News

S. Korean hip-hop group "Suni and the Seven Princesses" offers hope to the elderly

2025/02/21 20:00

And on the subject of successful stories, a group of granny rappers in a remote Korean county is garnering quite a bit of attention for proving it's never too late to learn. Our Park Kun-woo met up with them. A community center in a small rural village of around 100 residents. This is where "Suni and the Seven Princesses," a hip-hop group of women with an average age of 85, was formed two years ago. Overhearing joyful voices, I peeked inside. Their life stories, woven into their lyrics, have brought fresh energy, thanks to their regular Korean classes. "When I was young, I had to walk several kilometers to school because of the war, so, I couldn't study. But, learning Korean has opened my eyes." They used fun methods like singing traditional Korean songs to improve. After class, they quickly transformed, donning hip-hop gear and rapping like pros -a striking contrast to their Korean lessons. "The granny rappers show us that it's never too late to challenge yourself and speak your truth through your honest lyrics. Inspired by them, I decided to try rapping today. Together with the grannies, we send a message to our viewers." This group has offered hope and inspiration in South Korea which turned into a 'super-aged' society last year, with over 20 percent of the population aged 65 or older. Their success has even led to the creation of other elderly hip-hop groups. And they're boosting the local economy, with merchandise featuring their faces, symbolizing the region. Their influence stretches beyond the local community, performing at venues nationwide, and even spreading globally. A documentary about them, directed by a Polish filmmaker, is set to be released later this year. The filmmaker shared her inspiration behind the project. "This project is to show to the other people that we are limitless that we can change our lives no matter in which age we are currently in. We shouldn't have any excuses for anything she started the rapping band in that age so that's really impressive." As the filmmaker hopes, Suni and the Seven Princesses will continue spreading their powerful message. "It's incredible we've come this far. If we can do it at this age, young people can too." Emphasizing that she's already very happy, she said her only wish is for her and the members to stay healthy. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Chilgok.

[Arts & Culture] The sweet story of Korean strawberries

2025/02/21 20:00

Time now for our Arts and Culture segment. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin joins us in the studio. Welcome! Happy Friday! What do you have for us today? Here in Korea, it's not the cherry on top. It's the strawberry. This time of year, they're everywhere, piling up in markets, topping off desserts, and filling bakery shelves. But Korean strawberries aren't just a seasonal favorite anymore. They're making their way beyond our tables and into markets around the world. For this week, I looked into the story behind Korean strawberry's success. From cakes and tarts to canapes and salads and even sandwiches, strawberries dominate bakeries and restaurants across Korea this time of year. But their appeal isn't just local. While Southeast Asia has long been a key market, Korean strawberries are now expanding into new regions. Compared to 2021, exports to the Middle East jumped 40 times last year, while U.S. exports increased threefold. "Until the early 2000s, Japanese strawberries dominated exports to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. But in 2002, Korea developed the Maehyang variety, which has firmer flesh, a longer shelf life, and a sweeter taste, ideal for export. That was the turning point." It all started here. "The Strawberry Research Institute in Nonsan City, Chungcheongnam-do Province, about a two-hour drive from Seoul is where Korea's signature strawberry varieties are developed. So far, researchers here have cultivated over a dozen unique varieties." This institute introduced the internationally popular Maehyang and then Seolhyang in 2005, which holds an 80-percent share of the domestic market. It's also home to trending varieties like King's Berry, as large as a fist, and Vita Berry, known for its high vitamin content. Developing new strains is a rigorous process, typically taking five to seven years. "We do it through selective breeding, with a focus on taste and yield. The flavor must stand out to attract consumers, and a high-yield variety ensures stable supply." This commitment has shaped the iconic flavor of Korean strawberries. "Korean strawberries offer a unique sweet-tart balance, which is different to many tropical fruits, for example. They also have a juicy texture and softer bite, which makes them especially popular among international consumers." But the journey doesn't stop here, with researchers working to develop the breakthrough variety. "We're developing new varieties with improved durability for the sake of distribution. At the same time, as climate conditions change, we're also focusing on breeding disease-resistant strawberries." It's a success story that's getting sweeter, and it looks like the best is yet to come. Seems like a "berry" good business indeed! Yoo-jin, while strawberries are in peak season here in Korea, they're typically known as a summer fruit in many other parts of the world. What makes Korea different? That's right. Strawberries used to peak in early summer here as well, around May. But thanks to advancements in farming technology, such as greenhouse cultivation with precise temperature control, farmers can now harvest strawberries even in the cold winter months. What's interesting is that winter strawberries take a little over two months from flowering to harvest, compared to just one to one-and-a-half months for summer varieties. This slower growth at lower temperatures allows the fruit to develop a denser, firmer texture and accumulate more nutrients, resulting in a sweeter, more flavorful berry. And there's also a strategic shift in marketing. With fewer fruit options available in winter, producers began focusing on the colder months to meet consumer demand. That's fascinating. And for our viewers who might want to try some, do you have any recommendations from the many K-strawberry varieties out there? Absolutely. According to the Strawberry Research Institute, Korea has developed around 60 to 70 varieties, though only about 10 are available in the market. For those looking for a classic favorite, researcher Yang, who appeared in my report, recommends Seolhyang, loved for their soft texture and sweetness. A newer variety to look out for is Joy Berry, which was introduced in 2023 They're firmer and even sweeter than Seolhyang. And for something unique, there's Doorihyang, known for its distinctive fragrance. They actually went viral after BTS member Jin posted about them on social media. So many varieties to explore. Thank you Yoo-jin for your report today. My pleasure.

S. Korean hip-hop group "Suni and the Seven Princesses" offers hope to the elderly

2025/02/21 17:00

And on the subject of successful stories a group of granny rappers in a remote Korean county is garnering quite a bit of attention for proving it's never too late to learn. Our Park Kun-woo met up with them. A community center in a small rural village of around 100 residents. This is where "Suni and the Seven Princesses," a hip-hop group of women with an average age of 85, was formed two years ago. Overhearing joyful voices, I peeked inside. Their life stories, woven into their lyrics, have brought fresh energy, thanks to their regular Korean classes. "When I was young, I had to walk several kilometers to school because of the war, so, I couldn't study. But, learning Korean has opened my eyes." They used fun methods like singing traditional Korean songs to improve. After class, they quickly transformed, donning hip-hop gear and rapping like pros -a striking contrast to their Korean lessons. "The granny rappers show us that it's never too late to challenge yourself and speak your truth through your honest lyrics. Inspired by them, I decided to try rapping today. Together with the grannies, we send a message to our viewers." This group has offered hope and inspiration in South Korea which turned into a 'super-aged' society last year, with over 20 percent of the population aged 65 or older. Their success has even led to the creation of other elderly hip-hop groups. And they're boosting the local economy, with merchandise featuring their faces, symbolizing the region. Their influence stretches beyond the local community, performing at venues nationwide, and even spreading globally. A documentary about them, directed by a Polish filmmaker, is set to be released later this year. The filmmaker shared her inspiration behind the project. "This project is to show to the other people that we are limitless that we can change our lives no matter in which age we are currently in. We shouldn't have any excuses for anything she started the rapping band in that age so that's really impressive." As the filmmaker hopes, Suni and the Seven Princesses will continue spreading their powerful message. "It's incredible we've come this far. If we can do it at this age, young people can too." Emphasizing that she's already very happy, she said her only wish is for her and the members to stay healthy. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Chilgok.

A look into Korea's presence at 75th Berlin International Film Festival

2025/02/21 14:00

The Berlin International Film Festival, or “Berlinale”, known as one of the “Big Three” film festivals alongside the Cannes and Venice film festivals, is underway. This year, seven Korean directors’ works have been invited to the prestigious film event. Let’s talk more about this with our movie expert Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Hello Professor Soh! Q1. The Berlin International Film Festival is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. A film festival with deep history and traditions, it is also known for its uniqueness. What sets it apart from other global film festivals and what kind of works are invited? Q2. A number of Korean films were given the honor of being invited to the event. Please introduce them to us. Q3. Korean director Bong Joon-ho's highly anticipated movie "Mickey 17" premiered at the Berlinale. How was it received? Q4. One name that may not be linked to famous blockbusters, but that‘s well-known at prestigious film festivals is Hong Sang-soo. The director is competing for the ‘Golden Bear‘ at this year‘s Berlinale with “What Does That Nature Say to You.“ Please tell us more. Q4-1. Director Hong has been invited to the film event for six consecutive years. What is it about his works that makes them so popular at top film festivals? Q5. Along with the directors, let‘s talk about the actors attending the event. Among Korean actors, who is receiving a lot of attention this year? Q6. As Korean films continue to demonstrate a big presence at International film festivals, how do you assess the current position of K-movies in the global film market?

[K-enter] "Mickey 17" actors visit Korea for press conference

2025/02/21 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, today we start off with a story on an upcoming movie? Yes, we are going to start off with the movie “Mickey 17.” The actors of “Mickey 17” visited Korea for the film’s press conference. On Thursday, actors Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Naomi Ackie gathered together, with director Bong Joon-ho, to attend the press conference for the movie “Mickey 17” at Megabox COEX in Seoul. Based on Edward Ashton’s novel “Mickey7,” the new movie tells the story of Mickey, an expendable sent on dangerous missions. “Mickey 17” comes six years after Bong Joon-ho’s big hit, “Parasite,” which won global praise including Academy Awards. One of the cast, Ruffalo, said during the press conference, “I’m honored to be here with Bong Joon-ho, who is one of the greatest living directors today, and to be able to work with him in this cast.” Another actor in the movie, Ackie, who plays Mickey’s girlfriend, said she enjoyed being able to portray her character in a liberating way in the film. Korean-American actor Yeun, who plays Mickey’s friend Timo, found his role very intriguing. He also had a great experience working with Bong for the second time, as he also starred in the director’s 2017 movie “Okja.” He said that the beauty of director Bong is that he appreciates and loves the character and the actor as they are in the moment that they are. “Mickey 17” is set to premiere in Korea on February 28th, followed by its North American release on March 7th. Moving onto our next topic for today, K-pop. What do you have for us Bella? Virtual idol group PLAVE proved their global power by successfully entering the Billboard Global 200 chart. According to Billboard, the song “Dash” from their mini-album “Caligo Pt.1,” entered the Billboard Global 200 at No.195. The Billboard Global Chart is a chart that compiles rankings based on online streaming and digital sales in more than 200 countries around the world, including the United States. PLAVE became the very first virtual idol group to hit the chart. On the day of their mini-album release, they topped domestic music site, Melon, and the number of monthly listeners on Spotify doubled in two weeks, showing their popularity both in Korea and globally. PLAVE’s third mini-album “Caligo Part 1” comes five months after their digital single “Pump Up the Volume!” And lastly, we move back to the topic of movies. We have another movie that’s coming out soon? That’s right. I don’t know if you’ve noticed Soa, but recently, we've seen many K-pop artists’ concerts being made into films. Well, we have another concert film that’s coming out. ZEROBASEONE’s first world tour concert has been made into a film and will premiere in theaters on March 12th, exclusively at CGV. The title of the film is “ZEROBASEONE THE FIRST TOUR IN CINEMAS,” titled after their world tour. According to their agency, WakeOne Entertainment, their first concert film will include live performances, along with scenes from backstage and interviews with the members. The trailer of the film shows lively scenes from their world tour concert in Seoul at KSPO Dome. ZEROBASESONE performed in eight cities in Asia last year for their first world tour, “2024 ZEROBASEONE THE FIRST TOUR ,” which gathered 140-thousand attendees. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

[Features reporter] S. Korean hip-hop group "Suni and the Seven Princesses" offers hope to the elderly

2025/02/21 14:00

Kun-woo, I heard you had the chance to meet some celebrities this week. Can you tell us more about that? Of course! This week, I had the incredible opportunity to meet the coolest grannies on earth who know how to share their true stories through rap lyrics. They are famously known as "Suni and the Seven Princesses," named after their leader, "Jeom-sun." It took over four hours by car to reach Chilgok-gun county in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province where they live. Let me take you through my trip. A community center in a small rural village of around 100 residents. This is where "Suni and the Seven Princesses," a hip-hop group of women with an average age of 85, was formed two years ago. Overhearing joyful voices, I peeked inside. Their life stories, woven into their lyrics, have brought fresh energy, thanks to their regular Korean classes. "When I was young, I had to walk several kilometers to school because of the war, so, I couldn't study. But, learning Korean has opened my eyes." They used fun methods like singing traditional Korean songs to improve. After class, they quickly transformed, donning hip-hop gear and rapping like pros -a striking contrast to their Korean lessons. "The granny rappers show us that it’s never too late to challenge yourself and speak your truth through your honest lyrics. Inspired by them, I decided to try rapping today. Together with the grannies, we send a message to our viewers." This group has offered hope and inspiration in South Korea which turned into a 'super-aged' society last year, with over 20 percent of the population aged 65 or older. Their success has even led to the creation of other elderly hip-hop groups. And they're boosting the local economy, with merchandise featuring their faces, symbolizing the region. Their influence stretches beyond the local community, performing at venues nationwide, and even spreading globally. A documentary about them, directed by a Polish filmmaker, is set to be released later this year. The filmmaker shared her inspiration behind the project. "This project is to show to the other people that we are limitless that we can change our lives no matter in which age we are currently in. We shouldn't have any excuses for anything she started the rapping band in that age so that's really impressive." As the filmmaker hopes, Suni and the Seven Princesses will continue spreading their powerful message. "It's incredible we've come this far. If we can do it at this age, young people can too." Emphasizing that she's already very happy, she said her only wish is for her and the members to stay healthy. Can you share some rapping that you learned from the grannies? Of course. And Kun-woo, I heard that there is a hidden supporter helping the grannies perform so well. Yes, one popular Korean rapper "Sleepy" is behind all of that. One thing Sleepy said was that he was even influenced by the granny rappers. I had a chance to speak with him so take a listen. "It was truly moving when they shared their experiences of tough times they've been through, or are going through, and their hopes all through their lyrics. I realized trying to look cool, showing off, or any kind of arrogance that might exist in the hip-hop world isn't what truly matters." After teaching and seeing the grannies rap, he said he was deeply inspired and shared his hope that he could continue rapping even when he is older, with his children and even grandchildren. And I heard that the grannies are looking for an additional member? That's true. As one of the members unfortunately passed away last October, the group is planning to hold an audition next month at the community center I visited to fill the spot. There are some "strict" requirements for the audition. You must be a woman, at least 75 years old, and living in Chilgok-gun. Applicants will be tested on dictation, trot singing, free-style dancing, and self-introduction. So if anyone watching is interested, or knows someone who might be, feel free to apply or recommend them! Alright Kun-woo, thanks for all of that. We'll see you next time. Thank you Kun-woo. My pleasure.

