The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) will present the K-Culture Forum: Beyond the Headlines in London on Monday, October 24, 2025, marking the return of this significant cultural event. The forum will reveal comprehensive findings on 2025 Korean Trends in the UK, based on extensive analysis of media coverage from 20 major British news outlets, and showcase the Top 10 K-Culture Keywords that are shaping public perception of Korean culture.

Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, emphasized the emotional power of Korean soft power in her opening remarks. "K-soft power is emotional power. It connects the world through an emotional language fused with cutting-edge technology," Sun explained. "K-Culture has become a global standard of emotional expression in digital culture. I like to call this essence of Korean aesthetics the joyful expression of one's will – the fundamental human desire to express one's intent, to feel joy when it's fulfilled, and frustration when it's not."

The forum's opening keynote speech, titled "A Life in K-Culture," will be delivered by Dr. Seunghye Sun, who will present five key cultural domains representing the 2025 Korean Trends in the UK. These domains reflect how British audiences are currently engaging with Korean culture across multiple sectors. In literature, the analysis highlights Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature achievement and Susan Choi's "Flashlight" being shortlisted for the Booker Prize, along with the inclusion of Korean web novels at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

The visual arts sector demonstrates significant growth through exhibitions such as Mire Lee's "Open Wounds" at Tate Modern and Haegue Yang's "Leap Year" at Hayward Gallery, both expressing themes of courage and healing. The music landscape showcases global fandom through BLACKPINK's major concerts at Hyde Park and Wembley Stadium, while K-Pop trends are represented by the rise of the digital alpha generation, particularly through phenomena like "KPop Demon Hunters."

Cultural heritage initiatives are being redefined through AI-driven projects including "Digital Heritage: AI with You" (2024) and "Endless Bonds: AI and Korean Heritage" (2025), which create new emotional connections between technology and Korean aesthetics. Following the keynote address, Dasuk Kim, Press Officer at KCCUK, will present the Top 10 K-Culture Keywords derived from analysis of articles across 20 leading UK media outlets.

The comprehensive keyword analysis reveals trending topics that include KPop Demon Hunters, Squid Game, Plot Twist, Son Heung-min, BLACKPINK, Tteokbokki, Gochujang, Do Ho Suh, Glass Skin, and Haenyeo. Kim notes that over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms have dramatically expanded access to Korean content, while Korean food continues to expand its reach beyond traditional Korean restaurants into everyday British experiences. "Korean words are now being used directly in English, reflecting the growing influence and familiarity of K-Culture," Kim observed.

The forum's second session, "K-Culture Unwrapped," will explore the expansion of K-Content and K-Cuisine, two sectors driving significant cultural growth across the UK. Sue Lee, Communications Manager of KCCUK, explained the focus: "This year's forum highlights two of the most dynamic areas of K-Culture in UK media coverage – K-Content and the newly emerging K-Food. We invited experts who can vividly convey how BBC's coverage of Korean culture has evolved from trend-focused to more in-depth reporting, the main features of Korean culture that captured the attention of global young audiences, and how Korean cuisine captivates both popular and high-end culture."

The panel will feature four distinguished speakers offering diverse perspectives on Korean cultural influence. Yoonnyung Lee, Senior Journalist at BBC, will highlight how the BBC's coverage of Korean culture has evolved from trend-focused reporting to in-depth, analytical perspectives with socio-cultural storytelling, citing "KPop Demon Hunters" as a prime example of K-Culture's global resonance. Armand de Lambilly, YouTuber and content creator with ARMAX Productions known for appearances on "Korean Englishman," will emphasize authenticity and emotional connection as key strengths of Korean culture among British youth.

De Lambilly notes that UK audiences, especially those in their twenties, are particularly drawn to the warmth, attention to detail, and sincerity found in Korean content. Jisu Han, Managing Director of CJ Foods UK, will discuss how interest in Korean cuisine, initially sparked by K-content consumption, has evolved into a comprehensive experience-led culture. Using Bibigo's global expansion as a case study, Han will outline strategic approaches focusing on on-the-table expansion, consumer engagement and activation marketing, and the creation of a broader Korean cultural ecosystem.

Jihoon Kim, Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental London Mayfair, will share insights from Somssi, a fine dining establishment that introduces refined Korean aesthetics to London's culinary scene. Kim emphasizes that craftsmanship, emotion, and cultural storytelling represent the future direction of Korean food culture in international markets, moving beyond traditional approaches to create sophisticated dining experiences.

The evening will conclude with an open forum session, inviting audience members to share their thoughts, ask questions, and exchange ideas with the presenters and fellow attendees. This interactive segment is designed to facilitate rich exchanges of ideas regarding the future trajectory of Korean culture and its continued global resonance, particularly in the UK market. The forum aims to provide comprehensive insights into how Korean cultural influence continues to evolve and expand across various sectors of British society and media coverage.