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Naver Webtoon to launch new short-form video service
Naver Webtoon is set to launch a new short-form video service called Cuts, designed to offer a new webtoon experience. On Monday, the company unveiled Cuts via a special episode of the hit series "My Daughter Is a Zombie." With the film adaptation of "My Daughter Is a Zombie" slated to premiere Wednesday, the episode doubled as a cross-promotional effort, featuring characters from the webtoon teasing the movie while introducing the new Cuts platform. According to the webtoon episode, Naver Webto
July 29, 2025 -
Gwangju Biennale Foundation's new president tasked with balancing local, global demands
Soon after his inauguration, Youn Bum-mo, the newly appointed president of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, shared his concerns about how to expand the "May 18 spirit" to the global stage as a new generation emerges. Youn, a former director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, said Gwangju was a rare case globally as the city is associated with a “spirit." In turn, this has formed the identity of the biennale. The May 18 spirit derives from the May 18 Gwangju Democratic
July 28, 2025 -
Tracing the steps of Olympic marathon gold medalist Son Kee-chung
An Olympic medal is the ultimate badge of glory. It's a symbol of victory, grit and countless hours of relentless training. And behind every medal lies a personal story of hope and inspiration. While it is a reward of a lifetime, no proud smile could be seen on gold medalist Son Kee-chung's face during the medal ceremony for the men's marathon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, and Son clinched his victory as a member of the Japanese delegation
July 28, 2025 -
Sip cooling tea at Changdeokgung
As a heat wave continues to bake South Korea, with daily highs expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius or above, the medical quarter of Changdeokgung will open to the public, offering visitors a cool, shaded place to take a break. The quarter known as "yakbang" served as a pharmacy and treatment center for the royal family. It will be open to visitors 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., every Wednesday to Sunday starting this Wednesday through Aug. 8. Visitors will also be given small cups of omija cha, a tea made
July 28, 2025 -
Faker to stay with T1 through 2029
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is set to stay with T1 through 2029, extending his tenure with the South Korean esports team that has defined his professional career. T1 announced the four-year contract extension Sunday, following the team’s match against Nongshim RedForce at Inspire Arena in Incheon, part of the T1 Home Ground fan event organized alongside the ongoing League of Legends Champions Korea. Also called LCK, the event is the professional Korean competition for LoL and takes place until Septem
July 28, 2025 -
Six artists explore personal narratives beyond politics at Atelier Hermes in Seoul
In the group exhibition, “The Second Life,” Atelier Hermes in Seoul has gathered six artists who explore how individual lives are shaped beyond social and political discourse, drawing on personal stories. Curator Ahn So-yeon said Thursday that the participating artists — Bek Hyun-jin, Lee Yona, Han & Mona, Kim Bo-kyung and Park Min-ha — each took a "slice of life" approach to create new work for the exhibition. “These days, an overwhelming number of exhibitions are being produced around socio-po
July 27, 2025 -
K-pop meets local lore: Hidden gems in 'KPop Demon Hunters'
"Listen 'cause I'm preachin' to the choir. Can I get the mic a little higher? Gimme your desire, I can be the star you can rely on." Yes, what is easier than stealing the souls of K-pop fans already under a spell? Many of you might have fallen head over heels for the Saja Boys — the Korean grim reapers who also top charts — like Abby, whose muscles pop shirt buttons, and Jinu with his charming smile. The group is a five-member fictional boy group created for the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon
July 26, 2025 -
Culture Ministry expands AI content support with additional W21b
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday that it will expand its AI content support initiative beyond its current focus on content creation to cover the full production cycle — including planning, distribution and marketing. The initiative, dubbed the “K-Content AI Innovation Leadership Project,” will be carried out in collaboration with the Korea Creative Content Agency, with 21 billion won ($15.2 million) in funding secured through a second supplementary budget for 2025.
July 25, 2025 -
Registration opens for English templestay program
Registration for an English templestay program for foreign nationals wishing to unplug from bustling city life and experience South Korea's Buddhist culture opened Friday. The first 1,500 applicants will be able to participate in the overnight program priced at 30,000 won ($21.77) that will run from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, according to the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism — an arm of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect in Korea. The special templestay program designed for f
July 25, 2025 -
NMK chief plans international tour of '5,000 Years of Korean Art' exhibition
At a time when Korean culture and tradition are sweeping across the globe, You Hong-jun, the newly-appointed director general of the National Museum of Korea, has set his sights on taking the "5,000 Years of Korean Art" exhibition abroad, aiming to highlight the cultural foundations that underpin modern Korean culture. "The exhibition held 45 years ago marked a major milestone in gaining recognition for Korean art in the Western world. I am planning an exhibition that highlights the essential qu
July 25, 2025 -
Check in, ante up or cool off
Check into a virtual Sanrio hotel, go all-in at a late-night poker table or make a splash at the Han River — three ways to make the most of Seoul’s offbeat experiences this summer. It is a bit of a bummer that those irresistibly cute Sanrio characters are often trapped in merchandise racks instead of starring in their own shows or stories because many people would love to see them come to life beyond keychains and plushies. An immersive media art exhibition titled "Hotel Floria" brings Sanrio ch
July 25, 2025 -
Art tour to Arles: where ancient legacies fuel contemporary creativity
ARLES, France — Located on the banks of the Rhone River in southern France, the city of Arles has witnessed over 2,000 years of history and was once a crucial spot for military movement and commerce in Roman times. Home to a population of 53,000, Arles is full of cultural gems. From traces of Vincent Van Gogh to remnants of structures built under Julius Caesar during its time as a Roman colony, visitors to Arles often feel as though they are discovering hidden treasures when exploring the city.
July 24, 2025 -
Back from Japan, dragon-headed roof tiles and eaves offer glimpse of Joseon royal shrine
From a distance, the beam appears no different from an ordinary piece of timber. But stepping closer, its surface reveals cracks and dents that reflect its age, along with faint inscriptions looking like the Japanese characters "ho" or "ma," indicating it was likely marked or labeled during its time in Japan. These are parts of the disassembled pieces of Gwanwoldang, thought to be a royal shrine from the Joseon era (1392-1910), which were taken to Japan during the country's colonial rule of Kore
July 24, 2025 -
Festival celebrating MapleStory to be held in Taipei, LA
South Korean gaming company Nexon announced plans to bring its flagship massively multiplayer online role-playing game MapleStory to fans in Taipei and the US with the upcoming global festival, "Maple Con 2025." Marking the game’s 20th anniversary, the event aims to foster community engagement through interactive programs that allow players to share memories and emotional connections forged through the game. "Maple Con 2025 Taipei," scheduled for August 2-3 in Taipei, Taiwan, will offer a divers
July 24, 2025 -
Actor Park Bo-gum new face of Korea's tourism
Actor Park Bo-gum has been appointed as the honorary ambassador for 2025 Korea Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday. A teaser video for the upcoming global promotional campaign was unveiled on the ministry’s official YouTube channel “Imagine Your Korea,” revealing Park as the new face of Korean tourism. The ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization have consistently tapped top-tier Hallyu stars to front their annual campaigns — BTS in 2022, Lee Jung-jae in 20
July 24, 2025