Arts-Culture
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Arts-Culture Korean Cultural Federation Showcases Traditional Craft at Gallery Mirae
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | The Association of Korean Culture Centers is presenting its 31st annual exhibition at Gallery Mirae in Seoul, running from April 15 to 28, 2026. Supported by the Association of Korean Craft Function, this year's showcase takes the form of a "small works exhibition" — featuring 49 pieces spanning traditional painting and craft disciplines. A Celebration of Human Creativity Honorary Chairman Song Jun-gyeong framed the exhibition within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, arguing that craft art represents an irreplaceable expression of distinctly
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-04-18 16:37
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Arts-Culture Slovak Illustrator Peter Uchnár Brings Award-Winning Vision to Seoul's Bukchon
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | On April 15, an international exhibition opened at the CN Gallery in Seoul's historic Bukchon neighborhood. The Embassy of the Slovak Republic and the Chungnam Cultural Tourism Foundation (CNCTF) jointly invited Slovak illustrator Peter Uchnár to visit Korea and display several pieces from his storied career. In his opening statement, Jiwon (John) Lee, Director of the CNCTF Cultural & Arts Promotion Headquarters, praised Peter Uchnár for his work on beloved children's books like Peter Pan and his reimagined version of Gulliver's Travels, for which he wo
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-04-17 13:26
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Arts-Culture Yeongdeungpo Arts Hall Unveils 2026 Season Lineup — From Original Ballet to Summer Night Classics
The Yeongdeungpo Arts Hall operated by the Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation, has announced its 2026 Season Program, a year-round lineup designed to enrich the lives of local residents. Building on the warmth and accessibility of a community venue, Yeongdeungpo Arts Hall will present a high-caliber slate of performances spanning classical music, ballet, theater, and concerts. By erasing the boundaries between genres, the Hall aims to bring a touch of cultured excitement to residents' daily lives. The introduction of a season format reflects the Hall's commitment to proactively building and bran
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-04-02 11:18
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Arts-Culture K-Culture Expands Beyond K-Pop and K-Food into Characters, Performances, and Fusion Content
Korea's cultural wave continues to grow in global reach and commercial impact, according to the latest annual survey released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) on March 30. Conducted across 30 countries and regions with 27,400 respondents aged 15 to 59, the 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey — based on data collected in November–December 2025 — is the most expansive edition since the survey began in 2012, with Singapore, Chile, and Poland added to the sample for the first time. Seven in Ten Favor Korean Culture Overall favorability toward Korean cultural content stood at 69.7%, wi
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-30 17:19
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Arts-Culture From Palaces to Pilgrimages: India Pitches Luxury and Serenity to Korean Tourists
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | The Embassy of India in Seoul hosted an "Incredible India Tourism Roadshow" from 3:30 pm to 6 pm on Monday, March 16. Presenter Abhishek Gupta — the broadcaster better known as "Lucky" in Korea — confided that the afternoon time slot was chosen to thwart late arrivals caused by traffic congestion. In actuality, it was likely to have presentations end and dinner begin precisely as the sun was setting. The event was held on one of the Sevit floating islands on the Hangang. The importance of the Han to Korea and the Ganges River to India was a recurring theme,
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-17 17:40
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Arts-Culture 2026 Sanjo Festival Opens April 2 at Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater
On March 13, the Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater (KOR, ENG) announced its flagship brand performance, the "2026 Sanjo Festival." Built in 2016, exclusively for gugak (traditional Korean music performances), the theater takes its name from the gate of Seoul's Changdeokgung Palace, which it faces. The Sanjo Festival will run for three weeks, starting April 2. Launched in 2021 and held annually since, the Sanjo Festival has intensely spotlighted the depth and aesthetics of sanjo. While sanjo is rooted in the same deep well of Korean folk and shamanistic tradition as pansori, it differs in fun
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-13 11:59
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Arts-Culture Design as a Dance: Italy Brings Its 10th Design Day to Seoul
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | On March 10, the Embassy of Italy in Seoul hosted the "10th Italian Design Day RE-DESIGN: The Regeneration of Space, Objects, Thought, and Relationships" at High Street Italia (HSI), the Italian Trade Agency (ITA)’s flagship showplace built on Gangnam’s famed Garosu-gil to promote products made in Italy. Architect, designer and artist Michele De Lucchi was chosen to serve as the designated “Italian Design Day Ambassador.” The recipient of numerous awards and honors in both Europe and Asia, Mr. De Lucchi is a founding member of Milan-based AMDL CIRCLE, a cre
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-11 16:41
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Arts-Culture Korea's First Women's Prison Story: True-Crime Drama '47 Years, 7 Months' Set for Release
Diplomacy Journal Lee Jeong-ha 기자 | A women's human rights film based on a true story — "47 Years, 7 Months: A Female Professor's Outing" — has made its public debut through a production showcase, with a formal audience release now announced. Director Han Myeong-gu's film held its production showcase on June 30 of last year at the Korea House folk theater in Jung-gu, Seoul, where the director officially introduced the film's production background and its core message. The film traces the tragic life of a woman who, after suffering sexual violence within the family during childhood, found herse
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-11 10:08
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Arts-Culture Reawakening History: Choe Nam-ju and the Wolseong Goguryeo Monument