London Fashion Week kicks off

2025/02/21 10:00

Over in the United Kingdom, London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025 has kicked off. The event, which runs until February 24, features a mix of traditional runway shows and digital presentations, encompassing both established and emerging designers. This season, the British Fashion Council has introduced sustainability requirements for brands, emphasizing the industry's commitment to environmental responsibility. Participants include Harris Reed, who opened the week with a showcase, while Burberry is set to close the event on Monday evening. A pop-up shop to commercially support designers will also run from February 22 to 24.

BLACKPINK to be first K-pop girl group to perform at Wembley Stadium

2025/02/20 17:00

In other news. Wembley Stadium in London will turn pink this summer. Because BLACKPINK is poised to become the first ever K-pop girl group to perform at the stadium on August 15th. The group's agency YG Entertainment announced on Thursday that BLACKPINK will kick off a mega world tour this year starting in Seoul on July 5th. The tour will run through ten cities including New York, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. During their previous "BORN PINK" world tour the group set a fresh record by attracting some 1.8 million fans.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/20 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The largest global gaming exhibition in Korea, G-STAR, will be held in Busan this year. The city announced that it has been selected as the host for G-STAR from 2025 to 2028, based on an interim evaluation by the Korea Association of Game Industry. Busan received strong marks for its support in areas including exhibition infrastructure, accommodation, and transportation. This year's G-STAR will take place from November 13 to 16 at BEXCO. G-STAR is one of the most prominent gaming exhibitions in the world that showcases the latest trends and innovations in the gaming industry, offering a platform for game developers, publishers, and players to connect. Despite the overall downturn in the film industry, revenue from Korean films rose by 15% last year. According to a recent report from the Korean Film Council, domestic film revenue reached 691 billion won, or roughly 480 million U.S. dollars, marking a 15% increase from 2023. But the total theater revenue, including foreign films, remained below 1.2 trillion won, or around 833 million dollars, for the third consecutive year, reflecting a continued sluggish performance. This figure represents only 65% of pre-pandemic levels. The Jeju Folklore and Natural History Museum is hosting an exhibition titled, "The Snake, Guardian of Homes and Villages," marking 2025, the Year of the Snake. It highlights the role of snakes as guardian deities in Jeju's traditional beliefs and their ecological significance in restoring damaged ecosystems. The museum hopes to revive awareness of Jeju's unique cultural heritage and reflect on the fading practice of snake worship. The exhibition runs through May. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Literature translator Mark Oh spreads Korean fantasy stories to the world

2025/02/20 14:00

After K-pop, K-movies, and K-dramas, K-LITERATURE is the latest form of K-culture gaining global attention. In the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, 1.85 million copies of Korean literature were sold overseas. As the genres preferred by global readers diversify, Korean literature introduced abroad has been expanding to include graphic novels, essays, and more. For today’s ‘Hallyu People’ we connect live to Sydney, Australia where Mark Oh, a young translator, introduces Korean FANTASY literature to international readers. Hello Mark! 1) Mark, please introduce yourself to our viewers and what you currently do in Australia. 2) You are translating into English the fantasy novel series “Pangaea” which has been written by a Korean author. Please tell us how this started. 3) It must be very special to translate your mother’s works. How do you feel about it and also how does your mother, author Ha Jeeyoon feel about it? 4) Is there anything in particular you pay attention to when translating the Pangaea series in terms of the uniqueness of fantasy fiction and also considering that your mother wrote them? 5) Do you have any special experience to share that helped you translate “The Pangaea” series? 6) How much exposure is Korean literature receiving in Australia? 7) The Pangaea novel series is also expected to be adapted into other types of content I heard? 8) What are your future plans or aspirations as a translator?

[Short-form] “Donghae Line”, linking Korea’s stunning coastal gems

2025/02/20 14:00

Hop on the Donghae Line and explore Korea’s stunning scenic destinations from Gangneung to Busan!

