AGP Executive Report

Festival Season: Songpa’s Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival opens Oct. 23 with a 900-drone show, K-pop performances, traditional music, period costumes and food stalls. K-pop Goes Solo: “Always Lalisa,” a new documentary opening Oct. 12, follows Blackpink’s Lisa as she builds a solo career and finds her footing beyond the strict rules of her former label. Seoul After Dark: The city is pitching its nightlife as a global draw, with Jongno’s hanok-lined alleys, cafes and outdoor dining at the heart of its night-economy push. Stage Debut: “Hamilton” comes to Korea for the first time, with runs in Busan from Dec. 17 and Seoul from Jan. 21. Childcare Crunch: Births are rising, but parents still face long waits for daycare places as the number of centers has fallen about 40% since 2013.

Higher Education: South Korea will invest 600 billion won over five years in 33 private colleges to build specialist programs in fields including semiconductors, aviation, care and culture. Culture Spending: Card spending on cultural activities fell 11.2% in 2025 and dropped another 6.8% in the first half of this year, outpacing the smaller decline in tourism and leisure spending. Youth Work: Complaints about unpaid wages and workplace harassment are rising in Seoul’s trendy Seongsu district, where young employees report long hours and missing allowances. AI Training: SK Group plans a two-year, hands-on AI program for people aged 19 to 34, offering participants a monthly stipend of 3 million won. Cultural Tourism: SK Telecom and national museum partners will use its Seongsu venue to showcase Korean artifacts and encourage visits to regional museums and destinations.

Seongsu’s Work Culture: Wage-theft complaints in Seoul’s trendy Seongdong District rose 136% from 2022 to 2025. At eyewear brand Gentle Monster, 71.8% of surveyed employees on flexible schedules said they worked over 52 hours a week during busy periods. Temple Trend: Bongeunsa’s tiny wooden moktak clickers keep selling out, turning a centuries-old Buddhist ritual instrument into a viral fidget toy. Child Care: South Korea had 26,064 daycare centers in 2025, down 41% from the 2013 peak as low birth rates shrink enrollment. Changing Families: A study found 75% of unmarried Korean women hold mixed views on marriage and children, rather than firmly supporting or rejecting them. Tourism: Foreign arrivals topped 15 million in the first eight months, but Korea ranked near the bottom for high-wage tourism jobs, highlighting the industry’s uneven gains. Stage & Identity: A new Seoul play tells the story of 69-year-old transgender performer Saek-ja, whose five decades on nightclub stages began when visibility and acceptance were scarce. K-Culture Abroad: A free Korean culture festival in Hyderabad on Oct. 25 will showcase K-pop, food and beauty trends.

Korea-Japan Exchange: Seoul’s 22nd Korea-Japan Festival cast cultural ties as a message of reconciliation, with performances and a Japanese tuna-cutting show drawing crowds. Gender & Family: A study of 1,496 unmarried Korean women found three-quarters hold mixed, ambivalent views on marriage and children. Coffee Culture: Starbucks Korea reclaimed the sales lead in September, five months after backlash over a promotion tied to the May 18 Gwangju Uprising anniversary. Craft & Culture: Seoul’s Seoripul K-String Fair opens Oct. 17, showcasing 28 handcrafted violins, violas and cellos by Korean and Italian makers. K-pop: Jennie joined The Weeknd for their first live performance of “One of the Girls” in Seoul; ATEEZ has also announced a world tour starting in Korea in January 2027. Screen: Kim Ji Won’s new medical-noir drama “Doctor X” opened to an 11.4 percent nationwide rating, the strongest miniseries debut of the year so far. K-culture Abroad: A free Korean culture festival in Hyderabad on Oct. 25 will feature K-pop, food and traditional performances.

Arts & Identity: Korean theater-maker Jaha Koo, honored with the International Ibsen Award, explores belonging through Haribo Kimchi, a performance blending Korean food and European life. A new profile follows 69-year-old Saekja’s five decades in Seoul nightlife and the barriers faced by transgender women. Seoul’s Local Culture: Seongdong District will extend its restrictions on new corporate chains in Seongsu-dong from December, aiming to protect independent shops as the neighborhood grows popular. Food & Travel: Busan has unveiled two signature meal sets showcasing coastal ingredients, while a Dubai-style cookie has become a hit with foreign visitors even as Korean demand fades. K-Culture Abroad: A free Korean culture festival featuring K-pop, food and traditional performances is set for Hyderabad on Oct. 25, after events in Delhi. Travel & Heritage: Korean visits to Japan are on track to top 10 million this year for the first time. Korea Post will issue Faker commemorative stamps on Oct. 23, alongside a Seoul exhibition celebrating his esports career.

Living Heritage: Suwon’s Hwaseong Cultural Festival is bringing King Jeongjo’s 1795 royal procession to life with hundreds of performers, traditional music and hands-on events through Oct. 11. Music: Gayageum player DoYeon Kim is pushing beyond genre labels, drawing on Korean tradition, jazz and improvisation for an upcoming Seattle performance. Youth & Safety: Teen-focused Korean chatbot Zeta is under scrutiny after producing abusive, suicide-encouraging messages despite its minor safety mode; regulators have yet to finish reviewing most complaints. Books & Identity: A long-unseen Osamu Tezuka manga about discrimination against ethnic Koreans in Japan has reached its seventh printing. Seoul Life: The city plans to make Jamsu Bridge pedestrian-only next year, creating room for cultural events; Condé Nast Traveler readers have also named Seoul the world’s top big city. Human Rights: A Korean researcher who interviewed 42 death-row inmates is calling for capital punishment to end, as the country marks World Day Against the Death Penalty.

Culture Exchange: Vietnam showcased áo dài, handicrafts and folk traditions at Seoul’s Better Together festival, alongside K-beauty, gayageum, K-pop and taekwondo. Hangeul at 100: Korea marked a century of Hunmaeng Jeongeum, the six-dot Hangul braille system created by teacher Park Doo-sung. A new alphabet-learning song by singer Lee Sun-hee is set to reach Korean-language classes in 47 countries. Korean Cinema: Director Alfonso Cuarón praised Korean films during his first visit to Busan, where the international film festival is bringing global creators together. Language Goes Pop: A Japanese TV hit featuring Korean dialogue reflects the language’s growing place in Japan’s entertainment, slang and advertising. Arts Abroad: Seoul-born musical Maybe Happy Ending is sustaining a rare long Broadway run after winning six Tony Awards. Public Spaces: Seoul plans to make Jamsu Bridge pedestrian-only, creating room for Han River cultural events. Rights and Safety: South Korea continues to struggle with online sexual exploitation a decade after the Soranet shutdown.

Migrant Rights: An Indian man has petitioned South Korea’s human rights watchdog, alleging immigration officers taped his mouth and choked him during deportation. Video shown at a parliamentary audit prompted the acting justice minister to call the use of tape “clearly wrong.” Autumn Culture: Guri’s Cosmos Festival opens Oct. 9–11, with flower fields spanning nearly 80,000 square meters, walking paths and performances by local artists. Hangeul Centennial: Seoul is marking 100 years since Hangeul Day was established with exhibitions, concerts and events along the Han River; a city museum is also tracing the history of Korean typewriters. Public Space: Seoul plans to make Jamsu Bridge pedestrian-only next year, opening the way for more cultural events on the Han River. Travel: Seoul was named the world’s top big city in Condé Nast Traveler’s readers’ poll, adding fresh international recognition for the capital.

K-pop Goes Global: HYBE will take its Weverse Con Festival outside Korea for the first time, staging a two-day K-pop and Indian music event in New Delhi in March 2027. Seoul on the Map: Condé Nast Traveler readers named Seoul the world’s best big city, while the city plans to turn Jamsu Bridge into a pedestrian-only Han River destination next year. Hangeul at 100: Seoul is marking the alphabet’s centennial with riverfront events and a museum exhibition tracing the history of Korean typewriters. Fourteen Korean authors are also meeting readers at Frankfurt Book Fair. Culture and Debate: The Busan film festival’s “The Assassin(s)” controversy continues to divide audiences, as threats against cast members raise concerns about creative freedom. Beauty Check: Experts caution that elaborate “glass skin” routines, rooted in Korean beauty culture, may pose risks when they involve excessive layers of skincare. Fairness Under Review: After footballers’ comments sparked backlash, the government is reviewing military-service exemptions for Asian Games gold medalists; no changes have been finalized.

