News

[K-Enter] Jung Woo-sung reportedly registers marriage with long-term partner

2025/08/05 15:37

Starting off with interesting news on actor Jung Woo-sung. According to local news outlet MyDaily, actor Jung Woo-sung has registered his marriage to his long-time non-celebrity partner. Jung Woo-sung faced public scrutiny last year after it was revealed that the actor had a child out of wedlock with model Moon Ga-bi , also announcing that he does not have plans to marry Moon. During the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Jung publicly addressed the matter, saying, "I deeply apologise for the concern and disappointment caused to those who have supported and believed in me." Jung Woo-sung has made no statement on this current matter, and his agency, Artist Company, said on Tuesday "We kindly ask for restraint regarding excessive attention and speculation about his personal affairs." Next up, an update on a story we covered recently on BoA. Celebrating 25 years since her debut, "Queen of K-pop" BoA released her 11th full-length album "Crazier" on Monday. BoA's agency SM Entertainment described the album as "a meaningful project commemorating BoA's 25th anniversary," calling it "a reflection of her musical journey and a bridge that connects the emotions and stories shared with her longtime fans, 'Jumping BoA.'" The album includes 11 tracks, featuring the title song "Crazier" as well as "Clockwise," a special fan song dedicated to those who have supported her throughout her career. Reflecting on her milestone, BoA shared, "It doesn't feel drastically different, but there are moments when I think, 'Wow, has it really been 25 years?'" She added, "This is my first studio album in five years since "Better," and I wanted to try different things to show fans new sides of me and a wider range of vocal tones. I really hope they like it." Let's end off with a release of another album. and I have to say, for this one, the music video has been making quite the headlines? Singer 10CM has unveiled the music video for his fifth studio album "5.0", featuring a distinctive and creative concept. The 47 minute video seamlessly connects all 12 tracks from the album, including the double title songs " / CDEFG" which translates to "Love has six strings" and "Monday Is Coming," into one continuous visual narrative. Aiming to create what he calls "convenience store-style music," 10CM envisioned a playlist that's easy to access and enjoy anytime, much like a 24-hour convenience store. 10CM is also set to hold a solo concert titled "5.0" in Seoul on August 9. I have to say I love the idea, especially in a world where everything is becoming shorter and shorter, Thanks for that news Walter. Now let's move over to our AI anchor Ari for more on the culture front. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/08/05 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korean media art exhibition, "The Heritage Garden– Threads of Connection," has won the Red Dot Design Award in the Brands & Communication Design category. Co-produced by the Korea Heritage Agency and media art company d'strict, the exhibition brings Korea's cultural legacy, such as the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace, 경복궁, to life through immersive 3D visuals. Showcased in Gangneung, Jeju, and Las Vegas last year, the show has drawn wide acclaim for vividly presenting the unique beauty and significance of Korean traditional heritage. The Red Dot Design Award is considered one of the world's top three design competitions. YouTube's most-watched video, Pinkfong's Baby Shark, has made history once again, becoming the first Korean music content to earn a 5X Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry. The milestone means the song has been streamed or downloaded more than three million times in the UK, five times the threshold for Platinum level. The Pinkfong Company says it will continue to expand the global reach of Korean content through musical and cultural innovation. The Busan International Comedy Festival, Asia's largest global comedy event, is set to be held from August 29 to September 7 in the southern city. This year's festival promises a dynamic mix of Korea's top comedians, trending content creators, and comedic artists from around the world, showcasing a rich lineup of performances that go beyond language and borders. Kicking off with a grand opening ceremony at BEXCO, the festival will feature beloved Korean acts like "Gag Concert," alongside stand-up comedy, musical comedy shows, and international highlights such as "The Ultimate Japanese Comedy Show." That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

KPop Demon Hunters' OST climbs to No. 2 on Billboard 200, TXT scores another top 10 hit

2025/08/04 22:39

The official soundtrack for "KPop Demon Hunters" has reached the number two spot on the U.S. Billboard 200. On Sunday local time, the OST of Netflix's original animated film marked its highest record yet, now in its sixth week on the chart. Since debuting at number eight in June, the album has consistently stayed in the top five. Meanwhile, K-pop boy band Tomorrow by Together, known as TXT, has debuted at number three on the same chart with their fourth studio album, "The Name Chapter: Together." This marks the group's seventh time landing a Top 10 spot on the chart.

KPop Demon Hunters' OST climbs to No.2 on Billboard 200, TXT scores another top 10 hit

2025/08/04 19:39

The official soundtrack for "KPop Demon Hunters" has hit number two on the U.S. Billboard 200. Since debuting at number eight back in June the album has consistently stayed within the top five. Meanwhile K-pop boy band Tomorrow by Together debuted at number three on the same chart with its fourth studio album "The Name Chapter: Together." This marks the group's seventh time landing within the top ten on the chart.

