News

White House confirms new reciprocal tariffs will be effective from Aug. 7

2025/08/01 22:47

Right before the long-warned-of August 1st tariff deadline expires, the Trump administration has finalized new rates for countries around the world, including South Korea, which will now face a 15% tariff rate. Park Jun-han leads us off tonight. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order for the new reciprocal tariffs that will go into effect on August 7th. The imposition of new tariffs was pushed back from August 1st to 7th to allow Customs and Border Protection the necessary time to implement the new tariff system. "But I do know that the trade team has been working around the clock to try to be in correspondence with as many countries as possible. But if they haven't heard from us yet, they will in the form of a letter or an executive order by midnight tonight." South Korea on Wednesday secured a last-minute deal to lower the reciprocal tariff from 25 percent to 15 percent. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the agreement allows significant investment for the U.S. and historic market access to American goods. "And South Korea will pay a 15% tariff rate, including 15% on autos, while providing historic market access to American goods like autos and rice. Korea will purchase $100 billion in American energy by 2028, and the centerpiece of this deal is that South Korea has agreed to invest $350 billion at the president's direction to revitalize American industry." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on CNBC, described the agreement between South Korea and the U.S. as a "very good" one. Bessent said, "South Korea was a special case because they had an election, a new government. So they were not in the position to fully negotiate." And "They presented a very good offer. President Trump moved the offer up a bit, and we reached a very good agreement." On the same day, the White House posted a photo of President Trump with the South Korean–U.S. trade delegation to social media, where it called the deal "historic." Trump also took to social media to say details on South Korea's investments will be formalized during a visit to the White House by President Lee Jae Myung, set to take place in the next two weeks. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Hot days and nights over the weekend, relief next week

2025/08/01 22:46

Let's begin with some welcome news. Rain early next week will bring a slight break from the ongoing heatwave, especially to the western regions. But that means another steamy weekend. This morning, Seoul once again broke the record for the most tropical nights in the month of July, with 23 sweaty nights. And of course, August is starting off under sweltering heat as well. Meanwhile, some parts of Gangwon-do Province have seen those warnings downgraded or even lifted, including in Taebaek. The rest of the country will sleep in the heat again. Seoul begins the day at 27 degrees, Jeju warmer at 28 degrees. By the afternoon, Seoul will get up to 35 degrees, Daegu and Gyeongju will see a high of 37 along with very strong UV levels. Expect some scattered showers in parts of Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do provinces tomorrow. Until that rain relief comes, take care in this extreme heat! That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

