On Wednesday, 25 June, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) hosted a vibrant hands-on workshop as part of its ongoing KCC Craft Experience series. Participants gathered to create their own Sotdae—traditional Korean wooden totems often placed at village entrances as symbols of hope, protection, and prosperity.   The session transformed the Centre into a colourful space of creativity and cultural exchange. From bold brushstrokes to intricate patterns, each Sotdae reflected the personal vision of its creator while paying homage to the rich heritage of Korean folk art. As stories were shared and paint was applied, participants deepened their connection to Korean culture in an engaging and meaningful way.   The Sotdae Craft Experience offered more than just an art session—it provided a window into Korea’s traditional beliefs and communal spirit, celebrating both individuality and cultural continuity.   KCCSA looks forward to offering more opportunities for the South African community to explore Korea’s artistic and cultural traditions through interactive, accessible programmes.     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) successfully concluded its eight-week cultural lecture series, K-Identity: A Deep Dive into Korean Identity, wrapping up on 25 June with a vibrant closing session that combined knowledge, creativity, and shared celebration.   Launched in early May, the K-Identity programme set out to offer participants a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the foundations of Korean identity—through the lenses of history, geography, language, clothing, food, housing, and more. Over the course of two months, attendees engaged in weekly sessions that combined lectures with hands-on cultural activities, sparking thoughtful dialogue and growing a strong sense of community.   The final week brought together all the themes covered in the programme, as participants from the research team presented their own projects on topics such as Korean pop culture, media, and technological innovation. The presentations were accompanied by interactive activities that encouraged reflection on how Korean identity continues to evolve in a global context.   To mark the completion of the programme, participants received certificates acknowledging their dedication and curiosity throughout the eight weeks. The series concluded on a joyful note, with a closing party featuring popular Korean street foods such as tteokbokki and gimbap, offering a final moment of shared culture and connection.   The K-Identity programme not only deepened participants’ understanding of Korea but also opened space for meaningful cultural exchange—highlighting the growing interest in Korean heritage, values, and everyday life among South African audiences.   The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa looks forward to continuing to build bridges between Korea and South Africa through dynamic, inclusive, and community-driven programmes.     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 20 to 29 June 2025, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA), in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), is proudly presenting the Korean Food & Culture Festival at Sandton City’s Checkers Court.   This dynamic cultural showcase brings the tastes, textures, and traditions of Korea directly to the heart of Johannesburg. Visitors are invited to experience the vibrancy of Korean culture through an interactive lineup of activities—including Korean street food tastings, K-beauty product displays, traditional calligraphy, and a hanbok (traditional Korean attire) experience.   Open daily with free admission, the festival offers a welcoming space for South Africans to explore both the contemporary and traditional sides of Korea. Whether sampling signature dishes, snapping photos in a hanbok, or trying your hand at Korean script, the festival invites guests to immerse themselves in Korean culture—no passport required.   The event highlights the growing popularity and accessibility of Korean culture in South Africa, continuing KCCSA’s mission to foster cultural exchange and mutual appreciation between the two countries.   The Korean Food & Culture Festival is open to the public through 29 June.     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 Thursday, 19 June 2025, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) officially launched its K-Cinema Club with a full-house screening of Oldboy (2003), marking the beginning of a curated film series dedicated to showcasing landmark works of Korean cinema. The event opened with excitement, bringing together film lovers, students, and new audiences eager to engage more deeply with Korean storytelling on the big screen.   The inaugural series features The Vengeance Trilogy by director Park Chan-wook, whose work has left a significant imprint on both Korean and global cinema. The screening of Oldboy, the most internationally recognized film in the trilogy, set the tone for the weeks to come, with spirited post-screening discussions underscoring the club’s potential as a space for cultural dialogue.   The K-Cinema Club was conceived not only as a screening platform, but as an invitation to South African audiences to explore the emotional depth, cinematic artistry, and cultural themes of Korean film.   “Park Chan-wook’s films may be intense, but they’re also deeply human,” says Jaeil Lee, Senior Press & Media Officer at KCCSA. “His stories force us to ask uncomfortable questions about morality, justice, and forgiveness. We’re proud to bring this important trilogy to South African audiences—not only because of its cinematic brilliance, but because it represents a turning point in the global recognition of Korean storytelling.”   Screenings will continue over the next two Thursdays with Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (26 June) and Lady Vengeance (3 July), both to be held at the Korean Cultural Centre in Pretoria. Doors open at 4:30 PM, with complimentary popcorn and refreshments served before the films begin promptly at 5 PM.   Through the launch of K-Cinema Club, KCCSA aims to create a dedicated space for regular film screenings and discussion—deepening cultural understanding and reinforcing the growing interest in Korean cinema across 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

This winter, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) invites cinephiles on a gripping journey through one of the most iconic trilogies in modern cinema—Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy. Screening over three consecutive Thursdays (19 June, 26 June, and 3 July) at 5 PM, this special K-Cinema Club series promises an unflinching exploration of morality, justice, and the human cost of revenge.   The trilogy—Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Oldboy (2003), and Lady Vengeance (2005)—stands as a cinematic milestone not only for Korean film but for global cinema at large. Tied thematically rather than narratively, each film offers a stylistically daring and emotionally charged descent into the darkest corners of the human psyche, where lines blur between hero and villain, victim and perpetrator.   At the heart of this trilogy is Park Chan-wook, one of South Korea’s most celebrated directors, known for his audacious visual style and masterful command of storytelling. Park rose to international prominence with Oldboy, which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. He has since continued to redefine the possibilities of cinema through critically acclaimed works like The Handmaiden (2016) and Decision to Leave (2022), cementing his legacy as a visionary auteur.   Each film in the trilogy delivers a unique and unforgettable experience:   Oldboy (19 June): A man imprisoned for 15 years without explanation is suddenly released and embarks on a mission to uncover the truth behind his captivity. What follows is a disturbing unraveling of secrets, manipulation, and vengeance that has left an indelible mark on global cinema.   Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (26 June): A deaf-mute factory worker’s desperate act to save his sister leads to a chain of irreversible events. Stark and sorrowful, the film explores the brutal consequences of a failed plan and the grief-fueled violence that follows.   Lady Vengeance (3 July): A woman wrongfully imprisoned for over a decade emerges from jail with a calculated plan for retribution. Visually arresting and emotionally profound, this final chapter ties the trilogy together with haunting elegance.   “Park Chan-wook’s films may be intense, but they’re also deeply human. His stories force us to ask uncomfortable questions about morality, justice, and forgiveness,” says Jaeil Lee, Senior Press & Media Officer at KCCSA. “We’re proud to bring this important trilogy to South African audiences—not only because of its cinematic brilliance, but because it represents a turning point in the global recognition of Korean storytelling.”   This is a rare opportunity to experience all three films on the big screen, presented in sequence and free of charge. Screenings will take place at the Korean Cultural Centre SA (267 Waterkloof Road, Brooklyn, Pretoria). Doors open at 4:30 PM and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy complimentary popcorn and refreshments before the films begin promptly at 5 PM.   Due to the mature themes and graphic content, the screenings are restricted to audiences aged 18 and over.   Admission is free, but registration is required via https://linktr.ee/KCCSA.   For more information, please contact KCCSA at 012 001 9204 or email kccsa@korea.kr.