<p>Riding a global wave, Korean Pop (K-Pop) just got a lockdown Taekwondo boost, blended right here in Bengaluru. An expat South Korean family synched the martial art moves with edgy K-Pop dance steps to send a lockdown fitness message. Tempted, the city’s 2,000-strong K-Pop fans are trending their own dance videos online. </p>.<p>Korean student Hawon Lim and her family had perfected the Taekwondo moves over six years. The lockdown was the right time to give it a K-Pop twist. "Taekwondo is about stretching, kicking, strength, and agility. Mixing it with K-Pop makes it more accessible," Hawon told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span>. </p>.<p>It was about making fitness trendy when stamina waned indoors. The Lim family’s music-martial art mix was a hit online, as their Instagram videos beckoned viewers in droves. The unique blend was now ripe for an online contest, worked out by the Korean consulate in Chennai. </p>.<p>The K-Pop contest, as Deputy Consul General Hong-yup explained, was designed for a purpose: "To present a valuable moment for South Indians to recharge themselves after getting exhausted physically and mentally during the lockdown; to boost ‘love with family and friends'." </p>.<p>Seventeen teams of 33 dancers responded with their hi-energy videos. As thousands viewed them on YouTube and the consulate’s Facebook page, two clear winners emerged. One was Indian, Rhea Rajkumar with her dynamic display of K-Pop wizardry. The Choi Family added the Korean touch. </p>.<p>Back in Bengaluru, the over 2,000 K-Pop fans had their own lockdown plans. As team leader Hemavathy B M elaborated, multiple fan groups collaborated to post Instagram Live shows. They had a rich repertoire of Korean films, dramas, and music to get inspired. </p>.<p>The groups are active in the city since 2012. "Before the lockdown, we would often gather to watch concert screenings and liven up the ambience with K-Pop song recommendations," she recalled. </p>.<p>In eight years, the city's K-Pop craze has had teams line up behind bands of the likes of BTS and EXO, SHINee, and GOT7. The Bengaluru mix is now geared for the next big turn: Blending trademark K-Pop cinematography with costumes, the desi groups are ready with their own scripts, with a Korean touch. </p>
<p>Riding a global wave, Korean Pop (K-Pop) just got a lockdown Taekwondo boost, blended right here in Bengaluru. An expat South Korean family synched the martial art moves with edgy K-Pop dance steps to send a lockdown fitness message. Tempted, the city’s 2,000-strong K-Pop fans are trending their own dance videos online. </p>.<p>Korean student Hawon Lim and her family had perfected the Taekwondo moves over six years. The lockdown was the right time to give it a K-Pop twist. "Taekwondo is about stretching, kicking, strength, and agility. Mixing it with K-Pop makes it more accessible," Hawon told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span>. </p>.<p>It was about making fitness trendy when stamina waned indoors. The Lim family’s music-martial art mix was a hit online, as their Instagram videos beckoned viewers in droves. The unique blend was now ripe for an online contest, worked out by the Korean consulate in Chennai. </p>.<p>The K-Pop contest, as Deputy Consul General Hong-yup explained, was designed for a purpose: "To present a valuable moment for South Indians to recharge themselves after getting exhausted physically and mentally during the lockdown; to boost ‘love with family and friends'." </p>.<p>Seventeen teams of 33 dancers responded with their hi-energy videos. As thousands viewed them on YouTube and the consulate’s Facebook page, two clear winners emerged. One was Indian, Rhea Rajkumar with her dynamic display of K-Pop wizardry. The Choi Family added the Korean touch. </p>.<p>Back in Bengaluru, the over 2,000 K-Pop fans had their own lockdown plans. As team leader Hemavathy B M elaborated, multiple fan groups collaborated to post Instagram Live shows. They had a rich repertoire of Korean films, dramas, and music to get inspired. </p>.<p>The groups are active in the city since 2012. "Before the lockdown, we would often gather to watch concert screenings and liven up the ambience with K-Pop song recommendations," she recalled. </p>.<p>In eight years, the city's K-Pop craze has had teams line up behind bands of the likes of BTS and EXO, SHINee, and GOT7. The Bengaluru mix is now geared for the next big turn: Blending trademark K-Pop cinematography with costumes, the desi groups are ready with their own scripts, with a Korean touch. </p>