[Arts & Culture] From 'Exhuma' to 'KPop Demon Hunters': The era of K-shamanism

2025/08/01 22:45

It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture. We have our culture correspondent Choi Soo-hyung in the studio. Welcome Soo-hyung! Happy to be here, Dami. So, Soo-hyung, what do you have for us today? Yes, Dami. Currently, Korean shamanism is becoming a key part in K-content and you can see this in many works such as the Netflix original animation "KPop Demon Hunters," or "Exhuma" from last year. It is also growing a huge interest in Korean shamanism, so I took a closer look at why it's so popular, and how shamanism has become a main part of new K-content. Set in South Korea, "KPop Demon Hunters" follows a popular girl group that protects the human world from evil spirits, while uncovering a boy group of grim reapers, known as "Jeoseung Saja." The Netflix original animation has become the most-viewed original animated movie ever, with its soundtrack also topping the Billboard single charts. Last year, the Korean film "Exhuma" drew an audience of over 10 million at home, and became a hit in Asia and North America, fueled by themes such as feng shui and shamanic rituals. Today, one of the hottest themes in K-content is K-shamanism ---or K-musok in Korean ---a traditional belief system incorporating rituals, divination, and faith in spirits and deities. With a thousand years of history, Korean shamanism is a folk tradition where shamans ---or mudang ---guide people by praying for good fortune and driving away misfortune. "Shamanism exists in many parts of the world. But in Korea, it is unique because of the strong role of mudang. Their traditional music, costumes and performances have deeply influenced Korean folk arts, giving Korean shamanism a distinct cultural and artistic character." Unlike the Western view that defines the human world as good and the spirit world as evil, Korean shamanism sees shamans as mediators between the two, a belief that gives K-musok its unique power. "Western occult stories focus on exorcists, while 'KPop Demon Hunters' shows a more Eastern view. Rumi, a half hunter-spirit, and Jinu, a grim reaper, reveal human qualities, moving beyond the simple divide of good and evil. Even Hollywood now borrows from Asian values, avoiding absolute dualism, showing how Eastern philosophy is shaping occult content." Korean shamanism's power as occult content comes from its cultural freshness rather than religion. "Korea is not tied to a single religion, allowing shamanism to keep its own identity alongside others. Unlike Japan, where cultural images were long ago exhausted by Japonism, Korea's shamanism remains fresh, offering untapped images that enrich today's content." K-musok content is diversifying and becoming a key icon of K-culture with growing potential. Wow, Soo-hyung, that seems really fascinating. Then, could you tell us more about Korean shamanism in detail? Of course, Dami. Korean shamanism is a traditional folk belief where shamans, or mudang, mediate between spirits and humans. Tracing back to ancient rituals honoring heavenly gods by leaders it is considered a national faith that honors nature, spirits, local deities, and ancestors, leaving a strong cultural legacy. As Professor Kim mentioned earlier, in Western society, ghosts are often seen as evil beings that must be driven out of the human world. But in Korean shamanism, shaped by the sentiment of "Han," a feeling of resentment and sorrow shamans comfort spirits, ease their pain, and guide them peacefully to the heavens, acting as a bridge between people and the divine. As seen in the film "Exhuma," the colorful and dynamic "Gut" ritual ceremony with loud music, dancing, and even knife performances is one of the most important cultural traditions of Korean shamanism, offering spirits a joyful send-off. Right. And, just as Korean shamanism has become a key part of K-content, are there efforts to discover and develop other forms of K-content as well? Yes, Shamanism-themed content is also being produced nonstop in South Korea, from webtoons and variety shows to dramas. Experts say the success of shamanic content is not just about shamanism itself. They point to Korea's positive global image, strong national brand, unique traditions, democracy, creative storytelling, and competitive cultural industry as factors that all work together. He added that as long as we keep embracing diversity and creating fan-centered content, it will continue, but we must keep exploring what makes Korea unique. He said that to keep Korean culture fresh, more diverse K-content is needed content that carries a Korean touch while appealing to global tastes. Alright Soo-hyung, thank you for sharing your story. My pleasure.

Painting the summer night in light: Seoul Light DDP 2025 Summer begins

2025/08/01 22:43

Located in the heart of Seoul, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, DDP, is well-known for an iconic light festival which has dazzled fall and winter nights for years. Now the festival is lighting up summer for the very first time. Park Hyo-been takes us there. As night falls in summer, the curving aluminum surface of Dongdaemun Design Plaza bursts into color, shimmering with wave after wave of vivid digital light. "This is the first time media art is being showcased here at Dongdaemun Design Plaza during summer. Amid the tropical nights, it's the perfect place to cool off and enjoy art." The first summer edition of Seoul Light DDP expands beyond the iconic structure, turning the surrounding park and the historic Seoul City Wall, a defensive wall built during the Joseon Dynasty, into a stage for immersive storytelling. Cascading visuals resembling waterfalls flow over ancient stone, while nearly 200 droplet-shaped LED sculptures change color, creating a vibrant rhythm with the night. The central theme, Textures of Light, unfolds across multiple zones. Visitors are invited to walk along the city's fortress wall and encounter projections, laser shows, and kinetic installations along the way. "It's a lot of fun. I like the music. It's loud, it's exciting." Artists from around the world also joined the summer edition of Seoul Light DDP. Through pulsing lights and sound, a Polish art team transforms invisible algorithms into an experience that feels like a peek into the future. "The installation you see behind me is called 'Flux', it's done by art studio that's called Ksawery Komputery. We're from Poland. We're grateful to be here. Thank you for inviting us to Korea. It's always nice to be here." One of the standout moments from the opening ceremony is a hanbok fashion show, where traditional Korean garments are reimagined through light. The fashion show blends tradition with innovation, as models in contemporary hanbok walk through radiant displays of media art. Since 2019, Seoul Light DDP has attracted over a million visitors annually and earned global acclaim, most recently sweeping the top three international design awards. The summer edition runs nightly from 8 to 10 PM through August 10th. As the city swelters, this luminous escape offers a breath of visual cool. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I & II: A century of art unfolds

2025/08/01 22:41

A rare opportunity to explore 100 years of Korean art. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is now showcasing two exhibitions that show the nation's artistic journey from the early 1900s to the 1990s. Byeon Ye-young tells us more. 100 years of modern and contemporary Korean art ---now in one place. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon is offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art in an exhibition so large that the museum has separated it into two parts: Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I and II. Part I covers the early 20th century, a period marked by Korea's rapid modernization, colonial occupation, and national division. Part II picks up after the Korean War and traces the evolution of Korean art through postwar reconstruction, industrialization, and democratization. Togther, they feature more than 250 key works by over 100 artists, offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art. Visitors say the opportunity to view both exhibitions together is a rewarding experience. "I've been waiting for Part 2 because I love modern and contemporary art. I actually saw Part I of the exhibition before, and I really liked how it was divided by time period. It made things easy to follow. Personally, I love the transition from figurative to abstract art during this era, so it was great to see works by artists like Yoo Young-kuk and Lee Ung-no all in one place." Both exhibitions have sections called "The Artists' Rooms," dedicated to showcasing works by renowned artists such as Kim Whanki and Yun Hyong-keun. Another highlight is a section that re-examines underrecognized figures. "This section focuses on female modernist artists. These women weren't tied to major art groups or ideologies, but rather, they explored their own unique styles. Their works add a rich new layer to the male-dominated history of Korean abstract art." The exhibition closes with the debut of Sternbau No. 23 (2009), a major installation by contemporary artist Lee Bul. Suspended in air with steel, mirror, and film components, the futuristic piece explores themes of technology, the human body, and utopia. "There's growing interest in Korean culture both at home and abroad, but not many chances to explore the history of Korean art. We hope this exhibition gives visitors a clear, step-by-step look at how Korean art has evolved over the past century." By presenting Parts I and II side by side, MMCA Gwacheon allows visitors to follow a full arc of Korea's modern artistic transformation, from the days of colonization to modern global expression. The museum says it plans to keep the dual exhibitions running for at least two years. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Trump deeply interested in Korean Peninsula: U.S. ambassador

2025/08/01 22:36

Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun said President Trump remains deeply interested in the Korean Peninsula during talks in Seoul today with Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young. "When President Trump first came in, I worked under him for about two years. So I know for sure he has a lot of interest in the Korean Peninsula." Yun added that the project Trump began with North Korea is still unfinished. Minister Chung, for his part, said he was counting on Trump's leadership to turn an uneasy peace on the peninsula into lasting stability.

Top Korean, U.S. diplomats hold first meeting, begin preparing Lee-Trump summit

2025/08/01 22:36

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Thursday local time. This was the first foreign ministerial meeting since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration, setting the tone and direction of the bilateral alliance. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young has the details. Seoul and Washington's top diplomats reaffirmed their cooperation on handling a nuclear North Korea, and began planning a top-level summit expected within two weeks. On Thursday local time, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Washington, D.C, marking their first official talks since the Lee Jae Myung administration took office in early June. According to their respective offices, the two officials discussed the South Korea-U.S. alliance and broader security issues in the region. Seoul's Foreign Ministry says they exchanged views on North Korea, agreed on its complete denuclearization, with the two officials deeming it "necessary to strengthen cooperation" on Pyongyang. They also agreed to enhance trilateral relations with Japan, based on the Seoul-Washington alliance. The U.S. State Department's readout further expressed "serious concern" over North Korea's growing military ties with Russia, and said Cho and Rubio both committed to the full implementation of international sanctions against Pyongyang. The statement also positioned trilateral cooperation with Tokyo as deterrence against "regional threats," as well as noting the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Cho and Rubio welcomed the sudden conclusion of trade negotiations by finance and trade officials the day before, and pledged to cooperate on supply chains and emerging technologies. In particular, Seoul emphasized a third pillar of the partnership in advanced technologies alongside security and trade cooperation. Given that security issues were not substantively addressed in the trade negotiations, as a so-called "package deal," continued discussions are expected on "alliance modernization." The term refers to adjusting the role and scope of the Korea-U.S. alliance in line with changing strategic conditions and as Washington presses allies to contribute more towards their own security. The summit between Presidents Lee and Trump could serve as a starting point, with a potential 2+2 ministerial meeting to follow. Speaking with reporters after their meeting, the Korean foreign minister said he and Rubio held constructive talks, and have started coordinating for the leaders' summit. Trump declared the previous day that a meeting would be held within two weeks. Separately, Cho requested Washington's support and cooperation for South Korea's hosting of this year's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in October, having sent an invitation to President Trump to attend the Leaders' Meeting. Rubio responded that he was well aware of this and would actively consider the request. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Exports grow in July on strong chip demand despite tariff uncertainties

2025/08/01 22:35

Despite trade uncertainties, South Korea's exports managed to stay in the black in July, coming to a record high for any month of July. Our correspondent Moon Ji-young has this report. South Korea's exports rose for the second consecutive month in July thanks to robust demand for chips, automobiles, and ships, despite the impact of U.S. tariffs. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Friday, the value of exports last month amounted to over 60-point-8 billion U.S. dollars, up nearly 6 percent compared to the previous year. This marked the highest-ever for any July, setting record figures for the second consecutive month. The main contributor to this growth was semiconductors, the country's top export engine. Outbound shipments of chips rose more than 31 percent year-on-year, setting a record high for any July, backed by an increase in fixed prices of memory chips and strong demand for high-value products such as HBM and DDR5. "It seems true that there were movements to pre-secure inventory in areas like semiconductors and bio products before tariff impositions. Even if the increase in chip exports was initially due to advance purchases, the current trend appears to be driven by robust demand, and we expect exports will not suddenly drop." He added that the sector is expected to deliver a strong performance throughout the year on the growth of the AI market, since Korean companies manufacture high-value chips that U.S. firms cannot make. In terms of automobiles, outbound shipments rose nearly 9 percent, thanks to strong performances in the EU, Latin America, and the CIS. But auto exports to the U.S. dropped more than 1 percent, with shipments of EVs plummeting nearly 98 percent, due to U.S. tariffs. The trade ministry says the Korean auto industry avoided the worst-case scenario with Thursday's trade deal between Seoul and Washington, which reduced U.S. tariffs on Korean cars to 15 percent from 25 percent, the same rate for cars from Japan and Europe. Ship exports spiked, marking the fifth consecutive month of year-on-year increases, driven by robust demand for high-value ships, such as LNG tankers. On the other hand, machinery exports plunged more than 17 percent, and steel exports dropped nearly 3 percent, due to U.S. tariffs. Regionally, exports to the U.S. went up more than 1 percent, but it marked the first time, at least since the start of last year, that the country came in third place after China and ASEAN. While exports to the EU, India, and CIS nations rose, those to China dropped 3 percent on sluggish demand for petrochemical products and wireless communications equipment. Imports grew nought-point-7 percent to 54-point-2 billion dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of 6-point-6-1 billion dollars. Moon Ji-young. Arirang News.

Chinese and Japanese media react to Korea's tariff deal with U.S.