[K-enter] BLACKPINK announces 2025 world tour details

2025/02/20 14:00

So Bella, let’s start off with some updates on some "dates" we have been waiting for from BLACKPINK. Literally, BLACKPINK will be in your areas! The group announced its highly anticipated 2025 world tour dates and locations on Wednesday. BLACKPINK revealed that the limited run of shows will kick off on July 5th and 6th at the Goyang Stadium in Seoul. Then the tour will continue in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Paris, and Barcelona. You can check out the exact dates and locations on their social media. It’s notable that they will make a stop at London’s famed Wembley Stadium, which will be the very first time that a K-pop girl group will perform at the venue. The 2025 world tour will be the first time BLACKPINK has gone on the road as a group since the “Born Pink World Tour” which ran from 2022 to 2023. Staying on the topic of K-pop, we have another K-pop artist performing on the global stage? BTS J-Hope will headline Lollapalooza Berlin, which takes place from July 12th to 13th at Olympia Stadium Berlin. Lollapalooza is a major music festival that began in the United States in 1991 and has since expanded globally. Lollapalooza Berlin, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is drawing more attention than ever by announcing an outstanding lineup including Justin Timberlake, Gracie Abrams, and of course ‘our hope,’ J-Hope. This is not J-Hope’s first time performing at Lollapalooza. He was the first ever Korean singer to be on the main stage of Lollapalooza held in Chicago back in July 2022. Meanwhile, he will begin his solo world tour “HOPE ON THE STAGE” at KSPO Dome in Seoul from February 28th to March 2nd. We still have more stories related to K-pop, this time about boy group SEVENTEEN? Seventeen has been named among the top 20 global artists by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, IFPI. According to the Global Artist Chart 2024 announced on Tuesday, Seventeen ranked third, following global pop star Taylor Swift and Drake. The Global Artist Chart ranks artists based on a combination of physical album sales, digital downloads and audio/video streaming figures. Seventeen first entered this chart in 2021 at No.9, rose to sixth place in 2022, and climbed four more spots to reach second place in 2023. Stray Kids and Enhypen also secured a spot on the Global Artist Chart 2024. Stray Kids ranked fifth and Enhypen ranked 14th, highlighting the global popularity of K-pop. Meanwhile, Seventeen will hold their 9th official fan meeting, “SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND,” on March 20th and 21st at Incheon Munhak Stadium. And lastly we end with a new movie that will premiere tomorrow? Yes, before we get into the details of the movie, Soa, do you know Dahyun from girl group TWICE? Well, she will debut as an actress in the new movie, “You Are the Apple of My Eye,” along with actor Jinyoung. The film is a remake of a Taiwanese film of the same name and follows the story of 18-year-old Jin-woo, who spends countless days working up the courage to confess his feelings to Seon-ah. Dahyun said at the press conference held on Wednesday that she always had a dream of becoming an actress, but just started last year as she gained good opportunities. “You Are the Apple of My Eye” will premiere on Friday at movie theaters. More and more singer-turned actors are making successful debuts on the screen, just like the main actors Dahyun and Jinyoung who also was a boy group member (B1A4), as well as singer-songwriter Demian or now actor Sohn Jeong-hyuck who also stars in the movie. Can't wait for the movie to be out. Thank you Bella for those stories.

From 24-hour self-service ramyeon shops to unique stores: S. Korea’s evolving ramyeon scene for foreign tourists

2025/02/19 20:00

Korea's ramyeon has been garnering quite a big following on the global stage with a growing number of travelers to the country starting their travel agenda with a trip to popular ramyeon hotspots. Our Lee Eun-hee takes a look. Visitors from around the world have flocked to this unique spot: a 24-hour, self-service ramyeon, or South Korean instant noodles shop located in the heart of Seoul, Jongno-gu district. This ramyeon shop offers foreign visitors over 60 varieties of instant noodles to enjoy anytime, with options for all tastes, including mild, spicy, vegan, and Halal. "Cooking instructions and safety guidelines are available in multiple languages, ensuring easy access for everyone. The preparation methods vary for different types of ramyeon, with special Halal-only options also provided." "We often see tourists coming straight from the airport. Since unmanned stores are not common in many countries, people are usually surprised by our setup. Many also ask if the payment system works properly." Another unique ramyeon spot is 'Neoguri's Ramyeon Shop,' which opened in January and serves ramyeon made by Nongshim, one of South Korea's leading food companies. A second store opened at the Hyundai Outlet Dongdaemun, located in central Seoul, following the success of the first store, which sold an average of 12-thousand bowls per month between September and November last year. "I came here because I had this ramyeon in Japan before. The soup was smooth and very delicious." "It was attractive that I could choose and eat ramyeon freely, and the ramyeon I ate was also very delicious." The ramyeon store's owner says that some milder-flavored products, which don't sell well in S. Korea, are popular among Japanese and American customers. "We've tailored our selection to include the most popular products. Additionally, we have Muslim customers who often seek vegan options, so we've made sure to include those as well." According to the Korean food ministry, ramyeon exports, reached a record of over 1 billion U.S. dollars, or around 1-point-5 trillion Korean won, by October 2024, marking a 30-percent increase from 2023. "Before heading back to Japan today, I stopped by because it looked interesting. Seeing this ramyeon, which isn't available in Japan, made me wish I could have it there too." As Korean ramyeon gains popularity, visiting self-service ramyeon shops to cook and enjoy instant noodles on the spot has become a must-do activity for foreign visitors to Korea. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

SEVENTEEN ranks third in Global Artist Chart 2024 by IFPI

2025/02/19 20:00

K-pop boy bands remain popular all around the world. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry on Wednesday, SEVENTEEN was ranked third in its Global Artist Chart 2024, following Taylor Swift and Drake. Stray Kids and ENHYPEN were fifth and 14th respectively. The Industry publishes its Global Artist ranking based on sales across streaming, downloads, and physical albums and shows each year's recorded music industry trend.

From 24-hour self-service ramyeon shops to unique stores: S. Korea’s evolving ramyeon scene for foreign tourists

2025/02/19 17:00

Korea's ramyeon has been garnering quite a big following on the global stage with a growing number of travelers to the country starting their travel agenda here with a trip to popular ramyeon hotspots. Our Lee Eun-hee takes a look. Visitors from around the world have flocked to this unique spot: a 24-hour, self-service ramyeon, or South Korean instant noodles shop located in the heart of Seoul, Jongno-gu district. This ramyeon shop offers foreign visitors over 60 varieties of instant noodles to enjoy anytime, with options for all tastes, including mild, spicy, vegan, and Halal. "Cooking instructions and safety guidelines are available in multiple languages, ensuring easy access for everyone. The preparation methods vary for different types of ramyeon, with special Halal-only options also provided." "We often see tourists coming straight from the airport. Since unmanned stores are not common in many countries, people are usually surprised by our setup. Many also ask if the payment system works properly." Another unique ramyeon spot is 'Neoguri's Ramyeon Shop,' which opened in January and serves ramyeon made by Nongshim, one of South Korea's leading food companies. A second store opened at the Hyundai Outlet Dongdaemun, located in central Seoul, following the success of the first store, which sold an average of 12-thousand bowls per month between September and November last year. "I came here because I had this ramyeon in Japan before. The soup was smooth and very delicious." "It was attractive that I could choose and eat ramyeon freely, and the ramyeon I ate was also very delicious." The ramyeon store's owner says that some milder-flavored products, which don't sell well in S. Korea, are popular among Japanese and American customers. "We've tailored our selection to include the most popular products. Additionally, we have Muslim customers who often seek vegan options, so we've made sure to include those as well." According to the Korean food ministry, ramyeon exports reached a record of over 1 billion U.S. dollars, or around 1-point-5 trillion Korean won, by October 2024, marking a 30-percent increase from 2023. "Before heading back to Japan today, I stopped by because it looked interesting. Seeing this ramyeon, which isn't available in Japan, made me wish I could have it there too." As Korean ramyeon gains popularity, visiting self-service ramyeon shops to cook and enjoy instant noodles on the spot has become a must-do activity for foreign visitors to Korea. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/19 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. A newly renovated space dedicated to the history of Goguryeo has opened at the National Museum of Korea. Once a dominant power in ancient East Asia, Goguryeo thrived with a distinct and vibrant culture. The museum has revamped its Prehistoric and Ancient History Hall, doubling the size of the Goguryeo Room and its collection of artifacts, also incorporating the latest research findings. The permanent exhibition also features updated sections on various ancient eras, along with a newly created learning space for children. Why not embark on a journey through the world of Goguryeo, surrounded by over 1,800 artifacts? Inspire Arena, Korea's first multipurpose indoor performance venue, marked its first anniversary. The arena attracted 500,000 visitors in its debut year and aims to surpass 700,000 this year through enhanced accessibility. Since hosting the Melon Music Awards in 2023, the venue has staged 36 events, featuring K-pop artists and global superstars like Maroon 5 and Linkin Park. Thanks to its prime location near Incheon International Airport, foreign visitors accounted for 60% of total attendance. Last year's ticket sales revenue is estimated at 40 billion won, or roughly 28 million U.S. dollars. The number of Netflix app users in Korea reached a record high last month. According to market tracker WiseApp Retail, Netflix logged over 14.1 million monthly users in January, shattering its own previous record. Coupang Play, TVING, Wavve, and Disney+ followed in that order. The surge in users comes as Netflix's latest Korean originals, "Squid Game" Season 2 and "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call," fueled renewed interest. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-enter] BTS' J-Hope donates 200 mil. KRW to Asan Medical Center in Seoul

