Stray Kids, Jimin, other K-pop acts win 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards
2025/03/19 20:00
On the entertainment front. K-pop boy band Stray Kids and Jimin from BTS were among those celebrated at the annual iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 in Los Angeles on Tuesday local time. Stray Kids won K-pop Album of the Year for the second year in a row with its album "ATE" released last July. Meanwhile ATEEZ was named K-pop Artist of the Year while BTS's Jimin won K-pop Song of the Year with his track "Who". Girl group ILLIT clinched Best New Artist for K-pop. The awards also introduced a new category this year Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge which went to Yeonjun from Tomorrow x Together.
S. Korean universities paving the way for unlimited career opportunities in esports
2025/03/19 20:00
South Korea is the global powerhouse of eSports and its universities are now hoping to a play a part in nurturing some of the country's future stars. Lee Eun-hee has details. At first glance, students playing esports games may seem like they're just having fun. But this is actually part of an university course. "Above all, understanding games is essential. This is a game practice room, something you don't typically find at regular universities. Many students have once dreamed of becoming professional esports players, but as they dive deeper into the world of gaming, they realize that success in esports comes in many forms." "I started playing the game League of Legends in high school, and I ranked 33rd in the country at the highest "challenger" level. I received pro offers and joined a training academy, but soon realized how competitive the scene was. So, I decided to pursue a related career and become a game analyst and tournament organizer." Many South Korean universities are turning gaming into an academic and professional field, opening doors to a variety of careers. As esports gains popularity, many players invest significant time and effort but never reach the pro level, however education in this field can open new opportunities for them. Most importantly, it can provide a fresh start for pro gamers, who are often known for having short career spans. Behind esports star players and tournaments, key roles include global event organizers, content marketers, team coaches and media professionals who share players' performances with the public. "Our curriculum trains students to become professionals in areas such as planning and organizing esports tournaments, as well as game programming for gaming companies." "I chose to pursue a degree in esports because I love it, and I feel it suits my strength. Also, I believe it's a growing industry." Dongyang University's campus, located just outside of Seoul, is home to the first four-year esports program in the metropolitan area, while many other universities are also embracing the growing esports industry by offering training for talented individuals. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.
Coupang ranked 2nd most innovative retail company globally
2025/03/19 20:00
Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has been recognized as one of the world's most innovative retail companies. The U.S.-based business media firm, Fast Company announced its "World's Most Innovative Companies 2025" on Tuesday, and Coupang ranked No. 2 in the retail category, following apparel seller J.Crew. Coupang secured the top spot as an e-commerce company, ranking higher than Amazon which placed 8th. Fast Company highlighted the firm's "one-stop" e-commerce platform that utilizes AI, robotics and automation to enhance service innovation.
If Court doesn't announce Pres. Yoon's verdict date by Wednesday, ruling unlikely to be made this week
2025/03/19 17:00
President Yoon Suk Yeol's political fate remains in limbo as the Constitutional Court remains silent on a date for its decision on his impeachment. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young reports. Three weeks and counting, the Constitutional Court has yet to announce when it will rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, meaning there may be no verdict this week. It took at most two weeks for former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun, but there has been no word from the Court as of Wednesday 22 days since Yoon's final trial hearing was held. The chance that the verdict will be delivered this Friday is looking slimmer, given that the Court notified former leaders two to three days in advance of their respective ruling dates. The eight-member bench was reportedly convening even on Tuesday to deliberate on Yoon's impeachment, despite holding a trial hearing for Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. The longer-than-expected process has given rise to diverse speculations over what's holding up the justices. Some experts believe they have already decided unanimously to impeach President Yoon, and are fine-tuning their positions to deliver an indisputable judgment amid fears the result may trigger extreme reactions from the public. The Seoul Western District Court's approval to extend a warrant to detain Yoon,.. prompted violence from his supporters. Some believe the bench may be divided ideologically, and are struggling to align their views, given how an earlier impeachment case of Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook was dismissed as the justices opinions were split evenly in line with their political orientations. In any case, the justices are facing growing calls to make a swift decision as Yoon's prolonged suspension from office, hinders effective governance of the nation. The bench is also under significant political pressure. Those supporting Yoon's impeachment wish to quickly trigger a snap presidential election, which polls show would largely favor opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Meanwhile, conservatives including Yoon's supporters are calling for the case to be dismissed, or for the Court to deliver a ruling after Lee Jae-myung's own verdict, on one of his five criminal cases next Tuesday. If at least six justices agree to uphold the presidential impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office immediately, triggering an early election that must be held within 60 days. If at least three are against impeachment, the President will resume his duties. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
[Weather] Temperature will rise significantly from tomorrow, bad air quality instead
2025/03/19 17:00
All the snowstorm clouds that dropped unseasonably heavy snow have receded, and clear skies appeared across the country today. However, due to the influence of the remaining cold air, the cold snap will continue until today. From tomorrow afternoon, the temperature will rise significantly and it will become warm again. However, air quality is expected to be dusty as smog from overseas gradually flows in. Seoul, Incheon, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and Jeollanam-do Province will see "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Daegu will start off at zero degrees Celsius and Busan at 3 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 16 degrees in Daejeon and Gyeongju, 17 degrees in Daegu. Temperatures will gradually rise, and the daytime temperature in Seoul will be very warm at around 20 degrees this weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.
World News: EU must rearm by 2030, EU's von der Leyen says
2025/03/19 17:00
This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The European Union has unveiled a plan to bolster its defense capabilities by 2030, aiming to enhance military autonomy and reduce reliance on external allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday in Copenhagen, the EU's initiative to rearm itself by 2030, targeting a significant enhancement of the bloc's defense infrastructure. The strategy aims to establish a credible deterrent in response to evolving geopolitical threats, notably the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and uncertainties regarding U.S. military support. The "Readiness 2030" strategy, which will be announced on Wednesday local time, comprises several key components, including fiscal flexibility, defense loans, and infrastructure development. The proposal also includes the creation of a European Military Sales Mechanism to streamline collective arms procurement across the EU and support arms manufacturers. In Germany, the parliament has approved a historic spending package aimed at revitalizing the economy and bolstering defense capabilities. The legislation, championed by incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, secured a two thirds majority in the parliament. Key components of the package include a 545 billion U.S. dollar fund allocated over 12 years for infrastructure modernization and provisions for unlimited defense spending, facilitated by constitutional amendments easing strict debt regulations. The bill now awaits approval from Germany's upper house to become law. The International Olympic Committee commenced its 144th session in ancient Olympia, Greece, on Tuesday local time. The session holds particular significance as it comes just before the election of a new IOC president, set to take place on March 20. Seven candidates are contending for the presidency, including prominent figures such as the current IOC vice-president and an Olympic swimming champion who is Zimbabwe's current sports minister. Outgoing President Thomas Bach, who has led the IOC since 2013, addressed the assembly at the Olympic Academy, emphasizing the session's role in honoring the organization's heritage and future. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.
KARI made 'solar sail' which can power spacecraft using solar wind
2025/03/19 17:00
Solar sails are a method of propulsion for spacecraft using solar radiation and if they are well developed experts believe they may serve as affordable means of travel in space. Having said that our Cha Yun-kyung covers Korea's related efforts. Korean researchers have developed an apparatus that can store solar sails and then deploy them once a spacecraft reaches space. The square-shaped solar sail with an area of 10 square meters obtains power by capturing photons emitted by the sun in the sail. "It seems like the wind pushing a sailboat but it's actually a photon engine that drives the craft. For this, when photons from the sun hit the sail, they move it forward. If the solar sail is attached to a spaceship, it can travel through space for extended times without using a conventional engine. The solar sail made by the Korean researchers is larger than the 'ACS3' unveiled by NASA in April last year, which is 9 square meters. Also, researchers explained that the solar sail is extremely light since it is an aluminum-metalized PET film. The solar sail can be folded down to 20 square centimeters, so that it can be easily stored in the opening apparatus. A direct current electric motor easily folds and deploys the sail in space. Eyes are on whether the sail made by the local researchers can be utilized in space, after its successful demonstration on land. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.
NASA astronauts finally return to Earth after 9 months in space
2025/03/19 17:00
Two NASA astronauts have safely returned to Earth after an extended stay at the International Space Station. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams made a safe splashdown off the coast of Florida on Tuesday local time. The pair was chosen for the first crewed test flight of Boeing's Starliner. But upon arrival at the ISS in June last year engineers detected a number of technical issues with the spacecraft which led to its return to Earth in September without Wilmore and Williams on board. As a result their eight-day mission become an almost three hundred day stay in space.
S. Korean universities paving the way for unlimited career opportunities in esports
2025/03/19 17:00
South Korea is the global powerhouse of eSports and its universities are now hoping to a play a part in nurturing some of the country's future stars. Lee Eun-hee has details. At first glance, students playing esports games may seem like they're just having fun. But this is actually part of an university course. "Above all, understanding games is essential. This is a game practice room, something you don't typically find at regular universities. Many students have once dreamed of becoming professional esports players, but as they dive deeper into the world of gaming, they realize that success in esports comes in many forms." "I started playing the game League of Legends in high school, and I ranked 33rd in the country at the highest "challenger" level. I received pro offers and joined a training academy, but soon realized how competitive the scene was. So, I decided to pursue a related career and become a game analyst and tournament organizer." Many South Korean universities are turning gaming into an academic and professional field, opening doors to a variety of careers. As esports gains popularity, many players invest significant time and effort but never reach the pro level, however education in this field can open new opportunities for them. Most importantly, it can provide a fresh start for pro gamers, who are often known for having short career spans. Behind esports star players and tournaments, key roles include global event organizers, content marketers, team coaches and media professionals who share players' performances with the public. "Our curriculum trains students to become professionals in areas such as planning and organizing esports tournaments, as well as game programming for gaming companies." "I chose to pursue a degree in esports because I love it, and I feel it suits my strength. Also, I believe it's a growing industry." Dongyang University's campus, located just outside of Seoul, is home to the first four-year esports program in the metropolitan area, while many other universities are also embracing the growing esports industry by offering training for talented individuals. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.
Stray Kids, Jimin, other K-pop acts win 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards
2025/03/19 17:00
On the entertainment front. K-pop boy band Stray Kids and Jimin from BTS were among those celebrated at the annual iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 in Los Angeles on Tuesday local time. Stray Kids won K-pop Album of the Year for the second year in a row with its album "ATE" released last July. Meanwhile ATEEZ was named K-pop Artist of the Year while BTS's Jimin won K-pop Song of the Year with his track "Who". Girl group ILLIT clinched Best New Artist for K-pop. The awards also introduced a new category this year, Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge, which went to Yeonjun from Tomorrow x Together.
Trump and Putin agree to 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets
2025/03/19 17:00
Russia has rejected a thirty-day truce with Ukraine and instead accepted calls to cease assaults on energy facilities. This latest development follows phone talks between the leaders of the Kremlin and the White House on Tuesday U.S. time. Our Choi Soo-hyung has more. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed on a limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets in Russia and Ukraine. On Tuesday, local time, the White House announced that in a lengthy phone call between both parties, Russia agreed to halt attacks on energy and infrastructure facilities for 30 days. The Kremlin stated that Putin had immediately ordered a halt to attacks on these sites. During the three-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, attacks on these sites caused immense damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stated that he supports Trump's proposal. "We support all steps towards ending the war. We will give support but in order to support something we need to understand what specifically it is." He expressed his willingness to speak with Trump at any time to hear the details of the phone talks with Putin. He also stated that Ukraine cannot be excluded from future discussions on the details of the ceasefire. However, a full ceasefire still seems some way off. Recently, Putin rejected Trump's proposal for a 30-day full ceasefire, citing concerns such as Ukraine's potential rearmament. During the call, Putin also insisted that foreign military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine should be halted. Europe welcomed the agreement between Trump and Putin but stressed that Ukraine's position must be taken into account. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a press conference on Tuesday that Ukraine must be involved in the negotiations to achieve a just peace for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow said that Russia and Ukraine are set to exchange 175 prisoners of war each on Wednesday. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.
