Seoul, Republic of Korea – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced that 18 Korean Cultural Centers (KCCs) in 17 countries worldwide are actively supporting the overseas expansion of diverse K-Culture genres in cooperation with influential local cultural and arts organizations and festival organizers, solidifying their position as true "Hallyu platforms." This initiative focuses on expanding the horizons of Korean culture and arts and strengthening the role of KCCs as stepping stones for young artists to enter the international stage, rather than merely promoting culture.

Collaboration with Influential Local Institutions Expands Opportunities for Korean Artists on the International Stage

Korean Cultural Centers are actively creating opportunities for Korean artists to perform on internationally renowned and prestigious stages through close cooperation with major local festival organizations and cultural and arts institutions in each country.

In Poland, the Korean Cultural Center in Poland will invite "Cheonhajaeiltal Gongjakso" in July to showcase various performing arts works based on Talchum (Korean mask dance drama) at a local festival. Talchum was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2022, gaining global attention. Its participation in the Polish festival is expected to widely promote the dynamism and artistry of traditional Korean art.

In the Czech Republic, the Korean Cultural Center in the Czech Republic will invite Korean performing arts groups to "Colors of Ostrava" (held in July), the largest music festival in Central Europe. This year, fresh and experimental Korean musicians, such as the electronic funk duo "Fat Hamster & Kang New," are expected to leave a strong impression on local music fans. "Colors of Ostrava" is a large-scale music festival attracting tens of thousands of spectators each year and is considered an important bridgehead for Korean music's entry into the European market.

In Germany, in September, the Korean Cultural Center in Germany will invite the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra through the "Touring K Arts" project, which supports overseas tours of excellent Korean cultural and arts programs. They will perform a touring concert at major German classical festivals, including "Musikfest Berlin." The Busan Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Korea's leading orchestras, and this German tour is expected to enhance the status of Korean classical music and deeply impress European classical music lovers.

Support for overseas performances by Korean artists is also active on the occasion of major anniversaries and international events. In Washington D.C., USA, in September, the acclaimed Korean popera group "POET" will hold their first U.S. performance at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Korea's Liberation. The Kennedy Center is a prominent performing arts venue in the United States, and a performance there will significantly contribute to elevating the status of Korean popera.

In Vietnam, world-renowned soprano Sumi Jo and other top Korean classical artists are expected to participate in the "Korea-Vietnam Music Concert in Commemoration of the 2025 APEC Summit" in October. As the APEC Summit is a major political and economic event in the Asia-Pacific region, the performance of Korean artists at this event will carry diplomatic significance beyond cultural exchange between the two countries.

Young Korean Cultural and Arts Professionals Spread Their Wings Overseas
Korean Cultural Centers are actively supporting the overseas expansion of young cultural and arts professionals who will lead the future of Korean culture and arts, in addition to established artists. This strategy aims to help young artists grow by providing them with international experience and networks, and in the long term, strengthen the competitiveness of Korean culture and arts.

In Hungary, the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary operates a continuous "Artist-in-Residence Program" to introduce young artists to the local scene. This September, jazz pianist "Jin Soo-young" will perform, promoting the delicacy and creativity of Korean jazz music in Europe.

In Austria, the Korean Cultural Center in Austria is introducing diverse and experimental young Korean artists through the "K_on_temporary" program, which showcases contemporary performing arts content. This year, the jazz band "Yong Lee and the Prodigal Sons" (June), the saenghwang (Korean mouth organ) performer "Park Jiha" (October), and contemporary dance companies "Gals Dance Company" (October) and "Tanztheater Once" (October) are expected to participate in major local festivals, demonstrating the dynamism and diversity of Korean contemporary art. Park Jiha, in particular, is expected to attract attention from the local music scene by integrating the traditional Korean instrument saenghwang with contemporary music, building a unique musical world globally.

In New York, USA, the Korean Cultural Center in New York will introduce promising Korean artists to New York through its "KCCNY Sound & Talk" self-curated performance program, expanding the base of Korean performing arts. As New York is one of the world's art centers, activities there will be an important stepping stone for young Korean artists to achieve global recognition.

Diverse Genres of 'K-Culture' Spread Globally

Korean Cultural Centers are contributing to broadening the spectrum of Hallyu by introducing various genres of "K-Culture" beyond K-Pop to the world.

In Osaka, Japan, on May 16, "K-VIBE in Osaka" was held to introduce the wide appeal of Korean popular music, featuring singer "Park So-eun" from "Superstar K7." Japan is one of the important markets for Hallyu, demonstrating the potential for various genres of Korean popular music, not just K-Pop, to be loved.

In Shanghai, China, the "2025 K-Musical Comprehensive Festival" is actively supporting the entry of "K-Musical" into China by showcasing five Korean musical works until June 18. Korean musicals have gained great popularity in the Asian market in recent years, recognized for their high quality and commercial success, and are expected to solidify their position in the Chinese market through this festival.

In Argentina, a "Korean Animation Showcase" will be held in June to help domestic animation companies explore new markets. Korean animation is recognized for its competitiveness in the global market with creative storytelling and high technical skills, and this event is expected to provide opportunities for entry into the Latin American market.

In addition, Korean Cultural Centers in various countries, including France, Brazil, Australia, Russia, Indonesia, India, and the United Arab Emirates, are disseminating a wide range of "K-Culture" fields such as calligraphy, literature, jazz, dance, and K-Pop. This reflects efforts to introduce the diverse facets of Korean culture to the world and to promote customized cultural exchanges that consider the unique cultural characteristics of each country. For example, in France, the focus is on introducing Korean literature and art films, while in the United Arab Emirates, contemporary art exhibitions and calligraphy workshops are held to attract local interest.

Korean Cultural Centers Accelerate Growth as 'Comprehensive Hallyu Platforms'
Yun Yang-su, Director-General of the International Cultural Promotion Policy Office at the MCST, stated, "We will spare no policy support to ensure that Korean Cultural Centers not only act as a bridge connecting the world and Korean artists but also transform into a 'comprehensive Hallyu platform' encompassing various fields."

In fact, Korean Cultural Centers are going beyond simply introducing Korean culture to strengthen interaction with local cultural and artistic ecosystems. This contributes to creating a richer and more sustainable Hallyu by fostering communication and convergence with local cultures, rather than unilaterally delivering Korean culture. Furthermore, they are expanding the scope of Hallyu through multifaceted collaborations, including content exchange and co-production projects, beyond human exchange.

Future Korean Cultural Centers are also expected to play a role in providing more immersive cultural experiences by utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR). For example, they could support overseas residents experiencing Korean museums or art galleries in virtual reality, or enjoying K-Pop concerts in a metaverse space. Additionally, they are expected to serve as hubs for spreading "K-Lifestyle" in various ways, such as strengthening online educational programs for overseas learners interested in learning Korean and expanding opportunities to experience Korean food culture.

The MCST's announcement demonstrates that Korean Cultural Centers are playing a key role in connecting Hallyu fans and cultural and arts professionals worldwide and spreading Korea's cultural creativity. We look forward to the continued development of Korean Cultural Centers as global platforms for "K-Culture," thereby extending Korea's cultural influence worldwide.