The Korean Cultural Center SA launched a comprehensive photographic exhibition titled "100 Years of Change in Korean Life" on Saturday, August 16, 2025, providing South African visitors with an unprecedented opportunity to witness Korea's remarkable transformation over the past century. The exhibition features striking color-restored images that document the evolution of Korean society and the daily lives of ordinary citizens throughout major historical periods.
The exhibition presents an immersive visual journey through Korea's complex history, showcasing the resilience, aspirations, and everyday experiences of Korean people against the backdrop of significant historical events. The comprehensive display covers multiple eras, beginning with the quiet dignity of rural communities and deep-rooted Confucian traditions of the early 1900s, progressing through the hardships of Japanese colonial rule, the devastation and recovery of the Korean War, post-war reconstruction efforts, rapid industrialization, urbanization, democratization movements, and culminating in Korea's current global cultural prominence.
Organized into eight distinct thematic chapters, the exhibition goes beyond simply documenting historical milestones by highlighting personal stories, emotions, and lived experiences that bring humanity to historical events. The carefully curated collection features vivid, professionally color-restored photographs that capture Koreans in various aspects of life – working, living at home, participating in protests, and celebrating important occasions. These images provide viewers with an intimate look at how ordinary people navigated extraordinary times throughout Korea's turbulent yet inspiring century of change.
To enhance visitor engagement, the exhibition includes special interactive areas designed to create tangible connections to Korea's past. A particularly popular feature is a dedicated photo corner where visitors can dress in vintage Korean school uniforms, allowing them to experience a physical connection to the historical periods depicted in the photographs. These interactive elements help bridge the gap between past and present, making the historical narrative more accessible and meaningful to contemporary audiences.
The exhibition's grand opening ceremony featured authentic traditional Korean cultural performances that captivated attendees. Visitors were treated to the energetic sogo dance, a rhythmic folk dance performed with small hand-held drums that demonstrates Korea's vibrant folk traditions, and the elegant buchaechum, commonly known as the fan dance, which is celebrated for its graceful movements and colorful fans that create mesmerizing visual displays. The opening event also included creative competitions inspired by Korea's liberation and other significant historical milestones, encouraging active participation from the South African audience.
Attendees at the opening reception were invited to enjoy an authentic Korean cuisine experience, providing a multi-sensory introduction to Korea's rich cultural heritage. This culinary component allowed visitors to engage with Korean culture through taste, complementing the visual and historical narrative presented in the photographic displays.
Jiyeol YOU, Director of the Korean Cultural Center SA, emphasized the exhibition's special significance in commemorating Korea's liberation anniversary. "This exhibition is a meaningful way to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation," YOU stated. "We hope visitors from South Africa will gain a deeper understanding of not just Korea's history, but also the daily lives, traditions, and resilience of its people. Our goal is for everyone to leave with a greater appreciation of the stories that have shaped Korea into the country it is today."
"100 Years of Change in Korean Life" will remain on display at the Korean Cultural Center SA through September 12, 2025. The exhibition maintains regular operating hours on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though it will be closed on weekends and public holidays. Admission to the exhibition is completely free, providing an exceptional opportunity for South African audiences to engage with Korea's historical journey, understand its cultural evolution, and appreciate the complex forces that have shaped modern Korea.
