RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct 8, (Agencies): Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, witnessed an exhilarating celebration of K-pop as the renowned KCON music festival made a triumphant return to the city. The vibrant event unfolded at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City, featuring a dazzling lineup of 14 Korean bands.

Building on the success of Riyadh's inaugural KCON festival in the previous year, this year's Riyadh KCON expanded its horizons by featuring even more Korean acts. The festival was not just about music; it also showcased an exhibition dedicated to Korean culture and a bustling market offering a wide array of Korean products.

The two-day KCON 2023 festival brought together an eclectic mix of Korean bands and solo artists. The lineup included Everglow, Highlight, Kard, Riize, Super Junior, Dreamcatcher, EL7Z Up, Evnne, Oh My Girl, Tempest, and The New Six. For avid fans, there were special meet-and-greet sessions where they had the opportunity to receive signed photographs of their favorite K-pop albums.

One enthusiastic attendee, Razan Al-Harbi, expressed her excitement, saying, "I love this year’s lineup, which included Korean bands from the first wave of K-pop, Super Junior, and Highlight. I listened to their music as a teenager, and I am 28 years old now. I never thought I would see them live, let alone in Riyadh."

Another KCON enthusiast, Reem Ibrahim, remarked on the festival's unique charm, saying, "Their energy is beyond amazing. I attended other concerts before, but KCON has always been different. It not only brings our favorite Korean bands and artists here to our home but also elements of Korean culture to Riyadh, like food, snacks, and other products."

KCON is celebrated as one of the largest Korean cultural festivals, co-created by Koreaboo and organized by CJ ENM, a prominent entertainment company based in Seoul.

The Kingdom's hosting of KCON is a result of an agreement signed between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and CJ ENM in June 2022. This initiative aligns with the ministry's commitment to promoting international cultural exchange, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

Seo Young-Choong, executive vice president of the international tourism division of the Korea National Tourism Organization, emphasized the significance of cultural exchange between Korea and Saudi Arabia. He stated, "Korea and Saudi Arabia have been economic partners for the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962. Through the spread of Korean culture, we seek to further enhance cultural and tourism exchanges between Korea and Saudi Arabia."

In recognition of the growing importance of Saudi Arabia as a tourism market, KNTO (Korea National Tourism Organization) showcased its Visit Korea Year 2023-2024 marketing pavilion at the KCON exhibition. They have designated 2024 as a special promotion year to enhance Korea's appeal as a destination for Saudi Arabian visitors. KNTO plans to collaborate with international travel agencies, local outbound travel agencies, and airlines to develop and promote Korean travel products.

Seo further explained, "KNTO also works to provide basic tourism information such as halal food and prayer places, which are important factors among tourists from the Middle East."

In essence, KCON 2023 was a thrilling amalgamation of Korean music, culture, and shared enthusiasm, bridging cultures and fostering deeper ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea.