News

Fully blooming cherry blossoms in Yeouido, Seoul

2025/04/11 20:00

The iconic cherry blossom festival at Yeouido here in the capital is in full bloom. Our Choi Soo-hyung covers these annual sights of the spring season. It's cherry blossom season now in South Korea. Many people have come to Yeouido in Seoul to see the beautiful cherry blossoms fully blooming in the warm spring weather. Visitors enjoy a nice spring walk along the 1-point-7 kilometers-long Yunjung-ro road right by the National Assembly building. "This is one the most famous hot spots to sightsee and enjoy the cherry blossoms in the capital city, Seoul." This year's cherry blossom festival in Yeouido started on Tuesday. Over 18-hundred cherry blossom trees are planted here, circling around the National Assembly building and right next to the Hangang River. With rain in the forecast for the weekend, many people came to hang out and enjoy the flowers, even though it's a weekday. "We came here as a vacation, but we were not planning to see these beautiful blossoms that are going on right now with the beauty of spring, and so we are very grateful to be here and see the beauty of this beautiful park. It's just exploding with color, and the blossoms are absolutely stunning." "My baby just turned one, so this is their first time seeing flowers like this. It was really fun and enjoyable. My baby really loved it too." "Actually, this is my first time coming to the Yeouido cherry blossom festival. It's also the first time for my baby, so I'm really happy to be here. The weather is nice too, so we're enjoying the flowers a lot." Facilities such as shelters for light picnics, photo zones, and temporary health centers.. have been set up for visitors. It also has a special barrier-free tour program for people who are visually impaired. They can walk around Yeouido Park with a guide, touch the flowers to feel them, and enjoy the sound of the street performances. For those who want to know the best spots to enjoy this stunning view, use exit one of National Assembly subway station on subway line number nine, or exit two of Yeouinaru Station on line number five. The festival was supposed to start on April 4th, last Friday, but it was delayed as this fell on verdict day for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial. Because of that, the festival will continue until Saturday, April 12th. To run the festival, Yeongdeungpo-gu Office will close some parts of the road behind the National Assembly and traffic restrictions will stay in place until Sunday April 13th. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Fully blooming cherry blossoms in Yeouido, Seoul

2025/04/11 17:00

The cherry blossom festival at Yeouido here in Capital Seoul is in full bloom. Our Choi Soo-hyung covers these annual sights of the spring season. It's cherry blossom season now in South Korea. Many people have come to Yeouido in Seoul to see the beautiful cherry blossoms fully blooming in the warm spring weather. Visitors enjoy a nice spring walk along the 1-point-7 kilometers-long Yunjung-ro road right by the National Assembly building. "This is one the most famous hot spots to sightsee and enjoy the cherry blossoms in the capital city, Seoul." This year's cherry blossom festival in Yeouido started on Tuesday. Over 18-hundred cherry blossom trees are planted here, circling around the National Assembly building and right next to the Hangang River. With rain in the forecast for the weekend, many people came to hang out and enjoy the flowers, even though it's a weekday. "We came here as a vacation, but we were not planning to see these beautiful blossoms that are going on right now with the beauty of spring, and so we are very grateful to be here and see the beauty of this beautiful park. It's just exploding with color, and the blossoms are absolutely stunning." "My baby just turned one, so this is their first time seeing flowers like this. It was really fun and enjoyable. My baby really loved it too." "Actually, this is my first time coming to the Yeouido cherry blossom festival. It's also the first time for my baby, so I'm really happy to be here. The weather is nice too, so we're enjoying the flowers a lot." Facilities such as shelters for light picnics, photo zones, and temporary health centers.. have been set up for visitors. It also has a special barrier-free tour program for people who are visually impaired. They can walk around Yeouido Park with a guide, touch the flowers to feel them, and enjoy the sound of the street performances. For those who want to know the best spots to enjoy this stunning view, use exit one of National Assembly subway station on subway line number nine, or exit two of Yeouinaru Station on line number five. The festival was supposed to start on April 4th, last Friday, but it was delayed as this fell on verdict day for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial. Because of that, the festival will continue until Saturday, April 12th. To run the festival, Yeongdeungpo-gu Office will close some parts of the road behind the National Assembly and traffic restrictions will stay in place until Sunday April 13th. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Kulture-Issue] K-film studies thriving among local and foreign students

2025/04/11 14:00

As Korean movies are receiving increased recognition worldwide, the interest in studying film in Korea has gone up as well, not just among domestic students, but also exchange students from abroad. Today, we want to delve into Korea's film departments and their curriculum, with our movie expert, Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Welcome back, Professor Soh! Q1. Prof. Soh, as a Professor teaching in the film department at Seoul Institute of the Arts, you are seeing the interest of students grow, up close right? Tell us how it has been lately. Q2. It also seems that more and more students from abroad are interested in pursuing film education in Korea. Is it really so and if yes, which countries do they come from? Q3. "Squid Game" and "Parasite" are probably the two productions that have raised the status of Korean content abroad. How do you think these global successes have affected the enrollment in film departments at Korean universities/academic institutions? Q4. Is there anything unique about the curriculum at film departments in Korea that maybe sets them apart from film education abroad? And what are some of the things that international students find particularly interesting? Q5. What has been your favorite part of teaching international students? Q6. Professor Soh, we touched upon this a number of times with you, but the movie industry has actually been facing challenges lately. But why is it then, that film-related majors are still attracting so many students? Q7. What direction do you think film and content education in Korea should take in the future? Thank you very much Professor Soh for your insights today and please keep contributing to the expansion of high-quality film education in Korea. Thank you Bella, Have a fantastic weekend.

[K-enter] BTS's "IDOL" hits 500mil. streams on Spotify

2025/04/11 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, nothing can stop "IDOL" group BTS from reaching new milestones! What's the latest? BTS have added another streaming milestone to their name. According to Spotify's latest chart update, BTS's hit track "IDOL" has officially surpassed 500 million streams. It's the group's 15th song to cross the 500-million-stream mark on Spotify. "IDOL" was released back in August 2018 as the title track of the repackaged album "LOVE YOURSELF 結 'Answer'." It's a song with global sounds as it blends South African dance rhythms with traditional Korean musical elements. Upon its release, the song achieved major chart success, landing at No.11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No.21 on the UK Official Singles Chart. In 2022, it also earned a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan in the streaming category. "IDOL" indeed. Our second story for today is on a Korean film set to influence global viewers? "Lobby," released earlier this month in Korea, will soon hit theaters in overseas countries, including Vietnam, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. According to its distributor, SHOWBOX, the film has confirmed its premiere in Vietnam on April 18th and in Australia and New Zealand on the 24th. It will continue its release in Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and other places around the world. "Lobby" tells the story of a startup CEO, Chang-wook, played by Ha Jung-woo, who only knows research but turns to lobbying on the golf course in order to secure a 4 trillion won national project. It sounds pretty serious, but it's actually a comedy film. What's also notable is that this film is Ha Jung-woo's third film as a director. So if you're a fan of Ha Jung-woo or just want to have some laughs, make sure to check it out when it premieres in your area. Just by the title and the summary, it does sound pretty serious, but it's very interesting to hear that it is a comedy film. Along with "Lobby," there's also a Korean show that global viewers can enjoy very soon in their living room? Netflix has dropped the official trailer for upcoming drama series "Weak Hero Class 2," starring Park Ji-hoon, Ryeo Un and Choi Min-young. Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, "Weak Hero Class 2" follows the story of Yeon Si-eun, a model student who transfers to Eunjang High School carrying the trauma of failing to protect a friend from violence. Determined not to lose another friend, he faces even greater challenges in a gripping tale of survival and growth. The first season, "Weak Hero Class 1," was initially released on Wavve in 2022 and was re-released on Netflix last Month. Upon its release on Netflix, it received tremendous love as it made into the TOP 10 in over 70 countries and stayed in the Top 10 non-English show category for 2 consecutive weeks. With the first season's success, the anticipation for its sequel is growing bigger and bigger. "Weak Hero Class 2" will be available worldwide on Netflix on April 25th. I should go watch the first season before the second one comes out. Thank you Bella for today's stories. We now have our AI anchor Ari on stand-by, for other culture-related news! Ari!

Kansong Art Museum opens rare fan art exhibition

2025/04/10 20:00

On the cultural front. An art museum here in Seoul is showcasing a beautiful collection of ancient paper fans that all have a unique story to share. Our Han Da-eun has a glimpse. A fan painting gifted by a Qing dynasty scholar to a celebrated Joseon literati painter Hong Hyeon-ju. The delicate bamboo leaves invite viewers into the refined artistic exchanges of the era. "Jiranbyeongbun" by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, a towering figure of Joseon-era calligraphy and literati art, brings to life a graceful composition of orchid blossoms and mushrooms. Jo Hui-ryong's orchids whisper of changing times, casting light on the evolution of his artistic style. "Jo Hui-ryong's early orchid paintings were largely shaped by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, but later gave way to a more unrestrained style—reflecting the emotional weight of his exile." A grand fan painting by Danwon Kim Hong-do, Joseon's prominent painter renowned for his depictions of common people, with heartfelt praise from Kim's close mentor inscribed in the right corner adds to the charm and warmth of this masterful work. "Rather than giving a plain fan, our ancestors made it special by adding their own paintings or calligraphy—turning it into a personalized gift." The fan artworks of modern-era artists are filled with calligraphy and paintings, each brimming with stories and warm wishes for the recipient's good fortune. Titled "Seonwoo Pungwol," which translates to "sharing a moonlit breeze with good friends," the exhibition features 55 fan artworks carefully curated from the Kansong Art Museum's collection. Among them, over 20 pieces will be unveiled to the public for the first time. The museum's first fan-themed exhibition in 50 years runs through May 25, inviting visitors to discover the untold stories woven through every fold and brushstroke. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

