News

S. Korea, Japan to launch immigration fast lane service at airports for easier travel

2025/05/21 20:00

South Korea and Japan have decided to temporarily set up separate immigration counters for each other's citizens in June, to make traveling easier. The pilot program will run for a month from 9 AM to 4 PM at four airports: South Korea's Gimpo and Gimhae airports, and Japan's Fukuoka and Haneda airports. The fast lane services will be available to South Korean and Japanese citizens who have visited the other country at least once in the past year. The two nations agreed to launch the service as they celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year.

LIG Nex1 and KAI showcase K-defense capabilities at LIMA 2025

2025/05/21 20:00

Korea's defense industry is seeking to make strategic strides in strengthening regional security both at sea and in the air and its efforts are on full display at a regional exhibition in Malaysia. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung files this report. K-defense looks to expand its realm to Southeast Asia. The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025, the largest exhibition of its type in Southeast Asia, kicked off on Tuesday. Among the Korean defense companies taking part is LIG Nex1. With the South China Sea disputes propelling Southeast Asian states to strengthen their naval capabilities, LIG Nex1 is showcasing its "Haegung,.." ship-to-air guided missile defense system hoping to attract buyers such as the Malaysia Navy. Many officials from other countries such as Vietnam and even Saudi Arabia also showed their interest. "We are currently focusing our promotional efforts on a multi-layered air defense system. In the long term, we plan to expand into unmanned systems, space, cyber, and AI technologies." Korea Aerospace Industries, was visited by the Malaysian Prime Minister. KAI signed a deal with Malaysia in 2023 to export 18 FA-50 fighter jets, and with the very first one expected to be delivered next year, KAI is pushing for the second phase of the procurement project, as Malaysia plans to acquire an additional 18 aircraft. The exhibition gave a peek into where K-defense stands in the global market. European missile firm MBDA had a mock-up of KAI's FA-50 and KF-21 with its own missiles loaded, promoting these to Malaysia. While sharing ideas of how MBDA could cooperate with KAI, the technical executive cited advanced technology and rapid delivery as some of the South Korean defense industry's strengths. "It's how rapidly you can bring those capabilities to the market. KF-21 as an aircraft is a fine example of going from a concept phase all the way to something that is actually flying, integrating modern advanced missiles like meteor and actually doing test firings and maiden flights with it. Based on the credibility it has earned, K-defense aims to explore more opportunities in the global defense market, starting in Malaysia. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Langkawi.

Exports fall in May due to decline in shipments to U.S., overseas automobile sales

2025/05/21 20:00

Finding for the first three weeks of May show a slump in Korean shipments overseas. According to the Korea Customs Service, exports from May 1st to the 20th were down 2-point-4 percent on-year. By destination, shipments to the U.S. market slipped in light of tariff-related repercussions amid a sharp decline in auto exports. Korean shipments to the EU market also lost ground. This latest drop in exports comes after three straight months of growth through April.

Overseas voting underway across U.S., Europe and Africa for S. Korea's 21st Presidential Election

2025/05/21 17:00

Welcome to The Daily Report. The political events here in South Korea in recent times appear to be galvanizing Korean voters overseas to exercise their civic duty as quite a few travel long distances to cast their ballot for the leader they believe will work to move the nation forward. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. Sung Jin-ok, a Korean national living in Pittsburgh, Pennyslvania, drove 4 hours to a polling station in Virginia. Arriving at daybreak to cast her vote, she said that she had never felt such an urgent need to vote in all her 16 years of living overseas. "There was something deeply moving about stamping my vote. I used to think my vote was too small to matter, so I often gave up. But this time, I hope it becomes a vote for real change." With overseas voting for South Korea's presidential election now underway, Korean nationals across the United States are heading to polling stations in what they describe as a hopeful, even emotional, act of civic duty. For many, this election feels more personal than ever. "I hope this election brings us closer together — a society united through democracy." Meanwhile, others cast their ballot thinking of future generations. "I want our children to grow up in a society where responsible leaders step up." The overseas voting period began Tuesday and runs to Sunday, taking place across 118 countries, according to the National Election Commission. A total of 258 thousand overseas voters registered for this year's election, which is roughly a 14 percent increase in numbers compared to the previous election. Overseas voters in Asia account for the largest bloc at around 129 thousand registered voters, followed by the United States and Europe. When heading out to the ballot booths, voters must bring photo ID. Those who have emigrated or acquired permanent residency must also present proof they remain solely Korean nationals, such as visa documents and permanent residency cards. Requirements for each country of residence are available on the respective embassy or consulate websites. In an effort to improve accessibility for Korean citizens living abroad, the NEC has installed new polling stations, such as those in Lithuania, Estonia, and Luxembourg. Until now, Korean residents in Lithuania had to travel to Poland to vote, while those in Estonia made a two and a half hour ferry trip to Finland. As the overseas voting window continues ahead of the domestic election period, many voters say they're not just casting a ballot but expressing their hopes for a better, more unified country. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

[Weather] The hottest morning in May ever, rain until tomorrow

2025/05/21 17:00

Today is "Soman" on the traditional calendar, which means it is entering the summer. It is hotter than yesterday across the country. Seoul and many areas recorded the hottest morning in May ever. Even during the day, Seoul rose up to 28 degrees Celsius, and with high humidity, it feels like 30 degrees. There will be showers everywhere due to atmospheric instability during the night. The expected amount is 5 to 40 millimeters. Showers could be accompanied by gusty winds, thunder, lightning and hail in some areas. Rain will begin again at dawn tomorrow in central areas, and from the morning in southern areas. Most of this rain will subside by the afternoon. Tomorrow morning, Seoul will start off at 20 degrees, Daejeon and Gwangju at 21 degrees. Highs will be very similar to today's with Seoul at 27 degrees, Chuncheon at 25 degrees. Summer-like heat will ease off a bit from Friday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising: Seoul plaza transforms into huge workout playground for everyone

2025/05/21 17:00

For those of you here every Thursday evening and sometimes on Tuesdays until the end of June Capital Seoul offers an outdoor workout event aimed at building a broader culture of fitness. Our Choi Soo-hyung was there. As K-pop star Rosé's song 'APT' plays,.. people start copying the dance moves. This is Seoul Plaza, and right now, it's K-pop dance practice time. Following the dancers' lead, everyone enjoys the moves and gets soaked in sweat. "It's really good. I mean, we were not expecting to come here but I've heard the song a lot." "I've heard it on the radio and stuff so it's nice that we can kind of connect to it too especially because it's in English." Taking place in the evening under the clear spring sky, the event is particularly popular among office workers. "I love it! I usually don't have much time with my baby to have fun because of work, but thanks to this event, we are having a great time." The 2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising is held every Thursday and some Tuesdays until June 26th starting at 7 PM. The events offer fun and easy group workout programs for anyone whether they're a complete newbie or they just love to exercise. Each session will feature a different activity such as Zumba, Zumba, yoga class, or cheer-leading, so participants can try something new every time. In one corner of the plaza, visitors can also try sports that are hard to find in everyday life in South Korea, such as lacrosse and padminton, which is similar to badminton, but played with table tennis style paddles. Now in its third year, the event drew around 10-thousand people last year. During the event, a coaching program with fitness experts allows participants to get one-on-one advice on posture correction and diet. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

