[Arts & Culture] How to become a K-pop demon hunter: Trainees from around the world at K-pop camp

It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture.

We have our culture correspondent, Park Kun-woo, in the studio.

Welcome Kun-woo!

Great to be here, Yoo-jin!

So Kun-woo, what do you have for us today?

I recently visited Jeonju in Jeollabuk-do Province, about a three hour drive south of Seoul.

This place is hosting a special K-pop camp, bringing in aspiring K-pop rookies from around the world.

It's part of a pilot program, ahead of the planned establishment of a dedicated K-pop international school in Jeollabuk-do.

And on site, I witnessed just how devoted these trainees are to K-pop, perhaps fueled in part by the recent global hit animation film, "K-pop Demon Hunters."

But before I tell you more, let's first go to the site where this is all happening.

"Letícia IN YOUR AREA!"

21-year-old Letícia from Brazil traveled halfway across the globe to Korea with one goal --to succeed in K-pop.

Not even the scorching summer heat can stop her from practicing hard every day.

"Most exciting part is to feel like such a great team and to learn from people like in another different country. In K-pop, they mix up a lot of styles and you need to really know the basics to really do well and that's really hard because you need to be focused."

"I REALLY want to get into this K-pop school if it opens."

"Participants from around the world have gathered here in Jeonju, drawn by their passion for K-pop and chasing one big dream: to become part of the K-pop scene. Let’s see how hard they’ve been working to make that dream come true."

For two weeks, about 20 girls from 10 different countries, including India and Kazakhstan, have been training for hours daily, perfecting K-pop songs and choreography, as part of a pilot program before the launch of an official K-pop school.

For every move and facial expression, practice, practice, and more practice.

During the day, Korean vocal practice also echoes around the practice room, with voices blending into one harmonious sound, despite the different nationalities.

And though Korean isn't their mother tongue, they keep practicing tirelessly to improve.

But it's not always easy, as sometimes they struggle after facing challenges.

"It's a lot of pressure. I think there's the desire to be constantly perfect. I'm hoping that I can meet the standards of both myself and the people that I want to perform for. It's been hard and I'm not used to dancing like eight hours a day it's something that I still want to pursue and continue."

When the pressure builds, teachers are there with them.

Detailed feedback follows each performance, and the trainees work hard to apply it, boosting their skills and confidence.

"Lots of them didn't even know how to sing at first, but their love for K-pop makes them absorb everything so quickly. If they get systematic training, I'm sure they'll be good enough to achieve their dreams."

After beating 28-to-1 odds to get here, these aspiring K-pop demon hunters are now preparing for their debut showcase next week --the moment they'll fight to secure the "honmoon."

It definitely sounds like a great program.

Can you tell us more about this special camp?

Even though this is the first pilot program, interest was quite strong.

Around 560 people from 50 countries applied, but only 20 were selected after several tests and interviews.

Building on this popularity, Jeollabuk-do plans to hold the camp several more times, with future sessions possibly open to boys as well.

And the camp is free of charge as participants only pay for their flights, giving them flexibility to manage their schedules and explore Korea during their visit.

The curriculum includes vocal and dance lessons from professional mentors, with real-time interpretation for smooth communication.

Trainees also attend a special lecture by a popular K-pop artist, this time Jeon Ji-yoon from 4MINUTE.

Beyond daily practice, they get to perform at local festivals for real stage experience, and are set to release a debut track, to be revealed at their showcase next week.

It seems like a successful start ahead of the K-pop school's opening.

Are there any details yet about the school?

Officials say this will be Korea's first-ever K-pop international school, with hopes to open within five years.

The idea is to welcome students from around the world to the "hometown" of K-pop.

The school is legally permitted under the Jeonbuk Special Act.

It's planned to cover grades from elementary through high school, offering not only K-pop but also general subjects taught at regular schools.

And officials say there's a special reason Jeollabuk-do was chosen as the site for this school.

"Jeollabuk-do is home to Korea's traditional culture, including "pansori" music, which we can call one of the roots of K-pop. It also has many heritage sites, making it an ideal place to naturally connect with and experience Korean culture."

He added that unlike private academies, which only teach singing and dancing, this will be a proper school with a professional curriculum, while collaborating with major entertainment agencies to provide hands-on experience.

However, some concerns have been raised about accessibility.

"Unlike Seoul, our province may have some geographical disadvantages. But with the planned "triport" project in Saemangeum, including an international airport and seaport, we hope it will become a proud destination where anyone can come and fully experience the essence of K-culture."

So, it seems like those concerns can be addressed for now.

Alright, Kun-woo, thanks for all of that.

We'll see you next time.

Of course.

Thank you.