On July 1, the Korea Foundation hosted a special talk session at the 2021 World Cultural Industry Forum (WCIF).

The WCIF is an annual event co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea; the Daegu Metropolitan City Government; and the Suseong District Office; and co-presented by the Korea Cultural Industry Forum and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. The KF has hosted a special talk session at the event since the WCIF launched last year. Under the theme of “The Convergence of Culture and Technology,” the second WCIF was held to discuss the future of and changes to the music entertainment industry around the globe, and to promote cooperation among content creators, producers, and distributors.

The forum was composed of three parts. Part 1, entitled “Changes in the Music Entertainment Industry in the Post-Corona Era,” featured keynote speeches followed by the Korea Foundation Special Talk. Hosted by KF President Lee Geun, the special talk dealt with the future of the entertainment industry in the context of technological change, and included the participation of keynote speakers such as SM Entertainment Executive Producer Lee Soo-man, CMG Chairman Jeff Vaughn, and Director Teddy G.

Part 2 focused on the theme of “Business Opportunities Following the Convergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Culture,” and included a special session hosted by CJ ENM. Part 3, entitled “Entertainment World Reshaped by the Convergence of Culture and Technology,” presented a new kind of special online performance by K-pop girl group Aespa, transcending the boundary of reality and virtual reality. The performance was streamed globally, free of charge.