From 6-year-old girls to 45-year-old fans, K-pop stages heat up Milan
'2026 K-pop World Festival Italy', hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Milan, was held at the Teatro Ellfo Puccini in Milan.
From 6-Year-Old Dance Girls to 45-Year-Old TXT Fans: K-pop Stages Transcending Generations
The Elfo Puccini Theater in Milan, Italy, was filled with the rhythms of K-pop. The '2026 K-pop World Festival Italy,' hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Milan, successfully kicked off on the 4th local time.
This stage went beyond a mere performance to become a place where local fans themselves became the protagonists. Fifteen teams that passed the regional preliminaries took turns performing on stage. What caught the audience's attention was the extraordinary age range of the performers. When a 6-year-old girl appeared to showcase her dancing skills, cheers erupted from the seats. On the other hand, a 45-year-old man drew enthusiastic responses from middle-aged fans by playing the acoustic guitar and passionately singing a song by TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT).
About 500 people, including local Hallyu fans and cultural arts officials, filled the venue. The passion of local Italians enjoying K-pop, regardless of age or gender, heated up the atmosphere inside the theater.
From VR Experiences to Tteokbokki: A K-Culture Festival Stimulating the Five Senses
Beyond the performances, there was plenty to enjoy. A special space was prepared where visitors could vividly experience K-pop performances using Virtual Reality (VR) devices. This VR experience zone was supported by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) Italy Business Center as part of the K-Initiative project. Audiences experienced an immersive feeling as if they were at an actual concert site within the virtual world.
The flavors of Korea, which whet the appetite, were also integrated into the festival site. On one side of the venue, a Korean food booth was set up where visitors could taste representative Korean street foods such as Dakgangjeong (sweet and spicy fried chicken), Gimbap, and Tteokbokki. Local participants enjoyed the festival by lining up to taste the Korean food. The Consulate General reported that the massive crowds gathered at the Korean food booth confirmed the high interest in K-food.
This event went beyond a simple music competition to take the form of a comprehensive cultural festival combining technology and food. Held in the heart of Milan, this festival served as a venue to prove how wide the foundation of the Hallyu wave has spread within Italy.
