▲ Squid Game booth
Comic Con Africa, the largest event of its kind on the African continent, took place from 26 to 29 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, drawing thousands of fans and enthusiasts for a four-day celebration of pop culture.
▲ Squid Game Experience zone
This year's festival garnered significant attention for its immersive 'Squid Game' and Korean Culture Experience Pavilion, a collaborative effort between Netflix South Africa and the Korean Cultural Centre SA (KCCSA).
▲ Korean Cultural Centre SA (KCCSA) booth
Visitors were captivated by the 'Squid Game' experience, participating in traditional Korean games featured in the hit series, such as 'Marbles,' 'Dalgona Candy,' and the 'Red Light, Green Light.' At the KCCSA booth, visitors also enjoyed the opportunity to write their names in Korean alphabet 'Hangeul,' enhancing their understanding and appreciation of Korean culture.
▲ K-pop cover dance performances
The K-Pop cover dance performances received an enthusiastic response, with audience members singing along to the music and joining the performers in lively choreography, underscoring the widespread appeal of K-Pop in South Africa.
▲ Korean convenience store booth
A dedicated Korean convenience store booth, showcasing authentic Korean food products, attracted a steady stream of visitors, highlighting the growing popularity of Korean cuisine in the region.
▲ Asanda Silo
Asanda Silo, an enthusiastic participant, shared her excitement: “I attend Comic Con every year, and this time I was thrilled to see so many activities celebrating my favorite aspects of Korean culture, from ‘Squid Game’ to K-Pop. I hope future Comic Cons will feature even more diverse Korean content, like webtoons and animations.”
Comic Con events around the world encompass a diverse array of pop culture content, including comics, anime, and gaming. Comic Con Africa, based in Johannesburg, continues to record attendance figures in the tens of thousands, solidifying its position as the continent's premier pop culture convention.
▲ Comic Con Africa 2024
In light of the dominant influence of Japanese and American markets at global comic con events, the recent surge of Korean content represents a significant illustration of the expansive reach of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu.
Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa (KCCSA) | 주남아공한국문화원
• Website: https://sa.korean-culture.org/en
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kccsa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcc.sa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kccsa