First Phil-Kor Friendship media art show in PH launched   “Kung gusto mong bilisan, maglakbay mag-isa, pero kung malayo ang nais marating maglakbay ng may kasama.” Dire­ctor IM Young-A of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) mused in her Welcoming Remarks, highlighting the journey of the Philippines and Korea for the past 73 years and the new challenges that will continue to take on together, during the launch of the first Phil-Kor friendship media art show. Last October 6, 2022, the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) unveiled and launched Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa, which was made with collaborative effort of Korean cutting-edge technology and Filipino art. The media art show will be presented at the exterior wall of CCP Complex until October 21, 2022, from every 6PM to 9PM. From the music to the dances and then to the art, Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa treats the audience into the journey and progress of the 73-year long friendship between the Philippines and Korea in just 8 minutes. It starts with the encounter of two people representing Philippines and Korea, followed by the traditional dances, interaction of national symbols, and a travel through historical and modern landmarks. The music produced with Korean and Filipino traditional instruments adds meaning to this artwork. At the opening ceremony, director IM Young-A of KCC, NCCA-Head of Sentro Rizal-International Cultural Affairs Office Mary Anne Luis, and CCP President Margie Moran-Floirendo shared messages to commemorate the launch of the media art show. Also, as one of the keys in bridging the Philippines and Korea, SB19 also imparted their message as NCCA Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors. Director IM Young-A of KCC shared in her Opening Remarks how the project came to be, it was when she first saw the CCP. “Since we cannot invite people to come to our building, we thought of a way to approach them, ways to satisfy the cultural needs of people without restrictions.”   Ms. Mary Anne Luis, NCCA-Head of Sentro Rizal-International Cultural Affairs Office shared in her Opening Remarks, that connecting with others and cultural exchange enriches our well-being, and recounted the bilateral relations between both countries “Tonight, we launch this state of the art[…]– one that, while utilizing a digital platform, reminds us of elements of our time-honored traditions, as well as contemporary practices, in order to recount our history and progress, while highlighting the close affinity of the Philippines and Korea.”   Margie Moran-Floirendo, President of the CCP, also gave her Congratulatory Speech for the groundbreaking event. “Through the years, Filipino and Korean people have been good companions to each other as they progress towards national and international development. The two countries share strong bilateral relations in politics, economics, and other social sectors.” In the opening ceremony, guests were also treated with special performance from the featured Filipino and Korean dancers in the media art show, witnessing the harmonious movements presented in the video live on stage. The guests were also dazzled with the performances of Madrigal Singers and the CEU Folk Dance Group as they perform Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko and especially Arirang, one of the most famous folk songs in Korea. The highlight of the ceremony came when the guests were led to the front lawn as the media art show was unveiled for the first time at the grand exterior wall of the CCP Complex. Likewise, Filipinos around the vicinity and even those stuck in traffic were able to witness the unveiling of the media art show. It is as if time stood still as Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa illuminated the Manila sky. Under the theme “Kita Kita Korea”, Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa brings Korea to the Filipinos to experience right here in the Philippines. The media art show is currently showing at the Front lawn façade, CCP Complex until October 21, 2022 from 6PM to 9PM for free. The audience can also have the chance to win different prizes when visiting by joining contests in KCC’s official social media accounts. #

Reminisce the warm memories of Phil-Kor friendship through 동행 (Donghaeng): Gunita at Pag-asa It has been 73 years since the friendship of Philippines and Korea started. To celebrate this special friendship, the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) proudly presents a media art show specially curated with the origin, exchange, development, and prosperity of Phil-Kor friendship with the graceful gestures and music of Korean and Filipino artists. Titled 동행 (Donghaeng): Gunita at Pag-asa, the 8-minute long media art show will be projected at the front lawn wide exterior wall of the CCP Complex from October 6 to October 21, 2022 at 6PM to 9PM. It is shown to the public for free, and those who are just passing-by can enjoy the art even when stuck in traffic! They can also have the chance to win different prizes when visiting by joining contests in KCC’s official social media accounts. The continuous people-to-people exchange between Philippines and Korea has rendered immense expectation and need for the experience of Korean culture, and KCC prepared this media art show so that Filipinos can experience Korea even here in the Philippines.   “I hope that the constant appearance of national symbols of two countries and their harmonious movements in the video would serve as an opportunity to better understand each other.” said, Director IM Young A of KCC. Media art shows are public displays of art projected on the exterior of buildings using them as large screens. Due to the pandemic, a lot of Filipinos are unable to go outside and enjoy art to unwind. This media art show is specifically made to be enjoyed by everyone, for free, without worry as the venue is outside. Anyone can marvel at the intricate design, art, lights and sounds from the grounds of CCP with the company of their friends or family. The media art show is divided into three parts: the cultural origins and growth, the communication of both the beautiful rich cultures, and lastly, the celebration and harmony of friendship between the Philippines and Korea. The media art show is a collaboration of Korean cutting-edge technology and Filipino arts. To exhibit the authentic Filipino and Korean culture, the movements of both Filipino and Korean dancers were recorded through motion capture and AI technology. They perform traditional dances such as Pandanggo and Buchaechum (Korean fan dance) with an ethnic score. At the end of the show, there is a festive collaboration of the traditional dances of each country. This fluid movements are also integrated in the feature of different symbols of each country. The graceful and fluid movements were created by celebrated choreographer SHIN Chang-Ho, while the music is a collaborative effort between Korean music director PARK Woong-Seo and Filipino music director Josenic France Juanite. The overall art was created by the genius of director CHO Chung-Yean. From watching it from their phone screens, Filipinos can now see live media art shows that are popular in Korea in one of the celebrated architectures in Manila. 동행 (Donghaeng): Gunita at Pag-asa is an event under the theme “Kita Kita Korea” where Filipinos can experience Korean culture in the Philippines without traveling to Korea. Other KCC events that the public can look forward to is the Phil-Kor Hats Exhibition with The M on October 21, 2022. Experience the exquisite and artistic representations of Philippine and Korean friendship and hopeful future embroidered in the Manila sky like the Christmas lights.

Experience the glimpse of Phil-Kor Culture Collaboration at the 2022 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival It’s a melting pot of two cultures in Aliw Theatre this September 30 as the United Korean Community Association (UKCA), the  Korean Embassy, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) brings you the 31st Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival! The festival now comes back on stage after two years of online celebration to bring and strengthen Philippine and Korean friendship at one of the iconic theatres in the country. Audiences can experience the best of Korean and Filipino culture and its collaborations through different experience booths and special performances. They can experience Korea without leaving the country by trying out authentic Korean food, beauty and different industries from partners and sponsors! Korean performance group Jinmyung will make your heart pound to the rhythm and sound of Samulnori, the traditional Korean percussion quartet, while Filipino musicians Celso Espejo will tickle your heart with their special performance of the Rondalla, a traditional Filipino instrument. P-Pop girl group KAIA and Filipino singer MONA will also give a performance with their hit songs. 2021 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival winner, will also perform live on stage for the first time since winning the title! Nine finalists composed of Filipinos and Koreans will also showcase their world-class talents on stage. Vocal prowess Venisse Sy, Sandra Faith Dela Cruz, Cecilia Bang and Choi Jeong will take it up on stage with their renditions of their chosen songs, but only one voice will tune out the others and emerge victorious in the Vocal Category. Meanwhile, TEENAGE, Klio PH, Principium, Bamboo Bamboo and Elyashib Demo Team will dance to the rhythm of their dreams with only team outshining others in the Dance Category. Block off your schedule next week, and get a taste and experience of the most awaited collaboration of Philippine and Korean culture this September 30 at Aliw Theatre! Gates will open at 1PM so you can experience the booths early on, while performances will start at 6PM.

SEE, FEEL AND MEET KOREA IN THE PHILIPPINES WITH ‘KITA KITA KOREA’ Get your swimwear ready this rainy season because you’ll surely drown with all the surprises to offer this year! Headline by the theme “Kita kita Korea”, everyone will get the chance to see, feel and experience Korea in the Philippines through different projects and events from the Korea Festival on September 10 – 11, 2022 up to the Phil-Kor Hats Exhibit on October 14. Hosted by the Korean Embassy, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the Korea Festival will be held in the Glorietta Activity Center and Palm Drive Activity Center from September 10 – 11, 2022. As Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving Day, is celebrated on the same day, K-Culture stans, non-stans and even those who are just purely curious can experience authentic traditional Korean Culture here in the Philippines! Even without going to Korea, Filipinos can experience and feel Korea and Chuseok firsthand in one of the busiest cities in the metro! You can make songpyeon (Korean half-moon rice cakes) which is a traditional Korean food that’s a symbol of Chuseok, and also try out and be part of Ganggangsullae Flash Mob Traditional Performance, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage folk play culture that’s performed to wish for a prosperous harvest during Chuseok. Don’t miss out as well the traditional Korean taffy seller roaming around the activity center, and the makgeolli (Korean rice wine) and the jeon (Korean pancake) from the jumak (Korean Traditional Pub)! Be sure to call the taffy seller’s attention and try out the yeot (Korean traditional taffy). Aside from experiencing Chuseok firsthand, you can also check out performances such as The Painters, which is an innovative non-verbal performance that stages the entire process of painting with visual effects and a witty blend of dance, comedy and mime, and Super Stick, a group