News

[K-enter] "KPop Demon Hunters" named Netflix's most-watched original animated film

2025/07/31 15:39

Surprise surprise, we are starting with "KPop Demon Hunters"! We definitely need to talk about it as it reached a HUGE milestone. "KPop Demon Hunters" has become the most-watched original animated film of all time on Netflix. According to Netflix's official SNS on Wednesday, "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No.1 in views out of all the original animated films in Netflix history. Since its release on June 20th, the cumulative viewing time of the film has been counted as 220.8 million hours, which calculates to 132.4 million views. For those who still haven't watched the film, "KPop Demon Hunters" is a story about K-Pop idol group HUNTR/X, who fight against demons to protect the world. The soundtrack from the film is also getting plenty of love as all eight tracks on the original soundtrack have charted on Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks, including "Golden" at No.2. There it is again "Golden"! We need an enchore from you Bella! Well, incredible achievements! Next we will move on from virtual idol groups to a real idol group. IVE appeared on a stage that's pretty new to them? IVE members kicked the first balls at the event match between Team K-League and Premier League powerhouse Newcastle United. On Wednesday, the first match of '2025 Coupang Play Series' was held at Suwon World Cup Stadium. The Coupang Play Series invites renowned soccer teams to Korea, with Newcastle playing this friendly match against Team K-League. All six members of IVE kicked the first balls to start the match. Then, they performed their hit songs during the halftime show. Both soccer fans and IVE fans enjoyed the performance. Meanwhile, IVE have confirmed a release of their new album at the end of August. We'll let you know more about that soon. Lastly, we will end off with a warm donation story. Singer BoA has made a heartwarming donation of 100 million won, roughly 72-thousand U.S. dollars, to the orthopedic department at Samsung Seoul Hospital. BoA delivered the donation on Wednesday, aiming to support orthopedic patients who are struggling financially and unable to afford non-covered medical treatments. Recently, BoA has firsthand experienced the pain and recovery process of acute osteonecrosis as she was diagnosed and treated for it. She expressed her hope that the donation would provide both comfort and tangible assistance to others facing similar challenges. BoA has consistently made donations for those in need. She donated 100 million won to support the independence of young adults aging out of foster care, and also donated 50 million won on Children's Day to Seoul Asan Hospital for the treatment of pediatric cancer patients. Meanwhile, BoA is set to release her 11th album "Crazier" on August 4th to mark the 25th anniversary of her debut. Such a heartwarming gesture. We sincerely hope for the best on her recovery. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news. Ari, over to you!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/31 15:38

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, will temporarily close to the public from tomorrow as preparations begin for the Korean president's return to the compound. Public access will be suspended while security enhancements and other preparations are carried out ahead of President Lee Jae-myung's move. Public tours have been partially restricted since July 16, with only pre-registered visitors allowed to access outdoor areas. The Blue House Foundation plans to partially reopen the top office to the public once the president officially resumes duties at the site. Cheong Wa Dae has been open for public viewing since 2022, after former President Yoon Suk-yeol relocated the presidential office to Yongsan. A newly updated Korean-language audio guide will be available at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican starting next month. The Archdiocese of Seoul and the Korean Embassy to the Holy See jointly produced the guide and recently delivered it to the Vatican. The project was a collaborative effort, with veteran actor Cha Seung-won volunteering his voice for the narration. While a Korean audio guide had previously been offered, the new version has been updated to align with recent upgrades to the basilica's exhibition and visitor information. The revised guide will officially launch on August 1. The government's 6,000-won movie ticket discount program, aimed at reviving Korea's slumping film industry, is beginning to show results. According to the Korea Box Office Information System, theater attendance rose by nearly 100,000 over the past weekend from the previous week, while weekday audiences also increased by up to 90,000, marking a 46% jump from pre-subsidy levels. The government is offering 4.5 million discount coupons on a first-come, first-served basis, available through major multiplex chains such as CGV and Megabox via their websites and mobile apps. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] OTT platforms tap into animation fandom on the rise

