Ramamoorthy, Maxi Koda, Anjar Tadarus, Padmakar Surve

K-pop group We Are EZ performing at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark, Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma Indian K-pop group We Are EZ performing at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark, Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma

It was a windy, gloomy Saturday in the middle of spring. No sun to be seen in the late afternoon sky. But upon entering the quadrangle of Worldmark, a shopping mall in Gurgaon, spring had arrived. People were dressed in vibrant colours—baby blue, neon pink, bright yellow—and most women in the crowd were adorned with bows in their hair. A stage is set, the emcee questions the crowd, “Which Indian film is popular among idols in Korea?” The audience shouts their guesses, but their voice is muffled by the rush at the stalls. Some order corn dogs and chicken wings, others push through to glimpse minimalist jewellery at one of the booths. A few attempt to get hold of the hand mirror as they try on hair accessories. 

The second edition of the ‘Korean Karnival’, organised by Worldmark in collaboration with Adrith Marketing Solutions, took place in Delhi, NCR, on March 1 and 2. With the global rise in viewership of K-dramas and increased collaboration between K-pop idols and western artists since the pandemic, India too, grew an appetite for Korean culture. This led to festivals in metro cities that brought together food stalls, beauty product booths, K-pop music performances and more—offering an immersive Korean experience, much like the one many had seen on their screens. 

Members of Taekwon Art demonstrating Taekwondo kicks at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark, Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma Members of Taekwon Art demonstrating Taekwondo kicks at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark, Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma

Dressed in all black, a group of four enter the stage. Inspired by K-pop artists, their outfits embodied a cool, understated approach to styling, avoiding excess lustre. The three girls dazzled in knee-high socks, short skirts and sheer tops, while the boy sported a puffer jacket along with a headband, and fingerless gloves. The Indian K-pop group ‘We are EZ’ was performing at the carnival for the second time since their debut last year. 

‘Antifragile’ by Le Sserafim starts playing, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Many younger audience members mirror the group’s choreography, while others sing along to the insta-famous chorus, “Anti-ti-ti-ti-fragile/Anti-ti-ti-ti-fragile, fragile/Antifragile, antifragile”. When asked how it feels to perform in front of people who love Korean culture, Shruti, the group’s spokesperson, shared, “When we see people's faces enjoying, it reminds us of our childhood—how we would watch our K-pop idols, and aspire to be like them.” The group, started by friends, had recently concluded formal auditions for new members to join. 

Visitors enjoying Ramyun at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark, Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma Visitors enjoying Ramyun at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark,7jogos cassino Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma

The crowd, unfamiliar with the K-pop songs being performed—mostly parents and a few grandparents—sat around the stage, towards the edges of the quad, slurping on bright orange ramyun and enjoying twistatoes. Not everyone in attendance was a die-hard fan of Korean entertainment; many younger attendees found themselves drawn to the fest for skincare instead. Inderpreet, 27, who works in an IT company, shared, “This is my very first time attending a festival like this. I'm not into K-dramas, I haven't seen any because my work schedule is so hectic—I'm quite interested in skincare actually, especially because many of the Korean products have rice water.”

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For the visitors who were not into the food, music or skincare—and remained untouched by the Korean craze—the carnival still managed to entice them with an authentic display of arts and crafts. At the centre of the mall, near the reflection pool, The World Art Design showcased a live painting, using a palette knife to create cherry blossoms reminiscent of those in Jeju Island. Towards the left corner of the area stood a life-size installation of a ramen bowl. As noon turned into evening, a girl and a boy dressed as Hwarangs (elite young warriors of ancient Korea) posed in front of the installation with passersby for pictures, adding to the immersive experience. 

Korean skin clinic KorinMi's stall displaying skincare products at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark, Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma Korean skin clinic KorinMi's stall displaying skincare products at Korean Karnival 2.0 in Worldmark, Gurgaon Photo: Vikram Sharma

Speaking to Anisha Dahiya, the founder of Adrith Marketing Solutions, about including cultural exhibits at the event, she shared, “We wanted people to experience Korean culture, we keep researching the types of events that are happening around—not only in India but in Korea too. And if they are having a festival in Korea, what are the things they incorporate? There are traditional performances like drums, Samulnori, and Taekwondo—that happen in the festivals there. So we wanted people to have a glimpse of it.” 

A long queue formed in front of the Korea Tourism Organisation’s (KTO) stall, whilst nearby, a few girls posed with a large white square cutout with a rough sketch of a flower. Upon closer inspection, it is revealed to be the cover of Love Yourself: Her, an album by BTS released in 2017. The KTO stall had organised a ‘Spin the Wheel’ game, where landing on ‘Champion’ would win participants the record album as a prize.

Speaking to Outlook, Mr. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, KTO, shared, “These festivals receive an overwhelming response, underscoring the rising enthusiasm for Korean culture. Events like these not only foster cultural connections but also inspire travel by showcasing Korea’s diverse attractions, from entertainment hotspots to historical and culinary experiences. In 2024, South Korea welcomed over 176,000 Indian travellers, marking a 44 per cent increase from the previous year. This surge reflects the strong demand for Hallyu-driven experiences, culinary adventures, and premium travel options.” 

The stage lit up one final time, welcoming Taekwondo athletes from the Taekwon Art group. The performance started slow, with the team demonstrating precise stances before transitioning into kicks. With each move, the difficulty grew. The four athletes dressed in white doboks (Korean martial arts uniform) paired up—one holding a tile, the other breaking it with a forceful knifehand strike (a move similar to the famous Karate chop).  

Shoppers making their way out of the mall gathered around the stage, drawn in by the spectacle. Some recording videos and others cheering as the stunts grew bolder. One of the performers stepped forward, blindfolded. The audience went quiet—until, in a single motion, she shattered the tile. A roar of applause erupted. 

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Kori Mart's stall showcasing Korean groceries, household items and skincare products Photo: Vikram Sharma Kori Mart's stall showcasing Korean groceries, household items and skincare products Photo: Vikram Sharma

It seemed the night could not offer more—when the song APT. by Rosé and Bruno Mars filled the air. The Taekwondo group broke into a choreographed routine, performing the hook step. The energy was electric—people hooted, clapped333bet, some lingered a little longer before finally heading home, carrying with them a little bit of Korea.