News

7.7 magnitude quake hits Myanmar and Thailand

2025/03/28 20:00

A seven-point-seven magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, also causing damage in neighboring Thailand's capital city of Bangkok. At least 20 people were confirmed killed in Myanmar, and three in Thailand but the death toll is feared to rise into the hundreds. States of emergency have been declared in both countries. The United States Geological Survey said the quake had a shallow depth of about 6 miles. Tremors were also felt in China's Yunnan province.

Putin seeks to work with other countries, N. Korea to settle war in Ukraine

2025/03/28 20:00

Russia's Vladimir Putin has spoken of cooperating with North Korea to end its war in Ukraine. Bae Eun-ji covers this latest comment and more. As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to broker an end to the three-year war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that countries other than the United States could be involved in the peace process, specifically mentioning North Korea. Speaking about efforts to settle the war during his visit to Russia's northwestern port of Murmansk on Friday, some of the other countries he named were China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and the member states of BRICS. The Russian leader also proposed the idea of putting Ukraine under a form of "temporary administration" of the United Nations, as part of a peace deal, for new elections and the signing of key accords with the aim of reaching a settlement. "We could discuss under the auspices of the UN, with the U.S., with European countries, and of course with our partners and friends, the possibility of conducting temporary governance in Ukraine." Putin's comments come a day after a senior Russian diplomat reportedly said they're preparing for Kim Jong-un's visit to the country. According to Russia's Tass news agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Thursday that this was discussed during his visit to Pyongyang two weeks ago without providing details on when the visit might take place. Just last week, Putin's top security adviser Sergei Shoigu met Kim in Pyongyang where the two sides reaffirmed their willingness to "unconditionally" uphold a major mutual defense treaty signed last year that pledges mutual assistance if either faces aggression. Eyes are now on whether the North Korean leader's visit to Russia will take place within this year, with some experts even saying that it could happen as early as May, on the 80th anniversary of Russia's "Victory Day," which marks the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Tariff war heats up with Canada vowing retaliation over Trump's car tariffs

2025/03/28 20:00

America's major trade partners Canada and Mexico have been among the first to respond to the Trump administration's new tariff plan on foreign-made cars and their reactions stood poles apart. Lee Seung-jae has more. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed off on 25-percent tariffs on all cars and auto parts imported into the United States. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called it a "direct attack" on his country, and vowed to respond to Trump's latest tariff policy. "President Trump announced 25% tariffs against our auto industry. And this is a direct attack, to be clear, a direct attack on the very workers that I stood in front of, UNIFOR workers We've announced, of course, retaliatory tariffs. We have other options for those retaliatory tariffs. I have asked for a meeting, I will convene rather, a meeting of the Canada U.S. cabinet tomorrow to discuss our trade options." Carney said that Canada's long-time bilateral relationship with the U.S., involving the economy, security, and military cooperation, "is over." Instead,.. he vowed Canada would respond with retaliatory tariffs that will have "maximum impact" on the U.S. On the other side of the U.S. border, Mexico is negotiating for an exemption for its critical auto industry. Speaking from Washington after holding talks with U.S. officials, Mexico's economy minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said negotiation talks are ongoing to ensure that Mexico gets preferential treatment. The minister said that with the recent tariff policies of the U.S. administration, Mexico must protect jobs and economic activity in the country. While Mexico is seeking a more peaceful approach to Trump's tariff policies, both Canada and the European Union have been looking to fight the U.S. president's tariffs. In response, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday and said that larger tariffs could be placed on the EU and Canada,, if they work jointly to "do economic harm to the USA." While the EU delayed its first set of retaliatory tariffs, including a 50-percent tariff on U.S. bourbon, Trump threatened to impose a 200-percent tariff on all wines and other alcoholic products from the EU if the bloc went ahead with tariffs. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. offers condolences for victims of S. Korea's wildfires, says USFK is ready to provide assistance

2025/03/28 20:00

In related news. The United States has vowed to provide full support, while sending condolences for the people who've lost their lives. The State Department released a statement on Thursday, local time, saying it offers sincere condolences to the Korean people,.. adding that it mourns the loss of the brave firefighters and many others who have died. It said the U.S. Forces Korea stands ready to provide assistance to help combat the fires and support the affected communities. It also added "America stands with its ally during this difficult time," noting that the country has not forgotten Korea's unwavering support during the wildfires in Los Angeles and Hawaii.

[Weather] Chilly conditions this weekend, dry weather continues

2025/03/28 17:00

With cold air coming down from the northwest since last night, the temperature in Seoul this morning was just 3-point-7 degrees Celsius, which was about 10 degrees lower than yesterday morning. Temperatures will be lower than usual this weekend with Seoul only rising to 8 degrees during the day. The dry weather warning, which was issued for the east coast of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, has been eased to an advisory, but the dry weather warnings and advisories are still in place in many areas. Also, there are strong wind advisories in place as well, so please take extra precautions to avoid starting any fires. Tomorrow, Seoul, Gwangju and Gyeongju will start off at 1 degree and Busan at 4 degrees. Highs will move up to around 10 degrees across the country. There is rain or snow forecast for Seoul, eastern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province, and western parts of Gangwon-do Province tomorrow afternoon. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Marco Rubio says U.S. revoked at least 300 students' visas for pro-Palestinian activities

2025/03/28 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The U.S. government has intensified its crackdown on foreign students involved in anti-Israel pro-Palestinian activities leading to the revocation of visas and the detention of students. On Thursday local time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department has revoked the visas of over 300 foreign students. The action is part of the Trump administration's broader initiative to identify and expel individuals who are believed to be supportive of Hamas. Rubio told reporters on a visit to Guyana, "Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas." Among those affected is Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish national and Ph.D. student at Tufts University who was apprehended on Tuesday. The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Ozturk engaged in activities supporting Hamas, though specific evidence has not been disclosed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland was "serious." At the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk on Thursday, Putin stated the U.S. had a longstanding interest in the mineral-rich territory. He said that while the Greenland issue does not directly involve Russia, the U.S. plans "have old historical origins" and aren't just "extravagant talks." Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and reaffirmed Denmark's commitment to supporting Greenland's autonomy. Also, referring to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's planned visit to the U.S. military base in Greenland, she stated, "The visit is clearly not about what Greenland needs or wants." In Egypt, six Russian tourists died on Thursday when a sightseeing submarine sank off the coast of the city of Hurghada. Others have been successfully saved, with some sustaining injuries. The vessel, named Sindbad, was carrying 45 tourists from various countries, including India and Sweden, along with five Egyptian crew members. The incident occurred approximately 1,000 meters offshore during a routine underwater tour of the Red Sea's coral reefs, where the recreational submarine dived to depths of 20 to 25 meters to showcase the marine life. The cause of the sinking is still under investigation. Finally, Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 opened to the public on Friday, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, featuring 240 galleries from 42 countries. An off-site art installation has also been created at a high-end shopping center near the official show venue. The fair showcases a diverse range of artistic practices, including performance and digital art, with over half of the participating galleries originating from the Asia-Pacific region. Art Basel 2025, the largest and most prestigious event in the Asia Pacific region, will run from March 28 to 30. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Slow-aging diet: How young people in S. Korea eat to stay "young"

2025/03/28 17:00

Aging is a natural process that cannot be defied but some believe it can be delayed by eating light and right as a growing number of young Koreans are choosing to do. Our Park Kun-woo files this report. At around midday, people rush to grab their lunch from their favorite spots. What's catching a lot of attention is how many young people are opting for healthier choices. One of their go-to picks? Fresh salads packed with a variety of vegetables and nuts. "I used to eat a lot of high-calorie junk food which made digestion difficult and affected my studies. Since cutting back, I feel less bloated in the mornings and don't get as tired after meals." Healthy eating is no longer just a concern for older generations. "I think that your health starts on the inside and it doesn't matter if your skin looks good. It should be a little bit more active starting younger and also focus on what you're eating." The "slow-aging" trend, which focuses on eating certain foods to slow down physical aging, became a boom in South Korea after it went viral on social media last year. And more and more people from the younger generation are joining in. "Many young people began seeing others on social media embrace a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle that slows down aging, which seemed beneficial and inspiring enough to follow." As the trend grows, young people are even taking charge of their health by preparing "slow-aging diet" meals themselves. These meals they prepare involve cutting out simple sugars, refined grains, and unhealthy fats, while focusing on slow-digesting carbs like whole grains and veggies that can also prevent blood sugar spikes. "So today I tried making a meal, packed with vegetables and fruits like carrots and apples, as part of a slow-aging diet. As it tasted so good, I've also decided to eat like this more often and track my meals as part of a healthy routine." Many are even sharing their slow-aging meals and recipes online, inspiring others to follow suit. However, an expert warns against extreme eating habits. "Health is maintained through a balanced diet. While slow-aging meals are beneficial, they can also become too one-sided. And you need to maintain a balanced diet in long term, not just for a year or two before going off track." She added that occasional cheat days can be necessary for satisfaction and that she expects the slow-aging trend will evolve through a balanced approach, where combining the slow-aging diet with cheat days creates a harmonious lifestyle. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Number of outbound int'l flights from Korea to exceed pre-COVID levels this summer

2025/03/28 17:00

Some 4-thousand-8-hundred flights will head overseas each week from South Korean airports this summer well beyond pre-pandemic numbers. This is according to the Transport Ministry on this Friday having finalized its summer flight timetable. More specifically come March 30th to October 25th 4-thousand-7-hundred-83 flights will head overseas per week on 2-hundred-46 routes. This marks a 3-point-6 percent rise from 2019 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tariff war heats up with Canada vowing retaliation over Trump's car tariffs

2025/03/28 17:00

America's biggest trade partners Canada and Mexico have been among the first to respond to the Trump administration's latest tariff plan of a 25-percent import duty on foreign-made cars AND their reactions stand poles apart. Lee Seung-jae reports. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed off on 25-percent tariffs on all cars and auto parts imported into the United States. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called it a "direct attack" on his country, and vowed to respond to Trump's latest tariff policy. "President Trump announced 25% tariffs against our auto industry. And this is a direct attack, to be clear, a direct attack on the very workers that I stood in front of, UNIFOR workers We've announced, of course, retaliatory tariffs. We have other options for those retaliatory tariffs. I have asked for a meeting, I will convene rather, a meeting of the Canada U.S. cabinet tomorrow to discuss our trade options." Carney said that Canada's long-time bilateral relationship with the U.S., involving the economy, security, and military cooperation, "is over." Instead,.. he vowed Canada would respond with retaliatory tariffs that will have "maximum impact" on the U.S. On the other side of the U.S. border, Mexico is negotiating for an exemption for its critical auto industry. Speaking from Washington after holding talks with U.S. officials, Mexico's economy minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said negotiation talks are ongoing to ensure that Mexico gets preferential treatment. The minister said that with the recent tariff policies of the U.S. administration, Mexico must protect jobs and economic activity in the country. While Mexico is seeking a more peaceful approach to Trump's tariff policies, both Canada and the European Union have been looking to fight the U.S. president's tariffs. In response, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday and said that larger tariffs could be placed on the EU and Canada,, if they work jointly to "do economic harm to the USA." While the EU delayed its first set of retaliatory tariffs, including a 50-percent tariff on U.S. bourbon, Trump threatened to impose a 200-percent tariff on all wines and other alcoholic products from the EU if the bloc went ahead with tariffs. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Newly declassified documents reveal N. Korean embassies dismissed Kim Il-sung’s death as “fabrication"

2025/03/28 17:00

Recently declassified documents from 1994 share the disbelief of North Korean embassies worldwide following the death of then-North Korean leader Kim Il-sung . Several North Korean diplomatic missions were either unaware of or chose to dismiss as "fabrication" news of his passing. North Korean staff members at embassies in Germany Senegal Vietnam and Indonesia initially voiced confusion while some denied the news until Pyongyang's official announcement.

Acting Pres. Han vows immediate, overwhelming response to any N. Korean provocations

2025/03/28 17:00

Acting President Han Duck-soo has pledged an immediate and overwhelming response to any North Korean provocation. The pledge came at today's official ceremony to mark the 10th West Sea Defense Day. Referring to North Korea as "the most regressive regime in the world" Han asserted that Pyongyang continues to threaten peace on the peninsula and beyond. He also vowed unwavering support for South Korea's fallen heroes injured service members and bereaved family members.