Choe Chong-dae | The inscription on the Goguryeo-related monument unearthed at the Wolseong royal palace site in Gyeongju has recovered crucial, long-forgotten data, significantly reshaping our understanding of ancient Korean history. While archaeological excavations frequently reveal physical remains, surviving stone inscriptions remain rare. These monuments are invaluable; they anchor historical narratives to primary evidence, allowing us to determine chronologies and political relationships with newfound precision. In early 2026, the Korean archaeological community reached a landmark moment
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-09 10:03
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Arts-Culture 2026 Seoul International Sculpture Festa Moves to Exhibition in National Assembly Complex
From March 3 to March 6, the sculpture exhibition “Art is Industry – K-Art Where the People and the National Assembly Meet” will be held on the 2nd floor of the National Assembly Members' Office Building. Organized by the Korea Sculptors Association (KSA), this exhibition is the first official initiative to extend the achievements and discourse of the 2026 Seoul International Sculpture Festa to the National Assembly. Notably, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik will personally attend, delivering a congratulatory address to honor the occasion and convey messages of encouragement for the adva
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-03 15:04
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Arts-Culture Where Tradition and Modernity Meet: The 2026 Korea Masters Invitational Exhibition Opens in Insadong
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall | On February 25 at 2:30 p.m., the 2026 Korea Masters Invitational Exhibition officially kicked off in Insadong with an awards ceremony and Hanbok fashion show. "A place where tradition and modernity, recorded history and personal memories meet," is how Chairman of the Organizing Committee Lee Jon-young described the exhibition. Lee is also publisher of Diplomacy Journal. This description is particularly fitting for the works of calligrapher and painter Yoo Hyeon Byeong. Three distinct series by Yoo are presented in this exhibition. His ho (號)—artistic sobriquet
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-02-27 15:03
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Arts-Culture The Lee Kun-hee Collection, which introduced Korean art to the world, has led to an elevation of national prestige.
Diplomacy Journal shJung | The "Lee Kun-hee (KH) Collection," born from a donation by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, has successfully completed its first overseas tour, impressing the world with the prestige of Korean art and culture. Samsung held a gala dinner on the 28th (local time) at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Arts and Industry in Washington, D.C., ahead of the exhibition's closing. "Collecting, Cherishing, and Sharing Treasures of Korea," currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA), is co-hosted by the National Museum of Korea and the N
- shJung 기자
- 2026-01-30 23:00
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Arts-Culture Cultural Diplomacy in Practice: Enduring Ties Between Korea and Thailand
Choe Choong-dae | My particular interest in Thailand stems from fond memories of two remarkable Thai figures: Major General Chote Klongvicha, former Thai Ambassador to Korea, and Colonel Akaphol Somloop, a former Thai Defense Attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul who later became Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Both men were stationed in Korea from the late 1960s to the early 1970s and were close friends of my family. I was just entering university when we met. Through their lives and service, I came to understand diplomacy not merely as statecraft, but as a profoundly huma
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-30 09:46
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Arts-Culture U.S. Embassy Kicks Off Events Commemorating 250th Anniversary of American Independence
The U.S. Embassy in Korea commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence during an event designed to reflect on the history and values of the ROK-U.S. alliance and present a vision for the future of bilateral relations through cultural exchange. While the focus was on art, the importance that diplomacy, security, and trade play in maintaining the strategic ROK-U.S. alliance was also on display. The U.S. Embassy in Korea hosted the "Freedom of Expression: Freedom250 Korea-U.S. Creative Dialogue" event in Seoul on January 28 at the Seongbuk-dong residence of U.S. Chargé d'Affaires J
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-29 14:39
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Arts-Culture At 103, Master Calligrapher Nam Sang-jun Refuses to Put Down His Brush
Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young | When someone wakes up at age 103, the day is normally a quiet one. A quiet day can still be productive; one such centenarian routinely reaches for a writing brush. Born in 1923, Master Nam Sang-jun has lived as a hyeokpil (leather brush) calligrapher for over 60 years since studying under Master Dong Ji-seong in 1961. The hyeokpil held in his fingertips is not limited to Hangeul. It embraces Chinese characters and even extends to the Roman letters of English. He teaches his disciples not just how to wield a leather brush when writing art, but also how to make
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-28 15:50
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2026-04-18 16:37
Korean Cultural Federation Showcases Traditional Craft at Gallery Mirae
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2026-04-17 13:26
Slovak Illustrator Peter Uchnár Brings Award-Winning Vision to Seoul's Bukchon
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2026-04-14 12:51
Korea and Poland Elevate Ties to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'
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2026-04-13 15:19
K-Defense Delegation Advances Arms Export Push Across Latin America
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2026-04-10 18:56
Korea-Turkmenistan relations upgraded to a Strategic Partnership
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Editor in Chief: Lee Jon-young/ Vice Chairman: Chung Bo-won/ Standing Advisor Lee Keon-chan / Senior Editorial Writer Ko Jae-hwe / Editorial Writer Lee Se-hoon / Cultural Editor Lee Joon-seok/ Political Editor Lim Han-choong/ U.S. Branch Head Kim Joon-bae/ Business Editor Kayla Lee
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UPDATE: 2026년 04월 18일 16시 37분