Beauty culture

Korea’s beauty products have huge demand in the world market. From 2000 to 2020, Korean dramas, music, and flawless skin became a lot of attention.

Graph: Cosmetics exports of South Korea from 2000-2020 ($ million).²⁶⁸

The South K- beauty culture has a more significant impact on the people of Bangladesh. Korean beauty products are becoming more in demand, and these days their style is getting a higher reputation among the youth of Bangladesh. Korean people, including actors, are often seen much conscious about beauty, and they follow several steps to take better care of their skin. Not only women, Korean men are also highly aware of their skincare and fashion. Both genders are not only using the beauty products but also promoting their products on a global level. Koreans' flawless beauty has always been attractive to people around the world.²⁶⁹ The high demand for Korean beauty products prioritizes natural skincare. According to many K-beauty product users, these products are manufactured from herbs and rice, with fewer chemicals. On the other side, Bangladeshi and Korean have Asian weather. So, the Bangladeshi who are conscious about their skin prefers K-beauty products for their skin.

268 The Korea Economic Daily. “K-Beauty Boom Makes S.Korea the Fourth-Largest Cosmetics Exporter.” KED Global, May 6, 2021. https://www.kedglobal.com/newsView/ked202105060014.

269 Sharifuzzaman (2021, March 11). Why and how Bangladesh fell in love with Korean culture. The Business Standard. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.tbsnews.net/feature/panorama/why-and-how-bangladesh-fell-love-korean-culture-214660.

114 Korean Family Values

Family is always important to Koreans, and this is one of the reasons Korean dramas are gaining higher success in the world. Here the cultural cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea sets a great example of similar values and beliefs. Korean dramas depict how people treat their elders and family members in real life. Bangladeshi culture includes such acts as well. As a result, the youth considered k-dramas increasingly appealing and impactful. In the same sense, despite the impact of modern elements, arranged marriage is one of the prominent values in Korean culture. As a sort of class endogamy, traditional marriages were meticulously planned, especially among the nobles. Monogamy was and continues to be the ideal type of marriage.

Although arranged marriages are still common in rural areas, a growing number of educated and urban Koreans are choosing their spouses.

Similarly, in Bangladeshi culture, traditionally parents also believe in arranged marriages but choosing partner is also easy at present date. K- culture promotes the realistic side of life instead of fantasy. They are pretty fair to the reality, whether it’s love, sacrifice, or family ties.

Undoubtedly, Korean media is more exciting and creative that their strategies grab people's attention globally. The reasons are much more evident why people are getting attracted to Korean drama. Thus, Korean popular culture is highly appealing to the Bangladeshi audience. K- culture is a perfect blending of both western and traditional. Cultural hybridization is blending two cultures. It does not imply replacing the deep-rooted cultural values of a particular culture.

Cultural Manifestations of Bangladesh in South Korea

Bangladesh and South Korea both have few shared commonalities in their history. Both countries respect each other’s values, culture, and social integrity. The ambassador of South Korea in Bangladesh, Lee Jang-Keun, stated, “The future of Bangladesh – Korea relations looks very bright and will get brighter with diversified success stories with a significant one already created by Youngon”.²⁷⁰ Recently, South Korea is also actively promoting Bangladeshi culture in South Korea.

In 2017, with the active assistance and participation of the Ansan City Corporation, a permanent Shaheed Minar was erected in Multicultural Park in Ansan, which exemplifies the two countries' deep and increasing cultural relations. In 2019, the Bangladesh embassy in Seoul arranged a film festival for screening ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’. The Itaewon Global Festival is organized to celebrate multi-ethnicity and foreign culture in Seoul. Bangladesh also participates in the event to promote Bangladeshi culture supported by the embassy.²⁷¹ The events and programs between the two states represent public diplomacy. The diplomacy’s principal function is to change from

‘not knowing’ and ‘not liking’ to ‘knowing’ and ‘liking’ each other’s culture, art, literature, ethos, etc.

270 Hasan, P. (2021, August 30). "president Hamid of Bangladesh takes strong interest in boosting bilateral ties, Cooperation, friendship with Korea". The Korea Post. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from

https://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=24384.

271 Cultural cooperation. Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul, South Korea. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2021, from http://bdembassykorea.org/en/?page_id=1338.

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Moreover, a Photo Exhibition on the life and contributions of Bangabandhu was recently organized in Seoul in July 2021²⁷². The exhibition was mainly inaugurated by the Korean Cultural Association Jae-Min Jeong and the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Korea, Abida Islam.

