K-wave AI News

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

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's budget for next year has been set at around 7.8 trillion won, or nearly 5.6 billion U.S. dollars. That's up about 10% from this year. A key focus of next year's budget is boosting Korea's content industry, with some 330 million dollars set to be allocated to related funds, which marks a significant increase from this year.

Over 180 million dollars will be invested in establishing a 'Global K-Culture Hub' in major cities worldwide to support further expansion of K-content. Support will also be expanded for the utilization of AI and other technological support within the K-content industry.

The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 kicked off Thursday with an opening ceremony, launching a 60-day run. Now in its 14th edition, the biennale is a leading international event showcasing the full spectrum of crafts, from ceramics and textiles to metalwork, bringing together artists and works from around the world.

Under the theme "Re_Crafting Tomorrow," this year's biennale runs through November 2, presenting more than 2,500 works by artists from 72 countries. The event explores the essence of craft and its enduring role in human life, rooted in the fundamentals of food, clothing, and shelter.

Katsushika Hokusai's "Under the Wave off Kanagawa," a symbolic masterpiece of Japanese art, is currently on display in Korea.

The world-famous woodblock print is being showcased as part of the special exhibition "Home of Fujisan, Yamanashi," hosted by the Cheongju National Museum to mark the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization.

The exhibition features over 100 cultural treasures from the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, including 13 Important Cultural Properties of Japan and six Yamanashi-designated cultural assets. The show runs through December 28.

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