On 13 July, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) hosted a special workshop dedicated to dwikkoji, a traditional Korean ornamental hairpin, offering participants a hands-on introduction to the craftsmanship and cultural heritage behind this distinctive accessory. The workshop began with an introduction to the history and cultural significance of dwikkoji, including its traditional use alongside hanbok (traditional Korean attire). Participants then learned the techniques involved in creating their own hairpins, carefully assembling and decorating each piece to produce a unique design of their own. Through the hands-on process, participants were able to explore the detail and artistry of Korean traditional crafts while discovering how decorative accessories have formed part of Korea’s clothing culture and aesthetic traditions. The workshop offered a creative way to engage with Korean heritage, allowing participants not only to learn about a traditional craft but also to take home a piece they had made themselves.                           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

      Cinema became a space for difficult conversations this Women's Month as an award-winning Korean film brought Johannesburg audiences together to reflect on gender-based violence, trauma and recovery. Held at The Bioscope on Wednesday, 5 August, the evening centred on The World of Love, the latest film by acclaimed Korean director Yoon Ga-eun. Following the screening, audiences were joined by South African experts for a panel discussion exploring the film's themes and how they resonate with South African audiences. The World of Love follows a high school girl living with the lasting effects of sexual violence as she tries to navigate everyday life. Widely praised for its sensitive portrayal of trauma and healing, the film has received critical acclaim both in Korea and internationally, winning major honours including the Grand Prize at the Nantes Three Continents Festival and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Warsaw International Film Festival. Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho also described the film as "a masterpiece." The panel featured Jody van der Heyde, Violence Prevention Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), and Dr. Shaheda Omar, Director of the Teddy Bear Foundation. Drawing on their professional experience, the speakers reflected on the realities portrayed in the film, discussing the long-term impact of trauma, the importance of prevention and early intervention, and the role of families, schools and communities in supporting survivors. Audience members remained after the screening for an extended discussion, asking thoughtful questions and sharing reflections on the film's themes. Conversations explored not only trauma and recovery, but also the importance of creating safe spaces where difficult experiences can be acknowledged, understood and discussed openly. The event was presented by the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) as a special Women's Month edition of its K-Cinema Club, an ongoing programme introducing acclaimed Korean cinema through screenings and discussions. It also marked the first time the programme had been presented outside the Cultural Centre, bringing K-Cinema Club to Johannesburg audiences at one of the city's best-known independent cinemas. "We chose The World of Love not only because it has been so widely acclaimed, but because it tells a story that resonates far beyond Korea," said Jaeil Lee of the Korean Cultural Centre. "Cinema has a unique way of opening conversations that might otherwise be difficult to have. It was incredibly encouraging to see audiences stay after the screening, engage so openly with our panellists, and reflect on the film together. I hope they left not only having discovered a remarkable Korean film, but also with a deeper understanding of the issues it raises."                           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 23 July, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa’s K-Cinema Club teamed up with Open Window Horror Club for a special screening of Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) at Open Window Institute, bringing together film enthusiasts for an evening dedicated to Korean horror. Inspired by the urban legends surrounding Korea’s abandoned Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum follows a group of young people who enter the abandoned facility to livestream a horror experience, only to find themselves confronting increasingly terrifying events. Its found-footage format and immersive approach kept audiences on edge throughout the screening. Following the film, audiences came together for a discussion exploring the film’s approach to fear, the characteristics of Korean horror, and the techniques that make horror effective on screen. The conversation offered an opportunity to exchange different perspectives on the genre and reflect on the experience of watching horror together in a cinema setting. Jaeil Lee from the Korean Cultural Centre also joined the discussion, sharing insights into Korean horror and the genre’s evolution over the years. He highlighted how horror has often served as a space for experimentation in Korean cinema, while also helping launch the careers of emerging actors and filmmakers. “Korean horror has developed its own way of playing with fear while constantly evolving with new generations of filmmakers and audiences,” Lee said. “It was especially exciting to experience the film together with local horror fans and hear the different ways they responded to it.” The collaboration with Open Window Horror Club brought together communities with a shared interest in film and provided a platform to introduce Korean genre cinema to local audiences through both screening and discussion.                           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 6 to 17 July, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) hosted a two-week workshop dedicated to Buchaechum (traditional Korean fan dance), offering participants an intensive introduction to one of Korea’s most visually distinctive traditional performing arts. Led by Master Kim Tae-eun from Korea’s National Gugak Center, the workshop guided participants through the fundamental movements, expressive techniques, and intricate formations that characterise Buchaechum. Working with the dance’s signature colourful fans, participants gradually developed their skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the balance, coordination, and collective expression at the heart of the performance. The programme culminated in a special showcase on 18 July, when participants took to the stage to present what they had learned over the two weeks. Their performance brought together flowing movements and colourful fan formations, marking the completion of their journey from the first steps of the workshop to the final stage. The showcase also featured a special performance of Taepyeongmu, another traditional Korean dance, by Master Kim Tae-eun, giving audiences an opportunity to experience a different dimension of Korea’s rich dance heritage. The programme concluded with a tasting of Korean cuisine, rounding off the afternoon with another aspect of Korean culture. Organised in partnership with the National Gugak Center of Korea, the programme offered South African participants a rare opportunity to learn Korean traditional dance directly from a master practitioner and experience its artistry through both practice and performance.                  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

    South Africans are no longer content with watching Korea through Netflix, YouTube or TikTok. They want to taste it, walk through it and experience it for themselves. That shift was on full display this weekend as more than 3,000 people flocked to K-Culture Town, an immersive festival that recreated the sights, flavours and everyday atmosphere of Seoul in the heart of Johannesburg. For two days, visitors swapped city streets for subway stations, beginning their journey with a Seoul Metro pass before exploring recreated districts inspired by some of the Korean capital's most recognisable neighbourhoods. The experience moved from bustling shopping streets and traditional food markets to riverside leisure spaces, historic landmarks and one of Seoul's best-known nightlife districts, offering a snapshot of the city's many personalities in a single afternoon. There were no velvet ropes separating performances from exhibitions or food from shopping. Instead, the festival encouraged visitors to wander as they pleased—stopping for Korean street snacks, watching live music, trying on hanbok–the traditional Korean dress, joining craft workshops, singing in a Korean-style karaoke room–or 'noraebang', or posing for photos beneath streetscapes inspired by Seoul. If there was one thing that distinguished K-Culture Town from the growing number of cultural festivals on Johannesburg's calendar, it was the people behind it. Rather than relying solely on performers or exhibitors, the event brought together Korean restaurants, cafés, beauty businesses, retailers and local community groups, turning them into part of the experience itself. Visitors weren't simply watching Korean culture—they were walking through a neighbourhood built by the people who live and breathe it every day in South Africa. That collaborative approach created something closer to a street festival than a conventional cultural showcase. Food vendors stood alongside beauty experiences, community performances blended with live entertainment, and exhibitions naturally flowed into cafés, convenience stores and interactive spaces. The result was an event that felt less staged than lived-in. "Interest in Korea has grown enormously in South Africa over the past few years, but most people still experience it through films, series, music and social media," said Jiyeol YOU, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre South Africa. "We wanted to create an event where people could step into that world for themselves—not simply by watching Korean culture, but by spending a day inside it." The crowds reflected just how broad that interest has become. Alongside long-time K-pop fans were families, curious first-time visitors and people who had simply heard about the festival through friends. For many, it was their first opportunity to experience Korean culture beyond a screen—suggesting that the Korean Wave in South Africa is entering a new chapter, one driven as much by real-world experiences as by digital fandom.                       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