Kansong Art Museum opens rare fan art exhibition

2025/04/10 17:00

On the cultural front. An art museum here in Seoul is showcasing a beautiful collection of ancient paper fans that all have a unique story to share. Our Han Da-eun has a glimpse. A fan painting gifted by a Qing dynasty scholar to a celebrated Joseon literati painter Hong Hyeon-ju. The delicate bamboo leaves invite viewers into the refined artistic exchanges of the era. "Jiranbyeongbun" by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, a towering figure of Joseon-era calligraphy and literati art, brings to life a graceful composition of orchid blossoms and mushrooms. Jo Hui-ryong's orchids whisper of changing times, casting light on the evolution of his artistic style. "Jo Hui-ryong's early orchid paintings were largely shaped by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, but later gave way to a more unrestrained style—reflecting the emotional weight of his exile." A grand fan painting by Danwon Kim Hong-do, Joseon's prominent painter renowned for his depictions of common people, with heartfelt praise from Kim's close mentor inscribed in the right corner adds to the charm and warmth of this masterful work. "Rather than giving a plain fan, our ancestors made it special by adding their own paintings or calligraphy—turning it into a personalized gift." The fan artworks of modern-era artists are filled with calligraphy and paintings, each brimming with stories and warm wishes for the recipient's good fortune. Titled "Seonwoo Pungwol," which translates to "sharing a moonlit breeze with good friends," the exhibition features 55 fan artworks carefully curated from the Kansong Art Museum's collection. Among them, over 20 pieces will be unveiled to the public for the first time. The museum's first fan-themed exhibition in 50 years runs through May 25, inviting visitors to discover the untold stories woven through every fold and brushstroke. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

[K-wave] Kansong Art Museum opens rare fan art exhibition

2025/04/10 14:00

Every fan has a story to tell. The Kansong Art Museum has opened its spring exhibition featuring exquisite paintings and calligraphy rendered on classical Korean hand fans. From works by late Joseon masters to modern literati artists, the display offers a rare glimpse into the refined beauty and spirit adorned on fans across generations. Our Han Da-eun takes us there. A fan painting gifted by a Qing dynasty scholar to a celebrated Joseon literati painter Hong Hyeon-ju. The delicate bamboo leaves invite viewers into the refined artistic exchanges of the era. "Jiranbyeongbun" by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, a towering figure of Joseon-era calligraphy and literati art, brings to life a graceful composition of orchid blossoms and mushrooms. Jo Hui-ryong's orchids whisper of changing times, casting light on the evolution of his artistic style. "Jo Hui-ryong's early orchid paintings were largely shaped by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, but later gave way to a more unrestrained style—reflecting the emotional weight of his exile." A grand fan painting by Danwon Kim Hong-do, Joseon's prominent painter renowned for his depictions of common people, with heartfelt praise from Kim's close mentor inscribed in the right corner adds to the charm and warmth of this masterful work. "Rather than giving a plain fan, our ancestors made it special by adding their own paintings or calligraphy—turning it into a personalized gift." The fan artworks of modern-era artists are filled with calligraphy and paintings, each brimming with stories and warm wishes for the recipient's good fortune. Titled "Seonwoo Pungwol," which translates to "sharing a moonlit breeze with good friends," the exhibition features 55 fan artworks carefully curated from the Kansong Art Museum's collection. Among them, over 20 pieces will be unveiled to the public for the first time. The museum's first fan-themed exhibition in 50 years runs through May 25, inviting visitors to discover the untold stories woven through every fold and brushstroke. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

