New York Hallyu startup tour set for Nov. 24-29

As the global influence of Korean culture (K-culture) colors the streets of New York, an opportunity is opening up for Korean entrepreneurs aspiring to launch small businesses built around Korean Wave products. The New York Hallyu Startup Tour, taking place from November 24 to 29, is recruiting participants for a hands-on exploration of startups based on Korean Wave content.

New York is a city where Korean Wave products—from K-pop and K-dramas to K-beauty—are already part of everyday life. From Flushing in Queens and Koreatown (KT) in Manhattan to Brooklyn’s trendy cafe districts, small businesses incorporating Korean culture are thriving. The tour will take participants into these neighborhoods to learn how to launch a small business using Korean Wave products. Participants can develop practical business ideas through visits to local Korean Wave shops, market trend analysis workshops, and networking sessions.

The tour begins with a departure from Incheon International Airport on November 24 , followed by the start of the program upon arrival in New York. Day one (the 24th) includes arrival in New York and an orientation; day two (the 25th) features visits to Korean Wave shops in Koreatown; day three (the 26th) includes market research focused on K-food and beauty products; day four (the 27th) features mentoring sessions with local entrepreneurs; and day five (the 28th) includes networking and a pitching workshop. On the final day (the 29th), participants will have free time before returning home. Throughout the program, they will focus on local adaptation strategies for Korean Wave products and tips for running a small business .

Sponsored by The New York Economic Times, the tour is expected to become a platform connecting the Korean Wave’s vast potential with entrepreneurship. From pop-up stores and online shops built around Korean Wave fandom to K-culture experience spaces, the tour offers Korean entrepreneurs a chance to take on new challenges in New York’s multicultural market. With Korean Wave consumption surging in New York, driven in recent years by BTS and BLACKPINK, participants can experience the “Korean Wave economy” of the global market firsthand.

Aspiring entrepreneurs and Korean Wave business professionals can explore New York’s vibrant Korean Wave ecosystem through the tour. For details and to apply, email eastorion@naver.com. The Korean Wave is surging beyond New York and around the world—and a wave of entrepreneurship is beginning.