LIG Nex1 and KAI showcase K-defense capabilities at LIMA 2025

2025/05/21 17:00

Korea's defense industry is seeking to make strategic strides in strengthening regional security both at sea and in the air and its efforts are on full display at a regional exhibition. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung files this report. K-defense looks to expand its realm to Southeast Asia. The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025, the largest exhibition of its type in Southeast Asia, kicked off on Tuesday. Among the Korean defense companies taking part is LIG Nex1. With the South China Sea disputes propelling Southeast Asian states to strengthen their naval capabilities, LIG Nex1 is showcasing its "Haegung,.." ship-to-air guided missile defense system hoping to attract buyers such as the Malaysia Navy. Many officials from other countries such as Vietnam and even Saudi Arabia also showed their interest. "We are currently focusing our promotional efforts on a multi-layered air defense system. In the long term, we plan to expand into unmanned systems, space, cyber, and AI technologies." Korea Aerospace Industries, was visited by the Malaysian Prime Minister. KAI signed a deal with Malaysia in 2023 to export 18 FA-50 fighter jets, and with the very first one expected to be delivered next year, KAI is pushing for the second phase of the procurement project, as Malaysia plans to acquire an additional 18 aircraft. The exhibition gave a peek into where K-defense stands in the global market. European missile firm MBDA had a mock-up of KAI's FA-50 and KF-21 with its own missiles loaded, promoting these to Malaysia. While sharing ideas of how MBDA could cooperate with KAI, the technical executive cited advanced technology and rapid delivery as some of the South Korean defense industry's strengths. "It's how rapidly you can bring those capabilities to the market. KF-21 as an aircraft is a fine example of going from a concept phase all the way to something that is actually flying, integrating modern advanced missiles like meteor and actually doing test firings and maiden flights with it. Based on the credibility it has earned, K-defense aims to explore more opportunities in the global defense market, starting in Malaysia. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Langkawi.

Exports fall in May due to decline in shipments to U.S., overseas automobile sales

2025/05/21 17:00

Finding for the first three weeks of May show a slump in Korean shipments overseas. According to the Korea Customs Service on this Wednesday exports from May 1st to the 20th were down 2-point-4 percent on year. By destination shipments to the U.S. market slipped in light of tariff-related repercussions amid a sharp decline in auto exports. Korean shipments to the EU market also lost ground. This latest drop in exports comes after three straight months of growth through April.

Gov't to mobilize US$ 20.6 bil. in policy funds to counter tariff-related trade risks

2025/05/21 17:00

The Finance Ministry will mobilize policy funds to counter U.S. tariff-related trade repercussions. Policy funds totaling 28-point-6 trillion won or over 20 billion U.S. dollars will be earmarked for affected businesses to stabilize their operations to diversify their markets and for their facility investment. Acting Finance Minister Kim Beom-seok has also spoken of a support plan for product-specific tariffs including those on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors in the near future.

Second round of S. Korea-U.S. technical tariff discussions kick off in Washington

2025/05/21 17:00

Trade officials from South Korea and their U.S. counterparts in Washington D.C. opened a fresh round of tariff talks on Tuesday local time. On the agenda are six key matters including trade balance, non-tariff measures, and economic security. This is the second round of technical talks and likely the last ahead of the political transition here in South Korea as a new government takes office on June 4th. South Korea is seeking lower tariffs while the U.S. seeks greater access.

Trump unveils plans for 'Golden Dome' missile defense system

2025/05/21 17:00

Beyond borders. U.S. President Donald Trump has shared an ambitious and costly plan to protect America from missile assaults. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his plan for a missile defense program dubbed 'Golden Dome.' The multi-layered system would allow for U.S. weapons to be put into space for the first time. "Thank you very much, and thank you for being here in the Oval Office, one of the great places of the world, as we make a historic announcement about the Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield. That's something we want, and Ronald Reagan wanted it many years ago, but they didn't have the technology. But it's something that we're going to have." The 'Golden Dome' will include ground and space-based capabilities that can detect and destroy missiles at all major stages of a potential attack. Trump said that he had promised the American people that he would build a "cutting-edge missile defense shield" to protect the U.S. from the threat of foreign missile attacks. However, the ambitious plan also comes with a massive price tag. "I'm also pleased to report that the one big, beautiful bill will include $25 billion for the Golden Dome to help construction get underway. That's the initial sort of down posit. And we have probably you're talking about, General, we're talking about $175 billion total cost of this when it's completed." However, earlier this month, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that deploying and operating just the space-based interceptors of the defense system could cost up to 542 billion dollars over the next 20 years. Still, citing the increasingly sophisticated threats from North Korea, Russia, and China, Trump said the system could be operational within three years, as he named General Michael Guetlein, vice chief of operations for the U.S. Space Force, to oversee the 'Golden Dome' project. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

