13th Edition of Festive Korea 2023 

40 Cultural Programmes to Bring You ‘Closer to Korea’

4th September 2023 (Hong Kong) - Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant and diverse world of Korean culture as 'Festive Korea 2023' comes to town. The 13th edition of Festive Korea, jointly organised by the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong(KCC) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, supported by the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, will be grandly held in October and November this year. 

After enduring a tiresome time of social distancing, it is time to get closer to each other again. With deep gratitude for the popularity and continuing interest in Korean culture despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Festive Korea 2023 has returned with even more enriching and diverse programmes under the theme of "Closer to Korea".  With an array of 40 captivating cultural programmes spanning performing arts, visual arts, films, sports, K-Food, and educational experiences, Festive Korea 2023 promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Korea.

Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong Mr. Lee Young Ho expressed his excitement, stating, “Festive Korea has always been a remarkable platform for cultural exchange, and we are thrilled to bring the festival back to Hong Kong this year. Through the theme ‘Closer to Korea’, we aim to bridge the gap between our two cultures and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for Korean traditions, arts, and heritage”. 

‘Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Performance’ to kick off Festive Korea

Get ready to be captivated by the electrifying art of Taekwondo as the Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Performance takes center stage in Hong Kong, marking the opening of Festive Korea 2023. To be held on 11th Sep and 13th Sep, this event promises an awe-inspiring showcase of Taekwondo's heritage and athleticism, featuring world-renowned the Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration team demonstrating high-flying kicks, fast strikes, and captivating forms that embody the harmony of mind, body, and spirit. Whether you're a Taekwondo enthusiast or seeking entertainment, don't miss this chance to witness the power and grace of Taekwondo with family and friends.

(photos provided by Kukkiwon)

Festive Korea 2023 Highlighted Programmes

In addition to the Kukkiwon, this year's festival also featured a number of performing groups from Korea. Starring Korean musical stars Kim Jong Gu, Yoo Seunghyun, Park Jaw Heon, the original Korean musical “Vanishing” makes its first overseas tour with the original cast at Festive Korea 2023 in Hong Kong on 13th and 14th October at Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall. Set in 1925 Seoul, the original Korean musical "Vanishing" delves into life's eternal and fleeting nature through the tale of medical students Uisin and Myeongryeol, who encounter the vampire K in an abandoned house. This story weaves together the experiences of characters who won't disappear, those fading away, and those fearing disappearance, conveying a message of eternity and extinction.

(photos provided by NEO Production)

With MOST Orchestra and renowned composer/string arranger/conductor Inyoung Park from Korea, K-Drama OST Live Concert, which is scheduled on 18th Nov at Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, promises an unforgettable journey through the enchanting melodies that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans worldwide. The original singers, along with orchestra members and bands involved in producing these OSTs, will take the stage, ensuring an authentic and mesmerizing performance.

The K-Pop Community Festival is scheduled to take place on 28th October, 2:00 PM at Jockey Club Auditorium, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Audiences will be treated to an exhilarating showcase of talent and creativity as local K-Pop cover dance teams take the stage to perform iconic hits from the 2nd and 3rd generation K-Pop groups, under the theme ‘Back to the old days of K-Pop’. 

<K-Pop Community Festival in Feb 2023, photos provided by KCC>

In the “Discover Korea” category, we would like to introduce the “Korea Square 2023”. Korea Square 2023 is set to transform the PMQ Courtyard and Marketplace from 10th to 12th Nov into a bustling haven of Korean delights, featuring an array of captivating activities, tantalizing food, and cutting-edge products from renowned Korean companies. This extravaganza is made possible by the collaboration of prestigious names such as the Korea Tourism Organization, KOTRA, Samsung, LG, Asiana Airlines, New World Mart, and Zanchee among many others.

(Korea Square 2021/2022, photos provided by KCC)

Festive Korea 2023 will also present a series of exhibitions starting in September. “CONNECT- Traveling HK MTR With Hangeul”, a grand group exhibition with the participation of 98 artists, showcasing a total of 99 porcelain artworks themed with MTR stations, will be held from 20 Sep to 7 Oct at the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong. The exhibition will showcase porcelain artworks featuring calligraphy of the names of MTR stations written in the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. These artworks are designed by the calligraphy artist Lucia CHOI and painted with symbolic features and iconic attractions near the stations.

(photos provided by T.O.LEE Porcelain Art, 

International Porcelain Artists & Teachers Inc. Asia Chapter)

Besides, Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong and the National Hangeul Museum of Korea present the exhibition "Reinterpreting Hangeul in the Modern Era". The artworks featured in the exhibition were created by contemporary designers and artists, inspired by the items in the National Hangeul Museum’s collection. They embody the orthographic ideas regarding Hangeul in the modern era, Western perspectives on the Korean alphabet, its stylistic beauty from various combinations and arrangements in modern-day publications, and its calligraphic aesthetics.

(photos provided by the National Hangeul Museum of Korea)

If you want to learn more about the cooking method of Korean food, or even start a business to share the taste and charm of Korean food, don't miss The Korean Food Craftsman Cook Certificate Course, which will be held from 4 Oct to 22 Nov, at the Towngas Cooking Center.  Korean food master chef Woo Youngsun will be the instructor for the course. She founded the Woo Youngsun Korean Food Institute in 2007 to share Korean food culture and cooking skills with the public.

<photos provided by Woo Youngsun, Korea Tourism Organization>

In the field of Cinema,  the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Arts Centre co-organised a film event entitled "THE LOOK OF LOVE: Korean Romance Film Showcase" to screen more than seven Korean romance films with different themes and genres, including “Perhaps Love”, “Castaway on the Moon”, “Architecture 101”, “Two Weddings and a Funeral”, “Always”, “Christmas in August”, and “A Man and a Woman”.

<photos provided by Hong Kong Art Centre>

Last but not least, in the field of  “Hangeul and Education”, we will have “Korea Forum 2023”, a secondary school group research project and presentation contest.  Students will form groups of 2 to 4 and select a research topic of interest related to Korea, including but not limited to Korean society, economy, history, Hallyu (Korean wave) and pop cultures, food and tourism. Finalists will participate in the final round held in the University of Hong Kong on the 21st of October to present their research insights to the judges and the audience. For secondary school students who love Korean culture, join this meaningful event to enrich your learning experience and cultivate a deeper understanding about Korea!  

<Korea Forum 2022, photos provided by KCC>

Appendix 1_Festive Korea 2023 Programme List

More programmes are available on the following website 

Website: http://hk.korean-culture.org/

Facebook / Instagram / YouTube: @kcchongkong

<Press Information>

Full press releases of the above programmes are available for download at the following link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1ZDUJIlrhCAOnc2qkeEtx_e6g6KmYwgvg

About Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong

The Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong is under the Consulate General of the Republic

of Korea in Hong Kong and has been serving as an important platform to discover and

share all things Korean since 2018. Through partnerships with key local institutions in

Hong Kong, the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong also presents a variety of co-hosted

events in addition to our own regular programs.

About Festive Korea

Festive Korea is organised by the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong and the Consulate

General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and

Home Affairs Bureau of the HKSAR. Aiming to heighten the appreciation and enjoyment of

Korean art and culture in diverse disciplines including musical, contemporary dance,

classic & pop music, cinema, exhibition, K-food and more, to provide a fantastic Festival

Korea to Hong Kong people. The cultural festival has attracted millions of audiences since it

was first launched in 2011.