Seoul on Top: The capital ranked No. 1 among big cities in Condé Nast Traveler’s readers’ poll, with voters drawn to its mix of palaces, food, arts and nightlife. TV Spotlight: The Seoul International Drama Awards honored screenwriter Kim Eun-sook and Korean series, alongside shows from 46 countries and regions. Busan After Dark: New cruises, night markets and performances are expanding the city’s evening offerings as Taiwanese visitors surge. K-pop, Reimagined: International cover-dance crews are turning fan performances into a global scene, with dancers creating polished takes on choreography and music-video staging. Hangeul Without Borders: Writing contests in Seoul and Daegu brought together thousands of international students and residents to share what the Korean language means to them. Protecting K-Brands: South Korea has launched a QR-based authentication system to help shoppers spot counterfeits as Korean food, beauty and entertainment gain global popularity.

Arts & Music: Korean-Austrian duo CelloGayageum will make its Los Angeles debut on Oct. 23, blending gayageum and cello in nine original works and arrangements. Sports & Service: Seoul plans to review military-service exemptions for athletes and artists after Asian Games footballers’ comments sparked a backlash over fairness. Korean Culture Abroad: Fifteen publishers are showcasing Korean titles at the Frankfurt Book Fair, while HYBE plans to bring its Weverse Con festival to New Delhi in 2027. As Hangeul Day marks 100 years, the alphabet is drawing new learners through K-pop, dramas and webtoons. Student Life: South Korea plans simpler student visas, including a gap-year route and eased financial requirements for applicants with strong Korean skills. Heritage & Nature: The DMZ Botanic Garden marks 10 years protecting native plants near the border. Film & Free Expression: Singapore’s film festival will screen The Assassin(s) despite protests from South Korean conservatives; actor Yoo Hae-jin has received police protection amid threats.

Energy & Tech Recognition: LG Electronics Canada won its sixth ENERGY STAR Canada Award for leading energy-efficient commercial products. Healthcare & Regional Life: Regional hospitals still struggle with empty beds and delayed surgeries as staffing shortages and the post-doctor-standoff specialist pipeline drag on. Population Policy: Korea redesignated 92 areas as population-declining, and plans to reshape the 1 trillion won regional response fund toward housing, income and care. Education & Jobs: Jeonnam-Gwangju’s merged education office marks 100 days with four “K-Education Special City” tasks, aiming to widen opportunities beyond admin borders. K-Culture & Consumer Buzz: Lotte Wellfood’s Pepero Day ad with Stray Kids hit 10 million views in six days. Immigration & Student Visas: Korea will adjust foreign student visas, including differentiated job-seeking stays and a separate track for science/engineering/specialized talent as enrollment tops 350,000. Entertainment & Content Business: Shinsegae Group plans a $1B stake in Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros. deal to build an Asia content hub. Public Safety & Film Backlash: Actor Yoo Hae-jin received police protection amid threats tied to “The Assassin(s),” as defamation complaints pile up. Lifestyle Trend: Young Koreans are embracing “sleep maxxing,” optimizing sleep with habits, devices and supplements.

