News

[Weather] Seoul reaching 28 degrees, the highest temperature this spring, rain in the east

2025/05/20 20:00

The weather has returned back to early summer again. The highest temperature in Seoul rose up to 26 degrees Celsius, but with the high humidity, it felt even hotter at 28 degrees. The southern parts of the country, red on the map, were as hot as 30 degrees today. It will be even hotter tomorrow with Seoul reaching up to 28 degrees, the highest temperature this spring so far. More rain is expected in many areas of the east tomorrow. Estimated rainfall will be up to 40 millimeters in eastern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and Gangwon-do Province, and up to 60 millimeters in the mountainous areas of Jeju Island. Tomorrow morning will start warm at around 20 degrees all over the country. Highs will move up to 29 degrees in Daejeon, 30 degrees in Chuncheon. UV rays continue to be very strong during the day. Please protect yourself in advance when you go outside. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Actor Park Jeong-min becomes publisher of audio book for visually impaired redears

2025/05/20 20:00

Although Han Kang's Nobel Literature Prize win may have sparked a reading craze, it was difficult for visually impaired people to enjoy it. To help those people, one actor, who is also a publisher began converting audiobooks into audioplays. Cha Yun-kyung has the story. "My First Summer, Wanju," written by novelist Kim Keumhee, is the first work from the "audiobook project" run by actor Park Jeong-min. Park began this project to find a way to give a book as a gift to his father, who had lost his sight. He released the audioplay first before publishing the book in paperback, targeting the visually impaired as the first "readers." "I thought visually impaired readers might not receive books as a gift firsthand. So, I wanted to give books as a gift for visually impaired readers firsthand." Park's audioplays are different from standard audiobooks. They add more details and descriptions than the original audiobook released after the source book's publication. Starting with actress Go Minsi, many famous actors participated in the project with voice acting to make a great piece of radio drama. "While I was working on the piece, all the characters were speaking to me with my voice, although they were all different figures. Now, I can hear the perfect voice for each character." This is great news for the visually impaired who may have limits on listening to standard audiobooks, or reading braille books. There are not enough books in braille for the blind, and it is also hard to access institutions that possess them, so demand for audiobooks is growing. Visually impaired readers cannot find the books they want easily. Also, they have to listen to audiobooks with an unnatural text-to-single-voice service. "I think this is a new type of genre like a movie for the visually impaired, which makes me feel like a visual handicap is not a handicap anymore." The paperback version of "My First Summer, Wanju" will be published for the non-disabled on May 8th. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

S. Korean music industry leaders named on Billboard's 2025 Global Power Players

2025/05/20 20:00

South Korean music industry leaders have once again earned global recognition for driving global success outside the United States. Billboard's 2025 Global Power Players list, released Monday, featured top names including SM Entertainment co-CEOs Jang Chul-hyuk and Tak Young-jun. The list highlights the agency's global impact from Aespa's successful world tour to the success of British boy band dearALICE, ranking No. 2 on the UK's music chart. HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk also made the list, recognized for his powerhouse lineup of stars including BTS.

South Korea's overseas voters head to polls on Tuesday

2025/05/20 17:00

Welcome to The Daily Report. I'm Min Sun-hee. Overseas Korean voters have begun casting their ballots with polling stations in New Zealand among the first to open on this Tuesday for South Korea's presidential election. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young reports. Overseas voting for South Korea's 21st Presidential Election is now underway beginning Tuesday in 118 countries around the world. The first of the ballots on Tuesday were cast in New Zealand and Fiji, with polls expected to close last in Honolulu, Hawaii. According to the National Election Commission, overseas ballots for registered voters will be held over six days until Sunday local time, at 182 Korean embassies, consulates, diplomatic missions and offices. Voting hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM. 39 additional polling stations have been installed where the number of overseas nationals exceeds 30-thousand. In the United States, these include the states of New York, California, Massachusetts and Texas, opening from Thursday to Saturday. Voting booths were also added for the Korean military's Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon and the Hanbit Unit in Uganda. Specific times and locations can be found on consulate websites. When heading out to the ballot booths, voters must bring proof of identification which has a photo on it. Those who have emigrated or acquired permanent residency must also present proof they remain solely Korean nationals. These include official documents for visas and permanent residence cards. As requirements differ according to the country of residence, voters must check their respective embassy or consulate website. Also, registered overseas voters who are visiting Korea, or are unable to vote in their country of residence, can join domestic voters on June 3rd at designated polling stations. But first, they must register in person, between next Monday and June 3rd, at an election office located in the district of their last registered Korean address. Over 258-thousand are expected to cast overseas votes, 14 percent more than the last presidential election. This time, overseas polling stations were established for the first time in four countries where diplomatic missions were recently opened: Cuba, 쿠바, Luxembourg, 룩셈부르크, Lithuania, 리투아니아, and Estonia. 에스토니아. Overseas polling stations were established for the first time in four countries where diplomatic missions were recently opened: Cuba, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and Estonia. Overseas ballots are returned to Korea via diplomatic pouches to be counted together with domestic votes after Election Day voting ends. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Even hotter tomorrow all over the country, rain again in the east

