KF뉴스레터-Introducing Korea Through Economy and Culture

Introducing Korea Through Economy and Culture

In particular, the TKP efforts are focused on promoting a positive image of Korea and the “Korea brand” in order to create a favorable environment for Korean businesses and products and to bolster more cooperative relations. This year, TKP activities were held in Tianjin and the Shandong Province (Jinan and Chingdao) on July 8 through 16. Tianjin is in the midst of establishing its Binhai New Area as a third center of economic development, following Shenzhen and Pudong in Shanghai.
The project is primarily comprised of three components. First, there are the business diplomacy efforts of Korean Ambassador to China Kim Ha-joong. Making contacts at the governmental level, Ambassador Kim regularly meets with local leaders, including governors and mayors, to discuss ways to promote Sino-Korean exchange and cooperation, along with requesting support for Korean residents and businesses in China. He also holds press conferences and presents lectures to youth and university students to explain the current status of Sino-Korean relations and enhance their understanding about Korea.
Second, TPK includes trade and investment briefings and business consultation sessions. A 180-member Korean delegation of trade and investment representatives and numerous Chinese business people participated in the TKP sessions. While the Chinese participants made efforts to attract investment into their region, the Korean business people were busy gathering information and learning the details about successful investment projects. During business consultation sessions, organized by industrial category, such as the IT, manufacturing and environmental sectors, various participants even entered into agreements on the spot. Of note, during a discussion of the cultural industry in Jinan, Chinese businesses showed an eagerness to learn about the experiences and know-how of Korea. As for Shandong Province, which seeks to develop its cultural industry based on the area’s history, culture, and ocean resources, it expressed an earnest desire for talented students from China to enhance their education in cooperation with Korean universities.
Third, the TPK sponsors cultural events to promote mutual understanding. Throughout the entire TKP, a variety of cultural events, including screening of Korean films, a Korean food festival, and photography exhibition, was held daily. In Tianjin, the Korean food event and photography exhibition were staged at a downtown department store, which provided housewives, children, and young people with a convenient opportunity to experience Korean culture. Due to the tremendous popularity of the ‘Daejanggeum’ (Jewel in the Palace) Korean TV drama, the Chinese people showed a great interest in Korean food. A demonstration of pounding rice-cake dough (injeolmi) with a mallet attracted a throng of curious onlookers. Meanwhile, a Chinese edition of Koreana, a quarterly publication of Korea’s culture and art, which the Korea Foundation supplied for the TKP, was ranked first among informational materials, but there were not enough copies for everyone.
The highlight of the cultural events was an evening performance of Korean entertainers. The performance groups dispatched by the Korea Foundation included the Kook Soo-ho Didim Dance Company, percussion group Hanwoolsori, B-Boy team Gambler, and Yong In University Taekwondo team, along with singer and ambassador for the Sino-Korean Year of Exchange, Jang Nara, and entertainer Ham So-won.
With a majority of the audience being younger generation Chinese, the Taekwon-do and B-Boy performances were clearly the most popular acts. In addition, many Chinese were surprised to learn that Taekwondo is a traditional martial arts form of Korea and a medal event of the Olympic Games. According to a Chinese director of performing arts, it was unbelievable that the performance received such enthusiastic applause, since Chinese audiences are typically subdued in their reaction.
Korean TV dramas are still popular in China. The Chinese viewers learn much about Korea from these TV dramas, but this is not enough. More concerted efforts are necessary to broaden awareness of the elegance of Korea’s traditional culture and the dynamism of its contemporary society. In this sense, the TKP’s ongoing efforts are all important. It is thus incumbent upon the Korea Foundation to continue its support for the TPK endeavors.

Team Korea Project (TKP)

The Team Korea Project (TKP) has been credited for contributing to this phenomenal development of Korea-China relations. Organized by the Korean Embassy in China, TKP is a multifaceted endeavor that seeks to better introduce Korea in China through the presentation of economic, trade, and cultural activities in China’s major cities and local provinces.

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Introducing Korea Through Economy and Culture

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