KCCI Brings Korean Folktales to Life for Underprivileged Children in New Delhi

- 50 underprivileged children from Delhi-based NGO visit Korean Cultural Center India for an immersive Korean cultural experience

- ‘Sim Cheong’, a traditional Korean folktale, was reimagined by an Indian children’s theatre troupe and performed for the students

-The theatrical performance embodies the spirit of creative collaboration and cultural exchange between Korea and India   

'Cultural Tour Program' poster

Indian actors performing an adapted children's play based on The Tale of Sim Cheong

As part of its efforts to make Korean culture more accessible to underprivileged children in India, the Korean Cultural Centre India hosted a special cultural and artistic program for 50 children from Chehel, a Delhi-based NGO. The children, aged 5 to 15, visited KCCI and took part in a range of immersive experiences – from enjoying authentic Korean cuisine to watching traditional Korean performances.

The children also had the opportunity to wear the Hanbok, a traditional Korean attire, and enthusiastically participated in classic Korean games such as Jegi, the Stone Tower game, and Tuho. They explored engaging K-content and webtoon exhibitions and were captivated by a soulful Samulnori performance, a traditional Korean percussion ensemble, that several students were listening to for the very first time. They also witnessed a high-energy Taekwondo performance and learnt some steps of the Korean martial art.

Amid all the cultural extravaganza, the highlight of this event was the enactment by Indian artists of a beloved Korean folktale - ‘Sim Cheong’, a story that continues to resonate across cultures and generations. Much like India’s own epics that celebrate selflessness and duty towards the family, this tale tells of a young girl, Cheong, whose unwavering devotion to her blind father leads her to make a noble sacrifice.

This performance was creatively adapted and produced by an Indian children’s theatre company, ‘Theatre I Entertainment Trust’, with the support of the Korean Cultural Centre India, and has garnered attention as a meaningful project that realises the values of creative collaboration and mutual understanding between Korean and Indian cultures.

In addition to this performance of ‘Sim Cheong’, Korean Cultural Centre India in association with the theatre group has also produced a performance of another Korean folktale, ‘Heungbu and Nolbu’. Over the last two years, the theatre artists have visited 12 schools in India and performed to a total of 2,660 Indian students. Further, the troupe, together with the Korean Cultural Center India, have produced and performed a children’s a play and a musical based on the tale of Queen Heo.  

Speaking about their experience of the event, one of the participants said, “This is the first time I've witnessed such a cultural performance. Sim Cheong’s love for her father was truly touching.” It was not only the students who enjoyed the performance, but also one of the volunteers said, “It is rare for underprivileged children to have the opportunity to gain such a full cultural experience of a culture that is different from their own. The various activities planned over here made this entire experience very meaningful and diverse.”

This program was designed to be a five-sensory experience where children could ‘see, wear, eat, and enjoy’ Korean culture, rather than a simple performance. The participating students had the opportunity to develop interest in and gain an understanding of Korean culture through various activities such as wearing hanbok, playing traditional games, exhibiting webtoons, and experiencing Korean food, including Kimbap, Tteokbokki, Ramen, Kimchi Pancake.

Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in India, said, “Rather than offering one-time material support, we felt our role was to enrich students’ cultural and artistic literacy through education and immersive content. It was truly rewarding to see the joy on the faces of the children and volunteers. I hope this event will provide more opportunities for Indian students to experience Korean culture reimagined through their own lens.”