PROJECT 1004

Category: Events

  • Inside the 2025 Atlanta Korean Festival: K-Pop, Culture, and Culinary Delights

    Inside the 2025 Atlanta Korean Festival: K-Pop, Culture, and Culinary Delights

    From chewy tteokbokki to show-stopping K-pop performances, the 2025 Korean Festival in Atlanta was one massive celebration of Korean culture. Held on October 4th and 5th in the back parking lot of Sugarloaf Mills, this two-day celebration-hosted by the Korean Festival Foundation – brought together everything from sizzling street food and cultural performances to full-blown K-pop concerts.

    Rain or shine, event goers showed up ready to vibe, dance, and eat.

    Headliners that Rocked the Festival

    Kim Hye Yeon (김혜연) – Bringing Fun and Energy to the stage

    Kim Hye-yeon lit up the stage with her signature trot-style performances, bringing a wave of nostalgia and joy to the crowd. A beloved singer with numerous hits from the 1990s and early 2000s, she especially resonated with the older generation—many of whom sang along to every lyric and had their phones out to capture the moment.

    Energetic and full of charm, Kim Hye-yeon quickly became a fan favorite, breaking all age barriers and turning her set into one big party. She laughed and danced with the audience, even inviting audience members on stage to join her in the fun. At one point, she stepped off stage to dance among the crowd, creating an unforgettable moment of connection that perfectly embodied the festival’s inclusive and joyful spirit.

    Kevin Woo – Opening the Honmoon

    One of the standout moments of the festival was Kevin Woo’s performance. Having moved to Korea and debuting as a young teenager, Kevin has built an impressive career that spans over a decade in the K-pop industry. From his early days in XING and U-KISS to his solo ventures and musical theater work, Kevin’s dedication to his craft continues to shine.

    Recently, he’s stepped back into the spotlight as the singing voice of Mystery Saja in the hit animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” Fans—many of whom came out as longtime U-KISS supporters or new fans from the movie—braved the pouring rain just to see him perform live. Kevin treated the crowd to a dynamic setlist of his solo songs and even surprised everyone with a special “K-Pop Demon Hunters” collaboration stage with Big Ocean.

    After his performance, 200 lucky fans had the opportunity to purchase a fan sign session where they could meet Kevin Woo up close, share a few words, and leave with a cherished autograph. It was a moment full of smiles, gratitude, and memories. Kevin Woo will be having a solo concert on November 25th in West Hollywood, California.

    Big Ocean – Making Waves Everywhere

    The main headliner of the 2025 Korean Festival in Atlanta was Big Ocean, a innovative three-member boy band under Parastar Entertainment. Since their debut in 2024, members Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok has been making waves in the K-pop industry as the first boyband where all of the members are hard of hearing. Trained as global idols, they have learned multiple spoken and sign languages to connect with their fans. They recently wrapped up a successful US tour in August 2025. Many fans were ecstatic when they heard that Big Ocean was coming back to the US. Fans from across the country flew or drove to Georgia to show support for Big Ocean.

    Despite some technical issues and the rain, Big Ocean rocked the stage. They performed fan favorite songs like, “Flow,”  “Attention,” and “Bucket hat”. Each song brought thunderous cheers from the crowd, who sang, signed, and danced along in unison with the boys. Big Ocean also performed fun and new stages like “Troublemaker,” originally by HyunA and Jang Hyun Seung.

    Outside of their performance, many fans had the opportunity to interact and meet the members on both days of the festival. Fans had the opportunity to join Big Ocean for their Food Tour, purchase opportunities to do high-touch, fan signs, group photos, solo photos, buy merchandise from the members, or attend the fan café event. The fans said they really appreciated the opportunities for many fan engagements.

    Food, Fun, and Culture Galore

    Of course, no Korean Festival is complete without the feast. The air was filled with the scent of fish cake soup, tteokbokki, and sweet hotteok. But this year’s biggest food buzz came from a very special guest—Chef Jisun Jung, star of the Netflix hit Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars. Fans lined up to get a taste of her dishes and snap a quick selfie.

    Beyond food, the festival’s cultural zones gave everyone a chance to experience Korea hands-on:

    • Taekwondo demonstrations that got the crowd cheering
    • Hanbok-wearing photo ops
    • Traditional Korean games
    • Masked Singer singing contest and K-Pop cover dance performances that had local talent shining bright

    And, of course, endless rows of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts and skincare goodies to trendy K-pop merch. You couldn’t walk away empty-handed (or hungry).

    ** A special thank you to KORUS Entertainment and Parastar Entertainment for having me as the photographer for the event!

  • Celebrating Korean Culture – A Recap of the 2025 Midwest KPOP Festival (MFK) & MN Korean Culture Festival

    Celebrating Korean Culture – A Recap of the 2025 Midwest KPOP Festival (MFK) & MN Korean Culture Festival

    This past weekend, the Mall of America hosted the 2025 Midwest K-POP Festival (MKF) & MN Korean Culture Festival. MKF has grown to become a beloved tradition in Minnesota, drawing hundreds of fans and performers from both in and out of state. Different from previous years, this year, the two festivals were combined together. This year’s celebration showcased a vibrant mix of cultural performances alongside high-energy K-pop cover dances.

    The festival began with the Korean national anthem played on the traditional Korean instrument, Gayageum, by Luna Lee, a message from the president of the Korean American Association of Minnesota (KAAM) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, and a performance by Minnesota K-POP Dance Crew (MKDC).

    This year’s theme of K-POP Demon Hunter also drew in a large number of young children and their parents. The crowd erupted in cheers as three members of MKDC performed a powerful cover of the popular track, “Golden” from the animated film. Originally founded as a student group at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MKDC has since evolved into a renowned crew known across the K-pop community. Over the years, they’ve competed in South Korea, won numerous competitions, and helped organize many K-pop dance events. Outside of the “Golden” performance, the festival also had a sing-along that the event attendees loved.

    A major part of the festival was to showcase Korean culture. Cultural performances can be seen by Jangmi Dance, Gayageum performance by Luna Lee, Samulnori by Sejong Academy, and a special Taekwondo performance by Lee’s Champion Taekwondo. The local children and senior choir also performed during the show.

    K-POP dance performances were a highlight throughout the festival. This year, MKDC welcomed several guest performers from out of state, bringing even more excitement to the stage. Well-known cover dance groups like Hush Crew, Chemical X, and aXis traveled to Minnesota to showcase their talent, while up-and-coming dance crews such as CypherSide and Makeway also delivered standout performances. The festival featured not only individual sets but also exciting collaboration stages, where dancers came together to perform tracks like J-Hope’s “Killin’ It Girl,” SHINee’s iconic “Sherlock” and “Lucifer,” Jennie’s “JENNIE,” and a high-energy remix of SNSD classics.

    The 2025 Midwest K-POP Festival & MN Korean Culture Festival was more than just a showcase of talent—it was a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and creativity. From traditional performances to high-energy K-pop stages, the event brought people of all ages together through a shared love of Korean culture. As the crowd cheered, danced, and sang along, one thing was clear: the spirit of K-culture is alive and thriving in Minnesota.

    ** A special thank you to MKDC for having me back again this year to photograph the event! **

  • Minnesota Hosts Its First K-POP Convention at the RiverCentre

    Minnesota Hosts Its First K-POP Convention at the RiverCentre

    Minnesota celebrated a major milestone in its K-pop community with the first K-POP Convention in Minnesota. Held at the RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul. KPOP MINNECON was organized by the beloved local event organizer MNKPOPCONNECT. Best known for their energetic Random Dance Play (RDP) gatherings, MNKPOPCONNECT has continued to expand their influence — recently partnering with KORUS Entertainment to bring K-pop boy group Big Ocean to Minnesota for a café fan event at Niko Niko Café and a concert at the Uptown Theater.

