PhilippinesTaguig

CELEBRATING CULTURE: KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER HOSTS  HANGEUL WEEK 2026 MANILA, Philippines - The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines commemorates the proclamation of Hangeul,  or the Korean alphabet, through “Hangeul Week 2026,” a week-long event to introduce the alphabet through exhibitions,  installations, and hands-on activities from October 1 to 8, 2026. From its rich history, Hangeul, Korea’s official writing system, was created by King Sejong the Great and his scholars in 1443.  Originally called Hunminjeongeum, the writing system was officially promulgated and published in 1446.  The Hunminjeongeum Manuscript was later inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 1997. Aside from cultural activities and programs to enjoy throughout the week, the celebration also featured the concert  “Imagination on Resonance” on October 2, 2026, showcasing a traditional Korean percussion performance by Groove &. Members Sang-kyung Lee, Min-ju Sohn, and Ha-gyeon Kim delivered a refreshing sound to the Filipino audience with  their traditional percussion instruments, offering a glimpse into another facet of Korea’s rich cultural heritage. The space, which spans throughout the multipurpose hall of KCC on the 5th floor,  features experience zones where visitors can write their names in calligraphy, make their own mood lamp inspired by  Hangeul letters, and enjoy some traditional Korean games. Visitors can also explore the Hangeul Tree, an interactive installation inspired by Hangeul,  where they can hang their bookmarks as leaves, adding their own personal touch to the growing tree.  Director Kim Myeongjin highlighted the event as another opportunity to introduce Filipinos to  Korea’s rich cultural heritage and history, further strengthening the cultural connection between the two nations. “Through this week-long celebration, KCC proudly shares a piece of Korean culture with the Filipinos as we continue  our commitment to connecting two nations,” he said. Hangeul Week 2026 will be open to the public from October 1 to 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines shares the taste of Korean Thanksgiving through ‘Shaping Hangawi: A Hansik Workshop’   The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines took part in celebrating Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving, through the Shaping Hangawi: A Hansik Workshop, offering a cultural and culinary experience on September 24-25, 2026, at the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines in Taguig City. Chuseok, also known as the Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the most important holidays of Koreans and is often celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Koreans usually do various traditions during the festival, including cooking traditional food for the family. The two-day hands-on experience was led by Korean cuisine researcher Baik Jong Ran, where invited media, cultural partners, and the public got the chance to learn how to prepare some traditional Korean food, including songpyeon (송편) and kkochi-jeon (꼬치전), served during the festival. To give attendees the full Chuseok experience, they also had the opportunity to share and savor japchae (Korean glass noodle stir-fry) and sikhye (sweet rice punch), some of the traditional dishes commonly enjoyed by Korean families during the holidays. Offering participants a glimpse into the variety of Korean holiday cuisine, the workshop also featured a food exhibition of some more traditional dishes served during the celebration, including samsaek namul (three-color seasoned vegetables), galbijjim (Korean braised short ribs), torantang (taro soup), and gwail (fruits). KCC Director Kim Myeongjin shares the celebration with Filipinos as the center continues its commitment to connecting Filipinos and Koreans through cultural experiences. “This Chuseok celebration is also one of KCC’s ways to show our gratitude for the never-ending support of our partners to our initiative in sharing the Korean culture and to the public who continue to join us in our activities,” Aside from the cooking workshop, the center also offered to the public some traditional Korean games, including Ddakji, Gonggi, and Jegi Chagi, to complete the Korean cultural experience.

Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines Brings Hope to MIBF 2026 with “Moments with Kim Ho-yeon: Where Second Chances Begin” Highlighting hope and second chances with acclaimed author Kim Ho-yeon The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) filled the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF 2026) with hope and second chances through “Moments with Kim Ho-yeon: Where Second Chances Begin,” featuring acclaimed Korean author Kim Ho-yeon, and the opening of the interactive booth “K-Story Convenience Store” at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from September 9 to 13. Inspired by the hit novel “The Second Chance Convenience Store,” KCC’s “K-Story Convenience Store” was open to the public from September 9 to 13, showcasing a wide selection of Korean literature and offering visitors a variety of interactive activities. Aside from the interactive booth, KCC also hosted several book signing and meet-and-greet events for acclaimed author Kim Ho-yeon with Filipino readers, members of the media, and the KCC Book Club through talks, discussions, and book signing sessions. Best known internationally for his story “The Second Chance Convenience Store,” a heartwarming novel that explores kindness, community, healing, and the possibility of starting over. The novel became a bestseller in Korea, selling more than two million copies and has since been translated into English, Japanese, Polish, Chinese, and Spanish. Through “Moments with Kim Ho-yeon: Where Second Chances Begin” KCC continues its efforts to promote Korean literature and create opportunities for Filipino audiences to engage directly with Korean authors and their works. Attendees pose for a group photo after the 3-day “Moments with Kim Ho-yeon: Where Second Chances Begin”  The event kicked off at the KCC Library on September 10, where KCC Book Club members, members of the media, influencers, and the public got the chance to meet and hear stories from Kim himself about his hit novel. It was then followed on September 11 at the UP Diliman School of Statistics Lecture Hall 1, wherein, aside from a question and answer portion, Kim also did a lecture where he shared his journey and his ups and downs in writing. The event concluded at the National Book Store Stage at the MIBF 2026 event on September 12, where hundreds of book lovers joined the program and had their books personally signed. KCC Director Kim Myeongjin shares his joy in another successful MIBF year, saying, “We remain committed to bringing Korean literature closer to Filipino readers and further strengthening the growing cultural ties between Korea and the Philippines.” Through the success of “Moments with Kim Ho-yeon: Where Second Chances Begin,” KCC continues its effort to connect two cultures and continues to discover stories that further bring the Philippines and Korean literature closer.

Read and Experience Seoulful Stories: An Immersive Showcase of Korean Literature Check it out at the National Book Store Superbranch, SM Mall of Asia This tastefully designed vignette is the new home for Korean literature at the National Book Store Superbranch in SM Mall of Asia, coming soon to more NBS branches. Manila, Philippines — National Book Store (NBS), the Philippines’ largest bookstore chain, and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) continue their collaboration with an exciting new endeavor to bring Korean literature closer to Filipino readers. Connecting Cultures, Uniting with Stories Seoulful Stories is a specially curated book display featuring the wide selection of Korean cozy fiction bestsellers, literary novels, manhwa (comics), and self-help books available at NBS, all translated into English or Filipino. The structure features intricate geometric lattice screens lined with soft, translucent white backdrops reminiscent of classic paper-paneled hanji doors. Hanging from the doorways are rectangular patchwork fabric lanterns, evocative of traditional Jinju silk lanterns. This culturally immersive display for the books is a refreshing space for browsing books and taking photos and videos. “Our partnership with National Book Store has been instrumental in bridging Korean and Filipino cultures through the shared love for reading. Through the launch of Seoulful Stories, we are thrilled to make Korean stories and literary voices even more accessible to Filipino readers, fostering a deeper cultural appreciation between our two nations,” said Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines Director Myeongjin Kim. The first Seoulful Stories is located inside the National Book Store Superbranch in SM Mall of Asia, with the formal opening and ribbon-cutting on September 1, 2026. Another Seoulful Stories nook is coming to the all-new National Book Store Superbranch in Festival Mall by September, and will also be present in more branches later this year and throughout 2027. “We are deeply grateful for our continued collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines,” said National Book Store President and CEO Adrian S. Ramos. “This is part of our ongoing transformation to make National Book Store more than just a go-to retail destination. Seoulful Stories helps make our stores a welcoming third space and a vibrant cultural hub, and we look forward to expanding this to more branches across Metro Manila and beyond." Bringing Korean Authors and Filipino Readers Together This next stage of collaboration further aligns KCC’s mission of promoting Korean language and culture with National Book Store’s dedication to providing Filipino readers with diverse, world-class literature. Over the past several years, this mutually beneficial partnership has brought celebrated Korean literary voices to the Philippines with award-winning novelist Park Sang-young (Love in the Big City) in 2024 and bestselling author Hwang Bo-reum (Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop) in 2025. Continuing this tradition, NBS and KCC will welcome acclaimed author Kim Ho-yeon (The Second Chance Convenience Store) to Manila for a series of book talks and signing sessions. His visit concludes with his event at the 45th Manila International Book Fair in the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City on September 12, 2026 (Saturday). The Second Chance Convenience Store is available in National Book Store branches, online on www.nationalbookstore.com, and their official stores on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop. About National Book Store National Book Store is the Philippines' largest bookstore chain, helping Filipino families and communities achieve balanced living affordably by providing quality books, educational materials, creative tools, and inspiring experiences that complement their digital lives, spark imagination, and foster meaningful connections. About the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) operates under the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, dedicated to deepening cultural understanding and exchange between Korea and the Philippines through language, arts, literature, and community programs.

