South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will meet with Maggie Kang, director of the Netflix animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters, along with girl group TWICE to discuss the future vision of K-pop, the presidential office said Tuesday.
Lee will appear on a special program, K-Pop: The Next Chapter, which will air on Arirang TV on Aug. 20, to share insights on the current status and future trajectory of the global K-pop phenomenon.
The show will feature Kang; TWICE members Jihyo and Jeongyeon; producer R.Tee, known for his work on numerous music projects; and pop critic Kim Young-dae, who has analyzed trends in the music industry.
“The program will bring together key figures across the industry to reflect on K-pop’s global stature and the expanding opportunities showcased by Korean content,” the presidential office said. “It will serve as a forum to exchange visions and ideas for K-pop’s next chapter.”
The office emphasized that South Korea must continue innovation and growth in cultural industries, including K-pop, to reinforce its standing as one of the world’s top five soft power nations. “The voices and insights shared in this program will be reflected in shaping future policy directions,” it added.
On Monday, during the inaugural Eulji Cabinet meeting, Lee highlighted K-Pop Demon Hunters in his opening remarks. “If peace is the foundation of economic stability, K-culture is the new driver of national power,” he said. “We must accelerate efforts to establish Korea as a cultural powerhouse. Ministries should adopt an ‘arm’s length principle’—providing support without interference—when developing global expansion strategies for K-culture, including K-pop, and expanding related infrastructure.”
by Byung-yeon Yoo
yooby@hankyung.com