    KPOP MINNECON was a celebration of everything K-pop. The convention offered a variety of booths where attendees could shop for albums, posters, handmade crafts, K-beauty products, stick-on nails, and more. Photo card trading tables allowed fans to connect and swap cards, while a large open area was reserved for an all-day RDP — a fan-favorite highlight. The event also featured community-led panels, where attendees could sign up before the convention to present on various K-pop-related topics.

    For food, the RiverCentre provided indoor concessions, while food trucks lined Rice Park offering a diverse range of options — from Mexican and Japanese dishes to desserts and refreshing sugarcane juice.

    After the dance lesson ended, fans waited to watch local talent compete for the K-POP dance competition. Ellen and Brian were the judges for this year’s show. The contest included solo performances and group performances. The winners took home a combined prize of $1,000. Many friends, family, and fans came to support the local talent.

    Originally, the headliner was set to be BE:MAX, but due to unexpected visa issues, the group was unable to travel to the U.S. Despite the last-minute change, the concert remained on schedule, with the other artists extending their performances to keep the energy going strong.

    During the convention, fans had the chance to meet and take photos with artists performing in the evening concert. Long lines formed at the artist booths as attendees waited eagerly for the opportunity to take photos with performers like Ted Park and Beomhan.

    When interviewing some attendees in line, many people mentioned that they were big fans of Beomhan. They had recently seen him perform in Georgia and flew to Minnesota just to see him again. Others mentioned that they were sad that they were not able to see BE:MAX.

    As the convention portion wrapped up, fans made their way upstairs to the concert hall. The evening show opened with a unique performance by Mimi Lee, who captivated the audience with K-pop covers on the cello. The night continued with high-energy sets from Ramiro Brave, LUC-iD, Alan Z, Ted Park, and Beomhan.

    To end the night, fans had the option to purchase access to fan sign events, offering a more personal moment with the performers. Many fans mentioned that they came out to support KPOP MINNECON because they were avid KPOP fans. They hope that the event will grow larger next year and someday become multi-days like KCON LA. Many fans also hope that more artists participate next year.

    ** A special thank you to MNKPOPCONNECT for having me as a photographer for the event! **

  • KCON LA 2025 Recap: A Celebration of K-Culture in the Heart of LA

    KCON LA 2025 Recap: A Celebration of K-Culture in the Heart of LA

    Hundreds of fans lined up early Friday morning outside the LA Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena, eagerly waiting for wristbands to access GA or to enter the convention for Day 1 of KCON LA. Held every year in early August, KCON is the largest Korean convention in the U.S. Starting as a small 1 day event, KCON has grown to become a three day convention that brings thousands of fans to downtown LA. This year, the city of LA even officially declared August 1st as KCON Day.

    From morning until evening, fans immerse themselves in Korean culture. In the day time, fans can attend panels, visit booths, attend fan meetings, or watch performances at the LA Convention Center. In the evening, fans head over to the Crypto.com Arena to see the M Countdown concert.

    Way Better artists from20 and HELLO GLOOM performing at X Stage.
    NEWBEAT holding a fan event on the Busking Stage.

    This year, KCON LA featured three stages for fans to enjoy throughout the convention: the X Stage, Busking Stage, and Artist Stage. The X Stage and Busking Stage showcased smaller, up-and-coming artists, giving them a platform to connect with new audiences. Strategically located in the main hall and by the food trucks, these stages were designed to maximize exposure and draw in crowds, helping rising artists gain the attention of passing by fans.

    The Artist stage was placed in a different hall. Bigger or more senior artists like Hwasa, Zerobaseone (Zb1), IZNA, and Lee Young Ji performed at this stage. The Artist stage was like a short concert. Fans could watch their favorite artists perform their biggest hits in 45 minute sets. Fans can purchase different tiered tickets to get better views. Those with 1Day Plus tickets were allowed to go to the front area to see the artists perform up close.

