News

Seoul's largest art fair in town; Kiaf, Frieze Seoul open through weekend

2025/09/05 19:44

It's looking to be an exciting weekend for art aficionados in the capital city as two major fairs kicked off earlier this week to showcase the latest in the world of art. Our culture correspondent Park Kun-woo has a glimpse. Wall after wall is filled with creativity. Creative artwork, from a jumbo sculpture made of half a million Korean pennies to a three-dimensional piece that makes you feel as if it's alive, is exhibited. To make this happen, the 24th edition of Kiaf Seoul brought together more than 170 galleries, with a third of them from overseas. Newcomers also joined, reflecting growing interest in Seoul's art market. "Korea has a very interesting a real openness to the rest of the world culturally. Very excited to see how we could present our artists and our curation to the local Korean landscape. In Seoul, already discussing with other artist curators to actually see how we could potentially work together." "This art fair showcasing thousands of pieces goes beyond just viewing artwork. It also serves as a marketplace and a platform for networking. At the same time, the organizers are making efforts to encourage developing artists." Since 2023, Kiaf has been selecting three artists from ten semifinalists, providing both funding and promotion. One of this year's semifinalists shared why his works drew global attention. "Because I use traditional Korean materials like 'Muk'과 'Hanji,' my monochrome works stood out among the more colorful pieces. With growing global interest in Korean culture, this sentiment seems to resonate." Frieze Seoul, which is collaborating with Kiaf for a fourth year, also has a bunch to appeal to. One section that draws eyes is FOCUS ASIA, which showcases artwork by emerging Asian artists and galleries. "I am expecting to see just a greater focus on Asian artists. I started collecting Korean art a while ago, and I've been to Seoul six times. Seemed like a good opportunity to see a lot of different galleries at once from all over." Among the highlights was "Floating Rubble," which creates the illusion of rubble suspended in midair. And works by renowned masters, including Park Seo-bo, also appeared, some re-created digitally for a fresh experience. Media art installations, including one with the concept of being caught on fire, also drew interest. With record crowds flocking in on opening day, the twin art fairs are expected to attract even more through the weekend, making Seoul's art scene livelier than ever. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Korea’s lost Sajik Daeje rituals brought back to life after more than a century

2025/09/05 19:42

An ancient Korean ritual that was forbidden during Japanese colonial rule has been restored with its sounds and sights taking center stage here in Seoul. Our Park Hyo-been was there. Sounds and moves from a century ago are once again coming to life. This is the Sajik Jeryeak, the music and dance that accompanied the royal ritual ---the Sajik Daeje ---dedicated to the gods of land and grain, praying for abundant harvests and the well-being of the people from the Joseon Dynasty to the Korean Empire. This week, the National Gugak Center staged the Sajik Jeryeak to honor the ritual's cultural value, which was recognized as a national heritage. "The Sajik Jerye was a powerful symbol of statehood. The music performed during the rite embodied the highest artistic and philosophical ideals of the time, carefully managed by the state itself." This performance re-created the version from the Korean Empire era. It begins with the emperor's arrival at the Sajik altar and follows the ritual until his departure. Unlike modern reinterpretations, the focus here was on faithfully restoring the music and dances of the past, rather than reinventing them. But Sajik Jeryeak also carries a painful history. During the Japanese occupation period, the ritual was abolished, and its music and dances were lost. To mark the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the Sajik Daeje was revived after an 80-year absence, and the National Gugak Center presented it as a stage performance for the first time last year. "Reviving the Sajik Jeryeak is not only about restoring music and dance. It's about reclaiming our cultural identity and national pride. Bringing it back in its full form, as it was performed in the Korean Empire, holds deep historical meaning." Despite the history and essence, the Sajik Jeryeak is still less recognized by the public. The National Gugak Center hopes to have the ritual eventually inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, just like the Jongmyo Jeryeak. "We are working with the goal of having the Sajik Jeryeak officially recognized as a cultural treasure and eventually as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage." And so, more than a century after being silenced, the voices of the Sajik Jeryeak rise again, reminding us that heritage, once lost, can be reborn to inspire a new generation. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Pathway to a wider audience: How can contents be more accessible?

