Proving New Achievements in K-Culture Convergence Education
with Global Animation Experts
Dongseo University (President Jang Je-guk) announced on the 16th that the Busan program of the '2025 Take Off Festa,' held as part of the HUSS (Humanities & Social Sciences Convergence Talent Training Project) Global K-Culture Consortium supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea, recently concluded successfully.
This event marked the grand finale of the integrated cultural and arts program 'Take Off Festa,' which was held sequentially over approximately four weeks from May 16 at the participating consortium universities: Dankook University, Dongseo University, Wonkwang University, Chungkang College of Cultural Industries, and Hanseo University. It also demonstrated Dongseo University's successful role as a hub for K-Culture education in the Busan region.
Notably, the Festa program featured Director Han Eondeok, who is currently making waves in North America with the animated film 'King of Kings,' surpassing the success of 'Parasite.' Director Han, who is also known as the co-director of the globally acclaimed animation 'Garfield,' shared vivid insights into global animation production and provided valuable perspectives on the global competitiveness and future prospects of Korean animation to the attendees.
The program held at the Ibaku Complex Cultural Center in Dong-gu, Busan, was attended by about 40 local citizens and students. The event included a special lecture by instructor Tian Han on the Chinese-language comic 'Lighting Shop' and a presentation by Director Han Eondeok on the production process of 'King of Kings.'
Participants gained a deep understanding of the cases of Korean content entering overseas markets and the strategies for success in the global market.
At the program held on the Dongseo University campus, about 80 people, including students and members of the public, attended, showing high interest. Along with an in-depth lecture by Director Han Eondeok, Professor Lee Bohye of Youngsan University introduced the animation production process based on the original webtoon 'Pointy Fork Family,' sharing practical know-how on the creation of convergent content between webtoons and animation.
Choi Donghyuk, head of the program at Dongseo University, stated, "Through this Take Off Festa, our students were able to communicate directly with global-level experts and experience the realities of the industry firsthand," adding, "In particular, we once again confirmed the potential for Busan to grow as a strategic hub for the Asian content industry."
The Global and Cultural Consortium was selected for the Humanities & Social Sciences Convergence Talent Training Project in 2023, with Dankook University as the lead university, and with Dongseo University, Wonkwang University, Chungkang College of Cultural Industries, and Hanseo University participating. Dongseo University is responsible for the specialized curriculum in the webtoon and animation fields, playing a key role in nurturing global K-Culture talent.
This '2025 Take Off Festa' was held in a total of five regions (Cheonan, Icheon, Seosan, Iksan, and Busan), with about 600 students and citizens participating. Top experts from various fields of K-Culture, including novelist Cheon Seonran, producer Shin Kyungsu, director Ahn Jaehun, and director Han Eondeok, took part, achieving significant educational impact.
In the second half of this year, Dongseo University plans to continue inviting experts in the webtoon and animation fields for special lectures and to promote industry-academia cooperation projects as part of the Global K-Culture Consortium project. The university aims to further strengthen its status as a leading institution for nurturing K-Culture talent in the Busan region.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