[K-Enter] KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” Ranks No. 1 in the UK

2025/08/04 16:37

Starting off with some news on "Kpop Demon Hunters." The original soundtrack "Golden" from the Netflix animation "KPop Demon Hunters" has soared to No. 1 on the UK's Official Singles Chart Top 100. According to the latest chart released on Friday, local time, "Golden" climbed three spots from the previous week to reach the top position in its sixth week on the chart. A spokesperson for the charts said, "With Huntr/x's "Golden" becoming the first K-pop track to hit No. 1 in 13 years, Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" has become a true phenomenon dominating this week's Official Chart." The last time a K-pop artist topped the UK chart was in 2012, when PSY made history with "Gangnam Style". Meanwhile, the "KPop Demon Hunters" original soundtrack has tied its highest placement yet on the U.S. Billboard 200, reaching No. 2. Now let's move onto Jin from BTS! BTS member Jin successfully completed his solo fan concert tour in the United States, which came to a close last Thursday. The tour began on July 17 in Anaheim and saw him play eight shows in four cities to a total of around 90,000 fans. At Anaheim's Honda Center, Jin attracted the largest audience ever for a Korean artist at the venue. The LA Times praised his performance, calling it "a masterclass in fan interaction." Up next, Jin will kick off his European tour at London's O2 Arena on August 5 and 6. He will be the first Korean solo artist to headline at this iconic venue. Good luck on his next run of concerts! We started off today with an animation, let's end off with one. The K-animation "The King of Kings", has officially surpassed 1 million admissions in Korean cinemas as of Sunday, its 19th day in movie theatres. With this milestone, the film has overtaken "Attack on Titan : The Last Attack" to become the top-grossing animated film of 2025 so far. It also marks the first animated release of the year to cross the one-million-viewer threshold. Furthermore, it now ranks domestically as the fourth highest-grossing Korean animated film in history, following "Leafie, A Hen into the Wild", "Heartsping: Teenieping of Love", and "Speckles: The Tarbosaurus 3D". Thanks for that news Walter. Now we move to Ari our AI anchor for more culture news. Ari.

K-wave AI News

2025/08/04 16:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Nearly 700,000 people visited the National Museum of Korea last month alone. The total number of visitors so far this year stands at over 3.4 million, nearly double the figure from last year. The museum attributed the surge to the peak summer holiday season, coupled with the growing popularity of K-content, including the sensational Netflix original "KPop Demon Hunters." Newly appointed Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young visited the museum on Sunday, highlighting that the museum serves as a foundation for sustaining the K-culture boom. He also pledged full support to ensure Korea's traditional heritage drives growth toward the ministry's 300 trillion-won K-culture market goal. A historic fortress built to defend Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, is now vying for UNESCO World Heritage status. The Korea Heritage Service has selected the "Capital Fortress of Hanyang" as Korea's official candidate for inscription. The site consists of multiple historic fortresses that boast a history spanning over 600 years. The administration plans to make a formal application in January next year, with a final decision expected at the 49th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2027. Son Heung-min received a hero's send-off on Sunday, after he played his farewell match for Tottenham Hotspur at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The preseason friendly against Newcastle United, part of the Coupang Play Series, ended in a 1-1 draw, but the spotlight was firmly on Son, who confirmed a day earlier that he would be leaving Spurs this summer after 10 seasons with the club. He bid a tearful farewell to more than 60,000 Korean fans who filled the stadium in the white of Tottenham Hotspur. It's not yet confirmed where Son will play next. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] From 'Exhuma' to 'KPop Demon Hunters': The era of K-shamanism

2025/08/04 16:35

The Netflix original animation "KPop Demon Hunters" is continuing to make headlines, It has become popular worldwide with its abundance of K-culture a strong narrative, and of course its soundtrack. But here's another factor the supernatural powers or practices shown in the movie are sparking growing interest in Korean shamanism. Our Choi Soo-hyung takes a look at how shamanism has become a key part of new K-content. Set in South Korea, "KPop Demon Hunters" follows a popular girl group that protects the human world from evil spirits, while uncovering a boy group of grim reapers, known as "Jeoseung Saja." The Netflix original animation has become the most-viewed original animated movie ever, with its soundtrack also topping the Billboard single charts. Last year, the Korean film "Exhuma" drew an audience of over 10 million at home, and became a hit in Asia and North America, fueled by themes such as feng shui and shamanic rituals. Today, one of the hottest themes in K-content is K-shamanism or K-musok in Korean a traditional belief system incorporating rituals, divination, and faith in spirits and deities. With a thousand years of history, Korean shamanism is a folk tradition where shamans or mudang guide people by praying for good fortune and driving away misfortune. "Shamanism exists in many parts of the world. But in Korea, it is unique because of the strong role of mudang. Their traditional music, costumes and performances have deeply influenced Korean folk arts, giving Korean shamanism a distinct cultural and artistic character." Unlike the Western view that defines the human world as good and the spirit world as evil, Korean shamanism sees shamans as mediators between the two, a belief that gives K-musok its unique power. "Western occult stories focus on exorcists, while 'KPop Demon Hunters' shows a more Eastern view. Rumi, a half hunter-spirit, and Jinu, a grim reaper, reveal human qualities, moving beyond the simple divide of good and evil. Even Hollywood now borrows from Asian values, avoiding absolute dualism, showing how Eastern philosophy is shaping occult content." Korean shamanism's power as occult content comes from its cultural freshness rather than religion. "Korea is not tied to a single religion, allowing shamanism to keep its own identity alongside others. Unlike Japan, where cultural images were long ago exhausted by Japonism, Korea's shamanism remains fresh, offering untapped images that enrich today's content." K-musok content is diversifying and becoming a key icon of K-culture with growing potential. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

From 'Exhuma' to 'KPop Demon Hunters': The era of K-shamanism

2025/08/04 11:35

The Netflix original animation "K-pop Demon Hunters" has become popular both in Korea and overseas, sparking growing interest in Korean shamanism. Our Choi Soo-hyung takes a closer look at why it's so popular and how shamanism has become a key part of new K-content. Set in South Korea, "KPop Demon Hunters" follows a popular girl group that protects the human world from evil spirits, while uncovering a boy group of grim reapers, known as "Jeoseung Saja." The Netflix original animation has become the most-viewed original animated movie ever, with its soundtrack also topping the Billboard single charts. Last year, the Korean film "Exhuma" drew an audience of over 10 million at home, and became a hit in Asia and North America, fueled by themes such as feng shui and shamanic rituals. Today, one of the hottest themes in K-content is K-shamanism ---or K-musok in Korean ---a traditional belief system incorporating rituals, divination, and faith in spirits and deities. With a thousand years of history, Korean shamanism is a folk tradition where shamans ---or mudang ---guide people by praying for good fortune and driving away misfortune. "Shamanism exists in many parts of the world. But in Korea, it is unique because of the strong role of mudang. Their traditional music, costumes and performances have deeply influenced Korean folk arts, giving Korean shamanism a distinct cultural and artistic character." Unlike the Western view that defines the human world as good and the spirit world as evil, Korean shamanism sees shamans as mediators between the two, a belief that gives K-musok its unique power. "Western occult stories focus on exorcists, while 'KPop Demon Hunters' shows a more Eastern view. Rumi, a half hunter-spirit, and Jinu, a grim reaper, reveal human qualities, moving beyond the simple divide of good and evil. Even Hollywood now borrows from Asian values, avoiding absolute dualism, showing how Eastern philosophy is shaping occult content." Korean shamanism's power as occult content comes from its cultural freshness rather than religion. "Korea is not tied to a single religion, allowing shamanism to keep its own identity alongside others. Unlike Japan, where cultural images were long ago exhausted by Japonism, Korea's shamanism remains fresh, offering untapped images that enrich today's content." K-musok content is diversifying and becoming a key icon of K-culture with growing potential. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Arts & Culture] From 'Exhuma' to 'KPop Demon Hunters': The era of K-shamanism