2026 Korean Film Festival concludes with the ‘Stories that Move Us’   Photo 1. Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Korean Film Festival (From left to right) President Marlyn Montaño of the Animation Council of the Philippines, Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin of SM Supermalls, Director Kim Myeongjin of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, Chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Creator and Webtoon Artist of “My Daughter is a Zombie” Lee Younchang.    The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) successfully concluded the 2026 Korean Film Festival (KFF), held under the theme "K-Story: Stories that Move Us." Through a diverse lineup of activities spanning film, literature, and webtoons, this year's festival celebrated the universal power of storytelling while strengthening cultural ties between the Philippines and Korea.   “This year's festival carries the theme 'K-Story: Stories that Move Us,' celebrating stories that transcend pages, screens, and borders. For the first time, our festival features films adapted from Korean webtoons and literary works, showcasing how stories continue to connect people across cultures and generations,” Kim Myeongjin, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, expressed during his opening remarks.   Building upon the growing global influence of Korean content, the festival expanded beyond traditional film screenings to present a dynamic three-part program featuring emerging Filipino filmmakers, renowned artists from both countries, and a carefully curated selection of Korean films adapted from beloved webtoons and literary works.       Part I. Kwentong Korea: Student Short Film Competition  Photo 2. Winners of the 2026 Student Short Film Competition    At the opening ceremony, held last August 5, the top three “Kwentong Korea” entries were recognized and awarded. Their film entries were also shown at the beginning of the program.   "When Love Met a Language", a film created by students from the University of the Philippines Diliman, was selected as the Grand Winner, highlighting the creativity and storytelling abilities of young Filipino filmmakers.   As part of their prize, the winning team will travel to South Korea to attend the 2026 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where they will have the opportunity to experience one of Asia's most prestigious film festivals and gain firsthand insight into the international film industry.     Part II. Meet the Mentor: Webtoon Artist Photo 3. Korean webtoon artist Lee Younchang and Filipino graphic novelist Arnold Arre sat down for a talkback session last August 6 at the Cinematheque Centre Manila. Photo 4. Creator of “My Daughter is a Zombie” Lee Younchang discussed his creative process and Korea’s webtoon industry during the webtoon workshop at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, August 7.   As part of the festival's focus on storytelling across multiple platforms, KFF hosted Meet the Mentor: Webtoon Artist, featuring acclaimed Korean webtoon artist Lee Younchang, creator of My Daughter is a Zombie, alongside celebrated Filipino graphic novelist Arnold Arre, known for The Mythology Class and The Children of Bathala.   The two artists participated in a Philippines-Korea talkback session at the Cinematheque Centre Manila, where they shared their experiences in visual storytelling, discussed the growing influence of webtoons and graphic novels, and explored how stories continue to transcend languages, cultures, and mediums.   Lee Younchang also led a special webtoon workshop at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, giving aspiring artists and creators a valuable opportunity to learn directly from one of Korea's leading webtoon creators.     Part III. Korean Film Screenings    Photo 5. & 6 People watching this year’s festival film line-up.   The festival concluded with free public screenings held from August 7 to 9 at participating SM Cinema branches, including SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM City Iloilo, and SM Lanang.   This year's lineup showcased stories that successfully made the journey from page to screen, featuring Your Letter, Love in the Big City, My Daughter is a Zombie, Omniscient Reader, and Yumi's Cells: The Movie.   The screenings attracted audiences from across the country, further highlighting the enduring popularity of Korean cinema and the growing appreciation for stories inspired by literature and webtoons.   Through the theme "K-Story: Stories that Move Us," the 2026 Korean Film Festival once again demonstrated storytelling's ability to bridge cultures, inspire creativity, and foster meaningful connections between the Philippines and Korea.   The 2026 Korean Film Festival was presented by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines in collaboration with the Korean Film Council, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and SM Cinema.   For updates and more information, follow @kccphil on Facebook and Instagram or visit the KCC website.

