CEBU, PHILIPPINES — The Changwon K-Pop World Festival Cebu preliminary competition returns on June 27, with organizers — the Consulate of the Republic of Korea and Y101 FM’s Hallyu IL — hoping that at least one of its top three winners will emerge as a strong contender for a spot in the global finals to represent the Philippines in South Korea this October.
“We sent the details of our top three winners from last year’s contest to [organizers] in Korea, but they also have to choose among the different preliminary competitions in the Philippines. That’s why this competition is very tough, as we have not sent a group [from the Cebu prelims] to South Korea yet. That’s why we are aiming this year to finally send a group to Korea,” Hallyu IL host June Rabin said during a press conference on June 17 at 7107 Restaurant in 88th Avenue.
Last year’s champion was the Bacolod-based dance group X: Encrypted, which won the preliminaries with an energetic performance of SEVENTEEN’s “Getting Closer.” Cebu-based groups Understatement and Young Villains were named first and second runners-up, respectively, for their crowd-pleasing performances of KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” and BTS’ “Mic Drop.”
Young Villains, in particular, is returning as one of the 30 finalists competing in the Dance Cover Groups category. Other returning contestants from last year’s competition include HEDONE, HENOSIS, KEMIKAL X, LILIES, LUCENT, MIX OF ANGELS, N’OVELLUS, Orpheus, SONATA, THE GLITZ, and ZENITH.
Also competing are dance groups ALPHA, AXXENT, CHAOS, DCTGK, HIGHNESS, IMMIENCE, NEXUNENT, Nyxie, ONCE, OR1ON, Paragon, SH1ONE, Slick, SNX, Thick Balance, VIBRAEX, X.O, and ZEAL.
This year’s Changwon Cebu preliminaries will also feature five vocal cover acts in a separate category: ARZA, LEEIYY, Ezra Augusto, Maria Clara, and MÉLUNE.
Like last year, some of the participants are not from Cebu. Among the 35 contenders are Bohol-based groups OR1ON in the Dance Cover category and LEEIYY in the Song Cover category. Also joining the competition is Manila-based ALPHA, a dance group known in the K-pop dance group community for their numerous victories in competitions.
The grand champion will receive a P20,000 cash prize, while the top three winners will be endorsed for consideration in the global finals of the Changwon K-Pop World Festival.
The organizers said that a dance group’s strong sense of identity and history, as well as its understanding of K-pop and its performance standards, are among the major factors considered for qualification to the global finals.
This year’s preliminary competition will take place at Ayala Malls Central Bloc starting at 2 p.m. Rabin said of the partnership with the venue, known to frequently hosts K-pop events: “The Changwon K-Pop World Festival is one of the most anticipated events for K-pop fans here in the Philippines. As Filipinos who appreciate Korean culture, we want to give them a very nice stage and make them feel like their idols.”
The competition will be held at the mall’s Activity Center, which features a holding room behind the stage where participants can wait out of sight before their performances. “Ayala is giving us a dressing room for these groups. They feel like stars with their dressing room,” Rabin added.
Consul General Yim Jeanhyuk said holding a preliminary competition of the Changwon K-Pop World Festival in Cebu is crucial in strengthening cultural exchanges between South Korea and the Philippines, particularly in Cebu, which has become a major destination for Korean visitors.
“Cebu is one of the top destinations for Koreans, as around 170,000 Koreans visited Cebu last year. They are very interested in the Philippines, especially in Cebu where there are many places to visit,” Yim said.
“I also see that some locals are interested in the way of life in South Korea. That’s why we see Cebu as one of the centers of cultural exchange between Korea and the Philippines,” he added.
| Januar Junior Aguja / VAB
