K-EXPO Business Matchmaking Draws Korean SMEs and U.S. Buyers
Beauty, Gaming, and Content Companies Seek Global Expansion
Organizers Thank Korean-American Community for Strong Support
K-EXPO 2026 Los Angeles has moved from its public exhibition and concert events into full-scale business matchmaking sessions this week, with organizers targeting approximately $200 million in export consultation deals during the Los Angeles event.
Hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the K-EXPO program is touring major international cities to promote Korean culture and business. Los Angeles — widely viewed as a key gateway for both U.S. cultural influence and international trade — is serving as the site of the expo’s five-day West Coast event.
The business meetings are being held at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles, where 63 Korean small and mid-sized companies are meeting directly with buyers and distributors. The event is organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
Participants include eight beauty companies and 55 firms involved in gaming, entertainment, digital media, intellectual property, and other content industries. Organizers said more than 500 business consultations took place on the first day alone.
Dermafirm, a Korean skincare and facial mask manufacturer, said the expo could lead to significant export growth.
“We are currently expanding our brand through retail chains such as Walgreens and now sell products in roughly 4,000 stores,” said Kim Kyu-ho, a sales manager at Dermafirm. “Through these meetings, we hope to generate an additional 4 to 5 billion won in exports by next year.”
U.S. buyers attending the event said the value of Korean intellectual property and entertainment content continues to rise globally thanks to the growing influence of K-culture.
Airbrands CEO Steven Thompson said he was impressed by the scale of Korean content promotion and licensing efforts at the expo.
“In the United States, there is tremendous interest in how the success of K-pop will continue expanding into broader industries,” Thompson said. He added that more integrated global marketing platforms could further strengthen Korea’s international content strategy.
Representatives from Korean gaming companies also emphasized the value of face-to-face meetings with overseas buyers. One participant said the expo serves not only as a starting point for negotiations but often as the final stage before contracts are signed.
Several Southern California banks, travel agencies, and Korean-American businesses also participated in the event, highlighting growing collaboration between Korea-based companies and the Korean-American business community.
Park In-nam, who oversees the event for KOCCA, said Southern California’s Korean-American network has been one of the expo’s greatest strengths.
“The Korean-American community here has played a major role in supporting the event,” Park said. “We are sincerely grateful for the tremendous interest and support shown by local Korean Americans.”
Following Los Angeles, the next K-EXPO event is scheduled to take place in Paris next month.
