Shared Values, Different Histories: Korea and India Unite in Celebration
New Delhi: The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from colonial rule with a special photo exhibition and film festival, coinciding with India’s Independence Day on August 15.
The photo exhibition, “Korea, In the Shadows of Pain, The Light of Dreams,” showcases the contemporary history of Korea through the lens of three renowned photographers: Koo Wangsam, Cho Kyusun, and Baek Jongha. The exhibition explores themes of liberation, ideological conflict, growth of independent culture and art, and the turbulent journey toward democracy.
Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India, said, “Despite their different historical backgrounds, Korea and India share a common experience of walking the path towards freedom. I hope this film festival and photo exhibition will serve as an opportunity to shed new light on the meaning of liberation, a journey that both countries should remember and celebrate together, through culture and art.”
The exhibition space consists of three galleries. The first gallery features Koo Wangsam’s realistic works capturing the spatial and temporal realities of post-liberation Korea. The second gallery showcases Baek Jongha’s warm depictions of rural landscapes, while the third gallery features Cho Kyusun’s “Dancing Egret” series.
The exhibition offers interactive experiences, including a large map of the Korean Peninsula displaying Polaroid photographs taken by foreign journalists after Korea’s liberation.
The New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025 will screen three films that depict Korea’s turbulent history and personal convictions. The films include “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” (2016), “Assassination” (2015), and “Dark Nuns” (2025).
Korean actress Moon Choi will interact with Indian audiences in an online “Cine Talk” event on August 14. A face-painting activity will also be held, where visitors. The events will be held at the Korean Cultural Centre India in New Delhi from August 14 to 16 for the film festival and August 14 to October 31 for the photo exhibition.
