□ KOFICE and CJ ENM successfully carried out a joint overseas social contribution activity dubbed K-CONnected Project for four days from September 25 to 28 in Bangkok and Nonthaburi, Thailand.

□ KOFICE and CJ ENM have carried out the K-CONnected Project since 2017 hoping to spread “good” Hallyu through social contribution activities such as establishing cultural infrastructure and personnel exchanges.

□ This year, the project was led in cooperation with the Office of the Basic Education Commission of the Thai Ministry of Education; the Secondary Educational Service Area Office of Nonthanburi; the Jeju International Training Center; and the Jeju Youth Service Center.

Offering underprivileged youth in Thailand a chance to enjoy culture

□ Through the KCONnected Project this year, KOFICE built a “creative room” in Ratniyom School in Thailand. On Friday, September 27, KOFICE director So Soon-cheon, officials of CJ ENM, Thailand’s Ministry of Education, Nonthaburi regional government and students gathered for an opening ceremony.

□ Ratniyom School, a public school in the rural region of Nonthaburi where gross domestic product per capita is about a third of that of Bangkok, was chosen upon recommendation from the Thai Ministry of Education.

□ KOFICE carried out the renovation work for the cultural space in Ratniyom School from July to September, and donated multimedia equipment and Hallyu content on the opening day to offer Thai students a chance to enjoy Korean culture.

Camp for cultural exchange between Korean, Thai youth

□ A camp for cultural exchange between the youths of Korea and Thailand was held for four days from Wednesday, September 25 to Saturday, September 28 in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Ayutthaya. A total of 60 students—40 from Ratniyom School in Thailand and 20 from Jeju Island—participated in the camp.

□ During the camp, youths from the two countries took part in orientations, cultural exchanges, and a program of musical mentoring by young Korean songwriters. They also experienced traditional Thai music, explored Thai culture by visiting historical sites, night markets, and Buddhist temples. They experienced Korean culture by visiting the KCON Convention and concert, and tried Korean cuisine. Seven songwriters involved in CJ ENM’s social contribution project took part in the musical mentoring program.

Introducing K-CONnected Project to Hallyu fans in Thailand

□ On the pre-show stage of KCON 2019 THAILAND held from Sunday, September 29 to Monday, September 30, a video of the social contribution activities was broadcast to some 40,000 Hallyu fans.

□ In the video, Nichkhun of boy band 2PM was the narrator, and the background music was produced by young CJ ENM songwriters.

□ KOFICE director So Soon-cheon notes, “By communicating and building consensus between Korea and Thailand, and contributing towards resolving problems in the Thai society, I hope the K-CONnected Project becomes an opportunity to develop friendly relations and promote exchanges between the two countries. KOFICE will continue to expand its social contribution activities through more diverse programs.”