Korean Cultural Center reopens with SB19, Minzy, 1st kinetic media art installation in PH

Cutting the ribbon at the opening of KCC are, from left, Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Korea Ambassador Kim Inchul, KCC director Ms. Im Young-a, NCCA chairman Arsenio Lizaso

Credit: Korean Cultural Center Philippines/YouTube

Photos by Tinkerbell Poblete, Shoun David

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines in Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, is now open to the public, with bigger facilities and Punghwa: Light of Asean, a kinetic media art installation.

KCC had its in-person ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its new location last March 23, 2022 with Korean ambassador to the Philippines KIM Inchul gracing the event. The main guests were Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano,  Arsenio Lizaso, chairman of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA); Education Director IV for the Bureau of Curriculum Development Office, Jocelyn Andaya; Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)’s Special Projects and External Affairs Unit Manager Frank David Fabros; and Gen. Miguel Villamor, president of Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea Veteran Association.

KCC celebrated its 10^th anniversary last year.  Since its establishment in 2011, KCC continues to create activities, events and projects in keeping with its goal of expanding the understanding and appreciation of Korean culture and the promotion of an active cultural exchange between Korea and the Philippines. For the past 10 years, KCC has helped expand the understanding and appreciation of Korean culture in the Philippines through Pinoy Kpop Star, Korean Film Festival, Global Taste Korea and Korean Culture Caravan. And for the next 10 years, KCC plans on to expand this goal with a cultural collaboration between Korea and the Philippines, and promote Philippine culture in Korea.

KCC’s Director IM YoungA, spoke about the culture collaboration of both countries—“If the past 10 years of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines focused on introducing Korean culture to Filipinos, of course we’ll keep doing that, then, for the next 10 years, we’ll also try to introduce the Filipino culture to Koreans so we can grow together through the cultural exchange of our countries.”

She also introduced the new theme of Korean Cultural Center in its new home. “This year, with the reopening of the cultural center, we are preparing several important projects under the theme of ‘Phil-Koraboration.’ Murals involving Filipino artists, a Media art showcase made by artists from both countries, will be opened to the public. There will be a Korean Culture Caravan visiting our future generation, with Cultural Street Festival where people can experience culture of both countries. A film industry expert workshop is also waiting to answer your questions.”

As start of this culture collaboration, KCC houses Punghwa: Light of Asean, a kinetic media art installation created by interactive media art studio SILO Lab which features lights and sounds that perfectly reflect the shared fondness of Korea and the Philippines for light culture, a custom of making a wish upon the shining light in the dark sky.  It symbolizes hope, confidence and bravery for a new normal after these difficult times.

To visit KCC at 59 Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, there’s no need to make reservations, but KCC follows IATF’s guidelines and requires guests to present their vaccination card before entering the building and submit to a mandatory temperature check. KCC is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, also  Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until May 31, 2022. 

It was a rollercoaster of emotions for viewers last March 12, 2022 when the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) held its virtual launch party welcoming the public to its new home at 59 Bayani Rd., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Viewers had fun doing their dance moves with the P-Pop girl group Yara, and felt satisfaction trying to whip up a Korean dish with Chef Sharwin Tee in KCC’s Kitchen. From awe to fun to excitement, the moods went dugeun dugeun and kilig with a special performance by P-Pop Kings SB19 as they sang their top singles set in the expanded and new facilities at KCC, and a much-awaited number by South Korea’s top solo artist, Minzy.

For the first time, KCC showed its Korean-style interiors, current facilities that guests can use. The event, K-nnected Forever, was organized by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization Manila.

A-Z KCC’s New Home

On the ground floor is a permanent interactive cultural exhibit that features Hansik (Korean food), Hangul (Korean language), Hanbok (Korean national costume), and Korea’s famous tourist destinations. Guests can learn to write their names in Hangul, screengrab the writings, and photograph themselves wearing different Hanbok designs.

Guests can photograph themselves in their chosen digital hanbok in the digital photo booth.

Photos by Tinkerbell Poblete, Shoun David

The mezzanine has the KCC library with a wide collection of 6,000 books and media resources on Korean culture, where guests can read Korean books, listen to Korean music, or watch Korean shows. There are rooms and nooks for those who want to read and listen in solitude, as well as for children who want to read Korean children’s books.

Photos by Tinkerbell Poblete, Shoun David

The specialty classrooms for classes on Korean language, painting, and K-culture, and other activities are on the second floor. KCC has been giving free Korean language lessons and Korean culture classes, and the classrooms make perfect venues. There is also a common area outside the classrooms where students can interact.

The K-Studio and the Cooking Classroom are on the third floor, where KCC students can learn for free, sports, dances, and how to cook Korean food. Taekwondo uniforms, instruments and other costumes are stored there for free use of students. Guests may also rent the place for any event related to Korean culture.

Kinetic art video by Tinkerbell Poblete, Shoun David

On the fifth floor are KCC exhibits and art installations, including the first kinetic media art installation in the Philippines entitled Punghwa: Light of Asean, created by the Korean interactive design group SILO Lab, an interactive media art studio.  It presents immersive imagery with light and sound.

For those interested to visit KCC and experience Korea in the Philippines, please wait for announcements on their official social media pages—Facebook: @KoreanCulturalCenterPH; Twitter, Instagram, YouTube: @KCCPHIL. You may also visit their website: https://phil.korean-culture.org/.

Credit: Korean Cultural Center Philippines/YouTube