2025/08/01 22:45

It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture. We have our culture correspondent Choi Soo-hyung in the studio. Welcome Soo-hyung! Happy to be here, Dami. So, Soo-hyung, what do you have for us today? Yes, Dami. Currently, Korean shamanism is becoming a key part in K-content and you can see this in many works such as the Netflix original animation "KPop Demon Hunters," or "Exhuma" from last year. It is also growing a huge interest in Korean shamanism, so I took a closer look at why it's so popular, and how shamanism has become a main part of new K-content. Set in South Korea, "KPop Demon Hunters" follows a popular girl group that protects the human world from evil spirits, while uncovering a boy group of grim reapers, known as "Jeoseung Saja." The Netflix original animation has become the most-viewed original animated movie ever, with its soundtrack also topping the Billboard single charts. Last year, the Korean film "Exhuma" drew an audience of over 10 million at home, and became a hit in Asia and North America, fueled by themes such as feng shui and shamanic rituals. Today, one of the hottest themes in K-content is K-shamanism ---or K-musok in Korean ---a traditional belief system incorporating rituals, divination, and faith in spirits and deities. With a thousand years of history, Korean shamanism is a folk tradition where shamans ---or mudang ---guide people by praying for good fortune and driving away misfortune. "Shamanism exists in many parts of the world. But in Korea, it is unique because of the strong role of mudang. Their traditional music, costumes and performances have deeply influenced Korean folk arts, giving Korean shamanism a distinct cultural and artistic character." Unlike the Western view that defines the human world as good and the spirit world as evil, Korean shamanism sees shamans as mediators between the two, a belief that gives K-musok its unique power. "Western occult stories focus on exorcists, while 'KPop Demon Hunters' shows a more Eastern view. Rumi, a half hunter-spirit, and Jinu, a grim reaper, reveal human qualities, moving beyond the simple divide of good and evil. Even Hollywood now borrows from Asian values, avoiding absolute dualism, showing how Eastern philosophy is shaping occult content." Korean shamanism's power as occult content comes from its cultural freshness rather than religion. "Korea is not tied to a single religion, allowing shamanism to keep its own identity alongside others. Unlike Japan, where cultural images were long ago exhausted by Japonism, Korea's shamanism remains fresh, offering untapped images that enrich today's content." K-musok content is diversifying and becoming a key icon of K-culture with growing potential. Wow, Soo-hyung, that seems really fascinating. Then, could you tell us more about Korean shamanism in detail? Of course, Dami. Korean shamanism is a traditional folk belief where shamans, or mudang, mediate between spirits and humans. Tracing back to ancient rituals honoring heavenly gods by leaders it is considered a national faith that honors nature, spirits, local deities, and ancestors, leaving a strong cultural legacy. As Professor Kim mentioned earlier, in Western society, ghosts are often seen as evil beings that must be driven out of the human world. But in Korean shamanism, shaped by the sentiment of "Han," a feeling of resentment and sorrow shamans comfort spirits, ease their pain, and guide them peacefully to the heavens, acting as a bridge between people and the divine. As seen in the film "Exhuma," the colorful and dynamic "Gut" ritual ceremony with loud music, dancing, and even knife performances is one of the most important cultural traditions of Korean shamanism, offering spirits a joyful send-off. Right. And, just as Korean shamanism has become a key part of K-content, are there efforts to discover and develop other forms of K-content as well? Yes, Shamanism-themed content is also being produced nonstop in South Korea, from webtoons and variety shows to dramas. Experts say the success of shamanic content is not just about shamanism itself. They point to Korea's positive global image, strong national brand, unique traditions, democracy, creative storytelling, and competitive cultural industry as factors that all work together. He added that as long as we keep embracing diversity and creating fan-centered content, it will continue, but we must keep exploring what makes Korea unique. He said that to keep Korean culture fresh, more diverse K-content is needed content that carries a Korean touch while appealing to global tastes. Alright Soo-hyung, thank you for sharing your story. My pleasure.

Painting the summer night in light: Seoul Light DDP 2025 Summer begins

2025/08/01 22:43

Located in the heart of Seoul, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, DDP, is well-known for an iconic light festival which has dazzled fall and winter nights for years. Now the festival is lighting up summer for the very first time. Park Hyo-been takes us there. As night falls in summer, the curving aluminum surface of Dongdaemun Design Plaza bursts into color, shimmering with wave after wave of vivid digital light. "This is the first time media art is being showcased here at Dongdaemun Design Plaza during summer. Amid the tropical nights, it's the perfect place to cool off and enjoy art." The first summer edition of Seoul Light DDP expands beyond the iconic structure, turning the surrounding park and the historic Seoul City Wall, a defensive wall built during the Joseon Dynasty, into a stage for immersive storytelling. Cascading visuals resembling waterfalls flow over ancient stone, while nearly 200 droplet-shaped LED sculptures change color, creating a vibrant rhythm with the night. The central theme, Textures of Light, unfolds across multiple zones. Visitors are invited to walk along the city's fortress wall and encounter projections, laser shows, and kinetic installations along the way. "It's a lot of fun. I like the music. It's loud, it's exciting." Artists from around the world also joined the summer edition of Seoul Light DDP. Through pulsing lights and sound, a Polish art team transforms invisible algorithms into an experience that feels like a peek into the future. "The installation you see behind me is called 'Flux', it's done by art studio that's called Ksawery Komputery. We're from Poland. We're grateful to be here. Thank you for inviting us to Korea. It's always nice to be here." One of the standout moments from the opening ceremony is a hanbok fashion show, where traditional Korean garments are reimagined through light. The fashion show blends tradition with innovation, as models in contemporary hanbok walk through radiant displays of media art. Since 2019, Seoul Light DDP has attracted over a million visitors annually and earned global acclaim, most recently sweeping the top three international design awards. The summer edition runs nightly from 8 to 10 PM through August 10th. As the city swelters, this luminous escape offers a breath of visual cool. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I & II: A century of art unfolds