South Korea, U.S. launch joint excavation work for Korean War remains

2025/05/21 17:00

Here in South Korea on this Wednesday. A thirty-member team of South Korean and American officials have begun excavation work to recover the remains of soldiers who died during the Korean War. According to the Defense Ministry the latest mission in Mungyeong City, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province will last six weeks. This marks the sixteenth excavation effort by the two countries since the year 2000 underscoring their continued commitment to their alliance and to the sacrifice of their soldiers.

UN highlights N. Korea's ongoing human rights crisis; defectors testify

2025/05/21 17:00

At the United Nations on Tuesday local time two North Korean defectors detailed troubling tales of rampant human rights abuses in North Korea AND during the flight to freedom. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil covers their testimonies and more. The first session of its kind at the General Assembly featured live testimonies from North Korean defectors. Kim Eun-joo shared her story of escape and the trauma she faced. "On our first night in China, my 14-year-old sister was kidnapped, sexually abused, and left on the roadside. Later, my mother, sister, and I were sold for only 2,000 CNY, less than US$ 300. This tragedy is not only my family's story; many others face the same brutal reality under the North Korean regime." Kang Gyu-ri, a relatively recent defector, spoke about many still in the North. "There are still millions of North Koreans who have no access to any information about the outside world, who believe that they have no choice but to live under the three generations of the Kim dynasty's personality cult." This point was also highlighted by UN official Ilze Brands Kehris. "The laws carry severe punishments, including the death penalty in some cases. The internet is not available. Similarly, freedom of movement is extremely restricted." Also discussed were the global security implications of North Korea's human rights violations. "The DPRK is exporting instability and violence to the Middle East and to Europe, and the root cause of this is the human rights violations that the DPRK perpetrates." Elizabeth Salmón, UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean human rights, tied militarization to more exploitation, citing troops sent to Russia. "As the DPRK expands its extreme militarization policies, it exacerbates the extensive reliance on forced labor and quota systems." North Korea's Permanent Representative to the UN, Kim Song, rejected the claims, accusing Western nations of politicizing the issue. "It is shocking that such a meeting is convened, going against the universal will of the international community." Despite Pyongyang's rejection of the claims, Tuesday's session has once again brought North Korea's human rights situation to the global forefront. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok again rejects merger idea, reaches out to centrist voters

2025/05/21 17:00

Also on the campaign trail. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has rejected yet again calls for a coalition by PPP contender Kim Moon-soo . Speaking here in Seoul earlier on this Wednesday Lee brushed aside attempts by the main conservative camp to seek a merger. Lee currently ranks third in public polls and has shared hopes to see his standing rise after the remaining two live TV debates. Later in the day he headed to Seongnam where he sat down with students at Gachon University and toured Seongnam Medical Center.

