News

[Short-form] Korean Summer Flavor Showdown

2025/07/31 15:36

Discover your favorite among Korea’s top summer treats, best enjoyed right now!

Unique way to cool off with a night in a haunted Korean village

2025/07/31 11:34

As the intense heat continues, people are finding ways to cool off in a unique and spooky way at a historical themed village that transforms into a haunted world full of traditional ghosts and spine-chilling horror experiences. Our Park Kun-woo was ther. A quiet, peaceful village by day. But as darkness falls, a chill creeps in, and eerie whispers echo through the air. Under the crescent moon, ghosts begin to appear. Summer may be the hottest season, but for many in Korea, it's also the coolest in a spooky kind of way. One popular destination is the "Horror Village in the Dead of Night" festival, running until the end of August at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, in Gyeonggi-do Province. "Korean ghosts are known to be souls with unresolved sorrow -or "han." They don't just scare you, but they carry a story, one they never got to finish. So, what kind of sorrow are you holding onto?" "I died without being able to get married" From virgin ghosts to a local version of the grim reaper, these traditional Korean spirits send chills down visitors' spines, especially when they appear out of nowhere. "It's been scorching hot lately, so I thought this horror experience might blow away the heat. I kept sweating and shivering." "It's way different to watching movies." From haunted escape rooms to scream-filled walk-throughs, flashing red lights and scary sounds greet those who dare to enter. "GET OUT. You don't belong here." Even the food gets creepy, including the bloody "finger latte," topped with a broken finger-shaped cookie. Some restaurants are splattered with blood, with things appearing above visitors' heads. "I thought it was a regular restaurant, until I saw ghosts hanging above. I almost fell over in shock, but it's unique and fun. I was too scared to even feel the heat." The restrooms are also haunted, dimly lit up with red lights, with ghosts waiting for you, some appearing in the mirror. At the end of the night, visitors who turned into ghosts with costumes and painted faces, competed with each other to see who was the scariest. It seems like a peaceful, happy ending, but beware, these ghosts will return with the next dark night until August 24. So, for those looking for an experience of Korea's haunted summer night, good luck. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Unique way to cool off with a night in a haunted Korean village

2025/07/30 22:59

Amid the hot weather in Korea. People are finding ways to cool off in a unique and spooky way at a historical themed village that transforms into a haunted world full of traditional ghosts and spine-chilling horror experiences. Our Park Kun-woo was there and about. A quiet, peaceful village by day. But as darkness falls, a chill creeps in, and eerie whispers echo through the air. Under the crescent moon, ghosts begin to appear. Summer may be the hottest season, but for many in Korea, it's also the coolest in a spooky kind of way. One popular destination is the "Horror Village in the Dead of Night" festival, running until the end of August at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, in Gyeonggi-do Province. "Korean ghosts are known to be souls with unresolved sorrow -or "han." They don't just scare you, but they carry a story, one they never got to finish. So, what kind of sorrow are you holding onto?" "I died without being able to get married" From virgin ghosts to a local version of the grim reaper, these traditional Korean spirits send chills down visitors' spines, especially when they appear out of nowhere. "It's been scorching hot lately, so I thought this horror experience might blow away the heat. I kept sweating and shivering." "It's way different to watching movies." From haunted escape rooms to scream-filled walk-throughs, flashing red lights and scary sounds greet those who dare to enter. "GET OUT. You don't belong here." Even the food gets creepy, including the bloody "finger latte," topped with a broken finger-shaped cookie. Some restaurants are splattered with blood, with things appearing above visitors' heads. "I thought it was a regular restaurant, until I saw ghosts hanging above. I almost fell over in shock, but it's unique and fun. I was too scared to even feel the heat." The restrooms are also haunted, dimly lit up with red lights, with ghosts waiting for you, some appearing in the mirror. At the end of the night, visitors who turned into ghosts with costumes and painted faces, competed with each other to see who was the scariest. It seems like a peaceful, happy ending, but beware, these ghosts will return with the next dark night until August 24. So, for those looking for an experience of Korea's haunted summer night, good luck. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