[K-enter] Injunction appeal held for NewJeans and ADOR

2025/04/10 14:00

We will start with the dispute between NewJeans and ADOR. What are the latest updates Bella? On Wednesday, a 15-minute hearing took place for the appeal made by NewJeans, last month, against the court injunction imposed on the members’ activities. The hearing took place at the Seoul Central District Court and only the attorneys of NewJeans and the agency ADOR attended. It was not open to reporters, as opposed to last month’s hearing that was open to audience. The result of the appeal is yet to come out. Wednesday’s hearing took place two and a half weeks after the court sided with ADOR and approved the injunction against NewJeans’ activities taking place outside of the agency. The court ruled that the five members’ argument that their trust had been broken wasn’t sufficient and ordered them to return to ADOR. Instead of accepting the injunction ruling, NewJeans appealed the decision and announced that they will halt all activities for now. The first hearing on NewJeans’ termination of its contracts with ADOR took place on April 3rd where the two did not come to a settlement. The second hearing over the contract termination will take place on June 5th. Moving onto our next story-we are going to talk about G-Dragon and his music which can be heard everywhere from radio to the internet, social media, clubs and cafes, you name it. but perhaps this is the most unlikely place you would expect to hear it. We always talk about K-pop artists performing all around the globe in so many different countries. But I can guarantee you that none of their songs have been played here. As you may all know, G-Dragon is a visiting professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, KAIST. Well, he collaborated with scientists at KAIST to launch his music and an image of his iris into OUTER SPACE! The Space Institute of KAIST announced on Thursday that the world’s first “space sound transmission” was successfully conducted on Wednesday by Lee Jin-joon, a contemporary artist and associate professor at KAIST, in collaboration with G-Dragon. Professor Lee used generative AI technology to create a media art piece titled “Iris,” based on an image of G-Dragon’s eye. The audio component included sound from the Emile Bell, a historic Korean bronze bell over a thousand years old, along with G-Dragon’s recent hit “Home Sweet Home.” G-Dragon said that he was both thrilled and surprised by the project. He explained the reason behind selecting “Home Sweet Home” was because the song features Big Bang members, Taeyang and Daesung. In that sense, he added that he is excited to see Big Bang travel into space, where the big bang is from. Thrilled to see more interesting projects like this. Our last story is on an actor, who are we talking about? Soa, can you guess which actor is most loved globally? It’s Lee Min-ho! Lee Min-ho has been crowned as the ‘Most Loved Korean Actor Worldwide’ not just this year, but for 12 consecutive years. According to the ‘2025 Global Hallyu Survey’ released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Lee Min-ho secured the top spot as the most preferred Korean actor globally for 12 years in a row, solidifying his status as a Hallyu star. He ranked first in all five continents―Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa -across 28 countries, proving his immense global popularity. Through various successful projects like “The Heirs,” “Legend of the Blue Sea,” and “Pachinko,” Lee Min-ho has definitely demonstrated his power. Meanwhile, Lee Min-ho is set to appear in the upcoming film “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet” later this year. Very impressive milestone by Lee Min-ho! Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

K-drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" ranks no.1 among Netflix's non-English content

2025/04/09 17:00

On the entertainment front. South Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" has topped Netflix's global non-English show chart. According to the streaming platform the series logged 5-point-4 million views between March 31st and April 6th which marks its fifth week since release. Centered on the acts of love and sacrifice that serve to strengthen family bonds the drama topped the chart in five Asian countries. Other Korean dramas including "Weak Hero Class 1" and "Karma" also placed within the chart's top ten.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/09 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's renowned Pianist Cho Seong-jin will hold a solo recital this June marking the 10th anniversary of his historic win at the Chopin Competition. The recital, set for June 15 at the Seongnam Arts Center Concert Hall, will feature a program spanning classical, romantic, and contemporary works, offering audiences a deeper look into Cho's artistic evolution. After winning first prize at the 2015 International Chopin Piano Competition, Cho continues to perform actively on the world stage, currently serving as artist-in-residence with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Korean professional baseball has surpassed the one million attendance mark in just 60 games—the fastest pace in its history. According to the KBO, nearly one million and sixty thousand fans attended games in person in the first 60 matches since the season opened on March 22, setting a new record for the fewest games to reach one million spectators. If the current momentum continues, the 720-game regular season is projected to draw more than 12 million fans. Riding a wave of growing popularity, Korean pro baseball made history last season as the first domestic sports league to attract over 10 million spectators in a single season. Hot spring tourism in Korea is making a strong comeback after a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more people combining spring flower outings with hot spring visits, the number of visitors to hot spring regions nationwide exceeded 58.4 million last year, up 24% from 2023. During the height of the pandemic in 2021, the figure had dropped to below 35 million. Starting this Friday, a series of festivals will kick off at major hot spring destinations, such as Chungju and Asan in the Chungcheong region, and Changnyeong in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] K-streetfood 'bunsik' making waves in streets of the Netherlands

