Korean actress Moon Choi interacts with Indian film viewers in an online ‘Cine Talk’ event organised at Korean Cultural Centre India

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.

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