Korean culture enthusiastically embraced at ADB's annual meeting
Participants of the 56th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) operate a photo booth in the Korean culture promotion hall at Songdo Convensia in Incheon Metropolitan City. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Lee Yeon-woo
INCHEON ― It's not typical to see mature adults giggling while struggling to dress up in costumes at a formal event like the 56th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
At an exhibition booth at Songdo Convensia in Incheon Metropolitan City, a consistently long line of visitors waited to don the Korean traditional garment, “hanbok.”
One of the guests from the Philippines, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Erwin, was among those waiting in line. When The Korea Times approached him and asked if he was willing to talk, he enthusiastically swayed the blue hanbok he was holding ― the type of clothing worn by kings in the past ― and said with a big grin, “Sure! Why not? I'm more than willing to talk.”
This was Erwin's fifth time visiting Korea, having come for both business trips and personal travels. He said he was a big fan of K-pop, particularly BTS and BLACKPINK. When asked to rate Korea as a tourist destination, he said he would give it more than 10 out of 10.
“Filipinos have a high regard for Korea. The dramas have a high influence on Filipinos' lifestyle, and their stories about family and love are very relatable,” Erwin explained. “When Moonbin (a member of K-pop boy group ASTRO) passed away, Filipinos felt very sad and even built a memorial for him in the country.”
Erwin also noted that the positive feelings towards Korea are not just about the enjoyable pop culture. “We admire what Korea has achieved. Everything in Korea is very nice, modern and advanced.”
K-pop merchandise is on display at the Korean culture promotion hall of the Asian Development Bank's 56th annual meeting at Songdo Convensia in Incheon Metropolitan City. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Mari Jeanie Derillo, another participant from a civil organization in the Philippines, also shared her admiration. She was particularly impressed by how everything in Korea, especially the subway, was just as it was portrayed in Korean dramas. “It's impressive,” she said.
In regard to the Korean culture boom in the Philippines, Derillo referred to it as a “Korean invasion.” “Korea is colonizing the world without leaving the country. I'm not being racist, but just to be honest, the phenomenon is not only happening in the Philippines but now around the world. Even white people are also praising (Korean content), and I think that's quite admirable.”
When asked if she has ever tried Korean food, Derillo gleefully showed her shopping bags and exclaimed, “Well, I'm happy to be colonized!” She then laughed heartily and left for her session.
The promotion hall will offer a variety of programs, such as coloring traditional Korean bags and trying Korean traditional desserts, until the event ends on Friday. In addition, the Korean Culture Night will feature performances by the K-pop group NewJeans and the male vocal quartet Forestella, which is sure to thrill K-pop fans.
A participant of the 56th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) poses for The Korea Times in the Korean culture promotion hall at Songdo Convensia in Incheon Metropolitan City. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk