Why Korean culture attracts so many visitors to the festival 1.2.3. Seollal in Lille?

K-Pop, K-Drama, K-Food or K-Beauty: there is no doubt that lovers of Korean culture will find what they are looking for this January 18 and 19, 2025 in Lille. For its fourth edition, the 1.2.3 Seollal exhibition is expected to attract nearly 8,000 visitors. So why is there such enthusiasm for Korean culture?

“My passion for Korean culture began three years ago, when I discovered K-Pop music. I especially like their dances, the movements are very energetic. Since then, I have also become a fan of their food and their cosmetics.” Louna, a 13-year-old Dunkirk resident, only has eyes for Korean culture. This is why his parents, Arnaud and Sophie, agreed to take him to the 1.2.3 festival. Seollal which is being held on January 18 and 19 at Lille Grand Palais: “she is even learning to speak Korean, especially to understand the lyrics of the songs“, explains Sophie, “and she tells us that her dream is to one day live there!”

Like them, nearly 8,000 visitors are expected this weekend in the capital of Flanders to gather around Korean culture. Marine, 21, came from Amiens with three friends, for one main reason: to attend the concert of singer Wonho, K-Pop star, on Saturday evening: “I’ve been a fan of his since I was 13. I like her voice, her way of dancing. He is a complete artist like none other in France. I’m almost stressed to see it in real life, I don’t know how I’ll react.”

Lucas Lecocq, president of the KFrance association, organizer of the event, recognizes this: “Most fans of Korean culture enter this universe through K-Pop music, made famous by groups like BTS, Stray Kids or Black Pink. This is what we call Hallyu, the wave of Korean culture that has swept the entire world in recent years, also with films and series like Squid Game.”

References that can obviously be found throughout the show, on the stands for drawings, cosmetics and accessories of all kinds. On the program on the big stage in the middle of the Grand Palais: conferences from influencers, dance performances, concerts by Korean artists and even a K-Party on Saturday evening. As for the catering area, you can discover typical Seoul dishes, such as Tteok bokki: rice cakes bathed in a spicy sauce.

Rachel, 25 years old, and Océane, 21 years old, have their portraits drawn by the Seoul artist Mayo, a specialist in Cute Caricature. Both came from La Rochelle and Albi respectively: “we met 5 years ago on social networks, around Korean culture. We became best friends thanks to this shared passion. This is why it was important for us to come to the 1.2.3 show together. Seollal this year again.”

But anyway, what does the name of the festival mean? “1.2.3. is a reference to game 1.2.3. Soleil, well known to fans of the Squid game series”explains Lucas Lecocq. “As for Seollal, it is the traditional Korean festival which celebrates the entry into the lunar new year every January.”