Festive Korea 2021

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Organized by the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, with support of the Government of Hong Kong SAR, this October marks the commencement of the 11th edition of Festive Korea.

Festive Korea 2021 is a part of ‘Korea Contents Week’, which is the first Korean cultural festival customised by the hosting country, presented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korean Culture and Information Service in seven regions including Hong Kong. About 30 inspiring art and cultural programs will be presented throughout the month of October and November, including performances and exhibitions featuring Korean artists, K-game, K-food and selected Korean movies.

Korea is one of the top travel destinations for Hong Kong travellers. While travel has been restrained in the past two years due to the global pandemic, the world’s love for Korean culture continue to explode. In view of this, Festive Korea is organizing a series of exciting programs under the theme ‘K-CONNECTED’ offering a unique opportunity for the public to experience Korea’s diverse art and culture from different perspectives in Hong Kong.

Major events in Hong Kong
Between 29 to 31 October at PMQ Courtyard & Marketplace, Korea Square 2021 is a three- day event and the first large-scale comprehensive program hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong. Promoting Korean food, lifestyle products and culture, this open cultural space and marketplace will showcase a wide range of Korean produces and products. Visitors can also participate in different cultural activities, such as yutnori games, tuho, archery and Hanbok experience while enjoying live performances, including K-pop dance and various music acts. In addition, a live online tour of Korea will be available for visitors who are eager to visit favourite tourist destinations in Korea virtually.

K-pop culture has swept the globe in recent years. Organized by the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong, this year’s K-pop Dance Festival will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 13 November under the theme ‘The Evolution of K-pop’. Hong Kong avid K-pop dance groups will showcase K-pop music from the 90s to now, focusing on several pivotal points in the development of K-pop through dance performances. This Festival will connect K-pop fans across generations through dance while providing a platform for dance talents to explore their full potential on stage.

In collaboration with Korea Ceramic Foundation, Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong will be presenting the Korean Ceramic Pavilion booth in Fine Art Asia 2021 from 7 to 11 Oct at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The artworks crafted by ten major crafts artists, including ceramic artists Myungsik CHOI and Hyeonjong KIM, will be available for sale at the fair. In addition to ceramics for daily use, there will also be art pieces that you can appreciate at home.

Highlighted programs
A highly anticipated element of Festive Korea, performances from renowned Korean musicians will return to Festive Korea 2021. Through a series of concerts, the audience can enjoy the artistic exchange between outstanding Korean music artists and Hong Kong orchestras.

One highlight is Korean pianist Yoonie HAN’s collaboration with Hong Kong’s musicians at Festive Korea 2021 x Collegium Musicum Hong Kong. The Violinist Zia SHIN with HK Celebrated Artists of HKGNA Music Festival 2021 will feature world- renowned violinist Zia SHIN, who has won top prizes in major international competitions. The award-winning young blind violinist Jisun KIM will make her Hong Kong debut at the HKGNA Music Festival Finale Concert together with HK Phil Viola Principal/Conductor Andrew LING, Conductor Felix SHUEN and more musicians, in collaboration with the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK).

Exhibitions
Pervade showcases various masterpieces that shows the essence of the 20th-century.
Korean modern art scene painted by Ungno LEE, Rehyun PARK and Indoo HA and Korean Ceramic Pavilion at Fine Art Asia 2021, which will continue in the Korean Cultural Center located at PMQ after the art fair. Welcoming the Moon: Korean Hands, the Next Generation will present artworks inspired by the full moon from Insig KIM, Jungmo KWON and Jungwon LEE, Byunghee CHO, four renowned figures in the Korean contemporary crafts industry. Furthermore, at the Hong Kong Illustration and Creative Show 2021, visitors will discover 14 trending Korean illustrators and creators in The 2nd Korean Cultural Pavilion, presented by the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong and HKHands.

For Korean food lovers and creative home cooks, K-Food Top Chef Cooking Contest is where they can showcase their creativity and techniques. All contestants will receive special gifts and can win prizes of up to HKD7,000 in value. For those interested in cooking authentic Korean dishes, the K-Food Masterclass will let them learn tips and techniques from the Kimchi Factory Head Chef Yongho PARK and Chef & Taste Head Chef Woosik CHOI.

This year, the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong continues to collaborate with the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF). More than ten Korean movies will be screened in addition to talks, workshops and collaborations to provide overseas and local filmmakers and audiences with a platform to exchange inspiration and knowledge, as well as to promote greater public understanding of film production.