News

K-wave AI News

2025/06/05 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Today marks Korea's first-ever "Gugak Day," or Korean Traditional Music Day, designated under the Gugak Promotion Act, which was passed last year. A national ceremony will take place at Heungnyemun Square in Seoul, where the Culture Ministry will unveil a symbolic image to commemorate the inaugural day, and also honor those who have contributed to the promotion of gugak. This month will feature nationwide events to further promote public appreciation of traditional Korean music. Also in celebration of gugak, a nationwide campaign will be launched tomorrow for the upcoming 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music & Arts Expo. The campaign will feature various gugak performances, hands-on experiences, and media façade shows. The expo is set to be held from September to October in Yeongdong County, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. A global celebration of AI-generated cinema is set to unfold in Jeju this week. Hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and organized by the Jeju Contents Agency, the 2025 Jeju AI Global Film Festival will kick off this Sunday, launching a three-day AI film extravaganza. This year's competition drew over 1,200 entries from 95 countries, with 18 films selected as finalists. The Grand Prize was awarded to "Evolution" by French director Eliott Hourlier, which follows the journey of a gorilla surviving in a world of ecological collapse. Beyond screenings, the festival will also host forums, corporate lectures, and panel discussions, exploring the intersection of AI technology and the arts. Early bird tickets are now on sale for the 28th Boryeong Mud Festival, set for July 25 to August 10. Tickets are offered at a 20% discount, with adult prices for the general admission zone set at 8,000 won on weekdays and 11,200 won on weekends. Tickets can be purchased online through the Boryeong Festival & Tourism Foundation's official website at www.mudfestival.or.kr. Don't miss your chance to join one of Korea's most popular summer festivals at a discounted rate! That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

K-enter_Stray Kids receive spotlight for North America Stadium Tour

2025/06/05 14:00

So, as you just mentioned Bella, today's K-enter is filled with K-pop boy groups. Let's kick off with Stray Kids! Stray Kids are in the spotlight of U.S. local media for their successful North America Stadium Tour. The tour is part of their "dominATE" world tour with a total of 13 large-scale stadium performances across 10 regions. Stray Kids drew a lot of attention after they performed at Oracle Park in San Francisco as they were the first K-pop boy group to perform at the venue. Major U.S. media outlets, including ABC and CBS, sent their reporters to cover the atmosphere of the concert. Stray Kids will continue with their tour across North America regions until June 29th. Looks like they are getting tons of love in North America. The next boy group we are going to talk about is N.Flying on their impressive record. N.Flying have set a new career-high with their second full-length album "Everlasting." According to Hanteo chart, the new album surpassed 100-thousand copies of album sales during its first week. With this feat, "Everlasting" has become their best-selling album in its first week sales, doubling the number of copies their last album, "Dearest," accumulated in the same span. "Everlasting," released on May 28th, conveys the heart-swelling emotions of feeling both the eternity and this very moment at the same time. It features 12 tracks in total, including the title track of the same name. N.Flying recently wrapped up their three-day Seoul concert, which sold out, and they have also sold out their upcoming Busan concert in July. A new album record and a sold-out concert --what a milestone for the group! And finally let's talk about some heroes or Xdinary Heroes! Yes, rock band Xdinary Heroes are set to take the stage at Seoul's Olympic Handball Gymnasium for the first time with their summer special concert series, "The Xcape." JYP Entertainment announced the news on Tuesday through the band's official social media channels, revealing a poster for the upcoming three-day performance that will run from July 4th to 6th. Xdinary Heroes have rapidly emerged as a powerhouse in live rock performance, following a successful North America showcase tour and their 2024 concert series "Closed beta." This year, the band are expanding their global footprint with a new world tour, "Beautiful Mind," that began with a three-day run at Olympic Hall in Seoul last month. They will also make their debut at Lollapalooza Chicago in July. Wow, so alongside TWICE, BOYNEXTDOOR, KATSEYE, and KickFlip. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Alright, now time to go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news. Ari!

[K-Enter] SEVENTEEN's 5th full-length album sets K-pop highest first-week sales record

