KOREAN culture is proof that the old and the new can coexist beautifully. This was the message during the K-Ribbon Selection: Constancy and Change of Korea, which showcased traditional South Korean products and modern technology.
in Korea Chairman Lee Chil-yong
The K-Ribbon Selection brought in 120 items in dressing, handicrafts, home décor, dinnerware, food and entertainment.
According to Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines Director Oh Choong-suk, the event aimed to introduce more of the traditional products, that Filipinos may not know about while, at the same time, boosting brand awareness in foreign markets.
“I think many Filipino people know about the Koreanovelas, K-pop and Korean films. They know some songs, but many people still do not know about the Korean handicrafts and the cultural products. So we want to introduce the Korean dresses and food. It is the first time to introduce Korean handicrafts and cultural products. The exhibition is a good opportunity to introduce and sell the Korean traditional crafts widely,” Oh said.
Association of Royal Crafts Culture in Korea Chairman Lee Chil-yong said the exhibit lets local people experience the imperial culture through different crafts.
“We have a chance to promote the rich traditional culture of Korea to the world by providing locals with a chance to experience and see the Korean handicrafts, such as lacquerware, traditional papers and boudoir handicraft. I think it is a splendid achievement of non-governmental diplomacy through the craft culture,” Lee said.
South Korean Ambassador Kim Jae-shin said the exhibit is a testimony to how South Korea is able to merge old traditions with new innovations.
“We want to move forward and, at the same time, we want to keep our traditions. That is why we maintain our cultural products, the traditional ones, while inventing new ones,” Kim said.
The exhibit featured South Korea’s famous traditional dress, the Hanbok, embroidered fabrics, ceramic and porcelain tableware, and traditional lacquer goblets and bowls.
The exhibit also showed South Korean cuisine, which, according to curators, are mostly done through steaming and boiling ingredients to ensure a healthier cooking process.
SkyBio Co. Ltd.’s Bugak, a traditional Korean crisp made from chili, burdock, pumpkin and kelp, boasts itself for having no colors or artificial seasonings. The Hangwa is Korea’s traditional confectionery made from grain, flour, honey, sugar, yeot, fruit, or edible root.
For beverages, aside from Korea’s well-known citron and red ginseng teas, the exhibit also showed the Baekseju, a glutinous rice-based fermented alcoholic beverage flavored with a variety of herbs.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos
