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Netflix's most-watched shows see strong presence from non-English content: report
English-language shows are no longer dominating Netflix's most-watched list, its latest biannual engagement report showed, with non-English-language titles from the UK and South Korea boasting a strong global performance. The streaming service has released viewership data every six months for titles that surpass 50,000 hours of watch time since December 2023. The latest report, covering January to June, accounts for 99 percent of all viewing on the platform. Non-English series made up a signific
July 18, 2025 -
Former MMCA Director Youn Bum-mo appointed as Gwangju Biennale Foundation president
Youn Bum-mo, the former director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, has been appointed president of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation and will lead the organization ahead of the upcoming Gwangju Design Biennale in August and the 2026 Gwangju Biennale. The foundation's board made the decision in a meeting on Thursday, according to the foundation, in recognition of Youn’s contribution to Minjung art and his service as director of the state-run museum from 2019 to 2023. As
July 18, 2025 -
Poet Kim Hye-soon wins Germany’s International Literature Prize, first Asian honoree
Acclaimed South Korean poet Kim Hye-soon has been named the winner of the 2025 International Prize for Literature for her poetry collection "Autobiography of Death," becoming the first Asian recipient of the German literary award presented by the House of World Cultures (HKW) in Berlin. The announcement was made on Thursday during a ceremony hosted by HKW, where Kim was selected from among six finalists. Other shortlisted authors included Turkish German writer Dogan Akhanli, Canadian writer Sara
July 18, 2025 -
Robert Beavers heads to Seoul to discuss his films screening at MMCA
Robert Beavers, a master of lyrical filmmaking known for his poetic use of light and rhythm, will meet Seoul audiences for the first time at a talk held on July 29 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. At the meeting, the avant-garde filmmaker will share insights into his experiences and filmmaking process, as well as his works screening July 25-30 at the state museum. The 15 short films to be played at MMCA Film and Video show Beavers’ distinctive cinematic language thro
July 17, 2025 -
Savor bold flavors, cultural mash-up at fusion hansik restaurant Junghee
Ask foodies about the origin of "fusion" cuisine, and they will tell you that chef and US culinary legend Norman Van Aken introduced "fusion" into the lexicon of global cookery when he began serving Caribbean, Latin American and European food at his Florida restaurant Norman's. Fusion food is where tradition gets a little glow-up and classic flavors get a bold twist. It is a boundary-breaking culinary adventure that blends different flavors and ingredients to serve up dishes that are anything bu
July 17, 2025 -
Korean production of 'The Cherry Orchard' sets off on global tour
Following its sensational premiere in Seoul, the Korean production of "The Cherry Orchard" will embark on an international tour this fall, beginning with performances in Hong Kong and Singapore. The original Seoul cast, led by Cannes-winning Jeon Do-yeon and Park Hae-soo, will reprise their roles, joined by fellow original cast members Sohn Sang-gyu, Choi Hee-seo, Lee Ji-hye, Nam Yun-ho, Yoo Byung-hun, Park Yu-rim, Lee Sae-jun and Lee Ju-won. The adaptation directed by Simon Stone and produced b
July 17, 2025 -
Can Korea's 'text-hip' reading craze outlive the hashtag?
When Gim Ji-min arrived at the Seoul International Book Fair 2025 in June, she thought the buzz on social media was exaggerated. “I honestly assumed people were just hyping it up on Instagram,” said the 26-year-old sociology Ph.D. student. “But the moment I stepped inside, I knew this was different. Every trendy book-themed tote bag, keychain, and bookmark had already sold out.” She wasn’t alone in her surprise. Over five days, more than 150,000 people packed Seoul’s Coex convention center. Tick
July 17, 2025 -
At Lotte Hotel, Kim opens up Seoul's artistic identity
Entering the Lotte Hotel Seoul’s executive tower, paintings by Kim Tschang-yeul, whose iconic water-drop paintings are globally known, immediately catch the eye. The artist, who died in 2021 at age 91, expressed his traumatic experiences by painting water drops. He fled from the North to the South during the 1950-53 Korean War. Presenting the paintings at the five-star hotel is gallerist Kim Soo-hyun, who runs The L. Collection located inside the hotel. “I happened to see Kim’s water-drop painti
July 16, 2025 -
With 'nervous fear,' producer Shin Chun-soo brings 'The Great Gatsby' to Korea
On Aug. 1, “The Great Gatsby” musical will mark a milestone with simultaneous performances in three of the world’s major musical theater hubs — New York, London, and Seoul — just 15 months after its Broadway premiere. Behind this ambitious endeavor is Korean producer Shin Chun-soo, founder and CEO of OD Company. “On Broadway or the West End, it’s nervous excitement. In Seoul, it's a nervous fear,” Shin told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday. “Korean audiences are terrifying. They’re
July 16, 2025 -
Nowon-gu opens Seoul's first urban forest lodge
A new forest retreat has opened on the slopes of Suraksan in northern Seoul, offering city dwellers a rare chance to unplug in nature without leaving the city. Surak Hyu, which officially opens Thursday, is Seoul’s first public forest lodge built within city limits. The 23.1 billion won project ($16.7 million) was jointly developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Nowon-gu over seven years. Located in Nowon-gu’s Sanggye-dong neighborhood, Surak Hyu is built across 9,800 square meters of
July 16, 2025 -
K-pop competition gathers together 160 global contestants competing for cross-cultural stardom
K-pop survival audition program “Boys II Planet” is set to premiere with a unique format featuring contestants from across the world. The show will follow over 160 aspiring K-pop singers as they embark on a journey divided between two teams: “Boys II Planet K,” composed of Korean trainees, and “Boys II Planet C,” primarily featuring trainees from Greater China. Together, they will compete for a chance to debut as a single boy group, though specifics such as the group’s final lineup, name, and co
July 16, 2025 -
Seoul’s Zest ranks No. 2 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025
Seoul’s vibrant cocktail scene earned international recognition once again at the unveiling of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 on July 15 in Macao, with four bars from the capital featured in the prestigious list, including two in the top 10. Leading the Seoul contingent was Zest, climbing to the No. 2 spot and earning the title of Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Tia Maria. The bar is known for its progressive techniques and sustainable practices, Bar Cham, located in Seochon, which has gained populari
July 16, 2025 -
Seoul Intl. Book Fair claims end in no charges
An investigation into the Korean Publishers Association over the Seoul International Book Fair and alleged misuse of government subsidies has been closed with no charges, the KPA said Tuesday. According to the KPA, the Seoul Jongno Police Station issued a “no charges filed” decision on July 7 in a case that accused the organization of violating the Subsidy Management Act and criminal statutes, including document forgery and obstruction of business. The case stems from a 2023 complaint filed by t
July 16, 2025 -
Financial regulator raids SBS over suspected insider trading linked to Netflix deal
The Financial Services Commission on Tuesday raided the major TV station SBS over allegations that some of its officials engaged in illegal insider trading using undisclosed information about a partnership with Netflix, government sources said. The FSC's Capital Market Investigation Division carried out the raid while questioning an SBS official on charges of insider trading, according to the sources. The official is suspected of purchasing SBS shares upon learning of the company's planned strat
July 15, 2025 -
Read books, earn money to buy more books
If you read a book, you can now earn money to buy more books. In a move to encourage reading and boost the publishing sector, Gyeonggi Province has rolled out a first-of-its-kind initiative that rewards residents for their reading activities. Launched July 1, the “Book Points for a Thousand Books” program has already attracted more than 40,000 participants within the first week. Gyeonggi residents aged 14 and older can earn up to 60,000 won ($43) in book points annually, with a cap of 30,000 won
July 15, 2025