Priyanka Mohan named Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism
Synopsis
Priyanka Arul Mohan's Tamil film 'Made in Korea' took her from a Netflix debut to a state dinner with two heads of government — and now to an official ambassadorship. The Korean government's move to appoint a Tamil actress as its tourism face for India is a calculated soft-power play, tapping South Indian cinema's vast regional reach to drive Korean travel interest among Indian audiences.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka Arul Mohan has been named Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism by the Korean government and the Korea Tourism Organization on 2 June .
The appointment follows her lead role in 'Made in Korea' , Tamil cinema's first film shot substantially in South Korea , directed by Ra Karthik .
The film premiered on Netflix on 12 March and was Priyanka's first project with international collaborators.
In April 2025 , Priyanka attended a state dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted by President Droupadi Murmu , with PM Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung present.
The ambassadorship is expected to front Korea Tourism promotional campaigns targeting Indian audiences .
Actress Priyanka Arul Mohan has been appointed Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism by the Korean government and the Korea Tourism Organization, the organisations announced on 2 June. The appointment follows the success of her Tamil film 'Made in Korea', directed by Ra Karthik, which premiered on Netflix on 12 March and is Tamil cinema's first film shot substantially in Korea.
The Appointment
Priyanka expressed her gratitude on Instagram, writing: 'Beyond grateful for this incredible honour. Being appointed as the Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism is truly very special to me. I'm sincerely thankful to the Korean government and the Korea Tourism Organization for recognising me as someone who can help bring Korean culture closer to Indian audiences.'
She added: 'Korea's culture, traditions, and warmth have always inspired me, and I'm very happy to be part of this beautiful journey. A heartfelt thank you to the President of the Korea Tourism Organization for the trust, kindness, and warm welcome.'
Diplomatic Backdrop: The Rashtrapati Bhavan Dinner
The appointment carries added weight given Priyanka's recent diplomatic visibility. In April 2025, she attended a state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The actress noted that the leaders expressed appreciation for 'Made in Korea' at the event.
Sharing pictures from the evening, Priyanka wrote: 'An absolutely surreal evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Honoured to have attended a dinner hosted by Hon'ble President Smt Droupadi Murmu ji, in the gracious presence of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and President of South Korea Lee Jae Myung sir.' She also mentioned a conversation with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor at the dinner.
Why 'Made in Korea' Matters
'Made in Korea' is a landmark production in Tamil cinema — the first Tamil-language film to be shot in South Korea and Priyanka's first project involving international collaborators. The film's OTT release on Netflix gave it pan-India and global reach, amplifying its cultural diplomacy potential well beyond theatrical audiences.
Notably, the film's trajectory — from a Korean location shoot to a state dinner attended by two heads of government — reflects the growing soft-power intersection between Indian cinema and South Korea's active cultural outreach strategy, often associated with the broader Hallyu (Korean Wave) phenomenon.
What This Means for India-Korea Cultural Ties
The Korea Tourism Organization has previously appointed brand ambassadors from entertainment to drive inbound tourism from key markets. India, with its rapidly expanding outbound travel base and deep appetite for Korean pop culture, is an increasingly strategic target for Seoul's tourism ministry. Priyanka's appointment signals a deliberate effort to leverage Tamil cinema's regional reach — particularly across South India and the Tamil diaspora — to drive Korean travel interest.
With the ambassadorship formalised, Priyanka is expected to front promotional campaigns for Korea Tourism targeting Indian audiences in the months ahead.
Point of View
Which reflects a sophisticated understanding of India's regional media markets. 'Made in Korea' gave Seoul a ready-made cultural bridge; the ambassadorship formalises it. The real question is whether this translates into measurable outbound travel from South India to Korea, or remains a soft-power photo opportunity. Given India's booming outbound tourism numbers and the Hallyu wave's documented influence on younger Indian consumers, the bet is not unreasonable — but execution will determine impact.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Priyanka Arul Mohan appointed Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism?
Priyanka Arul Mohan was appointed Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism by the Korean government and the Korea Tourism Organization following her lead role in 'Made in Korea', Tamil cinema's first film shot in South Korea. The appointment recognises her potential to promote Korean culture and travel among Indian audiences.
What is the film 'Made in Korea' about?
'Made in Korea' is a Tamil-language film directed by Ra Karthik, featuring Priyanka Arul Mohan in the lead role. It premiered on Netflix on 12 March and is notable for being Tamil cinema's first film shot substantially in South Korea, with Priyanka collaborating with international stars for the first time.
Did Priyanka Arul Mohan meet any heads of state in connection with the film?
Yes. In April 2025, Priyanka attended a state dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. She noted that the leaders expressed appreciation for 'Made in Korea' at the event.
What will Priyanka Arul Mohan do as Honorary Ambassador for Korea Tourism?
As Honorary Ambassador, Priyanka is expected to front promotional campaigns for Korea Tourism targeting Indian audiences. The Korea Tourism Organization has previously used entertainment figures to drive inbound tourism from key markets, and India is a strategic priority given its growing outbound travel base.
Who is Priyanka Arul Mohan?
Priyanka Arul Mohan is a popular Tamil film actress known for her roles in several major South Indian productions. 'Made in Korea' marked her first project involving international collaborators and her first film shot in South Korea, earning her significant diplomatic and cultural recognition.