Gaza ceasefire collapses as Israel resumes airstrikes
2025/03/19 17:00
In an alarming turn of events Israel has resumed its air strikes against Gaza claiming that the Palestinian militant group Hamas has failed to hold up its end of the ceasefire. Hamas has made a similar accusation. Our Choi Min-jung has the latest. The two-month-long ceasefire between Israel and Gaza has been shattered, after Israel resumed airstrikes in Gaza. Early Tuesday, Israeli forces launched strikes that, according to the Gazan Health Ministry, killed over 400 Palestinians, including women and children. This occurred as the first phase of the ceasefire that started in January ended, but with plans for talks on a second phase to end the war and the release of more hostages, beginning. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the airstrikes, asserting that ceasefire negotiations would continue "only under fire." "I want to assure Hamas --this is only the beginning. We will continue to fight to achieve all the goals of this war—securing the release of all our hostages, eliminating Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel." Both Israel and Hamas blamed each other for violating the truce, which had mostly remained in place since January. Netanyahu stated that the strikes were ordered because Hamas had rejected ceasefire extension proposals. While Hamas did not retaliate directly, it accused Israel of undermining efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire. Hamas still holds 59 of the approximately 250 hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Hamas stated that it saw Israel's attack as Netanyahu's "decision to resume war," and a choice to abandon Israeli captives. The international community has also widely condemned the renewed violence, with the United Nations expressing deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis. "We are horrified by last night's Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, which killed hundreds according to the Ministry of Health in the Strip. This will add tragedy onto the tragedy." Several countries, including Egypt and France, have also called for an immediate halt to hostilities. Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.
Fitch lowers U.S. growth forecast for this year from 2.1% to 1.7%
2025/03/19 17:00
Global credit rating agency Fitch has lowered its growth outlook for the U.S. this year. In its latest projection made public on Tuesday the agency forecast the U.S. economy would expand one-point-seven percent down from its earlier estimate of two-point-one percent. It also lowered its outlook for next year to one-point-five percent. Analysts at the agency are linking their revisions to higher risks of a global trade war owing to the Trump administration's tariff campaign which they add will increase inflation in the U.S.
Acting President Choi pledges efforts to reduce trade risks
2025/03/19 17:00
Meanwhile acting President Choi Sang-mok has reaffirmed government support for small-and-medium sized businesses amid the 25-percent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the American market. During a meeting on this Wednesday he spoke of trade insurance for the steel sector and consultations for smaller companies to address the financial burden of tougher U.S. tariffs. Choi also highlighted the importance of maintaining close and constructive communication with all parties involved to minimize the potential fallout from excessive trade barriers.
Trump's top economic aide mentions trade deficit with S. Korea
2025/03/19 17:00
And in related news. Yet another U.S. economic policymaker has underscored the presence of alleged trade imbalances between South Korea and the U.S. Shin Ha-young reports. With about two weeks until the announcement of reciprocal tariff plans, a top economic aide to U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned South Korea as a major "trade deficit" country. U.S. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Monday that trade deficits with Europe, China and South Korea have persisted for years, claiming the deficits are attributable to the countries' high tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers. He added that if U.S. trading partners immediately lower all barriers, the negotiations will be over. Since South Korea and the U.S. have a Free Trade Agreement that removes tariffs on most items, Hassett's statement is raising expectations of increased pressure on South Korea to lower non-tariff trade barriers. "The Trump administration is focused on fixing trade imbalances and seems to be taking a one-on-one approach with countries that have large trade deficits. For South Korea, this could mean either imposing tariffs to reduce imports or negotiating to lower barriers so South Korea can import more from the U.S." The expert from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy emphasized the need for South Korea to review its contributions to the U.S. and assess potential U.S. demands on non-tariff trade barriers. "We need to review our contributions to the U.S. and potential demands from the U.S. on non-tariff trade barriers. However, with many uncertainties, it's too early for negotiations." Meanwhile, during the interview with CNBC, Hassett said there will be "some uncertainty" between "now and April 2nd," referring to the date Trump is set to unveil his reciprocal tariff plans. His comments come as market analysts and business leaders have criticized the sweeping tariff announcements, which have led to volatility in world markets. However, Hassett defended Trump's tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, calling them "very positive developments" adding things will clear up after April 2nd. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
'Dirty 15' trading partners imposing substantial tariffs on U.S.: U.S. Treasury Dept.