The exhibition's primary purpose was to pay tribute to the memory of the founding father of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the other nominal freedom fighters. The exhibition also highlighted the struggles and hardships faced in achieving a separate homeland and the nine-month prolonged historical war. The photographs presented at the exhibition became the symbol of peace, secularism, and democracy. Abida Islam also mentioned that on behalf of such symbols, Bangladesh has also become an advocate of protection, developing socio-economic aspects, promoting human rights, and empowering the people. This exhibition continued for five days, and it was organized by the Korean Culture Association and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul at the THEO Gallery, Gangnam, South Korea.

The president of the Korean Culture Association, Jae-Min Jeong, also appreciated the endless struggles of the great Founding Father of Bangladesh and his efforts to establish peace, human rights, and democracy. He also stated that it was pretty impossible to achieve a separate homeland without the contribution of Bangabandhu Shiek Mujib Ur Rahman. Jae- Min Jeong also encouraged the embassy to keep up with such meaningful initiatives on behalf Korean Culture Association.²⁷³

Moreover, Bangabandhu corner has established at Korea’s most prominent university, Seoul National University, in 2021. Two books of historical remarks for Bangladesh, namely, ‘The Unfinished Memoirs’ and ‘Bangabandhu: The People’s Hero’, are translated into Korean presented by the Bangladeshi embassy in the Republic of Korea and the museum of freedom fighters. The cultural similarities between both countries also became the best opportunity for South Korea's people to understand better the contributions of Bangabandhu on Bangladesh’s liberation of war and the reconstruction of Bangladesh.

Except these, in 2017, Bangladeshi artists performed as 'Guest of Honor' during the 12th Migrants' Arirang Multicultural Festival in Changwon, South Korea, among artists from 11 other countries. Sadia Islam Mou, Farhana Chowdhury Baby, and Farhana Khan presented dance on stage, Abdul Kuddus Bayati, Bhupati Bhusan Barma, and Sonia Khatun performed Baul, Bhawaiya and Pala Gaan and Lalon, a Bangladeshi fusion band also performed at the festival.²⁷⁴ Bangladeshi film star Apu Biswas also performed in ‘Bangladesh Festival 2018’. In 2018, at the Winter Olympics in South Korea, the ACC Asia Fashion Show was organized by The National

272 UNB News (2021, July 10). Photo exhibition on life, legacy of Bangabandhu inaugurated in Seoul. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/2021/07/10/photo-exhibition-on-life-legacy-of-bangabandhu-inaugurated-in-seoul.

273 Five-day photo exhibition on Mujib starts in Seoul. (2021, July 10). New Age | The Most Popular Outspoken English Daily in Bangladesh. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://www.newagebd.net/article/143328/five-day-photo-exhibition-on-mujib-starts-in-seoul

274 Bangladesh participates as focus country at Korean Fest. New Age | The Most Popular Outspoken English Daily in Bangladesh. (2017, October 2). Retrieved December 18, 2021, from

https://www.newagebd.net/article/25318/bangladesh-participates-as-focus-country-at-korean-fest

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Asian Culture Center (ACC). The Bangladeshi model represented the Jamdani saree at the event.²⁷⁵

Bangladeshi student, Taufiq, a student at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea, has become a famous singer after singing in the I Can See Your Voice show.²⁷⁶ South Korea celebrates its National Foundation Day, known as Gaecheonjeol, on 3^rd of Oct. The day is marked as the founding of the oldest dynasty in Korean history. The Korean Embassy used to host an annual reception to celebrate this momentous day, inviting friends and partners in Bangladesh and the diplomatic community. It is celebrated in the memory of the forefathers' legacy with Bangladeshis and Korean personalities living in Bangladesh.²⁷⁷ In 2019, The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul celebrated Bangla New Year 1426, where Korean ambassadors and diplomats of different embassies and Korean nationals were present, and Bangladesh ShilpaKala Academy performed on ‘Abohoman Bangla ‘Jonmechhi ei Deshe’.²⁷⁸

After overcoming adversity as a migrant, Mahbub Alam has become a well-known figure in South Korea. In 2012, he was also awarded the South Korean President's Award. Films starring Mahbub Alam include “My friend and his wife”, “Where is Ronny”, “Bandhobi”, “The City of Crane”, “Pained”, “You are my Vampire”, “Perfect proposal”, “Asura: City of Madness” and

