K-wave AI News

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story.

Korea's southern port city of Busan has been selected to host next year's UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting.

The decision was announced on Tuesday at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

The World Heritage Committee is a key international body responsible for the inscription and preservation of World Heritage Sites, often described as "treasures of humanity."

Choi Eung-chon, head of the Korea Heritage Service, highlighted Korea's consistent support for world heritage preservation, vowing full preparations for the upcoming session in Busan, next July.

The Broadway musical "The Great Gatsby," produced by a Korean production company, is set to be staged in Seoul following acclaimed runs on Broadway and in London's West End.

The show will kick off with preview performances on August 1 and run through November 9 at the GS Art Center in Seoul.

At a press conference, producer Shin Chun-soo described the Seoul run as marked by "nervous fear," adding that the key challenge is ensuring the production resonates universally with global audiences.

The production received widespread praise for elevating the profile of Korean musicals, winning Best Costume Design at the Tony Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of theater.

The Pinkfong Company, globally renowned for "Baby Shark," is striking a chord again with its musical "Udangtangtang Family," based on its next-generation character "Bebefinn."

The production has surpassed 100,000 cumulative attendees and, riding on its success, will hold encore performances.

Since its debut last year, the Bebefinn musical has toured 25 cities nationwide, consistently selling out and establishing itself as a hit in the kids' family musical market.

The story centers on the Bebefinn family as they face an unexpected adventure amid their peaceful daily lives.

Encore shows will run from July 29 to August 24 at the Gwacheon National Science Museum, with additional performances planned in major cities including Cheonan, Gwangju, and Pyeongtaek during the summer vacation period.

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