2025/07/31 15:37

Recently, OTT services have been expanding not just drama series, but also their lineup of animated content. How popular is animated content, and why are OTT platforms increasing investment in animation? Lee Eun-jin has the story for us. Korean-born animation director Park Sung-hoo, known for popularizing the Japanese manga-based anime series "Jujutsu Kaisen," has a signature style of dynamic and thrilling action scenes. The latest series that he is bringing to audiences is one he has prepared for over 10 years. "This time, it's different from my previous works. There are car chase scenes and a variety of characters battling each other. I think it incorporates a lot of different types of action." This latest work was released globally through Disney Plus. "In the past, this was a genre that TV broadcasters would reject. But now there are opportunities to challenge diverse content, thanks to the growth of OTT platforms." As such, OTT platforms are now increasing their investments in animation. Because there are many die‑hard fans of these animated series and because viewing frequency is high, it helps retain subscribers. According to Netflix, more than 50 percent of its estimated 300 million viewers now watch animation. This is a figure that has tripled over the past five years. From July 7 to 13, the most popular Netflix title globally, in both English and non-English categories, was an animated series based on K-pop. "I was really happy to take part in this project, but I didn't expect it to blow up globally like this. I'm just thrilled." Animated films based on popular original works are also drawing audiences to theaters, creating a synergy as their popularity carries over into OTT platforms. Another strength of the animation genre is its potential for broad use of intellectual property, thanks to the popularity of its characters. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[Short-form] Korean Summer Flavor Showdown

2025/07/31 15:36

Discover your favorite among Korea’s top summer treats, best enjoyed right now!