PPP's Kim talks up GTX success as PPP apologizes for fmr. 1st Lady Kim Keon Hee

2025/05/21 17:00

Up next we turn to the conservative camp whose contender Kim Moon-soo continues his campaign in the Greater Seoul region. For details I have Kim Do-yeon joining me live. Do-yeon welcome back. And where are you joining us from today? Sun-hee, I'm in Dongducheon City in Gyeonggi-do Province around 50 kilometers north of central Seoul. Kim is set to appear on the stage behind me momentarily, he's been making his way here by hitting Gyeonggi-do Province cities northwest of Seoul and moving clockwise. He's been reminding Gyeonggi-do residents that it was during his two terms as governor that the GTX express rail system first took shape — and now, he's vowing to expand it even further. "I promise you — I'll make sure anyone can travel anywhere within an hour. I'll deliver a transportation revolution." Now, as I said, the area he's covering also borders North Korea, with a large portion of the land left undeveloped due to restrictions related to security and the environment. He pledged to lift these to host different institutions and companies to create more jobs in the area. Also Do-yeon I understand Kim remains committed to coaxing his conservative rival into a coalition? That's right, Sun-hee. Kim repeated his message earlier in the day. His point continues to be that the merger is his means to turn this election around and he's apparently hopeful. Take a listen. "As for a dramatic turnaround, there's candidate Lee Jun-seok, who once served as our party leader and is now running independently. I believe that, in the end, he and I will merge our campaigns — and that he could play a key role in leading us to victory in this presidential race. I'm hopeful things will work out." But Lee Jun-seok is still publicly rejecting the idea. Still, the outreach continues — PPP lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo visited Lee on the campaign trail in an apparent attempt to open dialogue. Momentum is building, though. Former justice minister and PPP primary runner-up Han Dong-hoon began campaigning for Kim yesterday — though they haven't appeared together yet. Han had made clear that he wouldn't hit the trail unless the party distanced itself from impeached ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol. Now that Yoon has left the party, Han appears to be on board. And to add to the distancing just about an hour ago, PPP interim leader Kim Yong-tae publicly apologized for controversies surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee. After his debate proposal for first lady prospects was rejected, he urged the Democratic Party to suggest their own format — saying vetting should still happen. That's the latest from Dongducheon. Back to you, Sun-hee. All right Do-yeon thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp.

DP’s Lee holds rally in his Nat'l Assembly constituency; unveils pet-friendly pledges

2025/05/21 17:00

Turning now to the latest on the campaign trail. Liberal party contender Lee Jae-myung is addressing his supporters in the city of Incheon today. I have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young standing by live with details. Ha-young it's good to have you on. Do FILL us in. Yes, Sunny. I'm currently in Incheon's Seo-gu District, where Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung has just begun delivering a speech, seeking support from voters here. Lee is continuing his campaign in the Seoul metropolitan area for the third consecutive day, this time in the city of Incheon. Before coming to Seo-gu, Lee held a rally in Namdong-gu District. Take a listen. "The sea takes in both murky and clean water isn't that the spirit of unity in Incheon? Winning in Incheon is what makes it a true victory. Will you help make that happen?" Incheon holds special significance for Lee, as it was a stepping stone in his political comeback after narrowly losing to former President Yoon Suk-yeol in the 2022 presidential election. Lee won a by-election in Gyeyang-gu, then became party leader and won the primary to run for president again. After finishing his rally in Seo-gu, he will wrap up his Wednesday rallies in Gyeyang-gu , the constituency he represents in the National Assembly. Lee is expected to thank the people of Gyeyang-gu for supporting his comeback. He aims to win votes by sharing his economic vision for Incheon, a global gateway city with an airport and port, focusing on logistics and the bio-industry. Ha-young I hear Lee also shared a few pledges for our furry friends. Do tell us more. Sure, Sunny. Lee laid out pet-friendly policy pledges ahead of today's rally. In a social media post, Lee promised to enact the so-called Basic Animal Welfare Act and work to create a government agency dedicated to promoting animal welfare. He also pledged to reduce pet care costs, especially for veterinary services, by setting standard fees and promoting the expansion of pet insurance. Lee also addressed the issue of stray cats. Take a listen. "Since more than 25 percent of people have pets, we need appropriate policies for them. On issues like stray cats, where opinions differ, we should find ways to coexist without causing problems for others." Additionally, Lee pledged to prevent animal abuse and abandonment by introducing a policy that bans offenders from owning animals for a set period. That's all for this hour. Back to you, Sunny. All right Ha-young thank you for that coverage of the liberal camp.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/21 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea and France have agreed to significantly expand cultural exchanges between the two countries ahead of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. Culture Minister Yu In-chon signed a 'Letter of Intention' with his French counterpart in Paris, pledging to strengthen cooperation across various cultural fields. The two countries agreed to build a cooperation framework for cultural institutions and promote public-private exchange programs in areas such as performances, exhibitions, and visual media. A variety of K-cultural events will be held throughout France next year to mark the 140th anniversary. Amid a wave of cultural exchanges marking 60 years since the normalization of Korea-Japan ties, a special museum in Kyoto is gaining renewed attention. The Korea Museum of Art, now in its 37th year, is attracting many locals and tourists, showcasing a rich collection of Korean cultural heritage that includes Goryeo celadon, Buncheong ware, as well as traditional paintings and crafts. It's a private institution founded on a collection of the late Jeong Jo-mun, a first-generation Korean-Japanese entrepreneur. Described as a place to reconnect with one's roots, the museum hopes to become a space where younger generations can engage in continued cultural exchange between Korea and Japan across various fields. A series of cultural events will be held at Joseon royal tombs in Seoul, offering the public a chance to experience the historical and cultural value of these UNESCO World Heritage sites. A program titled "Great Exploration of the Joseon Royal Tombs" will run from the end of this month through October at eight royal tomb sites across the capital. Highlights include hands-on programs where visitors can create traditional ornaments, try their hand at folk painting, and participate in Joseon-era style quizzes. A musical performance is also scheduled. For more details and reservations, visit the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center's official website. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] The Korean wave hits Melbourne with official launch of Koreatown

2025/05/21 14:00

It’s time for our ‘K-correspondent’ segment, where we get all the latest in K-culture issues from around the world. Today we connect to Melbourne in Australia, where interest in the Korean wave has grown so much, that it led to the opening of a new area where Australian hallyu fans are expected to flock to Our correspondent in Melbourne Farnaz Pirasteh is now connected with us, to tell us what this is. Hello Farnaz! Q1. Farnaz, what have you been up to these days? Q2. Something exciting related to Korea is going on in the heart of Melbourne. Please reveal to us what it is. Q3. It’s quite a landmark event, having a Koreatown in the middle of an Australian city. How is the atmosphere in the area and how has the response by citizens been so far? Q4. Let’s now talk about the Koreatown itself. Please introduce for us in more detail what you can find there and what you were most impressed by. Q5. What do you think fans of hallyu will feel at K-Town in Melbourne?

[K-enter] "Dear Hongrang" enters Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English Shows

2025/05/21 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, today we’ll start with the latest Korean Netflix series, “Dear Hongrang.” How is it doing? “Dear Hongrang” is doing great not only domestically, but globally as well. The new series, released on the 16th, is a mystery romance that tells the story of Hong-rang, the son of the largest trading group in Joseon, returning after a decade-long disappearance with no memory of his childhood, while his half-sister, Jae I, seeks the truth behind Hong-rang’s sudden disappearance. "Dear Hongrang" stars Lee Jae-wook, Cho Bo-ah, Jung Ga-ram, and Uhm Ji-won. Within just 3 days of its release, the series recorded a total of 2.2 million viewers, making it onto Netflix’s Top 10 non-English shows at No.6. It’s currently receiving positive reviews, so if you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to check it out on Netflix. It makes me especially proud to see "sageuk" dramas, or historical K-dramas doing well overseas, the great review of the drama has also raised interest in the novel this series is based on by Jang Da-hye "Tangeum: Swallowing Gold" Up next, let's talk about K-pop artists doing great on the Billboard chart? Rosé continues to make history on the Billboard Hot 100. On Tuesday, Billboard revealed that Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit song “APT.” is now spending its 30th consecutive week on the Hot 100 at No. 22. With the new record, Rosé is now the first female K-pop artist ever to have a song in the chart for 30 weeks on the Hot 100, and only the 4th overall, including male K-pop artists. Aside from “APT.”, the only other songs by a K-pop act to spend 30 weeks on the Hot 100 are PSY’s “Gangnam Style,” BTS’s “Dynamite,” and BTS Jimin’s “Who.” Another K-pop group doing great on the Billboard chart is P1Harmony. The group’s latest mini album “DUH!” debuted on Billboard 200 at No. 23. This is their 4th time entering Billboard 200 after their previous works, “HARMONY : ALL IN,” “Killin’ It,” and “SAD SONG.” Amazing records by both artists! Let’s stay on the topic of K-pop this time it's a comeback story. Who’s coming back to the K-pop scene? TWICE will make a comeback with their 4th full-length album “THIS IS FOR” on July 11th. The group’s agency, JYP Entertainment, released the news with the intro video on its official SNS. The short video captures nine members in a one-take video, centering on the keyword ‘FOUR.’ Their new full-length album comes 3 years and 8 months after their 3rd full-length album back in 2021. After their new release in July, TWICE will heat up the global stage as they will headline Lollapalooza Chicago on August 2nd. TWICE and summer sound great together! Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

