🎨 Gwangju ACE Fair 2026 — Korea's Biggest Character & Content Expo This September
Korea's biggest character and animation expo comes to Gwangju in September! 🎨 The 2026 Gwangju ACE Fair runs September 10–13 at Kim Daejung Convention Center — FREE entry with pre-registration (saves you 10,000 KRW vs. walk-in), English-speaking staff available, and K-character IPs from across Asia under one roof. Full guide for international visitors: how to register, what to see & how to get there. ✨
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The 2026 Gwangju ACE Fair (Asia Content & Entertainment Fair) is Korea's largest comprehensive content expo, bringing together characters, animation, webtoons (Korean digital comics), games, and licensed IP brands under a single roof at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju, South Korea. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Gwangju Metropolitan City, the fair has established itself as a premier Asia-Pacific licensing and content marketplace. The 2026 edition runs September 10 (Thursday) through September 13 (Sunday) — four days of exhibitions, B2B licensing consultations, academic programs, author signings, and hands-on special experiences including a VR experience zone and retro game hall. For international visitors, this is a rare opportunity to encounter the full landscape of Korean and Asian content IP in person — from the webtoon characters currently dominating global digital comics platforms to animation studios building the next generation of K-content. The ACE Fair Secretariat offers English-language support at +82-62-611-2247 and Chinese support at +82-62-611-2248.
Admission & Pre-Registration: How to Get In for Less
The most important thing to know before visiting: pre-registration saves significant money. Walk-in admission is 10,000 KRW for adults (~$7.50 USD). Pre-registration via the official website (acefair.or.kr) reduces this to 5,000 KRW for adults (~$3.70 USD) and 3,000 KRW for teenagers. Children and seniors (65+) enter free regardless of registration method. Pre-registration closes September 9 at 6:00 PM KST — register before then to save up to 50%. Registration is done entirely online at acefair.or.kr (available in English, Korean, and Chinese). After completing the form, you receive a QR code confirmation which you present at the Kim Daejung Convention Center entrance in exchange for a badge.What's Inside: Exhibition Highlights & Special Programs
The main exhibition floor features booths from domestic and international character and content companies — expect recognizable Korean webtoon IP, original animation studios, licensed character merchandise, and international partners from Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and beyond. An Illustration Fair section showcases independent artists and their original IP, making it a particularly strong event for fans of independent character design and alternative manga/manhwa aesthetics. Special programs in 2026 include a VR Experience Zone featuring the latest immersive content technologies, a Retro Game Zone for nostalgic arcade and console game experiences, and a full schedule of academic seminars and B2B content licensing consultation sessions. The fair also runs an international buyer program with subsidized access — if you work in content licensing, publishing, or digital media, register as a Business Buyer via the official site to access this track.
📊 2026 Gwangju ACE Fair — At a Glance
Pre-Register by Sep 9 — Adult Entry from 5,000 KRW (Walk-in 10,000 KRW)
Asia's premier character, animation, webtoon, and content licensing expo. English-speaking secretariat (+82-62-611-2247). VR zone, retro game hall, author signings, B2B licensing marketplace, and international partnerships.
Dates: Thursday, September 10 – Sunday, September 13, 2026 (4 days)
Venue: Kim Daejung Convention Center, 7-1 Namdoil-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju (김대중컨벤션센터)
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily (last entry 4:30 PM)
Pre-Registration Admission: Adult 5,000 KRW / Teen 3,000 KRW / Child & Senior: FREE
Walk-in: Adult 10,000 KRW / Teen 5,000 KRW
Official Website: acefair.or.kr (English available) | English Hotline: +82-62-611-2247
Key Info: Gwangju ACE Fair 2026
September 10 – September 13, 2026
The 2026 Gwangju ACE Fair is held at Kim Daejung Convention Center, Gwangju. Pre-register at acefair.or.kr to save up to 10,000 KRW vs. walk-in prices. English-speaking staff available on-site. Free entry for children and seniors. Registration deadline: September 9, 6:00 PM KST.
