On March 5, the French Embassy in Korea enlisted Stray Kids’ Felix and actress Jun Ji-hyun as honorary representatives to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea.
The French Embassy in Korea announced the news via its official Instagram pages, which also released a special video featuring the two honorary representatives. The embassy also expressed gratitude to JYP Entertainment, Peachy Company, and Korea Resonance Hub (KROH) for their support in the honorary appointments.
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View this post on Instagram
France and Korea first established bilateral relations in 1886, and this year’s celebration will run throughout the year under the theme ‘creativity, opportunity and solidarity’, featuring music performances, film screenings, art exhibitions, academic conferences, and cultural collaborations between Korean and French artists. The Embassy emphasized that the anniversary will unfold as a ten-month cultural program throughout 2026, with Felix and Jun Ji-hyun selected as key icons representing ‘a cultural dynamic’ in their roles as honorary ambassadors.
The anniversary program was officially announced at a press conference at the French Embassy in Seoul, hosted by Ambassador Philippe Bertoux, who highlighted the continued partnership between the two countries. He shared that France aims to further strengthen cooperation with Korea across multiple sectors, including politics, security, economy, education, and people-to-people exchanges, while celebrating shared cultural innovation.
A key commemorative event will take place on June 4 at Deoksu Palace in Seoul, marking the anniversary of the first bilateral treaty between the two nations. The celebration is expected to include a special performance by internationally renowned Korean soprano Sumi Jo, the only Korean woman to receive France’s Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters.
Other highlights include the opening of Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul in early June, which will present modern and contemporary works from the Centre Pompidou’s renowned collection in Paris while the museum undergoes renovations until 2030. The French Embassy will also host several art exhibitions throughout the year, transforming parts of the embassy compound into a cultural space connecting Korean audiences with French artistic heritage.
Additional exhibitions are scheduled at the ambassador’s residence, including a display in April featuring a collection owned by Philippe Tirault, which includes modern and contemporary works by Korean artists such as Park Seo-bo. Later, from August to September, artworks by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel will be showcased in conjunction with the international art fair Frieze Seoul, with a visitor reservation system expected to manage public attendance.
Beyond arts and performances, the program will also include initiatives encouraging professional and social exchange. A career forum co-organized with the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry will introduce employment opportunities in France to Korean job seekers. A family-friendly marathon planned for mid-October will celebrate the friendship between the two nations. The embassy will also collaborate with Gen.G Esports to host a ‘Women in Esports’ event in November, highlighting efforts to expand female representation within the gaming industry.
The year-long celebration will officially begin with a musical performance featuring the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside French conductor Adrien Perruchon and pianist Arielle Beck. Throughout the anniversary program, Felix and Jun Ji-hyun are expected to participate in several key events representing the cultural bridge between France and Korea.
Through their honorary roles, Felix and Jun Ji-hyun will symbolize the growing artistic and cultural connection between France and Korea during the anniversary celebrations.
Written by: Shrutha Keerthi
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