The Korea Arts Council (ARKO) announced on October 6 that the '2026 Art Forest Festival WITH Background Live' was successfully concluded at the Seoul Children's Grand Park on October 3.
This year's festival invited 700 attendees, including 350 selected through a lottery from 1,821 supporters who donated over 5,000 won to the Theater Tomorrow Fund, instead of selling tickets.
Now in its fourth year, the Art Forest Festival collaborated with the YouTube channel 'J.K. Out' to present a new festival format without a fixed timetable or stage.
Surprise performances by 10CM, Urban Zakapa, and Eric Nam delighted the audience, along with a special appearance by the hidden artist Baek Ji-young. The event also featured performances by Annoying Box, pianist Yoon Han, and flash mobs from the plays 'Cruise' and musicals 'Six the Musical' and 'A Tale of Two Cities.'
Key events from the Art Forest Festival will be produced as content for the 'Background Live' series on the 'J.K. Out' channel and will be available on YouTube. Those who could not attend will have the opportunity to experience the festival online, including surprise live performances and audience reactions.
YouTube creators such as Kwon Ddo Ddo, Joo Ho Da, J.K. Out, and Jo Hyun Ah's Ordinary Thursday participated as 'Support Companions' to promote cultural arts sponsorship. These creators will share their experiences from the festival on their respective online channels.
Chairman Lee Beom-hun stated, “This year’s Art Forest Festival is significant in that it lowered the barriers for the public to easily engage in cultural arts sponsorship through the familiar new media platform of YouTube. I hope a new culture emerges where cultural arts sponsorship becomes as familiar as play and festival in everyday life, and I thank all the supporters who participated.”
Meanwhile, all funds raised through pre-registrations and on-site programs during the festival will be used for the 'Theater Tomorrow Fund.' This fund, initiated by donations from actors Shin Gu and Park Geun-hyung, supports the growth of young theater artists and sustainable artistic activities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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