How to Get to Kim Daejung Convention Center
Gwangju, South Korea's fifth-largest city and the cultural capital of Jeolla Province, is well connected by KTX high-speed rail. From Seoul by KTX (Recommended): Take KTX from Seoul Station to Gwangju Songjeong Station (광주송정역) — journey time approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, fares from around 30,000–50,000 KRW per person depending on seat class and booking timing. From Gwangju Songjeong Station, the Kim Daejung Convention Center is directly accessible via Gwangju Metro Line 1 (approximately 15–20 minutes) — alight at Kimdeaejung Convention Center Station (김대중컨벤션센터역). Trip.com offers KTX ticket booking with English interface at competitive prices. From Busan by KTX: Approximately 1 hour to Gwangju Songjeong Station, then Metro Line 1 as above. From Seoul by Express Bus: Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam) to Gwangju Bus Terminal — approximately 3–3.5 hours, fares from around 18,000–22,000 KRW. From Gwangju Bus Terminal, take Metro Line 1 to Kim Daejung Convention Center Station (approximately 20 minutes). By Taxi from Gwangju Songjeong Station: Approximately 15 minutes, around 8,000–12,000 KRW.Tips for International Visitors
The ACE Fair is one of the most internationally accessible events in Korea's content industry calendar. The official website (acefair.or.kr) has full English navigation including registration, floor maps, and exhibitor lists. English-speaking staff are available at the secretariat booth inside the venue. Most exhibitor booths have English brochures or English-speaking representatives, particularly companies with active licensing programs. Payment at on-site merchandise stands is predominantly by card (Visa/Mastercard), though some independent artist booths may prefer cash — carry 20,000–30,000 KRW in KRW cash for smaller purchases. Plan at least 3–5 hours for a thorough visit; the exhibition floor is extensive and popular booths can form queues during weekends. For author signing sessions and special event programs, arrive at the venue's information desk by 10:00 AM to pick up a daily schedule and secure numbered tickets for time-limited activities. Weekday visits (Thursday–Friday, September 10–11) are noticeably less crowded than the weekend. Gwangju Beyond the Fair: Gwangju is a city of profound cultural and historical significance. The May 18th Democratic Uprising of 1980 (광주민주화운동), when citizens rose against military dictatorship, is one of Korea's most important modern events — and Gwangju commemorates it through powerful museums and memorials. The National May 18th Cemetery (국립5·18민주묘지) and the May 18th Democratic Uprising Record Center (5·18민주화운동기록관, a UNESCO Memory of the World site) are both free or low-cost to visit and offer deeply moving historical context. Combined with the ACE Fair, they make Gwangju an exceptionally rewarding 1–2 day destination. For Korean cultural performance experiences, also check out the BTS Busan Temple Stay guide — a unique cultural program available to foreign visitors. And for more budget travel options in Korea, the Wando Half-Price Travel guide covers refund vouchers available to international travelers.Admission Pricing: Pre-Registration vs Walk-in
| Visitor Type | Pre-Reg (by Sep 9) | Walk-in (On-site) | Approx. USD (Pre-Reg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | 5,000 KRW | 10,000 KRW | ~$3.70 |
| Teenager | 3,000 KRW | 5,000 KRW | ~$2.20 |
| Child | FREE | FREE | Free |
| Senior (65+) | FREE | FREE | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Walk-in registration is available on-site at 10,000 KRW for adults. However, pre-registering online at acefair.or.kr before September 9 at 6:00 PM (KST) reduces the adult fee to 5,000 KRW — saving 50%. Online registration also lets you skip the on-site registration queue. Children and seniors (65+) enter free with or without pre-registration.
A. Yes. The official ACE Fair website (acefair.or.kr) has a full English language version including registration, exhibitor lists, floor maps, and program schedules. English-speaking secretariat staff are available by phone at +82-62-611-2247. On-site, English support is available at the main information desk.
A. The fair is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, September 10–13. Last entry is at 4:30 PM. Weekday visits (Thursday–Friday) tend to be significantly less crowded than weekends.
A. Take KTX from Seoul Station to Gwangju Songjeong Station (approx. 1 hr 40 min), then transfer to Gwangju Metro Line 1 to Kim Daejung Convention Center Station (approx. 15–20 min). Total journey from Seoul approximately 2 hours.
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