From BTS to Kimchi... Overseas Korean Cultural Centers Promote Hallyu

The Korean Cultural Center in Belgium Hosts Discourse with Han Kang, Hwang Sok-yong, and Kim Yi-seol
The Korean Cultural Center in Argentina's BTS Dance and Singing Contest Attracts 68 Teams

BTS Cover Dance (Juar Argentina Korean Cultural Center)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Overseas Culture and Information Service announced on the 15th that Korean culture will be promoted online at Korean Cultural Centers abroad. These include the Korean Cultural Centers in Belgium, Argentina, Canada, and Washington. They are enthusiastically introducing not only K-pop and dramas but also traditional culture.

The frontrunner is the Korean Cultural Center in Belgium. Taking advantage of the local literary festival 'Corps de Textes,' they invited renowned domestic authors to engage in online discussions. Among them are Han Kang, author of the novel The Vegetarian, as well as Hwang Sok-yong, Kim Yi-seol, and Seo Mi-ae. Since the 4th, online Korean travel content featuring the K-pop group Blackswan has been released weekly.

‘K-Art at Home: Robin Ha’ Online Exhibition (at the Washington Korean Cultural Center)

The BTS dance and singing contest organized by the Korean Cultural Center in Argentina has attracted 68 teams from 9 Latin American countries. The judging results and comments from local famous artists will be revealed on YouTube on the 27th. The Korean Cultural Center in Canada is holding a webtoon contest themed on Korean cuisine and introduced Korean cooking methods to culinary students at Algonquin College. An official stated, "We will continue Korean cooking classes for students at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Ottawa, Canada."

The Korean Cultural Center in Washington is producing and streaming online 'Kimchi Universe,' where famous American chef Judy Joo and locals make kimchi together. Korean-American cartoonist Robin Ha is also exhibiting online her comic Cook Korean!, which features Korean cooking recipes. The Korean Cultural Center in Spain is exhibiting traditional crafts such as the gat (traditional hat) online under the theme 'Again, at the Starting Line.' The Korean Cultural Center in Kazakhstan is holding a traditional crafts exhibition themed on Korean colors and patterns at the Kazakhstan Presidential Museum until May 16.

Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Joo Kazakhstan Korean Cultural Center)

The Korean Cultural Center in Poland has released online music videos and documentary films including a jazz version of the Milyang Arirang, collaboratively arranged by local and domestic jazz musicians. They are also conducting online Korean cooking classes themed on 'kimchi.' The Korean Cultural Center in Austria is producing a video series on uniquely Korean traditional culture such as kimchi, ondol (underfloor heating), hanbok, arirang, and Hangul, which will be released sequentially. The Korean Cultural Center in Indonesia is holding an illustration contest to find hanbok in the Korean Wave, while the Korean Cultural Center in Germany is conducting an online photo contest promoting Korean tourism.

Park Jung-ryeol, head of the Overseas Culture and Information Service, said, "Producing promotional content that fits the changing media environment has become important," adding, "We will create and spread various content that delivers fun and resonance to enhance our country's national prestige."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.