The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) brought a taste of Korea to Manila with the K-Culture Next Door: 2024 Korea Festival! Held on May 4th and 5th at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, the event was a fun celebration of all things Korean.
On-stage Performances
K-Pop fans were treated to heartwarming and fun performances by Jannabi and Young Cocoa. The festival also offered a unique opportunity for fans to test their skills with a K-Pop busking experience. A lot of attendees enjoyed the on-stage busking and games.
Cultural Smorgasbord
Beyond music, the festival was a cultural buffet for everyone. Attendees could learn about Korean beauty with K-Beauty Cover Make Up demonstrations and even had the chance to try the interactive Kpop and K-Beauty activities on-ground.
Aside from the pop-culture side, you can also try wearing the traditional Korean clothing called “Hanbok”. Those interested in the language could participate in a Hangeul Experience, learning the basics of the Korean alphabet and get souvenirs like a name tag written in Korean.
The festival wasn’t just about watching and learning; it was also about getting hands-on. Visitors were able to watch the traditional Korean fan dance performance and try their hand at classic Korean games. It’s my first time to see an actual traditional Korean game being played by Filipinos so it’s really cool to watch.
Of course, no Korean festival would be complete without delicious food and shopping. Attendees were spoiled for choice with booths overflowing with Korean food, Korean products, and popular K-Beauty brands like Innisfree. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization, Hyundai, and Samsung showcased their latest offerings.
The K-Culture Next Door: 2024 Korea Festival was a resounding success, bringing the vibrant culture of Korea to Manila and strengthening the bond between the two nations.
