K-pop dance performances, beauty workshops, Korean street food, e-sports, kimchi, and a world-famous a cappella group – on June 13–14, KoreaON, Hungary’s largest free Korean cultural festival, returns to Budapest. For two days, the Kristály Venue on Margaret Island will transform into a place where Korean pop culture and traditional arts meet.
Over the years, Korea Days – the 7th KoreaON Festival has grown alongside the global Korean wave. What once seemed primarily centered around K-pop fandom has evolved into something much broader: Korea now has a strong presence in music, fashion, beauty, gastronomy, and digital culture. The festival aims to bring this many-layered world together in a single weekend.
From K-pop to Traditional Arts
On the Hyundai Stage, K-pop choreography, dance performances, and workshops will alternate throughout the weekend, while traditional genres will also play an important role. Visitors can choose from traditional performances, cultural courses, and Korean craft activities. The Kkokdu-gwangdae troupe returns with its vibrant masked performances inspired by traditional Korean marketplace culture, joined this year by Hungarian performers. Their productions bring Korean traditions directly into the audience’s experience.
Representing contemporary performing arts, the Mutation team from Dongseo University will present a K-musical and K-pop crossover performance, while visitors stopping by the Ulsan College booth can explore study opportunities and scholarship programs in South Korea. The festival program has been designed so that everyone – from K-pop fans to families – can find something to enjoy.
Star guests, influencers, and digital culture
This year’s headline guest is MayTree, the South Korean a cappella group known for creating complete musical worlds using only their voices. They imitate instruments, sound effects, and iconic melodies, and their videos have already reached hundreds of millions of views worldwide.
Two well-known Korean influencers will also travel to Budapest for the festival: Jelita Soo brings the worlds of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, while Edmmer has introduced hundreds of thousands of viewers to Korean street food and everyday food culture through his videos.
Digital culture will also be represented: through programs by the Hungarian Esports Federation, visitors can explore Korea’s e-sports scene and even challenge professional players. Korean companies will also host interactive sports and skill-based activities, while the KoreaON Shop opens for the first time, offering K-pop merchandise, traditional Korean paper products, and festival-themed items.
From K-beauty to Summer Kimchi
K-beauty will have its own dedicated section at this year’s festival. Korean beauty culture has long grown beyond skincare routines and sheet masks: from makeup to haircare, it has evolved into a global phenomenon shaping lifestyles and trends around the world. Visitors will have the chance to explore the world of K-beauty through beauty experts, exhibitors, and interactive programs, discovering what has made it such an international success. The program will also feature the participation of SAHMYOOK Health University, which, in collaboration with two of Korea’s renowned salon brands, Juno Hair and idHAIR, will showcase some of the most exciting aspects of Korean beauty trends and professional expertise.
The festival also creates cultural connections between Korea and Hungary. During cooking demonstrations by Kim Taeyeon, Global Kimchi Ambassador, traditional Korean fermentation meets Hungarian summer ingredients: reimagined seasonal kimchi variations made with cucumber, kohlrabi, and other local produce will be introduced.
The Korean Cultural Center and the HanYou Foundation once again play a key role behind KoreaON, having contributed for years to bringing Korean culture closer to Hungarian audiences. The event is additionally supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Hungary and KOTRA.
What you should know about the festival
Korea Days – 7th KoreaON | Korean Cultural Festival
Date:
Saturday, June 13: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Indoor programs end at 6:00 PM.)
Sunday, June 14: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Kristály Venue, Margaret Island (Schulek Frigyes Promenade, Budapest)
Admission: Free
For the detailed programme, click on this website.
Latest news and further information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
