The K Festival Philly, celebrating Korean food, culture and arts, was hosted on Saturday by Emmanuel Church in West Philadelphia. While comprising a smaller portion of Philadelphia’s immigrant population, Korean Americans have been part of Philadelphia’s fabric since the mid-20th century.
While a handful of Korean students studied in Philadelphia earlier, the majority of immigration began following the passage of the Hart-Celler Act in 1965. This reform opened the door for a significant influx of Asian immigrants.
Building on ties forged during the Korean War with the U.S.-South Korea alliance, Philadelphia’s Korean community took root in the Olney neighborhood of North Philadelphia. It later expanded north into Cheltenham and suburbs like Upper Darby, where commercial hubs with Korean businesses, churches and H-Marts remain central to community life today.
“We want to bring some awareness to the fact that we’re here, and we’re a community of Koreans, Korean Americans, not just as an identity but to share the culture with the community,” said Emmanuel Church pastor Daniel Cho, a lead organizer for the event.
Korean cultural presence today is most visible through Korean dramas, food and, of course, K-pop. At the West Philadelphia festival, traditional drumming and performances on the kayageum, a plucked zither with 12 strings, were featured alongside contemporary music, highlighting how the city’s Korean community is expressing its heritage with contemporary culture.
The event gave Philadelphians a chance to see how traditions are being carried forward while new expressions of Korean culture take root, reflecting an evolving identity shaped by continuity and creativity. The day featured K-pop dance, traditional art and crafts, and an array of beloved Korean foods such as bulgogi, bibimbap, and tteokbokki. Korean Festival Philly featured a diverse array of entry points through which participants could connect with Korea and with what it means to be Korean American today.
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Audience members came to the stage to compete in Korean trivia for prizes. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Adah Cho, a violinist and singer in modern Hanbok attire, performed electric violin sets throughout the festival. (Hanbit Kwon) -
The Gayageum Trio played the kayageum, a 12-stringed traditional instrument. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Gail and Chris were inspired to visit the festival after falling in love with K-dramas. They aspire to visit Korea one day. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Harvey Floyd II and Sunmi Cho attended the festival to share an experience of Korean culture with their children. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Jenny Lam, Debora King and Luaya King were inspired by Luaya’s interest in Korean culture to attend the festival. Luaya is learning both Korean and Japanese. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Traditional Korean song and dance were featured at the event. (Hanbit Kwon) -
K-pop performances were staged throughout the day. (Hanbit Kwon) -
The Camerata Children’s Choir performed Korean folk songs such as Arirang, a melody cherished in both North and South Korea, and often seen as a symbol of unity. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Consisting of a short jacket and a full skirt, Hanbok is a traditional Korean garment worn since antiquity. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Vanessa and her daughter Yuki attended the festival to connect with the Korean community. Yuki’s Hanbok highlighted her Korean ancestry. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Some attendees, such as Joshua, were excited to try new Korean dishes for the first time. (Hanbit Kwon) -
The sunny weather allowed people to enjoy their food on the lawn. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Taseen displays a plate of Tteokbokki, a popular Korean street food featuring soft and chewy rice cakes sinnered in a sweet and spicy sauce. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Children color Hojakdo, or “Tiger and Magpie Painting,” a traditional Korean folk art featuring a tiger. (Hanbit Kwon) -
Visitors browse a table of traditional Korean-themed merchandise, including flags and cultural keepsakes. (Hanbit Kwon)
Korean culture in Philadelphia is enhanced by the city’s diversity, as people of all backgrounds engage with its music, food and traditions through festivals and gatherings that both preserve and celebrate. The Emmanuel Korean School of Philadelphia principal Kyong Yi has seen rising interest in learning the language, particularly among children of mixed Korean heritage and Korean American adoptees seeking to connect to their roots. She noted that more than half of her students come from interracial families.
This festival also presented an opportunity to remind a younger generation of Korean Americans about the roots of Korean culture and heritage. As Cho shared, “We do this so the young Korean Americans don’t forget the culture and where they come from.”
