News

[Arts & Culture] Exploring Korea's centuries-old temple food culture

2025/04/18 20:00

Time now for our weekly Arts and Culture segment. That means we have our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin in the studio. Welcome! Happy Friday! What do you have for us today? Here in Korea, there's a saying: Food is medicine. Temple food is one example, a cuisine steeped in mindfulness, simplicity, and centuries of care. Now, it's on track to being recognized as part of the nation's cultural legacy. Here's the full story. Grinding. Chopping. Boiling. Here, cooking is more than just technique. It's meditation in motion. These colorful ingredients are being transformed into Korean temple cuisine: Soybean soup, 된장국, cucumber kimchi, 오이 김치, and wild greens over noodles. 나물 비빔밥. Each dish reflects core Buddhist values: respect for life and a ban on "five pungent vegetables" believed to disturb inner peace. "I've learned so much, not just about recipes, but about food itself. I used to think vegetarian dishes lacked flavor, but temple food is delicious. It feels light, comforting, and good for your health." "I never really knew how to cook with wild greens. But now, I finally understand how to use ingredients I've always seen at the market." "Korean temple food has finally received the recognition it deserves. Last month, the Korea Heritage Service announced plans to designate it as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. That's food for thought." The agency cited the cuisine's historical continuity, cultural uniqueness, and its ability to evolve with the times. Since the introduction of Buddhism to ancient Korea during the Three Kingdoms period, temple food has been passed down through generations. "In Northeast Asia, especially Korea, monks have traditionally farmed, foraged, and cooked their meals, creating a distinct culinary tradition. Korean temple food centers not only on vegetables and grains, but also on fermented foods like jang and kimchi. That's why it's increasingly seen as both nourishing and in harmony with nature." Because temple cuisine has long been practiced across Korea, the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism spent years systematizing its philosophy, core ingredients, and preparation methods. The upcoming heritage designation is the result of that effort. And next, the Buddhist community is setting its sights on a larger goal: becoming a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. A tradition that treats food as medicine and the body as a temple, now preparing to take its place on the global stage. Let's start with the big question: When will the Korea Heritage Service announce its final decision? The KHS must announce its final decision within 30 days of the initial designation notice. During this period, the agency gathers feedback, both from the public via its official website and from industry insiders in related fields. The final evaluation is made by the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. Since the announcement was made on March 21st, we can expect the official result sometime next week. And now, let's dig a bit deeper into Korea's temple food culture. You visited some cooking classes for your report. What was that like? The first class I visited was more of a hobby-level course, open to a wide range of participants, from people in their 20s to those in their 50s and 60s. The second class, though, was much more specialized. It was for students preparing for the Korean temple food specialist certification, a nationally recognized exam held twice a year. Over 5-hundred people have passed it since it was first introduced in 2015. It includes both written and practical exams, and many of the students there were motivated by health reasons, or had plans to turn their training into a business, especially as demand for temple food continues to grow. I didn't even know there was an official certificate for temple food chefs. Fascinating. And it seems like interest is spreading globally, too. For our viewers overseas, any way they can experience Korean temple food for themselves? Yes, I asked the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism the same question. They've been working with Korean Cultural Centers abroad to hold lectures and cooking classes internationally. And if you're planning to visit Korea, I highly recommend stopping by the Korean Temple Food Center and the Institute of Korean Temple Cuisine 'Hyangjeoksegye,' both near Anguk Station on Line 3. There, you can explore the history of temple food and even try making some dishes yourself. Both institutions also offer English-language websites. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin, thank you for that report. My pleasure.

