A Day at KFest Houston
Written by Julieta Torres | October 11-12, 2025
Photos by Julieta Torres
Houston, TX - The Houston Korean festival, established in 2009, has since become one of the largest Korean festivals in the country. Starting with just a handful of vendors, it has since expanded to accommodate more vendors and bring in larger crowds, upwards of 35,000 attendees. The Korean American Society of Houston (KASH) in partnership with sponsors like Kroger, put on two days of festivities, performances, food, and culture.
During the two-day celebration of Korean culture, attendees could partake in different activities and food preparation. Activities such as kimchi-making classes and an eating contest took place. Kimchi, fermented vegetables seasoned with various spices, is a staple of Korean cuisine and has since been popularized due to a growing interest in Korean culture.
With this rise and demand for Korean food products, the Korean government and various government agencies have expanded their presence in the United States. The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade, a government agency established to promote Korean food and beverages, has since established headquarters in New York and Los Angeles. The director of the aT Center in New York attended the festival and gave Nopality Magazine insight into their ongoing K-food fair.
The director, Jennifer Jung, mentioned that the rise of K-pop and Korean culture has contributed to a growing interest in Korean food products. Most recently, the hit movie K-pop Demon Hunters, has popularized ramen brands like Nongshim. K-pop idols like BTS and NCT have consumed various food products on camera, leading to a growing interest among fans.
Hohyun | Photos by Julieta Torres
The highlight of the festival was the two headliners, Hohyun and Withus. Hohyun is a Korean American R&B artist who has previously performed at K-fest. His music touches upon mental health and managing feelings of loneliness. He encouraged the crowd to seek help if needed and that nobody is alone in the hopes that his music could inspire others.
“Withus”, a K-pop boy group, brought the energy to the stage and hyped up the crowd. With this being their first time in the US, they expressed gratitude for the opportunity and how much they loved performing for the Houston audience. With tracks such as "Pyscho" and "Indigo", the energy and dance they brought on stage were truly amazing.
The Korean festival in Houston was not only a celebration of Korean culture but also a chance to connect with others who share the same passion to appreciate and understand the culture that is so prevalent in the Houston community.
withus | Photos by Julieta Torres
