As the Philippines assumes the 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship, Manila is set to become the center of regional creative tech trade with the hosting of the 2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum on Nov. 7 at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (MCST), the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), and the ASEAN Foundation, the event aims to open a platform for local creative startups, cultural leaders, and media executives navigating generative AI, copyright security, and Asian market expansion.
The event follows the overarching theme, “On Human Creative Sovereignty: Shaping the Future of Imagination and Cultural IP,” and aims to establish a high-level multilateral dialogue addressing the profound impact of generative artificial intelligence and digital transformation on creative industries, copyright protection, and cross-border intellectual property economies across Asia.
Chang-seop Kim, general director of NEXON’s iconic gaming franchise MapleStory, will deliver the forum’s Keynote Address. Reflecting on MapleStory’s unprecedented two-decade success across Southeast Asia via MapleStory SEA, Mr. Kim will share invaluable industry insights on expanding gaming worldviews into transmedia cultural intellectual properties (IP), sustained community building, and cross-sectoral brand collaborations.
Following the keynote, four comprehensive thematic sessions spanning Policy Governance, Industrial Expansion, ASEAN-Korea Multilateral Cooperation, and Youth Leadership will bring together over 20 prominent regional experts. Key discussions will explore how local cultural resources, indigenous heritage, and everyday creativity can be systematically transformed into legally protected, high-value cultural assets in alignment with the long-term strategic objectives of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Alongside the academic and policy sessions, the forum is intrinsically linked with the contemporary art exhibition, “Gathering Point,” curated at the Ayala Museum from Nov. 7 to Nov. 13, 2026. The special seven-day showcase brings together visionary contemporary artists from six Asian nations, including the Philippines’ internationally acclaimed Mark Justiniani, Latthapon Korkiatarkul (Thailand), Kim Joon (Republic of Korea), Ari Bayuaji (Indonesia), Adam Phong (Malaysia), and Imhathai Suwatthanasilp (Thailand).
Through diverse mediums ranging from kinetic optical installations to acoustic archival work, the exhibition demonstrates how physical materials, everyday memories, and collective traditions are reinterpreted through creative sovereignty.
The Organizing Committee has officially initiated an exclusive Application-Based Pre-Registration process for local arts and cultural administrators, museum and gallery curators, hotel art collection managers and senior hoteliers, creative tech startup founders, and aspiring youth leaders.
Short-listed delegates will receive full complimentary access to the forum proceedings, supported by a professional simultaneous interpretation system (Korean-English). Attendees will also be hosted to an authentic premium Korean culinary luncheon buffet and enjoy a complimentary instant photo booth experience designed to commemorate regional friendship.
Furthermore, delegates who actively participate throughout the entire day’s agenda (10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) will be automatically eligible for the Grand Finale Raffle Draw during the closing ceremony, featuring state-of-the-art Samsung smart devices (including Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Fit3), official BTS and SEVENTEEN collectors’ albums, and luxury Sulwhasoo K-Beauty cosmetic gift sets.
Prospective delegates, cultural professionals, and academic researchers may submit their attendance credential applications through the official registration portal. Due to museum gallery capacities and curated seat assignments, early registration is highly encouraged. More information can be found at https://joinenjoy.com.ph/asean-korea-forum/.
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