Two days of world dance parades, performances and cultural experiences in Itaewon — Kim vows to preserve the neighborhood's unique multicultural charm
Yongsan-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-dae attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 K-Wave Dance Festival on Saturday along Itaewon-ro, welcoming domestic and international visitors to the two-day event.
Organized by the Korea Contemporary Dance Promotion Association with funding from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the festival ran from Saturday through Sunday along Itaewon-ro. The program featured invited performances, a world dance parade, and cultural experience and dining zones.
The opening ceremony was attended by District Mayor Kim, organizers and performers. Kim delivered a welcoming address reflecting on Itaewon's significance as a place where diverse cultures coexist, and joined a butterfly-shaped drone performance to mark the start of the festival.
"Itaewon is a place where diverse cultures and people have come together to create something truly original," Kim said. "I hope this festival serves as an opportunity to showcase Itaewon's new energy and appeal, and we will continue to nurture what makes Itaewon unique as we build Yongsan into a charming city that opens the door to the future."
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