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CJ ENM to host star-studded celebration of Korean pop culture
South Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM is set to host a star-studded celebration of Korean pop culture in Los Angeles. Titled “K-Culture Night at the Academy Museum with KCON,” the event is slated for July 31 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, one day ahead of CJ ENM’s flagship K-pop fan and artist festival, KCON LA 2025, which runs from Aug. 1-3. Presented as part of a strategic partnership between CJ ENM and the Academy Museum— one of the world’s premier institutions dedicated to
July 15, 2025 -
Final lineup announced for 2025 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
The final lineup and schedule have been confirmed for the 2025 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, featuring a total of 58 acts. The city of Incheon announced on Tuesday that singer-songwriter Milena and six rising bands selected through the 2025 Pentaport Super Rookie prefestival event will be the final additions to the roster. Milena, known for her jazz and classic-inspired compositions, warm yet dreamy voice and poetic lyrics rooted in everyday life, previously joined indie band wave to earth on
July 15, 2025 -
KBS to hold free Cho Yong-pil concert
Cho Yong-pil, a living legend of the Korean music industry, is set to return to the solo stage with a free concert slated for Sept. 6 at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome. Presented by national broadcaster KBS, the special event will air on KBS2 during the Chuseok holiday. This marks Cho’s first solo concert broadcast on public television in 17 years. The singer holds the distinction of being the first Korean artist to sell over 1 million copies of a single album, as well as being the first to surpass 10
July 14, 2025 -
JTBC’s 'The Nice Guy' blends first love with gangster grit
A fresh yet nostalgic mix of romance and crime is coming to the small screen this summer in the new JTBC series “The Nice Guy,” starring Hallyu favorites Lee Dong-wook and Lee Sung-kyung. The story follows Seok-cheol (Lee Dong-wook), the eldest son in an organized crime family who dreams of becoming a writer, and his first love Mi-young (Lee Sung-kyung). Together, they navigate a story brimming with youthful longing and harsh realities. Speaking at a press event in Seoul on Monday, Lee Dong-wook
July 14, 2025 -
Why record numbers flocked to MMCA Seoul for Ron Mueck
When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. “It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure such as the wrinkles on their face. The documentary about the artist’s process to create handcrafted works at the museum was even more striking ― especially in this age when
July 14, 2025 -
Busan to host international streaming festival celebrating digital content
A festival spotlighting the global streaming ecosystem is set to debut this summer on the shores of Busan. The inaugural 2025 International Streaming Festival, co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Busan Metropolitan Government and co-organized by the Korea International Streaming Festival Committee and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, will run Aug. 22-25 at Busan Cinema Center and Paradise Hotel. The event has been separated from the Busan International Film Festival, w
July 14, 2025 -
Will Kumgangsan UNESCO listing open path for inter-Korean cooperation?
Hopes for renewed inter-Korean cooperation grew Monday after North Korea's Kumgangsan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris on Sunday. This marks the North's third entry on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, following Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong in 2013 and the Complex of Koguryo Tombs inscribed in 2004. In 2021, North Korea submitted its application to have Kumgangsan recognized by UNESCO as a mixed heritage site
July 14, 2025 -
Naver Webtoon's 'Wind Breaker' joins growing list of plagiarism cancellations
A decadelong franchise came to an abrupt end last week when Naver Webtoon pulled one of its most popular series from the platform after plagiarism allegations were confirmed. "Wind Breaker," a sports webtoon about a high schooler who discovers his passion for competitive cycling, had amassed over 600 million views since its 2013 debut. Created by Jo Yong-seok, the series followed protagonist Jo "Jay" Ja-Hyun as he broke into amateur racing circuits and built friendships through a cycling team. C
July 14, 2025 -
N. Korea's Mount Kumgang listed as UNESCO World Heritage site
A scenic mountain known for its beauty that changes with the seasons, North Korea's Mount Kumgang has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. UNESCO added Mount Kumgang to its World Heritage list following the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris on Sunday. The official name of the place entering the list is "Mt. Kumgang - Diamond Mountain from the Sea." In May this year, the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the International Union for Conservation of Nat
July 13, 2025 -
Geology expert appointed chief of Korea Heritage Service
Huh Min, geology professor at Chonnam National University, was appointed to lead the Korea Heritage Service, the government entity responsible for preserving and promoting Korean cultural heritage. The announcement was made Sunday as President Lee Jae Myung appointed five vice ministers and seven vice ministerial-level officials, including Huh. Dubbed “Dr. Dinosaur,” Huh's work has focused on dinosaur and pterosaur fossils as well as microfossils such as ostracods. He has been involved in variou
July 13, 2025 -
Hwang Sok-yong to speak at Edinburgh Book Festival
International Booker Prize-nominated author Hwang Sok-yong will attend the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Aug. 19, in a session titled “Hwang Sok-yong: The Voice of a Divided Nation.” A towering figure in the Korean literary world, Hwang is renowned for chronicling the country’s turbulent modern history. His latest translated novel in English, "Mater 2-10" — shortlisted for the 2024 International Booker Prize and co-translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae — is a sweep
July 13, 2025 -
'K-culture begins with the arts': National Theater of Korea launches new season
When Korean cultural references like gat, dopo robes, magpies and tigers appear in hit animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," it’s a sign that the stature of Korean culture has changed significantly, according to Park In-gun, CEO of the National Theater of Korea. “And K-culture begins with the fundamental arts. I hope to see powerful works that expand across the world," Park said during a recent press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul. Building on that foundation, the National Theater
July 13, 2025 -
S. Korea's prehistoric petroglyphs inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage list
A set of prehistoric rock carvings in southeastern South Korea has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage list, a South Korean cultural agency announced Saturday. The decision was made during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Paris, where the "Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream" were formally recognized for their outstanding cultural value. Carved into vertical cliff faces along the Bangucheon Stream, a tributary of the Taehwa River in Ulsan, some 360 kilometers
July 12, 2025 -
Make your stopover in Korea count
Targeting international travelers with layovers of 24 to 72 hours at Incheon Airport, Korea is offering a “K-Stopover” program to help them make the most of their time here. The specialized travel program provides curated tour packages covering accommodation, transportation, guided tours and cultural experiences. The initiative is open to those whose layovers in Korea extend between one and three days. “There’s so much to discover even in just 48 hours,” said a representative from Incheon Airpor
July 12, 2025 -
Why are Labubu monsters taking over the world?
In an industry that thrives on constant reinvention, a mischievous, elvish toy called Labubu is quickly becoming fashion’s most unexpected new star. With its jagged teeth, wild hair and wide-eyed grin, Labubu has leapt from collectible curiosity to cultural symbol. Originally designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu was introduced through the Pop Mart x How2work series, initially appealing to a niche group of toy collectors. But Labubu's popularity has surged well beyond that audience, e
July 12, 2025