South Korea is looking to bring K-pop to Cuba.
As tensions with Cuba and democratic nations thaw following the United States' historic move to normalize relations with the island nation, South Korea's government is bringing Hallyu (the Korean Wave). First up, a Korean language speaking contest.
The winner of the contest, which is similar to others held around the globe by Korean embassies, will receive a month-long trip to South Korea where they will study the Korean language.
The program, facilitated by South Korea's Hanyang University and Cuba's Jose Marti Cultural Center, is the first of its kind in Cuba but likely to be one of many such events.
An official from the South Korean Embassy in Mexico, which also represents Cuba, said that there are many Cubans interested in learning about Korea and the Korean language.
The Jose Marti Cultural Center offers a Korean language course to 100 Cubans, led by a teacher facilitated by the Korea Foundation, a non profit organization in Seoul that works closely with Korean government cultural offices to coordinate overseas activities.
Last year, the Korea Times reported that Korean dramas are a hit in Cuba.
South Korea promotes its culture and country abroad through a variety of competitions and Hallyu-related events. Contests, including star searches and educational based programs like the annual Quiz on Korea, bring international fans of Korean culture and K-pop, films, and television to South Korea each year.
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Tamar Herman is a multi-media journalist and the co-founder of KultScene. She is a freelance writer and copy editor, and has written for MTV Iggy, Noisey and Paste Magazine.