2025/08/01 22:34

Following South Korea's tariff deal with the U.S., neighboring and rival manufacturing nations are watching closely. China's South China Morning Post on Friday spotlighted the Make American Shipbuilding Great Again, a $150 billion investment package led by South Korea. The report said the move gives Washington a chance to revive its shipbuilding sector and "counter China's dominance in the industry." Japan's coverage, meanwhile, zeroed in on the newly imposed 15-percent tariff on automobiles. Before Section 232 took effect, South Korean cars entered the U.S. tariff-free — while Japanese and EU vehicles faced a 2.5-percent duty. Now, the playing field has been leveled: a flat 15 percent for all exporters.

S. Korea's trade delegation returns home after talks with U.S. amid rice market issues

2025/08/01 22:33

South Korea's tariffs negotiation team, including Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, returned home Friday evening after trade talks with the U.S. Koo, speaking at Incheon International Airport, said opening the domestic rice market was not on the agenda during talks with the delegation's U.S. counterparts. That comes as Washington reportedly raised the issue once again, prompting Koo to note that such a U.S. announcement needs further analysis. Describing the negotiation process as a "war," Koo said he'll come up with strategies based on the talks to actively respond in future, detailed negotiations with Washington, to eventually arrive at a win-win situation.

Economic and diplomatic impacts of latest U.S.-S. Korea trade deal

2025/08/01 21:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. In a sweeping new trade deal, the United States will slash tariffs on Korean imports from 25% to 15% — a move that takes effect August 7. In return, South Korea is committing to $350 billion in U.S.-bound investments, covering everything from shipbuilding to semiconductors, and $100 billion in American energy purchases. The agreement ends weeks of uncertainty and marks the first major economic accord under President Lee Jae Myung. He framed the deal as a turning point for Korean exporters and the broader alliance: "The South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations have been finalised. With these negotiations, uncertainties in the export environment have been cleared up. I expect that economic cooperation and the alliance between South Korea and the United States will be further strengthened." With a summit expected within two weeks, we look at what this deal reveals about the new trade order — and what it signals for diplomacy going forward. For this, we are joined by Min Jeong-hun, professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, in the studio with us. Welcome. Also joining us from the U.S. is Troy Stangarone, non-resident fellow at the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology. Good to see you. Let's start with the big picture, Mr. Stangarone, the tariff agreement was reached just ahead of the deadline, bringing the rate down from 25% to 15%. With investment and LNG deals on the table, how would you assess the overall impact of this deal? This deal has been deemed as a major test for the Lee Jae Myung administration's "pragmatic diplomacy." Given the intensity right up to the final hours, I wonder what did you make of the latest deal? Interestingly, the deal was wrapped up before the scheduled 2+2 ministerial meeting. What do you think pushed both sides to seal it early — and what part of Korea's offer most appealed to President Trump? The presidential office has emphasized the expansion of the shipbuilding sector as a standout win. Prof. Min, do you agree? And could you explain to us the potential gains for both sides? On the investment side, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that 90% of the $350 billion fund's returns will go to Americans. Korea's presidential office pushed back. How should we interpret the gap in perception between the two governments? Domestically, the biggest concern was agriculture — but Korea successfully avoided further opening of its rice and beef markets. Can this be seen as a key defensive win in terms of food security and farmer protections? But in the automotive sector, Korea aimed for a 12.5% rate but settled at 15%. Does this erode Korea's FTA advantage — and what's the likely impact on Korean auto exports? Although a broad agreement has been reached, several detailed provisions are still pending further discussions with Washington. Which specific aspects should we keep an eye on during follow-up negotiations? And looking ahead — a Korea-U.S. summit is expected within the next two weeks. Trade dominated the current deal, but security issues are likely next. What key agenda items do you expect at the summit — and if defense cost-sharing comes up, how should Korea prepare?