    One of the panels this year featured renowned dancers Brian Puspos, Keone Madrid, and Aaliyah Flournoy. Brian is a famous choreographer and dancer who has choreographed dances for BTS, Justin Bieber, and Chris Brown. Keone Madrid has choreographed for Jungkook, Justin Bieber, BTS, NCT, SHINee, Enhypen, etc. Aaliyah has danced and performed with Jennie, TXT, Stray Kids, and Jungkook. They talked about choreographing for K-pop artists, fun stories with K-Pop idols, and their dance journey. After their performances finished, Keone introduced Full Circle Boys and they performed on stage. After their performance, Full Circle Boys spent time with fans by taking photos with them.

    Aespa performs on the M Countdown Stage for KCON LA 2025 – Day 2.

    After the convention completed, fans walked to the building next door to watch the M Countdown stage. This year, Crypto.com Arena had a strict bag policy. Any bags bigger than 5″ x 9″ x 1″ was not allowed in the arena. Fans must pay to store their bags outside or go back to their hotel/car to store their items.

    KCON LA opened up M Countdown this year with a special guest appearance from popular actor Lee Byung-hun. Lee Byung-hun was recently in popular Netflix series, “Squid Game”. He also played the voice of Gwi-Ma (the demon king) in “KPop Demon Hunters”. Fans screamed in excitement from his surprise appearance.

    Ricky and Hanbin from Zerobaseone (ZB1) emceeing for the night.

    Hanbin from Zerobaseone continued as the main emcee for M Countdown. M Countdown is a music program in South Korea. It allows the top popular artists in Korea to perform their songs live on stage and broadcast throughout the nation. Hanbin has been the emcee for the show since 2023.

    Each night, M Countdown ended with a special stage. This special stage allowed fans to dance on stage with the headliner of the day. The headliners for each night differ each night. This year NCT 127 headlined Day 1, Monsta X headlined Day 2, and Hoshi and Woozi (HxW) of Seventeen headlined Day 3.

    Other artists that performed at M Countdown include JO1, NEWBEAT, 82 Major, Way Better artists from20 and HELLO GLOOM, IVE, Aespa, IZNA, NMIXX, Baby DONT Cry, MEOVV, Jackson Wang, KEY, Roy Kim, Zerobaseone, Hwasa, and Lee Youngji. A full list of artists who attended and performed at KCON LA can be found on the official KCON site.

  • Big Ocean Kicks Off Their First US Tour with a Cafe Fan Event at Niko Niko Boba Cafe

    Big Ocean Kicks Off Their First US Tour with a Cafe Fan Event at Niko Niko Boba Cafe

    Big Ocean (빅오션) is an up and coming boyband produced by Parastar Entertainment. The band debuted in 2024 with a remake of the famous SMTOWN ending song, “Hope (빛)”, by H.O.T. The band consists of members PJ, Jiseok, and Chanyeon. They are the first K-Pop boyband that was produced with all the members being hard of hearing. They have gone through vigorous training and utilize technology and AI in their performances / music production.

    Despite only debuting last year, the group has already amassed almost 100,000 followers on instagram. Many fans feel inspired by their hard work and dedication to pursue music despite their hearing loss.

    On their first full day in the U.S., the boys held a café-themed event at Niko Niko Boba Cafe in St. Paul. Despite the sweltering heat, many fans waited patiently for their chance to meet the idols. Big Ocean served drinks, chatted briefly with attendees, and expressed their gratitude for the support. Following the café event, Big Ocean stepped outdoors to take a group photo with all attendees then returned back into the cafe for a short break and to prepare for the fan events.

    After a few minutes, fans returned back into the cafe to begin the fan events. Big Ocean took selfies and Polaroids with fans and held a fan sign session for those who purchased additional add-ons. After the fan events ended, fans gathered at the front for send off to say goodbye to Big Ocean as they loaded into their van.

    ** A special thank you to Parastar Entertainment, KorUS Entertainment, and mnkpopconnect for inviting me and letting me cover the fun events of the day!**

    July 26th, 2025.