2025/06/04 14:00

Walter, starting off with some SEVENTEEN news! The boy group have set the highest first-week sales record in K-pop this year with their 5th full album "HAPPY BURSTDAY". According to the album sales tracking site Hanteo Chart, SEVENTEEN's "HAPPY BURSTDAY" sold roughly 2.52 million copies in its first week of release from May 26 to June 1, topping the weekly album chart. This marks the highest first-week sales among all K-pop albums released this year. On the day of their return, they became the first K-pop act this year to achieve a double million-seller, adding another significant milestone to their record. Though SEVENTEEN are seeing global fame across many countries it seems they are especially making a big impact in Japan, right? Correct. According to Japan's Oricon chart on Tuesday, "HAPPY BURSTDAY" sold around 457,000 copies, securing the No. 1 spot on the latest Weekly Album Ranking. This marks the highest weekly album sales this year among all international artists, both male and female, who have released albums in Japan. With this achievement, SEVENTEEN earned their 14th No. 1 on the chart, extending their record as the foreign artist with the most No. 1 albums in Oricon's history. Congratulations SEVENTEEN! Moving on to to K-movies now, what can our viewers expect coming out soon? A press screening and media conference for the musical romance film "Midnight Sun" was held in Seoul on Monday. "Midnight Sun" tells the story of Misol and Min-jun , who can only go on dates at night. As they fall in love through music, they challenge themselves to pursue their dreams together. The film is a remake of the Japanese movie of the same name, originally released in 2006. Norihiro Koizumi, the director of the original Japanese version of the film, strongly recommended the remake saying, "I'm already looking forward to seeing how this story will be reinterpreted across borders and through the 20 years that have passed." The film has already been released in Japan since May 19 and has received early praise. The demand for this film is already spreading globally too. According to distributor By4M Studio on Wednesday, "Midnight Sun" has been pre-sold in 83 countries, including in eight Asian countries, as well as the U.S., Canada, Germany and many more. As for Korea's release, "Midnight Sun" is scheduled on June 11. Thank you as always for the news Walter. Stick around while we move onto Ari our AI anchor for more interesting culture related news. Ari take it away.

K-wave AI News

2025/06/04 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The cultural community called on newly elected President Lee Jae-myung to boost support for the nation's cultural sector and help reinforce the global influence of K-content. Representatives from various artistic fields emphasized the need to expand the cultural budget and invest more in foundational and fine arts. They asked for "support with minimal interference," urging the government to ease existing regulations. More specifically, writers' associations stressed the importance of ensuring autonomy in literature, while music industry leaders called for the establishment of a dedicated arena for K-pop performances. The film industry highlighted the urgent need to restore the Korean film ecosystem through expanded film development funding. The 21st Busan International Dance Festival kicked off today, launching a five-day celebration of global dance artistry. This year's festival features over 50 performances from nine countries, including Korea, France, Singapore, and Argentina. The festival opens with "Carmina Burana," a full-length special performance by the internationally acclaimed Szeged Contemporary Dance Company from Hungary. The Korea-France collaborative original production "No Matter" is set to premiere at a special outdoor stage on Haeundae Beach. Throughout the event, the beach stage will showcase a dynamic mix of street dance, contemporary dance, and classical ballet, engaging audiences. The Korean original musical "Maybe Happy Ending," which recently opened on Broadway, continued its winning streak by clinching six awards at this year's Annual Drama Desk Awards. At the award ceremony held in New York, the musical won major honors including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and Outstanding Music. The Drama Desk Awards is one of America's prestigious annual honors recognizing excellence in New York theater. "Maybe Happy Ending" has also earned ten nominations for the upcoming Tony Awards, adding to its long list of accolades. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Struggling movie theater industry make efforts to attract moviegoers

2025/06/04 14:00

We did talk about a soon-to-be-released movie in our K-enter segment just a bit ago, but the reality is movie theaters in Korea have been struggling to recover to pre-pandemic levels. Various efforts are being made to attract moviegoers, like providing on-site experiences for the highly loyal "fanatics," and even mergers between theater companies in a desperate bid to survive. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. A section of this movie theater has been transformed. A space where there's an added experience for fans of the popular Japanese manga 'Kaiju No. 8'. It's the first time that such an experience has been set up in Korea, and just in time for the release of its film adaptation. "It was really cool to see each character in such detail, just like in the manga." "It was a meaningful experience It reminded me of the protagonist's difficult journey in the story." As such, movie theaters have been focusing on offering extensions of entertainment that can only be experienced in person. Lately, there have been pop-up exhibitions and merchandise shops for films with strong fan bases. Certain theaters also offer their exclusively branded collaboration merchandise, as well as specialized screening rooms that fully utilize their large screens to stand out from their competition. The struggles of movie theaters suggest that going to the movies after a meal, which was once a cultural habit, is no longer routine. According to the Korean Film Council, in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, people went to the movie theater on average 4-point-3-7 times a year. But in 2024, that number dropped to 2-point-4. That means revenues for theaters also fell to nearly half of what they were. Over the same period, between 2019 and 2024, countries like China and Japan recovered to over 90 percent of their box office revenues, while the global average recovery rate came to roughly 87 percent. But recovery for theaters in Korea is noticeably slower. The cinema industry's stagnation is now evident, and as a first indication of a major shake-up, South Korea's second-and third-largest theater franchises have announced plans to merge. Their aim is to reduce overlapping investments and improve profitability. If successful, the merged entity would instantly become the largest in the industry, in terms of the number of screens. While it may be a necessary survival move for theaters, there are growing concerns that it may, in the long run, limit options for moviegoers. "If two massive corporations emerge from this merger, they'll likely invest more heavily in premium, or specialized theaters. That could mean a greater focus on Seoul and the capital region, leading to small neighborhood cinemas and local films disappearing." If film distributors are also brought under the same corporate umbrella, there are concerns that this could reduce the diversity of films and wither the ecosystem for independent films. We are now in an era where people are more willing to pay higher ticket prices for musicals or large-scale concerts than for movies. It remains to be seen whether the industry's survival efforts can spark change and usher in a new springtime for movie theaters. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

