The Korean Film Festival 2024 brings much excitement and cultural exchange to the audience, showcasing the beauty and depth of Korean cinema and fostering a deeper appreciation for Korean culture.
For Penangites, it was an honor to experience two exciting events at Gurney Plaza recently—the Korean Film Festival 2024 and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) roadshow.
With its UNESCO-listed George Town, Penang is an ideal location for celebrating Korean cinema.
In honor of Visit Korea Year 2023-2024, the Korean Embassy is showcasing three films that beautifully capture Korea’s natural beauty and culinary traditions.
The opening film, Our Season, offers a touching story set in the snowy landscapes of Gangwon Province, highlighting cherished Korean home-cooked meals.
The 2024 Korean Film Festival returns with exclusive screenings, including the film “Our Season,” celebrating the depth and beauty of Korean cinema.
Following this, ‘Canola‘ and ‘Picnic’ take viewers on a cinematic journey through the stunning scenery of Jeju Island and Namhae.
All three films were fully booked even before the Korean Film Festival 2024 Launch.
Beyond the film screenings, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) roadshow offers locals and holidaymakers a range of cultural programs.
Participants had the opportunity to join games for a chance to win prizes, including round-trip tickets to Korea, courtesy of AirAsia.
The fair featured new experiences such as trying on hanbok, sampling street K-food, and exploring K-beauty products. Guests could also discover Korean holiday destinations and enjoy K-Pop merchandise.
Highlights included mascot appearances, K-Pop Toploader decorations, traditional Tuho games, bead decoration activities, and complimentary Jochiwon peach tea.
The Korean Film Festival 2024 also highlights the strong ties between Korea and Malaysia, which have grown over 65 years.
With over 400 Korean companies in Malaysia, including many in Penang, and ongoing FTA negotiations, the Korean-Malaysian partnership continues to strengthen.
The Penang Bridge, built by Korea’s Hyundai E&C, symbolizes the enduring friendship between the two countries.
It is hoped that this festival will serve as another bridge, further connecting Penang and Korea through cultural exchange.
Holiday in Korea
Travelers to Korea often enjoy the picturesque cherry blossoms, vibrant street food, shopping, and winter activities such as skiing.
Korea is also renowned for its cosmetics, beauty, skincare products, and cosmetic surgery.
Holidaymakers can plan their trips to Korea through Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
Annyeong 안녕 Visit Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Korea Roadshow from 23-25 August 2024 at Gurney Plaza
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Korean Cinema
The wonderful thing about Korean movies is that, even though Korean dramas are in a foreign language, their storytelling transcends language barriers.
Beginning in the early 1990s, several Korean dramas gained significant international popularity, first in China and Japan and later across the rest of the world.
In the 1990s and 2000s, youth-oriented, soap-opera-style Korean dramas captured worldwide audiences.
And helped propel the genre into the global spotlight, contributing to the worldwide spread of Korean culture, known as the “Korean Wave.”
Malaysians, in particular, have a deep love for K-dramas and movies should watch out for the next Korean Film Festival 2024.
Korean Drama Wave
The Korean Wave, or ‘Hallyu,’ began in the 1990s when Korean dramas and K-pop spread across East and Southeast Asia before gaining global popularity (Holroyd, 2019).
With unique styles and compelling content, Korean dramas like “Winter Sonata” and “My Love from the Star” captivated international audiences – not just for their storylines but also for their attractive casts.
Korean Movies
Korean movies and TV shows have gained international acclaim due to their compelling storytelling, which blends various genres and explores complex themes and characters.
High production values, talented casts and crews, and cultural nuances add depth to their narratives.
Korean films and dramas captivate audiences with their well-developed, relatable characters and concise episodic formats that keep viewers engaged.
Original soundtracks, often featuring K-pop artists, further amplify the emotional impact of these productions.
Korean content has become popular worldwide due to streaming platforms and subtitles, making it accessible to many people.
The use of creative themes in Korean media has also helped it gain a lot of attention and praise globally.
Smartdory Editor, Doris Lim with K movie fans at the Korean Film Festival 2024 Launch, Penang
Korean Film Festival 2024 Launch
The Korean Film Festival 2024 will take place from August 23 to 25 at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) in Gurney Plaza, Penang, and Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur.
On August 23, 2024, H.E. Yeo Seung Bae, Ambassador of Korea to Malaysia, attended the Korean Film Festival Malaysia 2024 launch in Penang organized by the Korean Embassy.
(From left to right) Director General, KTO, Mr Moon Sang Ho, GSC Mr. Pan Vui Shang, YB Sim Tze Tzin, YB Wong Hon Wai, H.E. Yeo Seung Bae, Ambassador of Korea to Malaysia, YB Fahmi bin Zainol, YB Dato’ Mohammad Bakhtiar bin Wan Chik, and Director General, aT Centre, Mr Jang Jung Ho
In his speech, H.E. Yeo Seung Bae noted that Penang is the first state outside Kuala Lumpur to host the Korean Film Festival 2024.
Penang, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is the perfect venue for this festival.
George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is celebrated for its unique architecture and cultural significance as a crossroads between East and West.
With its vibrant cultural scene, including events like the George Town Festival and the George Town Literary Festival, Penang is well-suited to host the K-Film Festival.
K-Film Festival 2024
The close partnership between Korea and Malaysia, which has lasted about 65 years, is exemplified by over 400 Korean companies operating in Malaysia, including semiconductor firms in Penang.
Additionally, Korea is producing 18 light combat aircraft for the Malaysian Air Force.
Ongoing FTA negotiations in Kuala Lumpur are expected to enhance trade and investment, with Penang playing a crucial role.
“The Penang Bridge, built by Hyundai E&C in 1985, symbolizes our enduring friendship. As we launch the first Korean Film Festival here, we hope it will further connect Penang with Korea. The Korean Embassy is committed to fostering people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Penang,” said H.E. Yeo Seung Bae.
H.E. Yeo Seung Bae, Ambassador of Korea to Malaysia, attended the official launch ceremony of the Korean Film Festival Malaysia 2024 (KFF 2024), organized by the Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
In celebration of Visit Korea Year 2023-2024, this year’s festival features three films.
Our Season, Canola, and Picnic—highlighting the scenic beauty of Gangwon Province, Jeju Island, and Namhae.
Smartdory and Korean movie fans enjoyed watching ‘Our Season.’
Here is a brief review of the achingly beautiful movie that resonated deeply with attendees, earning heartfelt applause at the end of the screening.
Our Season Review
The premiere of Our Season (Korean Title: 3 Day Vacation) at the Korean Film Festival 2024 perfectly exemplifies a movie that combines all the elements Korean movies fans love.
Our Season is a heartfelt fantasy drama about a mother, Bok-ja, who returns from heaven for a three-day visit to reconnect with her daughter, Jin-joo.
Initially separated by life’s struggles and unspoken misunderstandings, their reunion unfolds through the simple yet profound act of cooking.
As Bok-ja prepares traditional Korean dishes, each meal becomes a powerful expression of love.
The food becomes a way to bridge the emotional distance that time and life’s challenges have created.
The film beautifully portrays the enduring bond between mother and daughter, reminding viewers of the unspoken love and sacrifices that often go unnoticed.
Experience the magic of Korean cinema in its homeland—immerse yourself in the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and captivating stories that make Korea truly unforgettable.
*All photos are courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia – MOFA.
Blog Disclosure: This is a sponsored blog post, but all opinions are mine. Thank you Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia – MOFA for the event invitation.
