Gwangju, located in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula, is the fifth largest city in Korea with a population of 1.3 million.

As a home to a great number of cultural artifacts from the Baekje Dynasty and the artistic and scholarly works of the Joseon Dynasty, the city is known as a mecca of culture and arts. Befitting its cultural background, Gwangju is where many famous scholars and artists were born. Most notably, it is the birthplace of pansori (traditional narrative singing), a unique musical genre unlike anything else in the world.

Gwangju's love of the arts is celebrated with the Gwangju Biennale, an international art festival that began in 1995 and has attracted some of Asia's and the world's most recognized modern artists.
Gwangju is also famous for its food, in particular, its "traditional menu" featuring an assortment of hearty dishes guaranteed to leave an unforgettable impression on tastebuds.
Gwangju has also historically played a key role in Korean politics and in the march toward democracy.