BTS to celebrate 12th anniversary at 2025 FESTA

2025/06/02 20:00

South Korean global sensation BTS will be celebrating their 12th anniversary with both an online and offline celebration. The group's agency, Big Hit Music, announced that the 2025 BTS FESTA, a celebration held annually to mark the group's debut, will run both online and offline for two weeks starting June 1. The in-person festivities will take place in the city of Goyang on June 13 and 14, featuring around 20 booths, including a BTS Locker showcasing the members' cherished items and a Spotify Playlist corner with songs they selected. A series of online content, including videos and photos, will also be released gradually through June 13.

Kulture Issue_What's behind the girl group dominance in the K-pop industry?

2025/06/02 14:00

The K-pop industry is dominated by girl groups these days, evident in music charts and concert ticket sales, in performance lineups at university festivals, and their global fan base. On the other hand, the boy group era seems to be in a stagnant phase. What can we make of this shift? To delve into this issue we connect to Bernie Cho, President of DFSB Kollective. Hello Bernie/ Mr. Cho! Q1. Let's start with this rising dominance of girl power in the K-pop market. Do you feel it happening around you and in what way? Q2. If I'm correct, boy groups used to have a bigger impact within the K-pop industry in the past. Why are we seeing this shift in popularity? Q3. K-pop's main consumers are female, and it's them in many cases who choose to purchase albums and merch of their favorite K-pop groups, including girl groups. What's behind this passion? Q4. Let's talk about the rookie girl groups that debuted this year. Is there any group you have particularly big expectations for? Q5. Do you think we'll see a boy group-dominant K-pop era again? What would be the prerequisite? Q6. Korea's presidential election is coming up tomorrow. Let's talk a bit about "K-pop campaigning". K-pop songs are often used as campaign songs during election season, which liven up the atmosphere. And again, in many cases it's girl group songs, right? Q7. What songs were used this year? Any trends that stood out? Thank you very much for your insights Bernie/Mr. Cho. It was great having you on the show. Keep in touch. Thank you Walter! We'll see you back on Wednesday.

[K-Enter] The annual "BTS Festa" is back to celebrate 12 years

2025/06/02 14:00

So, for our top story for K-enter news today, a big festivity coming up for all BTS fans out there! BTS's label BigHit Music started its annual "BTS Festa" on Sunday, which will run for two weeks. The annual festival celebrates BTS's debut back on June 13, 2013. The online part of the "BTS Festa" is currently underway and will feature gradual releases of photos, videos, and other content over the two weeks. This year's offline event will be held on June 13 and 14 at KINTEX in Goyang, with around 20 booths offering fans special experiences like a "Voice Zone" featuring voice messages from the members, a "BTS Locker" showcasing treasured items, and a "Spotify Playlist" with songs personally selected by the group. Sounds great for the ARMY! Let's move on to something else that's being highly anticipated around the world. Squid Game season 3! But before, we still have news on the second series, so let's talk about that first. Squid Game Season 2 emerged as the most-watched TV series in the U.S. during the early months of 2025. Last Thursday local time, Hollywood media outlet Variety reported that "Squid Game 2" claimed the top spot by a significant margin on Nielsen's list of the "Top 100 Most-Watched TV Series of the 2024–2025 Season." The report states that Squid Game 2 garnered 27.1 million views over the 35-day period, far outpacing the extremely popular "Adolescence", another Netflix series that came in second with 19 million views. Netflix had previously announced that Squid Game 2 reached a total of 165.7 million global views as of the fourth quarter of last year. Well it's not too long before we get the final instalment of the series. And NOW let's talk about Season 3, as the main trailer has dropped recently right? Yes, that's right. The trailer introduces brand-new games including the infamous Young-hee doll operating a long jump rope and a tight, maze-like alley, hinting at fresh and intense challenges ahead. The ongoing tension between Seong Gi-hun , who holds faith in humanity, and the Front Man , who harbours deep mistrust toward people, is set to escalate even further. During Netflix's fan event "TUDUM 2025", held in Los Angeles on May 31 local time, Lee Byung-hun asked, "Are you ready to play the FINAL game together?" while Lee Jung-jae remarked, "Every game must come to an end," an obvious suggestion to the end of the series. Well all good things must come to an end just like K-enter FOR TODAY! Thanks for the news Walter! And let's move onto our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari what do you have for us today?