2025/02/19 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. Walter, we are starting off with a donation from a BTS member. On Tuesday, Seoul Asan Medical Center announced that BTS member J-Hope has donated 200 million Korean won, roughly 138,000 U.S. dollars, to support the development of the children's hospital at the medical center. This donation was made in celebration of his birthday on February 18. This is not the first time that J-Hope has contributed to the medical center as he also donated 100 million won, just over 69,000 dollars, to the center in 2022. But overall with this latest donation, J-Hope’s officially known total personal donations have now surpassed 1.2 billion won, just over 832,000 dollars. Meanwhile fans can look forward to his return to music coming in March. Soa, why do you think many stars like to make donations on their birthdays? Moving onto some girl group news now, who are we talking about? Girl group ILLIT's debut song "Magnetic" has reached 200 million views on YouTube as of Monday according to their agency, BELIFT LAB. "Magnetic" comes from their debut album "Super Real Me" and was released in March 2024. It is a dance song that blends R&B and house genres, using the word "magnet" as a metaphor for the feeling of rushing toward someone you love. "Magnetic" topped domestic music charts and gained significant popularity overseas, including in the U.S. and the U.K. Yes and since their debut song was in March 2024, their 1 year anniversary must be coming up as well, so what a way to celebrate early. Now staying on the topic of girl groups and debuts lets talk about one group that have made their music video debut recently. Starship Entertainment, the agency of popular girl group IVE, has introduced a new five-member girl group by the name of "KiiiKiii" . On Sunday, Starship Entertainment released the music video for KiiiKiii’s pre-debut track "I DO ME". The girl group is set to make their official debut on March 24 with the release of their first album. "I DO ME" is a pop dance song that expresses the determination to trust one’s instincts and live confidently. This marks Starship Entertainment's first girl group debut since IVE in 2021. With IVE's popularity, I’m sure KiiiKiii will do just as well. Lastly, some K-film news. The movie "Streaming", starring Kang Ha-neul has posted a release date of March 21. "Streaming" is a thriller film about Woo-sang , a popular true crime online streamer, who discovers a clue to an unsolved serial murder case and broadcasts his pursuit of the culprit in real time. Actor Kang has gained popularity through films such as "Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet," "Midnight Runners," and "Love Reset" as well as dramas like "The Heirs" and "Misaeng: Incomplete Life." Recently, he also appeared in "Squid Game" season 2 on Netflix. And we cannot leave out the drama "When the Camellia Blooms". Looking forward to his new role. Thanks for the K-enter news Walter. Don't go anywhere. And now we go to our AI anchor Ari for other culture-related news.

From 24-hour self-service ramyeon shops to unique stores: S. Korea’s evolving ramyeon scene for foreign tourists

2025/02/19 14:00

Eun-hee, South Korean instant noodles, or ramyeon, continue to grow in popularity around the world, and local markets are evolving in unique ways. Can you tell us what you've seen? Yes Soa. I've noticed that special ramyeon shops are becoming more popular and are even considered must-visit spots for foreign tourists. I visited a few places to check them out, so let's take a look and see what attracts these global customers. Visitors from around the world have flocked to this unique spot: a 24-hour, self-service ramyeon, or S. Korean instant noodles shop located in the heart of Seoul, Jongno-gu district. This ramyeon shop offers foreign visitors over 60 varieties of instant noodles to enjoy anytime, with options for all tastes, including mild, spicy, vegan, and Halal. "Cooking instructions and safety guidelines are available in multiple languages, ensuring easy access for everyone. The preparation methods vary for different types of ramyeon, with special Halal-only options also provided." "We often see tourists coming straight from the airport. Since unmanned stores are not common in many countries, people are usually surprised by our setup. Many also ask if the payment system works properly." Another unique ramyeon spot is 'Neoguri's Ramyeon Shop,' which opened in January and serves ramyeon made by Nongshim, one of South Korea's leading food companies. A second store opened at the Hyundai Outlet Dongdaemun, located in central Seoul, following the success of the first store, which sold an average of 12-thousand bowls per month between September and November last year. "I came here because I had this ramyeon in Japan before. The soup was smooth and very delicious." "It was attractive that I could choose and eat ramyeon freely, and the ramyeon I ate was also very delicious." The ramyeon store's owner says that some milder-flavored products, which don't sell well in S. Korea, are popular among Japanese and American customers. "We've tailored our selection to include the most popular products. Additionally, we have Muslim customers who often seek vegan options, so we've made sure to include those as well." According to the Korean food ministry, ramyeon exports, reached a record of over 1 billion U.S. dollars, or around 1-point-5 trillion Korean won, by October 2024, marking a 30-percent increase from 2023. "Before heading back to Japan today, I stopped by because it looked interesting. Seeing this ramyeon, which isn’t available in Japan, made me wish I could have it there too." As Korean ramyeon gains popularity, visiting self-service ramyeon shops to cook and enjoy instant noodles on the spot has become a must-do activity for foreign visitors to Korea. This is something new to me. I have only tried ramyeon with these ramyeon making machines at a park along the Hangang River before. Same here. What would you say is the driving source behind this growing popularity of Korean instant noodles? So, I talked to Professor Lee Eun-hee, an expert in consumer science about the uniqueness of Korean instant noodles. She said Korean ramyeon has a distinct flavor -spicy, and savory and full of flavor. But also one driving force is social media, where images of famous K-pop idols like BTS eating ramyeon go viral, or foreign tourists watching scenes from Korean dramas and movies where ramyeon is enjoyed, sparking a desire to try it themselves. Not only is it delicious, but the reasonable price also makes it accessible. I love ramyeon too. Are there any other ways to enjoy ramyeon in Korea? Yes of course. As you guys mentioned, there is something called 'Hangang ramyeon' which is already viral among foreign visitors. Let me expand on that a bit. It is when you buy those instant noodles from a convenience store at one of the Hangang River parks and cook them there, which is a truly unique experience in South Korea. I've heard enjoying the beautiful river view while eating a hot bowl of ramyeon is an unforgettable experience and it tastes even better. It's a perfect way to relax and enjoy nature, especially in a busy city like Seoul, so I highly recommend that anyone visiting South Korea give it a try. Yeouido Hangang Park is the biggest and one of the most popular picnic spots, alongside Banpo Hangang Park and Ttukseom Hangang Park. However, there are many other riverside parks in Seoul where people can enjoy a pleasant outing with friends and family. A bowl of 'Hangang Ramyeon' won't cost you more than 5 U.S. dollars. It's been a while since I've had a picnic by the Hangang River. Maybe I should sometime soon. Yes, for sure. Maybe we could all go together. Yes, make sure to invite me too. Of course Walter. Thank you Eun-hee for sharing.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/18 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. A diverse array of masterpieces will be up for sale on the domestic art auction market this week. Seoul Auction will present a rare, near-complete woodblock map of Korea created in 1861 by the renowned cartographer Kim Jeong-ho. This unpublished work, part of the original 'Daedong Yeojido,' or the Great Map of Korea, holds immense historical value. Other highlights include Paik Nam-June's 1974 robotic piece 'Hacker Newbie,' and iconic paintings by Kim Eun-ho and Lee In-seong. Meanwhile, K Auction will feature Pierre-Auguste Renoir's 1905 'Still Life with Strawberries,' and a work by British abstract artist Frank Bowling, offered for the first time in a major domestic auction. Writer Ye So-yeon has won the grand prize at the 48th Yi Sang Literary Award for her short story, "The Dog and the Revolution." Established in 1977 to honor the literary legacy of writer-poet Yi Sang, the Yi Sang Literary Award is widely regarded as Korea's most prestigious prize for short and mid-length fiction. The Dog and the Revolution follows the unique journey of Tae-su, a father from the 1980s student movement generation, and his daughter Su-min, a feminist of the 2020s, as they unite in an unexpected way. The judging panel hailed the story as "a revolutionary work that transcends ideology" and "a truly groundbreaking narrative of inclusion." Total ticket sales for Korea's performing arts market surpassed 1.4 trillion won, or roughly 970 million U.S. dollars last year. According to the culture ministry's latest report, total sales reached 1.45 trillion won, up 14.5% from 2023. The number of performances grew by 6%, exceeding 21,600. Among the genres, pop music saw the most significant growth, with ticket sales increasing by over 31% year-on-year. The report, however, found that the market remains heavily concentrated in the capital region. Based on these findings, the ministry plans to continue efforts to promote regional performances. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-enter] BLACKPINK Jisoo's successful release of 'AMORTAGE' sweeping global music charts

