The ministry on June 29 said along with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, it is holding the program until December in 12 British cities.
Since last year, Korea Season holds year-round cultural exchanges in countries with high potential for spreading Korean culture to promote the latter's appeal and groundbreakingly expand bilateral cultural and interpersonal exchanges.
This year's edition features 11 programs including classical music and modern dance under the theme "Transcending an Era, Expanding a Century" (unofficial translation).
Holding the inaugural edition last year in Mexico, the ministry selected the U.K. as the event's second host country to mark the 140th anniversary of bilateral ties and the weekly event "Focus on Korea" at next month's Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland.
From Aug. 8-17, "Focus on Korea" will feature four classical music performances by Novus String Quartet, KBS Symphony Orchestra, pianist Son Yeol Eum and violinist Clara Jumi Kang. The National Changgeuk Company of Korea will also present "Trojan Women," a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of the Trojan War incorporating pansori (traditional lyrical opera and storytelling).
This year's Korea Season includes a performance combining traditional music with breakdancing, classical music concerts, video exhibition under the theme of connecting humans and the environment, culinary culture event, media art exhibition exploring the relationship between humans and the environment, movie screening and student arts exchange.
"Korea and the U.K. are both countries of culture and arts rich in originality, imagination and sensitivity under the value of freedom," Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon said. "I am certain that this year's Korea Season will become a 'solution platform' to expand new horizons of bilateral cooperation as well as the basis for raising social and economic cooperation through K-Culture."
