INCHEON, Aug. 2 (Korea Bizwire) –The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, recently designated as one of South Korea’s “Representative Global Festivals” for 2024-2026, is set to kick off this weekend at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park.
The three-day event, running from August 2 to 4, marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to boost cultural tourism and showcase its burgeoning music scene on an international platform.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has selected three festivals with high potential for global appeal, each representing a different category: performing arts, traditional culture, and tourism resources.
Pentaport, falling under the performing arts category, will receive government funding of 2 billion won over three years to develop into a premier attraction for international visitors.
This year’s lineup boasts an impressive array of 58 domestic and international acts, including Jack White, Turnstile, Jannabi, Kim Gordon, Sepultura, Girl in Red, SE SO NEON, Silica Gel, and Day6.
Under the theme “The Home of K-Rock,” the festival aims to position itself as South Korea’s answer to Austin’s South by Southwest, the world’s largest music and creative industries festival.
In a new initiative to bolster its international standing, Pentaport is introducing a “showcase” program, inviting music industry professionals from around the world for business networking opportunities.
Representatives from major festivals in Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, as well as executives from Warner Music Japan and Sony Music Japan, are expected to attend.
The festival is also expanding its global reach through partnerships with other Asian music events, such as the ASEAN Festival and Taiwan’s FireBall Fest.
These collaborations will facilitate cultural exchanges, bringing acts like Taiwan’s Fire EX. to Pentaport’s stage and opening doors for Korean artists to perform overseas.
To enhance its international profile, the festival is ramping up its promotional efforts. Foreign press from seven countries, along with content creators and social media reporters from the Korea Tourism Organization, will be invited to cover the event.
Looking ahead, the organizers plan to launch tour packages targeting overseas group tourists by 2025, aiming to attract K-rock enthusiasts as international visitors.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “We hope the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival will widely promote attractive K-content overseas and become a national representative K-rock tourism product that people from around the world will seek out.”
He pledged continued support to help the festival meet international standards and develop competitive services as it evolves into a truly global event.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