K-Sports highlights with Jason Lee

2025/07/31 15:36

Korea is currently hosting some exciting soccer games with top notch European teams, and in baseball, the NC Dinos might NOT move to a new stadium after all. For more in the world of K-sports we are joined by our sportscaster Jason Lee in the studio who will bring us all the highlights. Hello Jason! Q1. Every summer, Korea tends to host some big name European soccer teams and yesterday Newcastle United played a team of K-League All-Stars in Suwon. How did that go? Well, would you believe the K-League All-Stars defeated the Premier League powerhouse 1-0. It was just an exhibition game so let me stress that it is different in terms of tackles and players wanting to avoid injury first and foremost and you'll also probably see player trying to do more flashy stuff or perhaps even try new moves they've been practicing so let's not get carried away with the result But, still, the K-Leaguers who played in the game should feel very proud of the result and for the most part playing toe to toe with one of the top teams in the world. Kim Jin-Gyu scored the game's lone goal in the 36th minute as he broke in from the left side. He showed great poise in finishing from in close and then they had a great celebration with Kim Jin-Gyu playing the role of a big game fish being caught by his other teammates. Also of note is that Park Seung-soo did play in the game as he entered the game in the 82nd minute for Newcastle. And who's Park Seung-Soo you might wonder. He's an 18 year old phenom that signed with Newcastle just last week. At 16 years old he was the youngest K-Leaguer ever as he signed a semi-pro contract with Suwon Samsung Bluewings a couple years back. He usually plays right wing, but hasn't really been a goal scorer so far with just goal for Suwon in 25 games last season. And of course as a former Suwon player, he was actually playing last night in front of his former home fans. I might add that he definitely flashed some talent in the short time he played as well. Q2. I understand there are a bunch of other big matches that soccer fans in Korea can check out, including Barcelona visiting Seoul World Cup stadium tonight to take on FC Seoul. Can you give us the details on that game and the others to come. Yes, Barcelona visits Seoul tonight they feature Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha as their poster boys now and local fans will have a chance to get an up close look at them tonight. Also at Seoul's World Cup Stadium on Sunday night, Tottenham Hotspur will play Newcastle United at 8pm. Of course Tottenham rosters both Son Heung-Min and Yang Min-Hyeok and you would think that both should be fan favourites during the contest. It would be really fun to see both Yang Min-Hyeok and Park Seung-soo play against each other. Yang is 1 year older and has had an extra 7 months with his team, but I think these guys will be compared to each other in terms of their progress as they're both teenagers with top English Premier League teams. And one more match in Korea will take place Monday in Daegu where Barcelona will face Daegu FC also at 8pm. This is great to see that soccer fans in the south can also get a chance to see some of these top talents visiting Korea. Q3. You talked before about the possibility of the NC Dinos possibly leaving their home in Changwon, but it seems like the local government is stepping up to keep the team in the southeastern city. Yes, you might remember I had mentioned Ulsan, Kimhae and Yangsan and possible places they could leave to basically other municipalities near their current fan base. Last week it was discovered that Seongnam city, just below Seoul was trying to woo the Dinos. And this was very interesting for a few reasons first off NC, the sponsor company for the team is based in Pangyo which is a part of Seongnam City so it would actually make a lot of sense because they could rally their employees and clients to support the team in their new destination. Now Seongnam doesn't have a professional team, but the city was willing to upgrade a stadium to make it league appropriate for the KBO. So after all this information came out, Changwon scrambled to do what they could to keep the team in Changwon and it looks like that's what's going to happen. Changwon has agreed to invest 10-billion won to expand an extra 2,000 seats into the stadium. They're also going to expand their merchandise store, they're going to improve their scoreboard and even add parking for the Masan Stadium for their Futures team. The city is also working with the provincial government to add shuttle busses and other infrastructure to make it easier for fans to get to and from games. Q4. Speaking of the NC Dinos, I understand that they were involved in a 6 player trade with the Kia Tigers this week. Do give us the juicy details. Yes, this is a classic win-win deal where one team needed hitting, while the other needed pitching and both teams had extra depth to part with in order to improve their team overall. Kia sends: outfielders Choi Won-Jun and Lee Woo-Sung along with infielder Hong Jong-Pyo for: NC pitchers Han Jae-Seung and Kim Si-Hoon the Dinos also send infielder Jeong Hyun-Chang to Kia. Choi Won-Jun is probably the biggest name in the deal. He's been a starting outfielder for both of Kia's last 2 Korean Series titles last year and 2017. He's struggled a bit this year hitting.225 so maybe a change of scenery will get him back on track. Kia gets a lot younger in the deal adding Han Jae-Seung, who's just 23 years old. He's more of a middle reliever so far in his career and his numbers have been very average unfortunately for the Kia bullpen, they haven't even been average so he should be an improvement to what they have. Jeong Hyun-Chang seems to be a lottery ticket for Kia as he's a 19 year old without a lot of experience. He should be spending most of this season in the future's league and my guess is the team's just expecting him to be a development project. Q5. Some bad news in Major League Baseball as I heard both Kim Hye-Seong and Kim Ha-Seong have suffered injuries that will keep them out for a couple of weeks ? Yes, this is very unfortunate to say the least let's start with Kim Ha-Seong over in Tampa Bay. He's only played 10 games so far this season after starting the year on the Injured List after off-season shoulder surgery. He's had issues with his calf as well, but it's actually strained lower back that knocked him out this time. The last game he played was back on July 21st so he'll actually be eligible to be reinstated this weekend if he's healthy enough to go. It's possible they could send him down to AAA for a rehab assignment before activating him off the injured list, but if he's feeling good enough it's possible they just let him play. As for Kim Hye-Seong, he's dealing with a sore left shoulder (so not his throwing shoulder) and he's been dealing with this for over a week now, but he's just been trying to play through it. The team finally decided it would be best to just shut him down for a bit so he got an injection in the shoulder with the hopes that it'll improve over the next week and perhaps he could return when first eligible August 11. Kim was hitting.302 with a pair of home runs and he's been 12 for 12 in stolen base attempts this season so he's definitely a player the Dodger want in their line up as soon as possible. Missing a number of games is expected to hurt the respective teams, but recovery is the priority. Thank you Jason for all the updates. Have a great rest of the week. Thank you Bella as always. See you back tomorrow.

U.S. to impose tariffs on small parcels with contents valued under US$ 800 starting Aug. 29

2025/07/31 12:37

As part of his push to boost American manufacturing, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, ending the long-standing exemption that allowed duty-free imports of low-cost parcels into the U.S. Starting on August 29th, shipments valued under 800 U.S. dollars will no longer be exempt from tariffs, instead they'll be taxed based on the item and its country of origin, to close what was described as a "tariff loophole." Trump said the policy shift is aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on foreign goods and narrowing trade deficits that he argues have disadvantaged American workers.

S. Korean defense minister and U.S. counterpart agree to strengthen extended deterrence, shipbuilding

2025/07/31 12:36

South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held his first phone call with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to strengthen extended deterrence against North Korean threats, and cooperate on shipbuilding. While describing the ROK-U.S. alliance as "blood-forged," Ahn said he hopes to further develop the alliance into a comprehensive strategic one that is future-oriented. The two saw eye to eye on deepening extended deterrence efforts to counter North Korea's threats, including its illegal military ties with Russia. They also agreed to modernize the alliance, and expand cooperation in fields including shipbuilding, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul in that industry.

