Korean Cultural Centre India showcases Korean contemporary art at India Art Fair 2025   - Director General of National Gallery of Modern Art, Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, was the chief guest at the KCCI exhibition booth - Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam closely appreciated the artwork by Korean artists and interacted with artist Kim Deok-han - KCCI exhibition booth blends Korean traditional heritage with contemporary artistic expression   The Korean Cultural Centre India's exhibition booth at the India Art Fair 2025 had an enthusiastic opening, with Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General of the prestigious National Gallery of Modern Art, gracing the occasion as the chief guest on the opening day. Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam interacted with the Korean artist Kim Deok-han, whose lacquer works were on display at the booth, and closely examined and appreciated all the artworks displayed at the booth.   (From left to right) Kim Deok-han, artist; Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Art;  Saurabh Wasson, Director of the India Art Fair; Hwang Il-yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in India;  Park Cheol-hee, President of the Asia Arts Management Association. Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Art,  and his wife viewing artworks at the special exhibition hall of the Korean Cultural Center in India. With the growing influence of Korean culture in India, interest in Korean fine and visual arts has been on the rise. Reflecting this increasing enthusiasm, the Korean Cultural Centre India was invited by the India Art Fair to operate a dedicated Korean exhibition booth. This special invitation brought the essence of Korean contemporary art to the 16th edition of India Art Fair, which is being organized from February 6 to February 9 at National Small Industries Corporation Exhibition Ground (NSIC) in New Delhi.   Participating in the institutions sector representing Korea, Korean Cultural Centre India’s K-Art special exhibition booth features works by veteran Orientalist artist Kim Keun-joong; Korean painter and paper work artist Lee Gil-woo; and Kim Deok-han, an artist of the new generation who is a master of lacquer works.   The India Art Fair, which celebrates its 16th anniversary this year, is the world's largest art fair in terms of number of visitors, with an average of 100,000 visitors per day. The KCCI exhibition booth at the 2025 India Art Fair presents a unique perspective that harmoniously blends Korean traditional heritage with contemporary artistic expression. Artist Kim Keun-joong’s works reinterpret ancient murals and traditional Korean paintings with bold colours and intricate detailing. His series “Flower World” highlights peonies, symbolising prosperity and wealth. “I wanted to move beyond traditional depictions of desire and instead express the essence of the human heart,” he said.   Lee Gil-woo is known for his distinctive incense-burning technique on ‘hanji’ (traditional Korean paper). His double-pose works combine traditional landscapes with modern characters in a pop-art style, exploring the coexistence of Eastern and Western cultures. “The burned silhouettes reflect the duality and complexity of human nature,” said Lee. The artist is known for his exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in UK during the 2012 London Olympics, the 2010 Grand Prize at the 'Bangladesh Asian Art Exhibition' – the first Biennale in Asia.   Kim Deok-han is an artist of the newer generation who expresses the sense of subtlety through the traditional material of lacquer. He layers lacquer in multiple colours and repetitively peels them off, leaving only traces of each layer. This laborious process takes a long time as each coloured layer must dry completely before the next is applied. The artist explains that this process creates a record of time and space. By peeling off each layer and leaving only its traces, he captures individual moments of the past on the plane of a single artwork. Kim’s meditative approach to his materials and his choice of earthy colors inspired by traditional Korean ‘hanbok’ dresses leave a strong and profound impression in his works.   Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India said, “The status of Korean culture in India is on the rise. The Korean Wave, which was sparked by K-pop and Korean dramas, is now becoming increasingly diversified and segmented. It is now expanding into Korea’s traditional culture, fine art, and visual arts. We have been planning and preparing through long-term consultation with India Art Fair team over the past year to showcase carefully the essence of selected Korean fine art and visual art at India's largest art platform, India Art Fair. We are grateful to the organiser, India Art Fair, for their continued interest and cooperation.”