2025/05/20 17:00

The early summer-like heat appeared today across the country. The highest daytime temperature in Seoul was 26 degrees Celsius, but with the high humidity, it felt even hotter at 28 degrees. The southern parts of the country, red on the map, were as hot as 30 degrees today. It will be a bit hotter tomorrow nationwide. Rain is forecast for many parts of the east tomorrow. Estimated rainfall will be up to 40 millimeters in eastern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and Gangwon-do Province, and up to 60 millimeters in the mountainous areas of Jeju Island. Tomorrow morning will start warm at around 20 degrees all over the country. Highs will move up to 28 degrees in Seoul, Daegu and Gyeongju. UV rays will also be very strong during the day. Please be prepared in advance for when you go outside. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: UK strikes EU trade and defense reset in 'new era' for relations

2025/05/20 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Five years after the United Kingdom departed from the European Union a new agreement has been reached between the two parties. The deal announced on Monday includes defense cooperation and youth mobility. At a summit in London on May 19, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a comprehensive agreement to improve post-Brexit relations. It includes a new defense and security partnership, granting the UK access to a 200 billion U.S. dollar EU defense fund, and facilitating joint military procurement and support for Ukraine's defense. The agreement also extends mutual fishing access for 12 years, allowing EU vessels to continue operating in UK waters. A youth mobility scheme will facilitate temporary work and study exchanges between the UK and EU member states. British travelers will also benefit from faster airport procedures through EU e-gates. Prime Minister Starmer lauded the agreement as a "win-win," while EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen described the progress as "historic." The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to terminate the Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350-thousand Venezuelan nationals living in the country. In an unsigned order on Monday, the Supreme Court lifted a lower court's injunction that blocked the Department of Homeland Security's attempt to end TPS for Venezuelans. This decision allows the administration to revoke protections extended until October 2026 during the Biden administration. TPS provides temporary legal status and work authorization to individuals from countries experiencing severe crises. The Biden administration granted Venezuelans an extension of the status in response to ongoing political and economic instability in Venezuela. TPS has also been removed for nationals from Afghanistan and Cameroon as part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten immigration policies. Former U.S. President Joe Biden expressed gratitude for the support he has received from around the world after announcing on Sunday that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bones. Biden wrote on his social media on Monday, "Cancer touches us all," and that he and his wife Jill have learned that you are "strongest in the broken places." Reacting to the announcement, President Donald Trump said Biden's diagnosis was "very sad," but added that he was surprised it wasn't detected earlier. At the same time, he and First Lady Melania wished Biden a "fast and successful recovery." While not curable, experts note that effective management can allow patients to live for several years. Finally, in Denmark, the 14th Hundested Sand Sculpture Festival kicks off on Friday. The annual event will feature sand sculptures crafted by 16 international artists, centered around this year's theme of "Showtime." Visitors can expect to see detailed representations of entertainment icons such as Charlie Chaplin and Miss Piggy, as well as circus clowns. The festival also offers diverse family-friendly activities, including sculpting workshops, sand painting, and treasure hunts. As the festival runs through October 19, the sculptures are made of sand mixed with clay to ensure they last until autumn. The sand is reused each year. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korean military says N. Korea’s air-to-air missile may involve Russian tech

2025/05/20 17:00

The South Korean military believes North Korea's air-to-air missile technology may have been advanced with Russian assistance. This belief is in line with earlier remarks by analysts here who suggested Pyongyang may have received radar or software technology from Moscow in return for troop deployment. Last week the regime conducted its first live-fire test of an air-to-air missile that reportedly successfully intercepted targets. With regard to this latter claim military authorities here have countered its credibility adding that actual deployment could take considerable time. Relevant authorities are also seeking to assess the extent of Russian involvement in the missile's development.

