Gone are the days when the alphabet “K” were a symbol of Ekta Kapoor’s shows. Now the K has got a new dimension with the introduction of Korean dramas on Netflix and K-pop groups visiting India. With ample time to spare and a prevalent pandemic, the charm of K-dramas is providing viewers with an escape from the nightmarish reality. Bridging the cultural gap between “the Land of the Morning Calms” or South Korea and India is South-Asia’s first Korean Cultural Center, located in New Delhi.
Affiliated with the King Sejong Institute for their Korean Teaching Programme, Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) helps students to understand, experience, exchange and explore Korean culture. Ranging from a variety of opportunities such as singing, dancing, taekwondo, cooking classes to mastering the Korean language- the Korean Cultural Center India is the best place for you to do that.
Entry into the institution is at three levels-
- Visitors
- Member
- Students enrolled in their courses
First-time visitors got a visitor card at the time of their entry which allows them access to the art gallery, taekwondo class and the Dalgrak cafe. For becoming a general member, one can acquire membership for two years. The fee for which is two thousand rupees only. And by doing so they got library membership as well as 10% discount in the cafe. Students enrolling themselves in any course here automatically got a membership as well as an invitation to all major events and programs. They also got a wonderful opportunity to earn money gifted to them by the elders on Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok).
The centre is divided into several parts
- Baeknam June exhibition hall
- Mugunghwa studio
- Taekwondo room
- Dangun hall(movie screening)
- Dalgrak cafe
The centre has facilities like an auditorium, sports room, seminar rooms, Karaoke room with karaoke singing machines, piano, Samul Nori (musical instrument) and Hanbok (traditional Korean dress) room where you can get yourself the perfect Joseon-era transformation by grabbing a beautiful hanbok. Hanboks along with movie and drama DVDs, tuhi (traditional game) are also available for rental purposes for the members and students.
The levels of courses include basic Korean 1& 2, Intermediate Korean 1& 2, Advance Korean 1-6. The preparation for TOPIK, which is somewhat Korean equivalent of IELTS is carried out simultaneously in the course structure. In the wake of the pandemic, various courses are now being offered online.
The centre provides facilities for renting out their space for organizing cultural events or for movie screenings, practice rooms etc. There is also special screenings of drama every Friday.
Location: KCCI, 25 A, Lajpat Nagar IV New Delhi 110024 (Five-minute walk from Moolchand metro station)
Tel : 011 43345000/5001
E-mail : info@koreanculture.in
Opening hours:Monday-Friday 9am-6 pm
Library: Monday-Saturday 9am -6pm
Cafe: Monday-Saturday 10am -9pm
Art exhibition: Monday-Friday 10am -6pm
(Please Note: Timings and availability is subject to COVID protocols and restrictions. Kindly check in with the institution regarding the same!)
