The Who’s Who of Hallyu Just Got in One Room
What happens when the heads of SM, HYBE, YG, and JYP sit at the same table? You get the launch of Korea’s new Pop Culture Exchange Committee—a mega-braintrust formed to strengthen the global wave of Korean culture, also known as Hallyu.
Led by J.Y. Park—Yes, That JYP
The committee officially launched on July 1, headed by none other than JYP Entertainment founder and K-pop’s famous groove-evangelist J.Y. Park (Park Jinyoung). He co-chairs the initiative with Choi Hye-yong, Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The committee isn’t just another government panel—it’s a power move bringing public and private sectors under one banner to expand Korea’s biggest cultural exports.
K-pop Titans Come Together
J.Y. Park is joined by familiar industry heavyweights: SM Entertainment’s CEO Jang Cheolhyuk, HYBE’s Lee Jaesang, YG Entertainment’s Yang Minsuk, and JYP’s own co-CEO Jung Wook. That’s the full dream team representing the ‘Big 4’ of K-pop, all in one task force.
Forget fan wars—this committee is about unity. Their goal? Promote K-pop’s global momentum while paving the way for even deeper creative and business collaborations.
More Than Just Music
Beyond K-pop, the committee is divided into seven sections covering Korea’s biggest cultural exports:
- Games – Led by CEOs from Nexon, NC Soft, and Krafton.
- Webtoons & Animation – With execs from Naver, Kakao, and SAMG.
- Film & Video – Curating Korea’s cinematic surge.
- Lifestyle, Investment, Policy – Shaping how Hallyu fits into everyday lives and global economies.
Government officials from 10 departments and advisers from the presidential office also joined in, making it a true public-private alliance.
A Bigger Cultural Game Plan
The Ministry of Culture isn’t stopping there. They’re also launching a new Culture and Arts Policy Advisory Committee directly under the Minister. With around 90 experts covering nine cultural categories, they’re looking to revamp everything from funding to global strategy.
Why It Matters
Korea isn’t just exporting idols and dramas—it’s systematizing culture as national soft power. Think of this committee as Korea’s answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe boardroom, but for Hallyu. Aligning CEOs, artists, and policymakers, they’re making sure the Korean Wave keeps rolling worldwide.
Will this super committee create the next Squid Game-meets-BTS moment? Stay tuned.
