Media
KOFICE
KOFICE, the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (한국국제문화교류진흥원), is a South Korean government-backed institution designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to advance Korea's cultural reach abroad. Founded to serve as a network hub connecting Korea and the world through culture, it operates international cultural exchange programs, bilateral event partnerships, global networking initiatives, and research into Korean cultural exports.
KOFICE is best known internationally for publishing the annual Overseas Hallyu Survey, the most comprehensive measurement of the Korean Wave's global reach. Released each spring in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the survey has been conducted for 15 editions as of 2026, polling tens of thousands of respondents across 30 countries on their engagement with Korean content, attitude toward Korea, and spending on Korean cultural products. The 2026 edition confirmed K-pop's ninth consecutive year as the most-associated cultural product with South Korea, and introduced an influence ranking that for the first time included an esports figure.
Beyond research, KOFICE runs the NEXT program for emerging international cultural exchange professionals, operates the Korea Culture and Arts Center network in major cities globally, and coordinates Korea Season events that bring Korean arts programming to partner countries. Its annual budget and mandate are set by the Korean government, giving it the institutional authority to speak on behalf of South Korea's cultural diplomacy apparatus.
1 articleskofice.or.kr
Gallery
Fans Also Ask
What is KOFICE?
KOFICE, the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, is a South Korean government body designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promote Korean culture globally. It runs bilateral exchange programs, international cultural events, and professional training for cultural exchange specialists. It is best known for publishing the annual Overseas Hallyu Survey.
What is the KOFICE Hallyu Survey?
The KOFICE Overseas Hallyu Survey is an annual study tracking the global reach of Korean culture. Published each spring in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it polls tens of thousands of people across 30 countries on their engagement with K-pop, K-drama, Korean food, film, and other cultural categories. The 15th edition was released in March 2026.
How many countries does the KOFICE Hallyu Survey cover?
The 2026 edition of the KOFICE Overseas Hallyu Survey covered 30 countries, adding Singapore, Chile, and Poland for the first time. The survey polled 27,400 people aged 15 to 59 across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa between November and December 2025, making it one of the largest annual studies of Korean cultural influence.
