RIYADH: The 18th Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan stopped in Riyadh on Friday, presenting a full program of traditional and contemporary Korean performing arts at Prince Sultan University as part of an annual cultural exchange between South Korea and the Arab world.
The event was organized by the Korea-Arab Society in cooperation with the Embassy of South Korea in Saudi Arabia. It is part of a broader tour aimed at strengthening cultural understanding and people-to-people ties between the two regions.
This year’s edition introduced Saudi audiences to five live performances showcasing different elements of Korean heritage and modern entertainment.
The lineup included the folk percussion act Pangut, the ritual dance Bokgae-Chum, the fan dance Buchae-Chum, the percussion-based Samulnori and the B-boy theater show Marionette by the award-winning Expression Crew.
Speaking to Arab News after the performance, Korean artist Ko You Min from the Pangut team said it was the first time the group had performed in the Kingdom.
“It was a really valuable and good experience for us. It was our first time performing in Saudi Arabia and it was a meaningful event for us,” he said.
Founded in 2008, the Korea-Arab Society is a nonprofit organization supported by government and institutional partners in both regions, working to promote cultural, economic and academic cooperation. Its longest running program, the caravan, is staged annually across multiple Arab capitals.
Each segment of Friday’s show highlighted a different aspect of Korean artistic identity.
Pangut featured musicians in traditional hats spinning long ribbons while performing on drums and wind instruments. Bokgae-Chum showcased a symbolic rice-bowl lid used in Korean folk culture to convey blessings and protection.
Buchae-Chum displayed synchronized fan movements representing nature, while Samulnori emphasized the rhythmic energy of Korea’s four core percussion instruments.
The closing act, Marionette, offered a different tone, combining hip-hop choreography with silent theater and visual storytelling.
Established in 1992, Expression Crew is one of Asia’s most influential B-boy groups and has performed worldwide.
The event attracted a diverse audience of students, faculty, diplomats and others, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing interest in international cultural programs.
Prince Sultan University hosted the performance as part of its extracurricular initiatives to expose students to global arts and traditions.
Organizers described the Riyadh stop as part of a broader effort to “connect cultures through performance” and said that the caravan blended heritage acts with modern Korean entertainment to engage new audiences in the region.
The Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan will continue to tour Arab countries and present the same program in different settings throughout the year.
