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So who is KXPO.TT, well they are a group of dynamic and passionate individuals showcasing Korean culture in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean.

However, we are going to digest the neatness and reminisce on their past events and activities from their Instagram highlight reel according to the pictures below.

Kxpo are no strangers in partipating in collabs that will benefit the ones who are interested in learning about the Korean culture. 

They are no strangers in wanting to give back, like the ‘BTS’ Love Yourself Campaign’ which it is a parthernship with The United Nations Children's Fund also known as ‘UNICEF’ is an agency that is part of the United Nations Organization. This capaign was aimed towards ‘UNICEF’s end violence program’ in which it was a campaign against the violence toward children and teens around the world. The program was also about promoting the individuality of one’s self-esteem and well-being. 

In the parting words by the leader RM of BTS said in his end speech at the UN in 2018, ‘"What is your name? Speak Yourself!" in which fans, the army took seriously and began to practiced it in their daily self care routines.

Kxpo showcases stories of any K-pop aritst and then do a yearly round up.

Korean dramas also known as K dramas also seems have taken an interest by Trinbagoian peeps.

Kxpo can be very creative in creating events for their fellow supporters like creating virtual fashion shows taken from the fashion of K-pop music videos.

Since the pandemic hasn’t ended and we are currently still under lockdown. Kxpo took on the idea on the weekend to host a variety of music by Korean artist which is called ‘K-vibes radio’ via Discord.

They also update on all cultural events that is provided by the Korean embassy in Trinidad & Tobago. And they also share where you can get any sort of Korean food, beauty products, fan art, share memes that corresponds with any Korean artist and any sort of funny West Indian afflication.

For example with this meme; Doubles is a popular street food in Trinidad & Tobago and the creator was highlighting in the meme in features RM and Jimin of BTS like a reimagine of BTS’ variety show Bon voyage but only in the creator’s home country using the local dialect when it comes to ordering doubles.

Joshua Regrello is a digital content creator, Musician and a Steel-Pannist. However, within the local K-pop fandom within Trinidad and Tobago he is known for playing requested ‘Steelpan K-pop covers’ via  the social  media app 'TIK TOK’ and another fun fact is that the 'Steelpan’ is widely known to be the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago. It can also be heard on BTS’, J-hope’s, 'Hopeworld’ mixtape from the song called ‘P.O.P. pt1.’ also known as 'Pop of peace’.

On the podcast 'All things artsy Caribbean alike’ Regrello, shares as both a steel-pannist and musician he is inspired by every artist out there. However, in regards to K-pop, he said when he discovered it, he was quite amazed even though not being completely knowledgeable about the industry itself. He described the music videos as a whole other world.

Regrello, notes that when preparing for song covers he either learns it by ear or by melody. He recognizes it can either be easy to learn rather difficult to learn in terms of the style of the music. For example, he cites Indian songs are rather hard to learn thus not being familiar to listening to it. But also clarifies that the vocals or instruments have slides in it and describes that one note can either have fifteen slides in it which can be rather hard to play on the steel pan.

Regrello, further cited that some of the K-pop covers were sorta of difficult for him to learn, he shares that 'Likey’ by K-pop girl group Twice was a difficult for him to learn in terms of the structure of the song and was not something that he was familiar with.

Furthermore, he touches on being touched by the BTS Army with his cover of BTS’s first English single called 'Dynamite’ and describes it being his best received Tweet on Twitter. 

Sourced; Dynamite Cover posted on Twitter by Joshua Regrello -

[https://twitter.com/JoshuaRegrello/status/1304971108647677952?s=20]

He highlights when he makes covers he usually shares it based on the fan base groups online of that particular artist's song he is covering.

He also recalls the day, when he shared his 'Dynamite steelpan cover' describing that after a day or two that the video gained traction. He noted that he was quite amazed that people liked the cover so much that they were promoting it so well as well sharing it around multiple times within both their respectable fan spaces and personal accounts.

He highlighted it was such an amazing thing to see as well as being impressed with the local ‘BTS ARMY’ fan pages supporting the video as well.

