President Lee to discuss future of K-pop in special Arirang TV program

From chart-topping K-pop groups to the Netflix animation "KPop Demon Hunters," Korean popular culture continues to transcend borders and captivate audiences around the globe.

President Lee, who has long emphasized the power of culture, will join Arirang TV's special program this afternoon to reflect on the industry's rise and how to take it even further on the world stage.

Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin has a preview.

The driving force behind South Korea's national strength.

That's how President Lee Jae Myung described Korean culture at his latest Cabinet meeting on Monday, pointing to the global success of the Netflix hit "KPop Demon Hunters."

The movie has become the platform's most-watched animated film, while its soundtrack continues to dominate major charts, from the U.S. Billboard to the UK's Official Chart.

Building on that momentum, the President is set to appear on an Arirang TV special program, "K-Pop: The Next Chapter," on Wednesday to discuss the future of the K-pop industry, the backbone of the Korean Wave.

He will be joined by a star-studded panel: Maggie Kang, writer and director of "KPop Demon Hunters," members Jihyo and Jeongyeon of the K-pop girl group TWICE, music producer R.Tee, and culture critic Kim Young-dae.

The Presidential Office says they'll share ideas on how to further expand K-pop's global reach and explore policy directions to support its growth.

This follows the President's call to craft strategies to cement Korea's status as a cultural powerhouse.

"Based on the Arm's Length Principle of supporting but not interfering, I ask relevant ministries to come up with a comprehensive plan, which includes strategies to spread K-content worldwide and expand infrastructure, such as K-pop related facilities."

You can catch "K-pop: The Next Chapter" on Arirang this Wednesday at 5 PM, Korea time.

Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.