South Korea Unleashes Massive K-Culture Mega Project as Hanam City’s K-Star World Promises to Transform the Global Entertainment Scene

Published on November 24, 2025

A significant cultural development involving Hanam City, K-Star World, and the wider Korean entertainment sector has been set in motion through a newly established partnership aimed at expanding the influence of Korean cultural content. This initiative, centered on the advancement of a large-scale K-Culture Complex, has been created to position the city as a leading hub for performance, video production, education, and tourism. As global interest in Korean cultural output continues to grow, the project has emerged as one of the most ambitious developments within the national creative industries.

Hanam City has been taking substantial steps to reinforce its regional identity, focusing on cultural innovation, entertainment infrastructure, and the strengthening of connections with key broadcasting organizations. Through strategic agreements and regulatory preparation, the city has been laying the groundwork for K-Star World, a complex intended to serve as a flagship center for K-pop performances, video content creation, and educational programs designed for the next generation of cultural talent.

A New Agreement to Accelerate K-Star World

Progress was formalized when Hanam City announced the signing of a business agreement with the Korea Broadcasting and Popular Arts Association. The partnership ceremony took place at the Hanam City Union Tower on 17 November. As part of this agreement, both entities have agreed to collaborate on developing K-Star World into a leading cultural landmark for the Republic of Korea. By bringing together public-sector leadership and influential figures within the broadcasting sector, the initiative has been positioned to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the cultural and video industries in Korea.

Representatives from five major broadcasting and popular arts institutions attended the ceremony. Among them were prominent figures such as Chairman Yoo Seung-bong and Association Advisor Jeong Hye-seon. Their attendance symbolized a unified commitment to supporting the long-term establishment of the complex, ensuring that K-Star World becomes a representative site of national cultural innovation.

The Expanding Global Appeal of Korean Culture

The rising success of Korean cultural exports has been steadily shaping global perceptions of Korea. K-pop, televised dramas, and cinematic productions have been gaining widespread popularity in many regions. These exports have helped elevate Korea’s international image, while contributing significantly to economic activity through entertainment sales, tourism, and cultural influence.

Recognizing this momentum, Hanam City has made K-Star World the centerpiece of its strategic cultural development plan. This project is intended to transform the city into a major cultural industry hub within the metropolitan area. With facilities such as a large K-pop performance arena capable of welcoming between twenty thousand and thirty thousand attendees, a cutting-edge video production studio, and an educational academy, the complex is being designed to support both creative professionals and cultural consumers.

Regulatory Reforms Allowing Progress

The city has also advanced regulatory updates to enable the project’s development. Revised guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in July 2023 created a pathway for lifting development restriction zones under the condition that proper water pollution prevention measures were implemented. This update provided a critical opportunity for progress in areas previously limited by environmental restrictions.

Further support emerged in November 2023, when the Emergency Economic Ministers Meeting reduced procedural timelines for large-scale foreign investment projects. Processes that previously required forty-two months were reduced to twenty-one months. This shortening of the administrative timeline has been essential to allowing Hanam City to move forward efficiently.

Research Supporting Hanam City as the Ideal Location

Momentum continued when a research study conducted in April 2025 by an institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism identified Hanam City as the most suitable site for the K-Culture Complex. This analysis strengthened the city’s position and provided national-level validation for the project.

Following the research findings, Hanam City submitted its water pollution source management plan in April 2025 to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. A response was issued in June of the same year, affirming that the necessary administrative steps could continue without disruption. This timely confirmation allowed the project to maintain steady progress.

A Project Aimed at National Cultural Advancement

The organizations participating in the agreement have expressed shared confidence that K-Star World will contribute meaningfully to national cultural advancement. As a comprehensive entertainment complex, the project is expected to strengthen Korea’s role as a global cultural leader and expand opportunities for artists involved in content production.

Hanam City has stated its intention to support the project through ongoing regulatory improvements and the adoption of efficient administrative procedures. Additionally, the city has outlined plans to develop an operational system integrating performance, video production, experiential activities, and tourism. This model is intended to ensure that the creative individuals contributing to the cultural sector benefit directly from the complex.

Collaborative Support from Broadcasting Leaders

After touring the project site, Chairman Yoo Seung-bong provided strong support for the initiative. His evaluation recognized the project’s structural feasibility and emphasized its potential to evolve into a world-class center for performances and creative production once completed. He also affirmed continued collaboration between the Korea Broadcasting and Popular Arts Association and Hanam City to strengthen the national video content and cultural sectors.

Mayor Lee Hyeon-jae likewise expressed appreciation for the partnership. He acknowledged the significance of collaborating with major broadcasters and popular arts organizations, noting that such cooperation forms the foundation for elevating K-Star World into a national-level cultural project. The mayor stated that Hanam City will persist in advancing the K-Culture Complex and contribute to Korea’s growth as a global cultural industry leader. He added that the city intends to work closely with industry specialists to create an optimal environment for world-class creative production.

A Project Positioned for Long-Term Impact

K-Star World is expected to have a transformative effect on Hanam City and the broader cultural sector. Its combination of large-scale performance venues, advanced production technology, and educational infrastructure sets the stage for long-term cultural development. The initiative reflects Korea’s strategy to sustain its global cultural momentum and enhance opportunities for collaboration across music, entertainment, and digital production.

By creating a space that supports artists, engages audiences, and attracts tourism, K-Star World is poised to serve as a signature cultural landmark for decades to come. Hanam City’s commitment, paired with industry expertise, ensures that this project will reinforce the nation’s creative strengths while contributing to the global rise of Korean culture.