Globally recognized K-pop group Big Bang will be representing Korea’s new slogan “Creative Korea” as a “Creative Icon,” the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday.

“Big Bang will be promoting the ‘Creative Korea’ brand worldwide in its new role as a Creative Icon,” said the Culture Ministry. “The group will have a big impact on promoting Korea’s image.”

Created ahead of the South Korea-Japan World Cup in 2002, the longtime nation brand “Dynamic Korea” was replaced with the new slogan last month following a nationwide poll.


Starting with the 2016 Rio Olympics, the five-member boy band will assume new responsibilities as Korea’s brand ambassadors until the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Having debuted in 2006, Big Bang is an iconic K-pop group that has gained a global following. To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, the band has been holding various performances and exhibitions in recent months. Its three-day sold-out tour in Japan last month attracted some 165,000 concertgoers, according to management agency YG Entertainment.

Big Bang is currently preparing for an upcoming multimedia exhibition at S-Factory in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, from Aug. 5 to Oct. 30, and for a concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Aug. 20.

By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)