Israel hits 160 targets in Gaza as aid begins to come through

2025/05/20 17:00

In the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to seize control of the entire Gaza Strip. Lee Seung-jae covers his intentions and more. The Israeli military, which recently launched "Operation Gideon's Chariots," aimed at recapturing the Gaza Strip, announced it had struck some 160 targets, including Hamas infrastructure. However, according to Al Jazeera, airstrikes also targeted several hospitals across the enclave. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement on the same day, vowing to make progress amid fierce fighting, adding that Israel will take control of the entire Gaza Strip. The remark was slammed by Britain, France, and Canada, who were critical of Israel's expansion of its war, as they vowed a "concrete" response if Israel's campaign continues. Also, following pressure from around the globe over the blocking of any humanitarian aid into region, Israel has begun allowing some trucks carrying necessities. "Today, Israel is facilitating the entry of trucks with baby food into Gaza. In the coming days, Israel will facilitate the entry of dozens of aid trucks." The Director General of Israel's Foreign Ministry, Eden Bar Tal, said "Israel always complies with international law and with its obligations and statements." However, he was critical of the recent condemnation, saying the international community must decide whether to side with Israel or Hamas. He added that the aid that began coming in will only cover a few days. The foreign ministry official also stressed that the humanitarian aid "is to help the population, not to support Hamas." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump's 2-hour phone call with Putin fails to achieve breakthrough in ending Ukraine war

2025/05/20 17:00

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about peace in Ukraine AND while they BOTH say the talks went well few details have been shared. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. Following the much-anticipated call between leaders from Washington and Moscow, U.S. President Donald Trump said he made progress during his conversation on Monday with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. He proclaimed on his social media that the call "went very well" and that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to 'immediately' start negotiations toward a ceasefire, without providing details on when that will happen. "We just spent two and a half hours talking to Vladimir Putin, and I think some progress has been made." Putin, who described the call as "meaningful and frank," said Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement. But he did not address demands from the U.S. and European countries for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, meaning no major breakthrough in ending the war. "At the same time, I would like to note that, in general, Russia's position is clear. The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis." Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also spoke with Trump before the American leader's call with Putin. He called for an unconditional ceasefire, while urging stronger U.S. sanctions if Russia is not ready to end the war. "I asked him before his conversation with Putin, not to make decisions about Ukraine without us. We agreed that we would get in touch after his conversation with Putin." Zelenskyy also urged Washington not to distance itself from peace talks, saying he is considering a high-level meeting between Ukraine, Russia, the U.S., and European countries. This comes after Trump said the conditions of a peace deal could only be negotiated between Russia and Ukraine, possibly with the help of the Pope, leading to speculation that this signals a possible shift in his stance that he was leaving the two countries to find a deal without the U.S. as a broker. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

April U.S. auto exports fell nearly 20% y/y on tariff impact

2025/05/20 17:00

Korea's auto exports to the U.S. tumbled some 20 percent in April on year. Findings by the Trade Ministry released on this Tuesday show auto shipments to the U.S. amounted to almost 2-point-9 billion U.S. dollars last month DOWN 19-point-6 percent on year. This latest performance is being linked to U.S. tariffs and the launch of a new Hyundai Motor Group plant in the state of Georgia. Meanwhile TOTAL auto exports in April was also DOWN nearly four percent on year at 6-point-5 billion U.S. dollars. But here at home car sales rose 6-point-7 percent last month on year driven by demand for electric and hybrid vehicles.

S. Korean delegation departs for tariff talks in Washington

2025/05/20 17:00

A South Korean trade delegation has departed for the U.S to engage in more technical talks on tariffs. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon covers the agenda ahead. A South Korean delegation will begin working-level talks with the U.S. Trade Representative in Washington on Tuesday local time, as part of broader efforts to finalize what's being dubbed the "July Package." With both sides aiming for a comprehensive trade deal by July 8th, Seoul is expected to focus on minimizing the steep tariffs on its key exports. However, time is tight, with the U.S. negotiating with its other trade partners and South Korea's presidential election just around the corner. Six key topics are on the agenda for this round of technical discussions: balanced trade, non-tariff measures, economic security, digital trade, country of origin, and commercial considerations. South Korea plans to use its cooperation in areas like shipbuilding as leverage, with the ultimate goal of lowering the 25-percent reciprocal tariff rates and the sector-specific tariffs on cars, steel, aluminum, and semiconductors. Meanwhile, the U.S. is expected to push back with its own demands, with concerns over its trade deficit and various non-tariff barrier issues. The Trump administration has pointed to a wide range of non-tariff barriers in Korea, such as restrictions on importing beef from cattle older than 30 months, as hindering American exports to the country. Seoul has since responded by saying there were few barriers hindering trade with the United States, and experts say that some concessions could be made for low-impact sectors in order to gain leverage in more critical areas. "We should be ready to ease non-tariff barriers on items like agricultural and livestock products — especially those with low import volumes. In return, we must push hard to secure U.S. tariff cuts on high-value exports like automobiles and semiconductors." This comes after high-level ministerial meetings during the APEC trade summit in Jeju last week, where South Korea's trade minister Ahn Duk-geun followed up his meeting with the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, with a press conference. He revealed that a ministerial-level interim review is scheduled for mid-June to finalize the results of the negotiations — meaning important decisions related to the trade agreement will be made by the next administration. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok pushes for harmony during second day campaigning in Gwangju

2025/05/20 17:00

Staying on the campaign trail. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok remained active in the southwestern city of Gwangju for a second day on this Tuesday. Addressing the audience there he spoke of pursuing the spirit of former President Roh Moo-hyun who sought unity between traditionally conservative and liberal regions in the southwest and the eastern parts of the country. Lee was also at Chonnam National University to touch base with the student body there as part of his campus cafeteria outreach. Earlier he sat down with the Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung and pledged support for AI and future mobility industries.

PPP's Kim talks up ethics, reiterating rival's legal risks

2025/05/20 17:00

Up next we turn to the conservative camp whose contender Kim Moon-soo is also campaigning in the Greater Seoul region. For details I have Kim Do-yeon joining me live. Do-yeon welcome back. So where exactly are you joining us from? Sun-hee, I'm currently in Hanam City at a shopping complex, where Kim is about to appear on stage for his last rally of the day. Now, Kim has been arguing that he is more ethical than his DP rival Lee Jae-myung, saying that the DP is using its super majority on the floor to pass legislation to protect Lee from his legal risks. Take a listen. I'll be an ethical president. I will never wear a bulletproof vest. I would get rid of the bulletproof glass and never try to pass bulletproof legislation. Here, he's tying Lee's recent upgraded security measures to the DP's legislative efforts. He also reiterated that it was he who created Gyeonggi-do Province's economic zones, such as Pyeongtaek's Samsung Electronics plant the largest one in the world, comparing his success as the province's governor to that of Lee's. Earlier in the day, he toured around Seoul meeting with members of the public in the streets. Now, he also shared his pledges on fostering culture and cultural activities, as he visited a culture and arts organization. His major pledge was to make community culture centers across the nation accessible to anyone within 10 minutes to enhance cultural and art activities. Also Do-yeon I hear Kim sought to reach out to his conservative rival Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party yet again. That's right, Sun-hee. Early in the day as he faced the media he repeated his message saying that his agenda and Lee's alignment was the PPP's fault. First, take a listen. He used to lead our party. As you've seen at the debate, there's absolutely no difference between us. Also, it was our party's problem that caused Lee Jun-seok to leave, so I think it's right to be together. Of course, Lee Jun-seok rejected the offer again. But, a movement to form an anti-Lee Jae-myung bloc started moving for the PPP, as the interim-leader Kim Yong-tae met with the New Future Democratic Party's chairman for talks on future cooperation. This is a new party made up of former DP members who were not in Lee Jae-myung's faction. The leader of this party said the PPP's Constitutional reform proposal of shortening the next president's term to three years with the next one starting a new four-year term with re-election aligns with theirs. In the meantime, the PPP's Kim Yong-tae also proposed a debate for the first lady prospects but the DP and Reform Party candidates immediately criticized the idea to turn it down. That's all for now, back to you, Sun-hee. All right Do-yeon thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp.

DP’s Lee calls for protecting overseas voting rights, suggests temporary polling stations

2025/05/20 17:00

Turning now to the latest on the campaign trail. Liberal party contender Lee Jae-myung addressed his supporters in the city of Paju 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 out here in front of Geumneung Station at Paju in Gyeonggi-do Province, which borders North Korea. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung *just wrapped up a speech a few minutes ago. During his speech, Lee said Before coming to Paju, he held a rally in Uijeongbu , where he spoke about peace and security. Take a listen. "Hasn't this northern region made big sacrifices for the country's security over many years? Those sacrifices should be properly compensated, so people from now on don't feel it's unfair." At his final stop of the day in Gimpo, he's expected to reveal a plan to cut travel time between Gimpo and Seoul's Gangnam area to around 30 minutes. Ha-young overseas voting began today and I understand Lee touched upon this. Do tell us more. Sure, Sunny. Marking the first day of overseas voting, Lee Jae-myung held a one-hour virtual meeting with overseas Koreans ahead of today's rally. During the discussion, overseas voters from various countries shared the common difficulties they face, especially the inconvenience of voting. Take listen. "Botswana has no Korean embassy or consulate general, so Koreans here have to go to South Africa to vote." After the event, I had a chance to ask Lee about ways to ensure voting rights for overseas Koreans, including thoughts on mail-in voting. He said that appropriate measures should be put in place to ease voting for those living abroad and suggested several ways to do so. Take a listen. "Overseas Koreans currently have to register and vote separately, but with a better system, both could be done at once. While some worry about mail-in voting security, countries like the U.S. use it, and Korea already allows similar voting for people with mobility issues or those in hospitals. I wonder if it's fair to not allow overseas Koreans to vote by mail." Lee also suggested setting up temporary polling stations with temporary staff, saying that given the high personal costs voters currently face, the government should provide such kind of support. That's all for this hour. Back to you Sunny. All right Ha-young thank you for that coverage of the liberal camp.

Acting President Lee calls on election authorities to tighten ballot management

2025/05/20 17:00

Acting President Lee Ju-ho has called for commitment to conducting a fair and transparent election as overseas voting begins today. The remarks were made during a Cabinet meeting earlier on this Tuesday as he called on the National Election Commission to ensure the safe management and transportation of ballot boxes from overseas once voting by registered Korean voters there ends this coming Sunday. Also with the official voting day here now precisely two weeks away the acting leader also urged relevant ministries to actively support the efforts of the election commission.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/20 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. "We had a loving relationship for 36 years, and then suddenly got married." That's how renowned conductor Chung Myung-whun explained his historic appointment as Music Director of Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. Chung is the first Asian to take on the role at the famed opera house, with his term set to run from 2027 to 2030. Saying that La Scala has been his "closest friend" for decades, Chung emphasized that he will do everything he can to support its musicians. When asked about the theater's future artistic direction, he hinted it will feature quite a few works by Verdi, his favorite opera composer. Chung will make his official debut as La Scala's Music Director on December 7, next year. Lim Yun-chan's live recording album from the final round of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition has achieved gold certification upon release. According to Universal Music, the album, "Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3," sold over 5,000 copies on the day of release, qualifying for gold status. Under Korea's music industry standards, classical albums are certified gold at 5,000 copies sold and platinum at 10,000. Tottenham Hotspur, led by captain Son Heung-min, has been confirmed as the first team invited to the 2025 Coupang Play Series. The English Premier League club returns to Korea to showcase another exciting match for local fans after taking part in last year's series. Hosted, organized, and broadcast by Coupang Play, the series is a preseason football event featuring top European clubs. Executive Director of Tottenham Hotspur Donna-Maria Cullen said Korea holds a very special place for Tottenham, and the team looks forward to continuing its tour tradition by connecting with passionate fans, engaging in charity activities, and experiencing the local culture. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] The Evolution of Gwanghwamun Square

2025/05/20 14:00

Discover how Gwanghwamun Square has transformed over time into an iconic landmark of Korea!

[Kulture Issue] What's the latest K-food trending in the U.S.?

2025/05/20 14:00

Bibimbap, bulgogi, fried chicken. Which K-food comes to mind first? Today we want to talk about the latest K-food trend in the U.S. as well as a product that's been enjoying a surge in exports to the country. For that, we are now connected with Robert Ku, Managing Editor of Foundations and Futures: Asian American and Pacific Islander Multimedia Textbook, a major book project at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. Hello Mr. Koo! 1) K-food exports to the U.S. last year amounted to 1.59 billion dollars, making the U.S. the top export destination for Korean food items. Do you feel this rising interest around you? 2) By item, Korea’s instant noodles, or ramyeon, is the number one K-food export to the U.S. right now. Why do you think we’re seeing this trend? (What’s unique about Korean instant noodles and among which group do you see the biggest popularity?) 3) What are some other rising "K-food stars" in the U.S. right now? 4) Kimbap, jjigae, tteokbokki and quite recently dalgona (famous through Squid Game), are Korean foods that were added to Oxford Dictionary in the past years. In addition to those, which Korean food items do you think deserve to be in English dictionaries? 5) (And maybe these answers will somewhat be equivalent to this next one ) which K-food do you believe could become the next big hit in the U.S.? 6) As a culture expert, could you share some advice for our global viewers on how to enjoy K-food to the fullest?

