Paris hosts massive ‘K-Expo’ as Korea, France celebrate 140 years of ties

A promotional poster for the 2026 K-Expo France event / Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Korea is bringing a sweeping showcase of its cultural and technological exports to France this week, launching the "K-Expo France 2026" in Paris to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The four-day collaborative event, which runs from June 16 to 19, is jointly organized by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the ministries of agriculture, oceans, and health. Designed as a comprehensive springboard for Korean lifestyle brands, the convention pairs business-to-business export consultations with high-profile consumer exhibitions spanning entertainment, cuisine, beauty, fashion and tourism.

From June 16 to 18, the Palais des Congrès will transform into an interactive hub of contemporary Korean culture. Global streaming giant Netflix will anchor a joint pavilion with 12 domestic brands, leveraging hit properties like "Squid Game" and "Culinary Class Wars." In a bid to promote regional travel, the Korea Tourism Organization has constructed replicas of Korean subway stations and mountain hiking trails alongside a simulated airplane cabin built in partnership with Korean Air. Attendees can also sample iconic convenience store staples like ramen and kimchi. There are also specialized zones for K-beauty and literature.

A particular focus of this year’s expo is Korea’s advanced media sector. CJ ENM, alongside 11 tech-focused entertainment firms, will showcase artificial intelligence-driven films and animations, while digital media exhibitions will combine traditional Korean luxury crafts and French fashion houses like Louis Vuitton through immersive augmented reality.

The cultural exchange will culminate on June 17 with a major K-pop concert themed around friendship and romance. The lineup features prominent acts including Taemin, MONTSA X, Hearts2Hearts, and NCT WISH, performing cross-cultural sets of beloved French and Korean songs.

The event also carries significant diplomatic weight. Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young is in Paris to audit the expo and meet with his French counterpart to discuss bilateral cultural policies. Officials hope the expo will lay the groundwork for deeper institutional ties ahead of the Lumière Summit, a joint film and image industry event scheduled for September.

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