2025/04/09 14:00

'Bunsik' refers to typical Korean street food such as tteokbokki, kimbap, sundae and tuigim. The word 'bunsik' literally translates into “food made of flour”, although not all bunsik is flour-based. Today, we want to hear about the growing interest in K-bunsik in Europe, more specifically the Netherlands, where Korean restaurants are rapidly increasing. We now connect to our K-correspondent Patrick Park, co-founder of Seoulfood Amsterdam. Hello Patrick! Q1. Patrick, please introduce yourself (and your restaurant) to our viewers. Q2. Korean food has been gaining popularity in the Netherlands in recent years. I hear you can find a number of Korean restaurants in Amsterdam? How much do Dutch people like K-food? Q3. The Netherlands is the number two importer of Korean tteok (rice cake), just behind the U.S., probably on the back of the popularity of the spicy snack/dish tteokbokki. Tell us more about the K-bunsik trend there. Q4. What are other 'bunsik' favorites in the Netherlands and what do you think is the reason behind their popularity? Q5. I wonder whether traditional or typical Dutch foods go well with Korean food? Do you think Korean dishes could bring about change to the local palate? Q6. Have you developed any new menus or recipes to cater to local tastes or do you plan to add any new K-food items at your restaurant? Q.7 What are some introductory dishes you’d recommend for foreigners who are new to Korean food?

[K-enter] BLACKPINK World Tour, July 5, in Goyang

2025/04/09 14:00

Time for our K-enter news with Walter Lee, and Walter What's that I can hear? Is that "BLACKPINK in your area?" I think you might be right Soa! We've been waiting for it, we've been talking about it for ages and finally we have some confirmation on when the powerhouse K-pop girl group will be finally gracing the stage together again. On Tuesday, YG Entertainment revealed the tour poster for "BLACKPINK 2025 WORLD TOUR", announcing the performances scheduled for July 5 and 6 at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. BLACKPINK will become the first K-pop girl group to hold a solo concert there, which seats around 40,000. In addition, BLACKPINK is scheduled to continue the tour with stadium-level performances in a total of 10 cities across North America, Europe, and Japan, holding 18 shows in total. The first round of tickets go on sale on May 8, at 8 p.m KST. I am sure tickets will sell like hotcakes! Moving on to some baby news? Walter, this is an entertainment segment, I know you love sharing stories about your baby ..Not this time Soa, though yes I do have a very cute baby who should get her own segment on this show. But I am talking about actress Kim Min-hee and director Hong Sang-soo and their baby son who they recently welcomed into the world according to reports on Wednesday. Back in early 2025, news emerged that Kim was expecting a child with director Hong and was due to give birth in the spring. This news came about after Kim Min-hee was spotted at Incheon Airport appearing pregnant, and she was accompanied by Hong at the time. And now full confirmation has been made public. Moving over to K-theatre, where a hallyu legend is making her return. Tell us more. Hallyu legend, Lee Young-ae , who gained worldwide fame through the 2003 K-drama "Jewel in the Palace" or Dae Jang Geum in Korean, will return to the theatre stage for the first time in 32 years with the play "Hedda Gabler." On Tuesday, LG Arts Center held a press conference for "Hedda Gabler," marking the theatre's 25th anniversary. At the event, Lee Young-ae shared that she had always held a special place in her heart for theatre since performing in her 20s. "Hedda Gabler" was written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in 1890. It is acclaimed for its delicate portrayal of a woman’s inner struggle and longing for freedom in the face of society's oppression. Lee will take on the lead role of Hedda, a complex character who appears elegant on the outside but harbours hidden anxiety and a destructive nature. "Hedda Gabler" is scheduled to run from May 7 to June 8. Yes, a true hallyu legend indeed and it is great to see her back doing what she loves. Finally we move over to a Netflix reality show! On Tuesday, a press conference for Netflix's new variety show "KIAN'S BIZARRE B&B" was held in Myeong-dong, Seoul, where producers introduced the program. "KIAN'S BIZARRE B&B" is a unique and unpredictable guesthouse variety show set at “Kianjang” on Ulleungdo Island a place full of unusual charm where Kian84 , Jin of BTS, 그리고 Korean variety show "Running man" star Ji Ye-eun interact with guests of the B&B. One producer said, “Ji Ye-eun is the true spirit of the MZ generation. Jin, has a very human charm, but I felt that only a tenth of that has been shown to the public." Thee show premiered on Tuesday, with three episodes released each week over three weeks.

