The Korean Cultural Centre SA (KCCSA) is proud to present a special exhibition dedicated to the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. Running from September through February of the following year, this exhibition celebrates the scientific brilliance, cultural significance, and aesthetic charm of Hangeul, Korea's premier cultural heritage.     Curated to introduce Hangeul in an engaging and accessible way, the exhibition showcases cultural products inspired by Hangeul that integrate seamlessly into daily life. This initiative, in collaboration with the National Hangeul Museum, features innovative Hangeul-themed items created through competitions held from 2019 to 2023.     The exhibition will display contributions from seven artists and eighteen companies, featuring a diverse collection of 32 Hangeul-themed products. Visitors can explore a variety of items, including jewelry such as earrings and necklaces adorned with Hangeul characters, along with decorative furniture, ceramics, office supplies, and more.     In addition to the main exhibit, interactive sections will allow visitors to engage with Korean history and culture through board games featuring Hangeul.     The exhibition will also offer a range of educational and hands-on activities, including basic Korean language classes and Hangeul-themed craft workshops.     This exhibition is organized in partnership with the National Hangeul Museum and the Korean Education Culture Foundation.     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

Johannesburg embraced the Korean cultural wave on Saturday, 7 September, as the Korean Cultural Centre South Africa (KCCSA) launched its exciting new initiative, ‘Travelling Korea,’ in the City of Gold. This highly anticipated pop-up event brought a vibrant taste of Korean culture to Johannesburg, offering a dynamic blend of K-pop, Korean cuisine, fashion, and entertainment in response to the city's burgeoning interest in all things Korean.     ‘Travelling Korea,’ spearheaded by KCCSA in Pretoria, is designed to bridge the gap for communities unable to visit the Centre directly. By setting up pop-up cultural events in various locations, the initiative aims to make Korean culture more accessible through engaging activities and exhibits. Johannesburg, with its diverse population and vibrant cultural scene, was chosen as the inaugural city for this groundbreaking event.     Jiyeol You, Director of KCCSA, commented, “The growing fascination with Korean culture across South Africa has prompted us to bring our cultural experiences directly to different regions. This travelling cultural centre is a way to connect with communities far from Pretoria. We plan to extend this initiative to major cities across South Africa and neighbouring countries that lack dedicated cultural centres, further promoting Korean culture and engaging with enthusiasts.”       Held at Midrand Primary School, the event featured an array of activities, including exhibits on Korea’s rich history and modern achievements, interactive corners showcasing traditional Korean attire, games, and cuisine. Visitors were also treated to performances of K-pop and traditional Korean music.     A standout moment was the K-pop stage performance by local South African talents, many of whom are students at the K-Pop Academy at the Centre. Additionally, a traditional Korean drum dance performed by South Africans, who had been introduced to Korean traditional music through a special workshop in July, received enthusiastic applause.     The event attracted over a thousand visitors, all passionate about Korean culture.     Volunteer Lisa Noche shared her excitement, saying, “As a long-time fan of K-pop and K-dramas, I have frequently attended events at the Korean Cultural Centre in Pretoria, which can be quite a journey sometimes. I’m thrilled to have been part of this initiative, sharing my love for Korean culture especially with so many fellow Joburgers.”     Looking ahead, the Centre will continue its cultural journey with the next event set to take place in Cape Town on 12 October.   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

A captivating fashion show celebrating the harmonious blend of cultural heritages from South Africa and Korea was held last Saturday, 27 July, at the Korean Cultural Centre in Pretoria.     The fashion show, organized as part of a three-day workshop event aimed to introduce traditional Korean dress, also known as ‘hanbok,’ to South Africa, was the highlight of the event where participants were given an opportunity to present hanbok to the audience.     The participants not only showcased a diverse array of traditional Korean dresses ranging from ceremonial attire to contemporary adaptations, but they also dazzled the audience by seamlessly integrating elements of South African traditional attire with hanbok, demonstrating a unique cultural fusion.   The audience responded with enthusiasm, particularly applauding the modern adaptations of hanbok that reflected influences from South African traditional clothing.     Gladina Masilela, a student from the Centre’s Korean language programme who also modelled at the fashion show, shared her enthusiasm “It was such an extraordinary day as I was honoured to present the traditional dress of Korea which I recently fell in love with as well as my proud heritage as a South African. Both countries have marvellous traditions and boast such exquisite aesthetics in traditional clothes, and today was a celebration of these beautiful heritages. I am thrilled to have been part of it.”     Preceding the fashion show, the event featured enlightening lectures on various types of traditional and modern hanbok, as seen in popular Korean dramas and K-pop, which have captivated audiences in South Africa. On the 25th and 26th, hands-on workshop sessions to create traditional Korean accessories were also offered.     Dr. Sunyoung Park, an esteemed hanbok expert from the Hanbok Culture Creative Space who led the three-day event, reflected on the experience “It was such an enlightening experience for me as I discovered and learned about the exquisite beauty of traditional South African clothing from the participants, rather than I taught the participants. Since arriving here, I have spent days exploring local shops and collecting stunning, colourful fabrics. I can’t wait to incorporate these South African cultural elements into our hanbok designs in the future.”     This event was organized in partnership with the King Sejong Institute Foundation as part of its initiative, ‘The Sejong Culture Academy,’ which aims to deepen understanding of Korean culture abroad and promote cultural exchanges.   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

