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Poolside style in 2025
As heatwaves grip the Korean Peninsula and the summer holiday season reaches its peak, one fashion item is making bigger waves than before: the swimsuit. Once focused mainly on practicality and performance, swimwear in 2025 has become a canvas for self-expression, especially among Korea’s fashion-forward Millennials and Generation Z. This year’s swimwear trend is bold, multi-dimensional and refreshingly personal. Whether it’s a custom bikini or a polka-dot monokini channeling 1960s charm, the be
Aug. 2, 2025 -
Makgeolli and jeon: Korea's coolest summer couple
Sometimes, all you want is good booze and comforting bites to treat your taste buds -- we all have those days. And when the craving hits hard, makgeolli -- Korea's beloved milky, fizzy rice wine -- and jeon, or savory Korean pancakes, might just be the ultimate pairing. For those wondering where to go for the combo, a good 10-minute walk from Exit No. 2 of Mangwon Station on Subway Line No. 6 will take you to Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, where you can follow your nose to the market'
Aug. 2, 2025 -
13th Busan Int'l Comedy Festival to take over coastal city in August
The 13th Busan International Comedy Festival, one of Asia’s largest comedy showcases, is set to run for 10 days from Aug. 29 to Sept. 7 across multiple venues in the coastal city of Busan. Kicking off with an opening ceremony at Bexco, the event will bring together around 100 performers, including Korea’s top comedians, international acts and rising digital creators. The comedy troupe from "Gag Concert" — Korea’s iconic sketch show — will open the event with a live performance. Popular comedian
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Japanese version of 'Marry My Husband' becomes Prime Video Japan’s most-watched series
The Japanese adaptation of the hit Korean drama "Marry My Husband" has become Amazon Prime Video Japan’s most-watched series. Having premiered on June 27, the series soared to the top of the platform's viewership charts, drawing the largest audience in Japan within its first 30 days, from June 27 to July 27, 2025, according to data provided by Amazon Prime Video. As of Thursday, the drama also clinched the No. 1 spot on Prime Video’s Top 10 chart in Japan, based on rankings compiled by FlixPatro
Aug. 1, 2025 -
'Le Cafe Louis Vuitton' to open in Maison Seoul
Louis Vuitton announced its newest culinary destination, "Le Cafe Louis Vuitton," will be opening Sept. 1 on the fourth floor of its flagship Maison Seoul in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. The new cafe is part of Louis Vuitton’s global push into gastronomy, following successful ventures in cities such as Paris, New York, Tokyo, Milan and Bangkok. The Maison Seoul location will fuse French fine dining with Korean flavors, expanding its “everyday expression of fashion, culture and cuisine," according to t
Aug. 1, 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 -
Legoland Korea opens new water attraction ‘Marina Jets Bay’
Legoland Korea, a theme park opened in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in 2022, is diving into summer with the official launch of “Marina Jets Bay,” a new water play attraction unveiled Friday. Spanning over 100 square meters, the interactive floor fountain was built with a 1.7 billion won ($1.2 million) investment and can accommodate up to 200 visitors at once. Located in the park’s recently expanded City zone between the popular Wave Racers and Coast Guard Academy rides, Marina Jets Bay is the la
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Movies in theaters this week
"My Daughter is a Zombie" (South Korea) Opened July 30 Comedy/Drama Directed by Pil Gam-seong Devoted father Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-seok) flees to his rural hometown with his zombie-infected teenage daughter (Choi Yu-ri), enlisting his mother (Lee Jung-eun) and childhood friend (Yoon Kyung-ho) in a comedic scheme to hide and rehabilitate her. "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" (US) Opened July 24 Action/Fantasy Directed by Matt Shakman In this 1960s-set MCU entry, four scientists (Pedro Pascal, Vanes
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 -
Packages and promotions
Andaz Seoul Gangnam offers gourmet stay package featuring AI chef Andaz Seoul Gangnam is launching its “Bites & Bliss” package, combining a luxury stay with a high-tech culinary experience. The hotel offers a two-person set menu at its Bites & Wine restaurant, featuring dishes prepared by “Andi,” the hotel’s AI-powered robotic chef. Guests can choose two entrees from a selection that includes an AI-cooked steak sandwich, Bolognese pasta and seafood Alfredo, paired with two glasses of house wine.
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
The Boryeong Mud Festival, one of South Korea’s most iconic summer events, runs through Aug. 10 at Daecheon Beach, Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. This hands-on festival features mud zones for adults, families and water park lovers, with activities like mud wrestling, colored mud painting and even mud-based beauty care. Daytime fun transitions into nighttime performances and fireworks. Admission to the general zone is 10,000 won for adults Monday through Thursday and 14,000 won on weekends
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Star street dancer Aiki finds new expression in musical debut ‘Frida’
Aiki is best known for her breakout on Mnet’s “Street Woman Fighter” and for her popularity as a TikTok influencer. Last month, she stepped onto an entirely new scene, making her musical debut in the original Korean production, “Frida.” For the star dancer, who has long gravitated toward spaces “where music, dance and song exist,” the stage itself is familiar. But embodying a completely different character was new territory — one she described as “therapeutic.” “I realized how limited I had been
July 31, 2025 -
JTBC's 'Beyond the Bar' promises to refresh crowded legal drama genre
Amid a saturated market of legal dramas, "Beyond the Bar" aims to deliver healing stories that explore the emotional wounds behind legal cases. "Beyond the Bar" is an office drama centered on Hyo-min (Jung Chae-yeon), a rookie lawyer, and Seok-hoon (Lee Jin-wook), an elite attorney at the same firm. Despite the star power of Jung, known for "Family By Choice" and as a former member of the K-pop group I.O.I, and Lee, a seasoned actor with hit K-drama credits including "Sweet Home" and "Squid Game
July 31, 2025 -
Agarmon: monster 'born at the moment of orgasm' questions birth, existence
A mysterious translucent object with moss on it occupies the center of the Seoul Box at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. The object is placed on a stainless steel installation with an overhead lamp. The floor of the installation is covered with stones. The creature, named “Agarmon 5,” is composed of agar and moss, and the “Agarmon Incubator” controls water, humidity and lighting, creating an artificial environment to sustain the creature's life. Korean artist Tzusoo, wh
July 31, 2025 -
Explore concepts of wrongdoing and redemption
A rare painting created during the early Joseon era (1392-1910) that made its way back home from Japan will be on view at a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea through Aug. 31. As part of the special exhibition titled "Art of Early Joseon: Masterpieces from the 15th and 16th Century," three panels of "Siwangdo" will be displayed starting Friday. Aptly named the "Ten Underworld Kings," the set of paintings on silk depicts the 10 kings of the underworld who pass judgment on the sins
July 31, 2025