Koom Festival 2025 Showcases the Future of Korean Innovation & K-Culture in Brooklyn [Photos]

Koom Festival made its grand debut at the Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, New York, attracting more than 10,000 attendees over three days. Hosted by the nonprofit United Korean Founders, the Korean startup and culture festival ran from October 16th to 18th, blending business innovation and entertainment in equal measure. Each day featured a full schedule of panel speakers from morning through late afternoon, followed by evening concerts.

The festival embodied the meaning behind its name — Koom (꿈), meaning “dream” in Korean — by connecting founders, artists, and visionaries from Korea’s leading brands, services, and creative industries on a global stage.

The festival layout was both convenient and inviting, offering seamless access between indoor and outdoor spaces. Attendees enjoyed a diverse range of food options, including an outdoor food court featuring traditional and fusion Korean dishes, and an indoor café and bar located inside the Greenhouse.

Adjacent to the main venue stood a large building housing both the Startup Booth and Brand Booth sections. All booths were staffed by bilingual representatives, ensuring accessibility and engagement for both Korean and English-speaking attendees. The startup area featured companies spanning industries from technology, legal, and healthcare to food, fashion, and entertainment. The Brand Booth side spotlighted top Korean beauty and skincare companies with immersive pop-ups featuring product displays, interactive activities, and giveaways.

V13 contributor Aubry Miller, joined by co-author Kumika Hashimoto, covered days two and three of the festival.

Day Two: The Day of Expert

Day two, known as the Day of Expert, began with panels focused on Korean startups and finance at the main Koom Stage, the festival’s largest venue. Live subtitles in Korean and English were provided by Flitto, a South Korean-based AI translation company. Industry leaders discussed current trends shaping the Korean startup ecosystem and offered insights into financial market predictions. They emphasized the KOSDAQ, Korea’s counterpart to the NASDAQ, as a strong alternative for startups due to its high trading liquidity and market stability.

Following a brief intermission, discussions shifted toward AI infrastructure and innovation. Panellists included Vasant Dhar, Professor of Data Science at NYU Stern, alongside, founder and CEO of Exosystems, and Logan Kim, founder and CEO of Nuvilab. Both entrepreneurs showcased how their companies use AI to improve health outcomes: Exosystems through neuromuscular data analysis to assess disease risk, and Nuvilab through AI-powered food health analysis that identifies key indicators such as nutritional value and allergens.

The conversation later turned to K-Beauty, one of Korea’s most globally recognized industries. Hyungseok Dino Ha, co-founder and CEO of Memebox, shared his company’s early journey in K-Beauty long before the Korean Wave (Hallyu) gained worldwide traction. He discussed with fellow panellist Allison Slater Ray, co-founder of Breakthru Beauty, how consumer education and awareness of spending have evolved. Ray praised Memebox’s pioneering role in influencer collaborations, a practice that foreshadowed today’s booming influencer marketing industry.

Outside at the Dream Lounge, an open-air stage overlooking the Brooklyn waterfront, the afternoon featured inspiring panels led by venture capitalists and startup founders. Notably, Richard Park, founder of CityMD and co-founder and managing partners of Ascend Partners and April Koh, founder of Spring Health, discussed the intersections of health, finance, and technology, offering firsthand insights into entrepreneurship. Unlike the Koom Stage, however, the Dream Lounge did not offer live translation on a large display, which limited accessibility for both Korean- and English-speaking attendees.

Koom Festival Concert: Day Two

Day two of the Koom Festival delivered an impressive lineup that showcased both musical artistry and emotional storytelling. On the second day of the festival, R&B singer Jiselle opened with effortless charisma, her soulful voice instantly captivating the crowd. As she spoke about her debut single “Missed Call,” she shared how deeply personal and special the song is to her, creating a heartfelt moment that resonated through the audience.

Seori followed, her signature deep tone filling the space with quiet intensity. From “Really High” to “Lovers in the Night,” she reimagined each track with spontaneous arrangements that electrified the crowd. Next, despite technical hiccups, soloist Yves impressed with her grace under pressure, commanding the stage through sharp choreography and magnetic stage presence. The night ended with a vibrant set from TripleS, keeping energy levels high and audiences dancing until the end—a true celebration of music, creativity, and the global spirit of K-culture.

Day Three: The Day of Trendsetters

Day three, the Day of Trendsetter, shifted the spotlight to leaders in food, fashion, entertainment, and technology. Hooni Kim, chef and owner of Danji, reflected on the global rise of pride in Korean culture. He spoke passionately about the health benefits of traditional Korean cuisine, emphasizing the power of wild fermentations in promoting gut health. “Korean food is the future,” Kim declared, drawing applause from the audience.

Echoing the sentiment of Korean culture’s widespread influence was Taeho Kim, COO of HYBE and CEO of Belift Lab. Kim outlined HYBE’s vision to expand beyond K-pop into a multi-genre model. With the success of global girl group KATSEYE, he shared plans for continued diversification into the Japanese and Latin American markets, signalling the company’s ambition to shape the next chapter of international music.

At the Dream Lounge, discussions centered on fashion, technology, business, and beauty. Representatives Gunwook Nam and Juheun Lee from Nongshim, the global food and beverage brand, shared their perspective on entering the U.S. market. They described their company’s desire to support other Korean startups navigating similar challenges. Their remarks captured the festival’s core spirit, building bridges, sharing knowledge, and strengthening Korea’s global presence through innovation and cooperation.

Koom Festival Concert: Day Three

The final night of the Koom Festival united seasoned veterans, industry icons, and emerging stars of K-pop. The evening kicked off with electrifying performances by sokodomo, giriboy, and Zion.T, each bringing their signature styles to the stage. Rookie boy group CORTIS followed, instantly winning over the crowd with their viral hits “GO!” and “FaSHioN.” Their infectious energy and polished choreography proved their potential as one of K-pop’s next breakout acts.

Closing out the night was Epik High, the legendary hip-hop trio formed in 2001. Their nostalgic setlist featured classic hits like “Fly,” “Love Love Love,” and “Fan,” sparking sing-alongs and emotional moments among fans. The performance lineup underscored the evolution of K-pop, from its early pioneers to the new generation shaping its future.

The Koom Festival stands as a shining example of Korea’s growing global influence across industries from not only in technology and business but also in art, culture, and creativity. Each day offered opportunities for learning, inspiration, and connection, uniting innovators and attendees alike under one shared dream.

With its successful debut in New York, the Koom Festival has proven that the spirit of Korean innovation continues to inspire the world, bridging industries, cultures, and generations through imagination and ambition.