Last Saturday, 16 November, the Korean Cultural Centre SA (KCCSA) came alive with vibrant energy and heartfelt nostalgia as it hosted the ‘Remember Korea’ event in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.     This special gathering welcomed a distinguished group of participants who had returned from Korea after engaging in diverse professional and voluntary programs. Attendees shared profound and moving reflections on their time in Korea, recounting the challenges they faced, the triumphs they achieved, and the invaluable life lessons they carried home.     The event was a joyful celebration of cultural connections, offering a warm and immersive experience. Guests indulged in an array of delectable Korean cuisine, participated in engaging activities, and enjoyed a cozy screening of a beloved Korean movie. Each element of the program served as a tribute to the rich tapestry of Korean heritage and the enduring bonds it fosters.     “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us, shared their stories, and contributed to the spirit of this memorable occasion,” said Jiyoel You, director of the KCCSA. “Events like ‘Remember Korea’ are a testament to the power of cultural exchange in building bridges, fostering understanding, and creating lasting connections.”     The Korean Cultural Centre SA remains committed to promoting cultural appreciation and dialogue, ensuring that such cherished moments of connection continue to thrive.   Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원   • Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kccsa • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa • X: https://twitter.com/KCC_SA

  The growing enthusiasm for K-pop in South Africa was on full display at the largest K-pop event in the country, the K-Pop Dance Festival, hosted by the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA). The event took place on 9 November at the ZK Matthews Great Hall at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria, attracting over 1,000 enthusiastic fans and participants.   As K-pop continues to gain significant traction in South Africa, this year’s festival underscored the genre's increasing influence, with local fans celebrating their love for K-pop culture through dance, music, and fashion. The K-Pop Dance Festival is one of the key events that brings together South Africa’s vibrant K-pop fan community, showcasing the diverse appeal of K-pop across the nation.     The festival offered a diverse range of exciting programmes, including K-pop dance performances by local talents, the ever-popular K-pop game 'Random Play Dance' in which participants collectively dance to the randomly played K-pop songs following their respective choreographies, a 'K-pop Red Carpet' showcasing the iconic stage costumes of K-pop idols, and a special 'K-Pop History Exhibition' highlighting the evolution of the genre from early pioneers like Seo Taiji and Boys to global superstars such as BTS and BLACKPINK.   Adding to the festive atmosphere, the event also featured a food and merchandise market, offering scrumptious Korean dishes and K-pop-themed goods, which proved to be a hit among the attendees.     The highlight of the day was the K-Pop Dance Competition, where 20 teams, both solo and group performers, battled it out on stage. After a rigorous nationwide selection process, the finalists delivered impressive routines set to the latest K-pop hits. The competition was fierce, but the grand prize was awarded to the dynamic mixed-gender duo Kat & Jiyaad.   “We are beyond thrilled to have won this competition,” said Kat & Jiyaad, whose performances have garnered attention across South Africa in recent years. “Thanks to K-pop’s popularity, we’ve had numerous performance opportunities, and now winning this festival is an incredible honor. But beyond the victory, we’re even more excited to meet so many fellow K-pop fans today and connect with the K-pop community.”     The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa first introduced the K-Pop Dance Competition last year, aiming to provide a space for local K-pop fans to unite and celebrate their shared passion. This year’s expanded festival provided an even richer experience, drawing even more participants and fans eager to immerse themselves in the world of K-pop.     The K-Pop Dance Festival marks another milestone in South Africa’s growing love for K-pop, demonstrating how the genre’s cultural impact continues to thrive in countries around the world, including South Africa.   Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원   • Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kccsa • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa • X: https://twitter.com/KCC_SA

  From record-breaking success of K-pop to sensational popularity of so-called 'K-dramas,' ever-expanding spicy invasion of Korean cuisine in the international food scene, and to the last week's announcement of the Nobel Prize in Literature that's awarded to South Korean author Han Kang, the global phenomenon of Korean cultural exports' increasing presence, or 'Korean Wave' as it's termed, doesn't seem to be losing steam anytime soon.     In light of such a cultural wave, Cape Town recently embraced the vibrant allure of Korean culture as the Korean Cultural Centre SA (KCCSA) hosted its new initiative, ‘Travelling Korea,’ in the Mother City last Saturday, 12 October. Following a successful launch in Johannesburg, this pop-up event delivered a captivating mix of K-pop, delicious Korean cuisine, fashion, and engaging entertainment, responding to the growing interest in Korean culture at the heart of Cape Town.     ‘Travelling Korea,’ initiated by KCCSA in Pretoria, aimed to make Korean cultural experiences more accessible to communities unable to visit the Centre directly. By hosting pop-up events in various locations, the cultural centre intends to connect with diverse audiences and promoted a deeper understanding of Korean heritage and contemporary culture.     Jiyeol You, Director of KCCSA, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “The enthusiasm for Korean culture is palpable across South Africa, but Cape Town has definitely been much more pronounced with its dynamic youth culture that welcomes cultural diversity. By bringing our cultural experiences directly to the city, we hoped to engage with the community that does not have access to our dedicated cultural centre. Our goal is to foster connections and share the richness of Korean culture with everyone.”     The event, which took place at the Groote Schuur High School, featured a wide array of activities, including K-pop performances, exhibits highlighting Korea’s history and modern developments, interactive displays showcasing traditional Korean attire, trending games and challenges, and mouthwatering Korean culinary delights.   The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the K-pop performances by local artists, some of whom won top prizes at the SA's national K-pop dance competition held last year at the Centre in Pretoria.     As the event unfolded, excitement built among fans eager to celebrate the electrifying K-pop dances. One of the performers of the day, Adeeb Dollie, who made his stage debut after winning second prize at the K-pop dance competition last year under the stage name Salty Mochi, shared his excitement: “As a Cape Town based dancer and an avid K-pop fan, I was thrilled to be part of this initiative. Cape Town indeed boasts vibrant and active K-pop fan communities; I hope there will be more opportunities like this in our city where we all come together and share a passion for what we love and enjoy."     With the Cape Town event attracting a diverse audience, KCCSA continues its cultural journey, planning future events in other major cities and neighboring regions.   Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원   • Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kccsa • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa • X: https://twitter.com/KCC_SA