K-Wave AI News

2025/06/02 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korean violinist Park Sue-ye won first prize at the XIII International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki, becoming only the second Korean to do so. The 25-year-old clinched the top spot in last week's final, performing Oliver Knussen's Violin Concerto with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Sibelius' Violin Concerto with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Emerging as one of Korea's leading young violinists, she released her debut album, a complete recording of the Paganini Caprices, at age 16. Her 2021 album, Journey Through a Century, was named Recording of the Month and Recording of the Year by British classical music magazine Gramophone. The Culture Ministry has launched the international content competition, "Talk Talk Korea 2025," and is accepting entries until August 5. Launched in 2014, Talk Talk Korea is a prominent K-content contest where participants from diverse cultural backgrounds showcase the appeal of Korean culture through videos, photos, and other creative formats. After five rounds of evaluation, a total of 300 entries will be selected and given awards. Prizes for first-place winners across different categories include a ticket to a nine-day cultural experience in Korea and digital goods valued at over 2,000 U.S. dollars. Entries can be submitted via the official website at www.talktalkorea.or.kr. Korea's major music industry group has urged the government to build a dedicated "K-pop Arena," citing a persistent shortage of large-scale performance venues in Seoul. The Korea Entertainment Producers' Association made the request in a statement that highlighted the growing economic benefits of K-pop through international sales and live events. While venues like the Seoul Olympic Stadium and the World Cup Stadium are currently used for major concerts, the group pointed to ongoing challenges, including turf damage, remodeling work, and complicated booking procedures. They proposed building a world-class K-pop arena on the current National Assembly site if the legislature relocates to Sejong, or alternatively, constructing a 30,000-seat venue near Olympic Park. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Art & Culture] How a 140-year friendship lives on at a museum in Salem, Massachusetts

2025/06/02 14:00

Let's move on to the K-art scene. In this next report we show you how friendship transcends national boundaries and stands the test of time to allow for rich cultural exchanges as witnessed at a museum in Massachusetts. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin shares this story. Founded in 1799, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States. It's also the first American museum to purposefully collect Korean art. This month, the museum reopened its newly expanded and more diverse Korea gallery, named after Yu Kil-chun, a pioneering Korean scholar and politician. "Our relationship with Korea is really based on this diplomatic kind of relationship as well as cultural exchange. We do believe that Yu Kil-chun was the first international student to be in the United States." Yu arrived in America in 1883 as part of Korea's very first diplomatic delegation to the U.S. During his stay in Salem, he developed a close friendship with Edward Sylvester Morse, then director of the Peabody Academy of Science, PEM's predecessor. Yu later donated his personal belongings, and Morse would go on to acquire over 2-hundred Korean items, laying the foundation for what is now PEM's Korea gallery. The gallery focuses on Korean art from the early 19th to the 20th centuries. The development was led by Dr. Jiyeon Kim, who spent two years researching, curating, and designing the gallery. "This is the period that Korea first opened its door to a wider world. It is not just the story of Yu Kil-chun and the elite, also our gallery and our collection contain the lives of so many people who lived that very pivotal period." Nearly one hundred Korean art and everyday objects are on display. Among the highlights are an eight-panel folding screen from the early 1800s depicting a grand royal banquet during the Joseon Dynasty, meticulously conserved in Korea. This is a newly unveiled family picture of Yi Beom-jin, a Korean diplomat in Washington, D.C., who befriended Edwin Vernon Morgan, one of the first American diplomats posted to Korea. These traditional instruments, saenghwang and janggo, were played at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. "What we aim to do at the museum is to create an environment and an experience in which people can become more curious about the larger world, their place in it , seeing what we, what we do share, and really what makes something individual and distinctive." At the same time, the gallery offers visitors a deeper window into Korea. "Give this very valuable opportunity to people who know Korea only through K-pop and popular culture, and give them more insight about the history, where this culture, where this originated from." Some friendships grow stronger over time. The bond between Yu Kil-chun and Edward Sylvester Morse has endured for well over a century, evolving into this one-of-a-kind cultural exchange between their countries. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

[Arts & Culture] How a Korean scholar left a legacy in the U.S.

