The performers of the Kpop dance contest get together for a picture after the event. The first place winners, NEWKIDZ, are seated in the front row in the red jerseys.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - What better way to bring people together than over a shared love of food, dance and music?

The Sacramento Korean Culture Festival Committee hosted their annual Korean Culture Festival at KP International Market on May 30, which falls within AAPI month. California houses the nation’s largest Korean population, with over 570,000 residents as of 2024. Hundreds of people came out to this event of many diverse backgrounds showcasing a rich appreciation for Korean culture in Sacramento. 

Unique to this year’s festival was that it was in memoriam of independence fighter Hajeon Lee. Last year’s festival honored Lee, who at the time, was 104 years old and the oldest surviving member of Korea’s independence movement living abroad. A resident of Sacramento, Lee passed away February of this year at the age of 105.

As a student during Japan’s colonization of Korea, Lee organized a secret society supporting the independence movement. While studying in Japan, he was arrested and served time in prison for his activism. After Korea’s liberation in 1945, Lee became a professor and author and, in 1990, received South Korea’s Order of Merit for National Foundation Patriotic Medal. The festival featured a booth honoring Lee’s life and contributions to Korea’s independence.

This squishy dumpling toy, sold at My Sister’s Gifts, is a trendy toy amongst Gen Alpha.

The festival served as a vibrant marketplace showcasing traditional craftsmanship. Among the featured vendors was Christine Cheng of Kong’s Jade, a family business she took over from her sister. Cheng said the company sources its jade from Burma and previously had it cut and crafted in China. However, rising tariffs have made that process too costly, and the business is currently selling inventory from earlier shipments while exploring alternative production options.

With each piece personally handcrafted by Cheng herself, Kong’s Jade sells a wide array of creations such as bracelets, earrings and decorations. According to Cheng, the bracelets are the most popular item because they have the most detail, especially in the carving of its jade flower. In many countries, such as in Korea and China, jade is considered a symbol of good fortune, and many believe that jade can absorb negative energy.

Beyond celebrating cultural heritage and arts, the festival also highlighted critical health initiatives impacting the community, with a strong focus on wellness and public education. Representatives from the Asian American Cohort Study at UC Davis initiative were present to advocate for a historic, nationwide cancer prevention and study effort. While the leading cause of death in the United States overall is heart failure, for Asian Americans specifically, the leading cause of death is cancer. This longitudinal study would track the lifestyles of middle-aged Asian Americans to see if any correlations can be drawn between lifestyle and cancer. UC Davis Health Educator Hien Ngo spoke passionately about the unique health disparities affecting Asian Americans.

“Cancer is the leading cause of death for most Asian American groups,” Ngo noted, highlighting why a study specifically tailored to this demographic is so crucial. “We experience the most infectious of the cancers.”

Among these are liver, stomach and cervical cancers, to name a few. Many of these cancers are highly treatable when detected early, but stigma surrounding screening and discussion often discourages people from getting tested. According to Nancy Tran, another representative from UC Davis, many Asian cultures tend to be superstitious which can also contribute to a reduction in open conversation.

“The idea is that if you talk about it, you might manifest it,” she said.

The Kpop dance group, Krush, who met while in high school, were contestants in the Kpop dance contest. Now they perform all over California as well as in Las Vegas.

The festival also emphasized community education, particularly through the work of the Korean School of Sacramento. Hyejung Bae, the Vice President of the Korean School, shared that the organization is deeply invested in helping the local community learn Korean language and culture. Their efforts include programs tailored for adults as well as after-school programs, a book club and initiatives aimed at helping Korean Americans remain in touch with their culture.

“For second generation Korean Americans, identity is really important,” Bae said.

Additionally, the global popularity of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, has led many Korean American youth to take an interest in learning Korean as K-pop, K-dramas and other aspects of Korean culture have become increasingly mainstream.

This cultural wave was highly visible among the event’s vendors, such as Maishoua Vang-Lapa of My Sister’s Gifts. Her booth brought a slice of current South Korean trends to Rancho Cordova, specializing in popular items such as merchandise from the popular movie “Kpop Demon Hunters” as well as products from Japan such as Hello Kitty toys. According to Vang-Lapa, the most popular item, which has recently become trendy amongst Gen Alpha is a sensory fidget toy in the shape of a dumpling that comes in a mini dumpling steamer box.

The highlight of the afternoon for many attendees was the festival’s entertainment, which centered around a Kpop dance contest. KP International Market President Byongju Yu gave a speech before the main event.

“This is our first Kpop contest,” Yu said. “You can feel the energy from the youngsters.”

This event’s contest was the final of three contests, with the first one last October and the second one in March. All the winners from the previous two rounds competed against each other, with judges deciding who would ultimately take home the cash prize. One of these contestants was a group who go by the name Krush and danced to “Dream” and “Whiplash” by the Kpop girl group Aespa. Sienna Johnson, who is one of the four members and the dance leader of Krush joked that if they won, the first thing they would do is, “go to Chili’s.”

From students who perform for fun to professional musicians, there was a diverse array of people. Third place went to Liam, who danced to KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” and won $500. The group Yeoboseyo took second place with a mashup that included BTS’s “Boy In Luv,” earning $1,000. First place went to NEWKIDZ, whose routine featured a mashup including “New Things,” taking home the competition’s $2,000 top prize.

Sydney Arcona, who performed “Feels” by TWICE at the previous Kpop Contest, is a jazz singer.