MCST and MAFRA Promote Korean Vibes and Flavors Worldwide

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- K-Community Challenge by MCST & MAFRA Runs from Aug 22 to Sept 22

- Winners in four categories (Joseon-pop, Sogo dance, Taekwonmu, and K-food) to be invited to the K-Community Festival in Korea this Nov

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister SONG Mi Ryung, MAFRA) started the K-Community Challenge on August 22 and runs until September 22, in partnership with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (Acting President KIM Kyung Nam, KOFICE) and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (CEO HONG Moon Pyo, aT). The K-Community Challenge is a contest where participants from K-communities around the world pick one category - Joseon-pop[1], Sogo dance, Taekwonmu, and K-food - and submit their performance videos to win. Winners in each category will be invited to perform at the K-Community Festival in Korea this November.

Since 2019, the K-Community Challenge has served as a cultural platform that showcases various aspects of Korean culture. This video contest encourages international K-communities to learn about Korean culture through tutorial videos and create their own performance videos to share with viewers worldwide. In 2023, 341 participants from 46 countries participated in the contest.

New K-food genre added in collaboration with MAFRA

Even more excitement with short video challenges

This year, thanks to the collaboration with MAFRA, the contest introduces K-food as a new category. By presenting simple K-food recipes and introducing the pairing of distinct food items, the contest aims to provide international participants with a convenient way to experience Korean cuisine and eventually increase exports of Korean agricultural products.

To attract international attention, the tutorial videos will feature popular artists and K-pop groups from each category. ADG7 and EPEX will represent Joseon-pop, Biseul Dancers and BEBE will showcase Sogo dance, Taekwoncre and SF9 will appear in Taekwonmu, and chef Yook Jung Min and EPEX will promote K-food. Filmed in both traditional and modern Korean settings, including Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs, Namsan Park, Gimpo Art Village, and Seonyudo Park, the videos will provide foreign viewers a chance to discover the genuine charms of Korean culture.

In addition, the short video challenge is expected to encourage international participants to take part in the contest more easily. This new feature, introduced this year, will encourage more participants to join in and share their performance videos in an enjoyable way.

Winners in each category invited to the K-Community Festival in Korea this November

MCST and MAFRA plan to invite winners in each category to Korea this November. Winners will be given an opportunity to perform at the K-Community Festival on November 2 at YES 24 Live Hall in Seoul. The Ministries hope that the Festival, which will be broadcast live online, will serve as a stage for K-pop groups, traditional Korean artists who participate in the contest as well as global fans of Korean culture to communicate with each other, deepen their understanding of K-culture, and promote a positive image of Korea around the world.

The K-Community Challenge is open to all foreign nationals who love Korean culture, regardless of where they live. Applications can be submitted through the contest's official website (www.kcommunityfestival.com), where details such as participation instructions and timelines can also be found.

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