Korean events trending in India: A cultural wave that’s here to stay

The Hallyu Wave (Korean Wave) continues to sweep across the globe, and India is one of its most passionate new frontiers. From K-pop and K-dramas to K-beauty and Korean food, Indian audiences are embracing Korean culture like never before. But beyond the screen and skincare aisles, Korean festivals and events are also gaining attention.

Here’s a deep dive into some of South Korea’s biggest cultural events that are trending among Indian fans — and how they’re making waves in India too.

🇰🇷 1. Seoul Fashion Week

• When: March & October (biannual)

• Where: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Seoul

• Why It’s Special:
  One of Asia’s most influential fashion events, Seoul Fashion Week showcases cutting-edge Korean designers like Minju Kim, Lie Sang Bong, and Blindness, often worn by K-pop idols like BTS and BLACKPINK. The event sets trends not just in Korea, but globally.

• Indian Connection:
  Indian fashion influencers and designers increasingly look to Korean style for minimalistic yet edgy inspiration. K-fashion resellers in India are on the rise, and Korean clothing hauls are popular on Instagram and YouTube.

🇰🇷 2. Boryeong Mud Festival

• When: July

• Where: Daecheon Beach, Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province

• Why It’s Special:
  Initially created to promote the local mineral-rich mud used in cosmetics, it evolved into a massive summer celebration with mud wrestling, obstacle courses, mud painting, and K-pop performances. It’s both fun and good for your skin!

• Indian Interest:
  K-beauty fans in India are intrigued by the skincare benefits of Boryeong’s mud, and adventure travel enthusiasts are adding this unique event to their South Korea itineraries.

🇰🇷 3. Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)

• When: October

• Where: Busan

• Why It’s Special:
  BIFF is Asia’s most renowned film festival, premiering films from Korea, India, Japan, Europe, and beyond. It’s known for spotlighting independent and experimental cinema, including many cross-cultural productions.

• Indian Spotlight:
  Indian films have been showcased at BIFF, and Indian filmmakers are increasingly attending. With Korean dramas popular in India, there’s growing interest in Korea’s cinematic arts beyond mainstream.

🇰🇷 4. KCON – Korean Culture Convention

• When: Various dates across cities worldwide

• Where: Originally Korea, now in Tokyo, LA, Bangkok — and potentially India soon

• Why It’s Special:
  KCON brings together everything K-culture: K-pop concerts, beauty workshops, fashion runways, K-drama panels, K-food zones, and fan meets with idol groups.

• Indian K-pop Scene:
  With BTS, Stray Kids, and NewJeans dominating Spotify India charts, Indian K-pop fandoms are huge. Online KCON streams are already followed here, and rumors of KCON India have excited fans nationwide.

🇰🇷 5. Cherry Blossom Festivals

• When: March–April

• Where: Yeouido (Seoul), Jinhae, Gyeongju, and more

• Why It’s Special:
  Spring in Korea means cherry blossoms! These festivals celebrate fleeting beauty with cultural performances, local food stalls, and light shows. It’s romantic, Instagram-worthy, and culturally rich.

• Indian Lovebirds & Creators:
  Travel influencers, couples, and photographers from India are traveling to Korea during cherry blossom season — some even filming pre-wedding shoots there.

🇰🇷 6. Korea Sale FESTA

• When: Late September – Early October

• Where: Nationwide (online & offline)

• Why It’s Special:
  Think of it as Korea’s Black Friday. Huge discounts on K-beauty, electronics, K-fashion, and K-pop merchandise from both local shops and international e-commerce.

• India’s Shopper Base:
  Indian fans of Innisfree, Laneige, COSRX, and other K-brands look forward to this sale. Many Korean brands now ship to India or are available on Nykaa, Amazon, and niche Korean beauty websites.

🇰🇷 7. Chuseok – Korean Thanksgiving

• When: Around September (15th day of the 8th lunar month)

• Where: Across South Korea

• Why It’s Special:
  A deeply traditional celebration centered around family, food, and honoring ancestors. People wear hanbok, eat songpyeon (rice cakes), play folk games, and attend ancestral rituals.

• Cultural Insight for Indians:
  Similar to Diwali, Chuseok is about family, gratitude, and festivity. Indian fans of K-dramas often encounter scenes set during Chuseok, sparking interest in the deeper cultural meaning.

🇰🇷 8. K-pop Music Festivals & Award Shows

• Key Events:

  • Dream Concert – Mega-concert featuring 10–15 K-pop idol groups.

  • MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards) – The Grammys of K-pop.

  • SMTOWN/ HYBE / YG Family Concerts – Label-wide idol showcases.

• Streaming in India:
  Fans stay up all night to watch these shows live. Fanbases in India (like BTS Army India, ATINY India, etc.) organize local screenings, giveaways, and dance covers to celebrate.

🇰🇷 9. Rang De Korea – India’s Biggest Korean Cultural Festival

When: October (dates may vary each year)
Where: New Delhi, India

Why It’s Special:
India’s largest Korean cultural event, Rang De Korea brings the heart of Korea to Indian soil. Visitors enjoy K-pop performances, try on hanbok, taste authentic Korean food, attend craft workshops, and experience traditional Korean ceremonies – all in one place.

Cultural Insight for Indians:
Just as cultural fairs like Surajkund Mela or International Food Fests celebrate global traditions in India, Rang De Korea lets Indians immerse themselves in the Korean wave (Hallyu) without leaving the country. It’s especially loved by K-pop fans, K-drama lovers, and those curious about Korean fashion, beauty, and food.

🌏 Bonus: Korean Events Gaining Popularity in India

🎤 K-pop Dance Competitions

• Events like K-POP India Contest are held by the Korean Cultural Centre India, with regional rounds in cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

🎬 K-drama Fan Meets & Screenings

• Korean Cultural Centers and fandom groups organize K-drama marathons, quiz nights, and online/offline meetups.

💄 K-beauty Pop-up Stores

• Indian cities are seeing K-beauty festivals featuring live demos, giveaways, and exclusive product launches.

🍲 Korean Food Festivals

• Events hosted in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore celebrate Korean cuisine like tteokbokki, kimchi, bulgogi, and K-BBQ with food stalls and cooking shows.