The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yu In Chon, MCST), in collaboration with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (President Park Chang Sik, KOFICE), will officially launch the 2025 Touring K-Arts initiative, supporting the overseas tours of outstanding Korean cultural and artistic programs through Korean cultural centers and cultural promotion centers abroad.

Following the establishment of the International Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Office in February 2024, MCST expanded and rebranded its existing overseas touring support program centered around Korean cultural centers into Touring K-Arts. The initiative connects and supports outstanding cultural arts organizations in Korea wishing to perform, exhibit, or offer classes abroad by enabling tours across multiple countries and cities where Korean Cultural Centers are located.

In 2024, a total of 15 performance and exhibition programs toured 20 cities across 19 countries. As a result, the Touring K-Arts program achieved significant cost savings when compared to non-tour programs—41% in airfare for performances and 23% in artwork transportation for exhibitions. Furthermore, the initiative also enhanced the content quality at Korean Cultural Centers, especially in regions such as Africa and South America, where access to outstanding domestic performance and exhibitions had been relatively limited, delivering positive changes.

Expanding to 41 Tour Programs, including 15 Performances, 11 Exhibitions, and 15 Cultural Lectures

Embracing both the Traditional and Contemporary: from Modern Dance to Jinju Silk and Traditional Painting Exhibitions

This year, the initiative will be significantly expanded to feature a total of 41 programs, including 15 performances, 11 exhibitions, and 15 cultural classes. These programs will tour some 49 cities in 32 countries with the support of 35 Korean Cultural Centers and Cultural Promotion Centers abroad. In particular, a new program for young and emerging artists will be introduced to offer opportunities to perform on international stages, while a variety of cultural classes based on local demand will also be rolled out, providing a chance to learn about Korean cuisine, beauty, and humanities.

Starting in May, the flagship production Jungle of the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, acclaimed both home and abroad since its premier in 2023, will tour Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The exhibition Lights of Korea, Jinju Silk Lanterns, featuring the famed silk craftworks of Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, will travel to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Korean-Japan diplomatic relations, the Ilmin Museum of Art will showcase its Redrawn World 2025 exhibition in Osaka and Tokyo. The exhibition will highlight contemporary interpretations of the value of Korean painting by spotlighting the leading artists of the Joseon dynasty together with the young painters who appeared on Korea’s art scene after the 2000s.

Young and Emerging Artists Program to Showcase the Future of Korean Cultural Arts and a Variety of Cultural Classes to Promote Korean Culture and Everyday Life

Programs linked to “Young Artist Training Projects” of national art organizations will also be featured on the international stage. The National Orchestra of Korea’s original gugak (traditional Korean music) chamber concert Korean Sound will tour the United Arab Emirates and Turkiye, while the Korea National Opera’s gala concert Opera Tour will be performed in the United States and Canada. The daring and ambitious young artists partaking in these tours are expected to showcase the creative future of Korean cultural arts for global audiences.

Moreover, cultural classes tailored to local interests will also be offered. Taste of Jang, a program introducing Korea’s traditional sauce (jang) fermentation culture, newly accepted to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2024, will be held in Italy and Hungary. A lecture series on temple cuisine culture, which is currently being considered for a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage listing, will take place in Thailand and Australia. Based on the continued global popularity of Korean cuisine, K-Food Cooking Classes are planned in the UK, Germany, and Spain. Additional classes on topics such as K-beauty makeup, Korean literature, and recorded heritage will be offered across Europe, the United States, and Asia.

“Through this initiative, we will enhance the quality of the content we offer through the Korean Cultural Centers abroad and expand opportunities for young Korean artists and private arts organizations to enter international markets,” said Deputy Minister of the International Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Office at MCST. “The Ministry will continue to actively identify and support highly attractive and engaging K-Arts programs overseas to ensure Korean cultural artists thrive on the global stage.”