2025/09/05 19:41

Audio descriptions that accompany screen productions can enhance the cinematic experience for the visually impaired and this was also the case with Netflix sensation "KPop Demon Hunters". Our Ahn Sung-jin files this report. "Jinwoo, dressed in a gat and traditional attire, stands with a stern expression. A tiger rubs its face against Jinwoo's arm." This is a scene from the renowned Netflix film "KPop Demon Hunters." The Korean Community Media Foundation provided a screening of this popular movie with attached audio descriptions. "One of our major goals is to create no discrimination between disabled and non disabled audiences in media, so we work on screening accessible movies." For most of us, watching a movie means sitting back and soaking in the visuals. But we might be taking this for granted. Veteran Seo Sooyeon redefines how stories are told and experienced. She started the Korea Content Accessibility Research Center, and for 23 years, she's been working on expressing non-verbal elements of content into spoken aspects. "To be honest, this was all very unfamiliar to me because no one had done it before. I had never thought that people with visual impairments couldn't watch TV, but I realized there are movements, actions, and nuances that they miss entirely." Her work involves adding descriptions of subtle expressions and action sequences in between the spoken lines, creating a fuller cinematic experience for the visually impaired. "The point of view shifts from the empty bowl to the shop owner." The owner is adding fish cakes on the skewers." For Seo, effective audio descriptions aren't about matching visuals word-for-word, but rather producing context, clarity, and flow. But she says what's often more important yet neglected is the language used that creates further division. "There shouldn't be hard lines drawn between people with and without disabilities because anyone can become visually impaired. So we often frame accessibility as something only for people with disabilities, but it really starts with understanding others." The push for accessible content is gaining ground, but there's still a long way to go. With efforts from people like Seo, moments that can be lost in darkness can enhance a powerful scene for everyone. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Gov't sharply increases next year's budget share for film industry

2025/09/05 19:40

The government's budget for the film industry has been raised substantially. According to the Culture Ministry the budget for next year has been set at 149-point-8 billion won slightly over 100 million U.S. dollars which is an 80 percent jump from this year. The Korean film industry has been in the doldrums since the COVID-19 pandemic and the ministry has pledged to better support Korean movie makers who are a pivotal part of the K-content wave.

