Festival Kickoff: Manhwa is in Berlin!
The Festival Kick-off marks the opening of Comic Invasion Berlin 2026 and celebrates the Republic of Korea as this year's Focus Country.
11. April 2026, Hotel Berlin, Berlin
MANHWABANG 만화방: When Stories Become Worlds – Artist Talk with Kwang Jin Cho
Drawn in Korea – Voices from a Comic Nation
Berlin Meets Korea: Create a Mascot of Friendship
MANHWABANG 만화방: A Living Legend of Korean Comics – Artist Talk with Soo-Jung Kim
Stories We Carry: Comics on Diaspora and Belonging
Reading/Artist Talk "Grass" by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim
Greetings from the Goethe-Institut Korea
The Goethe-Institut Korea is pleased to collaborate with Comic Invasion Berlin for the first time this year. During the festival days on 9 and 10 May, we connect Berlin and Seoul as a vibrant stage for Korean and German comic art.
The exhibition featuring works by three German and two Korean artists, as well as the Artists Alley with 20 Korean comic talents here in Seoul, vividly demonstrate how diverse, experimental, and narratively powerful the comic scenes of both countries are. This cooperation marks an important step toward deepening artistic exchange and creating new connections.
We wish all participants inspiring conversations, open encounters, and two colorful and energetic festival days!
Greetings from the Koreanisches Kulturzentrum Berlin
In 2026, South Korea is the guest country of Comic Invasion Berlin (CIB) – a role we are very delighted about. Korean comics, manhwa (만화), and webtoons today are far more than illustrated stories: they are among the creative driving forces behind K-Contents, Korean cultural content, and also inspire K-dramas and films.
With events taking place in April and during the festival days on 9 and 10 May, CIB invites audiences to discover the diversity and fascination of Korean comic and webtoon culture.
The Koreanisches Kulturzentrum is very pleased to take part in this festival, which highlights the connecting power of comic and webtoon culture and creates space for new encounters and cultural dialogue.
We hope that this spring will become unforgettable for all of you thanks to Korean comics!
Focus Sponsors
Focus Contributors
Key Artists
Podcast: Focus Korea in the Satellites
Lara and Carlos tell you (in german) what our focus has to offer in the satellite program.
Satellites 2026
11. April – 26. May 2026
This year, we once again offer a diverse satellite program spanning more than a month.
