Co-planned by KB Financial Group and Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University
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On July 30, KB Financial Group released a video titled "K-Art: Soaring Across the World" to mark "Culture Day," offering an overview of the history and present of Korean art, which is gaining worldwide attention.
The last Wednesday of every month is designated as "Culture Day" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, allowing all citizens to more easily access cultural experiences in their daily lives. On this day, a variety of cultural facilities nationwide offer benefits such as free admission to cultural heritage sites and discounts on movies, exhibitions, and sports events.
KB Financial produced the "K-Art: Soaring Across the World" video to widely promote the excellence of "K-Art," which is drawing global attention through the Dansaekhwa movement and the hosting of international art fairs. The video was co-planned by KB Financial and Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University, with narration by Kim Chanyong, Korea's first full-time docent.
This video explains the history of Korean art, which has developed unique artistic techniques based on a distinct national aesthetic, focusing on the Dansaekhwa movement. Dansaekhwa, known by its original Korean name, began to attract global attention in the 2010s. Emerging during the rapid industrialization and Westernization of the 1970s, Dansaekhwa features works that reinterpret traditional Eastern philosophy and aesthetics in a contemporary way, characterized by limited color palettes, forms, and textures to focus on nature and spiritual discipline. Notable artists include Lee Ufan, Park Seobo, and Kim Whanki.
Furthermore, KB Financial highlights the current status of Korean art, which is being recognized for its international potential. Since 2022, the world's largest art fair, Frieze, has been co-hosted in Seoul with Kiaf, Korea's largest art fair, following its events in London, New York, and Los Angeles. The debut of Frieze Art Fair in Seoul, the first in Asia, has once again drawn global attention to the strength of "K-Art," which is supported by Korea's stable economy, world-class museums and infrastructure, and the global popularity of K-Content.
The video also examines the role of the MZ generation in driving the "K-Art" phenomenon. It introduces the emotional value of art as a source of healing amid digital fatigue, as well as the economic value of art through art-tech and fractional investment.
Kim Chanyong, Korea's first full-time docent and narrator of the video, said, "As a full-time docent introducing art to the public for 18 years, it was a meaningful experience to collaborate with KB Financial to promote the excellence of K-Art to a wider audience. I hope to continue raising awareness of the value of K-Art through art collaborations with various companies."
A representative from KB Financial stated, "To support the sustainable growth of K-Art, KB Financial is once again participating as the lead partner of Kiaf Seoul this year, following last year. We will continue to produce content that highlights the historical and cultural value of K-Culture, so that Korea can be recognized as a cultural and economic powerhouse beyond finance."
Meanwhile, KB Financial is running the "K-Culture Value Up" project to introduce Korea's traditional culture to the world and promote its excellence. The company has produced videos such as "The Culture of Making Jang," which was listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage last year, and "The Renaissance of K-Literature" in April to mark World Book Day. In April, KB Financial also participated as a partner in the "ZOOM-IN" program for emerging artists at the Korea Galleries Art Fair, among other initiatives to support the development of K-Art.
The "K-Art: Soaring Across the World" video is available on KB Financial Group's YouTube channel.
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