Traditional markets, theme cafes and palace visits in traditional Korean garment hanbok are the top three Korean trends both foreigners and Koreans alike would like to try, a Corea Image Communication Institute survey on Koreans’ and foreigners’ perceptions of Korea showed.

The results of the survey of 307 Koreans and 223 foreigners were unveiled during the CICI’s Culture Communication Forum 2016 Night, held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Tuesday, also showed that Koreans and non-Koreans were both puzzled by the country’s “ppalli-ppalli,” or “hurry up,” mindset and its culture of working overtime.

Some 280 guests, including the 20 forum participants, Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho, Naver CEO Kim Sang-hun, HSBC Korea CEO Martin Tricaud, US Ambassador Mark Lippert, British Ambassador Mark Hay and approximately 50 foreign envoys as well as other leading business and cultural figures, attended the gala event that concluded the annual cultural forum. 

“In 2010, Korea hosted the G20 international forum,” said Choi Jung-wha, founder and president of CICI, of the inspiration behind CCF. “That was a momentous occasion, but I believed that there should be a similar environment dedicated to the importance of culture and communication.”

Twenty leading cultural figures from 18 countries participated in this year’s forum held under the theme “Where Does the Strength of Cultural Communication Come from? Connection!” Over the three-day forum, participants were introduced to both the traditional and modern culture of Korea, including visits to a royal palace, museums and lessons in the Korean mask dance and calligraphy

Tuesday night’s event featured performances by American jazz singer Tim Strong, New Zealand singer-song writer Tama Waipara, Malaysian Makyung actor Rosnan Rahnan and electro-classical crossover band La Baie fom Korea.

“Culture is important in opening minds and hearts,” said US Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert. “Events like this build a bridge of understanding (among cultures).”

By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)