“Love in Korea”.²⁷⁹

Diversifying Cultural Relations

Since 1979’s Cultural Exchange agreement, both countries are continuing warm and cooperative cultural exchange relations. With the passage of time, the relation has intensified with different factors. The president of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, also elaborated on the importance of bilateral ties between both the countries, Bangladesh and South Korea. The president also asked the Bangladesh Ambassador to Korea to collaborate with South Korea to develop bilateral relations on different issues. The Korean Prime minster, Chung Sye-Kyun's recently remarked over the relationship between Bangladesh and South Korea: “We’ll be the most trusted friends to Bangladesh, ushering in a shining future together,”²⁸⁰

275 UNB News. (2018, February 25). Indrani Tushi represents Bangladesh at Korea fashion show. Dhaka Tribune.

Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2018/02/25/indrani-bangladesh-korea- fashion-show?__cf_chl_managed_tk__=w83f6m6FelYTELyAxh4auOn.xNpEfBISNsped9hQw.I-1636179504-0-gaNycGzNCf0.

276 Shahnewaz, S. M. (2018, June 3). Taufiq Tamim becomes Korea's favourite 'oppa'. The Daily Star. Retrieved December 18, 2021, from https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/music/taufiq-tamim-becomes-koreas-favourite-oppa-1585324

277 H.E. Mr. LEE Jang-keun, A. of the R. of K. to B. (2020, October 4). Republic of korea continues to support Bangladesh in face of covid-19 and LDC graduation. The Daily Star. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/republic-korea-continues-support-bangladesh-face-covid-19-and-ldc-graduation-1972153.

278 Sun, D. (2019, April 15). Bangla New Year 1426 celebrated in Seoul: Daily sun |. daily sun. Retrieved December 18, 2021, from https://www.daily-sun.com/post/385369/Bangla-New-Year-1426-celebrated-in-Seoul 279 Hossain, M. (2020, March 30). Bangladesh's Mahbub is now a 'hero' in South Korea. Prothomalo. Retrieved December 18, 2021, from https://en.prothomalo.com/entertainment/bangladeshs-mahbub-is-now-a-hero-in-south-korea

280 Hasan, P. (2021, August 30). "president Hamid of Bangladesh takes strong interest in boosting bilateral ties, Cooperation, friendship with Korea". The Korea Post. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from

https://www.koreapost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=24384.

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The Ambassador of South Korea, Lee Jang- Keun, presented three dynamic strategies to upgrade the cultural cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea. The three strategies include;

Elevation, Diversification, and Generation. He further explains these three points by simplifying them more, saying: “I would like to take the current level of relations to a higher level: elevation.

I would like to see more diversified areas of cooperation: diversification. And I would like to place the young people, the new and future generation, at the heart of my endeavor:

generation”.²⁸¹ More importantly, Lee said, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and South Korea in 2023, there will be several programs to be offered in the context of enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

Language, Education & Training

With enhancing socio-economic cooperation, the government of Korea and Bangladesh have both tried to develop communication linkage. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), founded in 1991, supports this attempt.

In the first phase, the KOICA has started to open teaching the Korean language in Bangladesh with Central Extension Resources Development, DYD (Bogra center), Central Cattle Breeding Station, and Dairy Firm, DPHE, Horticulture Development Center, BADC, and BCSIR. The Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka, started Korean Language Program in 1997.

The Korean government initially opened its doors through the Employment Permit System (EPS) in 2004, and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean government about EPS on 4 June 2007.²⁸² The MoU aided in advancing Korean language instruction in Bangladesh to the next level. The King Sejong Institute, Dhaka, was established on December 7, 2011, by BRAC University's Centre for Languages and HRD Korea to provide Korean language training to Bangladeshis.²⁸³ However, this contract was continued for only 2 years.

Due to the growing demand with a lack of Institutions for the Korean Language, BMET took the initiative to teach the Korean Language through Foreign Language Training Centers (FLTC)-II Project in 2010 to positively impact the foreign remittance flow in Bangladesh. After taking the initiative for Korean language education by the government of Bangladesh, KOICA dispatched volunteers to teach the Korean language to different FLTCs from 2010 to 2015.²⁸⁴ After the 2016 terror attack in Bangladesh, KOICA volunteers came back to Bangladesh concerning security issues. It causes most of the FLTCS to close the Korean language program. Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) assists migrants in the regular migration process, promotes workers’ rights, and facilitates training prior to migration. Considering Korea as a potential destination for labor migration, BMET has been operating Korean language program in 18 Technical training centers (TTC) since 2018.

281 Lee, Amb. (2021, July 9). 3 dynamic strategies to boost Dhaka-seoul ties: Ambassador Lee. Independent.

Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://m.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/264860.