Frontier AI Push: South Korea plans a $3.5 billion (4.7 trillion won) frontier AI model program starting in March 2027, with a lead developer picked via tender after the 2027 budget clears. Health & Lifestyle: Korea’s adult obesity rate hit a record 35.4% in 2025, with experts stressing that long-term results come from steady routines plus medication when needed—not diets or drugs alone. Hospitality Tech: SMARTeLOCK is rolling out contactless hotel check-in and mobile keys that let guests bypass the front desk while operators manage locks in real time. Culture & Heritage: Seoul is hosting a Better Together Culture & Wellness festival for Hangeul Day, mixing K-beauty wellness tech, traditional games, and booths from multiple countries. Food Tourism: Seoul unveiled its 2026 Gourmet 100 list, mapping top picks across Korean, Western, Asian, grill, vegetarian, cafe/dessert, and bars. Pop Culture: K-pop comeback season heats up in October, with major releases lining up across IVE, ILLIT, RIIZE and more. Film Controversy: Actor Yoo Hae-jin received police protection after protests tied to “The Assassin(s)” over alleged historical distortion. Sports Policy: The defense ministry is considering cutting back or scrapping military service exemptions for athletes and artists after renewed public backlash.

Women in the spotlight: Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women Asia” list spotlights South Korea’s badminton star An Se-young and chef-educator Cho Eun-hee, reflecting how sport and food culture are becoming major lifestyle influence channels. After-sales culture: A new LG Canada survey says most Canadians weigh customer service and warranty support before buying appliances, pushing brands to compete on trust, not just specs. K-culture on the move: Sogang University was selected for a government-led AI training project aimed at transforming manufacturing, while Seoul’s new chief health policy adviser (Yonsei professor Kim Hyun-chul) will shape citywide wellbeing priorities. Korean drama binge season: Viki curates fresh picks for viewers hunting their next obsession, as late-night marathons keep spreading. Everyday Korea, reimagined: Handwriting classes are booming in Seoul’s Daechi-dong as kids relearn pencil skills for essay-based assessments. Global community lens: A look at Ansan’s foreign resident enclaves shows how language, shops, and daily routines adapt when Korea becomes more diverse. Festival quirks: At some Korean festivals, paper “queue markers” replace real lines—fun for some, frustrating for others. Tech-meets-military: SK Telecom showcased defense AI and communications tech at the Ground Forces Festival.

K-Drama & Film Culture: Lead actor Yoo Hae-jin says he’ll take a firm stance against protesters outside his home over the historical thriller “The Assassin(s),” as the culture minister and a coalition of 19 film industry groups urge debate to stay focused on the work—not personal threats. Education & Tech: Upstage has been selected to help build AI that automatically generates English questions for South Korea’s college entrance exam (Suneung), with development aimed to start next year. Language & Learning Trends: Handwriting correction academies in Seoul are seeing rising demand as kids struggle with penmanship and schools push more written assessments. Beauty & Lifestyle: Mary Kay launches a limited “K-Beauty Texture Edit” featuring Korea-made skincare products, betting on playful textures and self-care routines. Heritage & History: Researchers say South Korea has identified the country’s oldest known gunpowder weapon—a 14th/15th-century bronze “fire tube” inscribed with Korean characters. Sports & Society: South Korea’s Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games delegation returns after finishing third overall, while the Games also reignited debate over military service exemptions. People & Community: About 900 North Korean defectors gathered in Daejeon for a peace festival focused on coexistence and family reunions.

Asian Games Wrap: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closed with a 90-minute light-and-music ceremony, but the event still faced scrutiny over logistics, including athlete accommodation and transport problems that left some South Korean athletes in cramped container units. Seoul Culture Policy: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon returned to Bukchon to review 18 years of hanok preservation, unveiling plans to expand the hanok policy beyond Bukchon to more neighborhoods. K-Drama Discovery: Webtoon-to-screen adaptations are driving the next wave of bingeable Korean dramas, with Netflix and Disney+ leaning hard on already-popular source material. Vape Loophole: Korea’s nicotine-free vape liquid imports surged after synthetic nicotine was reclassified as tobacco, while nicotine-analogue and nicotine-free products still slip through key rules—raising youth health concerns. Disability Abuse Case: A state-run care home director was sentenced to 15 years for sexual abuse of disabled residents; the case shocked the country and is still under appeal. K-Culture Abroad: A K-Lifestyle showcase in Nairobi put Korean food, beauty, tech, and pop culture in front of Kenyan consumers and partners. Pop Culture & Charity: Stray Kids’ Bang Chan marked his birthday with a 300 million won donation split across youth healthcare, education support, and environmental preservation.