2025/08/01 22:41

A rare opportunity to explore 100 years of Korean art. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is now showcasing two exhibitions that show the nation's artistic journey from the early 1900s to the 1990s. Byeon Ye-young tells us more. 100 years of modern and contemporary Korean art ---now in one place. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon is offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art in an exhibition so large that the museum has separated it into two parts: Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I and II. Part I covers the early 20th century, a period marked by Korea's rapid modernization, colonial occupation, and national division. Part II picks up after the Korean War and traces the evolution of Korean art through postwar reconstruction, industrialization, and democratization. Togther, they feature more than 250 key works by over 100 artists, offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art. Visitors say the opportunity to view both exhibitions together is a rewarding experience. "I've been waiting for Part 2 because I love modern and contemporary art. I actually saw Part I of the exhibition before, and I really liked how it was divided by time period. It made things easy to follow. Personally, I love the transition from figurative to abstract art during this era, so it was great to see works by artists like Yoo Young-kuk and Lee Ung-no all in one place." Both exhibitions have sections called "The Artists' Rooms," dedicated to showcasing works by renowned artists such as Kim Whanki and Yun Hyong-keun. Another highlight is a section that re-examines underrecognized figures. "This section focuses on female modernist artists. These women weren't tied to major art groups or ideologies, but rather, they explored their own unique styles. Their works add a rich new layer to the male-dominated history of Korean abstract art." The exhibition closes with the debut of Sternbau No. 23 (2009), a major installation by contemporary artist Lee Bul. Suspended in air with steel, mirror, and film components, the futuristic piece explores themes of technology, the human body, and utopia. "There's growing interest in Korean culture both at home and abroad, but not many chances to explore the history of Korean art. We hope this exhibition gives visitors a clear, step-by-step look at how Korean art has evolved over the past century." By presenting Parts I and II side by side, MMCA Gwacheon allows visitors to follow a full arc of Korea's modern artistic transformation, from the days of colonization to modern global expression. The museum says it plans to keep the dual exhibitions running for at least two years. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Painting the summer night in light: Seoul Light DDP 2025 Summer begins

2025/08/01 19:41

Also here in Seoul. The city's renowned light show is illuminating its summer nights for the very first time and will continue to do so until next Sunday that is August 10th. Park Hyo-been has a glimpse. As night falls in summer, the curving aluminum surface of Dongdaemun Design Plaza bursts into color, shimmering with wave after wave of vivid digital light. "This is the first time media art is being showcased here at Dongdaemun Design Plaza during summer. Amid the tropical nights, it's the perfect place to cool off and enjoy art." The first summer edition of Seoul Light DDP expands beyond the iconic structure, turning the surrounding park and the historic Seoul City Wall, a defensive wall built during the Joseon Dynasty, into a stage for immersive storytelling. Cascading visuals resembling waterfalls flow over ancient stone, while nearly 200 droplet-shaped LED sculptures change color, creating a vibrant rhythm with the night. The central theme, Textures of Light, unfolds across multiple zones. Visitors are invited to walk along the city's fortress wall and encounter projections, laser shows, and kinetic installations along the way. "It's a lot of fun. I like the music. It's loud, it's exciting." Artists from around the world also joined the summer edition of Seoul Light DDP. Through pulsing lights and sound, a Polish art team transforms invisible algorithms into an experience that feels like a peek into the future. "The installation you see behind me is called 'Flux', it's done by art studio that's called Ksawery Komputery. We're from Poland. We're grateful to be here. Thank you for inviting us to Korea. It's always nice to be here." One of the standout moments from the opening ceremony is a hanbok fashion show, where traditional Korean garments are reimagined through light. The fashion show blends tradition with innovation, as models in contemporary hanbok walk through radiant displays of media art. Since 2019, Seoul Light DDP has attracted over a million visitors annually and earned global acclaim, most recently sweeping the top three international design awards. The summer edition runs nightly from 8 to 10 PM through August 10th. As the city swelters, this luminous escape offers a breath of visual cool. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I & II: A century of art unfolds

2025/08/01 19:40

On the cultural front. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is offering those interested the chance to indulge in a hundred years of Korean art starting from the early 1900s. Our Byeon Ye-young was there. 100 years of modern and contemporary Korean art now in one place. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon is offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art in an exhibition so large that the museum has separated it into two parts: Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I and II. Part I covers the early 20th century, a period marked by Korea's rapid modernization, colonial occupation, and national division. Part II picks up after the Korean War and traces the evolution of Korean art through postwar reconstruction, industrialization, and democratization. Togther, they feature more than 250 key works by over 100 artists, offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art. Visitors say the opportunity to view both exhibitions together is a rewarding experience. "I've been waiting for Part 2 because I love modern and contemporary art. I actually saw Part I of the exhibition before, and I really liked how it was divided by time period. It made things easy to follow. Personally, I love the transition from figurative to abstract art during this era, so it was great to see works by artists like Yoo Young-kuk and Lee Ung-no all in one place." Both exhibitions have sections called "The Artists' Rooms," dedicated to showcasing works by renowned artists such as Kim Whanki and Yun Hyong-keun. Another highlight is a section that re-examines underrecognized figures. "This section focuses on female modernist artists. These women weren't tied to major art groups or ideologies, but rather, they explored their own unique styles. Their works add a rich new layer to the male-dominated history of Korean abstract art." The exhibition closes with the debut of Sternbau No. 23 (2009), a major installation by contemporary artist Lee Bul. Suspended in air with steel, mirror, and film components, the futuristic piece explores themes of technology, the human body, and utopia. "There's growing interest in Korean culture both at home and abroad, but not many chances to explore the history of Korean art. We hope this exhibition gives visitors a clear, step-by-step look at how Korean art has evolved over the past century." By presenting Parts I and II side by side, MMCA Gwacheon allows visitors to follow a full arc of Korea's modern artistic transformation, from the days of colonization to modern global expression. The museum says it plans to keep the dual exhibitions running for at least two years. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