282 Min Ji Kim,(2015),The Republic of Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS): Background and Rapid Assessment, International Migration Papers No. 119, Page-1, Geneva: ILO.

283 Launching ceremony of king sejong institute, Dhaka. Brac University. (2011, December 11). Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.bracu.ac.bd/news/launching-ceremony-king-sejong-institute-dhaka.

284 Information collected from KOICA Bangladesh office through the present deputy Director of KOICA Bangladesh office.

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Korean speech contests among Korean learners have been arranged every year for the last two decades by the Institute of Modern Languages at the University of Dhaka. Korean Embassy took initiatives to expand the contest all over Bangladesh, offering lucrative awards and facilities.

Korean speech contest has become an essential medium to share cultural thoughts, ideas, and experiences for both the countries presented by the contestants. ‘Hangeul Proclamation Day’ is celebrated to honor the invention of the Korean alphabet ‘Hangeul’ on 9th October by arranging a Korean speech contest by collaborating with the Institute of Modern language, the KOICA, and the Korean embassy.

Apart from the ready-made-garments sectors, the South Korean government provides many scholarship programs to young students as more than 1,200 Bangladeshi students are getting higher education in Korea. Most of these students are enrolling in Masters and Doctorate programs. The South Korean government provides scholarship programs like GKS and KOICA Shcolarships to young students and government officials every year. Governmental entities, such as KOICA, offer well-known scholarship programs. Since 2012, about 100 Bangladeshi Master's fellows have participated in KOICA's Master's degrees in various subjects. Bangladeshi citizens with a minimum of two (public sector) or five (private sector) years of experience, which the government has recommended, are eligible for this scholarship. The KOICA alumni organization includes about 2,300 members who have completed various KOICA training programs in Bangladesh.²⁸⁵

Since 2011, the GKS program has benefited 172 Bangladeshi students, with 137 enrolled in graduate programs and 35 undergraduate programs. In 2021, the GKS program sent 17 Bangladeshi students to Korea; 14 were doctoral students, and three were undergraduates. Seven of the 14 graduate degrees were doctorates, with the rest being master's degrees. The number of Bangladesh GKS beneficiaries was eight-ten years ago, in 2011.²⁸⁶

The Korea Alumni Association of Dhaka University faculties, comprised of 15 members who graduated from various Korean universities, was founded in August 2021 to expand higher education and research possibilities between the two nations. According to The Republic of Korea’s Country Partnership Strategy for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh’s 7th Five Year Plan (FY2016~FY2020), South Korea’s plan on education highlights the following aims,

● Expanding and improving primary and secondary education for developing human resource

● Increasing options for technical and vocational education will expand the particular skill of the workforce

● Developing human resources by providing ICT training and technological education²⁸⁷

285 Koica's scholarships for BD Students. Bangladesh Post. (2020, September 7). Retrieved December 19, 2021, from https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/koica-s-scholarships-for-bd-students-40925

286 Korea to provide scholarship to Bangladeshi students for higher studies in Korea: Daily Sun |. daily sun. (2022, February 16). Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.daily-sun.com/post/605748/Korea-to-provide-scholarship-to-Bangladeshi-students-for-higher-studies-in-Korea

287 The Government of the Republic of Korea. (2017). The Republic of Korea ïs ountry ... - odakorea.go.kr.

Retrieved December 18, 2021, from https://odakorea.go.kr/contentFile/CPS(eng)/MNG.pdf

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In July 2013, the Korea Corner was established at the Dhaka University's Central Library to foster scholarly interest in Korea and relations between Korea and Bangladesh among University students, teachers, and general people. In September 2021, the South Korean ambassador donated more than 100 books as materials and multimedia support to Dhaka University to enhance interest in South Korea among the students and others.²⁸⁸ Under the KOICA fund, Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Centre provides training and certificate programs to develop human resources. The center is running with 3500 students and 144 courses.

