KATHMANDU: With stellar performance to BTS' hit number Run, Minimare became the winner of the 2023 K-pop World Festival in Nepal. They were awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 at the festival held in the Capital on July 15.

They won in the dance category leaving behind nine other finalists - five in dance and four in vocal categories.

Likewise, dancing to the tunes of Antifragile by Le Sserafim, another group Hearts to Beat (H2B) took home the second prize of Rs 40,000.

Meanwhile, the third prize went to Menma (in vocals) - they sang To My Youth by Bolbbalgan4. With this they won a cash prize of Rs 30,000.

According to a press release issued by the South Korean Embassy, that hosted the event, the winners are qualified for the Korean Preliminary round that will be held online. If they manage to win in the online competition that will be held between winners from different countries, they will be able to represent Nepal at the 2023 K-pop World Festival scheduled to be held in Changwon, South Korea in October.

According to the press statement, K-pop World Festival is held annually to promote the understanding of Korea using Hallyu content with active participation of foreigners. For this purpose, each Korean embassy around the world organises the regional preliminary round of the K-pop World Festival.

Over 40 teams had registered for the K-pop World Festival in Nepal this year from which top 10 had been selected, as per the release.

Sharing his happiness over the excitement of Nepalis towards Korean culture, South Korean Ambassador Taeyoung Park expressed at the event, 'So many young Nepali people are spreading Korean culture across the country. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you K-culture fans in Nepal.'

A version of this article appears in the print on July 17, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.