From 'Exhuma' to 'KPop Demon Hunters': The era of K-shamanism

2025/08/01 19:39

Korean shamanism is expanding its presence on screens big and small through animations and movies amid growing interest in its practice and more. My colleague Choi Soo-hyung files this report. Set in South Korea, "KPop Demon Hunters" follows a popular girl group that protects the human world from evil spirits, while uncovering a boy group of grim reapers, known as "Jeoseung Saja." The Netflix original animation has become the most-viewed original animated movie ever, with its soundtrack also topping the Billboard single charts. Last year, the Korean film "Exhuma" drew an audience of over 10 million at home, and became a hit in Asia and North America, fueled by themes such as feng shui and shamanic rituals. Today, one of the hottest themes in K-content is K-shamanism ---or K-musok in Korean ---a traditional belief system incorporating rituals, divination, and faith in spirits and deities. With a thousand years of history, Korean shamanism is a folk tradition where shamans ---or mudang ---guide people by praying for good fortune and driving away misfortune. "Shamanism exists in many parts of the world. But in Korea, it is unique because of the strong role of mudang. Their traditional music, costumes and performances have deeply influenced Korean folk arts, giving Korean shamanism a distinct cultural and artistic character." Unlike the Western view that defines the human world as good and the spirit world as evil, Korean shamanism sees shamans as mediators between the two, a belief that gives K-musok its unique power. "Western occult stories focus on exorcists, while 'KPop Demon Hunters' shows a more Eastern view. Rumi, a half hunter-spirit, and Jinu, a grim reaper, reveal human qualities, moving beyond the simple divide of good and evil. Even Hollywood now borrows from Asian values, avoiding absolute dualism, showing how Eastern philosophy is shaping occult content." Korean shamanism's power as occult content comes from its cultural freshness rather than religion. "Korea is not tied to a single religion, allowing shamanism to keep its own identity alongside others. Unlike Japan, where cultural images were long ago exhausted by Japonism, Korea's shamanism remains fresh, offering untapped images that enrich today's content." K-musok content is diversifying and becoming a key icon of K-culture with growing potential. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Features reporter] Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I & II: A century of art on display

2025/08/01 15:40

Ye-young, I heard you're taking us on a trip through time today. That's right, Soa. It's a journey through 100 years of Korean modern art, from the early 1900s all the way to the 1990s, which people can experience at The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon. So, that's two exhibitions running at the same time? Exactly, in one single building. When you see them together, it really feels like walking through a century of Korean art. Let's take a look. 100 years of modern and contemporary Korean art ---now in one place. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon is offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art in an exhibition so large that the museum has separated it into two parts: Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I and II. Part I covers the early 20th century, a period marked by Korea's rapid modernization, colonial occupation, and national division. Part II picks up after the Korean War and traces the evolution of Korean art through postwar reconstruction, industrialization, and democratization. Togther, they feature more than 250 key works by over 100 artists, offering a rare panoramic look at a century of Korean art. Visitors say the opportunity to view both exhibitions together is a rewarding experience. "I've been waiting for Part 2 because I love modern and contemporary art. I actually saw Part I of the exhibition before, and I really liked how it was divided by time period. It made things easy to follow. Personally, I love the transition from figurative to abstract art during this era, so it was great to see works by artists like Yoo Young-kuk and Lee Ung-no all in one place." Both exhibitions have sections called "The Artists' Rooms," dedicated to showcasing works by renowned artists such as Kim Whanki and Yun Hyong-keun. Another highlight is a section that re-examines underrecognized figures. "This section focuses on female modernist artists. These women weren't tied to major art groups or ideologies, but rather, they explored their own unique styles. Their works add a rich new layer to the male-dominated history of Korean abstract art." The exhibition closes with the debut of Sternbau No. 23 (2009), a major installation by contemporary artist Lee Bul. Suspended in air with steel, mirror, and film components, the futuristic piece explores themes of technology, the human body, and utopia. "There's growing interest in Korean culture both at home and abroad, but not many chances to explore the history of Korean art. We hope this exhibition gives visitors a clear, step-by-step look at how Korean art has evolved over the past century." By presenting Parts I and II side by side, MMCA Gwacheon allows visitors to follow a full arc of Korea's modern artistic transformation, from the days of colonization to modern global expression. The museum says it plans to keep the dual exhibitions running for at least two years.

