Nearly 17,000 visitors attended the Korea Days – 7th KoreaON Korean Cultural Festival, which brought Margaret Island’s Kristály Venue to life on June 13-14. The festival was officially opened by H.E. Park Chul-min, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Hungary, and Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest, who both highlighted the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding between the two countries.
KoreON in the heart of Budapest
Organized by the Korean Cultural Center under the leadership of Director Yu Hye Ryong and the HanYou Foundation, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Hungary and KOTRA, the festival once again offered a comprehensive overview of both contemporary and traditional Korean culture. Over the course of two days, visitors explored a wide range of topics, from music and performing arts to gastronomy, beauty, education, and digital culture.
The stage program showcased the diversity of Korean performing arts. One of the highlights was the performance of the Kkokdu-gwangdae traditional masked theatre troupe, presented in collaboration with Hungarian artists. Led by the troupe, a colorful parade also made its way across Margaret Island, featuring more than fifty Korean and Hungarian performers. Through vibrant costumes, music, and dance, the procession recreated the festive atmosphere of traditional Korean folk celebrations.
The festival’s headline guest was the world-renowned South Korean a cappella group MayTree. Internationally acclaimed for creating entire musical worlds using only their voices, the group’s Budapest performance became one of the most popular events of the weekend. Audiences also enthusiastically welcomed the Dongseo University Mutation team and their unique production combining elements of K-musical and K-pop.
Korean beauty culture and gastronomy also played a prominent role in this year’s program. Visitors to the newly introduced K-Beauty Zone had the opportunity to discover the latest trends and innovations in the Korean beauty industry. Meanwhile, demonstrations by global Kimchi Ambassador Kim Taeyeon highlighted the meeting point of Korean and Hungarian culinary traditions.
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The festival also contributed to strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries. Three South Korean higher education institutions introduced their programs, providing Hungarian students with valuable information about study opportunities and scholarship programs in Korea.
The success of this year’s KoreaON once again demonstrated that Korean culture in Hungary extends far beyond pop culture alone. The festival created a unique meeting point between tradition and contemporary art, while also bringing Korean and Hungarian communities closer together.
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