Held on 13–14 June, KoreaON has established itself as Hungary’s largest free event centred on Korean culture.

Rather than approaching Korea through a single lens, the festival presents a broader cultural snapshot: music, food, design, performance, technology, beauty, craft and everyday cultural practices all appear alongside one another. For event visitors, this format makes Korean culture unusually accessible - less exhibition than lived experience.

Across a 1,500-square-metre site, the programme unfolds through performances, workshops and thematic spaces designed to encourage participation rather than observation.

At the centre of the festival is the Hyundai Stage, where K-pop performances, traditional Korean arts and cultural discussions run throughout both days.

Elsewhere, visitors move between dedicated areas focusing on beauty and wellness, crafts, gaming, gastronomy and business.

Together, these create a picture not only of Korea’s global cultural influence but also of the intersections between contemporary Korean and Hungarian life.

The Beauty and Health Zone examines the international rise of Korean skincare and cosmetics through demonstrations, discussions and product experiences led by Korean and Hungarian specialists.

Nearby, the Craft Zone shifts the focus toward making rather than consuming, inviting visitors to create Korean-inspired objects using techniques and materials that connect traditional forms with local interpretation.

The Play Zone offers a different rhythm altogether, bringing together e-sports, creative games and traditional activities including baduk — known internationally as Go — one of East Asia’s oldest strategy games.

Alongside these cultural spaces, Korean and Hungarian companies occupy the Business Zone, presenting themselves through informal conversations and interactive activities rather than conventional exhibition stands.

Outside, the festival expands into a more relaxed summer atmosphere. Food vendors surrounding the venue serve Korean specialities alongside fusion dishes and grocery-style offerings, creating an open-air dining area that reflects both authenticity and adaptation.

The outdoor programme extends beyond performance. Quizzes, discussions and audience participation continue throughout the day, while shaded seating areas and rest spaces make it possible to spend several hours at the event without retreating from the summer heat.

This year’s edition also marks the festival’s seventh anniversary and includes a more reflective element. Visitors are encouraged to revisit their own KoreaON memories - whether photographs, personal stories or small keepsakes collected over previous editions - as part of community activities running across the weekend.

Additional interactive elements include visitor challenges, short surveys and photo-based participation games, with selected participants receiving festival gift packages.

Saturday opens with an official ceremony and a parade featuring Hungarian and Korean performers moving across the festival grounds.

Among the day’s highlights is a live culinary programme led by chef and kimchi ambassador Kim Taeyeon, exploring how Korean fermentation traditions can intersect with seasonal Hungarian ingredients.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, the stage programme continues with K-pop performances, open dance sessions, taekwondo demonstrations and discussions examining the influence of Korean entertainment and beauty culture beyond Asia. The day concludes with an evening KoreaON K-pop DJ set.

Sunday continues with a similarly varied programme, featuring performances by Korean and Korean–Hungarian ensembles including Noremoa, Nawoul, Manwol, Mugunghwa and Mindeulle.

Visitors can also watch a hanbok presentation, attend beauty and wellness discussions inspired by the Joseon period, and see a crossover performance by Dongseo University’s Mutation team.

Among the most anticipated appearances is the return of MayTree, the internationally recognised South Korean a cappella group known for constructing richly layered musical arrangements entirely through voice.

Timing:
Saturday opening hours are 10am–8pm, with indoor programmes running until 6pm;
Sunday programmes continue from 10am–6pm.
 

More: 
Event's Facebook page

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