Government selects Incheon Pentaport and Busan International Rock Festival for … (Note: Since the end of the sentence was cut off, I was unable to provide the full rewrite)
The government recently announced the chosen festivals for the ‘2026~2027 Culture and Tourism Festivals’, highlighting two domestic rock festivals in the selection. Among the 27 festivals disclosed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Incheon Pentaport Music Festival (also known as the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival) and the ‘Busan International Rock Festival’ were newly included in the list.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will be providing 40 million KRW in national funding to support the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. This financial assistance will cover various aspects, including global marketing, the development of tourism-related products, enhancing content competitiveness, and incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, previously honored as one of the ‘Top 10 Global Rock Festivals’, saw an impressive attendance of 160,000 people in both 2024 and 2025. Last year’s edition featured headlining performances by renowned British band Pulp and AUDREY NUNA, a prominent figure in ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’. The festival is an annual event held in August, attracting music enthusiasts from all over.
Another festival to make the cut this year was the ‘Busan International Rock Festival’, gaining popularity especially among the younger crowd. Known as the longest-running outdoor rock festival in Korea, it has consistently featured top-tier rock bands and artists, both domestic and international. The previous year saw iconic bands like Suede and The Smashing Pumpkins headlining the event. This year’s ‘2026 Busan International Rock Festival’ is scheduled to take place in early October.
Apart from these two festivals, the ‘2026~2027 Culture and Tourism Festivals’ roster includes a diverse range of events such as the Gangneung Coffee Festival, Goryeong Daegaya Festival, Gwangalli Eobang Festival, Gwangju Kimchi Festival, Nonsan Strawberry Festival, Dongnae Eupseong Festival, Daegu Chimaek Festival, Miryang Arirang Grand Festival, Boseong Dahyang Tea Festival, and more. This signifies a rich tapestry of cultural celebrations that cater to various interests and preferences.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has revamped its support system significantly, transitioning from individual festival assistance to a more holistic approach that prioritizes ‘Global Festivals’ and their connection to nearby tourist attractions. The aim is to elevate select core festivals into global brands and utilize them as focal points for nurturing surrounding Culture and Tourism Festivals. The budget allocated for supporting these festivals, including the ‘Global Festivals’, has seen a substantial increase from 6.5 billion KRW to 10.4 billion KRW this year.
In addition to existing ‘Global Festivals’ like the Incheon Pentaport Music Festival, Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, and the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, the Ministry plans to introduce three new Global Festivals this year along with four ‘Pre-Global Festivals’ that have the potential to expand onto the world stage. This strategic approach aims to bolster the cultural and tourism landscape, fostering growth and showcasing Korea’s vibrant festival scene on a global platform.