Pope Leo XIV says 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul to take place Aug. 3-8

Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that the next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, Korea, from Aug. 3 to 8, 2027. The announcement came just before he led the Angelus — a brief prayer traditionally said at noon in the Catholic Church — at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome. “With this jubilee concluded, the ‘pilgrimage of hope’ for young people continues and will take us to Asia,” he said in front of 1 million Jubilee of Youth participants from 146 countries, including Korean pilgrims.

Aug. 4, 2025

After 3 years and 8.5 million visitors, Cheong Wa Dae closes to public

Three years and two months since opening to the public as a cultural and historical site, Cheong Wa Dae, a symbol of state power and political history, closed Friday to prepare to return to its formal function as the presidential office and residence. The transition will focus primarily on upgrading security systems and facilities. While the exact date of the presidential move-in has not been confirmed, the closure marks the beginning of Cheong Wa Dae’s restoration as the seat of executive power

Aug. 1, 2025

Guilt-free shopping, calming art and cool games

"No buy July" is over, making this a perfect time to shop guilt-free at a Goodwill Store. If you are going to the mall to escape the heat, why not add an exhibition to your list? The oppressive heat is a perfect excuse to indulge in a gaming lounge to try new games or play your favorites. Here are some suggestions for the weekend. What if shopping could spark joy and create social good? At the Goodwill Store by Milal Foundation, it does just that. With 42 locations nationwide, including one tuck

Aug. 1, 2025

Culture Minister nominee eyes 'W300tr K-culture market'

Chae Hwi-young, who would be the first private sector expert to lead the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism if appointed, said Tuesday that he hopes to grow the market for Korean culture to 300 trillion won ($215.7 billion). The 61-year-old tech platform expert highlighted the Korean content industry's growing economic impact, citing K-pop, K-dramas, games, webtoons and publishing. Together, these markets generated 154 trillion won in revenue and $13.3 billion in exports in 2023, growing at

July 29, 2025

'Squid Game,' Park Bo-gum and K-pop: Korea continues to attract tourists with K-content

Clad in the iconic green tracksuit from “Squid Game,” Ria dashes through South Korean landmarks, pursued by guards in pink jumpsuits. But this isn’t a teaser for a new season of the global Netflix sensation — it’s a tourism promotion video that has racked up more than 11 million views since its release on July 3. In another campaign leveraging the popularity of “All of Us Are Dead,” two high school students and Jason, a friend turning into a zombie, take viewers through major tourist attractions

July 29, 2025

SAC Int'l Music Festival brings global and emerging talent to Seoul for six days

From Aug. 5 to 10, the Seoul Arts Center will host the fifth edition of its International Music Festival -- its most expansive yet. The 2025 festival boasts 11 concerts featuring artists invited from around the world, alongside five chamber ensembles selected through a competitive call, and a lineup that spans symphonic powerhouses, intimate baroque ensembles and contemporary innovators. Launched in 2021 as a summer platform for local talent, the festival has since evolved into a full-fledged in

July 29, 2025

Belgian National Orchestra to make Korea debut, reuniting with pianist Paik Hae-sun after 34 years

The Belgian National Orchestra will make its long-awaited Korean debut this fall. From Sept. 24 to 30, the ensemble will present six performances across the country, beginning at Seoul Arts Center. The program will feature Paik Hae-sun, one of Korea’s most iconic pianists and a renowned educator, in a long-anticipated reunion with the orchestra after 34 years. Paik will join the BNO and conductor Antony Hermus to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Their last collaboration d

July 23, 2025

Culture minister nominee wary of labeling gaming disorder as disease

Chae Hwi-young, the nominee to head the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed reservations about the classification of gaming disorder as a disease, according to Rep. Kim Seung-soo of the main opposition People Power Party on Tuesday. In a written response submitted to Rep. Kim regarding his confirmation hearing scheduled for later Tuesday, Chae stated, “Gaming is one of Korea’s representative leisure cultures.” He added, “The scientific basis for viewing gaming disorder as a diseas

July 22, 2025

Six EMK musicals coming to Disney+ next month

Some of Korea’s most iconic homegrown musicals by EMK Musical Company are soon to be available via streaming. The leading South Korean producer of original and licensed musical productions announced Monday that six of its biggest titles — “Elisabeth,” “Phantom,” “Monte Cristo,” “The Man Who Laughs,” “Xcalibur” and “Marie Antoinette” — will be released on Disney+ next month for users in Korea. Among them, "Monte Cristo," "Phantom" and "Elisabeth" have already been made available through a variety

July 21, 2025

Soprano Hwang Sumi offers self-curated 'Soundtrack' trilogy ― song, opera, cinema

In the latter half of 2025, soprano Hwang Sumi will take the reins of Lotte Concert Hall’s matinee series as both curator and performer. Titled “Soundtrack,” the three-part concert series will showcase the artist’s range across the classical, operatic and cinematic genres ― each installment exploring a different facet of the 39-year-old soprano's musical identity. For the internationally renowned soprano and respected educator, the project marks a meaningful expansion of her role. “I’ve always a

July 21, 2025