Universities take lead in spreading K-culture abroad

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Universities take lead in spreading K-culture abroad

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By

Lee Kyung-min

Published

Apr 29, 2026 11:36 am

KST

International students wait in line to enter a job fair in Busan. Yonhap

Korea is turning to its universities to carry K-culture beyond familiar strongholds, launching a new initiative that sends Korean students overseas to stage events in regions without Korean cultural centers.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday it is working with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange to advance the Oullim Korea Culture Festival University Support Project.

The program selects domestic universities through a competitive process and pairs them with overseas partners to host performances, exhibitions and seminars abroad. The effort is designed to broaden the reach of Korean cultural exports beyond K-pop and television dramas, incorporating academic exchange and locally tailored programming.

Nine universities were chosen for this year’s initiative: Keimyung University, Far East University, Korea Nazarene University, Yonsei University, Chugye University for the Arts, Korea National University of Arts, Hansung University, Hanyang University and Kyonggi University. They will collaborate with partner institutions in countries such as Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, China, Colombia and Turkey.

Organizers said the program emphasizes participation by local students, allowing events to reflect regional demand while fostering deeper cultural engagement.

Planned activities include original musicals, traditional music collaborations and hands-on experiences in taekwondo, the Korean alphabet and K-beauty.

A ministry official said the project was designed to include a broader range of participants beyond Korean cultural centers abroad. The official said the government would support universities in ensuring the stable execution of programs built on their autonomy and creativity.

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