How did the 2026 King Sejong Institute learner program change to include cultural arts students?

The program broadened eligibility beyond top Korean-language students to include learners who had shown exceptional passion and talent in Korean cultural arts. The foundation also divided the program into two sessions during October to accommodate the record number of participants.

From hanbok to K-pop: Global students celebrate Korean culture

Q: What traditional Korean performances did international students present at Gyeongbok Palace?

Wearing hanbok, the students performed buchaechum, or fan dance, Jindo drum dance and pansori, a traditional Korean narrative singing style. Gayageum performer and creator Han Seung-eun provided live accompaniment.

Q: What did students do during the King Sejong Institute program’s cultural visits in Seoul?

They visited Gwangjang Market, Myeong-dong and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, as well as the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. In Sinchon, they performed K-pop songs and dance routines, drawing local spectators who sang along and cheered.

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Summary

The King Sejong Institute Foundation hosted 163 students from 24 countries in Seoul from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 for the second session of its 2026 Invitational Training Program for Outstanding Learners. The six-day program combined visits to cultural landmarks and museums with performances of traditional Korean arts and K-pop. At Gyeongbok Palace, students performed in hanbok, while a following-day event in Sinchon featured K-pop songs and dance. Foundation president Jeon Woo-yong said the program helps learners experience Korean culture and deepen their understanding of the language.

Key Facts

The gathering was the largest in the program’s history, and the foundation split the 2026 program into two sessions to accommodate the record number of participants.
The program expanded beyond top Korean-language students to include learners with exceptional passion and talent in Korean cultural arts.
Performances at Gyeongbok Palace included buchaechum, Jindo drum dance and pansori, accompanied live by gayageum performer Han Seung-eun.
The foundation operates 273 institutes across 89 countries.

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Published Nov 3, 2026 3:09 pm KST

A student performs 'pansori,' or traditional Korean narrative singing, with Han Seung-eun, a 'gayageum,' or traditional Korean plucked zither, player and YouTube creator. Courtesy of King Sejong Institute Foundation — A student performs "pansori," or traditional Korean narrative singing, with Han Seung-eun, a "gayageum," or traditional Korean plucked zither, player and YouTube creator. Courtesy of King Sejong Institute Foundation

A vibrant celebration of language, art and cross-cultural friendship concluded in Seoul as 163 exceptional students from 24 countries completed an unforgettable journey through Korea.

Hosted by the King Sejong Institute Foundation, the second session of the 2026 Invitational Training Program for Outstanding Learners ran from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, marking the largest gathering in the program’s history.

Operating 273 institutes across 89 countries, the foundation continues to pave the way for global citizens to connect, share, and communicate through a shared love for Korea.

Unlike previous years, the 2026 program expanded its scope beyond top language students to include learners who have demonstrated extraordinary passion and talent in Korean cultural arts. To accommodate the record number of participants, the foundation doubled the program's operations into two separate sessions throughout October.

Over six days, participants engaged in a rich tapestry of Korean life. They explored iconic landmarks including Gwangjang Market, Myeong-dong and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, while immersing themselves in historical and artistic heritage at the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

The highlight of the week arrived when the international students stepped out of the audience and onto the stage. On Thursday, against the majestic backdrop of Gyeongbok Palace, participants showcased traditional Korean performing arts they had spent months mastering in their home countries. Wearing "hanbok," or traditional Korean clothing, they delivered moving renditions of the fan dance called "buchaechum," Jindo drum dance, and "pansori," a traditional Korean narrative singing style. The stage was elevated by a special collaboration with renowned "gayageum" (a traditional Korean plucked zither) performer and popular creator Han Seung-eun, who provided live accompaniment.

The energy shifted to contemporary pop culture the following day in the bustling university district of Sinchon, where students captivated local crowds with live K-pop songs and dance routines. Spectators joined in, singing along and cheering for the performers regardless of nationality.

"This training offers foreign learners a meaningful opportunity to experience our cultural heritage and everyday life while deepening their understanding of the Korean language," said Jeon Woo-yong, president of the King Sejong Institute Foundation. "We will continue to expand opportunities for learners worldwide to share their achievements and connect through Korean culture."

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.

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