RIYADH: The Korean Embassy in Riyadh hosted a Korean movie screening at the Cultural Palace on Friday to further Saudi-Korean understanding and enhance soft power through film.

“Film can contain lots of content and messages and culture and way of thinking and how the country lives,” Park So-yeon, consul and second secretary, told Arab News.

“To understand (Korea) much better, even without even going there, we can see the movie or drama,” she added.

“With one movie, it would be a very good way to see Korea, that is why I chose a movie,” she said.

Saudi Arabia and Korea have maintained a longstanding relationship that spans more than 60 years, with diplomatic relations beginning in 1962 when King Saud bin Abdulaziz and Korean President Park Chung-hee signed an agreement.

Since then, cooperation in soft power has flourished, with tourism, education, and cultural partnerships in film and drama expanding.

“The cultural cooperation started a few years ago between Saudi Arabia and Korea and amount the aspects the movie cooperation is the most lively part,” Park said.

Park said that major entertainment companies are expanding into the region and setting up headquarters in Riyadh. 

“CG ENM, which is the entertainment Korean company, established regional headquarters in Riyadh in August.”

Park said that she hopes to host more film and cultural events in the new year as more Korean content and production companies make their way to the Kingdom.

The film selected for the screening was “Tunnel,” which features a man driving home for his daughter’s birthday when a tunnel collapses, trapping him inside his vehicle for days.

The consul explained how the selected film features themes of family, perseverance, and teamwork.

“It would be good for families and friends in Saudi Arabia to end this year thinking about family and life, that’s why I chose this movie for this event,” Park said.

The event also features activity stations where guests can customize key rings with charms, with all materials having been shipped directly from Korea for the occasion.