Random Play Dance, hanbok and Korean street food: a whole K-pop Festival is taking over Leiden

Ever wanted to dance like your favourite idol, trade photocards with fellow fans, and tuck into Korean street food all under one roof? On October 10, Wereldmuseum Leiden is turning into one big K-pop celebration.

For one day only, the museum swaps quiet gallery-gazing for energetic choreography, k-beauty, fashion and craft workshops, running from morning to late afternoon. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just K-pop-curious, there’s plenty to dive into.

The whole thing is curated with guest programme-maker Bettina Brunt, a specialist in Hallyu (the so-called “Korean wave” of pop culture sweeping the globe), and it ties in neatly with the museum’s photo exhibition, K-pop: A Snapshot.

What can I expect?

Quite a lot, honestly. Here are some of the highlights:

• Dance your heart out: Learn idol choreography at a K-pop Dance Class, then put your memory to the test at a Random Play Dance, where a snippet of a song plays and whoever knows the moves leaps into the circle.
• Watch the showdown: Crews, solos and duos battle it out in a dance competition hosted by D1STINTO, with prizes for the top three. Performers had to sign up in advance, but you’re very welcome to cheer from the sidelines.
• Get the look: Sit in on a make-up masterclass with a Korean make-up artist, or book a quick K-pop-style touch-up on the day (€7.50).
• Make something to take home: Craft your own norigae (a traditional Korean tassel-ornament said to bring luck and protection, €2.50), decorate a photocard holder, or fold a Korean lotus flower.
• Trade and shop: Swap photocards and albums, browse the latest merch at the k-market, and check out a one-day hanbok pop-up store from a new Korean-Dutch label.
• Learn a little: Join a guided tour of the Korea gallery or the K-pop photography exhibition, or hear the 600-year story of the hanbok (traditional Korean dress) and how the likes of BTS and Blackpink turned it into a global fashion statement.

Good news for non-Dutch speakers, too: several of the talks and workshops run in English.

And when hunger strikes, Inza’s Seoul Kitchen will be dishing up Korean snacks in the museum café.

When and where?

Here’s the key info at a glance before you plan your day:

🗓️ When: Saturday, October 10
⏰ Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
📍 Where: Wereldmuseum Leiden, Steenstraat 1, Leiden
🎫 Tickets: Adults €16, students €11, and kids aged 6 to 18 just €6.50 — while under-6s and Museumkaart holders (the Dutch national museum pass) get in for free. Book via the Wereldmuseum Leiden website; note that a handful of workshops carry a small extra fee (€2.50 to €7.50), paid on the spot.

Which idol’s choreography would you attempt first — and would you be brave enough to step into the Random Play Dance circle? Let us know in the comments.