[K-wave] Ron Mueck's first solo exhibition in Korea at MMCA Seoul

2025/05/20 14:00

Australian artist Ron Mueck presents his first major solo exhibition in Korea. The contemporary sculptor is famous for his hyper-realistic human sculptures. Since its opening on April 11th, more than 150-thousand people have already visited the exhibition, setting a new record for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. Lee Eun-jin has the story. The sculpture of a man's sleeping face rests on the floor. Each strand of hair and wrinkle seem all too real, but the back of it is hollow, like a mask. The young couple seem to be clinging to each other but why they have such uncomfortable expressions is hidden behind, in the boy's tight grip. These are the work of sculptor Ron Mueck, born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1958 and based in the United Kingdom since 1986. Even more amazing than the delicate technique of his sculpting is the emotion that is conveyed through each piece, as it draws curiosity and throws visitors into deeper thought. "It goes beyond 'it looks real'. Emotion and presence are expressed more real than reality. Manifesting the most fundamental human emotions about death, loneliness and anxiety, his works are also called psychological portraits." Each sculpture, embodying Mueck's extreme technical skills and sophisticated artistic expression, takes anywhere from several months to many years to complete. The 48-piece collection displayed at this exhibition is the largest gathering of Mueck's works in Asia to date. But the gathering of the sculptures shaped across three decades means visitors will have the chance to experience his sculptural journey. One can imagine the work that went into installing the one hundred monumental skulls of Mueck's project titled 'Mass'. But its journey across the sea was also not easy. "The sculptures were fit into 100 crates. Upon arrival at Busan Port, they went through various security screenings, and were then transported to our museum. It was a long journey." Visitors can feel the intimate yet uncomfortable confrontation of an old man and a chicken across a table There's also an exhausted woman, overwhelmed with her ongoing efforts to survive urban contemporary life. Beyond just showcasing his sculptures, the exhibition also intends to present an overview of Mueck's artistic journey, as he has led the evolution and trend of contemporary sculpture. The Ron Mueck exhibition will be held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art until July 13th. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[K-enter] I-dle make full transformation from head to toe

2025/05/20 14:00

So, Walter let's start off with a girl group we talked about with our K-pop expert Jeff Benjamin yesterday, but a girl group that decided to put less emphasis on the "girl" part of their name with their return! I-dle, formally (G)I-dle . While with each album cycle a change of style in a K-pop group is common, I-dle have decided to take things up a notch and do a complete transformation including switching out their (G)I-dle name. On Monday, a press conference was held at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam to celebrate the release of girl group I-DLE’s 8th mini album "We Are". Not everything changed though with I-DLE signalling a fresh start following the full renewal of their contracts with Cube Entertainment BUT a new mindset. "We Are" includes six tracks such as the title song “Good Thing,” the pre-released “Girlfriend,” Yuqi’s self-composed track “Love Tease,” and the ballad “If You Want,” with lyrics written by Shuhua . Good luck to I-dle and their new beginnings! Next up, some K-musical news. The Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending", which made its way to Broadway, won four awards at this year’s Outer Critics Circle Awards. "Maybe Happy Ending" took home honours for "Outstanding New Broadway Musical", "Outstanding Book of a Musical", "Outstanding Score", and director Michael Arden was awarded "Outstanding Direction of a musical". The Outer Critics Circle is an organisation of writers who review New York theatre productions. "Maybe Happy Ending" is an original musical set in the future, telling the story of Oliver and Claire, robots created to assist humans, who unexpectedly fall in love. After its premiere in Korea in 2016, the musical made its way to Broadway and officially opened at the Belasco Theatre in November last year. The production has also been nominated in 10 categories for next month's Tony Awards. Outstanding indeed. Lastly, taking music from the stage to the big screen, what do you have for us? I have a new movie for watchers of music and romance. "Midnight Sun" is a musical romance that follows the story of Miso and Minjun who can only go on dates in the middle of the night. As they fall in love through music, they also embark on a journey to pursue their dreams together. Cha Hak-yeon makes his big screen debut with "Midnight Sun." He has previously worked on television dramas but is also well-known for debuting as a member of the boy band VIXX back in May 2012 and usually goes by the stage name "N". Cha Hak-yeon shared, “When I first read the script, it felt like I was being gifted a piece of youth. It’s a film beautifully filled with warmth and a refreshing romance,” expressing his deep affection for the project and why he chose to join it. "Midnight Sun" is set to premiere on June 11.