As part of 2026 London Craft Week, the exhibition [Icheon and Beyond: The Space Within Form] opened at the Korean Culture Centre London, showcasing the philosophy and materials of Korean ceramics, and how 'empty space' becomes central to art. The exhibition featured 21 traditional masters and 6 contemporary artists from Icheon, highlighting Icheon’s identity as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of Crafts and Folk Art while illuminating both the historical depth and creative

The Economist's charts trace 2,000 years: Dangun's bear-born founding (2333 BCE), Three Kingdoms' rivalries, Silla unification, Joseon glory under Sejong, Japanese rule, 1945 split at 38th parallel, Korean War fury (Incheon to armistice), and DMZ scars. South thrives (GDP $35k+, K-wave hub); North isolates. For UK K-fans: hanok-Seoul magic awaits.