K-wave AI News

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea.

Here's our top story.

The culture ministry is stepping up efforts to promote inbound tourism by tapping into emerging markets.

In partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, it plans to expand global promotion centers from the current ten to twelve this year, adding one to serve Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and another in Türkiye.

Since last year, Korea has been actively exploring new markets through promotion centers in countries without KTO overseas offices, including Sweden, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia.

According to the latest data, the number of tourists from these countries grew by nearly 23% year-on-year in 2024.

The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will host a concert series offering world-class classical performances for as little as 1,000 won, or just 70 U.S. cents.

From April to December, the center will hold eight performances featuring a diverse range of classical music, including works by renowned composers such as Rachmaninoff and Rachmaninoff and Beethoven, as well as opera and classical film music.

Ticket prices will range from 1,000 won to a maximum of 10,000 won.

The series will kick off on April 1 with a concert titled "Meeting Young Artists."

Korea's renowned Pianist Lim Yun-chan will hold a surprise recital next month at the Goyang Aram Nuri Music Hall.

From March 23 to 25, he will perform Bach's Goldberg Variations, along with a new piece by Lee Hanurij titled "Round and Velvety-Smooth Blend."

Lim's agency explained that the performance is a special gift for fans in Korea who have been eagerly awaiting his rendition of the Goldberg Variations.

It is not part of a formal recital tour but rather a guerrilla-style performance.

The proceeds from the concert will be donated to pediatric patients.

That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.