Korea National Day: A celebration of heritage, harmony, and hallyu in Manila
MANILA, Philippines — Korea National Day in Manila this year came with a stylish twist, celebrated nearly a month “fashionably late” after the official date of October 3. But given that President Yoon Suk Yeol was in the Philippines for a State Visit last October 6-7, deferring the party for almost a month was like having your dessert after several glasses of wine.
The Wednesday bash at the Grand Hyatt Hotelbrought together diplomats, dignitaries, and friends from the Filipino and Korean communities, in their suits, Filipiniana, military uniforms, and of course hanbok, creating an evening where tradition, camaraderie, and a dash of K-pop humor mixed in the air like finesoju bomb.
The Korean Cultural Center brought a couple ofarmoires from which guests could choose and try on a variety of traditional Korean outfits. There were also curio display cabinets for a peek into some historical items only seen in period K-drama shows—right across the stalls for Innisfree and Laneige, which conjured images of the busy streets of Myeong-dong.
Gaecheonjeol (literally “The Day the Sky Opened”), marks the founding of Korea’s first kingdom, Gojoseon, in 2333 BCE. For Koreans, this day is sacred, a time to honor a heritage of resilience and achievement. But beyond historical pride, this celebration has grown to symbolize Korea’s emerging role as a global cultural and economic force.
Once a nation focused on post-war recovery, Korea has leapt into the 21st century as a leader in technology, pop culture, and diplomacy. It’s now impossible to miss the global ripple effect of K-drama, K-pop, and tech trends from Seoul, which impact everything from your favorite series to the smartphone in your pocket.
The Korean Embassy’s celebration was packed with warm welcomes and memorable moments. Ambassador Lee Sang-hwakicked off the evening by balancing ceremonial gravitas with a dose of humor.
In a moment that had the room chuckling, he shared a recent conversation with his wife, who had used the term “APT.”Ever the diplomat,Ambassador Lee assumed it was about the comprehensive cooperation framework ASEANPlusThree, only to find out she was referring to the latest collaboration between