  • Katseye Takes Over Mall of America for their first U.S. Meet & Greet

    Katseye Takes Over Mall of America for their first U.S. Meet & Greet

    Thousands flocked to Mall of America (MOA) to see international girl group Katseye perform at Huntington Bank Rotunda. The band consists of members Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Lara Raj, Yoonchae Jeong, Megan Meiyok Skiendiel, and Daniela Avanzini. Formed through a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records on the popular music survival show “The Debut: Dream Academy,” Katseye was formed utilizing the K-POP training system and promotional style. Since their debut on June 28th, they have already released two hit songs: “Debut” and “Touch.” Thousands of fans have featured their songs in videos and shared dance covers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and more. MPR estimates that around 8,000 fans attended the performance at MOA on Saturday.

    MOA held special events to celebrate Katseye’s special performance. The events included selling Katseye merchandise, cup sleeve events, and purchasing Katseye’s album from Barnes and Noble. However, to get and hold a good spot, the viewer would have to arrive early and remain in their spots. The first floor was only for the lucky few who were able to purchase an album and got the chance to participate in the meet and greet or the lucky few who secured a first floor viewing spot during ticket sales.

    The event was scheduled for 2PM but MOA opened doors at 7AM to allow spectators and VIP viewers to enter early and find spots to watch the show. Unlike typical K-POP concert culture, where people usually camp out for days to secure a good spot for general admission, there were lots of good spots available when I arrived at 9:30AM. It wasn’t until 11AM when the mall started filling up with kids, parents, young teens, and adults eager to catch a glimpse of Katseye. Even the nearby Starbucks was crowded with spectators waiting to see Katseye perform.

    Security faced challenges with many people who refused to move when ordered. Some instances of these challenges included crowds blocking the second floor escalator–preventing people from getting off the escalator–and people blocking designated walking paths for mall goers on the first floor. The area was so congested that many fans resorted to taking the escalators up and down to catch a short glimpse of the girls.

    Katseye member Megan was noticeably missing as she is currently taking a break for a back injury. The band performed three of their songs. They opened the show with “Debut” then performed “My Way” and closed with “Touch”. Many fans can be spotted dancing and singing along during the performances.

    Most of the crowd dispersed after Katseye performed their last song and disappeared backstage. However, Katseye came back on stage to do the Meet and Greet portion. Many fans who waited were delighted and screamed with joy when Katseye returned to the stage. The Katseye members greeted the lucky few who was able to get limited VIP tickets, gave out hugs, had short conversations, and took photos with their fans.

    October 19th, 2024

  • Black On Connects with Fans in Minnesota Through Music and Memories

    Black On Connects with Fans in Minnesota Through Music and Memories

    K-POP soloist Black On recently visited Minnesota for a special fan sign and busking event held at Maplewood Mall, ahead of his concert at Granada Theatre the following day. The event served as a fun and intimate pre-show gathering, and many fans were excited to see him again—especially those who had attended his previous busking performance a couple of months earlier.

    Held in the mall’s atrium, the event drew a large crowd of supporters eager to meet the rising artist. Fans had the opportunity to purchase posters, albums, and other merchandise to get signed, as well as buy tickets to take photos with Black On.

    Black On spent several hours at the mall, warmly engaging with fans, signing autographs, and posing for photos. After the fan sign ended, he gave a short live performance. Then, the fans and Black On took some more photos with the fans before riding the Merry Go Round together.

    The next day, Black On performed at Granada Theatre in Minneapolis. Fans arrived early to watch the rehearsals. After rehearsal completed, they started letting GA enter. Black On performed on stage then took a break to have a special commentary with his fans. Black On pulled an audience member onto stage with him. He hugged her as he sung a special song.

    Black On ended the concert with taking photos and spending time with his fans.

