South Korea and France have committed to investing approximately 8000억원을 (5억유로 each) into their respective film and video industries over the next five years, according to reports by Yonhap News. The agreement, dubbed the Lumière Partnership, aims to strengthen content collaboration and establish an operational committee linking production, investment, and distribution on an international scale.
The bilateral framework was announced alongside several major industry agreements. Additionally, the Korean Film Council and the Motion Picture Association signed a talent and knowledge exchange agreement, and South Korea and Italy finalized a separate film co-production treaty.
Public Access Transforms Museum Storage Facilities
Cultural institutions are shifting their operational focus from preservation to public access by opening behind-the-scenes storage facilities to visitors, according to reporting by The Dong-A Ilbo. The National Folk Museum of Korea’s storage facility in Paju now attracts approximately 12만여 명이 visitors annually, while the Seoul Cultural Heritage Center in Hoengseong opened its doors on September 10 to display roughly 2,600 artifacts.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand this trend by opening the “Visible Storage Facility” in Seocho-gu by 2028. According to The Dong-A Ilbo, the facility will exhibit stored items and restoration processes from municipal museums and art galleries, allowing citizens to observe how and why cultural heritage objects are preserved.
Gaudi Exhibition Explores Architectural Genesis in Seoul
The creative process of Antoni Gaudí is the focus of a special exhibition running at Sinsa House in Seoul, as reported by The Dong-A Ilbo. Titled “Gaudí: Reborn in Seoul,” the exhibition features approximately 30 original items—including handwritten manuscripts, working drawings, notebooks, and original tile models—alongside about 40 official replicas.
The exhibition displays structural designs for the Sagrada Família, including actual architectural drawings, spires, and a model of the Jesus Christ Tower. According to The Dong-A Ilbo, the display highlights Gaudí’s use of polyfunicular experiments utilizing weights, chains, and gravity to demonstrate how his organic curves emerged from observing natural structures.
Sokcho Prepares for the 61st Seorak Cultural Festival
The 61st Seorak Cultural Festival is scheduled to take place from October 2 to October 4 around the Sokcho Expo Square and Rodeo Street areas, according to OhmyNews. Operating under the theme “Seorak, Coloring Together,” the annual event traces its origins to “Seoraksan Soje,” a traditional local ritual held to give thanks to Mount Seoraksan and pray for regional well-being and a bountiful harvest.
Over its half-century history, the festival has evolved from a localized ritual into a comprehensive regional arts and culture festival that engages both local residents and tourists through contemporary interpretations of local heritage, according to OhmyNews.
Gyeongbuk Expands Garden Tourism with Arts and Digital Media
Local governments across Gyeongsangbuk-do are integrating traditional gardens with digital media art, busking, and local festivals to boost tourism and extend visitor stays, according to the Seoul Shinmun. In Gyeongju, the Raon attraction combines outdoor gardens modeled on Silla dynasty landscaping with indoor media art exhibition spaces.
Cheongsong County has opened a 13만8000㎡ 규모 red crape myrtle complex to the public free of charge, featuring walking paths, photo zones, and live musical performances. Meanwhile, Gimcheon registered its first private garden by combining a water stone museum with landscaped grounds, and Andong is hosting a participatory garden culture festival highlighting Korean, Chinese, and Japanese gardening traditions, as reported by the Seoul Shinmun.
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