Residents of Mexico City on Nov. 19, 2025, watch a samulnori (traditional percussion) performance at a Kimchi Day celebration held at Miguel Hidalgo Borough Hall of Miguel Hidalgo, a borough in the Mexican capital. (Korean Cultural Center in Mexico's official Facebook page)

By Hong Angie

A large-scale festival showcasing both traditional and contemporary Korean culture will be held in Mexico in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup soccer finals in North America.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Seoul on June 4 announced a series of cultural events this month in collaboration with the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Korean Embassy and Korean Cultural Center in Mexico. The range of events include media facade displays, contemporary art exhibitions, traditional performing arts, K-pop cover dance performances and a Korea promotional pavilion.

The event's purpose is to deepen bilateral exchanges and expand mutual understanding with Mexico, a key hub for the spread of Hallyu (Korean Wave) in Latin America. Mexican interest in Korean culture has expanded beyond K-pop and K-dramas to lifestyle aspects ranging from cosmetics and beauty to Hansik (traditional cuisine).

As all three of Korea's group matches are scheduled in Mexico, the combination of the growing popularity of Hallyu in Mexico and the World cup is expected to create explosive synergy.

The events' four themes are "Pasión que Une" (Connecting through Passion), "Luz que Une" (Connecting through Light), "Miradas que Unen" (Connecting through Gaze) and "Ritmos que Unen" (Connecting through Rhythm). Led by a "K-initiative" council led by Korean diplomatic missions overseas, relevant public agencies will jointly create a venue for simultaneous exchange in sports and culture.

A Korea Day event on June 6 is scheduled in Zapopan, a city in Mexico's Jalisco state, feature a comprehensive cultural program combining Korean food, culture, content and sports.

On the same day, media artist Lee Lee-nam's media facade "Luz que Une" will make its premiere on the exterior wall of the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan. This large-scale media artwork combines cultural symbols from both countries to convey a message of cultural exchange and the excitement of the World Cup.

The exhibition "Translating Tradition, Imagining the Future" opening on June 10 at the National Museum of World Cultures in Mexico City is a collaboration with the Savina Museum in Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu District.

A Korean promotional pavilion from June 9-21 will be at the Global Village of Chapultepec Park featuring an exhibition by MU:DS, the official souvenir brand of the National Museum of Korea.

And the performing arts troupes ON:R and The Gwangdae and the taekwondo demonstration team K-Tigers will hold celebratory performances in Mexico City and Monterrey to support a successful hosting of the World Cup and cheer Team Korea.

Posters for Korea Day and "Luz que Une" (Light that Connects) events in Zapopan, Mexico (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

shong9412@korea.kr