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

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• X: https://twitter.com/KCC_SA