The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines has launched an ambitious 2025 Korean Film Festival that combines exhibitions, expert discussions, and nationwide film screenings. The festival officially opened on August 26 with the debut of "Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds," marking the first exhibition in the Philippines dedicated exclusively to Korean production design.
This year's festival significantly expanded its scope beyond traditional film screenings to include a comprehensive cultural program. The initiative features a major exhibition, expert talk sessions, the Student Short Film Competition awards ceremony, and screenings across multiple Philippine cities. Additionally, the Korean Cultural Center joined the TINGIN: Southeast Asian Film Festival as the guest country, further highlighting Korea's growing cultural presence in the region.
The centerpiece exhibition, co-presented with the Korean Federation of Film Archives and supported by the Touring K-Arts program of the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, showcases the work of three renowned Korean production designers: Ryu Seong Hee, Jo Hwa Seong, and Han Ah Reum. The exhibition highlights Director Ryu's acclaimed films "The Handmaiden" and "Decision to Leave" (which earned her the Vulcan Award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival), Director Jo's "Hansan: Rising Dragon," and Director Han's "Kill Boksoon" and "Kingmaker."
The exhibition opening program drew significant attention from the Philippine film community, welcoming key figures including Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair Jose Javier Reyes, Metropolitan Museum of Manila Senior Curator Ian Gines, Korean production designer Han Ah Reum, Korean Film Council Researcher Park Hee Seong, and Producer Seo Ji Yoon. The exhibition, running from August 27 to November 21, recreates memorable scenes including the iconic sand pile from the final scene of "Decision to Leave" as its introductory set piece.
Visitors to the exhibition can explore an extensive collection of materials including storyboards, set plans, concept art, and graphic design materials that provide insight into the creative process behind Korean cinema's visual storytelling. A three-channel video gallery further immerses audiences in signature scenes from the featured films, offering a comprehensive look at how production design shapes cinematic experiences.
Chair Reyes praised the Korean film industry's commitment to excellence, stating, "Korean filmmakers do not settle for good enough—they consistently push boundaries. I am delighted that an exhibition spotlighting Korea's leading production designers is being held in the Philippines." The opening program also included an in-depth discussion with Production Designer Han Ah Reum and Producer RuBi about the art direction of "Kill Boksoon" and "Kingmaker," with Korean Film Council Researcher Park Hee Seong sharing valuable insights on Korean film industry policies.
On August 27, the Korean Cultural Center held the Student Short Film Competition awards ceremony alongside a Talkback Session with Korean and Filipino film experts at Cine Adarna, University of the Philippines Film Institute. The competition, conducted from April to June under the theme "Korea in the Philippines," awarded first place to a team from Cebu Normal University. The winning team will travel to Busan to attend the prestigious Busan International Film Festival this month.
The Talkback Session brought together prominent figures from both Korean and Philippine cinema industries, including Production Designer Han Ah Reum, Researcher Park Hee Seong, Producer RuBi, Filipino production designer Eero Francisco, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines' Rachelle Villaluna. The discussion focused on the evolving landscape of Korean and Philippine cinema, with participants sharing insights about industry trends and collaborative opportunities.
During the session, Director Han emphasized the importance of screenplay analysis as a fundamental skill for production designers, while Francisco encouraged young creatives to pursue projects that genuinely inspire them. Both Park and Villaluna highlighted the shared commitment of Korea and the Philippines to nurturing new talent and fostering cultural exchange between the two countries. The program concluded with a special screening of "Kingmaker," designed by Director Han.
From August 29 to 31, the Korean Cultural Center expanded the festival's reach by organizing nationwide screenings in Metro Manila, Davao, and Iloilo through SM Cinemas. The carefully selected film lineup included "Concrete Utopia," "I, the Executioner," and "Kingmaker"—all connected to the work of the exhibition's featured designers. "I, the Executioner" and "Kingmaker" showcase Han Ah Reum's production design, while "Concrete Utopia" features the work of Jo Hwa Seong.
Korean Cultural Center Director Kim Myeongjin reflected on the festival's broader cultural impact, sharing, "This festival was more than a series of screenings—it was a shared celebration where we watched, talked, and participated together. We will continue to create opportunities for Korea and the Philippines to connect through culture and grow together."
The 2025 Korean Film Festival concludes with Korea serving as the guest country at the TINGIN: Southeast Asian Film Festival, hosted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. This final component of the festival aligns with TINGIN's theme "Women's Ways of Seeing," providing an additional platform for Korean cinema to reach Southeast Asian audiences. The exhibition "Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds" remains open to the public on the 5th floor of the Korean Cultural Center from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering continued access to this groundbreaking showcase of Korean production design artistry.
