Leysir Brown, a Tanzanian singer popularly known as Leilah, recently took part in the 2026 Changwon K-POP World Festival in South Korea. Her journey to the international stage began when she won first place in the vocal category at a K-POP Festival organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tanzania in June. This victory earned her a spot among the international contestants invited to participate in the festival's final, held on October 18, 2026, at Changwon Plaza.
The Changwon K-POP World Festival is an international competition that brings together talented singers and dancers from different countries to showcase their interpretations of Korean pop music. The 2026 edition attracted over 1,700 teams from 54 countries during its regional audition stages. After a rigorous selection process, six countries, including Tanzania, Peru, France, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan, qualified for the international final.
Leilah's performance at the festival was a significant moment for the young singer, whose passion for Korean pop music had taken her beyond simply following the genre as a fan to becoming part of an international event celebrating its global influence. Ahead of her departure, the Korean Embassy in Tanzania introduced Leilah to its social media followers, sharing a video in which she expressed her excitement for the trip and the experiences she hoped to have in South Korea.
The Korean Embassy in Tanzania shared that Leilah delivered an emotional performance in Changwon, representing Tanzania at the festival. The embassy asked the public to support her as audiences awaited the television broadcast. Leilah's participation in the festival reflects the growing cultural connections between Tanzania and South Korea, particularly through music and the international following of K-pop.
The Changwon K-POP World Festival was organised by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Changwon City, with KBS as the broadcaster. The event featured performances by Korean acts, including ONF, FIFTY FIFTY, Click-B, Lee Mujin, and Na Tae-joo. This international event provided a platform for artists from around the world to share their love for K-pop and connect with a global audience.
For Tanzania's K-pop enthusiasts, Leilah's participation in the festival offered an opportunity to see a local talent take their shared passion onto a global platform. Her journey added a Tanzanian chapter to the story of the festival, demonstrating how music can create opportunities for artists to connect with audiences and cultures beyond their home countries.
Leilah's experience at the festival highlights the power of music to bridge cultural divides and bring people together. As a representative of Tanzania, she showcased the country's talent and passion for K-pop, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and explore the global music scene.
Key points
- Leilah won first place in the vocal category at a K-POP Festival organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tanzania in June.
- The 2026 Changwon K-POP World Festival attracted over 1,700 teams from 54 countries during its regional audition stages.
- Leilah's participation in the festival reflects the growing cultural connections between Tanzania and South Korea, particularly through music and the international following of K-pop.
