WorldMark Gurugram turned into a very cultural hub over the weekend of March 1-2, bringing a slice of Korea named Korean Karnival 2.0. It was co-organized by both Adrith Marketing Solutions and Worldmark Gurugram. The two-day event brought together K-culture lovers, families, and inquisitive visitors, serving a mishmash of music, food, shopping, and cultural experiences.
From K-pop dance covers to acoustic music to lively band performances, the carnival was filled with variety and infused with lively spirit. With the We are EZ and Girl Crush burning up the stage, Kritinish, Mananjay, Rigomna Live, and Arpit Agnihotri Collective set up a party-like atmosphere. A Taekwondo demonstration garnered applause from the onlookers and showed the strength and discipline of the martial art from Korea.
Alongside the performances, the carnival had an array of stalls selling Korean food, beauty products, K-pop merchandise, and handmade art. Visitors were treated to Korean tastes through popular dishes, while skin-care aficionados had quite a collection of Korean cosmetics to explore. The kiosks were buzzing with activity as people shopped for K-drama-inspired merchandise and quirky art depicting Korean culture.
The event featured the interactive booth of Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), which took the visitors on a trip through South Korea’s travel destinations and cultural heritage. Numerous visitors dropped in to ask about how to plan a trip to South Korea, often going home with travel guides and souvenirs.
The stall owners were equally excited about being part of the event. “The response has been amazing! Everyone is so interested in Korean culture and tends to try new things,” noted one of the vendors selling Korean snacks. Another seller of handmade K-pop accessories said, “Korean is the interest of many Indian fans. The enthusiasm with which they are welcoming stuff here is just incredible.”
One of the food stalls here was run by a group of multicultural enthusiasts in the name of SixOppa, which served their version of Gochujang pasta. “It was a unique taste of flavor, where visitors were introduced to Korea with a twist of Italian pasta,” they said.
In an interview with The World Times, Anisha Dahiya from Adrith Marketing Solutions, co-organizer of Korean Karnival 2.0, shared insights into the event’s planning. “We organized everything ourselves to ensure the event felt as authentic as possible. The installation of the giant ramen bowl was a key highlight, adding to the Korean vibe. From curating stalls to arranging cultural performances, every detail was planned to bring a true festival experience to visitors,” she said.
Visitors also expressed their joy about the event. “It was my first visit to such an event, and I was really excited,” said Indu, a first-time visitor. “The ambience, the food, the performances- all were amazing. It felt like the little Korea put together in Gurugram.” Other attendees shared their sentiments, thankful for a closer experience with Korean culture. With crowds extremely high and spirits extremely already high, Korean Karnival 2.0 was a success at bringing a little slice of Korea to Gurugram, leaving all looking forward to the next one.