[On-point] South Korea, U.S. reach trade deal — Win or worry for Seoul?

2025/07/31 12:36

As we just heard, Seoul and Washington have agreed on a trade deal, allowing the United States to charge a 15-percent tariff on imports from South Korea. For more on this, we're joined by Professor Song Soo-young, Professor at the College of Business and Economics at Chung-Ang University. Professor Song, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. The two countries have finally reached a deal, with the reciprocal tariff on South Korea lowered from 25% to 15%. What's your assessment of this latest agreement? Would you consider this a win for Korea? 2. Trump also announced that South Korea will invest 350 billion U.S. dollars in the United States and buy 100 billion dollars worth of U.S. energy products and the U.S. Department of Commerce also said Washington will hold 90 percent of the profits from South Korea's investment fund. What's your take on this? Alright Professor Song. Thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

S. Korea records highest number of July tropical nights

2025/07/31 12:35

South Korea saw yet another hot summer night on Wednesday into Thursday, marking a record-breaking number of tropical nights in July, as a prolonged heat wave continues to grip the country. The number of tropical nights this month reached 22, surpassing the 21 recorded in 1994. It's also the longest streak in 117 years, since data was first compiled in 1907. A tropical night occurs when nighttime temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius between 6 PM and 9 AM the following day. With heatwave warnings in place in most parts of the country, the daytime temperature in Seoul is expected to reach 36 degrees today.

U.S. Fed freezes rates despite pressure from Trump

2025/07/31 12:35

Despite continued pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for a cut, the U.S. Fed kept rates unchanged, holding its benchmark rate steady in the 4-point-2-5 to 4-point-5 percent range. However,.. two Fed governors called for a rate cut, marking the first time in three decades that two governors dissented on a decision. Lee Seung-jae has more. As widely anticipated, the U.S. Federal Reserve left its interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, holding its benchmark lending rate steady in the 4-point-2-5 to 4-point-5 percent range. "Today, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged. We believe that the current stance of monetary policy leaves us well-positioned to respond in a timely way to potential economic developments." According to Powell, the U.S. Fed remains firmly focused on the dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices, stressing that the economy is in a solid position despite ongoing uncertainty. He added that the unemployment rate remains low, and that the labor market is considered at or near full employment, while inflation is running slightly above the Fed's 2-percent long-term target. The latest decision also came despite recent public pressure from President Donald Trump urging a rate cut. And earlier on Wednesday, Trump blamed Powell for the high interest rates, stressing that they hurt the American people. "Each point that this gentleman keeps up costs us 365 billion dollars a year, think of that, one point, 365 billion dollars. If you bring it down a point, we save 365. We should be the lowest interest rate. And we're not. We're 38, number 38 because of the Fed. It's all because of the Fed. He's done a bad job." In a rare move, two Republican-appointed Fed governors, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman dissented, signaling their preference for a rate cut of 25 basis points. That marks the first time since 1993, that two Fed governors have dissented on the same rate decision. Waller argued that while tariffs may temporarily push prices higher, the inflation impact will be short-lived, with levels returning to normal by next year. The next FOMC meeting is slated for September, with many anticipating a rate cut during the sixth scheduled meeting of the year. The rate freeze means the rate gap with the Bank of Korea stands at 1-point-7-5 to 2 percent. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea crossed "major hurdle" by reaching trade deal with U.S.: Pres. Lee

2025/07/31 12:34

South Korea was quick to confirm the tariff deal with the U.S. this morning. For more, correspondent Yoon Jung-min is on the line. Jung-min, what did President Lee Jae Myung have to say? Eun-ji, the President said the country has "crossed a major hurdle" to reach the deal which has been a major challenge for the new administration. Taking to his social media account, President Lee said the deal has eliminated uncertainties in export conditions for the country, and created a condition where Korean companies can compete on equal or superior terms with major competitors. He noted the investment fund worth 350-billion U.S. dollars will solidify the foundation of bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors, such as shipbuilding, semiconductors and rechargeable batteries. He went on to note that 150-billion dollars will be solely committed to shipbuilding to help Korean shipbuilders make inroads into the U.S. He added that he expects the agreement will further strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance. 2. What's the latest from the Presidential Office? Presidential chief of staff for policy, Kim Yong-beom also confirmed the U.S. tariffs on South Korea will be lowered, including those on cars. Take a listen. "The U.S reciprocal tariffs set to be imposed on South Korea on August 1 will be lowered from 25-percent to 15-percent. Also, tariffs on cars, our main export items, will be lowered to 15-percent." He went on to say that additional levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals will not be treated unfavorably when compared to other countries. Kim said the U.S. has been pushing to open up Korea's agricultural and livestock markets, such as rice and beef, but Korea did not agree to further open the markets, taking into account the "sensitivity" of the matter. The deal comes as top trade officials have been making their last-ditch efforts in the U.S. before the August 1 deadline set by U.S. President Trump. That's all from me at this hour. Eunji.