S. KOREA AND U.S. AGREE ON 15% TRUMP TARIFF

2025/08/01 19:44

Welcome to Press Perspective. It's August first here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. COUNTRY-specific U.S. tariffs on all imports into its market are going into effect on August 7th according to an order signed by the U.S. leader on Thursday. For more on America's import duties on its friends and foes I have freelance journalist Raphael Rashid here in the studio. Raphael welcome back. I also have Professor Oh Joon-seok at Sookymyung Women's University live on the line with the pundit's take. Professor Oh it's a pleasure to have you with us. Raphael, let's begin with details of the trade deal sealed between South Korea and the U.S. Professor Oh, what is your assessment of deal between South Korea and the U.S.? Raphael, on a more optimistic note. Samsung recently inked an AI chip deal with Tesla. Do tell us more about this deal. Professor Oh, what are the broader implications of this business deal for Samsung? Meanwhile, Raphael, the International Monetary Fund recently raised its growth projection for the global economy this year. What is the new projection, and what are the respective outlooks for individual countries? Professor Oh, the growth outlook for the global economy has been raised, but the forecast for South Korea has been lowered further. How do you explain this discrepancy? Should we be worried? Raphael, we have some time left so let's REVISIT the topic of tariffs. So what's the latest with regard to U.S. tariff talks with its other trade partners? Professor Oh, how do U.S. tariffs look to affect South Korea's exports in the second half of this year? Raphael, beyond borders here, some pundits claim the tariff deal sealed between the U.S. and the EU will simply benefit the UK. Do give us some context. Professor Oh, back here in Korea. The president has pledged the creation of a fund to fuel the next two decades of economic growth. Do tell us a bit about this blueprint and your takeaways. All right.

White House confirms new reciprocal tariffs will be effective from Aug. 7

2025/08/01 19:43

Country-specific U.S. tariffs are poised to take effect next Thursday that is August seventh. This is according to an order inked by the U.S. leader back on Thursday. Park Jun-han starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order for the new reciprocal tariffs that will go into effect on August 7th. The imposition of new tariffs was pushed back from August 1st to 7th to allow Customs and Border Protection the necessary time to implement the new tariff system. "But I do know that the trade team has been working around the clock to try to be in correspondence with as many countries as possible. But if they haven't heard from us yet, they will in the form of a letter or an executive order by midnight tonight." South Korea on Wednesday secured a last-minute deal to lower the reciprocal tariff from 25 percent to 15 percent. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the agreement allows significant investment for the U.S. and historic market access to American goods. "And South Korea will pay a 15% tariff rate, including 15% on autos, while providing historic market access to American goods like autos and rice. Korea will purchase $100 billion in American energy by 2028, and the centerpiece of this deal is that South Korea has agreed to invest $350 billion at the president's direction to revitalize American industry." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on CNBC, described the agreement between South Korea and the U.S. as a "very good" one. Bessent said, "South Korea was a special case because they had an election, a new government. So they were not in the position to fully negotiate." And "They presented a very good offer. President Trump moved the offer up a bit, and we reached a very good agreement." On the same day, the White House posted a photo of President Trump with the South Korean–U.S. trade delegation to social media, where it called the deal "historic." Trump also took to social media to say details on South Korea's investments will be formalized during a visit to the White House by President Lee Jae Myung, set to take place in the next two weeks. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Sweltering heat day and night, heat relief next week

2025/08/01 19:42

August started off under sweltering heat, but there is some welcome news. Rain early next week will bring a slight break from the ongoing heatwave, especially to the western regions. But that means another steamy weekend. This morning, Seoul once again broke the record for the most tropical nights in the month of July, 23 sweaty nights. Meanwhile, some parts of Gangwon-do Province have seen those warnings downgraded or even lifted, including Taebaek. The rest of the country will sleep in the heat again. Seoul begins the day at 27 degrees, Gyeongju and Chuncheon at 24 degrees. By the afternoon, Seoul will get up to 35 degrees, Jeju will see a high of 34 degrees, along with very strong UV levels. There could be some scattered showers in parts of Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do provinces on Saturday. Until that rain relief comes, take care in this extreme heat! That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

