The iconic statue Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has projected on it a digital image of the traditional clothing Hanbok. (Korean Cultural Center in Sao Paolo)

By Margareth Theresia

The iconic statue Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has worn a digital image of the traditional clothing Hanbok.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 9 said it jointly held a projection mapping event two days earlier with the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Sao Paolo that projected an image of Hanbok on the Latin American country's representative landmark.

Support for the event came from the Korean Embassy in Brasilia, municipal governments of Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and Niteroi, a city in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, and the statue's management organization.

Projection mapping is a technology that gives a real-life object a different image by projecting a light image on the item's surface.

With the KCC, the ministry organized the event to wish for the successful hosting of a Jinju silk lantern exhibition in Brazil from June 9 to Aug. 25 and the Group of 20 economies summit from Nov. 18-19.

This was the first time for Christ the Redeemer to wear a traditional costume symbolizing another country, namely a dopo (traditional overcoat) and cheollik (traditional upper garment and pleated skirt) reflecting Korea's five traditional colors and those of the Brazilian flag. Designed by Jinju silk ambassador Lee Jin-hee, the outfit featured a sash matching the colors of this year's G20 summit logo.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yong Hoseong said, "Centered on KCCs abroad, the ministry will conduct organic collaboration between the central and local governments of both countries and culture and arts organizations overseas to reinforce bilateral cooperation and support to actively introduce Korea's unique and diverse culture to global regions."

margareth@korea.kr