Group 1 - The "2025 K-FOOD BOOM UP FESTA" event will be held from September 6 to 7 at the Livat shopping center in Changsha, Hunan, organized by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Shanghai office [1] - The event focuses on major export categories such as Korean ramen, beverages, ginseng, and snacks, utilizing gamified experiences to engage participants in exploring the appeal of K-Food [3] - Six themed experience zones will be created, including areas for tasting ramen and snacks, selecting beverages based on mood, experiencing ginseng benefits, showcasing innovative products, a photo zone, and a shopping experience linked with JD's Korean Pavilion [3] Group 2 - The event will feature tasting areas with participation from notable Korean food companies like Dobong, Lotte, Nokyung, Jeonggwanjang, and Bingeuri, highlighting the "deliciousness" and "aesthetics" of K-Food [3] - Additional activities such as a task card stamp collection and demonstrations of future products will enhance the overall experience for attendees [3] - The head of aT Shanghai office, Lee Jong-geun, emphasized the innovative approach of the event, aiming to integrate Korean food into the daily lives of Chinese consumers through engaging activities [3]

Group 1: Core Insights - Korean culture is experiencing structural growth potential through global expansion and the potential lifting of the "Korean Wave Ban" in China [1][2] - The Global X K-Pop and Culture ETF (03158) provides an efficient way for investors to participate in the rise of Korean culture, covering high-growth sectors such as entertainment, beauty, and food [1] - The ETF has achieved a year-to-date return of 42% as of June, outperforming the KOSPI index's 28% return, driven by the resilience of the K-Pop industry and optimistic expectations regarding the reopening of the Chinese market [1] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The core appeal of the K-Pop entertainment industry lies in its potential benefits from the lifting of the "Korean Wave Ban" in China, with positive signals emerging since early this year [2] - Major developments include Tencent Music acquiring a 10% stake in SM Entertainment, enhancing collaboration opportunities, and the new South Korean president's commitment to expanding concert venues to promote K-Pop culture [2] - The K-Pop industry exhibits unique defensive characteristics, with core revenues derived from live events, digital streaming, and merchandise, which are less affected by trade tariffs compared to other sectors [2] Group 3: Industry Outlook - The return of top artists like BTS and Blackpink is expected to significantly boost market performance, with BTS planning a new album release in late 2025 and a tour in 2026, while Blackpink's world tour commenced in July [3] - The Global X K-Pop and Culture ETF holds approximately 40% of its portfolio in four major K-Pop companies: HYBE, SM, JYP, and YG, which are believed to best capture the K-Pop trend due to their proven scalability and ability to produce popular content [3] Group 4: Growth in Related Sectors - The global popularity of K-Pop is also driving growth in the Korean beauty and food industries, with significant increases in exports, particularly in cosmetics, which saw a 15.4% year-on-year growth in Q2 2025 [4] - The interest in "Korean beauty" continues to rise, with strong growth rates in Europe and emerging markets, indicating a sustained growth momentum [4] - In the food sector, Korean ramen is one of the fastest-growing export categories, with a compound annual growth rate of 30% from 2022 to 2024, prompting companies like Samyang and Nongshim to increase overseas production capacity [4]