“K-Culture” Expands Its Global Reach as Korean Cultural Center Opens in Malaysia

- 36th Korean Cultural Center overseas opens in Kuala Lumpur’s busiest district, featuring a performance hall, exhibition hall, and more

- First Vice Minister KIM Young-soo to attend opening ceremony on October 30, featuring a commemorative performance by Korean and Malaysian artists

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST) will hold the opening ceremony of the Korean Cultural Center in Malaysia on October 30 (Friday) at 3:30 p.m. (local time) in Kuala Lumpur. The Korean Cultural Center in Malaysia is the 36th overseas Korean Cultural Center and the fifth in Southeast Asia.

Some 70 dignitaries, including MCST First Vice Minister KIM Young-soo, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia Chiew Choon Man, Deputy Secretary-General (Bilateral Affairs) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Syed Mohamad Hasrin bin Tengku Hussin, and Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Fadlun bin Mak Ujud, are expected to attend the ceremony to celebrate the center’s opening.

100-Seat Performance Hall, Exhibition Hall, Library, and Classrooms in Kuala Lumpur’s Busiest District

Malaysia is a key maritime transport hub and a strategic economic crossroads connecting Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Its multiethnic, multicultural society gives it rich cultural diversity, which allows it to serve as a bridge between the Islamic world and East Asia. The opening of the Korean Cultural Center is expected to help exchanges between the two countries expand beyond culture into other fields, including the economy and society, further deepening bilateral friendship.

The Korean Cultural Center is located across from the PETRONAS Twin Towers, Malaysia’s iconic landmark and top tourist attraction, and has a total floor area of 1,199 m². The first floor houses a 100-seat performance hall, an exhibition hall, and a screening room. The second floor features a library, a sarangbang (lounge), and classrooms. All facilities are open to visitors year-round. In particular, the performance hall in the lobby is equipped with a large LED panel showcasing Korean cultural content, conveying the sleek image of Korea as a technological powerhouse. Bookshelves line both sides of the seating area, creating a meeting place where visitors can read and chat comfortably on days without performances.

Commemorative Performance and Exhibition Mark the Opening, with Korean and Malaysian Artists Sharing the Stage Under the Theme “Connection through Culture”

The Korean Cultural Center in Malaysia has also prepared a performance and an exhibition to celebrate its opening. Under the theme “Connection through Culture,” artists from both countries will perform together. The Busan National Gugak Center will present saengso byeongju (a duet for saenghwang [mouth organ] and danso [bamboo flute]), hakchum (crane dance), and the pansori work “Heungboga.” Istana Budaya, Malaysia’s national theater, will perform the traditional dance “Zapin Budi” and “Puteri Santubong,” a performance based on a well-known legend from Sarawak. Following this celebration of both countries’ traditional arts, Lia Kim, a leading K-pop choreographer and head of 1MILLION Dance Studio, will perform with the Malaysian youth dance team Zeppo Youngsters.

The commemorative exhibition “Hanbok, Reborn as Art,” organized in collaboration with the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art, will look at the patterns, artistry, and diversity of hanbok from a contemporary perspective. In the sarangbang, traditional craft works on loan from the Korea Heritage Service will be displayed, along with products from MU:DS, the cultural merchandise brand of the National Museum of Korea. Together they will show how Korea’s traditional culture is finding new life in people’s daily lives today.

First Vice Minister KIM stated, “The Korean Wave, which took shape around the world through K-pop and Korean dramas, is now driving consumption of products in areas such as food, beauty, and fashion.” He added, “As Malaysia has a particularly strong interest in ‘K-Culture,’ I expect the Korean Cultural Center to work with many local partner organizations and become a focal point that brings fresh momentum not only to Korean culture but also to the ‘K-Culture’ industry as a whole.”