Korean Film Festival highlights 70 years of diplomatic ties with PH
By Monsi A. Serrano
Not too many people know about the longstanding friendship between Korea and the Philippines.
Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, Dr. Jincheol Lee, director of the Korean Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, said there should be no mistake about the closeness of these ties as Korea takes pride in the 70 years of diplomatic relations with the Philippines this year.
For Dr. Lee, what better way to highlight this closeness than through the arts. And so last April 6-7, the Korean Embassy held the first-ever Korean Film Festival at the Red Carpet Cinema 4, Shangri-La Plaza.
“I am very happy that the past 70 years, the Philippines and Korea have developed stronger ties together. Koreans love to do business in the Philippines and we admire the Filipinos for their resilience and hospitality which is the strength of your country that entice a lot of foreigners to look at the Philippines as a destination for business and tourism,” Dr. Lee said.
“We are also delighted, how the Filipinos have embraced various Korean cultures and arts like K-Pop, Korean telenovelas, and K-food. And we want to sustain this and let the collaboration between Philippines and Korea to go on forever,” he added.
Interestingly, the Philippines and Korea have been friends and allies since the post-World War II era. The unbreakable cultural ties and the continued interest in each other’s cultures and countries wherein a lot of Filipinos have preferred to go to Korea than other Asian countries.
“Now, I am very happy to tell you that Korea has made it easier for the Filipinos to get a visa, and depending on the evaluation of the Consul, Korea now gives 5 years visa. This will make (it) easier for the Filipinos to go to Korea and the processing is shortened as long as you submit the required documents,” said Dr. Lee.
Both Korea and Philippines expect to maintain the closer relationship that they built in the past 70 years and would go beyond the platinum anniversary.
The Korean film festival which was part of the year-long celebration of the 70 years of Philippines-Korea bilateral relations, presents two critically-acclaimed period dramas, “Man of Will” and “The Last Princess,” that depicted the heroic lives of these two persons who bravely defied the Japanese colonial rule.
Event host Shangri-La Plaza EVP and General Manager, Lala Fojas said: “We are really happy and proud to host the first Korean film festival here at the Red Carpet Cinema. Apart from celebrating the different cultures and their ability to inspire and empower us, Shangri-La Plaza wants to put forward narratives that make us understand our Asian allies more and storylines that discuss events in history that should not be forgotten.”
“And we are grateful to our partners for this powerful film selection, and, we assure you all that Shangri-La Plaza provides the best cinematic experience for Remembering Our Heroes,” she added.