SA Dancers Embrace Korean Dance Melding it with Their Proud Heritage   K-pop may have dominated the dance trends among youth in recent years, with TikTok forecasting that the 'K-culture spend' will double to $132 billion by 2030. Young dancers in South Africa, however, are delving into the roots of modern Korean dance through the traditional form of 'gugak' (traditional Korean music), melding it with their own proud heritage to forge a unique identity.     The Korea Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) recently concluded a transformative two-week workshop on traditional Korean dance in collaboration with young aspiring dancers in South Africa. Held from July 8th to 19th, the workshop culminated in a spectacular performance by participants, featuring a special presentation by a visiting instructor from the National Gugak Center of Korea on July 20th.     Over twenty participants dedicated themselves to daily three-hour rehearsals to master the fundamentals of traditional Korean music and dance. Their efforts culminated in a captivating dance performance, showcasing their newfound skills to the audience.   Many participants were seasoned dancers from the Centre's renowned 'K-Pop Academy,' drawn by their passion for Korean culture. Through this workshop, they deepened their understanding of the roots of modern Korean dance beyond the popular K-pop genre.     Susan Nkata, an instructor at the Centre's K-Pop Academy, shared her enthusiasm about the workshop, noting, "It was fascinating to discover that both traditional Korean dance and K-pop emphasize synchronized choreography. Personally, I was deeply moved by the grace and elegance that traditional Korean dance exudes, which isn't always highlighted in modern K-pop dance. I look forward to blending these styles in future performances."     The culminating performance on July 20th featured a unique blend of traditional dance movements, each representing diverse cultural backgrounds reminiscent of South Africa's nickname, 'Rainbow Nation.' The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, appreciating the cultural fusion presented.     Following the participants' performance, Tae Hoon Kim from the National Gugak Center showcased quintessential Korean dance through special performances, accompanied by insightful explanations and engaging Q&A sessions. He remarked, "The passion shown by the young participants over the last two weeks, and the audience's keen interest, were truly inspiring. Most of all, it was gratifying to create a performance together with the young talented participants in South Africa through genuine cultural exchange."     The workshop, organized in partnership with the National Gugak Center of Korea, aimed to introduce South African audiences to traditional Korean music 'gugak' and foster cultural exchange between the two countries through music.     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 a whirlwind of K-pop, K-beauty, and K-dramas, Korean culture has stormed into the global spotlight, captivating hearts and minds across continents. From the fervent fandoms of BTS to the addictive allure of K-dramas, the world's fascination with Korean culture has reached unprecedented heights. As enthusiasts grow and clamour for more, Korean culture continues to redefine global trends, making waves—or so-called ‘Korean Wave’ as now officially termed—as the next big phenomenon in the realm of pop culture.     In light of this context, the Korean Cultural Centre SA (KCCSA), established in 2021 responding to the growing demand in SA, has offered its flagship annual culture festival ‘FEEL KOREA.’     The highly anticipated festival made a successful return for its third edition this year. This year's event, themed "Discover the Streets of Seoul," immersed visitors in a vibrant tapestry of Korean traditions, entertainment, and lifestyle, further cementing Korean culture’s allure in South Africa.     Over the course of two days, the festival transformed the Korean Cultural Centre SA in Pretoria into a bustling hub reminiscent of Seoul’s streets, captivating visitors with an array of authentic experiences.     Visitors indulged in a feast for the senses, sampling Korean street food delights at the K-Street Food Pocha, while the K-Pop Stage & Lounge echoed with electrifying beats, showcasing the infectious energy of K-pop.     Highlights included live busking performances, the popular Buldak & Dalgona Coffee Challenges, and the opportunity to explore Korean traditional attire at the Hanbok experience. Beauty enthusiasts flocked to the K-Beauty Room to discover and experiment with the latest K-beauty trends, while the Seoul Shopping Street offered a marketplace experience with Korean lifestyle goods, courtesy of K-Lifestyle by KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency).     "We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to FEEL KOREA 2024," said Mr. Jiyeol You, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre SA. "This festival not only celebrates our rich cultural heritage but also fosters deeper cultural exchange between Korea and South Africa."     The event saw a diverse turnout of visitors, from seasoned K-culture enthusiasts to newcomers eager to explore Korean traditions. Entry to the festival was free, with visitors required to register online in advance, reflecting the festival's commitment to accessibility and community engagement.     The festival also marked a milestone with its collaboration with KOTRA's 'K-Lifestyle,' enhancing the festival's offerings with top-tier Korean fashion, beauty products, and lifestyle goods. This synergy underscored Korea's influence on global trends and its growing presence in South Africa’s cultural landscape.   For those unable to attend, highlights from the festival will be shared across the Korean Cultural Centre SA’s official website and social media platforms, extending the festival’s reach beyond its physical location.   As the festival draws to a close, the Korean Cultural Centre SA looks forward to building on this year's success, continuing to foster mutual understanding and appreciation through the celebration of Korean culture in 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