THE KOREAN CULTURAL CENTER IN ABU DHABI DESERVES A BIG SHOUT OUT

It has been a while (two years actually) that we had heard about this Korean Cultural center in Abu Dhabi. We finally made our way there and regret not having stopped there before.

Conveniently located in Khalifa Park (see location map below), this center occupies two storeys with the cultural center on floor 1 and the library on the second floor.

We just popped in without any expectations and the lady looking after the center took us through all the different booths and rooms which was a great way to see what the center was about. After spending more than an hour visiting the facilities, we realized there was actually a lot to discover and will go back with the kids next time. The center, which is the only one in the UAE not only highlights the Korean culture and heritage but also proposes many different cool high tech activities we didn’t expect to see there. All this for free!

Culture and Heritage

At the entrance of the center, visitors can discover three different furnished rooms – one for ladies, one for men and a family room. Just beside, ladies are invited to watch and even try – there is a fitting room – the traditional and impressive Korean dresses called Hanbok.

Tech at the Centre

Upon arrival, the lady at the reception asked us to enter our first name on a large screen, choose a picture background. A few seconds after, our image was printed within a traditional Korean background and with our first name translated in the Korean alphabet. We were not even home yet and the image was already waiting for us in ourl inbox.

A few meters away, one wall is covered from top to bottom with books, games, DVDs, and autographs by Korean celebrities who visited the center while different documentaries, movies or famous internet cartoons keep on playing on large screens. Some can listen to famous Korean tunes while others can enter a recording room and sing with a famous Korean singer. There is also a virtual center, holograms representing ancient and famous Korean vases and much more to check out.

Workshops, Activities, and other Classes

We were also surprised to discover a fully equipped and certified halal kitchen with ten or so different stations as the center hosts free cooking classes for adults every month! Get ready to learn how to cook and taste Kimchi!

We noticed a large stage where concerts and plays performed throughout the year at the center.

There are many more activities to take part in such as Korean patchwork classes, Calligraphy classes, Taekwondo classes and even Hanji craft classes (using Korean paper). All these classes are free to register (attendants only pay for required materials including books, uniforms…. ).

Media Library and Korean Classes

The polyglots will be happy to know that this center proposes Korean lessons and if you are already familiar with the Korean alphabet and master the language, the library is worth checking out. We wish we knew how to read it as the library room was peaceful, very nicely arranged and we felt like staying there for hours.
You just have to register and can borrow books and DVDs in Korean, Arabic or English.

What we enjoyed the most

Discovering this center made our day and is a pleasant way to get introduced to the Korean culture. There are apparently a lot of visitors who just pop in there to accompany kids at a workshop, a play or else just to discover a new culture-just like we did!

Opening times: 
Sunday – Thursday | 9 am – 6 pm (library: 10 am – 8 pm)

Building Location: 
Khalifa Park
Twofour54 campus, Building 5, Floors 1 & 2

KOREAN CULTURAL CENTRE | Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi | +971 2 491 72 27