Lately, the phenomenon of collaboration between some of Indonesia’s renowned dangdut artists such as Melly Lee, Selfi Yamma, Fildan Rahayu, Lady Rara, Sridevi, and Afan has become a hot topic of conversation on various social media platforms. They are all products of the dangdut talent search held by Indosiar television station, who have been able to make a name for themselves in the Indonesian dangdut music industry. However, what made the conversation even more interesting was their collaboration with some of the top K-Pop artists, such as iKON’s Donghyuk (DK), PENTAGON’s Hui, Bang Ye Dam (former TREASURE member), Kim Jae Hwan (former Wanna One member), VIXX’s Hyuk, and Kwon Jung Yeol. This cross-genre collaboration not only enriches the music scene with a new twist, but also has a significant impact on expanding the reach of both parties’ fans, as well as strengthening intercultural ties in today’s global entertainment world.

This collaboration between the two cultures is expected to be a milestone in introducing dangdut to South Korea. With a focus on the fusion between traditional elements of Indonesian dangdut and the modern nuances favored by the Korean public, this collaboration aims to create an arrangement that blends harmoniously. By combining the creativity of K-Pop musicians with the authenticity of dangdut, it is hoped that a unique and interesting result will be born for South Korean listeners. The K-Pop artists involved in this collaboration are expected to bring a fresh touch and broaden the appeal of dangdut in the midst of Korea’s diverse music market. Thus, this collaboration will not only be an artistic event, but also a cultural bridge that connects the two countries and enriches the diversity of global music.

Although the introduction of dangdut in South Korea is not something new, the journey has been ongoing for some time. Dangdut music was introduced by Indonesia to South Koreans in the early 2010s, through the use of technology and the internet. At that time, South Koreans began to feel the presence of dangdut thanks to the works of several Indonesian artists such as Via Vallen, Ayu Ting-Ting, and Siti Badriah who managed to attract international attention with their viral songs, including in Korea. An important role in introducing dangdut in South Korea can also be seen from Trio Macan’s live performance in 2012, which was a historic moment as the first artist to perform live in South Korea performing dangdut songs. This became a milestone in expanding the influence and introduction of dangdut among South Koreans.

Not to mention, this genre of dangdut has similarities with traditional Korean music called “Trot”, which requires special skill in the singer’s expression and crooning style in singing the song. The possibility of these similarities made South Koreans more open and interested in dangdut, because in their own country, they were already familiar with a similar genre of music. Thus, dangdut was not just a foreign music genre being introduced, but also found cultural roots that were interconnected with South Korean musical traditions, which ultimately strengthened its appeal in the eyes of the South Korean people.However, the recent encounter between dangdut artists and K-Pop artists is a reality that is only being realized nowadays, and it happened with the help of ENCAST STUDIO, an art collaboration platform that brings together various talents from various music genres. This exciting collaboration was showcased during the 29th anniversary celebration of Indosiar, a leading television station in Indonesia. Not only was the collaboration a success in Indonesia, but it was also a huge success in South Korea, bringing a new color and uniqueness to the music scene there. In addition, the clip of the collaboration quickly spread widely across various social media platforms, sparking great interest from audiences around the world. The presence of this collaboration also gave a positive boost to dangdut music, especially with the touch of arrangements that were customized to the characteristics of Korean music, which further attracted the interest of a wider range of music fans.

Ultimately, this collaboration between dangdut and K-Pop artists is poised to be a groundbreaking moment in the introduction of dangdut to South Korea. By focusing on a fusion of traditional elements from Indonesian dangdut and modern nuances favored by the Korean public, this collaboration strives to create a harmonious blend. With the combined creativity of K-Pop musicians and the authenticity of dangdut, the aim is to produce a unique and captivating result for South Korean listeners. Moreover, the involvement of K-Pop artists in this collaboration is expected to inject a fresh perspective and broaden the appeal of dangdut within Korea’s diverse music market. As such, this collaboration transcends mere artistic collaboration, serving as a cultural bridge between the two nations and enriching the global music landscape with its diversity.