    ** Thank you so much for Sweet Escape Store and planetkpop.llc for giving me the opportunity to shoot the fansign and concert! **

    July 13th, 2025

  • Rookie Korean Boy Band NEWBEAT (HinLOVE) Stops in Minnesota for Their First Busking Event

    Rookie Korean Boy Band NEWBEAT (HinLOVE) Stops in Minnesota for Their First Busking Event

    A new and talented boy band will be debuting soon! Beat Interactive, the company which currently houses popular Korean boy band A.C.E., collaborated with local K-POP store, Sweet Escape Store, to hold their first US busking and Meet & Greet event at Maplewood Mall. The trainees (word for pre-debut K-pop idols who are training under an agency), are currently on tour with A.C.E. The trainees consists of members Park Minseok, Hong Minsung, Jeon Yeoyeojeong, Choi Seohyun, Kim Taeyang, Jo Yunhu, and Kim Riwoo. The event started with a busking and meet & greet on the main atrium on the first floor before ending with a Hi Touch event at the Sweet Escape Store.

    The busking stage took place in front of the iconic carousel at Maplewood Mall. Spectators began to gather long before the boys came out. Many hoped to secure spots in the front for the best view. Those who arrived later lined the railings above, hoping to catch a glimpse of the performance from higher ground.

    Trainees Choi Seohyun and Park Minseok were the first to step onto the busking stage, entering with shy smiles and waving to fans as they waited for the rest of their team to join them. They grooved to the music to pass time as they waited. Member Park Minseok notably received an extra warm and enthusiastic welcome as he had recently participated in the globally popular survival show, Boys Planet. Many people in attendance named him as their favorite contestant on the show.

    Without any formal introductions, the boys launched straight into a high-energy cover dance performance. They performed a powerful mashup of the popular songs “Siren” by RIIZE, “Not Today” by BTS, “Fire” by BTS, and “Undercover” by A.C.E. Their powerful and synchronized movements highlighted their talent as an upcoming dance boy band. Below is a short snippet of their cover of “Kick” It by NCT 127.

    After their performance finished, they did a short commentary with their fans. They introduced themselves then did another dance performance.

    After their performance ended, the boys went back stage to get ready and the fans went upstairs to the Sweet Escape Store to line up for the Hi Touch event. The line was so long it wrapped around the top atrium of the second floor. Newbeat’s Management was strict and photography was not allowed in this area. A curtain was placed at the front so fans cannot see inside until they entered the K-pop store.

    During the Hi Touch event, fans were able to high five the members of Newbeat and received a random gift. After receiving their gift, many fans lingered outside and opened the gift. Inside were beads and a string to make a friendship bracelet. They also included a random photo card of one of the member of the band.

    Most fans were waiting to catch a glance of the boys again before they leave for the night. They squealed in delight when the boys came out for send off. Newbeat waved goodbye to their fans as security guards lined the walkway and led the band to their vehicle.

    Unfortunately, the event ended earlier than expected and a handful of people who arrived later missed opportunity to see the boys. They left in disappointment for not being able to participate in the events for the day. Some were lucky to see the boys for send off. However, others missed the opportunities to see the boys completely.

    ** A special thank you to Sweet Escape Store for letting me participate for the event and photograph the event for them. **

    July 8th, 2024

  • K-POP Hopefuls From Around the Midwest Travel to Minnesota to Compete at the 2024 Midwest K-pop Festival at the Mall of America

    K-POP Hopefuls From Around the Midwest Travel to Minnesota to Compete at the 2024 Midwest K-pop Festival at the Mall of America

    With the rising global influence of K-POP, it is no surprise that K-POP has become a major cultural phenomenon. Millions of people from around the world collect their albums and photo cards, feature K-POP songs in TikTok videos, and sell out their world tours. This global phenomenon has also given rise to vibrant fan cultures — one of the most prominent being dance cover performed by fans.

    The Midwest K-POP Festival (MKF) is the largest K-POP Festival in Minnesota, drawing participants from across the Midwest to compete for a chance to represent the U.S. at the prestigious KBS Changwon K-POP World Festival in South Korea. The competition includes multiple rounds, featuring both dance and vocal categories. Supported and hosted by the Korean government, the grand prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to South Korea to learn more about Korean culture and compete on the global stage. The Changwon K-POP World Festival also includes performances from K-POP idols. So, if you get the chance to compete in Korea, you might be able to see your favorite band!