Majority of medical students from Seoul, Yonsei, Korea Uni. to register for this semester

2025/03/28 17:00

Medical students at some of Korea's top universities are looking to end their boycott of classes that had been fueled by government plans to raise medical school admission quotas. According to a task force at Seoul National University on Thursday medical students had been asked to register for classes by 5 p.m. on the same day as over 65 percent voted against prolonging the boycott. Meanwhile students at Yonsei University and Korea University have until today that is Friday to register for classes or face expulsion. It's been said over 80 percent had voiced intentions to return to classes. Separately acting President Han Duck-soo sent a letter to protesting medical students urging their return.

Yoon's prolonged impeachment verdict raises early election tension

2025/03/28 17:00

On the political front. While President Yoon Suk-yeol's fate hovers in limbo AS the Constitutional Court has yet to share its verdict on his impeachment opposition leader Lee Jae-myung 's chances of mounting a campaign IF an early election takes place have been bolstered. Our senior correspondent Oh Soo-young explains. Suspense remains over President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case, as the Constitutional Court deliberates for more than a month. As of Friday, 31 days have passed since Yoon's final trial hearing was held marking a record in terms of time taken by the Court, compared to previous presidential impeachment cases, which took at most 14 days. As the judicial bench typically gives advance notice of at least two working days before a ruling, the Court is now expected to issue its decision in April before two justices retire mid-month. With ambiguity over the when and what the verdict will be, there's growing tension brewing in political circles, as Yoon's impeachment would spark an early Presidential Election within two months. The opposition party is pushing for Yoon's swift removal, as their party leader Lee Jae-myung, is currently the pollster's favorite among presidential hopefuls. On Wednesday, Lee was acquitted in one of his five criminal trials, overturning a ruling by a lower court last year that handed Lee a one-year sentence and a two-year suspension from office for violating the election law. This cleared a major hurdle to gaining his party's full endorsement for the race. The ruling People Power Party had been hoping for the opposite result, leading to cries of foul against the justice system. There's now even greater pressure directed at the Constitutional Court. The opposition is calling for Yoon's immediate impeachment while the ruling party is demanding his return to power as in the case of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, whose impeachment case was dismissed on Monday. Public rallies also continue outside and around the Court. Recent polls indicate that 51 percent of voters want a change of government, while 37 percent wish to maintain the current administration. Those for and against impeachment also recorded around 58 percent and 37 percent, respectively. Underscoring how closely contested the political environment remains, the survey shows equal 36 percent support for the ruling and opposition parties, with the PPP gaining three percentage points compared to the previous week. As the Court's ruling stretches on, expectation for Yoon's impeachment was down by six percentage points from last week, while those expecting his return, hit 39 percent. Amid prolonged uncertainty, one thing remains clear: this is not merely a constitutional decision but a ruling that will inevitably carry significant political ramifications. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

S. Korean Navy holds naval gunfire exercises this week marking 10th West Sea Defense Day

2025/03/28 17:00

South Korea's Navy carried out a series of drills this week in light of a somber anniversary today. Our correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung covers this year's West Sea Defense Day that honors the sacrifice of South Korean soldiers in face of North Korean aggression in recent years. Amidst a thin sea fog covering the West Sea, a simulated North Korean vessel crosses the Northern Limit Line on the West Sea moving southward, South Korean navy ships and personnel are ordered to deploy in combat formation for training. "Total personnel in combat formation, training, two, three!" Six naval ships lined up one after another. with the 3-thousand-600-ton frigate, the ROKS Chungnam at the front, fired guns targeting their simulated maritime target before maneuvering away in different directions. "This naval maneuver training in the West Sea is to mark the 10th West Sea Defense Day a day to remember those who lost their lives in a series of unprovoked attacks by the North near the Northern Limit Line." The day, falling on the fourth Friday of March every year, pays tribute to the 55 fallen sailors and marines from the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong in 2002, the sinking of ROKS Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong-do Island in 2010. In memorial of the fallen, the Navy conducted intensive maneuvering exercises for three days until Thursday, simultaneously on the East, West, and South Seas with some of the exercises open to the press. "The Navy will engrave the spirit of victory shown by the 55 warriors who defended the West Sea in our hearts, and if the enemy provokes again, we will strike back forcefully and firmly protect our seas." Since the military clashes with North Korea while defending the western maritime border, the South Korean Navy strengthened the combat power of its naval fleets, replacing outdated warships with new frigates equipped with advanced hybrid propulsion and sonar systems. "The ROKS Daejeon was built with our domestic defense technology, and it is especially a core frigate of the fleet with outstanding anti-submarine capabilities." With the patriotic spirit of the fallen in mind, the Navy vows to firmly safeguard the waters, even today. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Putin seeks to work with other countries, N. Korea to settle war in Ukraine

2025/03/28 17:00

Russia's Vladimir Putin has spoken of cooperating with North Korea to end its war in Ukraine. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers this latest comment and more. As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to broker an end to the three-year war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that countries other than the United States could be involved in the peace process, specifically mentioning North Korea. Speaking about efforts to settle the war during his visit to Russia's northwestern port of Murmansk on Friday, some of the other countries he named were China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and the member states of BRICS. The Russian leader also proposed the idea of putting Ukraine under a form of "temporary administration" of the United Nations, as part of a peace deal, for new elections and the signing of key accords with the aim of reaching a settlement. "We could discuss under the auspices of the UN, with the U.S., with European countries, and of course with our partners and friends, the possibility of conducting temporary governance in Ukraine." Putin's comments come a day after a senior Russian diplomat reportedly said they're preparing for Kim Jong-un's visit to the country. According to Russia's Tass news agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Thursday that this was discussed during his visit to Pyongyang two weeks ago without providing details on when the visit might take place. Just last week, Putin's top security adviser Sergei Shoigu met Kim in Pyongyang where the two sides reaffirmed their willingness to "unconditionally" uphold a major mutual defense treaty signed last year that pledges mutual assistance if either faces aggression. Eyes are now on whether the North Korean leader's visit to Russia will take place within this year, with some experts even saying that it could happen as early as May, on the 80th anniversary of Russia's "Victory Day," which marks the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

S. Korea’s largest ever wildfire: Massive effort underway to extinguish main blaze

2025/03/28 17:00

Rain has offered some relief to regions ravaged by the latest wildfires by advancing efforts to tame the rampant flames which have been the worst on record for South Korea. Our Park Hyo-been has the latest. Last night's rainfall significantly helped firefighters contain the wildfires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, bringing a crucial breakthrough in the week-long wildfire battle. "Last night's rain has improved visibility, and the lower temperatures are working in our favor. This gives us the best possible conditions for firefighting." Around 3PM, the Korea Forest Service reported that the main fire in Yeongdeok-gun County, located in the eastern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, has been fully contained. By midday on Friday, the overall containment rate across the region had reached 94 percent, a 32-percentage-point increase from the previous afternoon. Also, the wildfire in Sancheong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, which started last Friday, was 93 percent contained as of midday. No additional casualties have been reported so far on Friday afternoon. As of this morning, the wildfire has killed at least 28 and injured 37 others. The disaster has displaced around 33-thousand residents, with more than 8-thousand still unable to return home. "I saw the flames approaching my house—everything was glowing red. I grabbed what I could and ran When I came back, it was all gone. The fire was still burning." The wildfire marked as the largest in South Korea’s history, affecting approximately 4-hundred 80 square kilometers—nearly 80 percent the size of Seoul's total land area. Nearly 3-thousand-5-hundred structures were damaged. The governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province said the goal is to extinguish the main fire on Friday, and once the main fire is controlled, measures to address the wildfire damage will be considered. Due to the severity of the damage, the government has designated affected areas as Special Disaster Zones. This designation ensures that significant resources will be allocated for relief and recovery efforts. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

[Kulture Issue] Novel-based hit movies "Mickey 17", "Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning" draw attention to original works

2025/03/28 14:00

Award-winning Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s latest hit movie “Mickey 17“ and occult K-animation film “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning“ have something in common. Both have led to an increased interest in the original novels they are based on. Today we want to take a closer look at this trend and the two movies in more detail with Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Hello Professor Soh! Q1. It’s been exactly a month since Director Bong Joon-ho’s “Mickey 17“ was released here in Korea, Q2. In Korea “Mickey 17“ has spurred sales of the original novel “Mickey7" by Edward Ashton. More than 100,000 copies have been purchased as of two weeks ago. But there are some distinct differences between the book and the film. Let’s talk about those. Q3. Why do you think “Mickey 17” appealed to such a wide audience? Q4. Let’s now talk about “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning“ or “Toemarok“ which has been one of the most successful animation films lately. Ticket sales and book sales are both looking good. What’s behind its popularity? Q5. “Toemarok“ was first published three decades ago. How has it been adapted to modern times? Also, are there any chances for season 2 to come out in the near future? Q6. What are your thoughts on the impact resulting from the consumption of content that shares the same “universe“ as well as the positive impact that success at theaters brings to the bookstores? Q7. Finally, what are some movies based on existing stories we can look forward to later this year?

[K-enter] Celebrities rally to support wildfire recovery

2025/03/28 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. So Bella, yesterday we talked about Korean celebrities showing support for the wildfire recovery efforts in the southeast of the country. We have more stars contributing? The generous wave of donations is continuing for the wildfire recovery efforts. Among the music industry, BTS members RM, J-hope and Suga each donated 100 million won, or roughly 68,000 U.S. dollars to the Korea Disaster Relief Association. SM Entertainment, the agency for aespa and NCT, also donated 300 million won. In addition, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, NCT Doyoung and RIIZE, under their fandom name BRIIZE , contributed generously as well. Actors have also stepped up to support wildfire relief efforts including Lee Jong-suk, Byun Woo-seok, and Jang Geun-suk. Our next story is an update on an on-going controversy between actor Kim Soo-hyun and late actress Kim Sae-ron . Please give us the details. The family of Kim Sae-ron released what is claimed to be evidence supporting their assertion that she was in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun when she was still a minor. Bu Ji-seok, the family’s legal representative, held a press conference on Thursday and presented several SNS messages while criticizing Kim Soo-hyun and claiming that he was lying about the relationship. The KakaoTalk messages exchanged between the two reportedly date back to 2016, when she was a minor and include phrases like “Miss you,” “Wanna hug you” and heart emojis. The lawyer also revealed an unsent letter Kim Sae-ron wrote to Kim Soo-hyun. He stated that the press conference was held in hope to end the criticism directed at the family. Please continue to keep us updated on this issue. Let’s move onto our last story on a newly released, but not so new song by a K-pop girl group. What song are we talking about? It’s aespa’s mega-hit song “Whiplash.” The English version of the title track “Whiplash” from the group's 5th mini-album was released on Thursday. This single also includes a remix version of the same song by world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki. Aoki has reinterpreted the distinct vocals of aespa members in his own style. Meanwhile, aespa will perform the English version of “Whiplash” for the very first time at “Billboard’s Women in Music 2025” held in Los Angeles Saturday, on March 29th. Great to hear that global fans can now easily sing along to the song. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

[Features reporter] Slow-aging diet: How young people in S. Korea eat to stay "young"

