{
  "id": 10155923,
  "title": "Korea-Japan Festival turns 20 in Tokyo with K-pop makeovers, hanbok",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/korea-japan-festival-turns-20-in-tokyo-with-k-pop-makeovers-hanbok",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-27T06:42:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20260927/korea-japan-festival-turns-20-in-tokyo-with-k-pop-makeovers-hanbok"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tokyo hosted the 20th annual Korea-Japan Festival from Friday to Sunday, attracting hundreds of Japanese visitors each morning. The festival aimed to showcase both contemporary trends and traditional Korean culture through hands-on experiences. Attendees, ranging from young adults to families, had the opportunity to try on traditional Korean hanbok, receive K-pop-inspired makeovers, and interact with young visitors from Korea and Japan. Organizers reported expecting around 6,000 visitors over the three-day event. This year marked the festival's 20th anniversary, following its inception in 2005 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. This year's festival saw a departure from previous years, moving from Hibiya Park to the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo due to organizers' experimentation with a new format. The indoor venue allowed the festival to place greater emphasis on showcasing Korean culture.",
  "summary": "TOKYO — Hundreds of Japanese visitors lined up outside the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo each morning from Friday through Sunday, eager to try on hanbok (Korean traditional attire), get K-pop-inspired makeovers and meet young Koreans face-to-face at the annual Korea-Japan Festival. Drawing visitors ranging from young adults to families, the three-day festival offered hands-on experiences…",
  "key_points": [
    "20th annual Korea-Japan Festival held in Tokyo from Friday to Sunday",
    "Festival featured K-pop makeovers and hanbok experiences for visitors",
    "6,000 visitors expected, marking 20th anniversary of the festival"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The festival's move to an indoor venue marks a shift towards a more immersive cultural experience, allowing for a deeper showcase of Korean traditions and contemporary trends to a wider audience.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea-Japan Festival turns 20 in Tokyo with K-pop makeovers, hanbok",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/korea-japan-festival-turns-20-in-tokyo-with-k-pop-makeovers-hanbok-10159226",
        "published": "2026-09-27T07:02:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}