APEC 2025 Korea looks to promote the beauty of hanbok

2025/07/30 22:54

Following up with yesterday's report on the cultural heritage of Gyeongju, the host city of APEC 2025 Korea, our correspondent Ahn Sung-jin also had a look at one of the traditional elements that the city looks to promote through the event. Colorful hand-dyed fabrics and threads of silk. For artisan Park Soon-ra, this is all a work of precision and pride. Every cut of the scissors and stitch sewn into silk reflect years of mastery in hanbok, Korea's traditional attire, but Park devotes her expertise beyond that focusing on hanbok from the Silla period. "In Silla, even the silk was different. The clothes or hanbok was made from the finest materials, and gold was abundant, often used for decorations. It truly was the kingdom of silk and splendor." The attire of the Silla Kingdom is characterized with its wide sleeves had delicate details around the sleeves and collar. Hanbok styles differed by class yet all of them had slimmer silhouettes compared to the wider hanbok of latter periods. And this sophisticated look is especially tied to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. But what sets Park's work apart is not only her tailoring, it's the traditional dyeing techniques. The process is meticulous. Handpicked flowers are dried and infused alongside berries to create the red palette. Then pieces of white silk are soaked, dried and soaked again, often more than 50 times. With each soaking, the fabric absorbs more color, giving it earthy yet vibrant hues. As Gyeongju prepares to host APEC 2025 Korea, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju are planning to showcase key elements of Korean traditional culture, and hanbok is taking center stage. During the international event, world leaders will be given the traditional attire, bringing Korea's elegance to the global stage. But it's more than recognition for Park, the honor for her lies in hanbok leaping forward onto the world stage. In every dip of dye and every stitch of silk, Park works on continuing the legacy. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Gyeongju.

Unique way to cool off with a night in a haunted Korean village

2025/07/30 19:43

A theme park in the Greater Seoul area has been transformed into a haunted village to offer visitors a refreshing break from the sweltering heat. Our Park Kun-woo was there. A quiet, peaceful village by day. But as darkness falls, a chill creeps in, and eerie whispers echo through the air. Under the crescent moon, ghosts begin to appear. Summer may be the hottest season, but for many in Korea, it's also the coolest in a spooky kind of way. One popular destination is the "Horror Village in the Dead of Night" festival, running until the end of August at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, in Gyeonggi-do Province. "Korean ghosts are known to be souls with unresolved sorrow -or "han." They don't just scare you, but they carry a story, one they never got to finish. So, what kind of sorrow are you holding onto?" "I died without being able to get married" From virgin ghosts to a local version of the grim reaper, these traditional Korean spirits send chills down visitors' spines, especially when they appear out of nowhere. "It's been scorching hot lately, so I thought this horror experience might blow away the heat. I kept sweating and shivering." "It's way different to watching movies." From haunted escape rooms to scream-filled walk-throughs, flashing red lights and scary sounds greet those who dare to enter. "GET OUT. You don't belong here." Even the food gets creepy, including the bloody "finger latte," topped with a broken finger-shaped cookie. Some restaurants are splattered with blood, with things appearing above visitors' heads. "I thought it was a regular restaurant, until I saw ghosts hanging above. I almost fell over in shock, but it's unique and fun. I was too scared to even feel the heat." The restrooms are also haunted, dimly lit up with red lights, with ghosts waiting for you, some appearing in the mirror. At the end of the night, visitors who turned into ghosts with costumes and painted faces, competed with each other to see who was the scariest. It seems like a peaceful, happy ending, but beware, these ghosts will return with the next dark night until August 24. So, for those looking for an experience of Korea's haunted summer night, good luck. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

APEC 2025 Korea looks to promote the beauty of hanbok

2025/07/30 19:42

Every year leaders of APEC member states dress up in the host country's traditional attire for a family picture and as Korea's ancient city of Gyeongju looks to host this year's economic gathering Korea's hanbok is receiving the limelight yet again. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin reports. Colorful hand-dyed fabrics and threads of silk. For artisan Park Soon-ra, this is all a work of precision and pride. Every cut of the scissors and stitch sewn into silk reflect years of mastery in hanbok, Korea's traditional attire, but Park devotes her expertise beyond that focusing on hanbok from the Silla period. "In Silla, even the silk was different. The clothes or hanbok was made from the finest materials, and gold was abundant, often used for decorations. It truly was the kingdom of silk and splendor." The attire of the Silla Kingdom is characterized with its wide sleeves had delicate details around the sleeves and collar. Hanbok styles differed by class yet all of them had slimmer silhouettes compared to the wider hanbok of latter periods. And this sophisticated look is especially tied to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. But what sets Park's work apart is not only her tailoring, it's the traditional dyeing techniques. The process is meticulous. Handpicked flowers are dried and infused alongside berries to create the red palette. Then pieces of white silk are soaked, dried and soaked again, often more than 50 times. With each soaking, the fabric absorbs more color, giving it earthy yet vibrant hues. As Gyeongju prepares to host APEC 2025 Korea, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju are planning to showcase key elements of Korean traditional culture, and hanbok is taking center stage. During the international event, world leaders will be given the traditional attire, bringing Korea's elegance to the global stage. But it's more than recognition for Park, the honor for her lies in hanbok leaping forward onto the world stage. In every dip of dye and every stitch of silk, Park works on continuing the legacy. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Gyeongju.

