Seoul and Moscow established bilateral ties nearly 3 decades ago.
But the two countries' interactions encompassing traditions, art and lifestyle... began long
before that.
Lee Unshin updates us on what cultural exchange between Korea and Russia looks like today.
Koreans' drinking culture usually consists of beer and soju, so what would they think
of a Russian hard liquor, say Vodka?
This is the kind of topic that online content creator Lee Dong-gun likes to talk about on
his channel.
His videos, with subtitles, shed light on the differences in lifestyle and culture between
Korea and Russia.
(Korean) "I became friends with some Russian exchange
students, and that got me interested in the country.
I realized how K-pop was becoming more and more popular, but there wasn't enough information
about Korean people out there.
So I decided to make videos about Korea that foreigners wouldn't be able to find anywhere
else."
Lee says his goal is to narrow the cultural gap between Korea and Russia.
And what drives him to keep going?
The gifts and unexpected messages, from those who appreciate his efforts.
(SOV)
His work reflects a modern form of exchanges, long embraced by Seoul and Moscow.
It's been nearly 30 years since South Korea and Russia first established their modern
diplomatic relations, but their cultural interactions, go back even further.
(Korean) "Korea's pop culture is getting a lot of attention
in Russia these days, but Russian classics are still to this day widely cherished in
Korea."
University professor Seog Young-joong spent her lifetime studying Russian literature and
philosophy.
As a big fan of Dostoevsky..., she has written plenty of books herself, to help Koreans read
between the lines of the Russia's most famous writers.
(Korean) "Character and mentality-wise, Koreans and
Russians have a lot in common, such as wanting to appeal to emotions rather than being calculative,
or the shared sense of nostalgia towards their mothers."
Koreans have long appreciated Russia's world-renowned classical music, ballet and literature,...and
today, other aspects of Russian culture are making their way into the everyday lives of
people in Korea.
Seoul residents know where to go when craving some Russian dishes.
Here, customers are in for a big cultural welcome,... as they dine next to Russia's
national flowers and treasured handicrafts, and are surrounded by waiters in traditional
costumes.
(Korean) "When I first came to Korea, I made a lot
of friends at school and soon realized they don't know anything about Russia.
So I wanted to be the first one to spread Russian culture here."
Authentic Russian dishes, like stir-fried lamb and potatoes, one of the most popular
choices on the menu, help turn one-time visitors into regulars.
(Korean) Russia is a big country with a wide variety
of regional dishes.
Among those, through research, I picked some cuisines that would suit the palate of Koreans
best."
Seoul and Moscow have come a long way to broaden their horizons.
And looking beyond ideological differences to understand each other's' culture helps
create a brighter future for the two countries' relationship.
(Korean) "When it comes to the politics of Northeast
Asia, there's a sense of rivalry between countries like the U.S., Russia, China and Japan, and
that adds to the complexity of diplomatic ties between Seoul and Moscow.
One of the best solutions to strengthen ties is through cultural exchanges."
As such, Eo Su-min, another cultural ambassador, has chosen to go the extra mile in his efforts
to connect Korean and Russian cultures.
The leading performer of a group of some 20 Korean and Russian instrumentalists, makes
sure to have traditional Korean music, or Gugak, resonate across the streets of Moscow.
(Korean) "This is such a unique, one-of-a-kind music,
and I teach the sound to Russians and Korean-Russians so they can play the numbers together.
I believe for cultures to truly settle and become part of their new place..., exchanges
with locals to foster the passing down of traditions is what's needed."
Lee Unshin Arirang News.