Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
K-culture must evolve into sustainable global asset
Seung Myung-ho, chairman of The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo, speaks during The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin
By Baek Byung-yeul
K-culture has grown into a global phenomenon over the past few years. To maintain this momentum, industry leaders and policymakers emphasized that Korean culture must evolve beyond a temporary trend into a sustainable asset that connects the world during The Korea Forum 2026 on Thursday.
Seung Myung-ho, chairman of The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo, said he hopes Korean culture will continue to elevate the country.
"I expect K-culture to become a driving force that raises the national prestige of Korea and strengthens the competitiveness of various industries," Seung said during his opening remarks at the forum hosted by the two newspapers.
Seung Myung-ho, third from left, chairman of The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo, poses with VIP guests at The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. From left are National Museum of Korea Director You Hong-june, Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o, Seung, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Booyoung Group Chairman Lee Joong-keun. Korea Times photo by Min Kyung-seok
"The spirit of pursuing practicality and beauty has combined with the innovation of companies and the sense of creators to develop into the K-culture we see today."
Under the theme "K-culture, A New Grammar Connecting the World," experts from various fields gathered to share their insights on how Korean culture can maintain its global influence and prepare for the next stage of growth.
You Hong-june, director of the National Museum of Korea, said the state-run museum ranked third among museums and art galleries worldwide in a tally by the British art publication the Art Newspaper. The museum recorded 6.5 million visitors in 2025, following France's Louvre Museum and the Vatican Museums.
You Hong-june, director of the National Museum of Korea, speaks during The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin
The director said this indicator shows the high level of interest Koreans have in culture and demonstrates how successfully local museums have appealed to attract visitors. He explained how the museum transformed into a popular destination for the younger generation by focusing on engaging exhibitions.
"By blending modern technology with curating, we have made the museum a fun and comfortable space where people can learn, which is the secret to our growth," You said.
Kangta, a member of K-pop group H.O.T. and creative director of SM Entertainment, speaks during The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin
Kangta, a member of K-pop group H.O.T. and creative director of SM Entertainment, stressed the need to strengthen specific genres to ensure the sustainable growth of Korean pop music.
"K-pop needs to internalize publishing and adopt a system of independent labels within a company to advance as a distinct musical genre," Kangta said.
Jang Ho-gi, the producer of the Netflix show “Physical: 100," speaks during The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin
Jang Ho-gi, the producer known for making the Netflix reality competition show “Physical: 100,” shared that the show’s global success came from addressing a universal desire for health during the pandemic.
"If you cannot persuade people why they should watch, they will never click on the content," Jang said, adding that global success depends on finding universal themes like health and physical struggle that do not require complex translation to be understood.
Seung Myung-ho, right, chairman of The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo, delivers opening remarks during The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Min Kyung-seok
Woo Won-shik, speaker of the National Assembly, promised legislative and policy support to ensure Korean culture remains a lasting legacy.
"K-culture should not remain a temporary trend or a short-term achievement but must develop further into a sustainable asset that raises the pride of Korea and connects deeply with the world," Woo said.
Chong Won-o, the Seoul mayoral candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin
Two candidates who will clash in the June 3 Seoul mayoral race also attended the forum to share their visions for the cultural sector.
Chong Won-o, the Seoul mayoral candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that the welfare of content creators must be improved for the industry to last.
"For K-culture to be sustainable, the lives and rights of the creators must be protected together," Chong said.
Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul and the mayoral candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, speaks during The Korea Forum 2026 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry building in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-bin
Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul and the mayoral candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, proposed combining the cultural industry with tourism to boost the city's economy.
"When the night economy and culture flourish along the Han River, the economy of Seoul can finally promise a brighter future," Oh said.