My name is Morayo and I live in Yaba Market. Since I was 14, I have been obsessed with K-Pop. While other Yoruba girls were watching BBNaija, I was learning Korean choreography inside my small room with BTS posters everywhere.
My boyfriend Tunde said I was wasting time. He said "Morayo, stop this Korean nonsense." But I didn't stop. I started posting my dance on TikTok wearing my colorful Ankara patchwork jacket and beaded braids.
Last month, I saw an announcement: K-POP AUDITION LAGOS 2026 at Ikeja. I took my last 2k and entered. I was the only black girl with purple and yellow beads in her braids. Everyone laughed until music started.
Then the door opened and Kim Joon-ho walked in. He is a real K-Pop idol from Seoul, tall, pink jacket, soft voice. The whole studio went silent. I froze. He looked straight at me and said, "You dance with heart."
He stayed after to teach me. That day, we talked on the rooftop sharing Gala. He tried to say "Bawo ni" and I laughed so hard. For the first time, someone didn't call my dream stupid.
Tunde called me that night, but I didn't pick. I am not saying K-Pop is better than Yoruba love, but sometimes your passion leads you to the person who actually sees you. Today, I am preparing for Seoul. And yes, Joon still texts me every morning.
If you are a girl in Yaba with a crazy dream, don't stop. Your Yaba to Seoul story might be next.
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