By Korea.net Honorary Reporter <font color="#0070c0">Edward Olivet Chiamaka</font> from Nigeria
Photos = <font color="#0070c0">Edward Olivet Chiamaka</font>

ASEAN Week 2019 was held from June 14-16 at Seoul Plaza to mark the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-Korea Center in Seoul. I attended the second and third days of this event.

The second day opened with performances by leading cultural groups from ASEAN member countries. The first batch of acts showcased beautiful and breathtaking performances by Cambodia Art Troupe, National Art Ensemble (Laos), Vietnam National Youth Theatre, National Department for Culture and Arts (Malaysia) and the Kalumon Performing Ensemble (Philippines).

After the first round of performances came a break lasting for a couple of hours. I used this opportunity to explore the booths set up by ASEAN member countries to showcase their cultural assets and promote their countries' attractions. Some booths even hosted interactive games and gave freebies to attendants. The photo zones allowed visitors to try on the traditional attire of certain nations. I also explored the Design and Lifestyle ASEAN Pavilion, an exhibition of beautiful articles like unique furniture, crockeries and art pieces from all ASEAN member countries.

At 5 p.m., the Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band from Thailand opened the second half of cultural performances. Irama Bahtera of Brunei took to the stage next to sing beautiful songs and finished with a traditional dance. Then came Komunitas Gondang Saurdot from Indonesia to play moving songs and was later accompanied by two elegant dancers. A highlight of the performance was Lee Hyuk, secretary general of the ASEAN-Korea Center, being invited up to the stage to receive a traditional Indonesian fabric as a symbol of gratitude.

Next was the Myanmar Cultural Troupe, who thrilled the audience with an amazing dance performance. Rain began falling at this time and people crowded under the canopies, yet this hardly put a damper on the events as the organizers were well prepared with raincoats for the audience. By the end of the second half of Day 2, the rain had stopped. The crowd then saw an exciting performance of traditional instruments by yIN Harmony from Singapore.



The next event was something I was highly anticipating: the ASEAN Fashion Show. As a former fashion designer, I eagerly awaited seeing the works of top designers from the ASEAN region. A unique feature of the show was the appearance of the spouses of ambassadors from ASEAN member countries and staff from their embassies as models on the runway.

The first country represented on the runway was Vietnam, whose bold red and other designs using primary colors were complemented by big summer hats and clutch purses. The wife of the Vietnamese Embassy's first secretary walked elegantly down the runway in a yellow, black and gold ensemble paired with a traditional Vietnamese hat. She was followed by the designer, Do Trinh Hoai Nam, who waved to the audience walking hand in hand with a model wearing a design with the Korean flag on it.

Next was Philippine designer Lenora Luisa Cabili, whose collection was one of my favorites in the event. The elegant embroidered gowns and two-piece outfits with the unique traditional Philippine design of puffed shoulders design were accompanied by gold crowns and tiaras, and the finale dress had a long bridal veil train that looked so ethereal. The wife of the Philippine ambassador gracefully walked down the runway in one of the designs, and Cabili later walked out to bow to the crowd. I interviewed her after the show on her designs and inspiration, and she said her works are inspired by traditional Philippine attire and her collection represents every indigenous group in the Philippines. I was also blown away when she told me all of the outfits were made by hand.

Then came Malaysian-British designer Fairuz Ramdan, one of my favorite designers in the show. His collection gave off casual summer vibes with eye-catching prints and accessories, colorful shades, rings, see-through fanny packs and an LED clutch. During my interview with him, he said the main goal of his collection was to target younger audiences to raise awareness of and instill appreciation for tradition. His collection reflected Malay heritage due to his use of Batik technique but also incorporated a new wave in his designs through the use of lines and modern motifs. The wife of the Malaysian ambassador and an education official from the Malaysian Embassy also walked the runway wearing Fairuz's creations.







K-pop singer Soyou then started a music intermission by singing her sonorous ballad "I Miss You," then picked up the tempo with "I Swear" accompanied by suave choreography and backup dancers. Her final number, "Touch My Body," a song by the K-pop girl group Sistar, had many in the crowd singing along, including me.

The event returned to fashion with Nou Veasna Alias Boranich of Cambodia displaying designs featuring a traditional fusion of deep rich colors with 3D motifs and embroideries as well as jeweled belts; her collection was another favorite of mine. The wife of the Cambodian ambassador walked down the runway in a gold yellow dress with gold accessories and embroidery. In an interview after the show, she told me, "It was a wonderful experience. I believe events like this are a cultural bridge connecting the peoples of ASEAN member countries and Korea."

Finally, Brunei designer Farhanna Pura displayed sophisticated and sleek evening gowns with a mix of traditional bejeweled fabrics on the collars and sleeves. The daughter of the communication attaché at the Brunei Embassy also sported one of Pura's creations on the runway.

Just when people thought the show was over, Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo appeared and wowed the audience with her spectacular designs reflecting the beauty of Korea. Her pieces were so beautiful that they could be considered art.

The finale saw all the models and designers come out one final time to the cheers of the crowd.



Day 3 saw another round of shows performed by ASEAN cultural troupes and bands, starting with those from Myanmar, Indonesia and Singapore. The highlight of this day was the "ASEAN Travel Talk Show" hosted by MBN announcer Jung Ah-young, multi-talented celebrity Hwang Kwang-hee and travel reporter and expert Shin Iksu. They discussed the ASEAN member countries they visited and which of the nations they wanted to visit next. Hwang recommended Myanmar as a great vacation spot and said he wanted to visit Brunei after hearing good things about it from acquaintances who had gone there. Among tourist destinations in the region, the hosts said Thailand was the most visited and the one most people wanted to go to in the ASEAN region according to polls. Bali, Indonesia, was named a favorite destination for newlyweds and Laos as a top destination for "healing." Then the hosts switched to the topic of ASEAN cuisines, and even tried food from the region and shared it with the audience. Then they shared travel tips and tricks, with Hwang playfully instructing the audience on taking perfect travel pictures, and promoted an ASEAN travel app. Hwang then answered audience questions and his concluding monologue ended the talk show.

Lee Hyuk from the ASEAN-Korea Center and a Naver+ representative joined Hwang on stage for the raffle draw. The winners won prizes like stays at resorts and hotels, Go Pro cameras and gift certificates. The second half of Day 3 cultural performances started with a kalumon performance from the Philippines. Then came acts from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Irama Bahtera of Brunei and a dance troupe from Laos with an amazing singer closed the event with a rendition of the Korean folk song "Arirang."

This amazing experience made me want to visit these countries. I hope to do so one day.

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.