"Fashon & Passion" show at Sheraton Sao Paulo WTC Hotel, Brazil. (Yonhap)

K-pop group SHINee performed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday, in the presence of South Korean president Park Geun-hye who was on a diplomatic South American tour.

Dubbed “Fashion & Passion,” the event featured a fashion show and K-pop concerts, which were designed to encourage cultural exchanges between the two nations.

SHINee's performance in Brazil (Yonhap)

A Brazilian fan sheds tears while watching SHINee's performance (Yonhap)

Brazilian fans gave an enthusiastic response to SHINee’s concert, some even shedding tears.

The geographical distance makes K-pop concerts generally difficult to access in South American countries.

Recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Korea and Chile, for the exchange of ICT technology that would enable live screening of K-pop concerts.

The South Korean government estimates the number of K-pop fan clubs in Brazil to be around 200.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)