Korea Year Committee announced the opening of the 2012 K-pop Cover Dance Festival. “Cover Dance” refers to emulating the choreography of popular K-pop groups.

Those interested can participate by submitting their cover dance videos online at www.coverdance.org. The number of hits, votes for recommendation and experts’ evaluations will be used to decide on the qualifiers of the preliminary rounds. The website will receive applications from Wednesday through July. The deadline varies according to region. 

The second round will be held in about 10 countries including Japan, Thailand, Russia and Spain through September, with the final competition being held on Sept. 21 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

“It is meaningful that we can have cultural exchange through an event where people can participate. It will be a good opportunity to show Korea’s authentic culture as well as promote the nation’s travel attractions,” said Hong Ju-min, secretary general of the committee.

Some 1,700 teams from 64 countries participated in last year’s festival. Last year’s goodwill ambassador was girl group KARA. The goodwill ambassador of this year’s festival will be announced in June.

For more information, visit www.coverdance.org.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldcorp.com)