The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) will host "2026 K-EXPO FRANCE: All about K-Culture" from the 16th to the 19th at the Palais des Congrès and Le Méridien Etoile Hotel in Paris, the agency said Tuesday. Marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, the event serves as a stage to accelerate the expansion of K-content, culture and industry across Europe.
The Paris event is a follow-up project building on the success of "2026 K-EXPO USA," held in Los Angeles in May. That event drew approximately 40,000 visitors, establishing itself as the largest K-culture business event in North America. It secured a practical foundation for overseas expansion, generating more than 500 business outcomes and more than 30 memorandums of understanding (MOUs). KOCCA plans to extend this momentum into the European market.
This "K-EXPO FRANCE" goes beyond a simple exhibition, forming a complex cultural platform that encompasses K-pop performances, AI- and XR-based technology experiences, and K-beauty and K-food experiences. From the 16th to the 18th, about 60 Korean companies will take part in a B2C exhibition, with six themed zones operating, including K-IP Discovery, K-Tech Connect, K-Beauty Boutique and K-Food Market.
Netflix Korea will introduce examples of collaboration with Korean companies, while AI content firms such as CJ ENM will showcase technology-based content in a movie theater format. In particular, "K-Tech Connect," organized for the first time this year, will unveil experiential content utilizing XR, AR and AI technologies.
In the K-beauty section, the Korea Institute of Cosmetic Industry, Cosway and Pugen Bio will participate to introduce the latest trends, while the K-Food Market will run experiential programs including Han River ramyeon, tteokbokki and seafood tastings. XR company iStaging will present an immersive exhibition combining Korean traditional mother-of-pearl craftsmanship with European luxury brand collaborations.
Stage programs have also been arranged. At "K-Food: Taste&Talk," hosted by actor Ryu Soo-young, Korean traditional food culture will be introduced with a focus on temple cuisine.
On the evening of the 17th, the K-pop concert "INKIGAYO in Paris" will be held. Six teams, including SHINee's Taemin, Monsta X, NCT WISH, 82MAJOR, Stella Jang and Hearts2Hearts, will perform and interact with French fans. A special performance combining the cultures of both countries will also take place to mark the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations.
From the 18th to the 19th, export consultation sessions will continue at Le Méridien Etoile Hotel. A total of 46 Korean content, AI and beauty companies will participate, holding one-on-one business meetings with about 100 major European media, distribution and production firms, including Fnac Darty, Banijay and Média-Participations. The sessions are expected to expand cooperation in local distribution and production.
A KOCCA official said the event "will become a turning point in which K-content expands beyond cultural consumption into Europe's industrial ecosystem," adding, "We will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations."
Meanwhile, following Paris, "K-EXPO" is scheduled to be held in Mexico City in September, with plans to continue the global expansion of K-content through strategies tailored to each region's characteristics.
