Daegu Science University (President Park Ji-eun) has provided a meaningful venue for communication and harmony between local foreign residents and Koreans, utilizing K-Culture as a bridge.

A New Milestone for Multicultural Integration in the Era of 3 Million Foreign Residents

As South Korea approaches an era of nearly 3 million foreign residents, the role of universities is expanding beyond simple education for international students to fostering cultural integration within local communities. Embracing this shift, Daegu Science University successfully hosted the ‘2026 K-Culture Festival with Foreign Residents’ on the 18th at the campus’s Hanbyeol Cultural Hall.

This event was designed to promote Korea's outstanding culture to the world while facilitating mutual exchange and social integration between local and foreign residents. It was co-hosted by Daegu Science University and the K-Culture International Exchange Association (Daegu-Gyeongbuk Branch), with meaningful sponsorships from the Ministry of Justice’s Immigration Central Social Integration Council and various local enterprises and institutions.

The festival was attended by over 300 people, filling the auditorium with foreign workers, multicultural families, and international students. Key dignitaries included Daegu Science University Vice President Kim Beom-guk, K-Culture International Exchange Association Chairman Kim Rok-hwan, and Immigration Social Integration Council Chairman Kim Chun-ho.

Passion Transcending Borders: Fierce Competition in K-Pop and K-Hangul Contests

The highlight of the festival, the cultural contests, drew immense interest with 48 teams applying from 10 different countries, including the Philippines, China, Mongolia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka. After a highly competitive preliminary round, 24 teams advanced to the finals. The participants—ranging from foreign workers to international students and multicultural families—highlighted the festival's rich diversity.

The ‘K-Pop Contest’ showcased spectacular stage manners and talent:

• Grand Prize: Ariona (Mongolia)

• Gold Prize: Dexter Patende (Philippines)

• Silver Prize: Do Thanh Trong (Vietnam)

• Bronze Prize: Hossain Imran (Bangladesh)

• Honorable Mention: Kazakh Nomad Team (Kazakhstan)

In the ‘K-Hangul (Korean Language) Contest’, participants flaunted their excellent communication skills by presenting the cultural differences between their home countries and South Korea in fluent Korean.

• Grand Prize: Sanchir (Mongolia)

• Other Notable Winners: Pham Thi Ha, Vu Hang Nin, Tran Thuy Nga (Vietnam), and Aigerim, Lola (Kazakhstan) all earned spots on the winners' list, successfully building deep cultural empathy with the audience.

Beyond Simple Exchange: A Global Hub for Communication... Festival Fever to Hit Seoul Next Month

Through this festival, Daegu Science University proved the infinite potential of universities to contribute to local cultural integration and the enhancement of global citizenship.

"The K-Culture Festival, which has been ongoing since 2018, is firmly establishing itself as a core event for promoting Korean culture and leading social integration, now expanding to universities nationwide," said Kim Rok-hwan, Chairman of the K-Culture International Exchange Association. "I express my deep gratitude to Daegu Science University for successfully hosting such a meaningful festival where foreign residents and locals can come together."

Kim Young-sik, Director at Daegu Science University who oversaw the event, evaluated the festival's success: "This event was not just a simple singing or speaking contest. It was a genuine venue for communication where participants shared K-Culture and multicultural content, empathizing with one another." He added, "We will continue to develop this into a global cultural exchange festival that more foreigners and students can participate in and enjoy."

Meanwhile, the dynamic energy of the K-Culture Festival, a true stage of harmony transcending borders, will continue its momentum on July 23 at the Art Hall of Seoul Hoseo Art and Practical College, promising yet another touching experience.