The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) will present the K-Culture Forum: Beyond the Headlines in London on Monday, October 24, 2025. The comprehensive event aims to provide deeper insights into Korean cultural trends by analyzing media coverage from 20 major British news outlets and highlighting key cultural elements that shape public perception.
The forum will unveil the 2025 Trend Korea report, based on extensive analysis of British media coverage, and showcase KCCUK PICKs featuring standout cultural stories. Dr. Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, emphasized the global appeal of Korean culture, stating that "the strength of Korea's global soft power lies in Korean aesthetics, where Hallyu in the digital age connects with the unique characteristics of Korean culture."
According to Dr. Sun, Korean culture's global success stems from humanistic values that allow individuals to freely express their aspirations. She noted that these core values serve as the driving force propelling K-Culture worldwide, distinguishing it from other cultural exports in the international market.
The event will feature three distinct segments designed to provide comprehensive coverage of Korean cultural influence. The program includes keynote presentations, panel discussions with leading figures in the Korean Wave (Hallyu), and an open forum bringing together Korean and international experts from culture, economics, and digital content sectors.
Part I of the forum will focus on the K-Initiative cultural strategy. Dr. Seunghye Sun will deliver the opening keynote speech, drawing on her extensive experience leading flagship KCCUK campaigns such as Connect Korea and K-Culture Now!. She will introduce the K-Initiative, a comprehensive cultural strategy designed to support the export and promotion of Korean creative content in response to growing UK demand.
Following her address, the KCCUK public relations team will present detailed findings from the 2025 Trend Korea analysis. This presentation will examine articles from 20 leading UK media outlets to reveal trending topics and identify emerging opportunities for cultural collaboration between Korea and Britain.
The team will also unveil KCCUK PICKs, which spotlight remarkable success stories including the popularity of KPop Demon Hunters, the rich heritage of traditional Korean Jang (fermented sauces), and innovative K-beauty products like snail serum that have captured British consumer interest.
Part II, titled "K-Culture Unwrapped," will explore the dynamic expansion of K-Content and K-Cuisine across the UK market. While K-content spanning film, drama, and gaming continues to dominate British media coverage, K-cuisine has recorded the fastest growth in UK media interest compared to the previous year, indicating shifting consumer preferences.
The panel discussion will feature prominent industry figures including Yoonnyung Lee, a Senior Journalist at BBC who wrote about KPop Demon Hunters. This content topped Netflix viewing charts and achieved remarkable success on the UK Official Charts OST ranking, demonstrating the crossover appeal of Korean entertainment.
Jisu Han, Managing Director of CJ Foods UK, will participate as a key speaker representing the Korean food industry. Han has been instrumental in the Korean cuisine boom through the Bibigo brand, which has significantly expanded Korean food accessibility in British markets.
Jihoon Kim, Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental London Mayfair, will also join the panel. Kim leads Somssi, a Korean cuisine-inspired fine dining restaurant that represents the premium segment of Korean culinary culture in London. Together, these industry leaders will share their perspectives on the evolving K-culture landscape, business opportunities, and potential for future collaboration.
The evening will conclude with Part III, an open forum designed to facilitate audience participation. This interactive session will invite attendees to share thoughts, ask questions, and exchange ideas about Korean culture's trajectory and global influence. The open format aims to create meaningful dialogue between industry professionals, cultural enthusiasts, and emerging leaders.
For additional information about the K-Culture Forum: Beyond the Headlines, interested parties can visit the official KCCUK website. The event represents a significant opportunity for cultural exchange and business networking within the growing Korean cultural sector in the United Kingdom.
