On Duty in Berlin

A K-Arts Film Student's Cultural Mission

Hello, my name is Kwon Minseo, majoring in Film Studies at the Korea National University of Arts. I am currently stationed at the Korean Cultural Center Germany, working as an intern in charge of video filming and editing.

The most memorable event during my month here was "Korean Cuisine Through History – Budae-jjigae Edition." I documented the scenes through photography and participated in producing a video to share the story of budae-jjigae with a wider audience interested in Korean culture. Notably, the Instagram Reel produced to promote the event reached 45,000 views, contributing to bringing the dish and the event itself to a broader public.

Back in Korea, the budae-jjigae pot would have been filled with only Korean ingredients; yet here, the addition of German ham and sausage gave it a whole new depth of flavor. Seeing the same dish reinvent itself through local ingredients made me feel, in a very real way, what cultural exchange truly means. Thanks to the participants who engaged with openness and curiosity, it was a deeply meaningful experience.

Working at the Cultural Center gave me the opportunity to reflect more deeply on the power that culture holds. In Korea, it was something I took for granted, but here, I have had the chance to genuinely learn from the intrinsic value of culture and how it intertwines with art. I believe this experience will serve as a solid foundation for my creative work going forward.