Lee Sedol, Yang Hee-eun to Take the Stage at Culture Ministry's "Humanities and Culture Festival," Spotlighting What It Means to Be Human in the AI Era

Held at Layer Studio 11 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, November 6-8
Discussions, performances, exhibitions and hands-on activities under the theme "Humanistic Intelligence"
Director Kim Chohee, author Kim Gyeoul and singer Sunwoo Jeonga to participate

Former professional Go player Lee Sedol, who faced AI program AlphaGo in a historic match, singer Yang Hee-eun, and director Kim Chohee, who directed the film "Janshi's Many Blessings," will discuss what it means to be human and the value of life at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "2026 Humanities and Culture Festival."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will hold the "2026 Humanities and Culture Festival" at Layer Studio 11 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, from November 6 to 8, in partnership with the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service.

This year's festival is themed "Humanistic Intelligence." It highlights the importance of the humanities, which encourage people to ask their own questions, make their own judgments, and build relationships with others, especially in an era when AI provides answers. Humanistic intelligence refers to the ability to reflect on oneself, understand others, and choose one's own direction in life.

The festival will showcase the achievements of major humanities programs through discussions, performances, exhibitions, and hands-on activities. It is organized around three subthemes: "Taking the Initiative in Thought (Humanities Conversations)," which explores reflection and judgment; "The Uniqueness of Experience (Exhibitions and Activities)," which awakens the senses and encourages new experiences; and "Rediscovering Relationships (交流)," which fosters understanding and empathy.

On opening day, November 6, former professional Go player Lee Sedol will join producer Choi Seongun for a discussion titled "A Move AI Cannot Make." Lee, whose 2016 match against AlphaGo became a symbolic illustration of the arrival of the AI era, will share how he views what it means to be human and the value of the humanities 10 years later.

On November 7, director Kim Chohee will talk with author Kim Gyeoul, who runs the book-focused YouTube channel "Winter Bookstore," and content creator Lee Chungnyeong on the theme "My Own Pace, Without Comparison." In her film "Janshi's Many Blessings," Kim warmly portrays a film producer who loses her job and sets out to find her own way in life.

Also on November 7, webtoon artist Lee Jongbeom, astronomer Shim Chaekyung, and editor and literary critic Park Hyejin will discuss "Is There Room for the Humanities in Your Work?" On November 8, singer Nucksal, content creator Im Seungwon, and content planner Yoo Gyuseon will explore people, relationships, and the meaning of keeping records under the theme "Excitement Cannot Be Edited."

The festival will also host "A Night of the Humanities," bringing together poetry, music, and reflection. On November 6, poet Hwang Inchan and singer Yang Hee-eun will present "Poems Turned into Songs," a talk concert combining poetry and music. Participants in major humanities programs, including "Humanities for All," will then share the results of their work through performances, readings, and presentations.

On November 7, "A Time for Reflection," co-organized with EBS, will take place. Singer Sunwoo Jeonga and architect Jo Byungsoo will talk with the audience about what it means to reflect in the AI era, drawing on ideas they have developed in their studios, in cities, and in everyday life. Broadcaster Kim Iljung will host, and traditional vocalist Park Jeongsu will give a special performance.

Exhibitions and hands-on programs at the venue will offer a look at the achievements of major humanities programs. Visitors can explore records of activities such as "Humanities on the Road," "School of Wisdom," and "Humanities for All." They can also visit "Practicing Humanities Locally - In Each Region's Own Way," which introduces humanities activities in 10 regions across the country, and the "Youth Humanities Experiment" exhibition, featuring 100 questions posed by young people.

An "Humanities Exploration" program will guide participants through the alleys of Sangsu-dong, Gyeongui Line Forest Park, and Hongdae's music and indie culture. Around the festival dates, 10 independent bookstores across the country will host book talks bringing authors and readers together, as well as themed book recommendation programs. Novelists Han Yuju and Hwang Boreum, neuroscientist Jung Jaeseung, and author Jung Hyeyoon are among those taking part.

In addition, humanities and culture programs such as "Youth Humanities Classroom," "Humanities on the Road," "School of Wisdom," and "Humanities for All" will run at 193 locations nationwide throughout November.

Major programs require advance reservations. More information is available on the Humanities 360 website and Instagram.

Jeong Hyangmi, director general of the Culture and Arts Policy Office at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "Even in the age of artificial intelligence, it is ultimately people who decide the direction of their lives, and that ability comes from the humanities. I hope this festival will help each person discover their own humanistic intelligence and make the humanities a source of strength in everyday life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.