Always ready to showcase the rich culture and traditions of Korea to the World, the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN) recently treated Korean enthusiasts in Abuja and environs to a Korean movie: ‘The Face Reader’, ahead of the forthcoming 61st Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival.

Held every fall in October, the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival is a traditionally enriched festival held in Suwon, South Korea, with ties to the Joseon era in celebration of Suwon Citizens’ Day.

Besides showcasing the city’s rich history, the festival offers foreigners a unique opportunity to connect with Korea’s cultural heritage, as it vividly recreates the Joseon Dynasty atmosphere.

The festival is usually held in Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, which was built to commemorate King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty’s filial piety and dream of national prosperity and military power. The festival offers visitors in search of fun a hands-on lesson in Korean history starting from a short bus ride from Seoul, the Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, to celebrate the legacy of King Jeongjo.

The carnival-like festival is spiced with traditional music and martial arts performances as well as a display or exhibition area offering a glimpse of 18th century life. It climaxes with the fusion of Suwon Love Light and Food Culture Festivals experience.

Nigerians and other foreigners who attended the annual festival in October last year witnessed the Suwon Fantasy – Nakseongyeon ‘Sanghadongnak’, based on King Jeongjo’s 1796 celebration of Hwaseong Fortress, featuring traditional performances like music, opera, and rope walking.

Besides watching Jagunggagyo Season 2 – a drama inspired by King Jeongjo’s filial piety towards his mother, Lady Hyegyeong, the King Jeongjo’s Royal Parade – the nation’s largest royal parade, replicating the eight-day parade of 1795, they had also witnessed the night time live art performance of Hwaryeong at Hwaryeong Hall, showcasing King Jeongjo’s era.

Other traces of the past they had the opportunity of experiencing include the cultural art of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Yongyeon Pond.

Preparation

Preparing Nigerians ahead of the Festival, Administrative Officer with KCCN, Chidinma Tobins, explained that the choice of the movie, ‘The Face Reader’, was to expose Nigerians to a part of Korean history. Released in 2013, ‘The Face Reader’ tells the story of a man, Nae-gyeong, who predicts people’s future by looking at their faces.

Due to his skills, he soon gets embroiled in a power struggle with two prominent figures, resulting in dire consequences. It is a story of loss, ambition, and greed.

Tobins explained that the choice of the movie was hinged on journeying back to the Joseon era through the art of face reading; bringing ancient traditions to cinematic magic and the wisdom of the past to live on screen.

She said: “The film simply portrays how it was in those days. Seeing this movie and deciding to go to Korea could help them (Nigerians), because a lot of traditional things will be given to them to create relationships.”

Nigerians speak

Expressing excitement over the movie and an insight into the history of Korea, some Nigerians, who were at the movie’s screening, noted that it could help in shaping attitudes and behaviours of not just the common man, but the elite as well.

Seye Adekoya, a Korean culture enthusiast, noted that her love for Korean culture spurred her into learning the language in 2017. As an influencer for Korean culture, she said: “I have always cherished the approach the Koreans deploy in their events and this was not an exception.”

Commenting on the movie, she noted that it was an exposure for her into the carefully calculated decisions, plans of those thirsty or drunk for power. Joy Ossai, who says Korean events always get her full attention, said she has no regrets investing in Korean culture.

Appreciating the various events consistently organised by the KCCN to showcase their culture, she said: “It was a nice outing. We watched this movie for free as always and we the fans appreciate it a lot.

Thank you KCCN for this experience.” Winner of the 2024 Korea Writing and Speech contest, Jane Elo Ossai, expressed her appreciation to KCCN for organising the movie screening to further expose Nigerians to understanding the way of life of the people of the Asian nation.