By implementing a project, Korea Cooperation International Agency (KOICA) and the Dhaka University's Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Center have begun their journey to support young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. In December, the "Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship (PYE)" project was launched at the Dhaka University Central Playground, hosting the university's 100th-anniversary celebrations.²⁸⁹ Dhaka University has research collaboration with 11 different universities and institutions of South Korea among 265 institutions.²⁹⁰ To enhance the ICT sectors in Bangladesh, the Korean government has provided the loan to establish ICT training centers in 125 Upazilas under the 'Upazila ICT Training Center Project'.²⁹¹

During the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Seoul in 2010, the National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research in Bangladesh was proposed to develop, inaugurated in 2018 with the assistance of South Korea’s KOICA project, which cost of cost $13.75 million.²⁹²The institute has provided huge support during the Covid-19 pandemic. KOICA started dispatching their volunteers virtually introducing online teaching for language and other training in different institutions like IML, TTC, BIRD from the beginning of the year 2022 due to the pandemic. Bangladesh's government has been working to create a knowledge-based society and promote education to develop Bangladesh as self-sufficient and fulfill the goals of Sustainable Development Goals. South Korea’s support in the education and training sector supports Bangladesh to go up the ladder.

288 Daily Sun (2021, September 8). South Korea gifted books and multimedia materials for Korea Corner at Dhaka University: Daily Sun |. daily sun. Retrieved December 18, 2021, from

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/575397/South-Korea-gifted-books-and-multimedia-materials-for-Korea-Corner-at-Dhaka-University 289 The Independent, (2021, December 4). Du-ice, Koica begins journey of promoting young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. theindependentbd.com. Retrieved December 18, 2021, from

https://m.theindependentbd.com/post/270938

290 Research collaboration: University of Dhaka. (n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://www.du.ac.bd/research_collaboration

291 Embassy of the Republic of Korea in People's Republic of Bangladesh. Upazila ICT Training Center Project funded by EDCF loan 상세보기|Bilateral RelationsEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in People's Republic of Bangladesh. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18, 2021, from

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/bd-en/brd/m_2128/view.do?seq=740714&srchFr=&%3BsrchTo=&%3BsrchWord=&%3BsrchTp=&%3Bmulti_itm_se q=0&%3Bitm_seq_1=0&%3Bitm_seq_2=0&%3Bcompany_cd=&%3Bcompany_nm=&page=4

292 Report, S. D. (2021b, September 7). Institute, supported by South Korea, produces 124 highly skilled nurses in Bangladesh so far. The Daily Star. Retrieved December 26, 2021, from

https://img.thedailystar.net/health/healthcare/news/institute-supported-south-korea-produces-124-highly-skilled-nurses-bangladesh-so-far-2170591

120 Film Festivals

H.E. Mr. Lee Jang-Kan, the former Korean ambassador to Bangladesh, stated that:

“Korean culture is gaining more and more popularity in Bangladesh. I hope that the Korean Film Festival would serve as a valuable opportunity to promote mutual understanding and friendship between our two people.”²⁹³

While mentioning the ambassador’s speech regarding the Korean Film Festival, a most famous South Korean movie named “Bandhobi”²⁹⁴ must be highlighted here. Shin Dong-Il directs this movie, and it revolves around a South Korean girl named, Min-Seo and a Bangladeshi immigrant named Karim. The film is a perfect example of a relationship between two lonely souls, representing the cultural values of both countries. This movie can be further explained in two ways. Firstly, it is about two people with far more different backgrounds becoming too close to each other. Secondly, it is a masterpiece of social discrimination against the Bangladeshi working class in South Korea.²⁹⁵

To maintain cultural cooperation, South Korea has continued to organize a film festival in Bangladesh since 2013. In 2018, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea opened five days film festival at Bangladesh National Museum and in which nine movies were selected to show. In 2019, the University of Dhaka’s Music department, DU Cultural Society, Mime Action, DU Band Society, and South Korea’s Music Department students of Hanseo University performed in an event titled ‘‘Korean-Bangla Cultural Programme-2019’.²⁹⁶ In 2016, The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh arranged the Korean Film Festival by screening ‘No Breathing.’ In 2019, the Bangladesh embassy in Seoul organized the Bangladeshi film festival to strengthen mutual relations.

The film festival of 2020 was not held because of the Covid-19 pandemic. So, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh has organized three days festival titled ‘Korea Film and Tourism Festival 2021’ from 24 November to 26 November 2021. Ambassador Lee Jang-Keun has also stated the plan to organize film festivals in Chittagong and other cities. In the 26th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held in Busan, South Korea, Bangladeshi three

293 the ambassador stated at the Korea Film Festival on 12 oct 2018, at Bangladesh National Meuseum 294 “Bandhobi” Indie-story. Retrieved 2012-12-04

295 ‘Bandhobi’ Koreanfilm.org. From

https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20090292, Retrieved 2012-12-04 296 Daily Sun (2019, June 26). Korean-Bangla Cultural Programme at Dhaka University: Daily Sun |. daily sun.

Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/402199/KoreanBangla-cultural-programme-at-Dhaka-University.