"K-Heritage to Light Up Times Square in New York... Cultural Heritage Administration to Host 'Korea on Stage'"

Exhibitions and Performances at the Korean Cultural Center New York, February 11?14
Culinary Experience with Monk Jeong Kwan of "Chef's Table"
A Spectacle of Events Including the Times Square Opening Performance

2023 Visit Campaign London, United Kingdom Event Site

The sounds of traditional Korean music and dance will resonate in the heart of New York City’s Times Square.

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on January 29 that, together with the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Korean Cultural Center New York, it will host “Korea on Stage in New York” from February 11 to 14 in New York City. As part of the “2026 Visit Korea Heritage Campaign,” the event is designed to showcase the unique value of Korea’s national heritage-the roots of K-culture-to a global audience.

The event will open on February 11 with a special performance at Times Square. Amidst the dazzling digital billboards, the Korean Traditional Dance Company will present group drum and fan dances, while the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation’s performing arts troupe will deliver sogo (small hand drum) and Jindo drum dances, blending dynamic rhythms and movements. That evening, an official opening ceremony will be held at the Korean Cultural Center New York, where over 150 cultural and artistic figures from Korea and abroad will gather to share the spirit of Korean New Year’s traditions.

During the event, the interior of the Korean Cultural Center New York will be transformed into a grand gallery encapsulating the beauty of Korea. The first floor will feature a Haetae statue from Gyeongbokgung Palace, a peony sculpture, and media art installations that reinterpret royal bojagi (wrapping cloth) and lucky patterns with light. The second floor will showcase a celebration of artisanal craftsmanship, led by works from Kim Giho, holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in gold leaf craft, as well as masterpieces of mother-of-pearl inlay and traditional knotting, exemplifying the essence of Korean aesthetics.

2025 Visit Campaign Japan Osaka Event Site

In contrast to the static exhibitions, a dynamic stage performance is also planned. For three days starting February 12, the theater inside the Korean Cultural Center New York will present the omnibus performance “Wishes in Motion,” which brings together royal court and folk dances. From the grandeur of Cheoyongmu to the exuberance of Taepyeongmu and Ganggangsullae, a vibrant spectrum of dances will deeply move the audience.

The visual and auditory experiences will be complemented by special events that engage the senses of taste and touch. Buddhist monk Jeong Kwan, who gained international fame through Netflix’s “Chef’s Table,” will personally share the philosophy and aesthetics of temple cuisine. In a roundtable with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), a world-renowned culinary school, temple cuisine will be presented as the future of “sustainable gastronomy,” and during cooking classes, local participants will have the chance to experience the flavors of Korea firsthand.

An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “This event goes beyond a simple introduction to Korean culture; it is an opportunity to expand the value and beauty of our national heritage into global content. We will continue to broaden the points of contact where our cultural heritage communicates with people around the world.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.