▲ Concert in Johannesburg   Acclaimed for his exceptional talent and international accolades across Europe and Asia, rising star cellist Gunwoo Park from South Korea recently made his debut in South Africa through an inaugural invitation tour that connected him with local audiences.   ▲ Concert in Stellenbosch   Gunwoo Park garnered international recognition as the first Korean cellist to reach the finals of the prestigious Prague Spring International Music Competition, which boasts a 70-year legacy of showcasing some of the world’s finest cellists, including the legendary Mstislav Rostropovich. Park distinguished himself by securing fourth place and receiving a Special Jury Award, marking the beginning of his illustrious career. He has since excelled in numerous competitions across Europe and South Korea, engaging in a diverse array of performances that span both chamber music and solo repertoire.   ▲ Live performance for RSG radio programme   During this tour, Park performed at Woordfees, one of South Africa's premier arts festivals, collaborating with renowned local cellists in a chamber music concert. Additionally, he joined forces with the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra in Johannesburg, where he received a rousing standing ovation for his performance.   ▲ Concert in Johannesburg   In his Woordfees concert, Park included the traditional Korean folk song 'Arirang' in the programme, enchanting South African classical music enthusiasts with the lyrical beauty of Korean melodies. His talents also attracted the attention of local media, leading to a special performance on the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s radio channel, RSG.   At the Johannesburg concert, Park delivered an exhilarating rendition of Brahms’ Double Concerto alongside a prominent South African violinist, captivating the audience and drawing enthusiastic applause.   ▲ 요하네스버그 공연   Reflecting on his inaugural performances in South Africa, Park shared, “While I felt both excitement and a sense of trepidation, the genuine connection with the audience brought me immense joy. I am particularly honoured to have had the opportunity to share the stage with such esteemed South African musicians.”   This invitation tour was orchestrated by the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA), which has been dedicated to promoting emerging Korean artists within the country. In the realm of K-classical music, the Centre previously facilitated invitation tours for pianist Yeon-Min Park and tenor Kyungho Kim last year.   Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원   • Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kccsa • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa • X: https://twitter.com/KCC_SA

  In celebration of the arrival of spring, the Korean Cultural Centre SA (KCCSA) hosted a vibrant 'Korean Culture Week' from 3rd to 5th October, showcasing the essence of a Korean spring outing.     The Centre was adorned with a stunning array of flowers and decorations reminiscent of Korea’s springtime, creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors to immerse themselves in Korean culture. The event featured a variety of engaging programmes, including hands-on sessions for making Korean picnic lunch box, tastings of traditional spring teas, and a Korean café experience.     Throughout the venue, visitors were offered opportunities to participate in daily workshops and mini classes, as well as film screenings that provided deeper insights into Korean culture. Notably, K-Pop and K-food cooking classes garnered significant interest, while the traditional Korean tea ceremony received enthusiastic responses from participants.     On the final day of the event, 5 October, a special supplementary programme was held to celebrate the upcoming Hangeul Day, which honours the creation of the Korean alphabet 'Hangeul' on 9 October each year. This unique segment included a Hangeul quiz, a Hangeul chocolate-making, and various board games focused on Hangeul, enriching the visitor experience with educational and entertaining activities.     Director Jiyeol You remarked, “In light of South Africa's contrasting seasonal landscape, we designed this event to allow visitors to savour the invigorating spirit of spring in Korea. Our aim was to introduce the vibrant charm of spring, one of Korea's four distinct seasons, through a range of carefully curated programmes.”     The event was met with enthusiastic participation, further solidifying the Centre’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.   Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원   • Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kccsa • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa • X: https://twitter.com/KCC_SA