S. KOREA STANDS AS CULTURAL POWERHOUSE

2025/07/30 18:34

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Wednesday July 30th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Critics say South Korea is indeed a cultural powerhouse given the popularity of K-pop K-movies and dramas as well as K-snacks if you will. For more I have Jin Yu Young with The New York Times. Yu-young it's a pleasure. I also have Jason Bechervaise at the Office of International Affairs from Hanyang University. Jason it's great to have you here. Yu Young, the animation "KPOP DEMON HUNTERS" continues to make international headlines. What appears to be the focus of the media coverage? Jason, some tout this particular animation as a genuine collaboration between East Asia and Hollywood. What are your thoughts? Yu Young, you recently published a piece on South Korea's standing as a cultural powerhouse. First, do tell us a bit about the background behind your story. Yu Young, do you believe global interest in Korea has indeed moved beyond its entertainment content to its broader culture? Jason, there have been reports about the growing interest in Korean in the West while Mandarin is losing its appeal there. Do you believe this reality is a tangible indication of the power of soft diplomacy? Yu Young, what has been the broader commercial impact of the Korean Wave? Jason, do you suppose this current interest in K-culture will be short-lived or can it become a lasting phenomenon? And Yu Young, what has been the impact of the Korean Wave within national borders? Jason, what are some of the hurdles that the Korean Wave needs to tackle to ensure its presence in the global arena? Yu Young, what's perhaps another aspect of the Korean culture that can serve to captivate the global audience? All right.

[Features reporter] Unique way to cool off with a night in a haunted Korean village

2025/07/30 16:38

Kun-woo, the weather is really hot these days in Korea, but I hear you brought us something that might make us forget the heat? That's right. This time, I visited a Korean folk village that recreates a traditional village from the Joseon Dynasty, a period that lasted around five hundred years in Korea until 1910. But this summer, daily between 4 PM and midnight, the village transforms into a haunted world full of traditional Korean ghosts and spine-chilling horror experiences. So, stick with me and prepare for this horrifying night. A quiet, peaceful village by day. But as darkness falls, a chill creeps in, and eerie whispers echo through the air. Under the crescent moon, ghosts begin to appear. Summer may be the hottest season, but for many in Korea, it's also the coolest in a spooky kind of way. One popular destination is the "Horror Village in the Dead of Night" festival, running until the end of August at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, in Gyeonggi-do Province. "Korean ghosts are known to be souls with unresolved sorrow -or "han." They don't just scare you, but they carry a story, one they never got to finish. So, what kind of sorrow are you holding onto?" "I died without being able to get married" From virgin ghosts to a local version of the grim reaper, these traditional Korean spirits send chills down visitors' spines, especially when they appear out of nowhere. "It's been scorching hot lately, so I thought this horror experience might blow away the heat. I kept sweating and shivering." "It's way different to watching movies." From haunted escape rooms to scream-filled walk-throughs, flashing red lights and scary sounds greet those who dare to enter. "GET OUT. You don't belong here." Even the food gets creepy, including the bloody "finger latte," topped with a broken finger-shaped cookie. Some restaurants are splattered with blood, with things appearing above visitors' heads. "I thought it was a regular restaurant, until I saw ghosts hanging above. I almost fell over in shock, but it's unique and fun. I was too scared to even feel the heat." The restrooms are also haunted, dimly lit up with red lights, with ghosts waiting for you, some appearing in the mirror. At the end of the night, visitors who turned into ghosts with costumes and painted faces, competed with each other to see who was the scariest. It seems like a peaceful, happy ending, but beware, these ghosts will return with the next dark night until August 24. So, for those looking for an experience of Korea's haunted summer night, good luck. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] TXT surpass themselves, set new record on Japan’s Oricon chart

