700 creators converge on Seongsu-dong for Seoul Vibe 2026

More than 700 domestic and international creators and business representatives gathered in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, to explore opportunities for K-brands to expand into global markets.

The Seoul Business Agency (SBA) announced Saturday that Seoul Vibe 2026, a global creator networking event held Thursday at Mapdal Seoul in Seongsu-dong, concluded successfully.

Now in its third year, the event was hosted by SBA and organized by aSSIST Influencer MBA (iMBA). The organizers worked with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea) to lay the groundwork for Seoul's small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the North American market.

The event carried a black-tie concept and drew global influencers including actor Anupam Tripathi and broadcaster Lucky, with programs ranging from brand product experiences to business meetings. In a prize event sponsored by real-time translation messenger Kkiri, influencer Kim Ji-na won 10 million won ($7,490) and was appointed global ambassador.

The event continued with a creator commerce pop-up, Seoul Awards Creator Match 2026, which ran from Oct. 24 to Oct. 29. The pop-up featured 75 K-beauty products from 22 brands selected by Seoul Awards, along with 10 lifestyle and fashion startup brands.

Seoul Vibe focuses on converting influencer networking into actual sales. In July last year, iMBA students introduced products from Seoul's small and medium-sized enterprises on China's Taobao live commerce platform, generating 100 million yuan ($15 million) in sales within 10 hours.

Choi Yu-jin, lead professor at aSSIST Influencer MBA, said the event "is becoming a real channel through which excellent products from Seoul's small and medium-sized enterprises reach the world through creator commerce," adding, "Building on this year's partnership with AMCHAM, we plan to expand our stage to the North American market next year."