Egypt Hosts First Stop of “Hellbound” World Tour: Don’t Miss It! We Have All the Inside Details!
- Manar Aly
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
Before August Starts… Don’t Miss the Hellbound Event in Egypt! 🇰🇷🇪🇬
If you're in Egypt this July, consider yourself lucky! because something extraordinary is happening, and it’s vanishing by the end of the month.
From July 1st to 31st, the Korean Cultural Center in Egypt is hosting a free immersive exhibition that’s making headlines around the world: Hellbound.
Created by the visionary duo Choi Gyu-seok and Yeon Sang-ho (the genius behind Train to Busan), Hellbound (지옥 in Korean) is a haunting, thought-provoking work that rips open questions about divine justice, human fear, and the collapse of modern society.
As an Egyptian journalist invited to cover the experience, Dojeon team member, Manar, had the chance to explore this groundbreaking event up close, and I can confidently say: this is more than an exhibition. It’s a cultural moment!
Why Egypt?
Many were surprised to see Egypt chosen as the debut country for this international tour.
But for those familiar with the local culture, the choice makes perfect sense. Egyptians are widely known for being warm, welcoming, and highly supportive of new cultures. In recent years, interest in Korean dramas, K-pop, and K-webtoons has grown dramatically in Egypt, especially among the youth.
The Korean Cultural Center in Cairo has played a vital role in building this connection, and the Hellbound exhibition is now strengthening that cultural bridge even further.
The Exhibition Experience
The moment you enter the exhibition, you feel like you're inside the story.
Each area is made to look like parts of the webtoon. There are big posters of the characters, screens showing important scenes, and short texts explaining each person’s story, choices, and emotions.
Even if you never read the webtoon or watched the Netflix show, you’ll understand the characters in just a few minutes.
Interactive Experience
The exhibition also offers an interactive experience. At the entrance, visitors receive a small sheet of paper to carry throughout the exhibition, collecting stamps representing the three main characters. Once completed, this “narrative passport” can be exchanged for a small gift. At the end, there’s a short form where you can write your opinion:
"Did you watch the Netflix show? Read the webtoon? What do you think?"
This makes the event fun, interactive, and easy for everyone to join... even if it’s your first time learning about Korean webtoons.
And to conclude the visit, a creative workshop allows each participant to design a personalized badge. Everyone could decorate it in their own style (I chose to write the title of the webtoon and my name).
A Strong Response from Egyptian Youth
During the visit, the excitement was clear. Young Egyptians, many of them passionate fans of Korean pop culture, walked through the exhibition with curiosity and joy. Some took selfies in front of the character visuals; others stood still, carefully reading each panel. One visitor whispered,
“It’s like stepping inside the webtoon.”
This reaction highlights not only the quality of the exhibit, but also the deep connection that K-culture has created among young Egyptians and youth throughout North Africa and the Arab world.
A Special Visit from the Creator
On July 2, co-creator Choi Gyu-seok visited Cairo for a special fan meeting, attended by over 150 people. He shared stories about the creative process behind Hellbound and the message behind the series. For many fans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet one of Korea’s most respected storytellers in person.
From Cairo to the World
This event is not limited to Egypt. After Cairo, the Hellbound exhibition will continue to Budapest, Ottawa, Shanghai, and Osaka, bringing K-webtoons to a global audience. But Egypt will always be remembered as the first stop, and Cairo was chosen to go first. That decision reflects the strong relationship between Korea and Egypt, and the growing role of K-culture as a global bridge.
Final Thoughts
As a journalist and as an Egyptian, I (Manar) am proud to see this level of cultural exchange take place on our soil.
The Hellbound exhibition is not just entertainment; it’s a testament to how Korean stories are resonating with hearts around the world. And for Egyptians, it’s proof that our love for K-culture is seen, respected, and celebrated.
If you are in Egypt before the end of July, I strongly encourage you to visit. It’s free, powerful, and unforgettable.
I experienced it. I documented it.
And I’ll always remember it.
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