Calling all K-Pop enthusiasts! The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is excited to announce the K-Pop Dance & Singing Contest, taking place on May 6 during Passport DC’s annual city-wide Around the World Embassy Tour event. This exciting competition at the KCCDC will allow talented individuals and groups to showcase their passion for Korean pop music live on stage and even earn a chance to go to the K-Pop World Festival finals in Korea.

Don't miss out! Spectators and performers alike are welcome. Mark your calendars for May 6 and join us for an unforgettable pop culture experience at the KCCDC, plus fun cultural programs throughout the day.

For details on other performances and activities throughout the day on May 6 for Passport DC's Around the World Embassy Tour, scroll down below for the complete schedule! 

2023 K-Pop Dance & Singing Contest

Before applying to the competition, be sure to review the details below.

Key Dates & Location

Application Deadline: Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 5:00 pm (EST)

Competition Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm (EST)

Venue: Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (outdoor stage)

Overview

This year, we're shaking things up with a single K-Pop Dance & Singing Contest during our participation in Passport DC. In past years, this DC-based competition represented the regional preliminary for the K-Pop World Festival in Korea, however this year’s event will be a standalone competition as plans for the K-Pop World Festival are still being developed. Should the K-Pop World Festival be held later in 2023, the winner of each category of this competition will be recommended to advance to the finals at the festival.

How to Take Part

Contestants must meet the eligibility requirements below and submit their applications accordingly. Contestants will perform on stage at the KCCDC on the event date. The Applications may close if interest is high, so apply early to secure a spot. 

Applications are now closed! Thank you and see you at the show!

Eligibility

Applicants don’t need to have professional performance experience—just a passion for Korean pop music!

Because this program is intended to spotlight passion for K-Pop abroad and for learning the Korean language, those with Korean citizenship, or who have held Korean citizenship in the past, and those with at least one parent who has Korean citizenship or has held Korean citizenship in the past, are not eligible. Those in the U.S. on a short-term or tourism basis at the time of the audition are not eligible to compete. International students, non-U.S. citizens, and U.S. citizens are eligible to apply if they are currently living in the U.S., such as for school or another long-term purpose. Applicants do not need to be local to the Washington, D.C. region to enter this competition. Those who have been recognized as a finalist in any other K-Pop World Festival-related competition in 2022 are not eligible to compete in 2023.

Applicants found not to have adhered to these requirements at any point may be immediately disqualified.

Competition Categories & Criteria

Contestants can compete as a group (team) or as an individual in one of the following categories:

• ●Performance (one single K-Pop stage performance; this category is primarily dance, with singing optional; a pre-recorded sound track is acceptable)
   
  

• ●Vocal (one single K-Pop song performance)

Judging will be conducted based on the following criteria:

Performance Category

• Expression: 40%

• Choreography (composition and uniformity): 30%

• Stage charisma: 30%

Vocal Category

• Expression and pronunciation: 40%

• Vocal proficiency: 30%

• Stage charisma: 30%

Judges

Competition judges will be professional performers or performance managers independent from the KCCDC. Judges are currently being selected.

Winners & Prizes

One winner will be selected in each of the two competition categories:

• 1st Place, Performance Category: Trophy and prize (approximately $300 value)

• 1st Place, Vocal Category: Trophy and prize (approximately $300 value)

If the K-Pop World Festival takes place in Korea later in 2023, the winner of each category in this competition will also be recommended to advance to the finals at the festival. The process of consideration for the finals will be done separately by judges in Korea (winners will be contacted with more information in this case).

Passport DC: Around the World Embassy Tour

Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.

2370 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Washington, D.C.

May 6 | Open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Join us on Saturday, May 6 to celebrate global culture in your own backyard, with Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour! Each year in May, dozens of embassies open their doors across Washington, D.C. for this special city-wide celebration of international culture. The KCCDC is always a highlight, and this year's program is back with a full day of live performances, K-Pop dance activities, cultural experiences, exhibitions, crafts, and the 2023 K-Pop Dance & Singing Contest live on stage, 2-4 PM! The overall festivities go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so stop by at any point or see the schedule below. For more information on the month-long city-wide Passport DC event and programming at other embassies, visit eventsdc.com/passport-dc. 

Schedule of Activities

Outdoor Stage Performances

11:20 AM - 11:50 AM | Traditional Korean Performances

• ●25 Strings Gayageum

• ●Jindo Drum

• ●Giwonmu

11:50 AM - 12:30 PM | K-Pop Dance Workshop

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM | K-Pop Random Dance Play

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Traditional Korean Performances

• ●Seungmoo

• ●25 Strings Gayageum

• ●Seol Jang Gu

• ●Giwonmu

• ●MEGA DRUM

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | K-Pop Dance & Singing Contest

Outdoor Programs & Activities

• ●Korean Craft Booths

• ●Korean Food Tasting Booth (starting at 2:00 PM, limited quantities, while supplies last)

• ●Korean Literature and Animation Coloring Booth

Indoor Programs

• ●K-Animation with Literature Exhibition and Film Screenings

• ●Traditional Korean Hanbok Dress-up Experience