The 2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum (PIC),
organized by Korea's MCST, KOFICE, and the ASEAN Foundation, will be held on
November 7, 2026, at the Ayala Museum in Makati City. Themed "On Human
Creative Sovereignty," the forum gathers policymakers and creative leaders
from Korea and all 11 ASEAN states to discuss generative AI, copyright, and
cultural IP. MapleStory's Chang-seop Kim will deliver the keynote, followed by
four sessions with over 20 experts.
2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum to Convene at
Ayala Museum on November 7, Championing the Future of Human Creative
Sovereignty and Cultural IP
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the
Republic of Korea (MCST), together with the Korean Foundation for International
Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) and the ASEAN Foundation, has officially announced
that the “2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum (Partnership for Innovative
Culture - PIC)” will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the prestigious
Ayala Museum in Makati City.
Holding this year’s landmark forum in the Philippines carries exceptional
diplomatic significance, as the nation assumes the 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship.
Organized around the overarching theme, “On Human Creative Sovereignty: Shaping
the Future of Imagination and Cultural IP,” the international conference 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.
The forum is distinguished by an authoritative lineup of
creative leaders and policymakers from Korea and all 11 ASEAN member states.
Notably, Mr. 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 November 7 to November 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. Shortlisted 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 AM to 4:30 PM) 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 Google Forms registration portal. Due to museum gallery capacities and
curated seat assignments, early registration is highly encouraged.
Registration Information
Prospective attendees, arts and culture professionals,
museum and gallery curators, creative technologists, and academic researchers
may submit their applications via the official registration portal:
Registration Link:
Google Forms: https://forms.gle/Q4fUW5TLBXbK8oWSA
Website: https://joinenjoy.com.ph/
(Due to limited gallery capacity and curated seating assignments, early
registration is highly encouraged.)
About Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.
Established in the Philippines in 2002, Island Resort Club
Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) is a premier MICE and destination management
specialist with a proven track record in orchestrating high-level, bilateral
governmental and corporate events adhering to rigorous state-level protocol
standards. Notably, IRC spearheaded local operational management for the
Korea-Philippines Business Forum, held on the occasion of the South Korean
President’s state visit to the Philippines to commemorate the 77th anniversary
of diplomatic relations. IRC is a fully accredited travel agency licensed in
the Philippines, South Korea, and Cuba, and is officially designated by the
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea to process Korean electronic visas
(e-visas). Through its flagship platform, "Join Enjoy," IRC continues
to lead bilateral cultural exchange, tourism, and business connectivity between
the Philippines and South Korea.
