Starting in May, 17 institutions including national art organizations will participate in over 30 events to showcase Korean culture for six months

Minister YU celebrated the opening of the “2024 Korea Season” on May 2 and attended a joint Korea-France performance

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) launches the “2024 Korea Season” from May for six months across France, including Paris where the “2024 Paris Summer Olympics” is being held, as well as in other cities such as Avignon, Aurillac, and Nantes, to showcase Korean culture intensively. Minister YU In Chon visited Paris on May 2 to celebrate the opening of the “Korea Season” and attended a joint Korea–France performance along with key French figures, including former Minister of Culture Jacques Lang (1981–1984, 1984–1986).

The “2024 Korea Season” will feature 34 programs in various areas, such as performance, exhibition, crafts, tourism, and content, involving 17 domestic cultural and art institutions, including the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, the Korean Cultural Center in France, the National Art Organizations, and the Korea Tourism Organization.

Opening of the “2024 Korea Season” with a Joint Breakdance by Korea’s “1MILLION Dance Studio” and France’s “Pockemon Crew”

The “2024 Korea Season” started with a joint Korean-French breaking performance, “Urban Pulse Uprising,” at the Châtelet Theater in Paris on May 2. With breaking officially adopted as a sport in the 2024 Paris Olympics, 1MILLION, led by Korean dancer and choreographer Lia KIM, and France’s Pockemon Crew performed in a battle format.

Additional highlights on May 18 include performances by HEO Yoon Jung and PARK Jong Hwa in a Korean traditional world music concert, “K-Classic” by emerging Korean classical musicians, a creative opera “Cheo Yong” by the Korea National Opera, the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, the National Chorus of Korea, “Jungle” by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, “OBANGSINGWA (OBSG)” by Lee Heemoon Project, performances by the developmental disability orchestra Heart to Heart, a Korean ceramics exhibition, “Korean Play” special exhibition and a media art exhibition, a special K-Book exhibition, the K-Content Fair, the KO-PICK showcase at the Cannes Film Festival Film Market, and the K-Tourism Roadshow, all continuing the excitement of the “2024 Korea Season.”

Cultural Content Showcased at “Korea House” During the Olympics; Korea-France Future Generation Exchange Program Conducted

Especially during the Olympics, “Korea House” will feature collaborations among public institutions, such as the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Creative Content Agency, and various private companies to showcase diverse cultural content, including Korean music, dramas, films, beauty, tourism, books, traditional culture, and Korean ballet.

A Korea–France future generation exchange program is also underway. The Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange collaborates with the École nationale supérieure d’art de Bourges (Ensa Bourges) in France to facilitate a project involving video art majors from both countries, aiming to support exchanges between young artists from Korea and France.

Minister YU In Chon stated, “I congratulate the hosting of the Olympics in Paris after a hundred years. I know this Paris Olympics to be the world’s greatest sports and cultural festival. I am pleased that the 2024 Korea Season can be a part of the Cultural Olympics program held in the cultural city of Paris.” He added, “We have prepared everything from performances and exhibitions by Korea’s finest national art organizations to concerts by world-class developmental disability orchestras so that all athletes and tourists visiting France can experience the full spectrum of Korean culture and arts.”

Detailed program information for the “2024 Korea Season” can be found on the official website (www.koreaseason.co.kr).