2025/05/30 20:00

Friday means it's time for our Arts and Culture segment. We have our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin back in the studio. Welcome back! Great to be back! What do you have for us today? Today, I want to introduce a 19th-century friendship between Korea and the U.S. that lives on today, through a recently reopened gallery in Massachusetts. Here's the full story. Founded in 1799, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States. It's also the first American museum to purposefully collect Korean art. This month, the museum reopened its newly expanded and more diverse Korea gallery, named after Yu Kil-chun, a pioneering Korean scholar and politician. "Our relationship with Korea is really based on this diplomatic kind of relationship as well as cultural exchange. We do believe that Yu Kil-chun was the first international student to be in the United States." Yu arrived in America in 1883 as part of Korea's very first diplomatic delegation to the U.S. During his stay in Salem, he developed a close friendship with Edward Sylvester Morse, then director of the Peabody Academy of Science, PEM's predecessor. Yu later donated his personal belongings, and Morse would go on to acquire over 2-hundred Korean items, laying the foundation for what is now PEM's Korea gallery. The gallery focuses on Korean art from the early 19th to the 20th centuries. The development was led by Dr. Jiyeon Kim, who spent two years researching, curating, and designing the gallery. "This is the period that Korea first opened its door to a wider world. It is not just the story of Yu Kil-chun and the elite, also our gallery and our collection contain the lives of so many people who lived that very pivotal period." Nearly one hundred Korean art and everyday objects are on display. Among the highlights are an eight-panel folding screen from the early 1800s depicting a grand royal banquet during the Joseon Dynasty, meticulously conserved in Korea. This is a newly unveiled family picture of Yi Beom-jin, a Korean diplomat in Washington, D.C., who befriended Edwin Vernon Morgan, one of the first American diplomats posted to Korea. These traditional instruments, saenghwang and janggo, were played at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. "What we aim to do at the museum is to create an environment and an experience in which people can become more curious about the larger world, their place in it , seeing what we, what we do share, and really what makes something individual and distinctive." At the same time, the gallery offers visitors a deeper window into Korea. "Give this very valuable opportunity to people who know Korea only through K-pop and popular culture, and give them more insight about the history, where this culture, where this originated from." Some friendships grow stronger over time. The bond between Yu Kil-chun and Edward Sylvester Morse has endured for well over a century, evolving into this one-of-a-kind cultural exchange between their countries. Revamping a gallery of this scale must have taken an incredible amount of effort and dedication. Yoo-jin, what did the museum share with you about what went into the project? Both Director Hartigan and Curator Kim emphasized that the reopening of the Yu Kil-Chun Gallery was a collaborative effort. The project was made possible thanks to the support of numerous organizations and individuals, including the Korea Foundation, National Museum of Korea, and Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, to name a few. Notably, the local Korean community played a huge role, as they organized fundraising events and donated artworks for auction. That's truly heartwarming. Yoo-jin, beyond what you covered in your report, what additional experiences await visitors at the Korea Gallery? Currently, an exhibition on Korean contemporary media artist Jung Yeon-doo is currently running at the museum as well. It presents Jung's two works: 'Evergreen Tower' and 'Bewitched.' 'Evergreen Tower' is a series of photographs showing the diverse living rooms of families residing in identical apartment units, highlighting individuality within uniformity. 'Bewitched' is a video installation where subjects are portrayed in two contrasting images: one as they are and another representing their aspirational selves. The exhibition will run until January 25th, 2026. Alright, Yoo-jin, thank you so much for your report today. My pleasure.

[Short-form] Hwaseong Boating Festival

2025/05/30 14:00

Feeling the need for a cool escape? Head to Hwaseong City and set sail for a refreshing day of fun!

K-enter_Cha Eun-woo enlists in army band on July 28

2025/05/30 14:00

Today's top story in K-entertainment is a sad story for Cha Eun-woo's fans. Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo will begin his mandatory military service in late July and serve in the Army's military band. According to his agency, Fantagio, on Thursday, he will enter the training center on July 28th to undergo basic military training before serving his duty in the Army Band. Previously, Cha Eun-woo applied and interviewed for the Army Band and has been officially accepted. The agency did not disclose the enlistment time or location of the camp, asking fans to refrain from visiting the site to ensure their safety. It added that there will be no special event held at the site to mark his enlistment. Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo is currently filming the new Netflix series "The WONDERfools" and has confirmed his role in the movie "First Ride." Additionally, he is scheduled to meet fans at ASTRO's fourth solo concert in June and also his first solo virtual reality concert, set to be released on June 18th. Something tells me fans don't have to be too sad after all, as they'll have Cha on the screen, the stage, and that IU music video we talked about yesterday. PLUS, serving in the military band means there are more chances to see him. Now let's turn over to some exciting news for the ARMYs, or BTS fans, specifically j-hope fans. J-Hope is dropping a new digital single "Killin' It Girl." On Thursday, his agency, BIGHIT MUSIC announced that he will release "Killin' It Girl" on June 13th. This will mark the end of his solo single project after "Sweet Dreams" and "Mona Lisa." The new single is a hip-hop genre song that captures the thrill of falling in love at first sight. It will feature American rapper GloRilla. J-Hope will perform "Killin' It Girl" for the first time at the "j-hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' FINAL" at Goyang Stadium from June 13th to 14th. Lucky for those attending the concert who will get to catch the live performance for the very first time. Last story is on a group we mentioned several times within just this week, because they continue to reach new milestones. It's SEVENTEEN! They placed third on Billboard's 2025 midyear boxscore report, earning 120.9 million dollars from ticket sales. According to Billboard's midyear boxscore report, released on Wednesday local time, Seventeen sold 842-thousand tickets across 30 shows on their latest "Right Here" world tour, held from October of last year to February of this year. Billboard's 2025 midyear boxscore report celebrates the top-grossing and best-selling artists, venues, and concert promoters around the world for the period of October 1st, 2024 to March 31st, 2025. Coldplay topped the chart, followed by Shakira in second place. It's impressive to see that Seventeen's gross nearly doubled from 67.5 million dollars during the same period last year, when it ranked No. 16. In the K-pop category, Seventeen led the pack, followed by ATEEZ and BTS j-Hope, who ranked second and third respectively. So much to celebrate for Seventeen, marking their decade of achievements this year. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Let's now check out what culture-related stories our AI anchor Ari has for us today! Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/05/30 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. For the first time, Korea is hosting the World Summit on Arts and Culture, a multilateral dialogue that brings together leading voices in global cultural policy. Chair of the Arts Council Korea, Choung Byoung-gug, expressed hopes that the creative power of culture will resonate around the world, with the summit serving as a meaningful platform for shaping a shared global vision. Under the theme "Shaping the Future of Arts and Culture," over a hundred speakers from 65 countries are taking part to explore cultural strategies in a rapidly evolving global environment. Launched in Canada in 2000, the summit has become a flagship global event in the cultural sector. Korea was unanimously selected in 2023 as the first Asian country to host the summit. The highlight event of the millennium-old Gangneung Danoje Festival, the 'Sintong Daegil Gilnori' parade, was held Thursday with great fanfare. Celebrated as the pinnacle of Korean-style street parades, the Gilnori remains one of the most popular attractions of the festival, drawing more than 50,000 spectators each year. This year's parade featured over 4,000 participants, showcasing a vibrant array of costumes and performances inspired by local folklore and distinct village traditions. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the festival's listing as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, members of the Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network also joined the parade, underscoring the event's growing international significance. The Danoje festival runs through June 3. Korea's largest art fair, Kiaf Seoul, will be held alongside the globally renowned Frieze Seoul in September at COEX. Running from September 3 to 6, Frieze Seoul will feature more than 120 galleries from over 30 countries, including major international exhibitors and leading galleries based in Korea. Now in its fourth edition, this year's Frieze will see an especially strong presence of prominent Asian galleries. Opening the same day and continuing through September 7, Kiaf Seoul will feature 176 galleries from 20 countries. Anchored by its main section, Kiaf Galleries, the fair will also present Kiaf Plus, a dedicated platform for emerging artists, and a special exhibition titled "Reverse Cabinet," jointly curated by Korea and Japan marking 60 years of the two country's diplomatic normalization. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Why the world is flocking to Busan for content

2025/05/29 20:00

In other news. The southeastern port city of Busan serves as a platform for content creators, sellers and buyers for an annual event aimed at broadening access to diverse screen productions. Park Kun-woo reports. Camera flashes light up the pink carpet as celebrities pose and wave to fans. It may look like a glamorous scene at Cannes, but this is Busan – a major city in southern South Korea, turning into a global content hub. At the heart of this transformation is the 19th Busan Content Market or BCM, where global buyers and sellers gather to trade content rights. And this year, BCM is opening its doors to the public. In a new collaboration with Canneseries, nine shows were screened before their official premieres, including the Norwegian series "Nepobaby" that won multiple awards. "We haven't sold this show to anyone yet so it's very exciting if someone in the Asian market is going to pick it up. A good place where we can like meet new producers and see if we can cooperate in a way." Global demand for high-quality content is not only bringing stars, but business to Busan. "A single drama or short-form video is more than just entertainment – it's a product and an investment. Thousands of people from 50 different countries have gathered in Busan, all searching for the next big hit. And with deals surpassing 100 million dollars each year, Busan has become a front line in the global content business." Korean companies are also making moves to meet wider demand. "We're using AI in production -from editing to adding product placements after filming -saving both time and cost, while improving user experience." Arirang TV also met with buyers from Japan, Mongolia, and beyond, showcasing visions for the future of Korean content, while aiming to broaden its reach ahead of its 30th anniversary. And these efforts are fueling Korean content's global momentum with buyers remaining hungry for more. "We are searching for the Korean costume dramas and documentaries. This is our interest." But organizers say they're looking far beyond. "There's concern over how long the Korean Wave can last. That's why we're targeting new markets and genres and linking Busan's content scene with finance and investment for future growth." Since launching in 2007, BCM has evolved into one of Asia's key content markets. And this year's edition, running through Friday at BEXCO, shows Busan isn't just showcasing content, but shaping the future of it. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Busan.

Why the world is flocking to Busan for content

2025/05/29 17:00

Staying in the southern port city of Busan content creators sellers and buyers are gathered there for an annual event aimed at broadening access to diverse screen productions. Our Park Kun-woo reports. Camera flashes light up the pink carpet as celebrities pose and wave to fans. It may look like a glamorous scene at Cannes, but this is Busan – a major city in southern South Korea, turning into a global content hub. At the heart of this transformation is the 19th Busan Content Market or BCM, where global buyers and sellers gather to trade content rights. And this year, BCM is opening its doors to the public. In a new collaboration with Canneseries, nine shows were screened before their official premieres, including the Norwegian series "Nepobaby" that won multiple awards. "We haven't sold this show to anyone yet so it's very exciting if someone in the Asian market is going to pick it up. A good place where we can like meet new producers and see if we can cooperate in a way." Global demand for high-quality content is not only bringing stars, but business to Busan. "A single drama or short-form video is more than just entertainment – it's a product and an investment. Thousands of people from 50 different countries have gathered in Busan, all searching for the next big hit. And with deals surpassing 100 million dollars each year, Busan has become a front line in the global content business." Korean companies are also making moves to meet wider demand. "We're using AI in production -from editing to adding product placements after filming -saving both time and cost, while improving user experience." Arirang TV also met with buyers from Japan, Mongolia, and beyond, showcasing visions for the future of Korean content, while aiming to broaden its reach ahead of its 30th anniversary. And these efforts are fueling Korean content's global momentum with buyers remaining hungry for more. "We are searching for the Korean costume dramas and documentaries. This is our interest." But organizers say they're looking far beyond. "There's concern over how long the Korean Wave can last. That's why we're targeting new markets and genres and linking Busan's content scene with finance and investment for future growth." Since launching in 2007, BCM has evolved into one of Asia's key content markets. And this year's edition, running through Friday at BEXCO, shows Busan isn't just showcasing content, but shaping the future of it. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Busan.

