Weekly news : 18th-24th August 2025
- Hana
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 27
1. France and Korea Prepare to Celebrate 140 anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
In 2026, France and Korea will commemorate 140 years of diplomatic relations, marked by the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation signed in 1886. To celebrate this milestone, a call for projects is now open to promote events highlighting Korea across France.
The initiative welcomes a wide range of projects across fields such as economy, science, education, research, culture, and sports—aiming to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Events taking place in France throughout 2026 can include exhibitions, performances, concerts, film screenings, conferences, academic seminars, literary meetings, publications, cultural content creation, sports events, multidisciplinary festivals, and culinary events celebrating Korean culture.
2. Paris Opera Ballet Stars Shine at Frieze Seoul
On August 19, Paris Opera Ballet étoiles Hugo Marchand and Hannah O’Neill performed during the Paradise Art Night at Paradise City near Incheon Airport, as part of Frieze Seoul 2025. The evening blended French and Korean contemporary art and culture, with over 3,000 artworks displayed in one of Asia’s largest art hotel spaces.
This event marked a strong symbol of artistic convergence and cultural diplomacy between France and Korea.
3. France–Korea Cultural Program Extends Through Late Summer
Backed by the French Embassy in Seoul, the second half of 2025 features an ambitious cultural calendar, including a solo exhibition by French artist Floryan Varennes in Busan, combining medieval and futuristic aesthetics—open until August 24.
Concerts, film screenings, and upcoming exhibitions like Cézanne & Renoir, opening September 19.
This reflects a growing cultural synergy and soft power dialogue between the two countries.
4. K-Beauty Explosion: Beauty of Joseon Opens Its First Pop-Up at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris
From July 18 to August 31, 2025, the iconic Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris is hosting the first-ever French pop-up of Beauty of Joseon, a celebrated Korean skincare brand known for blending traditional Hanbang (Korean herbal medicine) principles with modern formulations.
Visitors can enjoy personalized skincare consultations, including guided skin-type tests, helping them discover tailored routines that honor their unique needs. The space itself is designed to evoke the serene elegance of a traditional Korean home, creating a tranquil atmosphere to explore Beauty of Joseon’s natural and effective products.
Throughout the summer, guests can participate in exclusive in-store events and receive complimentary gifts, enhancing the immersive experience.
This pop-up not only marks a significant milestone for Beauty of Joseon’s European expansion but also reflects the growing enthusiasm in France for Korean beauty innovations, known for their focus on natural ingredients, cultural heritage, and skincare efficacy.
5. “Jeju Island, Living with the Sea”: An Immersive Experience with Amorepacific Foundation in Paris
Until September 6, the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, in partnership with the Amorepacific Foundation, will present an immersive video mapping installation in its auditorium. Designed as a perceptual map projected within a cubic architecture, the project is part of the special event “Jeju Island, Living with the Sea.”
The exhibition draws from publications produced by the “Asian Beauty” research project led by the foundation, notably based on works from the collections “Water and Beauty in Asia,” “The Beauty of East Asian Gardens through Landscape,” and “The World Created by Landscape Painting.”
Founded in 1973, the Amorepacific Foundation is no longer just associated with K-beauty products; it has evolved into a major cultural institution dedicated to reinterpreting the concept of beauty through a broader historical and cultural lens. By supporting projects in the humanities, arts, and culture, the foundation emphasizes beauty’s deep-rooted connections to tradition, nature, and society, extending far beyond cosmetics.
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