1.INVITATION:
"Jaewon Kim" is a Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (i.e., a South Korean lawmaker), not the Prime Minister.
She was invited as a Guest of Honour to the WAVES Film Bazaar, which is part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa.
2. The Event :
The performance took place during the opening ceremony of the 19th WAVES Film Bazaar in Goa.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including L. Murugan (Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting), Shekhar Kapur (film-festival director), Anupam Kher, and Sanjay Jaju (Ministry Secretary).
3. What She Sang :
Jaewon Kim sang “Vande Mataram”, India’s national song.
Her rendition was described as emotional and soulful.
According to reports, she said she learned the song in just one night before the performance.
4. Audience Reaction:
Her performance received a standing ovation from the audience, including many filmmakers and delegates present at the event.
Prominent figures like Anupam Kher and Shekhar Kapur were visibly moved by her rendition.
5. Why It’s Significant:
Her performance comes at an important symbolic moment: India is marking 150 years of “Vande Mataram” (the national song).
It’s being seen as a gesture of cultural diplomacy, strengthening India–South Korea ties, especially in the creative / film sector.
She praised the Film Bazaar organisers for their “commitment and consistency” and expressed hope for deeper collaboration between the two countries in cinema.
6. Media Coverage:
Multiple news outlets covered this event (NDTV, India Today, Times of India, New Indian Express, etc.) highlighting her performance and the warm reception.
There are video clips of her singing, and media reports have stressed how well she executed the song, even with her Korean accent — but with respect and feeling.
