By Honorary Reporter Ronahy Haidar from Syria

A new mural in Seoul's Gwanak District highlights the cultural ties between Korea and Spain.

Part of the Malaga Loves Project, the mural along Dorimcheon Stream merges elements of Korea and the Spanish city of Malaga, with Picasso as its focal point. The work features a flamenco dancer on the left with Malagan elements and a dancer clad in Hanbok (traditional clothing) on the right shown with Seoul National University and Gen. Gang Gam-chan of the early Goryeo Dynasty.

The following are excerpts from a Dec. 26-30 email interview with Lee Jieun, secretary general of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Korea who participated in this project.

Briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Lee Jieun and I've been secretary general of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Korea since August 2024. My role is to foster collaborations and promote cultural and business exchanges between Korea and Spain.

How did the idea for the mural come about?
This artwork is part of the Malaga Loves Project, a collaborative cultural project led by the Malaga Tourism Board and an art exchange connecting Malaga with cities around the world. This is the project's second collaboration with Korea and highlights the heritage and creativity between the two sides.

How does this work reflect the connection between Malaga and Gwanak-gu?
The mural illustrates the connection through symbols from the two venues. Malaga's iconic elements include flamenco, the fortress Alcazaba and Picasso, while Gwanak-gu is famous for Gwanaksan Mountain and a statue of Gen. Gang Gam-chan.

What events or activities have promoted this mural to he public?
Our goal is for individuals to effortlessly enjoy the work during daily life such as running or walking. The only formal event we held for this was the opening ceremony. And Gwanak-gu& District is preparing signage to further inform the public and help it understand and appreciate the mural.

What is your favorite cultural aspects of Korea and Malaga?
During my stay in Malaga, I noticed a remarkable cultural similarity centered on the Korean concept of jeong, which is loosely defined as a deep emotional bond and sense of affection. This shared value made me feel incredibly welcome in Malaga and I never felt lonely there.

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*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.