The art festival 'Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul', which showcases the diverse facets of Hong Kong culture and arts, officially commenced on July 25 in Seoul.

The exhibition "Wu Guanzhong: Between Black and White" opened at the Seoul Arts Center Calligraphy Museum, marking the start of the festival. Attracting significant attention, this exhibition is the first exclusive display of Wu Guanzhong's works in Korea. The show features 17 ink and oil paintings from the collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, alongside an AI-based media installation, offering a fresh perspective on the iconic 20th-century Chinese modern artist by presenting works that merge Eastern ink techniques with Western painting styles.

Ahead of its official opening on September 26, 'Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul' launched with a series of pre-opening programs, providing audiences an early glimpse of the festival. Since its inception in 2019 as an international cultural exchange project, 'Hong Kong Week' is being held in Seoul for the first time; after its 2023 edition in Bangkok, this marks only the second overseas city to host the event.

Over the course of the festival, a total of 14 programs will be presented, spanning dance, music, film, comics, visual arts, and fashion. On the official opening nights of September 26 and 27, the Hong Kong Ballet will stage "Romeo + Juliet" at the National Theater of Korea Haeorum Grand Theater. Choreographed by Artistic Director Septime Webre, this unique production sets Shakespeare’s classic against the backdrop of 1960s Hong Kong, blending kung fu, classical ballet, and cinematic elements in a distinctive reinterpretation.

In the music category, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra will perform at Lotte Concert Hall on October 11. This concert will feature Soin Kim of the National Changgeuk Company, organist Junho Park, and the children's choir Wizard Choir, promising a new collaboration that fuses traditional music from Korea and Hong Kong. Subsequently, on October 19, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will deliver a diverse program of classical and contemporary music at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, joined by pianist Yeekwon Sunwoo and conductor Lio Kuokman.

Modern dance is also well-represented in the lineup. The Hong Kong Dance Company’s large-scale original piece "24 Solar Terms" graces the stage at the National Gugak Center Yeakdang from October 18 to 19, exploring the harmony between nature and humanity through movement. Arko Arts Theater will host Labora-Tory Arts’ innovative dance work "Pajiyok," an experimental performance that captures contemporary sentiments.

Across Seoul, various other programs will take place, including screenings of classic and new Hong Kong films, a comic culture exhibition at Starfield Hanam, and fashion shows and exhibitions in Seongsu-dong. Additionally, on October 11, Nanji Hangang Park will host "Dream Garden: Concert and Film," a free outdoor event featuring both K-pop and Hong Kong pop artists.

Further details and the full schedule for the festival can be found on the official website and Instagram. Beyond performances and exhibitions, "Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul" aims to offer a vibrant platform for exchange between artists and citizens of both cities, solidifying itself as a key cultural link between Seoul and Hong Kong.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Hong Kong Special Administrative Region