2025/02/18 14:00

Time for our K-enter news with Walter Lee. Starting with a female K-pop star, some sweet achievements since her musical return on Valentine's Day last week? Jisoo from BlackPink has been the talk of the town for weeks here on the Kulture Wave, as February was expected to be a major month for her. Last Friday, she dropped her highly anticipated mini-album AMORTAGE, featuring the track "earthquake", along with songs like "Your Love," "TEARS," and "Hugs & Kisses." The album has been making waves globally, dominating music platforms over the weekend. Upon release, AMORTAGE quickly soared to the top of album charts around the world, including the iTunes rankings in more than 39 countries. On Spotify, it amassed over 5 million streams on its first day, securing a spot for "earthquake" on the Spotify Global Chart. In terms of album sales, AMORTAGE debuted at No. 1 on the Hanteo Chart and set a new record for the highest first-day sales by a solo artist in Korea this year. She is the final member of BlackPink to release her solo music within this past year, NOW we wait until we see all four of them reunite again in the latter half of the year. Next up, we have a fan meeting to talk about, who is holding the event? Super star boy group SEVENTEEN will host the "2025 SVT 9TH Fan Meeting SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND" on March 20 and March 21 at the Incheon Munhak Stadium, giving their fan group "Carat" a chance to meet their idols. Last year, SEVENTEEN’s fan meeting drew a total of 1.5 million attendees both online and offline. Considering the vast size of their fandom, this year’s event will take place in a large stadium. Online live streaming will also be available. In April, SEVENTEEN will head to Mexico to perform at Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025, the largest music festival in the Latin American region. They will be the first K-pop artists to ever participate in the festival. It’s great to see K-pop groups breaking into new music festivals around the world. It just proves that the genre is still expanding and not slowing down. And lastly some K-movie news Walter. If you are a fan of the "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" web-novel then I am sure you have been eagerly awaiting the movie adaptation. The live-action adaptation, which seems to be titled "Omniscient Reader: The Prophet", directed by Kim Byung-woo , has confirmed its July release but with no official date as of yet. The story follows Kim Dok-Ja played by Ahn Hyo-Seop , an ordinary man who unexpectedly finds himself transported into the fantasy world of a novel he was reading. It sort of reminds me of the movie "The NeverEnding Story". It has the highest production budget of all the Korean films scheduled for theatrical release in 2025, estimated at 30 billion Korean won, roughly 20 million US dollars. The star-studded cast, also includes Lee Min-ho , Nana, and guess who? Jisoo. Starting with Jisoo and ending with Jisoo. Thanks for all the K-enter news today Walter. Thank you Soa.