2025/07/30 16:36

Time for K-enter with Walter Lee. Starting with news on TOMORROW X TOGETHER! According to a report by Oricon Japan on Tuesday, TOMORROW X TOGETHER' s fourth studio album "The Star Chapter: Together" sold 304,000 copies in its first week, securing the No. 1 spot on the latest weekly album chart. This marks TXT's highest weekly album sales to date on Oricon, surpassing their previous record of 303,000 copies with their second Japanese album "SWEET." TXT has now become the first foreign artist to top the Oricon Weekly Album Chart with 12 consecutive releases. Since first reaching No. 1 in 2020 with "The Dream Chapter: Eternity", every album they've released has debuted at the top of the chart, showcasing their continued dominance in Japan. Actor Park Bo-gum has been very recently appointed as honorary ambassador for Korea tourism, and now big news for Seoul tourism! The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organisation announced that Jennie Yes, that Jennie, has been appointed as the 2025 Honorary Ambassador for Seoul Tourism. Jennie has consistently expressed her deep love for the city, describing Seoul as "a city that inspires me" and saying, "Seoul's vibe perfectly matches my style." The new campaign, titled "Absolutely in Seoul," highlights the endless possibilities the city has to offer, captured through stylish and visually compelling content. The campaign will begin with a teaser released on Friday and will roll out globally across Visit Seoul's official YouTube channel and social media platforms. This news immediately reminded me of Jennie's "Seoul City". Next, it seems that people still can't get enough of the Squid Game fever? Squid Game Season 3 has maintained its No. 1 position in Netflix's "Non-English TV category" for five consecutive weeks since its release. According to Netflix's official site Tudum's "Netflix Top 10" on Wednesday, Squid Game season 3 recorded 4.6 million views (28.59 million viewing hours) from July 21 to 27, making it the most-watched non-English TV show during that period. And staying on K-viewership content, the thriller film "Wall to Wall" also known as "84 Square Meters" , starring Kang Ha-neul , topped the "Non-English Film" category last week with roughly 7.8 million views. This thriller follows Woo-sung , a young man who manages to buy his own 84-square-metre apartment, only to be tormented by mysterious and unidentifiable noises from upstairs. Since its release on July 18, the film has claimed the No. 1 spot in the "Global Top 10 Non-English Films" category for two consecutive weeks. Thanks for the news Walter. Now let's move onto Ari our AI anchor for more culture news.

K-wave AI News

2025/07/30 16:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Culture Minister nominee Chae Hwi-young has pledged to mobilize all policy resources to usher in a 300-trillion-won, or roughly 220 billion-dollar K-culture era to attract 30 million foreign tourists annually. The promise came during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, where he highlighted the K-content industry as a core engine of the nation's economy. To further expand the K-culture market, Chae said he will strengthen policy financing and tax incentives for content intellectual property development, while boosting investment in cultural technology R&D. Chae also pledged to craft a new strategy for K-tourism, aiming to channel the global popularity of K-culture into increased travel to regional destinations across the country. The number of monthly active users of major over-the-top, or OTT service apps in Korea has surpassed 20 million yet again, with the figure now becoming the new norm in the domestic streaming market. According to mobile app market tracker WiseApp•Retail, the combined number of monthly users of leading OTT platforms reached nearly 20.9 million in June, up more than 20% from three years ago. Netflix maintained its top position with almost 14 million users last month, capturing a 40% share of the market. The National Maritime Museum of Korea is hosting a special exhibition titled "War on the Waves" through October 26, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea's Liberation and the founding of the Navy. The exhibition explores the history and operations of Korea's naval forces from the late Goryeo period to the late Joseon era. Divided into three sections, it showcases a range of artifacts, including naval weapons, armor, books on military tactics, and iconic warships such as the turtle ship. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] Samgyeopsal and soju, "samso" trend in the Philippines

