-Educational and cultural exchanges growamid the rising ‘Hallyu Wave’ and increasing interest in learning Korean

-Immersive engagement with Korean cultural content through a Squid Game season 2-inspired experience

-Strengthening prospects for sustained Korea-India collaboration

A delegation of 20 students and two faculty members from Yeungnam University in Daegu, South Korea, visited the Korean Cultural Centre India 13th February as part of a cultural exchange initiative to interact with Indian students studying Korean at the King Sejong Institute. The visit aimed to strengthen mutual understanding and explore avenues for academic and educational collaboration through direct interactions with Indian students, who have demonstrated a strong enthusiasm for learning the Korean language and immersing themselves in Korean culture.

Through a series of cultural programs, the Yeungnam University delegation and Indian students engaged in meaningful exchanges, sharing their cultures and experiences. They formed teams, came up with unique team names and slogans, and fostered camaraderie. The participants later took part in a quiz competition and keyword-based discussions on cultural differences, delving into topics such as daily life, education, and marriage customs in both South Korea and India.

The event also featured traditional Korean craft activities, where participants created mood lamps and wish bracelets, offering a hands-on experience of both countries’ rich craft traditions. Students further explored cultural connections through a shared culinary experience, enjoying Korean and Indian dishes together. A major highlight of the exchange was the "Circle Circle" game, inspired by Squid Game Season 2, which was met with great enthusiasm. The game not only fostered teamwork and creativity among participants but also offering a firsthand glimpse into the global reach of Korean content.

The excitement continued during the talent show, where the Korean team performed to the popular Indian song, “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire. The Korean team also danced to Rosé’s “APT”, and TWICE’s “Cheer Up”, receiving enthusiastic applause. The Indian team delivered equally mesmerizing performances with Sridja Paul’s heartfelt rendition of “Never Ending Story” and Sumeha Srivastava’s breathtaking traditional Indian dance to “Hey Ganraya”, highlighting the cultural vibrancy of both nations.

Additionally, on February 15th and 16th, the Yeungnam University delegation will take part in volunteer activities with children at the Harijan Sevak Sangh in New Delhi. This initiative is expected to further strengthen cultural ties and explore long-term avenues for cooperation between South Korea and India. 

Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India said, “We are delighted to host the students from Yeungnam University here in India and witness these meaningful cultural exchanges between Indian and Korean students. An interaction such as this one goes beyond language learning – it fosters mutual understanding, builds lifelong connections, and strengthens the cultural bridge between our two nations. By sharing experiences in language, arts, and traditions, we hope to foster deeper appreciation for each other’s cultures and create new opportunities for academic and educational collaboration in the future.”