    MKF is usually hosted by MKDC (Minnesota K-Pop Dance Crew) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago. MKDC is a local cover dance team that started at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. They participated in the festival in the early years and won various times. Now, they work more on the back end by organizing and assisting with the event. During the show, MKDC can be seen performing various times during the event to keep the crowd entertained and let the contestants rest. This year was a little special as MKDC teamed up with Axis, a popular Chicago dance team to showcase performances between competitions.

    Other than the performances, the competition also featured an excellent MC and past MKF participants and music producer Rino—who has worked with major labels like YG Entertainment—as part of the judging panel. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago also attended the event and can be seen showing his support by giving an opening speech. He thanked the participants for their love of K-POP and Korean Culture and for the participant’s months of hard work and dedication to making this a successful event.

    It was a great competition with many talented groups. Prism Kru from Chicago won the competition this year. They later went to compete in Changwon. The full video from the performance can be watched on YouTube.

    June 1st, 2024

  • Celebrating Thai Culture: A Look Inside the 2024 Minnesota Songkran Festival

    Celebrating Thai Culture: A Look Inside the 2024 Minnesota Songkran Festival

    The Minnesota Songkran Festival is a free, annual two-day celebration held at the State Capitol in St. Paul. Organized by the Thai Cultural Council of Minnesota, it’s the largest Thai cultural event in the upper Midwest. The festival features traditional performances, cultural displays, Thai street food, and local talent dressed in beautiful traditional Thai attire.

    This year’s festival was especially exciting, with appearances by popular pageant contestants: Anntonia Porsild (Miss Universe Thailand and Miss Universe 2023 1st Runner-Up), Panida Kernjinda (Miss Thailand 2024), and Atitiya Benjapak (2nd Runner-Up Miss Thailand 2024). Over the two-day celebration, the pageant contestants took part in a variety of activities including the parade, papaya eating contest, closing concerts on both days, and even a game of musical chairs with festival-goers.

    Adding to the star power, Michelin-starred Thai chef Chumpol Jangprai flew in from Thailand to participate in the festival. He prepared dishes for the papaya salad contest and hosted Thai cooking classes for attendees—a treat for both food lovers and cultural enthusiasts. Attendees could go to the tent and learn how to cook Thai food from scratch.

    The festival began with a Monk’s Blessing Ceremony on the first day, followed by a grand opening and parade. Each evening ended with a high-energy concert, where dancing is a must in Thai tradition. Miss Universe herself encouraged the crowd to join in the fun, turning the performances into an unforgettable experience filled with jumping, dancing, and celebration.

    The festival began with a Monk’s Blessing Ceremony on the first day, followed by a grand opening and parade. There was also a fashion show showcasing traditional Thai clothes. Each evening ended with a high-energy concert, where dancing is a must in Thai tradition. Miss Universe herself encouraged the crowd to join in the fun, turning the performances into an unforgettable experience filled with jumping, dancing, and celebration.

    One of my favorite parts of the festival is staying by the main stage to enjoy the performances. This year, we were treated to a beautiful live band performance of Thai folktale by the Moradokmai Theatre Community and Homeschool. Their storytelling and energy were incredible! We also enjoyed a stunning Khon dance, along with a wide variety of community performances including K-pop covers, traditional dances from Thailand, Cambodia, and India, live bands, and vocalists.

    Beyond the Main stage, the festival offered plenty of fun for everyone. People who stop by the festival can also enjoy:

    • Visiting the Sabai booth to rent traditional Thai clothes for the day
    • Eating delicious Southeast Asian street food
    • Taking photos at the photo area
    • Kids can play at the bounce house
    • Papaya eating contest
    • Watching the Parade
    • Or watching the Fashion show

    April 16th, 2024