Paris: South Korea will hold a Korean culture expo in Paris this week to promote exports of Korean cultural content, food, beauty products, fashion, and tourism, officials said Monday. The "K-Expo France 2026" is scheduled from Tuesday to Friday in the French capital as part of South Korea-hosted events marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties with France.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with several other ministries, has organized the K-Expo in different countries since 2022 to enhance the overseas expansion of Korean firms by linking cultural content with related industries, such as agriculture, fisheries, and cosmetics. Major companies and institutions will showcase Korean consumer products and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive content, at the Palais des Congres from Tuesday to Thursday.
Global streaming giant Netflix will join forces with companies and institutions that have utilized the intellectual property of its popular Korean original series, such as "KPop Demon Hunters," "Squid Game," and "Culinary Class Wars," for sales and promotion. The Korea Tourism Organization will recreate elements, like subway spaces and hiking trails, to promote Korea's four seasons and operate an aircraft seat experience zone in collaboration with Korean Air.
Visitors will have the opportunity to sample products at a convenience store-style K-food experience zone featuring items like "Han River instant noodles," instant ramen cooked and eaten outdoors using automated machines along the river, and vegan kimchi. Additional exhibition areas will promote Korean seafood products, cosmetics, books, and Nongshim food brands.
CJ ENM and 11 tech firms will take part in an AI-based film and animation experience zone, while exhibitions will include augmented reality book content and digital displays highlighting collaborations between French luxury fashion houses, such as Louis Vuitton, and Korean high-end craft brands.
Side events on Thursday and Friday will include a cooking show focused on Korean seafood, a talk program by actor Ryu Soo-young on Korean cuisine, Korean-style skin care demonstrations, lectures by Korean authors, and K-pop dance events. A business matchmaking program involving 46 companies in the content and beauty sectors is also planned.
A K-pop concert, a key event marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties, will occur on Wednesday. The lineup includes Taemin, Monsta X, Hearts2Hearts, NCT Wish, Stella Jang, and 82Major. The concert will commence with a commemorative ceremony attended by the culture ministers of both countries, followed by performances featuring songs popular in both Korea and France.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Chae Whi-young will visit Paris for the expo to inspect the site and meet with the French culture minister and heads of major cultural and arts institutions to discuss bilateral issues. "The event would serve as a meaningful opportunity to introduce diverse aspects of Korean culture to France, which has maintained cultural exchanges with Korea for 140 years," Chae stated in a release.