Socialist Cuba, the birthplace of world-conquering salsa and other rhythms, is currently streaming before the invasion of South Korean pop music, reported the Associated Press, quoted by BTA.
The Asian nation and the communist-ruled island are separated by 13,000km of distance, as well as different languages and cultural traditions. However, these barriers seem to be falling thanks to the infectious rhythms and intricate choreography of Korean pop.
Korean popular music, or K-Pop, has become famous around the world, with boy bands such as BTS and NCT today, as well as their female counterparts “Blackpink” rival Taylor Swift in downloads and album sales.
Now, kpop is slowly making its way to Cuba, where salsa is king and until recently the internet speed was really slow.
Over the weekend, far from Seoul, dozens of teenagers wearing pleated school uniforms, baggy pants and thick black eyeliner showed off their moves as images of the style's most famous artists were projected on a big screen in one of the auditoriums. dancing in Havana.
„K pop opened a new world for me,” said 24-year-old Francisco Pedra, who, when not working as a blacksmith for his father, invents dance steps. Known by his stage name Ken, he dreams of one day becoming a professional k-pop dance choreographer. “This is a place where I can be myself, share with my friends the joy of laughter, song and dance,” he added.
Many of the youngsters hope to follow in the footsteps of two Cuban groups – “Limitless“ and LT X, who before the pandemic traveled to South Korea to participate in the World Key Pop Festival – annual talent contest.
The Quay Pop – a mix of different musical styles ranging from rent to rock - first infiltrated the island when Cubans fell in love with South Korean soap operas about a decade ago. As internet speeds have improved and government controls have eased in the meantime, more young Cubans are getting online.
While Cuban children may be mesmerized by Korean pop, the older generation of national leaders have cooler ties to South Korea. The two countries only this year restored diplomatic relations, which were severed after the Cuban revolution in 1959, and have not yet exchanged ambassadors. Meanwhile, Cuba remains a staunch ally of North Korea, which views kpop as a dangerous form of propaganda from the capitalist enemy with whom it has been in military conflict since the 1950s.