PHOTOS: ‘'A complete act of love': Columbia Korean Festival showcases art, cuisine

Originating in 2005, the Columbian Korean Festival looks to celebrate traditions based in Korean roots, as well as everyone else in Columbia. Held by the Columbia Korean Presbyterian Church, the festival aims to teach locals about Korean culture. The festival showcased a multitude of performances with a wide age range, a Halloween costume contest, an authentic Korean attire contest, solo and group K-pop dance competitions and much more.

The College of Charleston 7360 Crew performs in the K-Pop dance contest at the SC Korean Festival at 1412 Richland St. on Nov. 1, 2025. They took home the second place prize.

Students of Tiger Taekwondo Academy perform at the Korean Festival on Nov. 1, 2025, on Richland Street. The academy offers many services meant to build good characteristics to kids of all ages.

Performers from all the groups in the K-Pop dance contest take a photo together at the SC Korean Festival at 1412 Richland St. on Nov. 1, 2025. The Korean Festival has been running for 20 years since 2005.

People watch performances at the Korean Festival at 1412 Richland St., Columbia, South Carolina on Nov. 1, 2025. They are in front of the Korean Community Presbyterian Church, who hosted the event.

Students of Tiger Taekwondo Academy perform at the Korean Festival on Nov. 1, 2025, on Richland Street. The academy offers many services that build good characteristics to kids of all ages.

This year’s Korean Festival on Nov. 1, 2025, on Richland Street had the biggest turnout compared to the past ones. People of all ages came to watch the performances, eat authentic Korean food and buy items from the various vendors.

A student of Yin’s Tiger Taekwondo prepares to break a wood panel at the Korean Festival on Nov. 1, 2025, on Richland Street. The academy’s performance exhibited a wide array of talents such as chopping cinder blocks in half, wielding a katana, summersaults and more.

Announcer Brian Shelton introduces the different performers at the Korean Festival on Nov. 1, 2025, on Richland Street. He is the Assistant Dean of Student Services at USC’s Darla Moore School of Business and has been a part of the festival staff for a while.

A Member of the 803 Crew receives flowers for her group’s win in the K-Pop dance contest at the SC Korean Festival at 1412 Richland St. on Nov. 1, 2025. Their win this year is the second in a row in the competition.