K-Pop Wonder Show shines as Seoul Spring Festa draws 800,000 fans
IOL The K-Pop Wonder show at the Seoul World Cup Stadium was the highlight of the Seoul Spring Festa.
The Seoul Spring Festa, which has turned into one of South Korea's highly anticipated events, has been deemed a resounding success.
The week-long celebration, which takes place at various venues across the City, took place from April 30 until May 6..
This year, almost 800,000 people were said to have attended the events.
Kim Tae-wook, Executive Creative and Artistic Director and General Manager of the Spring Festa, said they were pleased with the crowd attendance and looked forward to welcoming more international guests in 2026.
Speaking after the event, Tae-Wook said: "Although the final count is not yet complete, it is estimated that nearly 800,000 people attended and enjoyed the Seoul Spring Festa over seven days."
The Seoul Spring Festa is a celebration of Korean food, culture, and heritage.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
The legacy facing NFVF's next CEO
Navigating Instability: The Future of the National Film & Video Foundation Image: Liam Daniel Industry insiders have warned that whoever steps into the role of CEO at the National Film & Video Foundation (NFVF) will be inheriting a legacy marred by allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and ongoing legal battles, raising questions about its future stability and credibility within the South African film industry. The NFVF's leadership cycle has spiralled into chaos in less than a year. Vincent Blennies, who was appointed as the CEO of the foundation just last week, has abruptly resigned, citing personal reasons. His departure comes less than a year after the resignation of his predecessor, Acting CEO Thobeka Mayinje, who left amid an investigation into multiple allegations. Sources within the organisation suggest that these upheavals are symptomatic of deeper, systemic issues. Earlier this year, reports by IOL revealed troubling allegations against the NFVF, including the improper appointment of council members without adequate consultation, the allocation of funds to individuals with internal connections, and allegations of conflicts of interest influencing project decisions. Industry players' calls to audit the foundation also intensified, with industry stakeholders demanding greater transparency and accountability. Despite these concerns, Skhumbuzo Mvelase, the foundation's council spokesperson, defended the organisation amid the resignation of the CEO. When questioned about the ongoing instability, Mvelase stated: 'The CEO, Mr Vincent Blennies, resigned for personal reasons. The council, which appoints the CEO, respects his decision.' However, sources within the NFVF warn that the next CEO will have to grapple with significant challenges. 'The next leader will inherit a foundation plagued by long-standing issues, including questions about governance, transparency, and the equitable distribution of funds,' said one insider. 'Rebuilding trust within the industry will be paramount.' On allegations of lack of adequate funding following reports of nepotism, Mvelase highlighted that the NFVF disbursed R132 million in April to support film production, festivals, and distribution initiatives and that current funding calls remain open for industry applicants. Industry voices echo this concern. Cape Town-based writer and director Weeam Williams expressed her apprehension. 'Any individual stepping into the CEO role will inherit substantial issues related to corruption, nepotism, and ongoing legal proceedings. 'This situation has caused deep frustration among filmmakers who feel excluded from decision-making processes. The structure of the NFVF needs a complete overhaul to restore credibility.' Williams added that industry stakeholders have repeatedly attempted to engage with the NFVF through mediation but have yet to receive a response. 'Our goal, through organisations like the African Film DAO, is to find an amicable resolution that promotes transparency, merit-based funding, and a truly representative governance structure,' she said. Following Blennies' resignation, the Foundation issued a statement confirming that he stepped down from his role as CEO on May 27, 2025, just a month after his appointment in April. 'Rest assured that we, as your Council, are addressing the matter with the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) and continue to work towards ensuring stability and growth within our organisation. 'Council encourages staff to keep a positive outlook, despite our challenges, and rest assured that we will communicate all relevant updates timeously.'

SowetanLIVE
6 days ago
- SowetanLIVE
Puma steers the style conversation with a bold new Speedcat colourway
Originally designed for Formula 1 drivers in 1999, the Puma Speedcat is a bold symbol of self-expression, capturing a spirit of freedom and unpredictability. It was brought back from the Puma archive for its 25th anniversary, rewriting the legacy of this motorsport-inspired style for a new generation. The reimagined Puma Speedcat was introduced in the summer of 2024 with immediate celebrity co-signs — think Grammy award winner Dua Lipa and K-pop sensation Rosé — and sell-out appeal. By October last year it was named the hottest sneaker on the Lyst Index, the quarterly ranking of the hottest brands and products based on shopper behaviour, including searches, product views, social media mentions and sales.


The South African
27-05-2025
- The South African
Steve Hofmeyr defends K-word video: 'I need my words, flag back'
Steve Hofmeyr has defended a viral video of him saying that he wants the K-word and the old South African flag to return. This, amid his outrage that the struggle song Kill The Boer continues to be sung. The Afrikaans singer has often courted controversy over his views on racism, which he believes is directed at white South African farmers. Last week, a video of Steve Hofmeyr ranting about wanting to use the K-word went viral. On social media, many South Africans were shocked at the singer's desire to use openly racist symbols. On the X platform, one user claimed that Steve's comparison of the racial slur and the struggle song had no merit. @dramadelinquent posted: 'You know Steve Hofmeyr wanting to use the K word and the Apartheid rag because you're mad that the EFF sings songs about killing people, makes you no different to them'. The Afrikaans entertainer responded to the post: 'Yes. I'm an artist. I need my words back, as well as my songs, flags, history, monuments, and taboo expressions.' He continued: 'I'm a free speech absolutist (save for incitement to violence). Poets need to live where others don't care to look, said Ben Okri. I can't do that on prescribed notions'. Over the weekend, author Khaya Dlanga posted a video of Steve Hofmeyr ranting about his lack of freedom of speech. The video was initially uploaded on his Facebook account in March, when AfriForum had been denied an appeal by the Constitutional Court to declare the struggle song Kill The Boer hate speech. EFF leader Julius Malema continues to sung the song, despite mixed reactions from the public. Steve Hofmeyr raged in the video of his 'freedoms' being taken away, including a racial slur. He said, 'I want blackface back. The right to paint my face any colour I want. I want the K-word back, as well as every word that I had to remove from my vocabulary. I want cultural appropriation back….I want insults back… He added, 'I want songs and flags back. Is there such a place for us in the future? I hope so.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.