[K-enter] "Dynamite" MV surpasses 2 billion views

2025/09/05 15:37

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, BTS has reached another amazing milestone? BTS’s hit song “Dynamite” music video surpassed 2 billion views on YouTube, a first for the group. The video hit the 2 billion view mark on Thursday morning, five years after the song was released back in August of 2020. “Dynamite” was BTS’s first official English track, released with sights set on the global music charts. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, which was a first for a song by a Korean act back then, and maintained the top spot for three weeks. It also won BTS the ‘Best Song’ award at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards and the ‘Top Selling Song’ award at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Meanwhile, BTS is set to return with new music and a world tour next year. Can't wait for that! The next story is also about a boy group? It’s DAY6! The band is releasing their fourth full-length album in about 6 years to commemorate their 10th anniversary. The new album is titled “The DECADE” (of course, in line with their 10 year anniversary) and will be released today, that’s Friday, Korean time. On Thursday, the music video teaser for one of the new songs, “INSIDE OUT,” was released on the group’s official SNS channels. The video heightened anticipation for the full music video with its intense melody and lyrics that stand out for their honesty. “The DECADE” has a total of 10 tracks, including the double title song “Dream Bus” and “INSIDE OUT.” Meanwhile, DAY6 renewed their contract with their agency JYP Entertainment once again, ahead of their 10th anniversary, which is coming up this weekend, September 7th. Congrats, congrats! And lastly, we will round this segment off with BAEKHYUN. K-pop boy group EXO member and solo artist BAEKHYUN has become the first South Korean celebrity to reach Diamond Level 1 for his personal ‘Super Topic’ on Weibo, China’s largest SNS platform. ‘Super Topic’ is a community operated within Weibo centered around artists, their works, and specific topics, and is considered a key indicator of the largest fanbase scale and activity level in China. BAEKHYUN is the first and only South Korean artist to reach Diamond Level 1 for his personal ‘Super Topic.’ This achievement is believed to have been significantly influenced by his world tour “Reverie” Macau performances held on the 30th and 31st of last month. Meanwhile, BAEKHYUN is scheduled to meet fans from various regions through his ongoing world tour. Thank you Bella for today’s stories. Now, let's go over to our AI anchor Ari, for more on the culture front. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/09/05 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's budget for next year has been set at around 7.8 trillion won, or nearly 5.6 billion U.S. dollars. That's up about 10% from this year. A key focus of next year's budget is boosting Korea's content industry, with some 330 million dollars set to be allocated to related funds, which marks a significant increase from this year. Over 180 million dollars will be invested in establishing a 'Global K-Culture Hub' in major cities worldwide to support further expansion of K-content. Support will also be expanded for the utilization of AI and other technological support within the K-content industry. The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 kicked off Thursday with an opening ceremony, launching a 60-day run. Now in its 14th edition, the biennale is a leading international event showcasing the full spectrum of crafts, from ceramics and textiles to metalwork, bringing together artists and works from around the world. Under the theme "Re_Crafting Tomorrow," this year's biennale runs through November 2, presenting more than 2,500 works by artists from 72 countries. The event explores the essence of craft and its enduring role in human life, rooted in the fundamentals of food, clothing, and shelter. Katsushika Hokusai's "Under the Wave off Kanagawa," a symbolic masterpiece of Japanese art, is currently on display in Korea. The world-famous woodblock print is being showcased as part of the special exhibition "Home of Fujisan, Yamanashi," hosted by the Cheongju National Museum to mark the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization. The exhibition features over 100 cultural treasures from the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, including 13 Important Cultural Properties of Japan and six Yamanashi-designated cultural assets. The show runs through December 28. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] How Korean children's content is grabbing attention of kids around the world

2025/09/05 15:34

The stage for K-content is expanding beyond K-pop and K-dramas. Korean children’s content has also grown into a category of its own, with Teenieping and Baby Shark capturing the hearts of little ones across the globe. What’s behind the popularity of K-Kid content? Let’s find out with culture critic, Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University. Hello Professor Chie! Q1. Let’s start with "Baby Shark doo-doo-doo-doo-doo", the song that the average toddler to elementary kid in Korea, and no doubt abroad too, will know off by heart. We recently reported on this, but there was a significant achievement for this children's song, right? Q2. After Pororo, the Korean kids' market had been quiet for a while, but now it's shaking up the global stage again with content like Teenieping, Baby Shark, and also recently, the animated film The King of Kings. How do these resonate with kids around the world? Q3. Korean kids' content has a distinct appeal that sets it apart from Disney or Pixar, doesn't it? Professor, what are the unique strengths of Korean content? Q4. Children’s preferences have probably changed over the years. How do you think Korean kids’ content has evolved to keep pace with quickly changing needs? Q5. Let’s talk about the expansion of intellectual property. With the huge interest in characters from K-content, we see musicals, merchandise, pop-up stores, webtoons, etc., thriving. What are the implications and maybe risks posed by such an expansion? Q6. What about creator rights, copyright, and revenue distribution issues? How should these be addressed? Q7. How do you foresee the K-kids content industry within the global culture market from here on? Thank you very much, Professor Chie, for your insights. Have a great weekend. Thank you Bella, see you next week.

'King' of Italian fashion Giorgio Armani dies at 91

2025/09/05 13:39

Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday, with reports saying he died peacefully at his home in Milan, following a long illness. Dubbed the "King of the Blazer," he was known for his modern Italian style, characterized by elegance and simplicity, having pioneered the concept of soft power dressing, which features more fluid, longer-cut suit jackets and loosely pleated trousers. Tributes poured in from across the fashion world and beyond, including Donatella Versace, who called him a "giant," and others lauded his legacy. Armani remained actively involved in his brand and design work until his final days. An area for the public to express condolences will be set up over the weekend in Milan.

Is Korean content past its peak? Culture minister answers

2025/09/04 23:37

South Korea's culture minister spoke up about the need for more cultural infrastructure support as Korean content continues to dominate the world. He said this during his first media roundtable held today, where he shared his cultural policy aims down the road. Our culture correspondent Park Kun-woo was there. We might be in a golden era of Korean content with an ongoing global boom, but this may already be past its peak. That was said by Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young at his first official media roundtable in Seoul on Thursday. He said commentary coming from the sector is dire, citing the film industry as a representative example, where this year's domestic cinema audience is expected to shrink by around a half year-on-year. "The number of movies with production costs over 3 billion won is less than 20 this year, compared to about 100 in the past, due to dried-up investment. The ecosystem is collapsing." He added that even star directors now turn to overseas streaming platforms for funding, as government support alone is insufficient. Projects branded "Made with Korea" are also stalling due to tight budgets, despite strong global interest in collaborative works. Chae also stressed the need for more K-pop infrastructure. "Japan has 34 large-scale concert venues with more than 10-thousand seats. We have only 8. It isn't good for the home country of K-pop to have such limited infrastructure." In order to create a better environment, he said making efforts to increase budgets was crucial. Noting that next year's cultural budget will jump by around 9 percent, he said that still puts Korea in the mid-to-low ranking among OECD countries in terms of cultural spending. While vowing to do his best to further increase the budget in the near future, he said there's hope thanks to strong Korean content. "There may always be crises, but aren't we the people who always find an opportunity in these situations, and achieve our goal. Stray Kids has made history on the Billboard charts with its seventh consecutive No. 1 album. The movie "No Other Choice" might even win big this weekend in Venice, where it received a 9-minute standing ovation. We're flooded by this kind of news every day." The minister added he will do his best to seize this "golden opportunity" to establish Korea as a leading cultural powerhouse. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Kulture Issue] The current status and next chapter of K-pop with music critic Kim Youngdae

2025/09/04 19:44

On August 20th, Arirang TV hosted a special program titled "K-Pop: The Next Chapter", which explored the South Korean government’s cultural policy direction with President Lee Jae Myung himself. Today, we want to delve into the current status and future prospects for K-pop, which still makes up a large portion of the global K-wave trend. We’re going to do that with music critic Kim Youngdae, who happened to be one of the six panel members of that special show last month and is joining us in the studio today. Welcome Youngdae! There's hardly a single day that we're not talking about "KPop Demon Hunters" It's the most watched title on Netflix now, and as Bella earlier reported, the singers who were the voices of HUNTR/X will present awards at the MTV VMAs. and "KDH" was also a major topic on "K-Pop: The Next Chapter". How is the K-pop-themed animation appealing to this wide range of people from all over the world? As a person working in the K-pop industry, what implications do you believe the success of "KPop Demon Hunters" has for the K-pop market? "KPop Demon Hunters" centers around Korean culture, but it’s made by an overseas production team. We also have that within the K-pop industry, which incorporates multinational personnel and capital. To what extent can we call those cases K-pop? What defines K-pop today? During "K-Pop: The Next Chapter," you mentioned that the divide between "global" and "Korean" does not apply anymore in this era. Could you please elaborate on that statement? "KPop Demon Hunters" director Maggie Kang said there are no limits to the expansion of Korean cultural content. How far and in what ways do you think K-pop can expand further? During the special program, the issue of concert venues was also brought up. With the growing K-pop market, do you believe there is a need for more concert halls and bigger venues? Youngdae, next month if I’m correct, your YouTube channel " School of Music" becomes one-year-old. Just like "The Kulture Wave", we both launched in October 2024. What kind of music stories have you shared so far and what are you planning on next? Thank you very much Youngdae, for your insights today. Thank you Bella, as always. See you tomorrow.

