Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | An estimated 130 masters and artists who have contributed to the advancement of art in Korea and elevated the value of Korean culture will gather in Insa-dong, Seoul, to showcase the elegance and creative spirit of the Korean art. The ‘2026 Invitational Exhibition: Korean Masters Association,’ co-hosted by the Korea Masters Association (Foundation) and the Diplomacy Journal, will take place for over five days from October 20 to 24 across the entire third-floor gallery of the Ara Art Center in Insa-dong, Seoul. The exhibition, themed ‘The Elegance of Artists who
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Singer Jang Hye-jin, who has long been connected with the general public through her uniquely emotive voice, is now meeting audiences as a visual artist. Gallery Sejul and Gallery Pines are co-hosting Jang Hye-jin’s solo exhibition, "Unfamiliarity within Familiarity," at Gallery Sejul in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, from October 17th to November 26th. A VIP preview for invited guests will be held on October 16. The exhibition is co-curated by Eom Seon-mi, director of Gallery Pines, and Lee Jun-sang, director of Gallery Sejul. In this exhibition, Jang Hye
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Even when power shifts, the responsibility toward the people's livelihood must remain constant The idiom "Sangjeon Byeokhae" (literally "Mulberry fields turning into the blue sea") refers to a state of transformation so profound that the world becomes unrecognizable. This phrase resonates deeply when we look at our society today. The world, the times, and the face of politics are constantly changing. In a democratic society, it is natural for administrations, personnel, policies, and systems to change. However, amidst all these changes, there is one thing that
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Local residents, professional vocalists, and an orchestra are coming together on stage to fill a deepening autumn night with beautiful melodies. The 12th "A Wonderful Concert in October"—an event shared with local residents—will take place on October 19 (Monday) at 7:00 PM on the third floor of Seoul Art Center Doam. Hosted by the Pyeongchang-dong ARTE CORO Choir and organized by the NEW MUSIC COMPANY Opera Troupe, this concert is themed "Melodies that Move the Heart." It features a special classical music program where a choir composed of local residents perfo
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Western-style Artist Lee Byung-ho is holding his eighth solo exhibition, re-examining the meaning of human existence and art in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technology dominate the daily life of the people. Artist Lee will host his 8th solo exhibition, entitled 'Metaverse,' at the Daham Project in Nam-gu, Ulsan, on October 12 to 26. The exhibition explores—through the artist’s unique visual language—what humanity gains and loses within the order of modern civilization, a world constructed by technology and data. A question posed to
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | A biography chronicling the life of Bishop Barthélemy Bruguière (1792–1835), the first bishop of the Korean Catholic Church and the first Vicar Apostolic of Joseon, has been released--18 years after the writing process began. On September 20, the Martyrs' Commemoration Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul celebrated a "Mass closing the Month of Martyrs" at the Seosomun History Museum in Jung-gu, Seoul, followed by a publication ceremony for 'Biography of Bishop Bruguière, First Vicar Apostolic of Joseon' (639 pages), published by the Catholic Publishing Compan
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | On October 1 this year, Venerable Jinwoo, the 38th President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, held his inauguration ceremony on a special stage at the Jogye-sa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, marking the official starting of his second term. Declaring, “I will consult through collective wisdom, unite through empathy, and act with a public-spirited heart,” Ven. Jinwoo expressed his resolve to usher in a new century for Korean Buddhism based on the stability and harmony of the Order. Approximately 5,000 members of the Buddhist community attended the ceremony, i
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | The World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee continued its cultural and artistic sharing initiatives for correctional facilities (prison) by donating 58 works of K-Folk Painting and K-Graphics to Wonju Prison. The Wonju Prison authorities announced that they held a donation ceremony attended by Warden Kim Seong-yeol, Lee Jon-young, Chairman of the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, Secretary General Kim Tae-yeon, and Kang Seok-won, Representative of KS Gallery. This event is the 9th art donation project for correctional facilities, led by t
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | This text is not taken from ancient scriptures or old literature. It is a Dharma discourse left by Damhwa, who transcribed the thoughts that arose in his heart, character by character, one day while continuing his 100-day prayer at Palgongsan Mountain amidst quiet ascetic practice. During the time he spent in deep mountain reflection and prayer, what arose in his mind was not personal success or advancement. It was a world where people cherish one another, where the wealthy bestow virtue, and where all people of different backgrounds harmonize to find peace tog
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Artist Jeon Byung-Hee, winner of the Grand Prize and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the World Peace Art Exhibition, is holding her twentieth solo exhibition entitled, "Drawing with Heart." The exhibition will be held from August 21 to September 13, 2026, at the gallery located within Dream Church at 131 Yongsin-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, with the opening ceremony taking place on August 22 at 1:00 PM. Artist Jeon Byung-hee is a mid-career artist who has established her own unique sculptural language over a long period of time. The a
Diplomacy Journal John Lee | Let’s light a lamp again in our society! There is a saying that as the autumn night deepens, it is good to be close to a book under a lamp. This is the concept of 'Deunghwa Gachin' (燈火可親), which meansm "Fraternity grows near candle light. To the people of age, a lamp was not merely a light to dispel darkness. It was a light of hope that illuminated the path of learning, allowed for self-reflection, and enabled preparation for the future. What is a lamp to us today? For a student preparing for an exam, it could be a single book spread out late into the night; for pa
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | The 29th World Peace Art Exhibition, a representative international cultural and arts event of Korea, was successfully held on July 29 at the Korea Art Museum in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. This event was organized by the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee and Diplomatic Journal, co-hosted by the World Peace Art Exhibition Steering Committee and the Damhwa Cultural Foundation, and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Province, the Federation of Korean Arts and Culture Organizations (
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | The Gabala International Festival of Music & Art 2026 is set to open in the historic city of Gabala, Republic of Azerbaijan, from July 29 to August 3, bringing together hundreds of artists from numerous countries for one of the region's most celebrated annual cultural events. Now a firmly established fixture in the South Caucasus cultural calendar, the festival has built a reputation as a meeting point for artists, collectors, cultural patrons, and dignitaries united by a shared passion for music and the visual arts. Each year, the event draws thousands of
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Today, we live in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) replaces human jobs and technology changes day by day. While the world is becoming increasingly fast-paced, people's minds are swayed even more easily. An increasing number of people are becoming discouraged even by the slightest failure, comparing themselves to others, and losing their way. At times like these, there is a saying we must recall once again: '有志者事竟成' (Yujijasa Gyeongseong). It means that those who have a will will eventually achieve it. The essence of this six-character idiom lies not in
Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Artist Kim Jae-Seon won the much-coveted Grand Award offered by the Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism on July 29 this year. There were over 1,200 entries from 30 countries abroad; masterpieces born amidst unprecedented competition. Award Winner Kim's "Eight-Panel Folding Screen of the Banquet at the Waterfall" was selected for the Grand Prize which also offers an awarded 3 million won in prize money. There also were Artists Bae Jeong-hee, Yang Bo-kyung and Oh Yoon-kyung who were selected for the Seoul Mayor's Award (Grand Prize by Category) which awards