Bucheon International Comics Festival Named a 2027 Cultural Tourism Festival—A Big Win for K-Webtoons
Bucheon’s long-running comics & webtoon festival was selected as a 2027 Cultural Tourism Festival, unlocking national support and a bigger global runway for K-comics.
Bucheon International Comics Festival Named a 2027 Cultural Tourism Festival—A Big Win for K-Webtoons
When people talk about “K-culture,” the spotlight usually lands on music and drama. But one of Korea’s most quietly powerful exports is K-comics—manhwa and webtoons—the storytelling engine behind countless global adaptations.
That’s why this announcement matters: the Bucheon International Comics Festival (BICOF) has been newly selected as a “2027 Cultural Tourism Festival” designated by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The designation is expected to strengthen the festival’s operational foundation and accelerate international outreach as it heads toward a major anniversary.
What happened (and why it’s a milestone)
According to The Asia Business Daily, the Bucheon International Comics Festival was selected as a 2027 Cultural Tourism Festival based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes:
- management stability,
- program competitiveness, and
- regional connectivity.
BICOF began in 1998 and has grown into a large-scale cultural gathering where creators, publishers, academics, industry professionals, and fans meet under one roof. Reports also note the festival’s strong connection to local community participation—an important factor for long-running cultural events.
What “Cultural Tourism Festival” status unlocks
In practice, being selected isn’t just a title—it comes with leverage.
The Asia Business Daily reports that, starting in 2027, the festival can receive national-level support that helps with:
- stronger international promotion,
- tourism-linked programming,
- and long-term operational stability.
Separately, Starnews’ coverage of the Culture and Tourism Festival program emphasizes that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization provide support tied to international PR, content competitiveness, and festival readiness.
Taken together, the message is clear: Korea is treating festivals as cultural infrastructure—one of the most practical ways to help visitors experience “K-culture” beyond Seoul in a structured, repeatable way.
Why this is great timing: the webtoon era is mainstream
Webtoons aren’t niche anymore. They’re a global format:
- vertical-first reading made for mobile,
- built-in cliffhangers that translate naturally into episodic storytelling,
- and a pipeline from creator → IP → adaptation.
A festival like BICOF becomes more than an exhibition. It can act as a marketplace for IP discovery—where international partners can spot emerging titles, meet creators, and understand the production ecosystem behind the stories.
What to expect at BICOF (a practical preview)
Even if you’ve never been to a comics festival, here’s what the experience typically includes—and what’s worth planning around:
1) Exhibitions & showcases
Look for curated displays that highlight:
- flagship Korean webtoon platforms,
- rising creators,
- special anniversary exhibitions,
- and adaptation-focused showcases (film/drama/game tie-ins).
2) Talks & panels
Panels are where the “industry” becomes visible:
- how webtoons get adapted,
- how creators build sustainable careers,
- what global audiences respond to,
- and how AI tools may (or may not) fit into production workflows.
(The Asia Business Daily notes that advanced measures to utilize AI across festival operations are being considered, which could also shape programming.)
3) Creator meetups & signings
If you’re a fan, this is often the most memorable part. Bring a small notebook or print—many signings are quick and personal.
4) Local travel + festival logistics
Cultural tourism festivals are designed to connect programs with local travel. Expect city-level partnerships that make it easier to plan around:
- transportation,
- pop-up zones,
- and local attractions that match the theme.
Why this is a “K-culture” story (not just a comics story)
K-pop and K-drama get the headlines, but K-comics is part of the same global flywheel:
- K-comics supplies narrative worlds.
- K-drama and film adapt them.
- K-pop and OST culture amplify them.
- Fans travel to experience the real places and festivals behind the stories.
A stronger BICOF—backed by national support—signals that Korea is investing in the full pipeline, not only the final stage.
The clean takeaway
If you care about where the next wave of Korean IP comes from, watch K-webtoons—and watch the festivals that turn those stories into global cultural events.
Sources
- The Asia Business Daily — “Bucheon International Comics Festival Newly Selected as ‘2027 Cultural Tourism Festival’” (Feb 2, 2026)
- Starnews — “The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism selected 27 ‘2026-2027 Culture and Tourism Festivals’…” (Jan 23, 2026)