[K-enter] "My Daughter is a Zombie" tops box office with record opening

2025/08/01 15:38

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, I know you are not so good with thriller or zombie movies, but there is a new film that caught your attention as it's doing amazing? "My Daughter is a Zombie" has set a new opening-day box office record for this year. According to the Korean Film Council, the new film, which was released this Wednesday, sold over 430-thousand tickets on its first day, taking up 48.6 percent of the total box office. The tally surpassed this year's previous record held by "Mission : Impossible -The Final Reckoning," which opened with about 423-thousand ticket sales. As of Thursday, "My Daughter is a Zombie" surpassed 700-thousand tickets and still stands at No.1 in the box office. Based on a webtoon, the film centers on Jung-hwan, a zookeeper, who applies his animal-taming skills to his daughter, Soo-ah, who has turned into a zombie, to protect her from zombie hunters. The film stars Jo Jung-suk, Choi Yu-ri, Lee Jeong-eun, and Yoon Kyung-ho. Right, and because this is categorized as a comedy, I feel like there's lots to laugh about in this one, especially when we think of movies like "EXIT," and "Pilot" starring Jo Jung-suk. Next, let's talk about a film of a different genre that's not out yet. Two big names in the film industry, actor Lee Byung-hun and director Park Chan-wook, teamed up for the upcoming film "NO OTHER CHOICE." The film tells the story of Mansu, an office worker who was satisfied with his life until he suddenly got laid off. To protect his wife and two children, and to save the home he worked hard to acquire, Mansoo prepares for his own battle to re-enter the workforce. Director Park has proven his global reputation with four Cannes competition entries and three major awards. Now, he returns to the screen after a gap of three years. "NO OTHER CHOICE" is gaining global attention even before its release as it has officially been selected in the institutional sector for this year's Venice International Film Festival. Along with Lee Byung-hun, actress Son Ye-jin will star in the film as Mansoo's wife, Miri. She returns to the screen after a break of seven years. "NO OTHER CHOICE" is set to be released in September. Excited to see the two actors' chemistry in the film. And we will end today's K-enter with a festival that will kick off this weekend. The 2025 Pentaport Rock Festival will kick off today at the Songdo Moonlight Festival Park in Incheon. The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival is one of the major music festivals here in Korea. This year, the festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a dynamic lineup of 58 international and domestic artists. The headliners include Brit-pop legends Pulp, alternative rock icon Beck, and Japanese rock band Asian Kung-Fu Generation. Korean artists will also perform at the festival, including JAURIM, CRYING NUT, and QWER. The 2025 Pentaport Rock Festival will run throughout this weekend, from Friday to Sunday. A rock festival sounds perfect for people to enjoy in summer. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Time to go over to our AI anchor Ari. Ari, what do you have for us today?

K-wave AI News

2025/08/01 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Former NHN Corporation CEO Chae Hwi-young has taken office as Korea's new Culture Minister. With extensive experience in journalism, online platforms, and travel tech entrepreneurship, Chae becomes the first private-sector expert to lead the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. At his inauguration ceremony on Thursday, Chae pledged to usher in an era where the K-culture market will reach 300 trillion won, or around 215 billion U.S. dollars, in value by driving a "second leap" in Korea's content industry. He vowed to boost K-content growth through expanded policy financing, tax incentives, and innovation in cultural technology, especially through the use of AI. He also promised to transform Korea into a major tourism hub, with a goal of attracting 30 million international visitors. More than 8.8 million foreign tourists visited Korea in the first half of this year, marking a 15% increase from the same period last year. The figure represents around 105% of the 2019 level before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, Chinese tourists accounted for the largest share, with over 2.5 million visitors, followed by those from Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. The Ulleungdo Squid Festival, a signature summer event representing Ulleungdo Island in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, will be held from Monday to Wednesday next week. This year's festivities will be held across the entire island, centering on Jeodong, Cheonbu, and Namyang Ports. The program focuses on immersive experiences that combine Ulleungdo Island's traditional culture with its unique maritime heritage. Highlights include bare-hand squid-catching, scenic walks along the 'Hedam-gil trail,' squid dish tastings, and a market featuring local specialties. A variety of live performances and an electronic music party are also planned, with a drone light show and large-scale fireworks set to light up the island's night sky. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] The rise of Korean original musicals