[K-wave] K-pop ranked as top image associated with Korea: Survey

2025/04/08 14:00

The culture ministry has released its annual Global Hallyu Survey, revealing the most popular aspects of Korean culture captivating fans around the world. While the global reach of Hallyu, or the "Korean Wave" continues to grow, the survey also points to a rise in negative perceptions. Our Han Da-eun brings us the highlights. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Korea? The Culture Ministry and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange posed that very question to some 26,400 people across 28 countries who have experienced Korean culture. According to survey results released on Monday, K-pop came out on top, with nearly 18% of respondents naming Korean pop music as the strongest image associated with Korea. It marks the eighth consecutive year that K-pop has been reaffirmed as the country's defining cultural icon. Korean cuisine followed in second place, trailed by K-dramas, K-beauty products, and Korean films, rounding out the top five. Among the many K-pop acts that have captivated global audiences, BTS continues to lead the pack. The seven-member global sensation retained its crown as the world's most beloved K-pop group for the seventh straight year, with over 24% of respondents naming the group as their top pick. Following closely were the "pretty savages" BLACKPINK and versatile singer-songwriter IU. In the realm of K-dramas, Netflix hit "Squid Game" was the most preferred series, while "Queen of Tears" and "Crash Landing on You" ranked second and third, respectively. On the K-cinema front, Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning masterpiece "Parasite" topped the list, with the gripping zombie action film "Train to Busan" and the occult thriller "Exhuma" close behind. Global favorability toward Hallyu content rose to over 70%, up 1.5 percentage points from a year ago, led by strong support in Southeast Asia. But the growing global influence of K-culture has also brought a rise in negative perceptions. Those with unfavorable views of Hallyu climbed to 37.5%, the highest in the past five years, with many citing it as "overly commercialized." Based on the survey findings, the Culture Ministry aims to further enhance global outreach by hosting large-scale Hallyu expos and expanding K-culture promotion centers worldwide riding the unrelenting wave of global interest in Korean culture. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

[K-enter] IU reaches 10 million YouTube subscribers!

2025/04/08 14:00

So, our first story is about none other than IU and an achievement that I and you probably have contributed to? It seems like every week Korean singer, songwriter, actress and I guess we can now call her megastar YouTuber IU, has something to celebrate. This time it's that she's reached 10 million subscribers on the video-sharing platform. On Sunday, IU shared a video capturing the moment she reached the diamond-studded milestone via her social media. YouTubers who reach this milestone get a diamond YouTube button, the second highest achievement as a creator on the platform. At the moment she hit 10 million subscribers, IU said, "I've become a YouTuber with the 'Diamond Button'," and added, "I'll work hard to become a 10-million-subscriber YouTuber who creates even more fun content." IU launched her official YouTube channel in February 2017, and reached 10 million subscribers in 8 years and 2 months. Another outstanding achievement by IU, and yes I am a proud subscriber! From 10 million we are now going to move on to a group that desires to become a whole "100" with their fans. Do you think you can pull off the perfect crime, Soa? Well FIFTY FIFTY think they can. K-pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY who debuted 2022, released their new digital single and lyric video on YouTube "Perfect Crime" on Monday. "Perfect Crime" is a synth-based track with an emotional and atmospheric vibe. FIFTY FIFTY previously made headlines in 2023 with their hit song "Cupid", which stayed on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for 25 consecutive weeks. Last year, they successfully completed their first U.S. tour. For those who don't know, FIFTY FIFTY had a rocky start to their career. They debuted as a four-member group in November 2022. Following a dispute with their agency, three members left, leaving only one—Keena . In September 2024, FIFTY FIFTY resumed activities as a five-member group, combining Keena with four new members. So, let's hope that from here on, the group stays strong and continues to delight their fans. Yes, good luck to FIFTY FIFTY and their new song, hopefully we see it climb up the charts. Last but not least turning to K-dramas now, and I know this is a drama you were really looking forward to Walter. Yes, as a big Park Eun-bin fan, I was looking forward to her next big role, , so what am I going to do? Anyway, we are talking about her latest drama series "Hyper Knife." It's a medical thriller drama that follows a fierce confrontation between Se-ok , a once-promising genius doctor, and her former mentor Deok-hee , who was responsible for her downfall. Just like her last legal drama, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" , it seems to have caught the eye of the international audience, for example major international outlets, including Forbes, have been showering the show with praise. From her Forbes interview, Park said, “Taking on a new role is always something that makes my heart race,” adding “As an actor, I feel truly blessed to be able to explore such a wide range of characters." Disney+’s first original medical thriller "Hyper Knife" is set to release its final episode on April 9.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/08 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. How about getting a glimpse of Korean royal culture as you stroll through the palaces on a beautiful spring day? The 2025 Spring K-Royal Culture Festival will be held from April 26 to May 4 across Seoul's five major palaces—Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung—as well as Jongmyo Shrine. Gyeongbokgung offers immersive experiences—from exploring the legacy of King Sejong and making traditional sweets to evening music concerts and royal court dance lessons. At Changdeokgung, visitors can enjoy tranquil forest walks and hanbok photo sessions, while Gyeonghuigung opens its gates for rare nighttime tours. Reservations for key events are available via Ticketlink. For the first time in 25 years, the National Gugak Center will showcase "Jongmyo Jeryeak" in Japan. Jongmyo Jeryeak is a Joseon-era royal ceremonial performance combining music and dance presented during ancestral rites at Jongmyo Shrine to honor the late kings and queens. The performance will be held on April 19 at Bunkyo Civic Hall in Tokyo as part of a cultural exchange marking the 60th anniversary of normalizing Seoul-Tokyo ties. In return, Japan will showcase "Kumi Odori," a traditional musical drama from Okinawa, this June in Korea, highlighting each nation's UNESCO-listed cultural heritage. The Gugak Center earned wide acclaim for its Jongmyo Jeryeak performance in Singapore last week and is set to bring the royal ritual music to audiences in Hong Kong this November. The Kansong Art Museum will open a rare exhibition tomorrow showcasing Joseon-era paintings and calligraphy rendered on fans. Titled "Seonwoo Pungwol"—which translates to "Good Friends, Wind, and Moon"—the exhibition features 55 fan artworks carefully curated from the museum's collection. Among them, over 20 pieces will be unveiled to the public for the first time. Highlights include exquisite fan paintings and calligraphy by renowned late Joseon figures such as Chusa Kim Jeong-hui and Danwon Kim Hong-do. The exhibition, the first to be held by the Kansong Art Museum in half a century, runs through May 25. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

