BLACKSWAN’s Gabi Attends State Banquet at Blue House — Moment With Brazilian President Draws Attention

BLACKSWAN member Gabi drew attention after attending a Korea–Brazil state banquet at the Blue House, where she shared a brief but widely circulated moment with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The state dinner, hosted on February 23 at the Yeongbin Hall of the Blue House, brought together officials and business leaders from both countries. Gabi, who is Brazilian, was among the invited guests.

A Moment That Went Viral

During the greeting session, President Lula was seen exchanging pleasantries with Gabi and briefly kissing the back of her hand a gesture that quickly became a topic of conversation online. President Lula later shared a photo of the encounter on his official Instagram account. As of the morning of February 26, the post had surpassed 1.2 million views.

In addition, a separate video uploaded by Lula featuring BLACKSWAN’s track “Cat & Mouse” as background music has drawn more than 5.6 million views, sparking renewed interest in the group’s music.

Cultural Connection Between Korea and Brazil

According to BLACKSWAN’s agency DR Music, the invitation came unexpectedly. “We were surprised by the sudden invitation, but if this opportunity contributes in any way to cultural exchange between Korea and Brazil, it would be a great honor,” the agency stated.

Gabi’s presence at the event is said to have been particularly meaningful given that Brazil’s First Lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, is known to be an enthusiastic K-pop fan. Reports indicate she had already expressed interest in Korean artists prior to the visit and warmly welcomed Gabi as a fellow Brazilian.

Ahead of the official state banquet, the First Lady reportedly met Gabi for a private meal in Seoul’s Gangnam district on February 22.

A Truly Global K-Pop Group

BLACKSWAN is a four-member K-pop group composed entirely of foreign members. In 2024, the group was appointed as promotional ambassadors for the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan.

With Gabi’s appearance at a high-level diplomatic event drawing global attention, the moment highlights K-pop’s expanding cultural footprint not only on stage, but also in international diplomacy settings.