If you would like to listen to the [FULL] segment in regards with Joshua’s digital content creating, his start up on playing the Steel pan as well as going back to the day where he recalls being touched by the BTS Army. -

Podcast segment with Joshua Regrello -

[ - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3SMLIp9XrZhBPNVLONLH7L?si=8h7aNtrTQ9CxZO5DJNFUyw&dl_branch=1]

Also, a cool and fun fact about Joshua is that he is also known for his 'samples in soca' videos on Tik Tok as well as on Twitter, it was also picked up by the local television channel known as 'CNC 3'.  

If you don’t know it, Soca is a genre of music from Trinidad & Tobago invented in the 1970s by Lord Shorty who said it was a way to bring both African and East Indians together describing it as a ‘Dougla Riddim’ 

The Caribbean also known as the West Indies is swarmed by a colonial past stemming from; indigenous populations, indentured labour, slavery and ruling colonial high powered nations. 

So you can call the ‘BTS Caribbean ARMY’ either Caribbean ARMY which is more frequently used by Caribbean ARMYs themselves than ‘West Indian ARMY’ which is not always really frequently used.

To find the Caribbean on a worldwide map it is located at the southeast, Gulf of Mexico to the North American mainland to the east of Central America, and to the north of South America. Many of the Caribbean islands can be put into two larger groups such as the Greater Antilles of the north, and the Lesser Antilles in the southeast. The Greater and Lesser Antilles, together with the Lucayan Archipelago, make up an island region sometimes called the West Indies.

Languages spoken in the Caribbean are based on the region such as the Spanish speaking Caribbean such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The French speaking Caribbean such as Martinique, Guadeloupe and Haiti. The Dutch speaking Caribbean such as Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The English speaking Caribbean such as Anguilla, Antigua & Barmuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Bahamas, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Cayman Islands, Guyana and the British Virgin Islands.  

Figure 1, shows a highlighted satellite map of the Caribbean, image via Google

1.    What is K-Ukiyo 868 about? –

K-Ukiyo is a safe haven that was created for K-Pop stans of any age to join without feeling judged by non K-Pop stans. K-Uikyo created this world to bring together the fans of K-Pop, through physical and virtual events. We would like to embark on a mission to make a difference through charity drives, culture awareness and an emotional support team for struggling teens and adults.

When we first started, we envisioned K-Ukiyo to be a place where stans of any age could attend events and feel accepted without being judged by people who are non- K-Pop stans.

With that being said, we have been embarking on making a difference, through charity drives, educating persons on the history of K-Pop and also being a listening ear or a shoulder to lend on for K-Pop stans who may be having a tough time.

2.    How did you came up with its name? –

The name K-Ukiyo derives from the Japanese word ‘ukiyoe’ which means ‘Living is the moment’ detached from ‘the bothers of life’ (a floating world).

K-Pop made me feel untouchable even though life has it struggles and I want other stans to be able to relate to such feeling. It’s like pressing pause on reality and stepping into an alternate universe.

When I think of K-Pop the one of the first things I think about is how It makes me feel untouchable. Like the world could be throwing so many things my way but K-Pop makes me feel like those things don’t exist, like I can’t face any battle.

I wanted other stans to feel that way about events. Like they stepped into an alternate universe. Where even if they were going through hell at home, when they come to one of K-Ukiyo’s events they forget about all their problems even if it’s for a brief moment.

3.  What events have you guys done so far and what has the experience / s been like? –

K-Ukiyo has successfully completed three events, two being physical outdoor events and One virtual event.

Our first cup sleeve event was held on (date) at Bubble Cupps, Price Plaza, Chaguanas. The theme used was December Miracles in celebration of Jin’s and V birthdays. It was a very hectic and anxious moment on the day of the event as I was unsure of the turnout, upon reaching the venue of the event, I was mind blown by the number of people that showed up to support this event. This made me realise that my dream can become a reality.

