South Korea’s leading oboist Kyeong Ham, Principal Oboist of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (FRSO), made his highly anticipated South African debut this October, captivating audiences through a weeklong tour of performances and educational engagements.   Invited by the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA), Ham performed in a series of events from 12 to 19 October, visiting major cultural hubs including Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg. The tour featured recitals, orchestral collaborations, and masterclasses that brought his artistry to both music lovers and young aspiring musicians.   A graduate of the Hanns Eisler Hochschule für Musik Berlin, Ham is celebrated as one of the most accomplished Korean woodwind players of his generation. He first rose to international prominence after winning top prizes at several major competitions, including the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, the Muri International Oboe Competition in Switzerland, and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory International Woodwind Competition in Moscow. Having held principal positions with the Hanover State Opera Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Ham currently serves as Principal Oboe of the FRSO and teaches at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.   Ham’s South African tour opened at the country’s renowned multidisciplinary arts festival, Woordfees in Stellenbosch, where he performed a captivating programme featuring works by Bellini, Stravinsky, and a new arrangement of Arirang, Korea’s beloved folk melody. The following day, he appeared on RSG, a national radio station under the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), performing live for its one-million-strong listenership. Later in the week, he took the stage at KCCSA’s “Music On Stage” concert series in Pretoria, before concluding his tour with a stirring collaboration with the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra at SABC’s M1 Auditorium in Johannesburg — earning a standing ovation from an enraptured audience.   In addition to his performances, Ham devoted time to mentoring South Africa’s next generation of musicians. He led masterclasses at the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria, offering students practical guidance on oboe technique, phrasing, and artistic interpretation, while sharing candid insights from his career as an orchestral and solo performer.   Reflecting on his first visit to the African continent, Ham said, “It was both exciting and humbling to perform here for the first time. I felt a genuine connection with the audiences and musicians — it reminded me of why I love making music. I hope to return and continue building bridges through music across cultures.”   This tour was presented by the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa, which continues to introduce outstanding Korean artists to South African audiences and promote cultural exchange through classical music. Previous K-Classical tours have featured acclaimed pianist Yeon-Min Park, tenor Kyungho Kim, and cellist Gunwoo Park.     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

  Cape Town came alive last Saturday, 11 October, as Travelling Korea arrived at Groote Schuur High School with a vibrant celebration of Korean culture.   From electrifying K-pop performances to hanbok (traditional attire) fittings, Korean calligraphy, and interactive crafts, every corner of the venue was filled with colour, music, and excitement. Long queues at the Korean snack stalls kept the energy high, while families, students, and K-pop fans came together to enjoy a day of culture and connection.   The warmth and enthusiasm of the Cape Town community made this stop on our Travelling Korea journey truly unforgettable. KCCSA is delighted to have shared Korea’s culture with you and looks forward to bringing Travelling Korea to more cities across South Africa soon.     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 Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) hosted an unforgettable evening of music on 6 October, featuring the acclaimed Korean ensemble Beautiful Mind.   Renowned for their unique blend of classical, jazz, Korean traditional music, and folk songs from around the world, the ensemble captivated audiences with a programme that was as diverse as it was moving. Their performance embodied not only technical mastery but also the ethos of giving with “expect nothing in return,” a philosophy that underpins their work.   From soaring melodies to soulful rhythms, the concert became a celebration of harmony across genres and cultures—showcasing music’s timeless power to connect, inspire, and uplift.   KCCSA extends its heartfelt thanks to all who attended this special performance. We look forward to welcoming you again soon for more Music on Stage!     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

  On 4 October, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) brought together over 100 guests for a festive programme held in the lead-up to Hangeul Day, Korea’s annual celebration of its unique alphabet on 9 October.   The day-long programme introduced guests to the creativity and legacy of Hangeul through an engaging mix of language, crafts, and performance. Activities ranged from a quick “Learn Korean in 30 Minutes” lecture and a class on Korean calligraphy to hands-on sessions where participants made their own Korean name stamps, crafted replicas of the gat (Korea’s traditional wide-brimmed hat), and even sampled dishes at a pop-up Korean ramyeon station.   The highlight of the celebration was a Korean Song Contest, which saw contestants take to the stage after months of preparation to perform their favourite songs in Korean. Their efforts were met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the growing popularity of Korean language and culture in South Africa.   “Hangeul is more than a writing system – it represents the creativity and identity of the Korean people,” said Jiyeol YOU, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre. “We are delighted to see such enthusiasm here in South Africa, and we hope this event offered an accessible and memorable way for South Africans to connect with Korea’s cultural heritage.”   Hangeul Day is celebrated every year on 9 October in Korea, commemorating the proclamation of the Korean alphabet in 1446 by King Sejong the Great. This year marks the 579th anniversary of Hangeul’s creation.   The celebration highlighted how Hangeul’s legacy continues to inspire curiosity and appreciation worldwide, including in South Africa where its story is finding new resonance.     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 global popularity of K-Pop shows no signs of slowing. From stadium-filling concerts to record-breaking streaming numbers, Korean pop music continues to shape the world’s soundscape. A new exhibition at the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa invites visitors to look beyond the bright lights of contemporary hits to discover the traditional music that helped inspire them.   The exhibition, “K-Pop Meets Korean Traditional Music,” runs 26 September through 28 November 2025 at the Centre’s main gallery. It highlights how instruments, rhythms, and performance styles from Korea’s centuries-old musical heritage echo through today’s chart-topping K-Pop tracks.   Visitors can explore authentic traditional instruments and elaborate royal-court dance costumes that have appeared in iconic music videos—from the geomungo (Korea's six-string zither) featured in BLACKPINK’s Pink Venom to the dynamic percussion referenced in BTS Suga’s Daechwita and Stray Kids’ Thunderous. Large-scale video projections and striking set pieces bring these connections vividly to life.   The exhibition unfolds across three themed sections that capture the breadth of Korea’s traditional soundscape, guiding visitors from the refined musical traditions enjoyed by Korea’s aristocratic circles, through the splendour and ceremony of royal court performances, and finally into the lively rhythms and communal spirit of folk music and dance.   Adding an interactive element, a digital installation called the “Gugak Sound Box,” an immersive station showcasing Korea’s traditional music, lets guests create their own blends of authentic sounds in a hands-on experience.   The exhibition opened with a special performance for more than 100 guests, including members of the local arts community and diplomatic corps. A live show blending K-Pop dance with traditional Korean music set a vibrant tone, followed by a guided tour led by a curator from Korea’s National Gugak Center, offering visitors deeper insight into the history and artistry behind the works on display.   “While K-Pop is loved around the world, its heartbeat is rooted in Korea’s own traditional music,” said Jiyeol YOU, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa. “This exhibition invites visitors to enjoy the excitement of K-Pop while discovering the rich heritage that gave it life.”   The exhibition is presented by the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa in partnership with the National Gugak Center and forms part of Touring K-Arts, a global programme supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), which brings outstanding Korean performing arts to audiences around the world.   The exhibition is open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and closed on weekends and public holidays. Admission is free.     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