Hava Nagila, Gangnam style

Since “Gangnam Style” by South Korean musician Psy went viral on YouTube last year, South Korea has been stoking K-POP, or Korean pop music fever, by holding singing competitions in that particular style in 43 countries worldwide.

Now “Gangnam Style” fever has reached the local stage. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, in cooperation with the country’s tourism and foreign ministries, held a “Gangnam Style” contest in Herzliya in which 12 Israeli teens competed, and 17-year-old Eva Kamun came out on top with her “Hava Nagila” performance.

While Kamun’s performance appeared to have little in common with the concept and meaning of “Gangnam Style,” which refers to life in the Gangnam District of Seoul, she was channeling the original song’s style and dance moves, said Kamun, in comments to the press following the event.

Kamun won a trip to Seoul, where she will compete against the winners from other countries for the right to qualify for the finals in October 2013.

Kim II Soo, ambassador of the Republic of Korea, said he hoped such cultural events would allow the public “to become more familiar with Korea and discover the culture of Korea and many common features to both countries.”