of Traditional Korean drum performers that will make your hearts beat loud together with their drums! Learn more about Korean cuisine, and cook japchae (Korean stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables) with Chef Sharwin Tee. Talented Filipino acts and celebrities such as Kyline Alcantara, Mona, Z2Z, VXON and KAIA will also showcase their skills on the main stage! K-pop star Soyou, formerly of SISTAR, will shake it on the main stage and sing her hit songs to her Filipino fans! Get a chance to visit Hangang Park, Dongdaemun or Myeongdong here in the Philippines by having a taste of authentic Korean food from Kaya and K-mall! Eat a wide selection of food from chimaek (Korean fried chicken and beer), tteokbokki (Korean stir-fried rice cakes) and sundae (Korean sausage) with your friends and family members on picnic mats just like how Koreans do! Get a chance to try the Ramyeon (Korean instant noodles) machine that automatically cooks your ramyeon for you, which is a trend nowadays in Hangang Park. Finally, complete your authentic Korean culture experience by trying out Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), or reminisce your teenage years by trying Korean school uniforms! These are not all the activities that await you on September 10 and 11 as you can also join the Korea Travel Organization’s Korea Travel Quiz, the OX quiz, different traditional games, and even Korean calligraphy! Korea Festival is the headline event of KCC to K-Culture stans, non-stans and even curious individuals under the theme “Kita Kita Korea”. They will get to see and experience Korea in the Philippines not only through the Korea Festival but also through succeeding events such as the Media Art Show at CCP from October 6 to 21, which will feature the longstanding friendship between Korea and the Philippines through a motion capture art displayed on the façade of the CCP building, and the Phil-Kor Hats Exhibition with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila from October 14 to November 30 which will feature different Korean traditional hats and modern Filipino hats at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s new location in BGC.

KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL COMES BACK WITH LIVE SCREENINGS AFTER 2 YEARS   2022 Korean Film Festival (KFF) invites everyone to create wonderful bonds and beautiful memories as it comes back with live screenings after 2 years this August 10! Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) - Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) invites everyone to experience the hidden Korean films which were released in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. These special set of films are here to start your journey of building new experiences, creating bonds, and discovering new goals. 2022 KFF presents ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ (Director Hong Wonchan, 2020), ‘Escape from Mogadishu’ (Director Ryu Seung-wan, 2021), ‘The Novelist’s Film’ (Director Hong Sangsoo, 2021), ‘Miracle: Letters to the President (Director Lee Janghoon, 2021)’, ‘Snowball’ (Lee Woojung, 2021), ‘The Day I Died’ (Director Park Jiwan, 2020), and ‘Perhaps Love’ (Jo Eunji, 2021). For the first time in two years, these carefully selected films will be shown in selected 5 SM Cinemas around Metro Manila. 2022 KFF opening ceremony will be held on August 10 at SM Aura Premier at 5 PM for selected audiences. The opening film ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ will be screened at Cinema 2. The public screening for all 7 films will be available afterwards from August 11 to 14 at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM City Grand Central, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall. The public screening follows a first come first serve basis. Further, the opening ceremony will be graced by 2 Korean film directors, Dir. Hong Wonchan who directed ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ and Dir. Lee Woojung who directed ‘Snowball’. The audience will be able to meet and ask questions from them after the opening film screening on August 10. Director Hong Wonchan is prominent among the so-called post-Korean film directors, and he has directed several hit films. Especially the 2022 KFF opening film ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ attracted almost 4.36 million of Korean moviegoers in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. His debut film ‘Office’ has also been invited to 68th Cannes Film Festival’s midnight screening in 2015. He also wrote a few of his films and is dedicated to his own craft. Director Lee Woojung is a promising Female independent film director who continues to contribute to the Korean independent film industry. She started her career as an actress after studying theater and film in the university. She directed her first independent short film ‘Neither to die nor to leave’ in 2012 and began to get more attention through her recent film ‘Snowball’. But wait, there’s more as there will be a ‘Talk with the Filmmakers’ on August 11, 1:30PM at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Manila where these 2 directors will share the challenges and processes in filmmaking. Two esteemed Filipino film directors will also join the talks and share their own experiences. This event aims to show the exchanges of both countries’ film industries, and to deliver advice and knowledge about film production and filmmaking to the Filipino audiences, especially to Filipino film students.   Interested moviegoers may visit KCC’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, @KCCPhil to reserve slots for the opening ceremony on August 10, talk with the filmmakers on August 11, and public screening schedule from August 11 to 14. 2022 Korean Film Festival is in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Korean Film Council, Korean Tourism Organization Manila Office, and SM Cinema.