Rotorua to experience another culture with Korean Cultural Performance evening

Traditional Korean dance and K-pop songs will be part of the event. Photo / Supplied

A Rotorua school will be buzzing this weekend as people experience a night of Korean culture and catchy K-pop performances.

The Rotorua Korean Association is hosting a cultural performance event on Sundayat Owhata School.

The event will include the International Youth Arts Troupe from South Korea performing K-pop songs and traditional Korean dance.

Jaelim Armstrong, Rotorua Korean Association programme co-ordinator, says the International Youth Arts Troupe recently visited Auckland, and the association's president contacted the troupe about doing a showcase in Rotorua.

She says Rotorua is a multicultural city, and the event is an opportunity for people in Rotorua to be exposed to a new culture.

"We are looking forward to having a good time, and it could be great fun for local people and anyone interested in k-pop.

"We want to bring people some joy through the performances."

Korean Language School students will also perform a couple of songs and pupils from Owhata School will do a performance to open the event.

Rotorua Korean Association president Ilkoo Jung says the association decided to hold this event in order to share Korean culture with local people.

"For some people it could be hard to get to see k-pop in person, and this could be a great chance."

He says the Rotorua Korean Association has been in the city for about 18 years and is a small non-profit organisation.

It aims to help Korean people settle in Rotorua and focuses on introducing Korean culture to New Zealand people, he says.

The association also has a website and promotes Rotorua to Korea too.

The event is free of charge, will be done in both Korean and English, and all age groups are welcome to go along.

There will be a koha box available if anyone wants to make a gold coin donation.

Rotorua Multicultural Council president Margriet Theron says the council always supports events organised by the various cultural associations in Rotorua.

She thinks it would be a great idea for all residents to go along to the event.

"It's amazing it is being offered for free, because to me it looks like it will be a really professional performance."

The details
- What: Korean Cultural Performance
- When: Sunday, from 5pm
- Where: Owhata School
- Cost: Free