Starting in June, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) launched the Overseas Korean Cultural Centers Tour Program Support Project (“Cultural Centers Tour Project”) to promote high-quality K-content abroad through 17 Korean Cultural Centers in 16 countries worldwide.

The Cultural Center Tour Project connects and supports exceptional Korean cultural and artistic organizations seeking to showcase their performances or exhibitions abroad, facilitating tours to where Korean Cultural Centers are located. Compared to a one-time overseas expansion, this project helps overseas Korean Cultural Centers and participating organizations reduce costs¹, including transportation and airfare, allowing them to introduce Korea’s exceptional content to more countries.

Starting with the “Bandi Walk” in South Africa and “Far, Far Side of the World” in Japan in June, there will be 11 outstanding performances and exhibitions held at 17 Korean Cultural Centers in 16 countries until November

This year, a total of 11 excellent performances and exhibitions will be hosted by 17 Korean Cultural Centers in 16 countries. The first tour program, “Bandi Walk,” organized by the Asia Culture Center Foundation, started on June 3 and continues until August 30 in South Africa. “Bandi Walk” is a media art exhibition² that explores ways to overcome the climate crisis and is themed “One Step Closer to Our Earth.” In commemoration of the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit³, this exhibition is held through art exchanges, with Korean and South African artists jointly participating. After the exhibition in South Africa, it will be moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it will run from October 1 to November 15.

In Japan, the exhibition called Far, Far Side of the World will be held at the Seoul Museum of Art. With the theme “Connection,” 4 contemporary Korean artists⁴ express various interpretations and understandings that change based on the history and geographical characteristics of Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Osaka through photographs, sounds, and videos. “Far, Far Side of the World” will be held sequentially in three cities: Tokyo (June 5 – August 1), Hong Kong (August 14 – October 5), and Osaka (October 18 – November 30).

Performances have also been organized to commemorate the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Heart to Heart Orchestra, a symphony orchestra featuring musicians with developmental disabilities, will perform “K-Classic” with the theme “Beyond Diversity to Inclusion” in Belgium (September 4–5) and France (September 7–8).

YONG Ho Seong, Deputy Minister of the MCST, said, “We plan to actively introduce excellent programs through local cultural institutions, art organizations, and young and emerging artists through local organizations, including overseas Korean Cultural Centers.” He added, “In 2025, we will brand the Cultural Center Tour Project as “Touring K-Arts” and greatly expand its scale to add not only performances and exhibitions but also lectures and educational programs introducing Korean culture and history to the tour program.”

¹ If one group tours several neighboring countries, the expenses, including transportation and airfare costs, can be reduced by over 30%.

² A total of 4 types of media art video work by AABB, LIM Yong Hyun, LEE Jo Heum, and CHOI Ji Ee, 2 types of installation works by UM A Long and CHOI Ji Ee

³ An exhibition showcasing a total of 12 works by 10 artists, with 5 artists each from Korea and South Africa

⁴ An exhibition showcasing a total of 14 works by 4 artists from the Nanji Residency Seoul Museum of Art, including KI Se Ki, KIM Woo Jin, SONG Se Jin, and YU Bi Ho