Deputy Minister for Public Communication Kong Hyungsik from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on May 7 gives a welcoming speech at the seventh annual launching ceremony for K-influencers at Arirang TV headquarters in Seoul's Seocho-gu District.
By Hong Angie
Photos = Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Foreign ambassadors of Korean culture from around the world have officially launched activities promoting Hallyu (Korean Wave).
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on May 7 held the seventh annual launching ceremony for K-influencers at Arirang TV headquarters in Seoul's Seocho-gu District. Foreign content creators who attended the ceremony, which was held both online and offline, received their certificates of appointment to begin their efforts to promote Korea.
This year's class features 1,152 K-influencers from 98 countries this year -- 122 residing in Korea and 1,030 overseas. Playing a leading role in promoting Korea worldwide, they plan to create diverse content featuring the country's culture, history, traditions and daily life through their perspectives.
The ministry's systematic support programs offer training in the use of artificial intelligence, consulting from experts and specialized lectures to boost the creative capabilities of content creators. The top five K-influencers selected through a year-end performance assessment will earn a free trip to Korea.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kong Hyungsik (center) on May 7 takes a photo with two K-influencers to whom he present certificates of appointment at the seventh annual launching ceremony for K-influencers at Arirang TV headquarters in Seoul's Seocho-gu District.
Launched in 2020, this project looks for foreign creators of Korean-centric content who use their videos to promote Korea.
This year's recruitment saw 4,184 applicants from 134 countries, the highest numbers in the program's history. Successful candidates were mainly in Asia (37.3%), followed by those in South America (19.6%), Africa (19.4%) and Europe (11.6%).
One standout K-influencer is Eye Candy Dance Crew of Mexico, which has 337,000 subscribers. The group will spread the fun and energy of Korean culture through their dynamic dance moves.
Aiyaphat Wankawisant from Thailand, whose series on Korean subway stations earned him attention, is another. As a YouTuber with 105,000 followers, he was named an outstanding creator in 2024 by the ministry.
"I want to do more than just convey information and vividly showcase Korea as a living culture," he said.
K-influencers and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for Public Communication Kong Hyungsik (center in second row) on May 7 take a group photo at the seventh annual launching ceremony for K-influencers at Arirang TV headquarters in Seoul's Seocho-gu District.
