October 2023

With Korean culture―including music, dramas and food―captivating global popularity, there is a growing interest in Korea itself. To personally witness the scenery in media and partake in the culture cherished by Koreans, many people are now considering traveling to Korea. Acknowledging the desires of people around the world, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (hereinafter KCC Philippines) is hosting events to promote Korean tourism in commemoration of the ¡°Visit Korea Year 2023-2024.¡±

Speaking about Korea Through Photos

In July, the KCC Philippines organized a Korean tourism photo contest titled ¡°I was here: Mga kuha sa Korea¡± for locals who have experienced Korean tourism. Four winning photos were selected out of 792 entries and were exhibited―conveying the stories of locals who had personally experienced Korea.

In addition, from Aug. 17 to Sept. 23―in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office―they hosted a Korean tourism photo exhibition titled ¡°Mga Kuha sa Korea¡± to introduce various Korean tourist destinations. The event was divided into seven sections―seasons, food, the 2030 Busan Expo and the 2023 Korean Film Festival―presenting a diverse range of photos. Through the exhibited works, visitors were able to experience Korea as if they had traveled there even without actually visiting the country.

In addition to these activities, the center also provided platforms where visitors could read tourism guidebooks and color Korean tourist destination illustrations, among various other activities related to Korean tourism.

¡®KALEIDOSCOPIC¡¯, the grand prize-winning artwork in the Korean tourism photo contest © CARINAN, ARMAN.

Encountering Korea Abroad

The KCC Philippines―in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines and the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office―held the ¡°Korea Travel Fiesta 2023¡± under the theme of winter at Glorietta Mall on Sept. 2 and 3.

The event was full of attractions. Participants could make traditional spinning tops―a popular winter game in Korea―and there was a program where they could play spinning tops by setting up ice-shaped boards. There was also a booth―which attracted long lines―where visitors could try on Hanboks and traditional accessories. In addition to taking photos in Hanboks against the photo wall, ¡°Life4cuts¡± photobooth machine―currently all the rage in the Philippines―has been set up attracting a lot of attention from the locals. Visitors commented, ¡°Through programs like making spinning tops and trying on Hanboks, I feel closer to Korea,¡± and ¡°This event made me want to visit Korea even more.¡±

Furthermore, the event featured a mini K-culture concert that encompassed traditional Korean dance to contemporary K-pop―captivating the eyes and ears of the audience.

The center plans to continue hosting tourism-themed events and activities in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization―such as the Korea Travel Fiesta and the 2023 Korean Film Festival: Ka-ja! Korea Through Films.

Thanks to their efforts, those who are unfamiliar with Korea―those who seek to explore more about the country and those who aspire to visit―will come one step closer to experiencing Korea.

(Left) The KCC Philippines held a series of events for Korea Tourism Promotion Month from August to September.
(Right top) Arman Carinan, the grand prize winner of the Korean tourism photo contest, introduces his photo.
(Right bottom) At the Korea Travel Fiesta, the KCC Taekwondo Family showcased their forms and striking techniques to lively music.