Vivek
Sharma, New Delhi : The fans of Hallyu Wave in India were in for a
treat as the Korean Cultural Centre India organised two cultural events
to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Korean Liberation Day. On August
14, the 4th edition of New Delhi Korean Film Festival began at the
cultural centre with the film screening of ‘Dongju: The Portrait of a
Poet’ (2016). The film directed by Lee Joon-ik is a black-and-white
biographical period drama that delicately captures the inner world of
poet Yun Dongju, who resisted oppression through poetry until the very
end.
The
film was widely appreciated by the Indian audiences who attended the
first day of the three-day New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025. The
experience became even more special as the Indian K-Wave fans had the
opportunity to interact online with one of the actors of the film, Moon
Choi.
Moon
Choi, who plays an important role of ‘Kumi Fukada’, a Japanese student
who helps Yun Dongju publish his poetry collection, spoke at length
about the preparations that went behind playing her character and also
responded to questions asked by the Indian audiences. Speaking about the
significance of the Korean poet Dongju, Moon Choi said, “He is the most
famous poet in Korea and we learn his poems in middle school. If you
have attended school in Korea, you would have read the poems of Dongju.
Such is his significance.”
She
further spoke about the similarities in the history of both Korea and
India and emphasized that both the nations have had a painful past. “I
learned that the date of Liberation Day in Korea actually falls on the
same day as India’s Independence Day, which is August 15. We gained our
freedom in 1945 and in India it was in 1947. This experience of being
under a regime of a totally different culture which tries to conquer you
by conquering your language and culture, we have both been through it.”
In
response to a question by a film viewer about whether she would like to
work in the Indian film industry, Moon Choi said, “Oh my god, I am so
interested in Indian films. Seriously, I am a big fan of Indian films.
If I get the chance, I would love to be able to work in India. You have
such a gorgeous history and culture, and not to mention about your
literature, culture, the food, and art. I have never been to India yet.
But if I get a chance, I would love to work in an Indian film.”
Besides
the Cine Talk event, the K-culture lovers who attended the event also
participated in a face-painting activity where they had the flags of
both countries painted on their faces. The viewers also stood with the
cut-out of the lead characters of the opening film and clicked their
photos. There was also a “comment wall” where they expressed their
opinions regarding the event and also wrote about the strong friendship
between Korea and India.
On
Day 2 of the New Delhi Korean Film Festival 2025, ‘Assassination’
(2015), an action film centred on an armed independence movement’s
secret mission, portraying the struggles and choices of those who fought
for Korea’s liberation, will be screened. On Day 3, an occult drama
titled ‘Dark Nuns’ (2025), that also released in India at PVR INOX
theatres, will be screened. The film weaves together themes of religion
and the supernatural, exploring the intersection of human faith and fear
through a tense, immersive narrative.
Email id : reporter.cnpn@gmail.com
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