The Seoul congress will "focus on the various aesthetic aspects of mass culture, which, due to the rapid development of information technology, has become one of the most prominent of contemporary cultural phenomena," said Prof. Oh Chong-hwan, president of the organizing committee for 2016 ICA.

For this year's event, some 300 scholars from 37 nations, including Japan, U.S., Canada, Poland, and Brazil, will share their ideas in 81 different sessions during the event. Globally renowned scholars, including Noel Carroll, an American philosopher and a distinguished professor of philosophy at the City University of New York, will present their theories.

Topics range from art theories in the era of mass culture, reflections on the history of aesthetics to scientific perspectives on aesthetics.

In time for the congress, various special lectures and cultural events including Korean film screenings will take place.

"Having the congress in Korea reflects the heightened standing of Korean aesthetics study that stands on an equal footing with other countries in the field," an official from the Korean Society of Aesthetics said. (Yonhap)