Glitz, glamour and good works at big French bash

Actors from French musical “Mozart, the Rock Opera” perform at the FKCCI gala in Seoul. The musical, by Albert Cohen and Dove Attia, producers of “The Ten Commandments” and “The Sun King,” will be launched next year in France. Provided by the FKCCI

Cosmetics, luxury goods, wine and even street signs in French: imports from France have long been a fact of life here.

An event last Saturday highlighted just how far the local French community has come.

Around 750 people attended a gala held by the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the W Seoul?Walkerhill Hotel in northeastern Seoul, the biggest turnout since the event was launched in 1990.

“It’s good to see many French people. I feel at home,” said attendee Julien Conzalvez, director of rooms at Park Hyatt Seoul.

The French community, largely clustered in the residential area of Seorae Village in southern Seoul, has grown fast over the years, currently numbering around 2,000.

But the gala wasn’t just glitz and glamour. The FKCCI donated 10 million won ($6,935) raised at the event to the Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital to help children with leukemia who are waiting for bone marrow transplants.

“We wanted to help those in need in Korea in an effort to come closer to the local community,” said Philippe Li, FKCCI president.

The event also showcased an exclusive sneak preview of a new French musical. Four actors from “Mozart, the Rock Opera,” premiering in France in 2009 and going on a global tour in 2010, performed a selection of songs.

Herve Moulin, the head of the Korean branch of Air France, said Koreans and the French have good chemistry.

“I don’t know that we [French and Koreans] have much in common, but I think we fit well together,” Moulin said. “We have a very easy relationship.”

The FKCCI represents about 200 French companies and 36,000 employees in Korea.

By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Reporter [joe@joongang.co.kr]