"Music Becomes a Bridge": KCC Presents 'Korean Sound' with the National Orchestra of Korea   Photo 1. Poster of Korean Sound (TAGUIG CITY) — The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) invites music lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and fans of Korean traditional arts to experience Korean Sound, a special musical performance featuring the young artists of the National Orchestra of Korea's Youth Educational Group. Happening on August 15, 2026, at the BGC Arts Center, with two shows at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, this cultural journey brings together the enduring beauty of Korean traditional music and its exciting evolution through contemporary artistry. Korean Sound has already been staged in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, with the Philippines and Thailand next on the tour route. The event is presented by KCC in collaboration with the National Theater of Korea, with the support of Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE). Korean Sound is open to the public, with limited slots available through sign-up at bit.ly/KoreanSoundRegistration .  Photo 2. Photo of the National Orchestra of Korea. Photo courtesy of the National Theater of Korea Established in 1995 under the National Theater of Korea, the National Orchestra of Korea has dedicated itself to preserving the essence of Korean traditional music while exploring new artistic possibilities. By blending centuries-old traditions with contemporary creativity, the orchestra has earned recognition for bringing Korea's rich musical heritage to audiences around the world. In Manila, the spotlight belongs to the orchestra's Youth Educational Group. Formed under the MCST's Young Artist Training Program, the initiative gives young artists the chance to train and perform alongside Korea's leading national arts companies. Of the 30 trainees selected for the program in 2026, 11 were chosen through internal auditions to perform in Korean Sound. The group plays a range of traditional Korean instruments — strings like the gayageum (가야금) and geomungo (거문고), winds like the piri (피리) and daegeum (대금), and many more. They'll be joined onstage by a young trainee vocalist from the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, bringing the total number of young performers to 12. Photo 3. The National Orchestra of Korea in one of their performances. Photo courtesy of the National Theater of Korea Audiences can look forward to a program that spans traditional Korean court music, and pansori (판소리) — Korea's centuries-old tradition of narrative singing. Highlights include 'The Scene of Catching the Rabbit', a dramatic scene from the pansori Sugungga (수궁가); and Together Arirang, a newly commissioned finale that weaves Filipino folk tunes with the sound of traditional Korean instruments, bringing Korean and Filipino musical traditions together on one stage. The program also features other works that showcase the ensemble's range from classical repertoire to contemporary composition. "More than a concert, the program is designed as an introduction to the depth and emotion of Korean traditional artistry as it continues to evolve for new generations and new audiences," said Myeongjin Kim, Director of the KCC. Korean Sound continues KCC's ongoing commitment to celebrating the friendship between Korea and the Philippines through the universal language of music. Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness Korea's next generation of traditional musicians live on stage — sign up today at bit.ly/KoreanSoundRegistration