[K-enter] HUNTR/X to present at MTV VMAs

2025/09/04 17:36

So Bella, yesterday we talked about “KPop Demon Hunters” becoming the most-watched title on Netflix. Today, we have more exciting news for all “KPop Demon Hunters” fans, especially HUNTR/X fans? Korean-American artists Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and Ejae will take the stage as presenters at the “2025 MTV Video Music Awards.” The trio, who voice the animated K-pop group HUNTR/X in the Netflix hit film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” were officially announced on MTV’s social media on Wednesday. Audrey Nuna voices Mira, Ejae plays Rumi and Rei Ami brings Zoey to life. Together, they performed several standout tracks from the film, including “Golden,” “How It’s Done” and “Takedown.” The “2025 MTV VMAs” will be held at UBS Arena in New York. It will be broadcast live on CBS and MTV, and will also be streamed on Paramount+. That's a great opportunity for KDH fans to get to see the faces behind the amazing voices. Speaking of the MTV VMAs, we also have a K-pop group attending for a special reason? KATSEYE will perform for the pre-show of the “2025 MTV VMAs.” On Tuesday, the ‘MTV VMA’ announced through its official social media that KATSEYE will perform at this year’s pre-show. Previously, big names, including Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna have performed at the pre-show. The group is set to perform hit songs, such as “Gabriela” and “Gnarly.” Not only that, KATSEYE is also nominated in two categories at the awards -‘Best Group’ and ‘PUSH Performance of the Year.’ So, let’s keep an “eye” out to see if KATS“EYE” can win these awards. Will do. And let’s stay on K-pop.. what’s our last story for today Bella? Listen up all Seventeen fans, CARATs! S.Coups and Mingyu will release their first mini-album as a special unit on September 29th. Pledis Entertainment revealed the trailer for it titled, “JOIN OUR VIBE” on Wednesday. The album is titled “HYPE VIBES,” which represents a hot and free atmosphere where anyone can enjoy and connect. Initially, the two prepared to just release a single, but they expanded it to a mini-album to express the vibrant and organic nature of the ‘now’ in their daily lives. Meanwhile, Seventeen will kick off their world tour ‘SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR ’ at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on September 13th and 14th. CARATs must be excited for both the new unit and the tour. Thank you Bella for today’s stories. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for more on the culture-front. Ari, take it away!

K-wave AI News

2025/09/04 17:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's largest art fairs, Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, kicked off at COEX on Wednesday. Frieze features over 120 domestic and international galleries wowing audiences with a wide range of works by prominent global artists, from Wolfgang Tillmans and Takashi Murakami to Korea's Kim Whanki. American abstract artist Mark Bradford's piece was sold for 4.5 million U.S. dollars, stealing the spotlight. Kiaf Seoul saw a smaller turnout from last year, with 175 galleries participating. The two major art fairs' opening ceremonies were attended by First Lady Kim Hye Kyung, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and other high-profile figures. The Culture Ministry has launched the "K-Tourism Innovation Task Force," a public-private initiative aimed at boosting Korea's tourism sector. The move comes amid surging inbound tourism fueled by the growing popularity of K-Culture worldwide. Chaired by Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young, the task force will bring together key government agencies, public institutions, and experts, with the goal of strengthening K-tourism's competitiveness. A comprehensive package of measures is expected to be announced soon. The government will redistribute roughly 1.9 million unused movie ticket discount vouchers starting next Monday. The Culture Ministry initially distributed 4.5 million vouchers last month, and this round targets the remaining balance. During the first distribution period from July 25 to August 2, the daily movie attendance averaged around 435,000, nearly double the average seen earlier this year before the vouchers were issued. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

K-pop stars light up Seoul as Fashion Week turns the city into a runway

2025/09/04 17:34

Let's now turn to K-Fashion Seoul Fashion Week is back and the catwalk this time around has been extended across the capital city. Our News Features reporter Park Hyo-been was at one of the venues, that turned into a unique runway. Fashion, stars, and a runway by the palace walls. Seoul Fashion Week is back for its 2026 spring/summer season, offering a glimpse of the trends that will shape styles in the coming year. Marking its 25th anniversary, this year’s event goes beyond the traditional venue at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, spreading across the entire city of Seoul. And the week began right here along the stone walls of Deoksugung Palace, with a striking opening show by Andersson Bell. “I’ve always followed Andersson Bell, and since the show is held here along the Deoksugung Palace walls, I was really excited to come.” “I’ve been attending the event for about three or four years now. I didn’t want to miss it this time either. The runway today is what I’m looking forward to most, especially because it’s a brand I’ve always liked.” Before the runway began, the area around the palace was already filled with stars and fans alike. On the photo wall, big names like TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Hueningkai, Hearts2Hearts' Ian and Jiwoo, and IVE’s Gaeul drew the crowds. Once the opening runway show kicked off, Andersson Bell unveiled its 2026 spring/summer collection under the theme SOFT CLASH. The pieces highlighted unexpected color matches, layered silhouettes that looked effortless yet calculated, and deconstructed details with a worn-in edge. And Deoksugung Palace is not the only iconic location to serve as a backdrop. Throughout the week, 27 Korean designer brands take turns presenting their collections at Seoul landmarks, including the Oil Tank Culture Park, Heungcheonsa Temple, and, of course, Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Adding a global touch, Berlin Fashion Week also joined Seoul Fashion Week for the first time, showcasing its official Berlin Showroom. “The event runs until this Sunday, turning Seoul into a global fashion city. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.”

[NEWs GEN] K-snacks: What's your favorite idol's favorite Korean treat?

2025/09/04 14:33

[NEWs GEN] K-snacks: What's your favorite idol's favorite Korean treat? 제 2 전성기 맞은 K스낵... 무슬림도 사로잡은 K푸드

Radiohead to tour for first time in seven years

2025/09/04 11:39

Finally, legendary British band Radiohead have announced a return to the stage, marking their first tour in seven years. According to the band's official social media account on Wednesday, Radiohead will launch a 20-date European tour this November and December, featuring four-night residencies in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Drummer Philip Selway shared that last year's rehearsals revived their creative spark, saying, "After a seven-year pause, it felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect." Registration for tickets will be available at Radiohead.com starting Friday. Regular ticket sales will begin a week later.

From tradition to modernity: Korean design illuminated at Design Miami.In Situ

2025/09/04 11:37

On the cultural front. A world renowned exhibition platform has opened its first Asian showcase right here in Seoul. Our Byeon Ye-young was there. Design Miami has landed in Asia for the first time, opening its Seoul edition to shine a spotlight on Korean designers who have long played a role in connecting the nation’s culture with the world. Titled 'Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design', the exhibition is Design Miami's first In situ endeavor. From stunning glass decorative pieces to traditional Korean accessories made from cow intestines, the exhibition shows Korean designers who have become renowned names in global design spheres. “Design Miami is a globally renowned exhibition platform. By hosting such a prestigious design platform here in Seoul, the first in Asia, we wanted to create an opportunity for our city to expand and step onto the world stage through design.” "Design Miami Seoul showcases more than 170 works by 71 designers. From traditional crafts to contemporary concepts, every piece highlights the creativity of Korean design." Among the standout works are pieces deeply rooted in Korea’s culture and traditions. Park Won-min’s bench, made from a massive stone slab, evokes a surreal, dreamlike effect. Lee Jung-in reinterprets hanji , traditional Korean paper, by applying it to wooden lattice frames, transforming the technique into a sculptural paper sofa. This particular piece was also a finalist for the prestigious LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize. The venue itself adds another layer of meaning. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or DDP, is a cultural landmark in Seoul and home to many artistic events like Seoul Fashion Week. DDP was designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, Design Miami’s very first “Designer of the Year” back in 2005 so the choice of the venue brings Design Miami's story full circle. “Korean culture is making waves on the global stage right now. Likewise, through this Design Miami Seoul exhibition, we hope to introduce many people to Korean design and design art. The exhibition is open free of charge, so we encourage the public to come and experience the works of these renowned designers firsthand.” Alongside the exhibition, Design Miami also hosted design talks on Tuesday to foster dialogue on Korean design. Design Miami Seoul runs through September 14, 2025, at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

"KPop Demon Hunters" becomes most-watched title on Netflix

2025/09/03 22:41

Netflix sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" has become the most-watched title on the platform. According to the streaming service the animation has been streamed over 2-hundred-66 million times making it the top content of all time on Netflix. In fact it has surpassed "Squid Game: Season 1" which previously held the top spot in the show category. Meanwhile, its original soundtrack "Golden" continues to dominate the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart holding the number one spot for the third straight week.

