New Zealand Governor's Surprise Visit to SM Building "Looking Forward to Collaboration Between Kapa Haka and K-Pop"

Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, Tours SM Headquarters
Meeting with SM Executives and Super Junior's Choi Siwon
New Zealand 'Kapa Haka' Performance, Anticipation for K-Pop Fusion

Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, who is visiting Korea, visited the SM Entertainment headquarters on the 25th. A total of eight key figures, including Governor-General Kiro and New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Dan Bennett, attended. Governor-General Kiro expressed her thoughts, saying, “Visiting SM, touring the company, and exchanging ideas was truly a happy moment for us.”

Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand (left), and Super Junior's Choi Siwon (Photo by SM)

The Governor-General and her party met SM CEO Jang Cheol-hyeok at the large LED media wall in the lobby on the first floor of the SM building, then toured the second-floor studio center, recording studios, and artist choreography practice rooms in sequence. They also observed the ‘Songwriting Camp,’ a place where domestic and international composers and lyricists collaborate to create music. Governor-General Kiro even entered the studio and sang the Maori traditional folk song ‘Pokarekare Ana’ (the original version of the Korean song ‘Yeonga’).

Following the company tour, a reception was held with CEO Jang Cheol-hyeok, CRO Kim Ji-won, CGO Choi Jeong-min, CBO Jang Yoon-jung, and Super Junior member Choi Si-won in attendance. CEO Jang said, “Collaborations in New Zealand’s art and music could create a new wave.” In response, Governor-General Kiro replied, “It would be great to discuss the possibility of joint projects between Maori traditional Kapa Haka artists and SM.” Kapa Haka is New Zealand’s traditional Maori performing art that includes emotional and powerful dance, song, rituals, and performances.

The Governor-General of New Zealand acts as the representative of the British monarch, the head of state of New Zealand as a member of the Commonwealth. In essence, she is the de facto leader of New Zealand. Governor-General Kiro is also known as the first Maori woman to hold this position. She is visiting Korea as a representative of the United Nations Command countries that participated in the Korean War, marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement and the United Nations Forces Participation Day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.