Han Kang to release first book since receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature

2025/04/18 17:00

Also next week here in Korea. Author Han Kang's first publication after winning the Nobel Prize in Literature last December is set to hit local stores on Thursday. Lee Eun-jin has more. Nobel Prize-winning South Korean author Han Kang will be publishing a new book not a novel this time, but a book of essays. The collection is expected to feature about 10 pieces, including her Nobel lecture, previously published poems, and diary-like essays that reflect on her experiences with poetry, gardening, and the act of writing itself. According to the publisher Moonji Publishing, some of the content will be previously released works from literary magazines, but roughly half of the new book will be first-time publications. Taken from her Nobel lecture, the book titled "Light and Thread" is one she has been preparing for over a year. "What is love? It is the gold thread connecting between our hearts. Inside my chest, in my beating heart. Between our hearts. The golden thread that joins – a thread that emanates light." This will be Han's third essay collection since her first in 2003. Meanwhile, she is also progressing with her next novel a long-awaited final installment of her so-called "Winter Trilogy" to follow her 2015 "While a Single Snowflake Melts" and 2018 "Farewell" short stories. That novel is expected to be released as early as later this year. "There are authors that write until they are 70 or 80. But that requires a lot of luck. For the next 6 years, I want to focus on writing these three books that have been rolling in my head." After receiving her Nobel Prize, Han Kang has rejected public appearances to focus on her writing. Even with the latest release of her essay collection, which is set to be available in bookstores April 24th, she is not expected to give interviews or hold any events to promote it. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/18 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Renowned Korean author Han Kang is set to release her first new book since receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature last year. Titled "Light and Thread," the book is a collection of essays featuring Han's previously unreleased works, including poems, diary entries, and the speech she delivered at the Nobel ceremony. Much attention is being drawn to her pieces that had never been made public before. It will be available in bookstores starting April 24. The 'Jongmyo Daeje,' a royal ancestral ritual held each spring at Jongmyo Shrine, will be held on May 4 this year. It will be unveiled to the public for the first time in six years. Jongmyo Daeje is held annually on the first Sunday of May to honor the spirits of past kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty enshrined at Jongmyo, the royal ancestral shrine. The National Heritage Service has designated April 24 to May 4 as "Jongmyo Week," during which a variety of cultural and experiential programs will be offered to the public. The Heojun Museum, dedicated to the legacy of Joseon's most revered physician Heo Jun, is marking its 20th anniversary with a special exhibition. The exhibit highlights the stories of doctors and court physicians of the Joseon Dynasty who embodied the Confucian virtue of "in," or benevolence, through the practice of medicine. Around 100 artifacts are on display, showcasing how these scholar-physicians devoted themselves to healing the people. Located in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District, the Heojun Museum was established in 2005 to honor Heo Jun's contributions to medicine and his spirit of compassion, as well as to promote the global recognition of traditional Korean medicine. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-enter] BTS Jin set to kick off first solo world tour at Goyang in June

2025/04/18 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Today we start off with BTS Jin. He has some exciting news for his fans? Jin announced the dates for his first-ever solo world tour. According to the poster he shared on Weverse, a global fandom platform, Jin will kick off his solo tour "#RUNSEOKJIN_ EP.TOUR" at the Goyang Sports Complex auxiliary stadium from June 18th to 19th. Jin will then perform 18 shows across nine cities, including Osaka in Japan, Dallas in the U.S., London in the UK, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Jin's solo tour title, "#RUNSEOKJIN_ EP.TOUR," contains the meaning of heading out to meet BTS fans, 'ARMYs,' and is also a spinoff from Jin's YouTube channel entertainment program title "Run, Jin." In the upcoming tour, Jin will fill the stage with variety of performances. Jin will show off his new tracks on the tour from his upcoming second mini-album, "Echo" that will drop on May 16th. Very exciting for ARMYs around the globe. Next we are going to stay on the topic of tours, but this time let's look at a foreign artist visiting Korea to perform? British rock band Coldplay kicked off their Korean concert of the "Music of the Spheres" tour on Wednesday at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. This marks the band's second visit to Korea, last coming here 8 years ago back in 2017. With 50-thousand audience members for each of the six days of concerts, the band is set to perform for a total of 300-thousand fans. And guess what? All six shows are sold out! Not only that. Coldplay also broke records as this is the biggest scale of concerts in Korea ever held by any foreign artist. Each concert will go on for about two and a half hours, unfolding in four themed sections-Planets, Moons, Stars and Home. Coldplay's performances in Goyang will go on until April 25th. I unfortunately wasn't able to get my hands on any tickets. I heard there's also a special guest for their shows in Korea? Girl group TWICE is their special guest for all six shows in Korea. And what's even more exciting is that Coldplay and TWICE released a collaboration single TODAY, that's Friday Korea time. It's actually a re-make of Coldplay's "WE PRAY," but this time, it includes verses in Korean. TWICE said about the collaboration that (quote), "We believe that 'WE PRAY' is a song about overcoming hardships together and sharing a message of peace and hope. We're especially proud that each of us recorded our lines in Korean, allowing us to deliver our heartfelt emotions in our own language." Coldplay and TWICE performed the new release of "WE PRAY" for the very first time at the first round of Coldplay's concert on Wednesday. Great music with such a meaningful message. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Our AI anchor Ari also has interesting culture stories for us. Let's go over to her!

'The Great Gatsby' musical debuts in London

2025/04/18 10:00

Finally, in the UK, author F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic 1925 novel The Great Gatsby has been brought to life on the musical stage in London's West End. While an official opening is scheduled for April 24 and previews began on April 11, the show's launch event was held on Wednesday. The production features Jamie Muscato as Gatsby, Frances Mayli McCann as Daisy Buchanan, and Corbin Bleu as Nick Carraway, the narrator. After its Broadway run, the adaptation received praise for its vibrant energy and lavish production, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in Jay Gatsby's dazzling world through a theatrical experience. The musical will run at The London Coliseum until September 7.

Seoul Auction to feature works of independence activists

2025/04/17 20:00

An intriguing collection of relics belonging to Korea's independence activists will go on auction this spring at an auction house here in Seoul. There's greater meaning.. as this year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's independence. Our Lee Eun-jin has a glimpse. Revered Korean independence activist of the Japanese colonial era Ahn Jung-geun. As a part of his previously unreleased collection of calligraphic work, left behind in the final days leading up to his execution, this piece titled "Nokjuk", or "Green Bamboo", is presumed to have been created in February of 1910. This piece is different from his usual vertical writing, while his signature handprint is also imprinted horizontally. Han Yong-woon was a Buddhist reformer, poet and independence activist, also known by his penname Manhae. This folding screen contains poetry of his that compares the path of Buddhist practice to the journey of a young monk to find his lost cow. It is a rare 10-panel masterpiece, showcasing Manhae's unique round handwriting. "Manhae believed in the people continuing towards the independence of our country during the Japanese occupation. And through this poem, he wanted to remind us that it is a destination that should not be forgotten." Seoul Auction's spring session will have a large number of such relics containing traces from the independence movement. In addition to the works of Ahn Jung-geun and Han Yong-woon, there will be the first edition of Yun Dong-ju's book of poems titled "Sky, Wind, Star and Poem", showing the passage of time in its worn out cover page, as well as documents like records of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. These items can range in value from tens to hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars. Garnering greater interest due to this year marking the 80th anniversary of Korean independence, the relics will be shown in a free exhibition until April 21st, a day before the auction, on the 22nd. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Seoul Auction to feature works of independence activists

2025/04/17 17:00

An intriguing collection of relics belonging to Korea's independence activists will go on auction this spring at an auction house here in Seoul. Our Lee Eun-jin has a glimpse. Revered Korean independence activist of the Japanese colonial era Ahn Jung-geun. As a part of his previously unreleased collection of calligraphic work, left behind in the final days leading up to his execution, this piece titled "Nokjuk", or "Green Bamboo", is presumed to have been created in February of 1910. This piece is different from his usual vertical writing, while his signature handprint is also imprinted horizontally. Han Yong-woon was a Buddhist reformer, poet and independence activist, also known by his penname Manhae. This folding screen contains poetry of his that compares the path of Buddhist practice to the journey of a young monk to find his lost cow. It is a rare 10-panel masterpiece, showcasing Manhae's unique round handwriting. "Manhae believed in the people continuing towards the independence of our country during the Japanese occupation. And through this poem, he wanted to remind us that it is a destination that should not be forgotten." Seoul Auction's spring session will have a large number of such relics containing traces from the independence movement. In addition to the works of Ahn Jung-geun and Han Yong-woon, there will be the first edition of Yun Dong-ju's book of poems titled "Sky, Wind, Star and Poem", showing the passage of time in its worn out cover page, as well as documents like records of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. These items can range in value from tens to hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars. Garnering greater interest due to this year marking the 80th anniversary of Korean independence, the relics will be shown in a free exhibition until April 21st, a day before the auction, on the 22nd. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/17 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's oldest art market event, the 'Galleries Art Fair,' has officially kicked off at COEX in Seoul. Now in its 43rd edition, this year's fair brings together a record 168 galleries, the largest in the event's history. First launched in 1979 as the 'Korea Galleries Association Exhibition,' the fair has grown into a flagship event of Korea's spring art season and is widely regarded as a barometer that shows the current trends of the country's art market. Running through Sunday, the fair showcases a diverse array of works, including pieces by acclaimed artists from home and abroad, as well as bold, original creations by emerging talents. An exhibition exploring surrealism in Korea's modern art opened today at the Deoksugung branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. While surrealism has often been overlooked in Korean art history, this exhibition sheds light on six artists who resolutely pursued their own surrealist visions, unaffected by contemporary trends. Featured artists include Kim Jong-nam, who lived in Japan under the name Hideo Manabe, and Kim Uk-kyu, originally from the North, who fled to the South, leaving his family behind. The exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the inner worlds of artists profoundly shaped by Korea's colonial history, war, and division. Their works will be on display until July 6. Korea's web novel market saw a roughly 30% increase in size in just two years. According to a recent report from the Culture Ministry, the market was valued at 1.35 trillion won, or around 950 million U.S. dollars, last year, up over 310 billion won, or roughly 220 million dollars, from 2022. Web novels accounted for more than 45% of the total annual revenue from web fiction content, including webtoons. Regarding royalties, around 30% of web novel creators earn between one million and three million won per episode, while only 1% make over 100 million won. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Hallyu_People] Dutch YouTuber explores Seoul's 467 neighborhoods

2025/04/17 14:00

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, a city with a long history and rich culture. Seoul is divided into 25 districts known as “gu” and 467 neighborhoods known as “dong” such as Myeongdong, Insadong, and Seongsudong. Today, we will meet a Dutch YouTuber who has been exploring and documenting the unique sights and stories found in these Seoul neighborhoods from top to bottom. It’s Bart van Genugten, who’s running the channel “iGoBart”. Welcome Bart! 1) We heard you just recently came back from a trip? Why don’t we start with that? 2) You were traveling around the world and you ended up settling in one of the countries you visited, which is South Korea. What was the deciding factor for you to live here? 3) On your YouTube channel “iGoBart” you have a series called “Welcome to My Dong”. Please tell us about it and how it started. 4) (So, why did you choose to introduce all “dongs” and not “gus”?) In which neighborhoods of Seoul have you lived and what would you say describes those neighborhoods? 5) Any fun or memorable episodes while making any of the “Welcome to My Dong” videos? 6) Is there any “dong” you would say is underrated, or too unknown that you would like to mention? 7) Why is Seoul an appealing travel destination? 8) Once you have introduced all 467 neighborhoods, what’s your next plan? Thank you very much for sharing your story with us today Bart can't wait to check out all of your trips around Seoul and beyond. Thank you Bella as always, I'll see you back tomorrow.

