The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) in collaboration with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (President KIM Jun Hee) will host various K-Book exhibitions and events. In particular, during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, these initiatives aim to promote Korean books in the European market and lay the foundation for K-Book to enter the global market.

From June to August, the Korean Cultural Center France will present a permanent exhibition featuring Korean-published content, such as picture books, literature, and web novels. In addition, it will run workshops by picture book authors and host “Book talk” from June 11 (Tue) to 14 (Fri) at local bookstores, libraries, and schools in Paris, France. During the Paris Olympics, a “Korea House” operated at a small theater associated with the event will feature lectures by Korean authors on August 6 and 7. Moreover, the Center will host the France K-Fair, showcasing Korean books and authors in October.

The KCC France is hosting a permanent exhibition "K-Book: The Origin of K-Culture," showcasing 110 types of K-Books, including picture books, literature, and original source content for webtoons and dramas

From June 5 (Wed) to August 30 (Fri), the Korean Cultural Center France will present an exhibition titled “K-Book: The Origin of K-Culture,” highlighting 110 pieces of Korean literature published in France. The showcase will include the winners of the 2023 Korea Picture Book Award, picture books without texts, and Korean web novels that have served as source material for webtoons and dramas.

The picture book exhibition showcases eight winners of the recently established Korea Picture Book Award from last year, including “The Disappeared Dinner” by KWON Jung Min, published by Changbi Publishers, and “A Round of Tightrope Walking” by Minha, published by Gloyeon as well as 51 wordless picture books that convey diverse narratives solely through images, transcending language barriers. Notable examples of such kind include “Lines” by LEE Suzy, published by Bilyongso, and “Iceberg” by OH Se Na, published by Kinderland.

The Korean literature exhibition will present 38 Korean literary works accompanied by French translations, including “Do Not Bid Farewell” by HAN Kang, published by Munhakdongne Publishing Corp., who was awarded the 2024 Emile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature in France, as well as the Prix Medicis for foreign literature. Other notable works include “The Song of the Earth” by LEE Seung Woo, published by Minumsa; “They Went to the Forest in the West” by PYUN Hye Young, published by Moonji Publishing Co.; “Stealing Song” by JIN Eun Young, published by Changbi Publishers; and “Moms” by MA Yeong Shin, published by Humanist Publishing Group. The exhibition will also introduce 13 web novels that have expanded into various media realms such as webtoons and dramas, including “What’s up, Ms. Kim” by JUNG Kyung Yoon, published by Gaha Books, and “Semantic Error” by Jeosuri, published by TONE.

Four Korean picture book authors, KIM Sang Keun, OH Se Na, LEE So Young, and JUNG Jin Ho, holds workshops and "book talks" at various venues across Paris

From June 11 (Tue) to 13 (Thu), four Korean picture book authors, including KIM Sang Keun, OH Se Na, LEE So Young, and JUNG Jin Ho will hold various workshops in Paris. These events will take place across eight different venues, including two bookstores (Gros Calin and Libellule et Coccinelle), two libraries (Bibliothèque Louise Michel and Bibliothèque universitaire des langues et civilisations, BULAC), two museums (La Maison des histoires and Musée de poche), and two schools (Armand Silvestre and Les Bruyeres). These workshops will offer a variety of activities for local children, such as painting and crafts.

A “book talk” by Korean and French authors will also be held on June 14 at the BULAC. Moderated by picture book journalist CHOI Hye Jin, authors JUNG Jin Ho and OH Se Na, along with French picture book author Adrien Parlange, will engage in a dialogue on the theme of How does the materiality of a picture book enrich the narrative? Similarly, authors LEE So Young, KIM Sang Keun, and Marie Caudry will explore the topic of narrative landscapes that capture stories of intimate emotions and relationships.

Starting with this exhibition and author events, another author event will be held at the “Korea House” located in a small theater affiliated with the Paris Olympics on August 6 (Tue) and 7 (Wed) during the Olympic Games period. In addition, the 2024 France K-Fair in October will showcase a diverse array of Korean publishing content. Meanwhile, in May, the Médiathèque Municipal De Fontainebleau, which hosted a training camp for the Korean Olympic teams, displayed 77 Korean picture books and Korean literature published in France for a month.