Saudi Minister: “I was given an assignment to buy K-pop albums and goods during my business trip to Korea.”

At the meeting and luncheon held on the 22nd (local time) on the occasion of the meeting between President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, much of the conversation focused on ‘K’. The main characters are K-pop, K-medical, and K-beauty.

According to the Presidential Office, joint K-pop performances were held in Saudi Arabia for two consecutive years last year and this year, following Super Junior and BTS performances in 2019. Earlier this year, the performance of the girl group ‘Blackpink’ was held successfully. Accordingly, when a Korean attendee asked about the enthusiasm for the performance, the Saudi minister and attendees reportedly responded, “All sold out.” He said, “But before we knew it, our children were there (at the performance),” and a friendly conversation continued.

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, is giving an encouraging speech at the Korea-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum held at the Fairmont Hotel in Riyadh on the 22nd (local time). Provided by Presidential Office 2023.10.23 News 1

The Saudi ministers continued, “Every time I go on a business trip to Korea, my father has a ‘to do list’ that he must buy,” adding, “Order Korean food and albums and goods from K-pop idol groups. “Wow, I was sweating in Korea trying to solve the homework I was asked to do,” he said with a smile. In addition, talks about Korea’s soft power, medical technology, beauty industry, etc. were exchanged, and intentions for future cooperation were expressed, leading to a rich exchange of pleasantries.

President Yoon also visited King Saud University in a speech the next day, the 23rd, saying, “In early October of this year, ‘KCON Saudi Arabia 2023,’ the world’s largest K-culture festival, was successfully held in Riyadh,” adding, “K-pop “We are grateful to the Saudi youth for their strong interest in and support of K-drama and K-food.” He then promised, “The Korean government will continue to support more Saudi young people to visit Korea to learn the language, experience the culture, and participate in education and research in various fields.”

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Source: Donga

Mark

Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.