[Features reporter] 2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising: Seoul plaza transforms into huge workout playground for everyone

2025/05/21 14:00

Soo-hyung, welcome back, so I hear you've got a story about group exercising outdoors. That sounds really fun to me. Did you go and try it out yourself? Yes, absolutely. With big speakers in the center of the plaza and many people enjoying themselves together, I couldn’t help but join in too. Exercising alone is good, but doing it together makes it feel less hard and sometimes even more fun. Every week, Seoul Plaza transforms into a giant workout playground. I went to there to see it for myself. Let's do take a look. As K-pop star Rosé's song 'APT' plays,.. people start copying the dance moves. This is Seoul Plaza, and right now, it’s K-pop dance practice time. Following the dancers' lead, everyone enjoys the moves and gets soaked in sweat. "It's really good. I mean, we were not expecting to come here but I've heard the song a lot." "I've heard it on the radio and stuff so it's nice that we can kind of connect to it too especially because it's in English." Taking place in the evening under the clear spring sky, the event is particularly popular among office workers. "I love it! I usually don’t have much time with my baby to have fun because of work, but thanks to this event, we are having a great time." The 2025 Seoul Plaza Exercising is held every Thursday and some Tuesdays until June 26th starting at 7 PM. The events offer fun and easy group workout programs for anyone whether they're a complete newbie or they just love to exercise. Each session will feature a different activity such as Zumba, yoga class, or cheer-leading, so participants can try something new every time. In one corner of the plaza, visitors can also try sports that are hard to find in everyday life in South Korea, such as lacrosse and padminton, which is similar to badminton, but played with table tennis style paddles. Now in its third year, the event drew around 10-thousand people last year. During the event, a coaching program with fitness experts allows participants to get one-on-one advice on posture correction and diet. I knew it would be fun! I really want to enjoy myself as well, what exactly are the group workouts they’re offering and what’s coming up next? In the official timetable, dynamic activities such as yoga, step aerobic workouts, and trampoline fitness are planned. The sessions in the middle of the plaza are all group workouts, packed with fun and effective exercises way better to do together. The new sports zone in the corner of the plaza offers easy-to-enjoy games like Spikeball and Boloball, along with lacrosse and padminton as we saw earlier. There’s also a flying disc zone where anyone can join in and have fun. I can't wait. How can I join, do I need to register in advance? Yes. I’d love to try it with my family too. Do we need to pay an entrance fee? No, you don't need to pay a penny. There is no participation fee. All events held at Seoul Plaza are free of charge. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the activities. For group exercise sessions, participants may register online in advance or sign up on-site on the day of the event. For the K-pop dance class we just saw, about 80 people had signed up in advance. But when I went yesterday, around 150 people were actually there. For a detailed event schedule, please refer to the official website. I will take a look at the schedule right after the show. Thank you Soo-hyung for sharing the story. Thank you Soo-hyung!