2025/07/30 16:34

Since 2022, exports to the Philippines of Korea's iconic alcoholic drink soju have increased over 40% annually and in Metro Manila the number of restaurants specializing in samgyeopsal, or Korean-style grilled pork belly, is on the rise. With that, the popularity of "samso" or "samsso" (samgyeopsal and soju) is going up as well. How did this irresistible combination capture the taste buds of the locals there? For that, we connect to today's K-Correspondent Ginyn Noble Cadavillo, a content creator in the Philippines. Hello Ginyn! Q1. Ginyn, please introduce yourself briefly to our viewers and tell us about your first encounter with samgyeopsal and soju. (What made you try them and what was your impression when you first tasted it?) Q2. We heard that there has been an increase in people enjoying "samso" the combination of samgyeopsal and soju. How and with whom do people enjoy it? (Is there a kind of local "samso" routine?) Q 2-1. So when did people there start to eat Korean style samgyeopsal and what's the most popular way to cook it? Q3. Now let's talk a bit more about Korea's alcoholic drink soju that has many fans in the Philippines. What is it about soju that makes it so popular? And how do you usually drink it? Q4. What's the biggest difference you feel when eating samgyeopsal and drinking soju in the Philippines compared to Korea? Who mainly enjoys it and also what is the price range? Q5. Ginyn, you are a content creator. So, when you make content related to samgyeopsal or soju, what do you focus on the most? Which content received the best response and why do you think that was? Q6. Do you have any recommendations for anyone who hasn't yet tried this combo? How should they experience their first-ever samgyeopsal or soju? Thank you Ginyn for connecting with us today. Thank you Walter as always, see you next week.

Design team pays tribute to late designer Rohit Bal at India Couture Week

2025/07/30 11:39

At the 2025 India Couture Week in Delhi, Rohit Bal's design house unveiled the "Kash-Gul" collection on Tuesday, marking a tribute to the late designer nearly nine months after his death. The collection is rooted in Rohit Bal's lifelong bond with Kashmir, drawing on symbols of flowers and his signature motifs of lotus and peacocks. Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal closed the show wearing a black velvet 'Sherwani' detailed in silver embroidery. He paused midway on the ramp to honor his friend, saying "legends never die."

Actor Park Bo-gum named honorary ambassador for S. Korean Tourism

2025/07/29 22:41

Actor Park Bo-gum has been appointed as an honorary ambassador for Korean tourism. On Tuesday, the Culture Ministry unveiled two promotional videos featuring Park including the campaign's theme song "On My Way" sung by the actor himself. A preview event for the new global campaign was also held the same day introducing themed videos supporting tourism in regions such as the Gyeongsang-do provinces highlighting Gyeongju, the host city of the upcoming APEC 2025 Korea.

Actor Park Bo-gum named honorary ambassador for S. Korean Tourism

2025/07/29 19:56

Actor Park Bo-gum has been appointed as an honorary ambassador for Korean tourism. On Tuesday the Culture Ministry unveiled two promotional videos featuring Park including the campaign's theme song "On My Way" sung by the actor himself. A preview event for the new global campaign was also held the same day introducing themed videos supporting tourism in regions such as the Gyeongsang-do provinces highlighting Gyeongju the host city of the upcoming APEC 2025 Korea.

[K-Enter] KPop Demon Hunters's soundtrack ‘Golden’ ranks No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100

2025/07/29 15:37

So, first up, news on one of my favourite movies of this year but more about its soundtrack. The original soundtrack for the hit Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" continues to show strong momentum on the U.S. Billboard 200, still climbing the chart in its fifth week since release. A preview article from Billboard says the original soundtrack moved up two spots from the previous week, reaching No. 3. The Billboard 200 ranks albums by combining traditional album sales, streaming equivalent albums, and track equivalent albums. In the latest tracking week, "KPop Demon Hunters" the original soundtrack achieved 89,000 album units. Can't get enough of not just Golden and Soda Pop, but Take Down and all the others. Next up BTS! BTS's live album "Permission to Dance on Stage – Live", released on July 18, debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart dated August 2. Despite featuring no new songs, the concert album's strong debut further reinforces BTS's reputation as pop icons. "Permission to Dance on Stage – Live" is BTS's first official concert recording, capturing the energy of their 12-show tour held both online and in person in Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas between 2021 and 2022. This marks BTS's 16th album to enter the Billboard 200. Of those, six have reached No. 1, including the anthology album "Proof" and their fourth studio album "Map of the Soul: 7." With this release, BTS now holds the record for the most top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 among Korean artists, with a total of eight albums reaching the top tier. Finally, let's talk about legendary K-pop singer BoA. On Monday, BoA gave fans a sneak peek into her 11th full-length album "Crazier" through her YouTube channel. The video features a weather forecast theme and offers an overall vibe of the album. Starting with the soul-pop track "Healing Generation," other tracks include BoA's self-written song "It Takes Two," which portrays a passionate love story, the pop dance track "Don't Mind Me," and the title track "Crazier." All of the songs are introduced in a compact 5-minute video. Marking her 25th anniversary, this album is scheduled for release on August 4. BoA unfortunately made news recently after having to cancel August concerts due to health reasons. Thanks for the news Walter. Now let's turn to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari.

