Record-Breaking Korea Pavilion, Innovation Awards Sweep, and the 'Next K-Wave EnterTech Forum'

CES (Consumer Electronics Show), the world's largest global innovation platform and exhibition, opens on January 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Every year at this time, major tech companies, policy experts, startups, and government officials from around the world converge here to discuss the present and future of technology.

This year, Korea stands at the center of CES. Korea has maintained its position as the top Innovation Award-winning country for three consecutive years, capturing 59% of all awarded companies, while the Korea Pavilion has reached its largest scale ever. What's particularly noteworthy is that at a time when K-Content's global stature has reached an all-time high, K-Content companies, entertainment tech startups, and creators are all converging at CES.

A dedicated event for these industry players has also been prepared. The 'Next K-Wave EnterTech Forum', to be held at Caesars Palace on January 7, is a venue focused on illuminating the future direction of K-Content in the era of AI, XR, and immersive media. This is a must-attend event for media, content, and studio professionals visiting CES.

1. Record-Breaking Korea Pavilion: The Numbers Tell the Story

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the CES 2026 Korea Pavilion will feature 38 organizations and 470 companies. Eureka Park (Innovation Zone) will host 298 companies, while the Global Pavilion (National Zone) will accommodate 171 companies. Including large corporations, SMEs, and startups, approximately 1,000 Korean companies will participate in total.

This represents a significant expansion from 32 organizations and 443 companies in 2024, and 36 organizations and 445 companies in 2025—making it the largest scale in history. By exhibition category, AI (Artificial Intelligence) accounts for the largest share at 21%, followed by Digital Health (16%), Smart City/Smart Home (11%), Sustainability/Energy (10%), and Mobility (9%).

2. CES Inn Awards Sweep: All Three 'Best of Innovation' in AI

Korea achieved overwhelming results in the 'CES 2026 Innovation Awards' announced before the opening. Of the 284 total award-winning companies, 168 (59%) are Korean companies. This significantly outpaces the United States (54 companies), China (34 companies), and Taiwan (13 companies), solidifying Korea's position as the top award-winning country for three consecutive years.

What's even more meaningful is the broadening base of Korea's technology ecosystem. Over 80% (137 companies) of award winners are SMEs, and Korean companies swept all three 'Best of Innovation' awards in the AI category—this year's core theme. Korea also recorded the highest number of AI category Innovation Awards with 28.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan stated, "In a situation where AI technology hegemony competition is intensifying, CES is an opportunity to showcase the technological capabilities and potential of our companies," adding, "We will actively support at the government level to ensure that innovation capabilities translate into export performance."

3. The K-Content Golden Age: EnterTech is the Answer

The Korean Wave (K-Wave), represented by K-POP, K-Drama, and K-Movies, is now rapidly expanding into digital content areas including K-Games, K-Webtoon, and K-Virtual Idols. Korean content's share on global OTT platforms like Netflix and Disney+ continues to rise, and demand for K-Content is also surging in the FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) market.

In this context, evolution into a 'technology-converged global platform' beyond simple content export has emerged as an essential task. Entertainment Technology (EnterTech)—including AI-based dubbing and translation, XR (Extended Reality)-based immersive content, virtual production, and cloud-based production infrastructure—is gaining attention as a key driver for K-Content's next leap forward.

4. 'Next K-Wave EnterTech Forum': Complete Analysis

Event Overview

Event Name: Next K-Wave EnterTech Forum @ CES 2026

Date & Time: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 14:00-18:30

Venue: Caesars Palace, Milano Room I (3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)

Organizers: K-EnterTechHub, 3stripe Venture Studio

Sponsors: SBS, Sinclair Broadcast Group, DRI, Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), Kocowa, KSEA Nevada Chapter, Mega Exhibit Inc

Expected Attendance: 80-100 (EnterTech experts, investors, business executives, academics, media)

Languages: Korean/English (Simultaneous interpretation provided)

Program Highlights

This forum, themed 'Finding Answers for the Next Decade of K-Content in Entertainment Tech,' brings together legacy TV, policy leaders, global tech companies, and innovative startups to explore a new K-Content ecosystem.

