The New York Korea Center, a comprehensive Korean cultural and arts space, officially opened in Manhattan.
The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held the opening ceremony on June 27, with Minister Yu In Chon and over 150 distinguished guests in attendance.
“The site of the New York Korea Center holds personal significance for me because I made the decision to acquire it over 15 years ago during my tenure as minister,” Yu said. “At that time, I could not have foreseen that Korean culture would achieve such popularity in New York today. However, the enthusiasm of Korean Wave fans for K-dramas and K-movies has now extended to K-food like kimbap and ramen, which have gained global exposure through Korean dramas and movies, are influencing the food industry.”
He added, “By establishing the Korea Center in New York, a city with significant influence in the global cultural market, I hope it will empower Korea to become a cultural powerhouse where people worldwide not only embrace Korean culture and tourism but also eagerly consume and enjoy all products associated with Korea, rather than simply promoting Korean culture.”
The New York Korea Center is a seven-story building serving as a comprehensive cultural and arts space, equipped with a 190-seat performance hall, exhibition hall, and cooking class facilities, according to the ministry.
It occupies the entire building, covering a total floor area of 3,383 square meters, from the basement to the 7th floor above ground. It features a performance hall for performances and movie screenings in the basement, a media wall on the first floor, an exhibition hall and garden on the second floor, a library on the third floor, and a cooking class facility on the fourth floor.
Previously, the Center initially rented part of the 6th floor in a 22-story building on Park Avenue in Manhattan since its opening. As local interest in Korean culture continued to grow rapidly, the Korean Cultural Center NY was established, leading to the expansion and relocation to its current location on 32nd Street in Manhattan.
The Korean Cultural Center New York will commemorate the opening with a series of events aimed at promoting Korean culture in New York City. “The Hangeul Wall Project” will feature a selection of 1,000 Korean phrases chosen from 8,000 submissions from around the world, forming a Hangeul wall within the New York Korea Center, according to the ministry.
Meanwhile, distinguished guests who attended the opening ceremony include Jordana Leigh, Senior Director of Artistic Programming at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; John Pai, Korean-American sculptor; producer of the musical “Great Gatsby” and head of OD Musical Company, Shin Chun soo, and Linda CHO, a Costume designer.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
