New Delhi, August 14, 2025 — The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) is set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Korean Liberation Day on August 15, coinciding with India’s Independence Day, through a vibrant celebration of shared values of freedom and dignity. From August 14 to October 31, KCCI will host a special photo exhibition, Korea, In the Shadows of Pain, The Light of Dreams, alongside the New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025 from August 14-16, at its New Delhi premises.
The photo exhibition, curated by Professor Jung Jae-Han of Yeungnam University, features the works of renowned Korean photographers Koo Wangsam, Cho Kyusun, and Baek Jongha. It explores Korea’s post-liberation history, ideological struggles, and cultural growth through three distinct galleries. Koo’s realistic portrayals capture post-liberation realities, Baek’s lyrical rural landscapes evoke nature’s serenity, and Cho’s Dancing Egret series symbolizes societal shifts during modernization.
KCCI Director, Hwang Il Yong said, “Korea and India share a journey toward freedom. This festival and exhibition blend history, art, and emotion, fostering cultural exchange and resonating with young Indians.”
The events, organized with Daegu Photography Culture Research Institute and Yeungnam University, promise to deepen bilateral bonds through shared narratives of liberation.
An interactive floor map with Polaroid photos from foreign journalists post-1945 offers visitors an immersive journey into Korea’s past, fostering a deeper understanding of its history among India’s youth, often familiar only with K-pop and K-culture.
Complementing the exhibition, the 4th New Delhi Korean Film Festival will celebrate Korean cinema’s rich narratives, weaving stories of resilience, liberation, and societal transformation. Showcasing films that explore historical struggles and personal convictions, the festival connects Korean and Indian audiences through shared themes of freedom and cultural depth.
On August 14, Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016), a critically acclaimed film about poet Yun Dong Ju’s resistance through poetry, opens the festival, followed by an online Cine Talk with actress Moon Choi. On August 15, Assassination (2015) depicts the struggles of Korea’s independence fighters, while Dark Nuns (2025), an occult drama, closes the festival on August 16. A face-painting event featuring Indian and Korean flags will also be organized symbolising strong India-Korea cultural ties.
To enhance the cultural exchange, KCCI will also host a workshop on Korean traditional art forms, allowing visitors to engage hands-on with Korea’s rich heritage. This initiative, supported by the Korean Embassy in Delhi aims to bridge the historical narratives of both nations, encouraging dialogue and mutual appreciation among attendees.