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an you guess what is going to make this year’s Korean culture festival livelier than ever? You can watch famed K-Pop singer, Taeyang, at the Korean Festival 2016 throughout October.

The shows from Taeyang — a member of the global sensation boy band Big Bang who has performed a number of times in Indonesia for the band’s fan base of millions — will be among the highlights of the festival held in Jakarta and other cities by the South Korean embassy.

Taeyang, together with duo Akdong Musician and indie rock band Nell, will hit the stage at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) venue in Tangerang on Oct. 8.

South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Cho Tai-young said on Tuesday that the event would start on Sept. 30 at the Fairmont Hotel, Central Jakarta, to coincide with Korea’s national day reception.

Compared to earlier festivals since 2011, this year’s event will be “more comprehensive”, he said.

Finalists of K-pop singing and dancing competitions from various parts of Indonesia will perform from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at Lotte Shopping Avenue in South Jakarta.

Special performances will include Nanta — a non-verbal comedy show based on a samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet) — and a “Fireman” performance combining parkour movements.

Apart from Jakarta, shows will be held in Bekasi, Tangerang, Yogyakarta and Surabaya in East Java.

“We want many Indonesian people, young and old, to come, see and enjoy Korean culture, but […] you will also see the cooperation between South Korea and Indonesia,” the ambassador said.

In cooperation with the Indonesian Taekwondo Association, the embassy will hold a Korea-Indonesia Taekwondo Festival and the Ambassador Cup competition on Oct. 8 at ICE.

Roughly 1,000 young tae kwon do athletes from Indonesia will participate in the festival.

During Jakarta Fashion Week 2016 at Senayan City shopping mall in South Jakarta from Oct. 22 to 28, famous South Korean designer Lee Sang-bong will be among several young South Koreans taking part in fashion shows.

“The collaboration between Lee Sang-bong and Indonesian designer Toton can be witnessed on the main stage on Oct. 24,” a press release from the embassy stated.

South Korea is well known for its attractive travel destinations, which are intensively promoted through widely watched TV drama series from the country.

Secret Garden, for instance, which was broadcast in Indonesia in 2010, is credited with making one of its settings, Jeju Island, a popular tourist destination. (vny)

Correction
In the report “Taeyang to make Korean festival even livelier” published on this page on Wednesday it was mistakenly reported that the public can watch Taeyang for free. The free performance is that of BIG, while those wishing to see the performances of other singers, including Taeyang, would require paid tickets. We apologize for the mistake and the inconvenience caused. - The Editor