The Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN) has announced plans to showcase Nigerian films as part of its ongoing efforts to create a more balanced cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria. The initiative aims to promote mutual understanding while the center continues its primary mission of introducing Korean culture to Nigerian audiences.
The announcement came during the 13th Korean Film Festival held in Abuja, where KCCN revealed its collaborative partnership with the Nigerian Film Festival Association (NFFA). This three-day festival showcased five Korean films representing different genres that highlighted Korea's rich cultural diversity and cinematic artistry. The featured films included "We Are Brothers," "Untouchable Lawmen," "Sunset in My Hometown," "Fengshui," and "Little Forest."
Jeon Ju Ho, Director of the KCCN, described the 13th Korean Film Festival as "a three-day celebration of Korean storytelling, culture, and creativity." He expressed hope that the films would not only inspire and entertain audiences but also spark curiosity to explore more aspects of Korean culture. "The showcased movies were aimed at offering a unique window into the heart of Korean society – its values, its humor, its struggles, and its dreams," Jeon stated.
The director emphasized the broader cultural mission behind the festival, explaining that "these stories transcend language and borders, connecting us through shared human experiences. This festival is not just about watching movies. It is about building bridges – between Nigeria and Korea, between cultures and communities, through the powerful medium of film."
Yujin Lee, Event Manager at the KCCN, noted the growing popularity of Korean films among Nigerian audiences, particularly through platforms like Netflix. She explained that the center deliberately chose to expose Nigerians to various genres of Korean cinema to showcase different aspects of Korean society. "Like capturing the traditional royal background, some historical backgrounds, we had romantic comedies focused on landscapes and the old countryside vibes. In the last movie for this year's film festival, we were able to experience the Korean countryside view and Korean food," Lee said.
Regarding the collaboration with Nigerian filmmakers, Lee detailed the center's balanced approach to cultural exchange. "For this film festival, we were really trying to bring in a new Nigerian audience, so we collaborated with NFFA. We've had an interview showcasing the Nigerian movie at our KCCN studio, and we did some sort of discussion with the director of the movie. We are trying to bring some balance to build mutual understanding," she explained.
Lee further emphasized the importance of reciprocal cultural learning, stating, "Of course, we need to focus on the Korean culture because we are the Korean Cultural Centre; however, we really want to have more collaborations with the Nigerian film association and Nigerian filmmakers so that we can understand the differences and what we can learn from each other."
The festival concluded with special activities designed to engage the audience, including a raffle draw and presentation of various gifts to winners at the end of each film showcase. This interactive element added to the celebratory atmosphere and helped strengthen the connection between Korean culture and Nigerian audiences. The initiative represents a significant step toward creating more balanced cultural diplomacy that honors both Korean and Nigerian artistic traditions.
