The Next Hallyu Insight Program links CES in Las Vegas with Los Angeles. Graphic: K-EnterTech Hub
Summary
The Dongguk University Hallyu Convergence Academy and K-EnterTech Hub will run the Next Hallyu Insight Program 2027 from Jan. 5 to 10, linking CES 2027 in Las Vegas with Dongguk University Los Angeles. The expert course looks at how AI, entertainment tech and culture tech are reshaping the Hallyu ecosystem and its business models. KRW 12 million per person.
The Dongguk University Hallyu Convergence Academy (동국대학교 한류융합학술원) and K-EnterTech Hub (K엔터테크허브) will run the Next Hallyu Insight Program 2027 — Where Hallyu Meets Entertainment Tech in Las Vegas and Los Angeles from Jan. 5 to 10, 2027. The six-day expert course combines CES 2027 with Dongguk University Los Angeles (DULA), with the Dongguk University Future Convergence Education Institute (미래융합교육원) as a partner.
The program builds on how Hallyu exports lift other industries. Every $100 million increase in Hallyu exports raises IT device exports by $105 million and cosmetics exports by $73 million, according to a Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) study reported in July. In the same study, music exports grew 29.7% a year on average since 2006, the fastest of eight categories.
The program is advised by Prof. Ko Sam-seok (고삼석), author of Next Hallyu (넥스트 한류), member of Korea’s National AI Strategy Committee and former standing commissioner of the Korea Communications Commission. It is open to Hallyu researchers, K-content and K-culture companies, content and entertainment tech investors, and government officials, with about 28 participants.
Las Vegas is already a Hallyu stage: four sold-out BTS shows and Sphere messages
BTS sold out all four shows at Allegiant Stadium in May, drawing more than 60,000 people on the first night. Sphere displayed the album logo and the message “What Is Your Arirang?”, and the Strip was lit red, Sports Kyunghyang reported on May 25. Concerts, immersive venues and city marketing moved together.
CES 2027 asks what AI actually delivers in the same city. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has named AI’s results for revenue and efficiency as the show’s focus, Seoul Economic Daily reported on Oct. 14. Digital Hollywood, held the day before the show opens, covers microdramas, creator monetization and Hollywood IP.
Two days of CES tours and a Caesars Palace conference; Hallyu business-model companies in LA on Jan. 8
From Jan. 5 to 7 in Las Vegas, participants join two days of CES tours, the Entertainment Tech Conference at Caesars Palace on Jan. 7, visits to AREA15 and Sphere, and a Nevada policy lunch with Film Nevada and Clark County. On Jan. 6 Prof. Ko opens with a lecture on the co-evolution of Hallyu, entertainment tech and culture tech, and an Academy expert lecture covers Hallyu and K-wave business models and their future.
On Friday, Jan. 8, the group moves to Los Angeles to visit a Hollywood studio, companies building new approaches and business models around Hallyu, and Koreatown. On Saturday, Jan. 9, DULA hosts an Academy lecture, the Next Hallyu Roundtable chaired by Prof. Ko, a certificate ceremony, and LA Hallyu networking with a VC roundtable.
Three days in Las Vegas, two in Los Angeles. Graphic: K-EnterTech Hub
| Date | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Tue 1/5 | Arrive in Las Vegas, AREA15, orientation |
| Wed 1/6 | Academy lecture (Prof. Ko), Hallyu and K-wave business lecture, Nevada policy lunch, CES tour I, welcome reception |
| Thu 1/7 | CES tour II, AI and K-content lecture, Entertainment Tech Conference at Caesars Palace, Sphere |
| Fri 1/8 | Fly to LA; Hollywood studio, new Hallyu business-model companies, Koreatown |
| Sat 1/9 | Lectures at Dongguk University LA, Next Hallyu roundtable, certificates, LA Hallyu networking & VC roundtable |
| Sun 1/10 | Depart LA |
Increase in exports by sector per $100 million rise in Hallyu exports ($10,000s)
KRW 12 million including accommodation, briefing book and networking
The fee is KRW 12 million (about $8,570) per person, covering accommodation (three nights in Las Vegas, two in LA), the briefing book and networking programs; flights are not included. Companies and investors get two 1:1 meetings with local VCs, executives or distribution partners, and all participants receive a joint certificate. Apply on the K-EnterTech Hub shop page; contact Nam Hyun-jung (남현정), CEO of smartcms, operation@smartcms.co.kr, +82 10-7644-8812.
Hallyu research meets industry: the Academy behind Hallyu 101 goes to the U.S. field
The Academy published Hallyu 101, the first volume of its Hallyu studies series, in June 2025 and formed an 11-member advisory board in December 2025. Hallyu exports move with related exports such as IT devices and cosmetics, and CES is where those devices and platforms gather. The course puts researchers, companies and investors on the same schedule to see how Hallyu earns money in U.S. live, platform and experience markets.