[NEWs GEN] Young but Unwell: Why are more young people battling illnesses?

2025/07/31 12:33

[NEWs GEN] Young but Unwell: Why are more young people battling illnesses? 2030 당뇨병, 탈모에서 자유롭지 못하다.. MZ들의 질병과 건강관리는?

S. Korea, U.S. reach trade deal; S. Korea to face 15% 'reciprocal' tariffs, invest US$ 350 bil. in U.S.

2025/07/31 11:37

South Korea and the United States have struck a full trade deal, lowering the "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korean exports to 15 percent. President Donald Trump met with key Korean officials in Washington to finalize the agreement, which includes hundreds of billions of dollars in South Korean investment. Byeon Ye-young starts us off. South Korea and the U.S. have come to a complete trade deal that will see South Korea charged 15% tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol , Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan , and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, local time. They finalized a trade deal just two days before the 25% U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea were to come into effect on August 1st. Along with the 15% tariffs, South Korea will invest 350 billion dollars for investments owned and controlled by the United States, which will be selected by Trump himself. Of that investment, 150 billion dollars will be used for cooperation in the shipbuilding industry, and 200 billion dollars will be invested in other sectors such as semiconductors, nuclear energy, and biotechnology. The U.S. Department of Commerce also stated that the United States will hold 90% of the profits from South Korea's investment fund in the U.S. South Korea will also purchase 100 billion dollars of LNG, or other energy products and will further open its market to American products including cars and agriculture. But South Korea's domestic rice and beef markets will not be further opened. And tariffs on automobiles have also been reduced to 15%. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also stated that tariffs on South Korean semiconductors have been set at levels that are not less favorable than those applied to other countries. President Lee Jae Myung is set to visit the White House in two weeks for a bilateral meeting. Even though a full trade deal was reached, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol's meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will take place as scheduled on Thursday. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Record-breaking tropical nights and intense heat continues

2025/07/31 11:36

It's the last day of July, when the summer heat in Korea usually peaks, but it's been too hot this year. In fact, this year, July's nights have been the hottest on record since observations began. We've had a total of 22 tropical nights up to today. With heatwave alerts remaining in place in almost all regions, afternoon highs will climb above 35 degrees Celsius again. Meanwhile, light rain is expected on Jeju Island until this morning with strong winds, and parts of Gangwon-do and the western coast of Jeollanam-do province can see scattered showers until late this morning. Sunny skies are expected for most regions except in the capital area and Chuncheon. But highs in Seoul, Daejeon and Daegu will all get up to 36 degrees. Gyeongju and Gwangju will top out at 35 degrees. Intense heat will continue through August, so take care in this extreme heat!

Olympic star Dahlmeier dead after climbing accident

2025/07/31 11:36

31-year-old German double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died in a mountaineering accident in northern Pakistan, according to reports on Wednesday. Officials confirmed she was killed on Monday, July 28, when she was struck by a sudden rockfall while climbing in Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains at an altitude of about 5,700 meters. Rescue helicopters were grounded due to severe weather and persistent rockfall, making recovery efforts difficult. In line with Dahlmeier's written wish, her family has requested that no one risk their lives to recover her remains. Dahlmeier won two gold medals and a bronze at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, as well as seven world championship titles and the 2016-17 World Cup overall crown, before retiring from biathlon in 2019.

Kamala Harris announces she won't run for California governor

2025/07/31 11:35

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Wednesday that she will not run for governor of California in the 2026 race. Harris said that, "after deep reflection," she has decided not to pursue elected office at this time, citing her intention to focus on broader national service and support Democratic candidates across the country. With Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited, several high-profile contenders, including former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, have announced their candidacies. Although Harris ruled out the Governor position, she did not eliminate the possibility of running for president in 2028, stating that she will "get back out and listen to the American people."

