HD Hyundai moves K-pop gala to Busan for World Expo bid

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Co. will move an annual K-pop concert to Busan this year to support the city’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo. 

The company on Sunday said the 29th Dream Concert, the largest K-pop event in the country, is slated for May 27 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium.

Seoul normally hosts the concert, and the event’s first time in Busan this year is part of efforts to land the World Expo.

Launched in 1995 with the sponsorship of HD Hyundai Oilbank, the concert is the largest domestic K-pop event with a cumulative audience of 1.55 million. The 28th concert in Seoul last year featured stars such as Ive, Red Velvet and NCT Dream.

“The Dream Concert this year is expected to decorate the official closing ceremony of the 2023 World Climate Industry Expo, making it more meaningful,” a company source said.

HD Hyundai has invited to the concert top global figures attending the four-day climate event that starts on May 24 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center. In cooperation with the international organization Save the Children, the organizers will invite about 200 children under government protection to the concert.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com