There are always ups and downs in diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan,... but in terms of culture, fruitful exchanges between the two have been ongoing for decades.
Our Won Jung-hwan is inTokyo to see firsthand how the two countries are getting to know each other's cultures better.
"I am here at the Korean cultural center in Tokyo, the city where Korea's first overseas cultural center opened 40 years ago,… and to commemorate four decades of active cultural exchanges, the center is holding special exhibitions and cultural events."
With the ribbon cutting ceremony that celebrates the 40th birthday of the center,… the Korean cultural center in Tokyo launched a special exhibition on Thursday evening focusing on Korean traditional handicrafts presented by 23 Korean craft masters.
The 75 pieces created by highly acclaimed masters, including Kim Gi-ho, the holder of the country's Intangible Cultural Property,… will showcase their handworks to Tokyo residents from Friday to June 11th.
Scores of government officials and artists from both countries who attended the exhibition's opening ceremony were amazed by the Korean-made art,… and among them, Japan's head of Cultural Affairs said he could feel how deeply the two countries share their cultural beauty.
"Forty years has been emphasized but I believe that, in terms of sharing beautiful culture between South Korea and Japan, it goes way back. Today, I was dazzled seeing an exhibition of this ultimate beauty."
A special music performance also artfully mingles the traditional musical instruments of both South Korea and Japan,… symbolizing the two countries' interlocked cultural relations.
And with these kind of showcases,… the oldest overseas Korean Cultural Center hopes to expand Korean culture to an even bigger audience in Japan.
"The center will always be a platform to gather those who are interested in the Korean Wave, or the international phenomenon of Korean pop culture. When they visit, we also plan to introduce more Korean culture, so they can naturally expand their love for the Korean Wave to Korean culture in general."
Indeed, while K-pop fever continues to grip Japan,... the center will continue to help raise Japanese people's understanding of Korean culture by introducing them to the essence of high-brow Korean culture right in the heart of Japan.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News, Tokyo.
