[INTERVIEW] Korean Tradition Heart Indonesia strives to fulfill evolving pursuits

By Lee Gyu-lee

Indonesia has been displaying a rising fascination with Korean tradition in recent times. And on the forefront of the rising recognition stands the Korean Cultural Heart Indonesia (KCCI), main the cost in selling all issues Korean.

Kim Yong-woon, director of the Korean Cultural Heart Indonesia / Courtesy of KCCI

Since its institution in 2011, the middle has performed an important function in increasing the affect of Okay-culture in Southeast Asia, catering to the rising curiosity amongst Indonesians in exploring numerous features of Korean tradition.

“Hallyu (Korean wave) in Indonesia began with Okay-dramas and Okay-pop and is increasing into extra numerous areas. Specifically, Indonesia’s younger era, or millennials, is delicate to the newest traits in Korean tradition,” Kim Yong-woon, the Director of KCCI, informed The Korea Occasions in a latest written interview.

Beneath Kim’s management since April 2020, KCCI has intensified efforts to advertise Korean tradition, arts, sports activities, and tourism via a wide range of applications and occasions, whereas additionally facilitating cultural exchanges between Korea and Indonesia.

Some of the in style applications is the annual Okay-Pop Academy, which gives dance programs for Indonesian youth. Organized with help from Korea’s Ministry of Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism since 2016, this yr’s academy ran for 2 months in Jakarta and Bandung, culminating in a showcase at KOREA 360, a promotional corridor in Jakarta, on Aug. 24.

One other spotlight is the Okay-Competition, which encompasses a variety of hallyu components, in collaboration with totally different authorities businesses and the Korean embassy in Indonesia.

Individuals collect at a Korean Tradition and Arts Competition held at KOREA 360 in Jakarta in April 2023. Courtesy of KCCI

Final yr, to rejoice the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Indonesia, KCCI orchestrated a collection of occasions. The Korean Tradition and Arts Competition featured a various array of applications, together with Okay-pop cowl dance performances, culinary experiences, and webtoon promotions.

“On The Okay” is a collection of screenings showcasing reside live performance recordings from tasks by the Korea Inventive Content material Company. This initiative, spanning 4 areas in Indonesia, additionally highlighted Korean literature on the Indonesia Worldwide E-book Honest.

“The keenness for hallyu is extremely sturdy amongst Indonesians proper now,” Kim stated. “This curiosity extends into varied areas such because the Korean language, Korean delicacies, hanbok (conventional Korean clothes), taekwondo, and extra. Lately, Korean eating places operated by Indonesians have been opening in Jakarta and different provincial cities, and it is changing into widespread to see Korean-language indicators on the streets,” Kim stated.

“This love for Korean tradition amongst Indonesians has led to a good impression of Korea, contributing to boosting their notion of Korea and serving to Korean merchandise enter the native market. We consider that primarily based on Indonesians’ fondness of Korea and its tradition, we are able to proceed to hold on bilateral friendship, financial cooperation and enlargement of cultural exchanges.”

Korean Cultural Heart Indonesia holds a screening of “XCalibur: The Musical Documentary,” Jan. 26. Courtesy of KCCI

In response to the numerous pursuits in Korean tradition, the KCCI has eagerly developed applications that provide Korean language instruction and introduce Korean espresso tradition. Together with Korean language programs, it additionally runs competitions and particular lectures on interpretation and translation, nurturing bilingual abilities to assist bridge the 2 cultures.

“Indonesians even have a robust curiosity in Korean meals and beverage tradition, together with our distinctive espresso tradition,” the director stated, including that the middle hosted the Okay-Espresso Tradition and Arts occasion in July, the place Korean baristas have been invited to exhibit the artwork of coffee-making.

“Since Indonesia is a world-renowned espresso producing nation, the Okay-Espresso Present, the place Korean baristas used Indonesian espresso beans (to showcase their expertise), was as a wonderful alternative to broaden the scope of cultural trade between Korea and Indonesia.”

Subsequent month, the middle can also be making ready to carry the fifteenth Korea-Indonesia Movie Competition, an annual occasion to introduce the newest films from every nation.

To cater to the younger Indonesians’ demand for Korea’s newest cultural choices, the middle additionally screened up to date Korean musicals similar to “Monte Cristo,” “Apres Woman,” and “XCalibur: The Musical Documentary” with Indonesian subtitles in theaters throughout Jakarta and different cities this yr.

Korean Cultural Heart Indonesia holds the Okay-Espresso Tradition and Arts occasion in July. Courtesy of KCCI

Kim emphasised that the middle’s purpose will not be solely to advertise Okay-culture in Indonesia but additionally to foster trade and collaboration with native organizations for mutual profit. He added that the optimistic reception from Indonesians enormously helps these efforts.

“KCCI has performed a pivotal function in fostering mutual understanding between the 2 nations by organizing collaborative performances similar to these involving conventional arts college students from each nations in July 2023, and a joint efficiency between the Nationwide Gugak Heart and Bali’s conventional dance firm in September 2023. We stay dedicated to repeatedly discovering and selling such collaborative tasks,” he stated.

“KCCI has been lucky to function in such a good surroundings in Indonesia, the place the optimistic reception and robust curiosity from the native inhabitants have been outstanding. I take satisfaction in our function in enhancing the notion of Korea’s nationwide picture via these efforts.”

He additionally vowed to additional broaden the scope of Okay-culture in Indonesia, aiming to introduce and increase experiences in areas which are at present much less acquainted to the Indonesian public.

“Transferring ahead, the middle plans to proactively introduce core features of Korean tradition, that are the Korean language and literature … And we purpose to create alternatives to showcase Korean cultural and creative content material, similar to musicals and theater, which have but to be totally launched to the Indonesian individuals,” he stated.