2025/03/28 14:00

Kun-woo, I hear you've recently developed an interest in a special diet these days. Could you tell us more about it? Of course. So, these days I've been following a diet called the "slow-aging" diet, literally meaning a diet that helps delay physical aging. It's been popular in South Korea, especially among the younger generation, since last year. And although I haven't been on it for long, I really recommend it. But before I tell you more, let's take a look at how others are embracing this trend too. At around midday, people rush to grab their lunch from their favorite spots. What's catching a lot of attention is how many young people are opting for healthier choices. One of their go-to picks? Fresh salads packed with a variety of vegetables and nuts. "I used to eat a lot of high-calorie junk food which made digestion difficult and affected my studies. Since cutting back, I feel less bloated in the mornings and don't get as tired after meals." Healthy eating is no longer just a concern for older generations. "I think that your health starts on the inside and it doesn't matter if your skin looks good. It should be a little bit more active starting younger and also focus on what you're eating." The "slow-aging" trend, which focuses on eating certain foods to slow down physical aging, became a boom in South Korea after it went viral on social media last year. And more and more people from the younger generation are joining in. "Many young people began seeing others on social media embrace a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle that slows down aging, which seemed beneficial and inspiring enough to follow." As the trend grows, young people are even taking charge of their health by preparing "slow-aging diet" meals themselves. These meals they prepare involve cutting out simple sugars, refined grains, and unhealthy fats, while focusing on slow-digesting carbs like whole grains and veggies that can also prevent blood sugar spikes. "So today I tried making a meal, packed with vegetables and fruits like carrots and apples, as part of a slow-aging diet. As it tasted so good, I've also decided to eat like this more often and track my meals as part of a healthy routine." Many are even sharing their slow-aging meals and recipes online, inspiring others to follow suit. However, an expert warns against extreme eating habits. "Health is maintained through a balanced diet. While slow-aging meals are beneficial, they can also become too one-sided. And you need to maintain a balanced diet in the long term, not just for a year or two before going off track." She added that occasional cheat days can be necessary for satisfaction and that she expects the slow-aging trend will evolve through a balanced approach, where combining the slow-aging diet with cheat days creates a harmonious lifestyle. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News. After seeing your coverage, it really makes me want to try those slow-aging foods. So can you share some recommendations with us? Sure, let me share some details about the dishes I tried as you saw in my coverage. They're carrot rémoulade sandwiches that I made from scratch, one with peanut butter and apples, and the other with wholegrain mustard, vegan mayo, and vegan meat. The carrot rémoulade really gave it the "kick," with its crunchy texture that immediately grabbed my taste buds. I recommend them not just because they're healthy, obviously, but also as they're delicious and easy to make. The most challenging part I think was marinating the carrots after slicing them thinly. But that wasn't too difficult thanks to a peeling machine that made the process so much easier. I like healthy food, but I prefer not going through much hassle so, I heard retail industries are also releasing products targeted at slow aging? That's true. A lot of major bread and snack franchises in South Korea are now introducing new products made with healthier ingredients such as whole grains instead of the refined carbs commonly used in many items. Convenience stores are also creating lunch boxes tailored to the slow-aging trend. On the other hand, major soda companies saw a decline in operating profits last year, reflecting the shift in consumer preferences. Delivery application companies have responded by adding a "health and diet management" category on their main screens, featuring items like chicken breast and zero-sugar products. Additionally, restaurant reservation platforms which are quite popular here in Korea, have started creating sections within their apps that highlight places offering "slow-aging" diet foods. Thank you for the healthy advice Kun-woo. We'll see you next time. Thank you, Kun-woo.

K-wave AI News

2025/03/28 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Tongyeong International Music Festival kicks off today with a captivating lineup of performances. Under the theme "Journey Inwards," this year's festival will bring together illustrious musicians from around the world for a ten-day celebration in the southern port city. The festival opens tonight with a performance led by resident artist and star pianist Lim Yun-chan, and acclaimed French conductor Fabien Gabel, who will lead the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra. Throughout the festival, audiences can enjoy performances by Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández, the B'Rock Orchestra conducted by renowned Belgian conductor René Jacobs, and much more. It will conclude on April 6 with Britten's "War Requiem," conducted by Sung Si-yeon and performed by the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra. Established in 1999, the Tongyeong International Music Festival has grown into one of Asia's most prominent classical music events. A variety of events are set to be held in Korea and abroad to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pinkfong's Baby Shark, the beloved character that has become a global sensation. Pop-up stores will be set up at Korea's major shopping malls, with photo sessions and Baby Shark movie screenings also in store. In the United States, Pinkfong will team up with the marine theme park SeaWorld to hold collaborative events at three locations across San Diego, Orlando, and San Antonio. In Japan, Baby Shark will take part in a local kids' festival in Tokyo, featuring an offline booth and a pop-up store. Introduced in 2015 as part of a YouTube children's song series, Baby Shark became a worldwide phenomenon, earning the highest number of views in YouTube history and becoming the first video to surpass 10 billion views. Baby Shark content is available in over 200 countries and in 25 languages. The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival will return this year from April 2 to 6 at Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu District, one of Seoul's most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing. This year's festival goes beyond a simple spring outing, offering a cultural and artistic experience set against a picturesque lakeside backdrop. The opening ceremony will feature a string quartet performance, acapella group "Voice Toy," as well as beloved singers Hwang Garam and Chuu. A special cherry blossom tree lighting ceremony is also scheduled. Throughout the five-day run, diverse cultural and artistic exhibitions will be held at venues around Seokchon Lake. The Gallery Hosu will showcase Philip Colbert's exhibition, "Journey to the Lobster Planet," while other cultural facilities will feature fashion shows and media art displays. The entire 2.6-kilometer walking trail around Seokchon Lake will be illuminated at night. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.