K-pop tops global association with S. Korea for 8th straight year

2025/04/07 17:00

For the eighth year in a row K-pop remains the first thing that comes to the minds of foreigners when asked about Korean culture. This is according to the latest annual survey by the Culture Ministry whose results were released on this Monday showing almost 18 percent with exposure to Korean culture highlighting K-pop as the top item on the list of Korean culture. This was followed by Korean food and K-dramas. The most favored K-pop artist in the survey was BTS which has held the top spot for seven straight years.

[Kulture Issue] Popularity of sports-themed K-content

2025/04/07 14:00

Recent movies revolving around sports have been captivating domestic audiences. Let's take a look at what’s behind the popularity of sports-themed content with culture critic Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University’s Arts and Cultural Management Program. Welcome Professor Chie! Q1-1. “The Match“ (“Seungbu“), which deals with the board game Go, or “baduk“ in Korean, (and is considered a sport), and the golf film “Lobby“ are ranked first and second at the domestic box office, respectively. Please, tell us first what the movies are about. Let’s start with “The Match.“ Q1-2. What’s “Lobby” about? The title seems to tell us it’s not just about golf? Q2. So, let’s talk more about Go or “baduk“. It’s a very interesting topic, but also a challenging game that requires lots of brain. Are there any other Go-themed movies? Go does seem to appear quite frequently (in many cases casually) in scenes of various K-content. Why is that? Q3. When it comes to golf, this sport has been tremendously popular in Korea in recent years, even being a major theme on variety of entertainment programs on TV. What’s behind the popularity of golf as a means of content? Q4. Sports was once considered an unpopular topic in Korea in TV and movies, so why has it gained so much traction in recent years? Q5. So, which Korean dramas and movies revolving around sports have stood out and received praise? Q6. What are some of the things to keep in mind when using sports as a main theme in content? Q7. What are the strengths of combining Korean content with the sports genre, and how can we make it more appealing to a wider audience?

[K-wave] Small library in Gyeongbokgung Palace, welcoming spring

2025/04/07 14:00

The delights of spring are coming from all around including Gyeongbokgung Palace, a royal palace in the center of Seoul. Along with taking a tour around the historic place visitors can now indulge in reading in the innermost part of the palace thanks to the opening of a small library. Our Choi Soo-hyung takes us around. Spring has arrived in Gyeongbokgung Palace. This part of the palace.. is called 'Jibokjae', which means "Collecting precious jewels such as jade." It is connected with Palujeong, an octagonal two-story pavilion, and Hyeopgildang Hall, showcasing a distinctive traditional architectural beauty. Inside the buildings, over a thousand books fill the walls, and people look around and read. From April 2nd, the 'Jibokjae' has been opened as a small library. Here, visitors can read books, relax, and enjoy a moment of peace. The low ceiling gives visitors a cozy feeling and lets them see the beautiful Dancheong, traditional Korean patterns, up close. "I think it's yeah peaceful, quiet, so yeah, I feel lucky to be here actually. I choose other books like poem just to see how it's like writing." "We came here to enjoy the nice weather and also to learn more about our culture. The atmosphere is very calm and peaceful and it feels like the perfect place to relax. We are having a really great time." Since 2016, the Korea Heritage Service has opened this space for free to allow visitors to experience the palace more closely. This building was built in 1881 and was used by King Gojong as a study and to receive foreign envoys. It closed during the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened in 2022. Currently, this place has over 1,700 books related to the history of the Joseon Dynasty and royal family. "It also offers books for children, foreign language translations and, and rare resources such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, which are not easily found elsewhere." The office plans to hold programs such as meet-the-author events and book talks at the library. The Jibokjae small library will be open until October 31, except in July and August. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] Jimin the chart landlord tops Spotify's list for 90 weeks

