The Korean Cultural Centre UK, led by Director Seunghye Sun, teamed up with the Cambridge University Korean Society to host a unique Cambridge Korea Day event at the University of Cambridge on Saturday, October 11, 2025. The celebration brought together Korean professors, researchers, and students from top UK universities under the theme "Freely! K-Culture and K-Soft Power," combining academic discussions with traditional cultural experiences.
Director Seunghye Sun opened the event with welcoming remarks, emphasizing the significance of the cultural exchange. "Cambridge Korea Day is more than a cultural event—it is a meaningful dialogue between Korea's creativity and Cambridge's academic tradition," she said. "Through this year's theme, Freely! K-Culture and K-Soft Power, we celebrate the vibrancy and openness of Korean culture, sharing the emotion and creative energy of Korea with the world through K-pop, literature, hanbok, and cuisine."
The day featured an impressive lineup of speakers from Cambridge and Oxford universities during the seminar portion. Professor Nuri Kim from Cambridge's Department of Korean Studies presented "Koreans and Their Foreign Ancestors," while Professor Minji Bang from the Department of Economics discussed "Inequalities in the Labour Market." Jiyeon Wood, a librarian at Cambridge University Library, shared insights on "Building the Korean Collection at the Cambridge University Library: Treasures, Traditions, and Today." The academic program also included a special guest lecture by Professor Ji-sun Kim from Oxford University's Department of Chemistry, who spoke about "Molecules for a Sustainable Future!" Professor Jongmin Kim from Cambridge's Department of Electrical Engineering provided closing remarks for the seminar.
The highlight of the celebration was the innovative Hanbok Formal Dinner, which marked a first-of-its-kind event at Cambridge University. Taking inspiration from the traditional British Formal Hall experience, organizers reimagined the evening through a Korean cultural lens. All attendees wore hanbok, Korea's traditional clothing, while enjoying Korean-inspired cuisine in the elegant setting of Newnham College Dining Hall. The dinner created a unique fusion of British academic tradition and Korean aesthetics.
The evening included interactive cultural experiences that allowed guests to engage with traditional Korean activities. Participants could try their hand at tuho (arrow throwing), yutnori (a traditional board game), and jegichagi (similar to hacky-sack kicking). These hands-on activities provided attendees with authentic exposure to Korean cultural traditions and games that have been enjoyed for centuries.
The event drew overwhelming interest from the academic community, with registration closing early due to high demand. A total of 70 participants attended, including students and researchers from prestigious institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, and University College London. Director Sun noted that "The Hanbok Formal Dinner was a creative fusion of British academic tradition and Korean aesthetics, symbolizing the growing cultural exchange between the UK and Korea."
Looking ahead, the Korean Cultural Centre UK plans to expand its cultural outreach efforts across the United Kingdom. The organization will continue hosting Korea Day festivals in major UK cities, with each event tailored to match the local academic and cultural environment. These festivals aim to promote various aspects of Korean culture, including arts, cuisine, K-pop, and the creative industries, while fostering meaningful dialogue about Korea's evolving role in global culture.
