Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) presented a new model for global cooperation in the cultural tourism sector through an international exchange platform that combined scholarship and the arts.

The JBNU RISE Project Group (Director Son Jeong-min), as part of the project to train interdisciplinary personnel for the globalization of cultural tourism, together with Professor Lee Hwa-dong (Department of Korean Music), who is responsible for the project, recently successfully held the '2025 Korea–China University Cultural Arts PhD Forum' and the 'Korea–China Global Experience Program International Exchange Concert' in China.

The event was planned as a practice-oriented international exchange program combining academic exchange, performances, and field experiences. It was recognized for realizing the RISE project's aim of strengthening global competitiveness in cultural tourism and cultivating talent.

The Korea–China University Cultural Arts PhD Forum, held first, brought together JBNU Department of Korean Music doctoral alumni and doctoral researchers in China’s cultural and arts fields, creating a venue for academic exchange and international collaboration mediated by the arts.

Participants continued discussions focusing on the modern application of traditional arts, the convergence of cultural tourism and the arts, and the potential to expand cultural content through international exchange. They also exchanged views on future joint research and ways to expand collaboration.

In particular, on that day JBNU and China’s Zhejiang Textile & Fashion Vocational and Technical College formalized an official agreement to implement student exchanges, joint research, and the exchange of academic information.

The 'Korea–China Global Experience Program International Exchange Concert', held in connection with the forum, extended academic exchange into the realm of the arts. Musicians active in China and students from the JBNU Department of Korean Music (Lee Seo-jin and eight others) participated, presenting a variety of performances including sanjo ensemble and samulnori. Under the theme 'A Night of Korea–China Friendship: Urban Aesthetics of Harmony and Coexistence', traditional music from both countries was interpreted in contemporary ways, earning strong responses from the audience.

The performance format, featuring scholars, artists, and students performing together, demonstrated new possibilities for cultural and arts exchange. It showed that international exchange can extend beyond the level of events to foster mutual understanding and empathy.

Professor Lee Hwa-dong (Department of Korean Music), the project's principal investigator, said, 'This cultural arts PhD forum and the international exchange concert serve as a practical model of international exchange that combines scholarship and performance, and have provided an opportunity to strengthen global competitiveness in the cultural tourism sector. Going forward, we will continue to work to cultivate interdisciplinary talent in cultural tourism and expand international networks through sustained cooperation with various countries, including Korea and China.'