2025/04/07 14:00

So, for our daily dose of K-enter news with you Walter, we start off with BTS's Jimin setting more records on the largest music streaming platform Spotify. How do you become one of the most popular 'Weekly Top Artists' on Spotify's South Korean charts for 90 weeks? Call yourself Jimin, release a couple of hit songs and just sit back and watch. According to Spotify's announcement on Friday, this marks the first and only time in the chart's history that any artist has accomplished this milestone. Jimin first entered the "Korea Weekly Top Artist" chart in April 2022 with the original soundtrack "With You" from the tvN drama "Our Blues". As of April 3, 2025, he has charted for a total of 139 weeks, holding the No. 1 position for 90 of those weeks. Jimin has also seen success with his title track "Who" from his second album "Muse" on Spotify Korea's 'Daily Top Songs' chart. Congratulations to Jimin, let's see if he can make it to 100 weeks! Moving onto boy group SEVENTEEN also becoming the first to achieve a milestone in the name of K-pop. On Friday, K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN took to the stage as a headliner at the major music festival "Tecate Pa'l Norte 2025" held at Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico. They are the first K-pop artists to ever perform at this festival. During their approximately one-hour performance, they showcased hit songs such as "LOVE, MONEY, FAME," "Left & Right," "HOT" and "God of Music." Pa'l Norte is one of the largest music festivals in Latin America. This year, SEVENTEEN shared the headliner lineup with global stars including Olivia Rodrigo, Green Day and Fall Out Boy. Let's hope to see more and more K-pop artists being invited to new and exciting music festivals in the future. Next up we have a 10th anniversary celebration concert for one group. Last week we actually touched upon how this year was the 10th anniversary for many groups, but who are you going to mention? I am talking about DAY6, who will be performing at the KSPO Dome for the first time, 10 years after their debut. Their agency, JYP Entertainment, announced the finale of "DAY6's 3RD World Tour Forever Young" will take place right here in Seoul. The concerts will be held over the span of six days from May 9 through 11 and May 16 through 18. This will be DAY6’s first time performing at the KSPO Dome, so the group is making thorough preparations to make sure the crowd leave amazed. They plan to open the entire venue in a 360-degree format so fans can enjoy the performance from every angle. The concert is set to be a grand finale to their large-scale world tour, they are currently touring in Australia. And last but certainly not least, we have some news of a K-pop star with his first solo album. On Monday, NCT member Mark is releasing his first solo album titled "The Firstfruit", officially marking his debut as a solo artist. The full album will be available on major music platforms at 6 p.m. Korea time and the music video for the title track “1999” will be released simultaneously on the SMTOWN YouTube channel and other platforms. The album features 13 tracks themed around four cities that have shaped Mark’s life: his hometown Toronto, the first city he moved to, New York, the place where he spent his school years, Vancouver, and Seoul, where he’s pursuing his dream as an artist. Mark will hold a showcase event for The Firstfruit at 8 p.m. on Monday at the Seongsu Cultural and Arts Center.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/07 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Gangneung City in Gangwon-do Province was bustling with visitors over the weekend, drawn to its popular cherry blossom spots. Gyeongpodae Pavilion and Gyeongpoho Lake were filled with tourists exploring the 'Gyeongpo Cherry Blossom Festival'—one of the city's signature spring events known for its stunning floral scenery. Although official performances and celebratory events were canceled in light of recent large-scale wildfires, the festival drew large crowds eager to embrace the spring atmosphere. The festival runs through April 9, with diverse programs like a 'hanbok outing' and a flea market also in store. To further boost tourism, Gangneung City has released a map of the cherry blossom hotspots, featuring not only well-known locations but also hidden points throughout the region. Gimhae City in Gyeongsangnam-do Province will kick off its largest annual event, the '2025 Gaya Culture Festival,' this Thursday. It will be held at the UNESCO-listed Daeseong-dong Tombs and the surrounding Sulleungwon area. Festival highlights include "Gaya Fantasia," a dynamic fusion performance that blends traditional Korean music with modern vocals, belly dancing, hanbok showcases, and more. A media façade installation will illuminate the historic tomb complex at night, vividly bringing to life the rich legends of the ancient Gaya Kingdom through cutting-edge technology. Gimhae City has canceled fireworks displays out of respect for recent wildfire victims. Korea's southern port city of Busan welcomed a record 30,165 foreign medical tourists last year, the highest level to date. The figure marks a 134% increase from 2023 and is the third highest nationwide, following Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the majority of medical tourists to Busan came from Japan, Taiwan, and China. Notably, the number of Taiwanese visitors soared by a whopping 1,840% on-year. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.