The Ambassador of Korea to Nigeria, Mr Jeong Yo-an, says the Korean Film Festival will deepen cultural understanding, promote creative collaboration and strengthen friendship between Korea and Nigeria.
Yo-an stated this on Thursday night in Abuja at the opening of the 14th edition of the Korean Film Festival, organized by the Korean Cultural Center Nigeria (KCCN).
The three-day festival is designed to expose Nigerian audiences to Korean stories, perspectives and cinematic artistry.
The event featured Korean films including The King’s Wardens, The Book Fish, Move Those Graves, Lucky Chan-Sil, as well as a short film produced by the winner of the 2026 KCCN Film Contest.
The ambassador said the festival had, over the years, brought Korean stories closer to Nigerian audiences while highlighting universal themes such as friendship, justice and human dignity.
“The spirit of this festival is to share stories, deepen cultural understanding and strengthen the friendship between Korea and Nigeria through film.
“I just want you to enjoy today’s film, not only as a Korean story, but as a good human story that we can all share across borders. Such a story will bring Korea and Nigeria a little closer together,” he said.
Yo-an also highlighted Korea’s long history, tracing its historical development from the ancient kingdom of Gojoseon, traditionally believed to have been founded in 2333 BCE, through the kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla.
He said the subsequent kingdoms of Balhae, Unified Silla and Goryeo played significant roles in Korea’s history, adding that the modern name “Korea” was derived from Goryeo.
Speaking on The King’s Wardens, the ambassador said the historical drama went beyond the story of a king to explore friendship, loyalty, courage and human dignity.
According to him, the film raises questions about what remains when power and position are taken away, emphasizing humanity, compassion, courage, loyalty and respect for human dignity.
“History is shaped not only by kings and powerful people, but also by the choices and courage of ordinary people,” he said.
Yo-an noted that the global popularity of Korean films, dramas, music, food and culture continued to grow, creating opportunities for stronger cultural exchanges.
The King’s Wardens, a 2026 historical drama written and directed by Jang Hang-jun, explores the life of deposed King Dan-jong during his 1457 exile.
According to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), the film, released on Feb. 4, had recorded 16,921,889 admissions across 2,262 screens and generated about 120 million dollars in box-office revenue as of Sept. 3.
Film Can Strengthen People-to-People Relations — KADIFF
Mr Israel Audu, Executive Director of the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), described the Korean Film Festival as an important platform for strengthening cultural understanding and people-to-people relations between Korea and Nigeria.
Audu, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Film Festival Association (NFFA), said the event demonstrated the power of cinema to bring cultures and people together.
He said film was a universal language capable of transcending borders, connecting people, preserving cultures, telling stories and creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
According to him, a young Nigerian filmmaker can use cinema to tell a story that resonates with audiences thousands of kilometers away.
Audu said Korean cinema had continued to inspire audiences globally, while the KCCN and KADIFF short film contests had also encouraged creativity and storytelling among emerging Nigerian filmmakers.
“As juries, our responsibility was not simply to select films, but to recognize originality, creativity, storytelling, technical excellence and the ability of filmmakers to communicate meaningful ideas through the language of cinema,” he said.
He commended KCCN for its commitment to promoting Korean culture and strengthening cultural relations through film.
“We at KADIFF value this opportunity to collaborate with the center. Together, we can build platforms for Nigerian filmmakers to learn, participate, compete and connect with audiences worldwide,” Audu said.
He encouraged participating filmmakers to continue telling their stories, learning and creating, stressing that Africa had countless stories waiting to be told.
“Africa has countless stories waiting to be told, and you are among those who will shape how the world sees and understands our continent,” he added.
Audu expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the festival and expressed hope that the friendship between Nigeria and Korea would continue to grow through film, cinema and creative collaboration.
Nigerians Applaud Festival
Some Nigerian movie enthusiasts who attended the festival expressed satisfaction with the films and the lessons they conveyed.
Grace Moses, a student and movie enthusiast, described the festival as refreshing and entertaining.
Moses, who said it was her third time attending the event, said she was impressed by the quality of films showcased.
She said The King’s Wardens highlighted the darker sides of human behavior while exploring the tragic story of a young king who was dethroned.
According to her, the film also explored the domestic life and psychological isolation of the deposed King Dan-jong during his 1457 exile.
“We need more of such a festival because it is really refreshing,” she said.
Another attendee, Reign Moses, who attended the festival with her siblings, commended KCCN for organizing the event.
“We had fun and no dull moments throughout the movie. Such a festival is bringing the two countries together for a better understanding of their cultures,” she said.
