By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Diana Kassandra Almarez from the Philippines
Photos = Diana Kassandra Almarez

The Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were one of the biggest Olympic events in the history of Korea, and were held in February and March 2018 across Gangwon-do Province in Korea.

On Feb. 9, a special movie screening was co-hosted by the Korean embassy in the Philippines and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), to celebrate the beginning of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Two films based on true stories from the Winter Olympics were screened in the KCC's Wave Hall: “Take Off” (국가대표) (2009) and “Run Off” (국가대표2) (2015).

The first film, “Take Off,” is about the courage and passion of the first Korean ski jump team that was hastily formed for the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games. “Run Off,” on the other hand, is about the struggles and success of the first Korean women’s national ice hockey team. Women from different backgrounds formed the team, including one North Korean defector, one middle school student, a middle aged woman, and some former short track skaters.

Both films made the viewers laugh, cry and be inspired, all at the same time. One thing you could learn from both films was "grit." No matter how difficult or how long it takes to get to your ultimate goal, if you have the talent, skill and determination to push beyond your limits, everything will be possible.



There was a short break between films for the audience to play games and to win exciting prizes. Ten players were needed for each of the two games, and they had to guess the answer based on pictures. The winners received dolls of Soohorang and Bandabi, the Olympic and Paralympic mascots. The rest took home key chains for participation.

“Guess the Participating Country” and “Guess the Olympic Sport” were good quiz topics to help the audience learn more about the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The games helped the audience learn more about winter sports, too, because winter sports aren't that familiar to people from a tropical country like the Philippines.

Screening the two films took five hours, but it was indeed a meaningful event. The motto of the PyeongChang Games was "Passion. Connected." It was displayed throughout the KCC. The films revolved around a passion for sports. The actual film screening itself showed the connection between Korea and the Philippines, and it highlighted the passion that many Filipinos have for the Winter Olympics and for the competing Philippine athletes.



wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.