First edition held Saturday in Newport Beach, California
Korean art, independent film and traditional performances highlight the program
Hands-on activities including kimchi-making offered to local residents
Organizers plan to make the festival an annual event, expanding Korea-US cultural ties
A festival showcasing Korean film, art, music and food made its debut in Newport Beach, California, bringing together a diverse lineup — from a hanbok fashion show and K-pop performances to Korean independent film screenings — to share Korean culture with local residents.
The inaugural Newport Beach Korean Festival was held Saturday (local time) at Newport Beach City Hall Plaza and the Witte Theatre, according to the organizers.
Led by co-directors Kim Jeong-jung and Lee Dong-seong, the festival was conceived to introduce Korean traditional culture and contemporary art to the local American community and to expand cultural exchange between the two countries.
Newport Beach is one of the most affluent communities on the US West Coast, known for its scenic coastline, harbor and yacht culture. While the city has a well-developed tourism and marine leisure industry, opportunities to experience Korean culture firsthand have been relatively limited, organizers said. The event was designed to give local residents a single venue where they could encounter a wide range of Korean culture.
The festival grounds featured performances and exhibitions spanning both traditional and contemporary Korean culture. A hanbok fashion show, traditional Korean dance and a lion dance drew crowds, while a K-pop stage introduced local audiences to Korean popular music.
Korean art and cinema also had a prominent place in the program. The "K-Art in the US" exhibition spotlighted the work of artist Sunny H. Kim, and the Witte Theatre screened the Korean independent film "Beatmaker."
Hands-on activities gave attendees a chance to participate directly. Locals were invited to make kimchi and sample Korean food, with the program highlighting the characteristics of hansik and its traditional food culture.
The opening ceremony was attended by Newport Beach Mayor Lauren Kleiman, former Mayor Kevin Muldoon and California State Assembly Member Diane Dixon, among other local dignitaries. US Representative Dave Min delivered congratulatory remarks via video.
Korean local governments also sent congratulatory messages. Yeosu Mayor Seo Yeong-hak, whose South Jeolla Province city is a sister city of Newport Beach, offered his congratulations in a video message. Organizers expressed hope that the event would deepen exchanges between cities in Korea and the United States.
Kim Jeong-jung, chairman of the festival organizing committee, said he believes that when Korea's rich culture and long traditions meet the charm of Newport Beach — one of the most beautiful cities in America — "a truly special cultural festival unlike anything found anywhere else in the world can be born."
"This festival is the first step toward that possibility," Kim added. "Going forward, we will work to bring together the depth of Korean culture and the open, vibrant city culture of Newport Beach, so that we can understand each other's cultures and grow together into a world-class cultural festival."
Organizers plan to develop the Newport Beach Korean Festival into an annual event rather than a one-time occasion, with the aim of raising local residents' interest in Korean culture and broadening the cultural exchange foundation that connects communities in both countries.
pooh@heraldcorp.com
