Korea Expo in Paris: A Day of Encounters, Culture and Genuine Curiosity
Korea Expo at Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles didn’t feel like a polished, scripted event. It felt lived‑in. From the moment the doors opened, people were already moving in every direction — families, students, curious visitors, fans who knew exactly what they came for, and others who were simply there to see what the buzz was about. The atmosphere was warm, a bit chaotic at times, but in a good way.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in France came early in the day. His visit added a formal note, but it didn’t change the mood. He walked through the stands calmly, stopping here and there, talking with exhibitors, looking closely at the products. Nothing heavy or ceremonial — just a respectful presence that showed the event mattered.
One thing became obvious very quickly: the beauty stands were the stars of the day. The queues were long — really long — and they didn’t slow down. People waited patiently to try skincare products, ask questions, compare textures, take photos. It was one of the busiest areas of the entire Expo. Right next to it, the food tasting zone had its own crowd. Snacks, drinks, small bites — people kept coming back, sometimes with friends they had just called over. The atmosphere there was lively, full of reactions, comments, and small discoveries.
The fashion and lifestyle section brought a different energy. Clothing, accessories, modern takes on Korean aesthetics — visitors stopped to look, to touch, to take pictures. Some pieces drew a lot of attention, especially the ones mixing traditional inspiration with contemporary design.
One of the highlights of the day was the performance by Envol. As soon as the show started, people gathered quickly, forming a semi‑circle around the stage. It brought a burst of energy to the hall and became one of the moments everyone talked about afterward. A bit further, the Squid Game activity added a playful touch. Visitors stopped, laughed, took photos — a simple but effective nod to a global cultural phenomenon.
And then came the moment many were waiting for: Jinyoung’s appearance. He joined the opening ceremony and later took part in an interview. His presence changed the atmosphere instantly — more excitement, more movement, more phones in the air. It was clearly one of the key moments of the event.
What stood out throughout the day was the mix of people. Families discovering Korean culture for the first time, K‑culture fans who knew every reference, food lovers, fashion enthusiasts, and visitors who had simply walked in out of curiosity. Everyone found something that caught their attention. The sound of the Expo said a lot about the day: conversations in three languages, music coming from different stands, camera shutters, and the constant background buzz of people discovering things at their own pace.
Korea Expo wasn’t just a cultural showcase. It was a day of encounters — simple, direct, human. A place where people didn’t just look at Korea from afar, but experienced it through food, beauty, fashion, performances and real interactions.
What stayed at the end wasn’t a single highlight. It was the overall feeling of a warm, lively, genuine day — one where Korea felt close, accessible, and shared.