2025/08/01 15:34

The Korean original musical "Maybe Happy Ending," which made its debut on Broadway last year and this year won six Tony Awards, has raised the global recognition of Korean musicals. Following that, this summer, a number of other Korean original productions are notable in the musical scene. Let's talk about those with culture critic, Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University. Welcome back Professor Chie! Q1. We hear a lot about Korean original musicals, especially following the latest achievement of "Maybe Happy Ending", but let's start with a definition of what "original musicals" actually are. Q2. So, which Korean original musicals are currently generating positive word of mouth? Q3. These are all revivals. Works that have already been proven successful. Do you see any commonalities among recent original musicals? Q4. So, we're consistently seeing original musicals featuring prominent female characters. based on real-life figures and as we see in the case of Marie Curie and Frida, works that reinterpret foreign women from a Korean perspective. How do you explain this trend? Q5. Marie Curie has been staged in London's West End, and there is talk of Frida being staged overseas as well. What is most important for original musicals to be successful abroad? Q6. In the past, there was a bigger focus on licensed musicals from abroad, but now Korean original musicals created by Koreans from the story to the lyrics and composition. are making up a major part of the musical industry. What do you think is the appeal of Korean original musicals? Q7. As the variety of materials increases, the colors of music also seem to become much more varied. What do you think are the prominent trends or characteristics in the music of original musicals? Q8. Finally Professor Chie, do you see chances of a success as big as "Maybe Happy Ending" on the global stage? Thank you Professor Chie for your insights, have a wonderful weekend. Thank you Bella, have a great weekend and see you next week.

[K-enter] "KPop Demon Hunters" named Netflix's most-watched original animated film

2025/07/31 15:39

Surprise surprise, we are starting with "KPop Demon Hunters"! We definitely need to talk about it as it reached a HUGE milestone. "KPop Demon Hunters" has become the most-watched original animated film of all time on Netflix. According to Netflix's official SNS on Wednesday, "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No.1 in views out of all the original animated films in Netflix history. Since its release on June 20th, the cumulative viewing time of the film has been counted as 220.8 million hours, which calculates to 132.4 million views. For those who still haven't watched the film, "KPop Demon Hunters" is a story about K-Pop idol group HUNTR/X, who fight against demons to protect the world. The soundtrack from the film is also getting plenty of love as all eight tracks on the original soundtrack have charted on Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks, including "Golden" at No.2. There it is again "Golden"! We need an enchore from you Bella! Well, incredible achievements! Next we will move on from virtual idol groups to a real idol group. IVE appeared on a stage that's pretty new to them? IVE members kicked the first balls at the event match between Team K-League and Premier League powerhouse Newcastle United. On Wednesday, the first match of '2025 Coupang Play Series' was held at Suwon World Cup Stadium. The Coupang Play Series invites renowned soccer teams to Korea, with Newcastle playing this friendly match against Team K-League. All six members of IVE kicked the first balls to start the match. Then, they performed their hit songs during the halftime show. Both soccer fans and IVE fans enjoyed the performance. Meanwhile, IVE have confirmed a release of their new album at the end of August. We'll let you know more about that soon. Lastly, we will end off with a warm donation story. Singer BoA has made a heartwarming donation of 100 million won, roughly 72-thousand U.S. dollars, to the orthopedic department at Samsung Seoul Hospital. BoA delivered the donation on Wednesday, aiming to support orthopedic patients who are struggling financially and unable to afford non-covered medical treatments. Recently, BoA has firsthand experienced the pain and recovery process of acute osteonecrosis as she was diagnosed and treated for it. She expressed her hope that the donation would provide both comfort and tangible assistance to others facing similar challenges. BoA has consistently made donations for those in need. She donated 100 million won to support the independence of young adults aging out of foster care, and also donated 50 million won on Children's Day to Seoul Asan Hospital for the treatment of pediatric cancer patients. Meanwhile, BoA is set to release her 11th album "Crazier" on August 4th to mark the 25th anniversary of her debut. Such a heartwarming gesture. We sincerely hope for the best on her recovery. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news. Ari, over to you!

[K-wave] OTT platforms tap into animation fandom on the rise

2025/07/31 15:37

Recently, OTT services have been expanding not just drama series, but also their lineup of animated content. How popular is animated content, and why are OTT platforms increasing investment in animation? Lee Eun-jin has the story for us. Korean-born animation director Park Sung-hoo, known for popularizing the Japanese manga-based anime series "Jujutsu Kaisen," has a signature style of dynamic and thrilling action scenes. The latest series that he is bringing to audiences is one he has prepared for over 10 years. "This time, it's different from my previous works. There are car chase scenes and a variety of characters battling each other. I think it incorporates a lot of different types of action." This latest work was released globally through Disney Plus. "In the past, this was a genre that TV broadcasters would reject. But now there are opportunities to challenge diverse content, thanks to the growth of OTT platforms." As such, OTT platforms are now increasing their investments in animation. Because there are many die‑hard fans of these animated series and because viewing frequency is high, it helps retain subscribers. According to Netflix, more than 50 percent of its estimated 300 million viewers now watch animation. This is a figure that has tripled over the past five years. From July 7 to 13, the most popular Netflix title globally, in both English and non-English categories, was an animated series based on K-pop. "I was really happy to take part in this project, but I didn't expect it to blow up globally like this. I'm just thrilled." Animated films based on popular original works are also drawing audiences to theaters, creating a synergy as their popularity carries over into OTT platforms. Another strength of the animation genre is its potential for broad use of intellectual property, thanks to the popularity of its characters. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.