2025/03/19 17:00
The Trump administration has highlighted the presence of quote "15" "dirty" trade partners as it reaffirms the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on April SECOND. Lee Soo-jin covers this latest development and more. Concerns over how U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs will impact South Korea are growing, especially with its potential inclusion in the so-called 'Dirty 15' group of trade partners. Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that there were 15 nations, which he referred to as the 'Dirty 15', that are imposing substantial tariffs on the U.S. He did not clarify which nations would be included but with Trump previously highlighting South Korea as one of the countries that he claimed was unfairly benefiting from trade imbalances, there are growing concerns that Korea may be among the countries targeted. "And South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that four times higher. And we give so much help militarily and in so many other ways to South Korea." South Korea's trade surplus with the U.S. reached over 55 billion U.S. dollars last year, meaning that it could be a major target for the Trump administration. Bessent said that come April 2nd, each country will receive a specific reciprocal tariff number deemed fair by the U.S. and that 'Dirty 15' countries are likely to face higher tariffs due to perceived unfair trade practices. He added that the tariff calculation would be determined by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Commerce Department. The U.S. Treasury Secretary said that he has not seen any figures yet, as they are still being calculated. But Bessent expressed optimism that "some of the tariffs" may not go into effect if a deal is pre-negotiated or if countries look to negotiate after April 2nd. Emphasizing that the U.S. is only in pursuit of "fair and reciprocal" trade, Bessent said that countries that stop trade practices that the U.S. deems unfair could avoid reciprocal tariffs. Such practices include, non-tariff barriers, currency manipulation, unfair funding and labor suppression. While Bessent believes reciprocal tariffs could lead to a "win-win" situation for everyone,.. they continue to cause concerns here in South Korea, with trade officials keen to avoid new U.S. tariffs. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.
S. KOREA ON U.S. "SENSITIVE" COUNTRY LIST
2025/03/19 17:30
Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's March 19th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Acting American Ambassador Joseph Yun to Seoul says the designation of South Korea as a sensitive country by the U.S. Energy Department under the Biden administration in January is quote "not a big deal". For more I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with The Washington Post back here in the studio with us. Kelly thank you for returning to partake in today's talk. I also have Professor Kim Jae-chun at Sogang University with the pundit's take on the latest developments. Professor Kim it's good to have you on. 1) Kelly, let's begin with details about the U.S. Energy Department's decision to designate South Korea as a "sensitive" country, and do tell us which other countries are also on the list. 2) And Professor Kim, what do you believe drove this decision? 3) Kelly, so what are the implications of being on the U.S. list of sensitive countries, and what are the requirements for removal from the list? 4) Professor Kim, , quite a number of pundits believe the designation comes amid growing talk of South Korea possibly arming itself with nuclear weapons. This being said, what are your thoughts on the idea of South Korea developing a nuclear arsenal? 5) Kelly, North Korea, for its part, at the start of this week, rejected calls by the G7 to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Do tell us more about this development. 6) Professor Kim, Trump last week called North Korea a nuclear power yet again. Does this worry you? 7) Kelly, some foreign journalists here believe the reference is simply an art of persuasion to promote U.S.-N. Korea talks and not necessarily a shift in U.S. policy. What are your thoughts? 8) Professor Kim, how does South Korea seek to remain relevant in shaping Washington's policy on North Korea? 9) Meanwhile Kelly, once the dust settles over South Korea's political arena, what should be the administration's broader diplomatic priorities as it seeks to ensure trade stability and regional security? 10) And Professor Kim, what should be some of the administration's domestic priorities? All right.
K-wave AI News
2025/03/19 14:00
Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. To mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations between Korea and Japan, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Korea Craft and Design Foundation and the Korean Cultural Center has launched an event in Tokyo, Japan, promoting the exchange of traditional culture between the two countries. The event will have exhibitions, seminars and activities for visitors, featuring food, clothing and games, as well as deeply cultural aspects of both countries. Its opening ceremony on March 19th will have a solo gayageum performance of "Sonamu" written by Japanese composer Minoru Miki and a traditional Korean court dance and Hanbok fashion show. The event will run for two weeks until April 2nd. Welcoming the season of spring, Jeju Island will be launching a special travel week campaign for 10 days from March 28th to April 6th, promoting the island's scenic locations of spring flowers and various cultural events highlighting must-visit spots. This comes amid the global popularity of the recently released Netflix original series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," to spark a rebound in the stagnant tourism industry of the island. Visitors participating in a stamp tour exploring the island's famous tangerines, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and camellia flowers at the on-location spots from the K-drama will have the chance to win a flight ticket to Jeju through a lottery. Various interactive and social networking activities as well as discount offers will be available. The annual Boseong Tea Festival will be held at the hub of the domestic tea industry, the Korea Tea Culture Park and the Boseong Green Tea Field in Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do Province. With 120-thousand visitors in 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has designated the Boseong Tea Festival a major cultural tourism festival representative of the region. This year's festival returns from May 2nd to 6th to attract visitors, but also to boost the tea industry. There will be various tasting and interactive events, including a tea party, green tea therapy and even a tea-based beverage developing competition. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.
