재외한국문화원 Overseas Korean Cultural Center

Press Start on Game Art: KCC Explores the Future of Gaming Education and Collaboration (JULY 30, 2025) - The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) made its first-ever appearance at the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) with the event “Meet the Mentor: Press Start on Game Art,” featuring Professor Sean Kwon, Lead Professor of the Game Art-Game Institute at the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). Held on July 25–26, the two-part event - the 25th being online and the 26th onsite - brought together aspiring Filipino game developers, educators, and students for an exclusive learning session with one of Korea’s leading game art educators. Learning from a Global Gaming Powerhouse In his keynote lecture, Professor Kwon presented a comprehensive look at Korea’s game industry, which ranks 4th globally with $22 billion in annual revenue and over 84,000 professionals. He shared how Korea’s success has been driven by a strong mobile gaming sector, government support, and a dynamic indie scene. Beyond market data, Kwon also discussed the challenges the industry faces—such as workforce burnout, rising production costs, and AI’s influence on traditional roles in game development. Educating for an AI-Powered Future A core part of Kwon’s presentation focused on the KOCCA Game Institute’s two-year program designed to train future-ready developers. The institute emphasizes hands-on, team-based learning in fields like VR/AR, 3D modeling, and AI-integrated pipelines. “We don’t just teach students to use tools—we train them to think like developers,” Kwon emphasized. “AI will reshape how we work, but the artist’s vision remains irreplaceable.” He also called for a shift in game education to prepare talent for creative direction and ethical collaboration with AI, not just technical execution. Building Bridges Between Korea and the Philippines With the Philippine game industry growing at an average of 7.2% annually, both Kwon and KCC Director Kim Myeongjin highlighted the potential for deeper collaboration between Korea and the Philippines in training, co-development, and cultural exchange. “This first-ever participation in PGDX allowed us to promote Korea’s game industry and share knowledge. We hope this leads to future cross-border collaboration in the field,” said Director Kim. Participants echoed this excitement, with one attendee sharing, “Hearing about Korea’s approach to game education inspired me to keep learning and explore new tools on my own.” “Meet the Mentor: Press Start on Game Art” marked a meaningful step in connecting the two countries through shared creative goals. As both nations navigate an AI-powered future in gaming, collaboration in education and innovation will be key to leveling up the next generation of talent.

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Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines Hosts Bibimbap Workshop to Celebrate Nutrition, Culture, and Community (June 30, 2025) — A beloved Korean dish took center stage at the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines, as it hosted a vibrant and meaningful ‘Bibimbap Cooking Workshop’ on June 27, 2024, in celebration of Nutrition Month in July. Led by Korean chef Lily Min, the event brought together culinary expertise, nutritional insight, and cultural exchange. The hands-on workshop was joined by representatives from key national organizations in the fields of nutrition and education, including the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Philippine Society of Nutritionists-Dietitians (PSND), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Department of Education – School-Based Feeding Program (DepEd-SBFP), Philippine Association of Nutrition (PAN), University of Makati - College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (UMak-CTHM), and select members of the media. The activity introduced participants to the art of preparing Bibimbap, a signature Korean dish known for its balance of rice, vegetables, protein, and flavorful sauces. True to the theme of adaptability and local relevance, the workshop included a delightful twist — the use of sayote, a familiar and widely available vegetable in the Philippines, showcasing how Korean cuisine can be customized using local ingredients. “Bibimbap is more than just a delicious meal. It embodies the values of harmony, balance, and well-being. We hoped that this workshop is a good first step toward integrating Hansik, or traditional Korean food, into Filipino households in a way that’s practical, nutritious, and culturally enriching,” said KCC Director Kim Myeongjin. You can also re-create the dish by following these steps:      This event marks the beginning of KCC’s campaign to promote Hansik as a healthy and accessible option for Filipino communities. By collaborating with experts and stakeholders from the nutrition and education sectors, KCC hopes to continue creating spaces where food becomes a bridge between cultures and a tool for community health.

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Fans, enthusiasts, and artists unleash love for K-pop in ‘Everyone’s KPOP Manila 2025’ (MANILA, 26 June 2025) – Among velvet clouds and shining stars, the pastel colors of the Hallyu wave decorated Robinsons Galleria in soft hues, as fans, enthusiasts, artists, and dreamers took center stage to unleash their love for all things K-pop at ‘2025 Everyone’s KPOP Manila’. Held last June 21, the ultimate K-pop event of the year is a celebration of passion, performance, and pop culture where music is, once again, proved to be a universal language. “It was also my first real glimpse into how big and well-loved KPOP is here in the Philippines! You guys definitely left an impression,” expressed Kim Myeongjin, the Director of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), in his opening remarks. Hosted by KCC and The Seoul Shinmun Daily, in collaboration with the Korea Copyright Protection Agency-Manila Office (KCOPA), Philippine K-pop Convention Inc. (PKCI), and Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, the event transformed the space into a full-blown K-pop dreamscape with interactive fan club booths, main stage Korean variety show-inspired activities, fan chat board, and fan art exhibition wall, as they completed a stamp tour challenge that rewarded them with a commemorative emoji keyring. While HORI7ON’s Marcus and Vinci talked about their humble idol journey from being dream makers to dream chasers through the ‘Idol Talk’ segment, hyping up the crowd for a full day of fun and surprises was rookie group NEW:ID with their youthful energy. The powerful momentum kept rising with a fiery performance by the ‘Monsters of P-Pop’ VXON, which gained cheers all over the atrium, marking the beginning of the finals stage of the K-Pop Cover Dance Festival where the nation’s top dance crews battled it out for glory. After an intense competition, PARADIGM emerged as the champion, who will represent the country in Korea, with an electrifying concert-like stage of SEVENTEEN’s ‘HOT’, while KAIROS and THE GLITZ secured the 1st and 2nd runner-up spots respectively, each team showing why the Philippines is home to some of the most passionate and talented dancers in the world.

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Straight Out of Itaewon: Webtoon Artist Gwang Jin Headlines KCC’s ‘Meet the Mentor’ in Manila (June 23, 2025) — The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) is giving K-drama fans, creatives, and storytellers a rare chance to meet one of Korea’s most influential content creators — Gwang Jin, the mind behind the global sensation Itaewon Class — through the latest installment of its “Meet the Mentor” series. Happening from July 4 to 6, 2025, this three-day program brings Gwang Jin to multiple venues in Metro Manila, where he will share his journey — from crafting the original webtoon to seeing it adapted into the blockbuster K-drama that resonated with audiences worldwide for its themes of resilience, diversity, and fighting for one’s dreams. Specifically, his workshop at The M includes a drawing session, during which he will demonstrate how his story unfolds through the strokes of his pen. Building on the success of KCC’s ‘Meet the Mentor’ series — which has previously featured webtoon artists, literature authors, film experts, and other cultural figures — this event continues KCC’s commitment to connecting Filipino audiences with Korea’s thriving creative industries. Alongside the talk shows, KCC is making its debut as an exhibitor at the Philippine International Comics Festival 2025 (PICOF)! A dedicated space on Korean Webtoon featuring its growth and notable works with hands-on experience will allow visitors to scroll themselves into the world of Webtoon. ‘Meet the Mentor: The Creator of Itaewon Class’ is hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, in partnership with the Philippine International Comics Festival 2025 (PICOF), Komiket, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

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