K-wave AI News

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

Here's our top story.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Korea last month reached over 1.6 million, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, that's 105% of the figure from March 2019 and an 8% increase from a year earlier.

China topped the list of visitors to Korea last month with 417,000 arrivals, followed by Japan, Taiwan, and the United States.

Notably, tourist arrivals from the Middle East and Africa exceeded 107% of pre-COVID levels, while those from Europe and the Americas reached 134%.

The National Museum of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty fully opened today, unveiling a comprehensive look at 500 years of Joseon history.

The museum is dedicated to the "Joseon Wangjo Sillok," or Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, and "Uigwe," records detailing the dynasty's administration and royal protocols.

This marks the full opening of the museum about a year and a half after a partial exhibition in 2023.

Located at Pyeongchang County in Gangwon-do Province, the museum houses over 1,200 artifacts from Joseon, including numerous national treasures.

To commemorate the museum's full opening, a special exhibition will be held through July 13, featuring around 40 artifacts that shed light on the history of the Odaesan Archives, where the Joseon royal records were originally housed.

How about spending the upcoming golden holiday surrounded by lush green tea fields?

The 'Boseong Green Tea Festival' kicks off on Friday at the Korean Tea Culture Park in Boseong County, Jeollanam-do Province.

Blending tradition with a modern touch, this year's festival features over 80 programs that offer a fresh take on Boseong's iconic green tea, targeting younger generations and the global market.

The festival's signature event, the 'Grand Tea Party,' returns on a larger scale this year, welcoming up to 500 guests.

A special K-Tea Culture Pavilion will also offer immersive experiences highlighting Korea's growing presence in the global tea scene.

The festival runs through May 6.

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