[K-wave] Why the world is flocking to Busan for content

2025/05/29 14:00

The annual Busan Content Market is underway, where global buyers and sellers come to discover top-quality content. This year, the event is opening up to the public, expanding its reach beyond industry insiders. Our Park Kun-woo shows us how. Camera flashes light up the pink carpet as celebrities pose and wave to fans. It may look like a glamorous scene at Cannes, but this is Busan – a major city in southern South Korea, turning into a global content hub. At the heart of this transformation is the 19th Busan Content Market or BCM, where global buyers and sellers gather to trade content rights. And this year, BCM is opening its doors to the public. In a new collaboration with Canneseries, nine shows were screened before their official premieres, including the Norwegian series "Nepobaby" that won multiple awards. "We haven't sold this show to anyone yet so it's very exciting if someone in the Asian market is going to pick it up. A good place where we can like meet new producers and see if we can cooperate in a way." Global demand for high-quality content is not only bringing stars, but business to Busan. "A single drama or short-form video is more than just entertainment – it’s a product and an investment. Thousands of people from 50 different countries have gathered in Busan, all searching for the next big hit. And with deals surpassing 100 million dollars each year, Busan has become a front line in the global content business." Korean companies are also making moves to meet wider demand. "We’re using AI in production -from editing to adding product placements after filming -saving both time and cost, while improving user experience." Arirang TV also met with buyers from Japan, Mongolia, and beyond, showcasing visions for the future of Korean content, while aiming to broaden its reach ahead of its 30th anniversary. And these efforts are fueling Korean content's global momentum with buyers remaining hungry for more. "We are searching for the Korean costume dramas and documentaries. This is our interest." But organizers say they’re looking far beyond. "There’s concern over how long the Korean Wave can last. That’s why we’re targeting new markets and genres and linking Busan's content scene with finance and investment for future growth." Since launching in 2007, BCM has evolved into one of Asia's key content markets. And this year's edition, running through Friday at BEXCO, shows Busan isn't just showcasing content, but shaping the future of it. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Busan. I hope there were some fruitful discussions between Arirang TV and the global buyers. Right, and watching the report I noticed how varied the interest in Korean content has become, with visitors from such a wide range of countries. Now is really the time to expand these opportunities. As Kun-woo mentioned in the report, the "Busan Content Market" has resulted in deals worth some 100 million dollars every year, but LAST year, transaction volume, reached a record of more than 200 million dollars. Speaking of content, Bella, you've got some new content to talk about as well in K-enter.

[K-enter] Stray Kids reaches 10 bil. Spotify streams, 3rd in K-pop history

2025/05/29 14:00

So, let's dive into today's K-enter stories. First, we've got some history made by a boy group? Stray Kids have made history again! This time by joining the exclusive club of K-pop artists with over 10 billion total streams on Spotify. The group recently surpassed 10 billion cumulative streams for their entire discography on Spotify, becoming the third K-pop group in history to achieve this milestone. Stray Kids also made waves at the 2025 American Music Awards, taking home the 'Favorite Soundtrack' award for their song "Come Play," soundtrack for the Netflix animated series "Arcane" Season 2. Meanwhile, Stray Kids are currently on their largest world tour to date, "Stray Kids World Tour ," and will perform 13 shows across 10 North American cities. Our next story is on a female artist? IU has taken over the music charts with her latest remake album "A Flower Bookmark, Pt.3". The new album, released on Tuesday, immediately climbed to the top of major domestic music charts, including Melon, Melon, Genie, and Bugs. The title track, "Never Ending Story," secured the No.1 spot on these platforms, with all tracks from the album entering the charts. "A Flower Bookmark, Pt.3" marks IU's return to her remake series 8 years after she released "A Flower Bookmark, Pt.2" in 2017, and it's her first release in about a year after her previous release "The Winning." The new album consists of six tracks in total, including the title track "Never Ending Story," "Red Shoes," "A Beautiful Person," and "Square's Dream." The music video for "Never Ending Story," features IU herself, and the second music video "A Beautiful Person" attracted a lot of attention even before its release with actor Cha Eun-woo's cameo. IU's remake album "A Flower Bookmark, Pt. 3" is available on various music platforms and the music videos are available on IU's official YouTube channel. This is going to be a gift for the ears and eyes Our final story is on a soon-to-be released drama! Wavve's original series "ONE: High School Heroes" held a press conference on Wednesday at Lotte Cinema in Konkuk University, Seoul. "ONE: High School Heroes" is a high school action drama about a model student, Eui-gyeom, who faces domestic abuse and school bullying, but joins forces with his classmates to form 'High School Heroes' to fight back against bullies on behalf of the victims. The new series is based on the popular webtoon "ONE," which recorded a cumulative view count of 65 million and also won the "2020 Today's Comic Award." "ONE: High School Heroes" has a total of 8 episodes which will be released in three batches on Wavve, starting May 30th. That's already tomorrow here in Korea. Thank you Bella, stick around, as we go over to Ari for other culture-related issues. Ari!

K-Wave AI News

2025/05/29 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. An exhibition celebrating mythical creatures from Korean culture through traditional crafts is currently on display at the Korea Heritage Agency's education center in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. The exhibition brings together 39 master artisans and intangible heritage holders who have created 75 works inspired by dragons and other legendary creatures. Based on the ancient legend of "Dragon's Nine Children," it showcases diverse dragon forms alongside other fantastical beings such as the phoenix, and 'girin', all brought to life through exquisite traditional craftsmanship. The exhibition runs until October 17. Korea's first public museum dedicated to photography, the Photography Seoul Museum of Art, opens its doors today. Located near Chang-dong Station in Seoul's Dobong-gu District, the museum serves as a branch of the Seoul Museum of Art. Spanning over 7,000 square meters, the museum features four exhibition halls, a darkroom, archival storage, and educational facilities. Its inaugural exhibition, "The Radiance: Beginnings of Korean Art Photography," explores the early roots and hidden narratives of Korean photography. It showcases the museum's core collection of over 20,000 works and archival items from the 1920s to the 1990s, representing the legacies of 26 key photographers. Taean County in Chungcheongnam-do Province is set to host the 2025 Korea Dune Festival on June 7 at the Sinduri Coastal Sand Dune, a designated Korean Natural Monument. Celebrating one of Korea's rare natural dune ecosystems, the festival features a range of cultural and ecological programs, including a 2-kilometer guided walk along an ecological trail, live performances, circus acts, and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. The highlight of the event, the ecological trail walk, invites participants to explore the area's unique sand dunes and native vegetation while enjoying a moment of relaxation in nature. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-enter] RM named 'Favorite K-pop Artist' at the AMAs

2025/05/28 14:00

And our K-enter news is all about male K-pop power today. Bella, we are going to start with one of the members of BTS? That's right. RM won a trophy at the 2025 American Music Awards, one of the major music awards in the United States. According to the official website of the AMAs, RM was named the winner of this year's 'Favorite K-Pop Artist' category. Previously, BTS won at the AMAs for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2022. Launched in 1974, the AMAs is considered one of the most influential pop music awards in the U.S. alongside the Grammy Awards and Billboard Music Awards. After the 2022 event, the ceremony was suspended, but it has returned this year for the first time in three years. Currently, RM is serving his mandatory military service, and will be discharged next month. Something to celebrate before his release, which will be in less than two weeks now. It's always great to see group members do well in both group and solo activities. And of course, BTS never lets us down.. because we have another member with an impressive milestone. Who is it? Jin has topped Spotify's global chart with his latest release, "Don't Say You Love Me." According to Spotify on Tuesday, it has reached the top of the latest 'Daily Top Song Global' chart. "Don't Say You Love Me," from Jin's second mini-album "Echo," delves into the complexities of a crumbling relationship, where despite the evident breakdown, the lovers find themselves unable to easily let go due to their lingering affection. Previously, it debuted at No.9 on the same chart upon its release on May 16th, and also reached 58th on the UK's 'Official Singles Chart Top 100.' Nothing can stop BTS from reaching new milestones, whether its as a group or individually. Our last story for today is also on a boy group with an amazing feat, right after their 10th anniversary celebration. Seventeen's latest album "HAPPY BURSTDAY" sold more than 2 million units on the day of its release, May 26th. According to Hanteo Chart, the new album sold over 2.26 million copies and topped the chart's daily album chart. The album is also doing great in the music charts. The title track of the album, "THUNDER" reached the No.1 spot on Melon's Top 100, after debuting on the chart at No.7. Additionally, the album topped iTunes 'Top Albums' chart and 'Worldwide iTunes Album' chart in 15 regions and the title track topped iTunes 'Top Songs' chart in 13 regions. Seventeen's 5th full-length album "HAPPY BURSTDAY," symbolizes not just celebration but an explosive new beginning to reflect the group's determination to be reborn as a new version of themselves. Happy birthday and "burstday" to them! Thank you Bella for today's stories. Our AI anchor Ari now has a number of stories to report on, on the culture front. Ari, take it away!