KCC Showcased Korean Culture and Cuisine This November
November has been an appetizing and vibrant month, as the Korean Cultural Center showcased the harmony of culture and food through the 34th Korea–Philippines Cultural Exchange Festival and the 맛있게 드세요 (Enjoy your meal): Hansik Workshop.
The 34th Korea–Philippines Cultural Exchange Festival: Bringing Two Cultures Together on One Stage
Last November 4, 224, the 34th Korea-Philippines Cultural Exchange Festival was held at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. The United Korean Community Association, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts collaborated in hosting this festival that stood as a testament to the long-lasting friendship and dynamic cultural exchange between the Philippines and Korea.
The historic Metropolitan Theater, an icon of Philippine cultural heritage, welcomed nearly 1,000 attendees, including Koreans, Filipinos, and culture enthusiasts, for this festival.
The festival showcased lively singing, dancing, and speech competitions, and Young Villains from Cebu took home the grand prize. Korean performers Gil Byeongmin (Bass-Baritone), Kim Hyunsoo (Tenor), and Lee Byeori (Tenor) from Phantom Singer also entertained the audience with classical and contemporary pieces.
Representing the Philippines, Iskollas, composed of UP College of Music graduates and winners of the 2020 festival, performed a medley of Filipino classics by VST & Company. They also performed Girls’ Generation’s Into the New World, showcasing cultural harmony and artistic exchange.
Bringing Korean Flavors to Life at the 맛있게 드세요: Hansik Workshop
The Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines hosted the 맛있게 드세요 (Enjoy Your Meal): Hansik Workshop, an interactive program that promotes Korean cuisine to a wider Filipino audience.
Inspired by the popular K-drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, the workshop explored how traditional Korean ingredients such as doenjang (soybean paste), dried pollack, perilla oil, spinach, and buckwheat noodles can be fused into modern recipes.
Chef Lily Min led the workshop’s exhibition and hands-on cooking session, which emphasized the cultural importance of Korea’s “Jang” (fermented sauce) culture, which was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The workshop also brought together partners from different sectors and strengthened appreciation for hansik as a cultural bridge that connects tradition, creativity, and community.
These cultural events showed how KCC continues to bridge Korea and the Philippines through music, dance, and the simple joy of sharing food.
Continue exploring Korea’s vibrant culture by following the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on their official platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Press release by KCC Philippines
Images courtesy of KCC Philippines