Korean Cultural Centre India celebrates Seollal  with Indian secondary school students - The highlight of this year’s Seollal celebrations was the enactment by Indian artists of a Korean folktale - Heungbu and Nolbu - Activities planned for the day included playing traditional games, wearing the Hanbok and eating Tteokguk, a rice cake soup - The cultural event was planned to provide the experience of Korean New Year culture to Indian school students △An introduction to the Korean Lunar New Year customs   On 29th January 2025, the Korean Cultural Centre India celebrated Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, with a vibrant cultural event at its centre in New Delhi. The celebration brought together 80 Korean language learners from ASN Senior Secondary School in Mayur Vihar.  △ Students actively participating in the discussion by asking questions after hearing an explanation of Korean Seollal customs △ Korean language instructors guide students in learning Sebae, the traditional Korean bow △Indian students participate in, 'Phalssireum', Korean-style arm wrestling △ Students learn how to play Yutnori, a traditional Korean board game The day's activities featured Yutnori, a traditional Korean board game, and Phalssireum, an exciting arm-wrestling competition. As many as seven students were adjudged as the winners in their respective games and were given a traditional Korean bookmark as a gift.  △ Indian students try tteokguk and Mandu(Korean dumplings) The students also enjoyed eating Tteokguk, a rice cake soup, that is a special festival dish that is prepared on Seollal. Tteokguk, which consists of broth and white ‘tteok’ (rice cakes), symbolises purity and new beginnings. It is a traditional Korean dish served during Seollal and it holds deep cultural and symbolic significance.  △ Indian artists perform the Korean traditional folktale 'Heungbu and Nolbu  Amid all the cultural extravaganza, the highlight of this year’s Seollal celebrations at the Korean Cultural Centre India was the enactment by Indian artists of a Korean folktale - Heungbu and Nolbu. △ Students enjoy the storytelling performance of the Korean traditional folktale 'Heungbu and Nolbu' △ Students at the Seollal event take a group photo with the storytelling performance team

2025 Seollal Event Announcement Happy New Year! 🎉 On 29 January (Wed), The Korean Cultural Centre India will host a Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) cultural experience event for Korean language students at ASN Senior Secondary School. This special event offers participants a chance to experience Korea’s rich Seollal traditions through engaging activities. Event Highlights - Introduction to Seollal customs and bowing etiquette (Sae-bae) - Traditional games: Arm wrestling competition, Yutnori - Enjoying Tteokguk, dumplings, and Jeon - Storytelling performance of ‘Heungbu and Nolbu’ This event offers Korean language students a unique opportunity to experience and celebrate Seollal traditions firsthand. We look forward to your support and encouragement! 😊

Korea Special Exhibition  at India Art Fair 2025 The Korean Cultural Centre India will host a special exhibition booth representing Korean art at the India Art Fair 2025, the largest art fair in South Asia. The special exhibition booth will feature works by three prominent Korean contemporary artists: Kim Keun-joong, a senior Oriental painter; Lee Gil-woo, a renowned Korean painter; and Kim Deok-han, a rising artist specializing in lacquer and Korean paper art. We invite you to experience Korean contemporary art as it expands beyond Korea, India, and Asia to a global stage.   Date & Time: Feb.8(Sat), 9(Sun) / Sat (12:00~19:00), Sun (10:00~18:00) Venue: NSIC Exhibition Grounds, Okhla, New Delhi Booth location: K08 (Institutions) Admission ticket: ‘Bookmyshow’ site & mobile app, ‘India Art Fair 2025’

K-Classic Music Concert Classic Tales: The story told by music In celebration of the 12th Anniversary of Korean Cultural Centre India, we are thrilled to present a Classic Music Concert featuring a world-class trio from the Korea Philharmonic Orchestra! The special Classic Music Concert will feature the playing artists sharing stories behind the famous classical songs! 📅Date: December 10-11, 2024 🕛Time: 12:00 – 13:10 📍Venue: Korean Cultural Centre India, Auditorium (BF) 🎟️Free Entry | Limited Seats! Register now: <https://forms.gle/XUqVXiX8n6KDkPum8> Note: 1.The event is FREE 2.Confirmation emails will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis. Artists: 🎻Kim Pil Kyun – First Concertmaster of the Korea Philharmonic Orchestra. 🎹Ryu In Kyung – Renowned pianist known for her expressive performances and innovative interpretations of classical repertoire. 🎻Kim Min Jung – Leader of An die Musik Philharmonia Orchestra and a founding member Highlights: The Classic Music Concert with the storytelling about the songs! 🎶 A repertoire of timeless classical masterpieces by Elgar, Brahms, Mozart, and many more. Also a special performance of the beloved Indian song "Jai Ho- by A.R. Rahman"! 🕰️ Duration: 70 minutes of musical brilliance are as follows: 1.Edward Elgar: Salut D’amour for 2 violins and piano 2.Antonin Dvorak: Humoresque for 2 violins and piano 3.Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov: Chanson Arabe Violin and piano 4.Fritz Kreisler : Liebesfreud and Liebesleid for 2 violins 5.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Alla Turca for 2 violins 6.Johannes Brahms: Intermezzo for piano 7.Jai Ho (Theme song, Slum Dog Millionaire) 8.Gioachino Rossini: Barber of Seville Overture for 2 violins 9.Dmitri Shostakovich: Prelude, Gavotte, and Polka from 5 pieces for 2 violins and piano 10.Vittorio Monti: Czardas for violin and piano 11.Johannes Brahms: Hungarian dance no.4 for 2 violins and piano 12.Arirang Fantasy   Join us in celebrating 12 years of fostering cultural connections with this enchanting event. Reserve your spot now and be a part of this special milestone! ✨