K-pop stars light up Seoul as Fashion Week turns the city into a runway

2025/09/03 22:40

And just when we thought we're ready to welcome back cooler weather, the good old Seoul Fashion Week is back for its 2026 spring/summer season. Our Park Hyo-been has a glimpse of the latest styles. Fashion, stars, and a runway by the palace walls. Seoul Fashion Week is back for its 2026 spring/summer season, offering a glimpse of the trends that will shape styles in the coming year. Marking its 25th anniversary, this year's event goes beyond the traditional venue at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, spreading across the entire city of Seoul. And the week began right here along the stone walls of Deoksugung Palace, with a striking opening show by Andersson Bell. "I've always followed Andersson Bell, and since the show is held here along the Deoksugung Palace walls, I was really excited to come." "I've been attending the event for about three or four years now. I didn't want to miss it this time either. The runway today is what I'm looking forward to most, especially because it's a brand I've always liked." Before the runway began, the area around the palace was already filled with stars and fans alike. On the photo wall, big names like TOMORROW X TOGETHER's Hueningkai, Hearts2Hearts' Ian and Jiwoo, and IVE's Gaeul drew the crowds. Once the opening runway show kicked off, Andersson Bell unveiled its 2026 spring/summer collection under the theme SOFT CLASH. The pieces highlighted unexpected color matches, layered silhouettes that looked effortless yet calculated, and deconstructed details with a worn-in edge. And Deoksugung Palace is not the only iconic location to serve as a backdrop. Throughout the week, 27 Korean designer brands take turns presenting their collections at Seoul landmarks, including the Oil Tank Culture Park, Heungcheonsa Temple, and, of course, Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Adding a global touch, Berlin Fashion Week also joined Seoul Fashion Week for the first time, showcasing its official Berlin Showroom. "The event runs until this Sunday, turning Seoul into a global fashion city. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

"KPop Demon Hunters" becomes most-watched title on Netflix

2025/09/03 19:41

Netflix sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" has become the most-watched title on the platform. According to the streaming service the animation has been streamed over 2-hundred-66 million times making it the top content of all time on Netflix. In fact it has surpassed "Squid Game: Season 1" which previously held the top spot in the show category. Meanwhile its original soundtrack "Golden" continues to dominate the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart holding the number one spot for the third straight week.

From tradition to modernity: Korean design illuminated at Design Miami.In Situ

2025/09/03 19:40

And a world renowned exhibition platform has opened its first Asian showcase right here in Seoul. Our Byeon Ye-young was there. Design Miami has landed in Asia for the first time, opening its Seoul edition to shine a spotlight on Korean designers who have long played a role in connecting the nation's culture with the world. Titled 'Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design', the exhibition is Design Miami's first In situ endeavor. From stunning glass decorative pieces to traditional Korean accessories made from cow intestines, the exhibition shows Korean designers who have become renowned names in global design spheres. "Design Miami is a globally renowned exhibition platform. By hosting such a prestigious design platform here in Seoul, the first in Asia, we wanted to create an opportunity for our city to expand and step onto the world stage through design." "Design Miami Seoul showcases more than 170 works by 71 designers. From traditional crafts to contemporary concepts, every piece highlights the creativity of Korean design." Among the standout works are pieces deeply rooted in Korea's culture and traditions. Park Won-min's bench, made from a massive stone slab, evokes a surreal, dreamlike effect. Lee Jung-in reinterprets hanji , traditional Korean paper, by applying it to wooden lattice frames, transforming the technique into a sculptural paper sofa. This particular piece was also a finalist for the prestigious LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize. The venue itself adds another layer of meaning. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or DDP, is a cultural landmark in Seoul and home to many artistic events like Seoul Fashion Week. DDP was designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, Design Miami's very first "Designer of the Year" back in 2005 so the choice of the venue brings Design Miami's story full circle. "Korean culture is making waves on the global stage right now. Likewise, through this Design Miami Seoul exhibition, we hope to introduce many people to Korean design and design art. The exhibition is open free of charge, so we encourage the public to come and experience the works of these renowned designers firsthand." Alongside the exhibition, Design Miami also hosted design talks on Tuesday to foster dialogue on Korean design. Design Miami Seoul runs through September 14, 2025, at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.