[K-wave] Seoul Auction to feature works of independence activists

2025/04/17 14:00

Leading Korean art auction house, Seoul Auction is attracting attention for its spring auction featuring works of independence activists from the Japanese colonial era. There is greater meaning as this year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's independence. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. Revered Korean independence activist of the Japanese colonial era Ahn Jung-geun. As a part of his previously unreleased collection of calligraphic work, left behind in the final days leading up to his execution, this piece titled "Nokjuk", or "Green Bamboo", is presumed to have been created in February of 1910. This piece is different from his usual vertical writing, while his signature handprint is also imprinted horizontally. Han Yong-woon was a Buddhist reformer, poet and independence activist, also known by his penname Manhae. This folding screen contains poetry of his that compares the path of Buddhist practice to the journey of a young monk to find his lost cow. It is a rare 10-panel masterpiece, showcasing Manhae's unique round handwriting. "Manhae believed in the people continuing towards the independence of our country during the Japanese occupation. And through this poem, he wanted to remind us that it is a destination that should not be forgotten." Seoul Auction's spring session will have a large number of such relics containing traces from the independence movement. In addition to the works of Ahn Jung-geun and Han Yong-woon, there will be the first edition of Yun Dong-ju's book of poems titled "Sky, Wind, Star and Poem", showing the passage of time in its worn out cover page, as well as documents like records of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. These items can range in value from tens to hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars. Garnering greater interest due to this year marking the 80th anniversary of Korean independence, the relics will be shown in a free exhibition until April 21st, a day before the auction, on the 22nd. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[K-enter] Rosé named as one of the most influential people of 2025

2025/04/17 14:00

Bella, today we start with some impressive news on BLACKPINK member Rosé. Rosé has been named on TIME magazine’s list of “The 100 Most Influential People of 2025.” On Wednesday, TIME magazine revealed the “2025 TIME 100,” an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Rosé, whom the magazine classified as a “pioneer,” was one of the 100 people to make this year’s list. TIME magazine’s guest contributor, actress Lily Collins, shared the reasons behind Rosé’s selection. She said that Rosé is a dynamic performer and songwriter, and is able to captivate arenas full of people both as a member of the biggest girl group in the world and also as a solo artist. Meanwhile, Rosé’s “APT.,” featuring Bruno Mars, continues to maintain its spot on Billboard Hot 100 for the 25th consecutive week. Another proof for K-pop artists' global influence. Back in 2019, listed among rising stars, BLACKPINK was part of "Time 100 Next". And now THIS milestone. Big congratulations to Rosé! Now on the other side of K-pop, the lawsuit between NewJeans and ADOR is still on-going. Please fill us in with the latest updates. On Wednesday, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed objections filed by NewJeans against an earlier ruling that banned the group from independent activities outside of the agency ADOR. Immediately after the court’s decision, NewJeans appealed, taking the legal battle between the two to the appeals court. The legal representatives of NewJeans said that they will continue to try their best to reveal fact relevance. To give a quick recap, NewJeans began pursuing independent activities in February after accusing ADOR of violating the terms of their exclusive contract. However, ADOR claimed that the contract with the group remains valid until July 2029. Earlier in March, the court accepted the injunction sought by ADOR, to prevent the five members from independently signing advertising contracts and pursuing separate music activities. In response, NewJeans filed an objection against the injunction, but the court rejected it during this Wednesday’s hearing, upholding its previous ruling. Now what’s left is the appeals court’s decision. Meanwhile, a separate trial is ongoing over ADOR’s lawsuit regarding the validity of its exclusive contract with NewJeans and the second hearing for that is set to take place on June 5th. Please keep us updated with the results. For our last story today, we are going to talk about a new Korean Netflix series? Korean Netflix series are doing amazing these days, not only in Korea, but globally, so it’s very exciting to hear that another series is about to be released. This time it’s a mystery romance series, “Dear Hongrang”. It’s from a novel of the same title by writer Jang Da-hye. The story follows a son, Hongrang, who returns after a decade-long disappearance with no memory of his childhood. His half-sister, Jae I, who has been close to him since childhood, seeks the truth behind his sudden disappearance. The new series stars Lee Jae-wook, Cho Bo-ah, Jung Ga-ram, and Uhm Ji-won. “Dear Hongrang” will premiere on Netflix on May 16th. Will add that to my list of things to watch on Netflix. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

Lee Jae-myung, BLACKPINK Rosé named among Time Magazine's 100 most influential people

2025/04/17 10:00

Time magazine has named South Korea's former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and BLACKPINK'S Rosé in its 100 most influential people of 2025. In the list, revealed on Wednesday, Lee was included in the "Leaders" category, along with U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Lee was described as the "clear favorite" to win the upcoming Presidential election. Rosé from K-pop girl group BLACKPINK was also named in the "Pioneers" category. She was recognized as a "dynamic performer and songwriter," praised for captivating massive audiences both as a soloist and a group.

Korean content ranked second place in global viewership on Netflix

2025/04/16 17:00

On the entertainment front. Korean screen productions are the SECOND most-watched content on Netflix worldwide. According to media analytics firm Ampere South Korean content has maintained its number two ranking just behind the U.S. since 2023 accounting for almost 10 percent of the global viewership on this platform. Strong production capabilities and licensing strategies were cited as factors behind the popularity of K-content and shows like Culinary Class Wars and drama series like Squid Game were highlighted as top screen works. Meanwhile the UK and Japan ranked 3rd and 4th respectively.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/16 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korean dramas and films have established themselves as the most popular non-U.S. content on Netflix. According to content market analysis firm Ampere, Korean content has ranked second only to U.S. shows in total viewing time on Netflix since 2023, with a share of 8 to 9%. U.S. content accounts for almost 60%. Ampere also noted that Korean titles make up 85 of the 500 most-watched non-U.S. shows and films on the platform. Standout hits include "Squid Game" Season 2, which amassed nearly 620 million viewing hours in the second half of last year, the romance drama "Love Next Door," and the culinary competition show "Culinary Class Wars." The entire county of Danyang in Chungcheongbuk-do Province has been officially designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, becoming the first in the Chungcheong region to earn the title. The area has drawn international recognition for its iconic karst landscapes, distinctive structural geology, and stunning natural scenery. Home to geological formations spanning 1.3 billion years, Danyang offers valuable insights into paleoclimate through cave formations and bears traces of Earth's mass extinction events. The UNESCO designation honors not only geological value but also aesthetic, cultural, and historical significance, promoting conservation and sustainable development. The 'Haeundae Sand Festival' will take place from May 16 to 19 in Busan. Marking its 20th anniversary, the festival will center on the global expansion of K-culture, showcasing popular Korean culture through some 20 sand sculptures. Artists from Korea, the U.S., Canada, China, and Russia will create stunning works depicting various K-culture scenes, from the Korean alphabet 'Hangeul' to the beloved Baby Shark character. Interactive experiences, including traditional games featured in Squid Game, will also entertain visitors. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] Exhibition "Western Fairy Tales in Hanbok" in Italy promotes Korea's traditional beauty with Western touch

2025/04/16 14:00

If you tuned in from the beginning of the program, you might have wondered why I mentioned Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella wearing hanbok. These are featured in an exhibition promoting the traditional beauty of Korea currently running in Italy along with a Western touch. This beauty, captured by delicate brushstrokes, is attracting the attention of local visitors. We connect with our "K-correspondent" Claudia Gambino to learn more about this exhibition. Hello Claudia! Q1-1. Please introduce yourself to our viewers as well as the exhibition that's being held right now. What is it about and what role do you play in it? Q1-2. What's behind the idea of hosting such an event? Q2. Could you introduce us to one representative masterpiece you'd like to recommend to visitors? Q3. How has the response been from local visitors especially seeing these Western fairy tales in hanbok? Q4. Are there any services available that make the exhibition easier to understand or more fun? Q5. Claudia, is there anything new you've learned about Korea's culture through this exhibition? Q6. Let's now talk a little bit about the general public in Italy and their interest in Korean culture or hallyu. What or who is popular these days? Q7. So, for those who want to check out the exhibition, until when can we enjoy it and what other K-culture events are planned for later this year? Thank you very much Claudia for connecting with us today and introducing us to the "Western Fairy Tales in Hanbok" exhibition and more. Hope we keep in touch. Thank you Walter as always. We'll have you back next week.

[K-Enter] BTS's Jin to release second mini-album

2025/04/16 14:00

Starting off with news on a new mini album! Who is it from? (who is it from? who is it from?) (That's the hint to what the album is called ) BTS's Jin has revealed the promotion for his second mini-album "Echo" through BTS's official social media. He actually dropped the promotion at midnight local time, which was too late for me! The album is set to be released on May 16. It captures how the various moments in life spread like different forms of "echoes." This comes roughly six months after his first solo album "Happy" in November last year. His decision for making a quick return was that he wanted to stay connected to his fan base. Jin is also busy these days featuring on Netflix's reality show "Kian's bizarre B&B". "Echo" will be released worldwide on May 16 at 1 p.m. Korean local time. I am sure that this will be another album that won't disappoint. Now, we move on to hanbok and Park Bo-gum news, that we hinted on before I mean, he has starred in dramas that required him to wear hanbok but what's the news about? Actor Park Bo-gum , who recently starred alongside IU in the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," has been selected as a Korean cultural arts ambassador to promote the beauty of Korea's traditional hanbok clothing to the world for the "2025 Hanbok Wave" program according to The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Now in its sixth year, Hanbok Wave is a project where hanbok companies with potential and technical skill collaborate with Korean cultural artists to develop hanbok-related products. In 2022, former superstar figure skater Kim Yuna participated in the project, followed by K-pop girl group Miss-A member and actress Suzy and actress Kim Tae-ri . Park Bo-gum is the first male model to be selected for this role. Park will collaborate with four domestic hanbok brands to promote the elegance and dignity of hanbok. I like the name of the program "2025 Hanbok Wave", well we'd be welcoming him with open arms on "The Kulture Wave" to showcase the beauty of hanbok to the world. Lastly we have updates on the Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun case? Since allegations of actor Kim Soo-hyun's romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage surfaced from a YouTube channel, Kim Soo-hyun has been met with constant malicious comments. On Tuesday, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, issued an official statement revealing that they had filed legal complaints against individuals posting malicious content. The agency stated: "Recently, malicious posts, comments, and false information targeting Kim Soo-hyun have been recklessly spread online. Based on active reports from fans and our internal monitoring, we submitted a complaint on April 14 to investigative authorities for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and insult under the Criminal Act." On March 31, Kim Soo-hyun held an emergency press conference, where he denied all allegations and announced his intent to pursue legal action against the YouTube channel responsible for leaking said allegations and also Kim Sae-ron's parents. Thank you for that news Walter, don't go anywhere as we now move onto more culture news with our AI anchor Ari. Take it away Ari.

Korean content ranked second place in global viewership on Netflix

2025/04/16 10:00

Movies and dramas from South Korea are the second most-watched content on Netflix worldwide. According to global media analytics firm Ampere on Tuesday, Korean content has maintained the number two position behind the U.S. since 2023, accounting for nearly 10 percent of global viewership on the platform. The report said strong content production capabilities and licensing strategies were key factors behind the success. It also cited shows, including Squid Game and Culinary Class Wars, as standout examples. The UK and Japan followed in 3rd and 4th place on the list.

World News: All-female crew on Blue Origin rocket successfully return to Earth

2025/04/15 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Starting with the historic spaceflight in the United States, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Shepard rocket, developed for space tourism, completed its first all-female crewed mission in over six decades. The launch vehicle successfully returned to Earth on Monday with an all-women crew of six, including pop star Katy Perry and five other accomplished women, after an approximately 10-minute flight to space. The crew took off from Blue Origin's launch site in West Texas at 9:31 AM on Monday. The six-person crew included pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and pilot Lauren Sanchez. The flight lasted about 10 minutes and 21 seconds, reaching the Karman line, the recognized boundary of space, where the crew experienced moments of weightlessness before safely returning to Earth. The mission marked the first all-female spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova's solo journey into space in 1963. U.S. President Donald Trump hosted El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, reinforcing their alliance on immigration enforcement amid controversy over deportations. In a meeting at the Oval Office on Monday local time, President Trump and President Bukele discussed their ongoing cooperation on immigration policies. The discussions came in the wake of a Maryland resident mistakenly being deported to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center despite a U.S. court order preventing his removal. Both leaders have declined to facilitate his return, with Bukele stating he lacks the authority to "smuggle a terrorist" back into the United States, and Trump officials asserting that the responsibility lies with El Salvador. Also during the meeting, President Trump praised President Bukele's efforts in combating gang violence and suggested the possibility of expanding deportations to include U.S. citizens with criminal backgrounds. The United States and Iran are set to hold a second round of nuclear negotiations in Rome on Saturday to follow discussions in Oman, which both sides described as "positive" and "constructive." Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, confirmed on Monday that Rome will host the upcoming negotiations, after requests from both parties and mediator Oman. The first round of talks in Muscat, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, marked the first direct discussions after years of indirect communication between the two states. A landmark antitrust trial against U.S. tech giant Meta Platforms kicked off on Monday in Washington, D.C. The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to force the tech giant to break Instagram and WhatsApp off from Meta. It alleges that the tech giant bought the platforms in a strategic move to eliminate competition and establish a monopoly in the social networking market. CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the company's actions, saying the acquisitions enhanced consumer experience, citing competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The trial is expected to span approximately eight weeks and could result in potential structural changes for Meta. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/15 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The opening ceremony for the "2025–2026 Korea-China-Japan Year of Cultural Exchange" has taken place in Tokyo, marking the start of an initiative aimed at deepening cultural cooperation between the three neighboring countries. Korea's First Vice Culture Minister Yong Ho-seong pledged to expand trilateral cultural exchanges and work toward establishing East Asia as a global cultural hub. His Japanese counterpart, Atsushi Nonaka, highlighted that the initiative is important not only for cultural collaboration but also for strengthening broader Korea-China-Japan relations. Korea will lead several key exchange programs, including joint musical performances, a friendly Go tournament, and a youth artist exchange exhibition. The Ulsan 'Taehwagang Maduhee Festival,' known as Korea's first major summer festival, has been rescheduled to June 13 to 15. That's to avoid overlapping with early voting for the snap presidential election, set for May 29 and 30. Held under the tagline "Escape the Ordinary, Dive into Taehwagang," the festival will take place in Ulsan's downtown and along the Taehwagang River. More than 40 programs are planned, including a large-scale tug-of-war, diverse river activities, a marketplace, and a reenactment of a traditional parade. This year's festival will offer expanded river-centered attractions, including hydro-flying water shows and other aerial aquatic performances. Jeju Island has unveiled its cruise industry promotion plan for this year. The plan aims to boost the island's cruise tourism sector by capitalizing on the increased number of cruise calls and a new semi-homeport operation set to be launched in May. Gangjeong Port in Jeju is set to become Korea's first semi-home port for cruise ships starting next month. The plan outlines detailed measures to induce longer stays and greater spending by cruise passengers as part of efforts to revamp the domestic economy. A total of 6.8 billion won, or around 4.8 million US dollars, will be invested across five key projects to support the initiative. Jeju Island's cruise market has shown steady growth, with more than 300 cruise calls and up to 800,000 visitors expected this year. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Korean rice cakes making waves in Japan

2025/04/15 14:00

“K-tteok” is the new hit in Japan with competitive pricing, diverse varieties, and everyday convenience. Now, it’s setting its sights on the global stage!