The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles, under the direction of Haedon Lee, has announced the successful completion of its 2025 K-POP Academy program. The comprehensive three-week initiative ran from July 28 to August 15, spanning three major cities along the U.S. West Coast: Los Angeles, California; Irvine, California; and Portland, Oregon.
In Portland, the program was executed through a collaborative partnership with the Institute for Asian Studies at Portland State University. This strategic alliance helped attract approximately 50 local students and community members who were eager to immerse themselves in Korean pop culture. The program provided participants with hands-on learning opportunities in both K-pop vocals and dance techniques under the guidance of professional instructors.
The highlight of the Portland program came when participants showcased their newly acquired skills at K-Fest, held at Blue Lake Regional Park. The student performers took the stage in front of an enthusiastic audience of approximately 600 people, delivering performances that were met with overwhelming positive response from attendees. This public showcase served as both a culmination of their training and a celebration of Korean cultural exchange.
Director Haedon Lee emphasized the program's significance in promoting Korean culture across the United States. "The K-POP Academy is one of the Korean Cultural Center's signature programs, bringing together Hallyu fans of all ages in cities such as LA, Irvine, and Portland," Lee stated. He further outlined the organization's future ambitions, explaining that they will continue working with more cities across the U.S. to provide opportunities for locals to learn and enjoy K-pop in a more professional and immersive way, recognizing K-pop as a globally recognized music genre that continues to gain international prominence.