This support fuelled the second event “Sope City” (J-Hope and Suga’s Birthday). At this event we decided to partner with k-pop vendors, this would give them the chance to be made known and what services they have to offer. This event was like no other, the overwhelming responses from Adults supporting their teenagers and young children was captivating. The feedback and encouragement to continue such events truly kept that fire burning to keep pushing forward.

The 3rd event was a virtual event to celebrate both BTS’s and Armys anniversary themed World Domin8ion weekend. K-Ukiyo collaborated with Galactakon for our virtual event. Galactakon is local platform for amine, gaming, cosplay and Kpop lovers their cooperation was much appreciated and helped boost the awareness of both Kukiyo and Galactacon. I’m pretty sure after that wild weekend strangers became best friends.

K-Ukiyo executive and members decided that since we had chosen BTS we would continue the trend and honour ALL 7 members for the rest of the year 2021. However, in terms of planning these events had its ups and downs and moments of uncertainty, however my friends and likeminded members continued to go above and beyond to ensure it was a success.

4. How do you go about deciding what events to choose, in terms of place, locations, numbers of people attending?  -

Theme planning can sometimes be difficult; however, we look at the k pop bands, likes, interest, hobbies etc and pick an era of their music, décor will then be decided based on the era of music.

Location is taken into consideration due to the fan base being mostly young women their safety is of high importance also we look at how it’s geographically possible for all stans to gather and have fun. At our last physical event we had aimed for 150 persons to attend; needless to say, it was doubled!!!

5. I know since we are in covid, things may be virtual, tell me how has there been any virtual events and what was the response been like? –

We had our first virtual event in July and the responses were amazing. The power of army is so great! On the first day we “broke” the discord. But thanks to the team for this event, they were so quick and professional, they were able to get things up and running in less than 5 minutes. Everyone was so happy for the weekend. We got a lot of positive feedback. Overall the weekend was a complete success. Both Galactakon and K-Ukiyo’s team were professional and worked together so well.

6. Do you have any particular future events plan? –

We have events planned but we’re waiting to see what the Prime Minister says concerning physical events, then we will know how to proceed.

7. What do you hope for K-Ukiyo’s future?

There is this indescribable feeling when attending K-Ukiyo’s events, I would like other Caribbean Stans to also experience this feeling. It is one of our goals to partner with other Caribbean stans to host similar events.

8.  Why is it important to bring K-pop music and Korean culture within Trinidad & Tobago? –

In today’s world a lot of hate exist, there has been a lot of different movements created to bring such awareness of xenophobia. K-pop is just the beginning for K-ukiyo and all other stans out there to break such disrespect and abide by our nation’s anthem “Here EVERY creed and race find an equal place”

Cultural education is something we need to address to educate our people that hey, ‘we are like a pot of pealau I need you, you need me to balance and overcome the negativity being spread throughout the world.’

I know how much positivity K-Pop has brought to not just my life but my team and a lot of my friends. So I think that if young people take the positive from K-Pop music and Korean culture it would bring out the best in them.

9. Do you think that will be more of a growth of K-pop music, Korean Music and knowing about Korean Culture within Trinidad & Tobago and what will it be like? –

Yes, I do believe that there is room for growth in Trinidad and Tobago. K-pop  music has the potential to bring out the best in individuals, in a way that makes  them shine like no other. That way we can have a generation that is more open minded to self-love, self-appreciation, self-accepting, accepting each other, mental health awareness and willing to speak about tough topics.

Thank you to the team at K-Ukiyo 868 for answering these questions. As well as Dani for providing the illustrated design.

To connect with K-Ukiyo -[https://www.instagram.com/k_ukiyo868/?igshid=uqzpu9vsrmhi]

Would you like to be a part of the Caribbean Army Study then kindly copy & paste this link into your internet search bar > [https://msha.ke/caribbeanarmy/]

PDF version via Google Drive [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m3prB9i7xSHvQKCF2oejLRbtI2V0jLwT/view?usp=sharing]

Founder, Racquel Ramnanansingh shares some words on K-Ukiyo events! -