By Honorary Reporter Laarni Calpo from Philippines 
Photos = Laarni Calpo

The new home of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines is on Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Opened to the public on March 25, the new location is a must-visit place for every Hallyu and Korean culture fan, and I recently went there to check it out.

Registration and screening
When I arrived, I followed the safety protocols of the Taguig municipal government. The guards at the lobby checked my vaccination card and temperature. After finishing the registration and screening process, I took guide materials and leaflets for visitors at the reception area.

Cultural experience
The first floor looked like a mini version of the National Museum of Korea due to the display of traditional and modern pieces of Korean culture. The wood furniture and design display offered a realistic experience in Korean culture, and was complemented by Hanbok and traditional items such as the small table soban. 

This wood furniture and design display is on the first floor of the new KCC building.

Digital Hangeul
Write your name in Hangeul on a touchscreen. As you type your name, the machine will translate it into Hangeul and you can write it on the screen. It can also take a photo of your face with your Korean name and produce a printed photo for free.

Projectors
The projectors in the area show video clips of Korean traditions and scenic views of Korea. They made me feel as if I was in Seoul.

Friendly staff
At the new building, I asked KCC staff questions on the facilities there. I always feel a connection and positive vibe when talking to other people interested in Korean culture. Feel free to ask questions or give suggestions to staff.

Forthcoming facilities 
At this time, only the cultural hall on the first floor and exhibition hall on the fifth are open. Fortunately, the building has a language classroom on the second floor and a K-studio and cooking classroom on the third. A library will be opened on the mezzanine floor and offer King Sejong Institute workbooks on the Korean language, textbooks and magazines in Hangeul, and other educational materials.

The library will be opened on the mezzanine floor.

Fire lantern exhibition

The fifth floor is a multipurpose area that is displaying the kinetic media art exhibition "Punghwa: Light of ASEAN." I loved the fire lantern concept, superb lights display and special sound effects created by the media art group Silo Lab. The concept seeks to bring hope to people in these challenging times. The lights and lanterns fully visible in the dark room were mesmerizing, and the special sound effects synchronized with the movement of lights created a dramatic and magical atmosphere.

The kinetic media art exhibition "Punghwa: Light of ASEAN" features the concept of fire lanterns.

enny0611@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.