Painting the summer night in light: Seoul Light DDP 2025 Summer begins

2025/08/01 19:41

Also here in Seoul. The city's renowned light show is illuminating its summer nights for the very first time and will continue to do so until next Sunday that is August 10th. Park Hyo-been has a glimpse. As night falls in summer, the curving aluminum surface of Dongdaemun Design Plaza bursts into color, shimmering with wave after wave of vivid digital light. "This is the first time media art is being showcased here at Dongdaemun Design Plaza during summer. Amid the tropical nights, it's the perfect place to cool off and enjoy art." The first summer edition of Seoul Light DDP expands beyond the iconic structure, turning the surrounding park and the historic Seoul City Wall, a defensive wall built during the Joseon Dynasty, into a stage for immersive storytelling. Cascading visuals resembling waterfalls flow over ancient stone, while nearly 200 droplet-shaped LED sculptures change color, creating a vibrant rhythm with the night. The central theme, Textures of Light, unfolds across multiple zones. Visitors are invited to walk along the city's fortress wall and encounter projections, laser shows, and kinetic installations along the way. "It's a lot of fun. I like the music. It's loud, it's exciting." Artists from around the world also joined the summer edition of Seoul Light DDP. Through pulsing lights and sound, a Polish art team transforms invisible algorithms into an experience that feels like a peek into the future. "The installation you see behind me is called 'Flux', it's done by art studio that's called Ksawery Komputery. We're from Poland. We're grateful to be here. Thank you for inviting us to Korea. It's always nice to be here." One of the standout moments from the opening ceremony is a hanbok fashion show, where traditional Korean garments are reimagined through light. The fashion show blends tradition with innovation, as models in contemporary hanbok walk through radiant displays of media art. Since 2019, Seoul Light DDP has attracted over a million visitors annually and earned global acclaim, most recently sweeping the top three international design awards. The summer edition runs nightly from 8 to 10 PM through August 10th. As the city swelters, this luminous escape offers a breath of visual cool. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I & II: A century of art unfolds

2025/08/01 19:40

On the cultural front. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is offering those interested the chance to indulge in a hundred years of Korean art starting from the early 1900s. Our Byeon Ye-young was there. 100 years of modern and contemporary Korean art now in one place. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon is offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art in an exhibition so large that the museum has separated it into two parts: Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I and II. Part I covers the early 20th century, a period marked by Korea's rapid modernization, colonial occupation, and national division. Part II picks up after the Korean War and traces the evolution of Korean art through postwar reconstruction, industrialization, and democratization. Togther, they feature more than 250 key works by over 100 artists, offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art. Visitors say the opportunity to view both exhibitions together is a rewarding experience. "I've been waiting for Part 2 because I love modern and contemporary art. I actually saw Part I of the exhibition before, and I really liked how it was divided by time period. It made things easy to follow. Personally, I love the transition from figurative to abstract art during this era, so it was great to see works by artists like Yoo Young-kuk and Lee Ung-no all in one place." Both exhibitions have sections called "The Artists' Rooms," dedicated to showcasing works by renowned artists such as Kim Whanki and Yun Hyong-keun. Another highlight is a section that re-examines underrecognized figures. "This section focuses on female modernist artists. These women weren't tied to major art groups or ideologies, but rather, they explored their own unique styles. Their works add a rich new layer to the male-dominated history of Korean abstract art." The exhibition closes with the debut of Sternbau No. 23 (2009), a major installation by contemporary artist Lee Bul. Suspended in air with steel, mirror, and film components, the futuristic piece explores themes of technology, the human body, and utopia. "There's growing interest in Korean culture both at home and abroad, but not many chances to explore the history of Korean art. We hope this exhibition gives visitors a clear, step-by-step look at how Korean art has evolved over the past century." By presenting Parts I and II side by side, MMCA Gwacheon allows visitors to follow a full arc of Korea's modern artistic transformation, from the days of colonization to modern global expression. The museum says it plans to keep the dual exhibitions running for at least two years. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