Tsunami warnings downgraded as threat to North America recedes

2025/07/31 11:35

Tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Hawaii, Japan, and parts of the U.S. West Coast, have been significantly downgraded as the risk of tsunamis subsides. On Wednesday, an 8.8-magnitude quake struck Russia's Kamchatka coast, prompting tsunami alerts across North America's Pacific coast and other parts of the Pacific. However, the warnings have now been downgraded or removed as the tsunami threat has diminished. Authorities emphasized continued caution and avoiding water because of the ongoing aftershocks and risk of strong currents. Meanwhile, alerts are still in place in Chile, and evacuations had been ordered in parts of Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and the Galapagos Islands.

Carney says Canada plans to recognise Palestinian state

2025/07/31 11:35

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Beginning with Canada, which has announced it will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision in a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. But he said that recognition of Palestine's statehood depends on the Palestinian Authority holding general elections in 2026, excluding participation by Hamas, and committing to demilitarization, alongside urgent governance reforms. Carney also described conditions in Gaza as "intolerable," citing widespread humanitarian suffering. The announcement follows France and the United Kingdom making similar conditional recognition pledges earlier this week. Canada is also among 15 countries that co-signed the "New York Call," which calls for the recognition of Palestine's statehood and a push toward a two-state solution. Israel's foreign ministry criticized Canada's move to recognize a Palestinian state, arguing that it rewards terrorism and undermines ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, the UN World Food Program stated on Tuesday that it could officially declare a famine in the Gaza Strip unless conditions drastically improve.

Unique way to cool off with a night in a haunted Korean village

2025/07/31 11:34

As the intense heat continues, people are finding ways to cool off in a unique and spooky way at a historical themed village that transforms into a haunted world full of traditional ghosts and spine-chilling horror experiences. Our Park Kun-woo was ther. A quiet, peaceful village by day. But as darkness falls, a chill creeps in, and eerie whispers echo through the air. Under the crescent moon, ghosts begin to appear. Summer may be the hottest season, but for many in Korea, it's also the coolest in a spooky kind of way. One popular destination is the "Horror Village in the Dead of Night" festival, running until the end of August at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, in Gyeonggi-do Province. "Korean ghosts are known to be souls with unresolved sorrow -or "han." They don't just scare you, but they carry a story, one they never got to finish. So, what kind of sorrow are you holding onto?" "I died without being able to get married" From virgin ghosts to a local version of the grim reaper, these traditional Korean spirits send chills down visitors' spines, especially when they appear out of nowhere. "It's been scorching hot lately, so I thought this horror experience might blow away the heat. I kept sweating and shivering." "It's way different to watching movies." From haunted escape rooms to scream-filled walk-throughs, flashing red lights and scary sounds greet those who dare to enter. "GET OUT. You don't belong here." Even the food gets creepy, including the bloody "finger latte," topped with a broken finger-shaped cookie. Some restaurants are splattered with blood, with things appearing above visitors' heads. "I thought it was a regular restaurant, until I saw ghosts hanging above. I almost fell over in shock, but it's unique and fun. I was too scared to even feel the heat." The restrooms are also haunted, dimly lit up with red lights, with ghosts waiting for you, some appearing in the mirror. At the end of the night, visitors who turned into ghosts with costumes and painted faces, competed with each other to see who was the scariest. It seems like a peaceful, happy ending, but beware, these ghosts will return with the next dark night until August 24. So, for those looking for an experience of Korea's haunted summer night, good luck. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

STOCK&FX

2025/07/30 23:06

2025. 7. 30. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,254.47 ▲23.90 +0.74% KOSDAQ : 803.67 ▼0.78 -0.10% KOSPI200 : 439.81 ▲3.97 +0.91% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 40,654.70 ▼19.85 -0.05% HANG SENG : 25,176.93 ▼347.52 -1.36% SHANGHAI : 3,615.72 ▲6.00 +0.17% WALL STREET (July 29) DOW JONES : 44,632.99 ▼204.57 -0.46% NASDAQ : 21,098.29 ▼80.29 -0.38% S&P500 : 6,370.86 ▼18.91 -0.30% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,383.10 (-7.90) JPY : 934.68 (-3.57) CNY : 192.63 (-1.14) EUR : 1,597.76 (-11.68)