■ Congratulatory Remarks

Haedon Lee, Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles ('K-Culture and CES2026')

Seunghan Shin, Director Korea Communications Commission ('Korea's Broadcasting & Telecommunications Policy and Global Cooperation in the AI Era')

Moon-shin Bang, SBS & Chairman, Korea Broadcasters Association ('SBS, The Heart of K-Content')

■ Keynote 1 | 'Next Hallyu Initiative' (30 min)

Prof. Samseog Ko, Distinguished Professor at Dongguk University AI Convergence College (Member, Presidential AI Strategy Committee) will speak on 'K-Content Evolution Direction and Global Strategy in the AI·XR Era' and 'K-Wave 3.0: The Future of Korean Culture Led by Technology.'

■ Keynote 2 | 'Cloud, AI, K-Content, and the Future of Broadcasting' (30 min)

Del Parks, President of Technology at Sinclair Broadcast Group, will present on the evolution of cloud-based broadcasting infrastructure and the convergence of AI technology with K-Content.

■ Presentation | Entertainment Technology Trends (10 min)

Jung Han, CEO, K-EnterTech Hub

■ KSEA Remarks | 'Global Expansion and Research Collaboration for K-Startups' (5 min): Prof. Jaehyun Ryu, President of KSEA (Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association)

■ UKC 2026 Introduction (5 min): Prof. Yong-Kyu Yoon, University of Florida

■ Nevada Block (20 min)

Tom Burns, Executive Director, GOED; Alex Backus, Director of Business Development ('Nevada's Innovation Ecosystem and Opportunities for K-EnterTech')

Kim Spurgeon, Director, Film Nevada ('Nevada as a Global Production Hub: Opportunities for K-Content')

■ Special Talk | 'K-Content Company's EnterTech Strategy' (20 min)

June Park, CEO, NEW ID - 'From Korea's #1 FAST Platform to the World's #1 K-Culture Platform'

■ Panel Discussion | 'AI Revolutionizes Content Production, XR's Global Expansion & Immersive K-Content' (30 min):

Discussion on streaming services, AI, virtual production, AI dubbing/translation, Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro, and Sphere platform strategies

Moderator:

SJ Shin, Director of Media & Content, K-EnterTech Hub

Panelists:

Aundrea Frahm, Founding Director, UNLV Dreamscape Learn

Samseog Ko, Member, Korea National AI Committee

Kunhee Park, Media Platform Consultant (Former CEO, Kocowa)

Osang Kwon, CEO, Digital Future Research Institute

Prof. Gi woong Yun, Dean, Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada

■ Presentation |

'Mega Exhibit Inc: Global Scale Exhibition Company' (10 min)

Daniel Kim, Vice President, Mega Exhibit Inc

■ Startup Showcase | K-EnterTech Innovation Company Pitching (20 min)

Hyunjin Shin, CEO, Hudson AI ('Globalizing K-Content with AI');

Kisun Song, CEO, Maze ('Nevada Reno Expansion Project - K-Nevada Gateway Participating Company')

■ K-Nevada Bridge Program Introduction (5 min):

Kihwan Cho, Vice President, Pacemakers

5. Why Media & Content Studios Should Attend

This forum offers substantial business opportunities beyond simple information sharing. It provides networking opportunities with global XR and AI leaders including Meta, Apple, NVIDIA, and Sphere Entertainment, as well as business matching with Silicon Valley VCs, Hollywood studios, and Las Vegas entertainment companies.

In particular, through the 'K-Nevada Bridge Program'—a continuous cooperation system with the State of Nevada—Korean startups receive systematic support for U.S. market entry, with opportunities to pitch directly to global partners at CES.

The Next Decade of K-Content Begins at CES

CES 2026 is poised to mark the inaugural year of full-scale convergence between AI, XR, immersive media, and the entertainment industry. Korea has already proven itself world-class in technological innovation capabilities, and K-Content is exerting stronger influence in the global market than ever before.

The remaining challenge is how to fuse these two pillars into a 'sustainable global platform.' The 'Next K-Wave EnterTech Forum' is precisely the venue for finding that answer. For K-Content companies, media studios, and EnterTech startup professionals, this is a must-attend event at this year's CES.

The next decade of the Korean Wave begins in Las Vegas.

Inquiries & Registration

Contact: K-EnterTechHub, Jung Han

Phone: +1 812 837 7424

Email: existen75@kentertechhub.com

Website: www.kentertechhub.com