From 'Exhuma' to 'KPop Demon Hunters': The era of K-shamanism

2025/08/01 19:39

Korean shamanism is expanding its presence on screens big and small through animations and movies amid growing interest in its practice and more. My colleague Choi Soo-hyung files this report. Set in South Korea, "KPop Demon Hunters" follows a popular girl group that protects the human world from evil spirits, while uncovering a boy group of grim reapers, known as "Jeoseung Saja." The Netflix original animation has become the most-viewed original animated movie ever, with its soundtrack also topping the Billboard single charts. Last year, the Korean film "Exhuma" drew an audience of over 10 million at home, and became a hit in Asia and North America, fueled by themes such as feng shui and shamanic rituals. Today, one of the hottest themes in K-content is K-shamanism ---or K-musok in Korean ---a traditional belief system incorporating rituals, divination, and faith in spirits and deities. With a thousand years of history, Korean shamanism is a folk tradition where shamans ---or mudang ---guide people by praying for good fortune and driving away misfortune. "Shamanism exists in many parts of the world. But in Korea, it is unique because of the strong role of mudang. Their traditional music, costumes and performances have deeply influenced Korean folk arts, giving Korean shamanism a distinct cultural and artistic character." Unlike the Western view that defines the human world as good and the spirit world as evil, Korean shamanism sees shamans as mediators between the two, a belief that gives K-musok its unique power. "Western occult stories focus on exorcists, while 'KPop Demon Hunters' shows a more Eastern view. Rumi, a half hunter-spirit, and Jinu, a grim reaper, reveal human qualities, moving beyond the simple divide of good and evil. Even Hollywood now borrows from Asian values, avoiding absolute dualism, showing how Eastern philosophy is shaping occult content." Korean shamanism's power as occult content comes from its cultural freshness rather than religion. "Korea is not tied to a single religion, allowing shamanism to keep its own identity alongside others. Unlike Japan, where cultural images were long ago exhausted by Japonism, Korea's shamanism remains fresh, offering untapped images that enrich today's content." K-musok content is diversifying and becoming a key icon of K-culture with growing potential. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Gov't launches online platform to gather public input on APEC 2025 Korea

2025/08/01 19:38

The government is welcoming public opinion on APEC-related promotion strategies as well as infrastructure and service proposals. Those interested can share their thoughts online starting today until August 31st by clicking on the banner titled "K-APEC" on the websites of the Office for Government Policy Coordination the Foreign Ministry or APEC 2025 Korea. This campaign follows Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's call for public communication in preparation for the annual economic meeting of 21 states that will take place in Gyeongju on October 31st to November 1st.

Public access to Cheong Wa Dae to be suspended starting Friday

2025/08/01 19:37

The former presidential office Cheong Wa Dae has closed its gates to the public. The closure follows the Lee Jae Myung administration's plan to move the top office back to Cheong Wa Dae from Yongsan. The former Yoon Suk Yeol administration had opened "Cheong Wa Dae" up to the public back in May 2022. Since then some seven million people have made their way to the grounds of the Blue House. Also foot traffic surged after the new administration shared intentions to return to Cheong Wa Dae after the June third election.

President Lee calls balanced regional growth S. Korea's "survival strategy"

2025/08/01 19:37

President Lee Jae Myung believes South Korea's survival depends on balanced regional growth. Remarks to this end were shared during a meeting with the heads of 17 cities and provinces at the Yongsan Presidential Office earlier on Friday. Do take a listen. "More support should go to regions outside the capital, to even begin to maintain balance. We plan to apply this principle more strongly in policy decisions and budget allocations." The president also urged local governments to strengthen public safety measures calling these efforts the state's "top responsibility." Likewise today's talks touched upon disaster response strategies and ways to boost domestic consumption.