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India-Korea Friendship Festival 2028 Announced as Modi, Lee Celebrate Cultural Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung announced the India-Korea Friendship Festival for 2028 during a state visit. The festival aims to celebrate a shared cultural heritage dating back to the legendary story of Princess Suriratna and King Kim Suro. Both leaders highlighted the current popularity of Korean dramas, cinema, and K-pop in India, with plans for a dedicated "Mumbai Korea Centre." The visit also included the exchange of MoUs to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Key Points: Modi Announces India-Korea Friendship Festival 2028

  • Festival to launch in 2028
  • Celebrates ancient shared heritage
  • K-pop & K-dramas popular in India
  • New Mumbai Korea Centre planned
  • MoUs exchanged to deepen cooperation
2 min read

"K-pop and K-dramas are very popular in India": PM Modi announces India-Korea Friendship Festival

PM Modi & South Korean President Lee launch a 2028 festival celebrating shared heritage, from ancient princess to K-pop & K-dramas.

"K-pop and K-dramas are very popular in India. - Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, April 20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between South Korea and India by acknowledging the growing emergence of Korean dramas in India.

Welcoming South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on his maiden state visit to India today, PM Modi in a joint press statetment after bilateral talks, announced that in collaboration with President Lee, they will launch the India-Korea Friendship Festival in 2028 to celebrate their "shared heritage" which dates back to the legendary story of Princess Suriratna and King Kim Suro to today's vibrant cultural exchange.

Prime Minister said, "India and Korea share a relationship that goes back thousands of years. The story of Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya and King Kim Suro of Korea is part of our shared heritage. Today, K-pop and K-dramas are very popular in India. President Lee is also a fan of Indian cinema. We will launch the India-Korea Friendship Festival in 2028."

According to the 13th-century Korean chronicle Samguk Yusa, Princess Suriratna, also known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok, was a legendary figure from Ayodhya in India. As per the scriptures, she travelled by boat to Korea to marry King Suro of the ancient Gaya Kingdom, becoming its first queen.

Korean cinema enjoys huge popularity in India, and among the highly re-watched and popular Korean Dramas include 'Vincenzo', 'Crash Landing On You', 'Bloodhounds'.

Apart from the dramas and movies, the Korean boy band BTS also enjoy a wide fandom in India. They have recently made a return in the music industry after completing their compulsory military service in Korea. Their latest album is titled Aririang.

Both india and South Korea have also agreed to establish a "Mumbai Korea Centre," which will serve as a K-pop performance venue and a hub for Korean culture, envisioned as a space blending K-pop and Bollywood.

Meanwhile, following delegation-level talks in the national capital today, Prime Minister Modi and Lee Jae-myung witnessed the exchange of several MoUs between India and South Korea, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation.

The exchange took place during a joint press statement held at Hyderabad House, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see soft diplomacy at work. While K-pop is popular, I hope this festival also highlights our ancient shared history properly, not just modern pop culture. The Ayodhya-Korea link needs more awareness.
A
Ananya R
My sister and I binge-watch K-dramas every weekend! The Mumbai Korea Centre sounds amazing. A space blending Bollywood and K-pop? That's a dream come true for fans of both. Hope they have dance workshops!
V
Vikram M
Strategic move. South Korea is a tech and manufacturing giant. Strengthening cultural ties paves the way for deeper economic cooperation. Smart diplomacy by PM Modi.
S
Sarah B
Living in Delhi, I've seen the K-wave firsthand. It's great that this is being officially recognized and celebrated. The historical connection is something new I learned today. Very cool.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while festivals are nice, I hope the focus remains on substantial outcomes from the MoUs. Job creation, technology transfer, and investment should be the real headline, not just BTS and dramas.
I
Isha Y
ARMY here! So happy BTS is mentioned. Their return is the best news. An India-Korea festival that includes their music? Yes please

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