The meeting of Korean culture with Nigeria’s creativity, passion and energy showed how cultural exchange could strengthen friendship between nations.
THE 2026 Poongryu Festival in Lagos brought Nigeria and the Republic of Korea closer through music, dance and traditional performances.
Held at Terra Kulture on Victoria Island on August 15 and organised by the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN), the festival showcased Korean culture and promoted cultural exchange between the two countries.
The event also commemorated Korea’s National Liberation Day, known as Gwangbokjeol, observed on August 15 every year.
For the organisers, the date was significant because it linked the Korean concept of Poongryu to a major moment in the country’s history.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Yo-an Jeong, said the festival was held on a particularly meaningful day.
“We could not have chosen a more meaningful date for today’s festival. The 15th of August is Gwangbokjeol — Korea’s National Liberation Day,” he said.
According to the Ambassador, Poongryu has no single English translation but reflects a uniquely Korean appreciation of music, nature, beauty, art and the company of others.
He explained that the concept goes beyond entertainment and is tied to moral and spiritual values passed down through generations in Korea.
“At its heart is a simple but profound teaching: Honour and care for your parents at home; serve your country faithfully in society; and in everything you do, turn away from what is wrong and choose what is good,” Jeong said.
He noted that these values had helped shape what he described as the Korean spirit of respect, responsibility, harmony, discipline and service.
He said these principles remain relevant in modern Korea, even as the country continues to develop and its culture gains global recognition.
The ambassador also explained the historical significance of Gwangbokjeol, beginning with Korea’s 36 years under Japanese colonial rule.
He recalled that Korea spent 36 years, from 1910 to 1945, under Japanese colonial rule, during which policies were introduced to suppress the Korean language, identity and cultural traditions.
Despite the difficult period, he said the Korean people preserved their language, traditions and cultural identity through families and communities.
On August 15, 1945, colonial rule ended, and Korea regained its freedom. The day became known as Gwangbokjeol.
Jeong explained that the Korean word “Gwangbok” means “the restoration of light”, describing the recovery of Korea’s freedom and national sovereignty.
He said the culture that survived the colonial period did more than endure; it continued to grow and eventually became a major global cultural force known as K-Culture.
“The K-Pop you listen to, the Korean dramas you watch, and the Korean films enjoyed around the world are modern expressions of a cultural spirit with deep roots in Korean history,” he said.
He added that K-Culture had not emerged overnight, stressing that its roots were deeply connected to Korea’s history and its influence had spread across the world.
He said the meeting of Korean culture with Nigeria’s creativity, passion and energy showed how cultural exchange could strengthen friendship between nations.
“Freedom gives a nation its dignity; culture gives a nation its soul. When cultures meet in freedom and mutual respect, friendship between nations grows stronger,” he said.
A major attraction of the festival was the performance by Choori Band, a six-member traditional Korean music and dance troupe that travelled from Korea for the event.
The group is known for reimagining traditional Korean performances for contemporary audiences by combining music, dance, storytelling, humour and audience participation.
Through traditional rhythms and modern sounds, Choori Band delivered an energetic performance that explored new possibilities for Korean traditional arts.
The group entertained the audience with a series of performances, including ‘Pump It Up’, ‘Matroo’, ‘Rainbow Taryeon’, ‘Dooguba’, ‘Bukcheong Blues’, ‘B_less’, ‘Breaking,’ and ‘Space Show’.
The festival also provided a platform for Nigerian talents interested in Korean popular culture.
The audience was treated to a K-Pop dance performance by the third-place winners of the 2026 K-Pop Dance Festival Lagos, while the first-place winner of the 2026 K-Pop Singing Competition delivered a vocal performance.
Jeong said the participation of the Nigerian winners showed how Korean culture was being embraced and creatively interpreted by young Nigerians.
He said cultural exchange became more meaningful when people shared their traditions and others creatively made them their own.
“Culture becomes richer when it is shared — and even richer when others make it their own,” the ambassador added.
He described this as the true meaning of Poongryu, stressing that it was not simply a performance to watch but a celebration to experience together.
The festival also attracted textile artist and gallery owner Chief Nike Okundaye, who commended the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria for organising the event.
Okundaye described the festival as a reflection of the growing partnership between Nigeria and Korea, noting that Nigerians’ positive outlook and creativity were producing results.
Many young Nigerians, particularly those interested in Korean culture, music and entertainment, attended the event.
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