[Kulture Correspondent] Korea's traditional fermented sauces "jang" reach Americans' cuisine
2025/03/19 14:00
Gochujang, doenjang and ganjang (or chili paste, soybean paste and soy sauce) are three traditional Korean fermented sauces that are essential in Korean cuisine, or hansik. These K-sauces are recently getting more and more attention in the U.S. and are known for their health benefits and deep taste. Let’s hear more about the local response with today’s K-correspondent, Suzi Kim, a Korean language teacher in Irvine, California. Q1. Suzi, it’s been a while. How have you been? Why don’t we start with a brief introduction of yourself for our viewers, who might have missed your segment some time ago. Q2. The popularity of K-food is on the rise in the U.S., and with it, it seems like interest in traditional Korean fermented sauces has gone up as well. Is this really the case, if yes, why do you think so? (How has the perception of Korean food changed from the past?) Q3. In particular, we’ve heard that there is a growing interest in K-traditional fermented sauces among health-conscious millennial and Gen Z consumers. (Have any of your students who come to learn Korean shown interest in Korean food, especially ‘jangs’?) Q4. Suzi, you went to local supermarkets yourself to check out traditional Korean sauces there? Which products appeared to be most popular among customers? Q5. What are some of the most popular Korean dishes that use traditional fermented sauces and that are being well received by American palates? Q6. What about cheonggukjang, which just like doenjang is a fermented soybean paste, but ferments faster and tastes much stronger, with that deep, strong smell as well. Is that something that’s been tried by Americans yet? Q7. We’d also like to know how traditional fermented K-sauces are being adapted to local tastes. Any unique recipes? Q8. Suzi, lastly, which Korean dishes using ‘jang’ would you recommend for our international viewers who have never tried K-fermented sauces before?
[K-enter] Jimin's "Who" wins iHeartRadio Awards "K-Pop Song of the Year"
2025/03/19 14:00
Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee, and Walter we have some great news for BTS fans and especially Jimin fans. A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to BTS's Jimin who has won the "K-pop Song of the Year" award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards with the title track "Who" from his second solo album "MUSE." The iHeartRadio Music Awards is an awards ceremony hosted by the U.S. online radio broadcaster iHeartRadio. Having won as part of BTS for seven consecutive years at this awards show, Jimin secured his first trophy as a solo artist this year. Meanwhile, "Who" has remained on the Billboard Hot 100, the main U.S. singles chart, for 33 consecutive weeks, making it the longest-charting K-pop song in history. According to the latest chart released on Tuesday, Jimin's "Who" climbed 12 spots from the previous week to rank 29th. Congratulations to Jimin, let's see how long his record can go for. Now some big news regarding K-pop girl group Twice headlining a big event in the U.S. On Tuesday, K-pop super girl group TWICE were announced as one of the headliners at Lollapalooza Chicago 2025, a large music festival held in the U.S. every year that attracts an average of 115,000 attendees per day. It's not yet known which exact day TWICE will take the stage but the festival will run from July 31 to August 3. They also won't be the only K-pop group at the festival as BOYNEXTDOOR, KATSEYE, KICKFLIP, and K-rock band Xdinary Heroes will also be performing. TWICE continue to solidify their status as "stadium artists." Last year, they became the first overseas female artists to hold a solo concert at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. In April, TWICE are also set to appear as a special guest at Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour concert in South Korea. Another great achievement for K-pop and TWICE, it's always a great achievement when K-music makes it onto the international stage. What do you have for us next? Hyper knife, a hot new medical drama starring Park Eun-bin and Sol Kyung-gu is released on Wednesday, which is today. Hyper Knife is a medical thriller that follows Se-ok played by Park Eun-bin , a once-promising genius doctor, as she reunites with her former mentor Deok-hee played by Sol Kyung-gu , who was responsible for her downfall, leading to an intense rivalry. During the press conference held on Monday, Park Eun-bin expressed her gratitude, saying, “If it weren’t for Sol Kyung-gu , I wouldn’t have been able to see this project through to the end. I relied on him a lot, and he generously supported me in every way. Thanks to him, I was able to act freely.” Hyper knife is available on Disney+ Park Eun-bin is not only an amazing actress, but so humble. Because guess what? She debuted almost 30 years ago not much difference from Sol Kyung-gu Thank you Walter and stick around.