Indian Creators Win Korea Trip as KTO–Paldo Challenge Crowns Aayushi Mishra and Kashish Pushpak

New Delhi, India — Aayushi Mishra (22) and Kashish Pushpak (17) emerged as the standout winners of the KTO–Paldo Content Creator Challenge, walking away with the event’s top prize: a fully funded five-day, four-night trip to South Korea, scheduled from December 16 to 21, 2025. Their victory capped a high-energy competition that blended creativity, pop culture, and tourism promotion—placing young Indian voices at the centre of Korea’s global cultural outreach.

The challenge unfolded during Korea Street Fair 2025, staged from November 14 to 16 at Worldmark Aerocity, New Delhi, where K-pop performances, beauty zones, and food streets set a pulsing K-vibe backdrop. The contest—organised by IBS (IndoKr Biz Solutions) in collaboration with Korea Tourism Organization and Paldo—invited creators to capture Korean street culture and cuisine through short-form video storytelling.

Million-view momentum: Aayushi (@is.mikrokosmos) and Kashish (@mei_kikii), a K-pop audition veteran, outpaced a competitive field with reels that crossed million-view milestones. Their content—ranging from ramyun mukbangs and street-style edits to crowd-charged performance cuts—channeled the fair’s immersive replicas of Hongdae and Myeongdong, striking a chord with India’s rapidly expanding K-culture audience.

The collaboration showcased a three-way synergy: IBS steering cross-border business and cultural facilitation, KTO spotlighting Korea’s travel appeal for Indian youth, and Paldo powering the K-food frenzy through its popular noodle bars at the fair.

Seoul itinerary: Kvibe in action: As part of the prize, the winners embarked on a content-first Seoul itinerary designed to mirror—and extend—the fair’s themes. Their journey spanned 19 iconic locations, beginning at HiKR Station and HiKR Ground, followed by fashion and lifestyle stops at The Hyundai Seoul (Yeouido) and IFC Mall. Cultural immersion included a hanbok experience at Gyeongbokgung Palace, walks across Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream, and neon-lit street food in Myeongdong, where cheese hot dogs became fan-favourite clips.

The duo added drama with a cable-car ride to Namsan Tower, café-hopping in Seongsu, a Daiso haul spree, and late-night convenience-store sessions at Emart24—slurping ramyeon, sipping coffee, and stocking up on drinks. For K-pop pilgrims, stops at the former BigHit Entertainment building, YG Entertainment building, and HYBE headquarters delivered instant fan traction.

Their Seoul run also featured curated access—shopping for official goods at the National Museum of Korea, an invited look into Amorepacific Headquarters, and a celebratory Korean barbecue feast—fueling real-time posts that carried the fair’s million-view energy to global timelines.

Creating, not just visiting: “Korea felt like home—Paldo made it possible,” Aayushi shared, reflecting on a trip defined by creation as much as discovery. Throughout the tour, both creators published live reels and stories that drew strong engagement, inspiring Indian fans to explore Korea through culture, food, and everyday street life.

The KTO–Paldo–IBS initiative demonstrated how festival-led challenges can nurture young talent while advancing tourism goals. By rewarding originality with access, the programme amplified Korea’s appeal among Indian youth and set a template for future Kvibe collaborations. As Aayushi and Kashish return with fresh stories—and followers—industry watchers expect more creator exchanges, vlogs, and competitive showcases tied to upcoming Korean Street Fair editions.

About the winners:

Aayushi Mishra: She is a Software Quality Assurance Engineer by profession and a longtime fan of Korean culture. Living in Faridabad, near Delhi, she has been into K-pop, K-dramas, and all things K-culture since 2017, especially Korean food. She loves listening to music, attending concerts, and trying new cuisines. She also enjoys volunteering with event management teams and participating in various cultural events.

Kashish Pushpak: She was born and raised in India, and has always been deeply fascinated by Korean culture and K-pop. This passion led her to pursue her dream seriously. She was fortunate to be a former K-pop trainee, gaining valuable experience, discipline, and insight into the Korean entertainment industry. Living in Gurugram, NCR, her journey has shaped her creativity, cultural understanding, and determination to grow further in the global arts and entertainment space.