Sejong City will present Hangeul culture and artworks that blend the sculptural artistry of Hangeul with contemporary sensibilities, set against the backdrop of a newly revitalised cultural complex at Jochiwon-eup.
The Sejong City (Mayor Min-ho Choi) and the Sejong Foundation for Culture and Tourism announced that the 2025 Hangeul International Pre-Biennale will be held at Jochiwon-eup from September 1 to October 12.
This event is designed to spread the festive spirit among citizens in advance of the 1st Hangeul Biennale in 2027 and to establish the direction of the upcoming biennale.
Under the theme “Drawing Words, Connecting Lives”, the 2025 Hangeul International Pre-Biennale will showcase diverse works that reinterpret the past, present, and future of Hangeul from the perspectives of artists from Korea and abroad.
A total of 39 artists from four countries—Korea, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Singapore—will participate. Alongside 13 local artists, the exhibition will feature works by renowned creators such as Britain’s Mr. Doodle, celebrated for his live drawing performances, and globally active artists including Hwia Kim and Paky.
Through cooperation with the Korea Foundation, the expanded exhibition will also showcase works by prominent artists, including Uruguay’s La Reconquista.
The event will transform multiple spaces across Jochiwon-eup, a district rich in Sejong’s history and culture, into unique venues for Hangeul-themed exhibitions.
The exhibitions will be held in six locations:
- Haksa-dong (The Birth of Hangeul)
- Sanil Je-sa (The Moments of Hangeul)
- North Sejong Sangsaeng Cultural Centre (The Challenges of Hangeul)
- Jochiwon 1927 Multipurpose Hall (The Harmony of Hangeul)
- Jochiwon 1927 Annex (The Future of Hangeul)
- Jochiwon 1927 Outdoor Space (The Transformations of Hangeul)
Each venue will highlight the aesthetic and expressive potential of Hangeul through various genres, including painting, installation, media art, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR).
At Sanil Je-sa, visitors will encounter Mr. Doodle’s works on traditional Korean paper (hanji), while the outer wall of the Jochiwon 1927 Art Centre will feature a large-scale live drawing that fuses Hangeul with his signature symbols and icons. This wall drawing will be permanently preserved as a local art piece, allowing citizens and visitors to enjoy it at any time.
The opening ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. on September 3 at the Jochiwon 1927 Art Centre, attended by Mayor Min-ho Choi, CEO Young-kuk Park of the Sejong Foundation for Culture and Tourism, participating artists, and local residents.
On September 11, an international forum titled “HANGEUL RE:VIVE – Reviving Letters through Art” will be held at the Jochiwon 1927 Art Centre Multipurpose Hall, featuring keynote speaker Eng Teong, Chairman of the National Arts Council of Singapore, to discuss the vision of the 2027 Biennale.
A wide range of permanent visitor programmes will also be offered. These include colouring activities inspired by the artworks, art appreciation workshops, and educational programs tailored to diverse age groups. Trained citizen docents specialising in Hangeul will provide daily guided tours twice a day, enhancing public understanding of the works.
In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy stamp tours and explore the various cultural spaces of Jochiwon-eup, Sejong City.
