For the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, 2021 is all about grounding on its roots, looking back at its milestones, and taking big leaps forward and for the future of cultural exchanges. As the center is celebrating its 10th year of being in the Philippines, KCC will be marking the beginning of a new decade of expanding the understanding and appreciation of the Korean culture in various ways and platforms.

KCC’s 2021 Kolorful Adventure takes its inspiration from the colorful Korean culture that has been the playground of most Filipinos since the advent of the Hallyu Wave and has been the companion of many in weathering the ongoing pandemic. 

This year, expect the center to paint some fun and provide both entertainment and learning online through a series of traditional contents and signature events and, if already possible, on-ground, through the opening of its new home, a traditional music performance, and an exhibition.

Traditional Culture showcase

KCC would be celebrating the Lunar New Year and kicking off its 2021 events with a Seollal Activity featuring Traditional Korean Arts Kits. Some 25 lucky participants of this event will have the chance to experience Korean culture and create their own Hanji Rubber Shows, a Hanbok Key Ring, a Hangul Eraser Stamp, a Korean Fan, and a Pressed Flower Mirror with their friends and family at home.

On top of that, KCC will mark the turn of the year with JegiChagi Tutorial Livestream on its Facebook page, where those who would be making their own jegi, Korean sipa, would have the chance to win BTS, Blackpink, Twice, and EXO goodies.

Meanwhile, a much-awaited tribute to Kimchi, will be the highlight of  the ChikaHansik: Kimchi Edition. A reinvention of last year’s well-loved Hansik Sessions, a cooking tutorial featuring Teacher Lily,  ChikaHansik will feature Filipino personalities who will recreate different kinds of Kimchis, all while doing some chikahan or chatting. The timeless Korean side dish that comes in different versions per region would also be matched and reinvented along with popular Filipino dishes, which would allow for the fusion of Filipino and Korean taste and culture.

While the pandemic remains a limiting factor for on-ground events, KCC is already gearing up to bring art exhibitions for its avid K-culture followers for experiencing either in their own homes or in person, soon as the situation permits.

Following the success of Korea at Home last year, KCC will be continuing the dynamic with a mix of an informative blast to the past by learning Korea’s traditional amusement, sports, literature, dance, clothing and, even food, in the form of tutorials, videos, and lectures in what is touted as “Traditional Thursday.”

Fresh and tested endeavors 

To keep the tradition and to ensure the safety of all the patrons of the KCC’s events, several events would remain online such as 2021 Pinoy K-Pop Star. Meanwhile, KCC’s past online activities will be returning bigger and better this 2021. Among them, the K-Pop tutorial, K-Dance Power Up, a second part of the well-attended, 2021 K-Drama Webinar, and the annual event for cineastes, the 2021 Korean Film Festival.

Aside from these annual events, KCC will also be bringing in new endeavors such as a much-requested K-Beauty Online Workshop, wherein a Korean expert will be giving tips and tricks on how to get and maintain the famous Korean skin in a tropical country like the Philippines.

Another KCC-initiated activity that has received much support from the Filipinos last year is the Online Korean Language Class. What started as an effort to continue propagating the love for the Korean language will become bigger this year as more schedules will be made available for free for those who are interested to learn. The three terms for 2021 are as follows: Term 1 will run from February to April, Term 2 will happen from June to August and Term 3 will be from October to December. 

A culminating event for KCC’s celebration of its 10th anniversary is the launching of its new home. KCC’s new building is located at Bayani Road in Taguig City, with a total area of 254 square meters, is set to open its doors to KCC’s partners, supporters, and all Filipinos. Through this new home, KCC is hoping to cater to more K-Culture enthusiasts and learners as soon as the situation permits as it would house a permanent exhibition space, multi-purpose audiovisual rooms, and classrooms.

Indeed, 2021 is set to be a memorable year for KCC through its many firsts, its continued pursuit for the strengthening of the relationship between the Philippines and Korea, and its commitment to grow the understanding of the Korean culture by the Filipinos. In keeping with its mission, the center would continue redefining “people-to-people exchange” amid the current situations in order to bring K-Culture to a wider audience in the entire Philippines.  

Stay updated about KCC’s other events and activities by following us on our social media sites Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH) and on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube via KCCPhil.

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