K-Wave AI News

2025/07/29 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Korean government is engaging with APEC member economies to discuss regional cooperation for sustainable growth in the tourism sector. The APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting will be held in Incheon through Thursday, focusing on this year's three key APEC priorities, connectivity, innovation, and prosperity, while exploring ways to boost regional tourism collaboration. Attendees will also take part in experiential programs highlighting the appeal of Korean tourism. The itinerary includes visits to the National Museum of Korea and Seoul's popular tourist destinations, including the Seongsu-dong neighborhood, aimed at showcasing the diverse attractions of Korea. The royal pharmacy at Changdeokgung Palace will open to the public every Wednesday through Sunday from this week until August 17. Known as "Yakbang" during the Joseon Dynasty, the pharmacy served as the palace's official medical office. Visitors can freely explore the historic site and also sample "omija tea," a traditional drink favored by the royal family. Tastings will be offered at 10 am and 2 pm, with 100 cups available at each session. For more details on the "Yakbang tour," visit the official Changdeokgung website at royal.khs.go.kr. Park Sae-eun, the first Asian to be named an étoile, or principal dancer, at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet, will return to Korea for a special gala performance alongside her fellow stars. Following successful runs in 2022 and last year, this year's gala has once again been personally curated by Park, who also oversaw the casting. A total of ten principal dancers will take part in the performance. Running for three days from this Wednesday, the gala will feature iconic works by legendary choreographers, including George Balanchine. At a pre-show press conference, Park noted that recognition of the Korean Gala has grown within the company and that many dancers were eager to participate. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Unique Summer Escapes in Seoul

2025/07/29 15:34

Looking for a summer getaway? No need to go far– Seoul is packed with the coolest spots to beat the heat.

[K-Travel] Where to travel in Korea this summer? Part 4: Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju

2025/07/29 15:34

You may have noticed a South Korean city making more frequent appearances recently on Korean media. Gyeongju has been in the spotlight as the host city of the APEC summit this year. Gyeongju is also a top travel destination for locals and foreigners alike. For our fourth summer K-Travel segment we want to introduce the southeastern city of Gyeongju and a special destination within the city, Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO heritage site and symbol of Buddhism. For that, we connect to Richard McBride, Professor of Korean studies and Buddhist studies at Brigham Young University. Hello Professor McBride! Q1) Professor, you've been to Bulguksa Temple numerous times. Do you remember your first visit to the temple? And how do your trips feel every time you go? Q2) Korea is home to a lot of Buddhist temples. Among them, Bulguksa is one of the most representative ones. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the inscription of Bulguksa Temple on the UNESCO World Heritage list. What kind of space does it feel like to you, and what symbolism or value do you think it has in Buddhism? Q3) Another of Gyeongju's heritage sites that was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list three decades ago is Seokguram Grotto. It's distinct from Bulguksa Temple, yet interconnected? Tell us more. Q4-1) From late October to early November, Gyeongju will host the APEC summit. Do you believe World Heritage sites such as Bulguksa Temple bring more attention to the city? Q4-2) Big international events like APEC are a great opportunity for foreigners to be exposed to Korea's traditional culture and Buddhist heritage. But what significance do you see in such experiences? Q5) As many foreigners are expected to visit Gyeongju for the APEC summit, what other places apart from Bulguksa would you recommend? Thank you very much Professor McBride for your insights today. Thank you Walter! We'll see you again soon.

Disney drops 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' first look trailer and stills

2025/07/29 11:40

Disney has released the first official trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron's epic sci-fi saga, on Monday. The trailer debuted exclusively in theaters alongside Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and is now available online. It encompasses the visionary land, sea, and air worlds of Pandora at their most dramatic, and also unveils the Ash clan, a tribe that inhabits volcanic regions. Reviews praise the trailer as a "huge level up" in action, world-building, and emotional depth. The movie is set to open in theaters in December.

Muddy escape from the summer heat Boryeong Mud Festival is back!

2025/07/28 22:40

In other news. It's not vacation season without this festival here in the country. People from around the world gather in Boryeong city to enjoy the summer in the mud. Our Park Hyo-been takes us there. Splashing, tumbling, and soaking up the fun. Despite the scorching heat, people are all smiles as they dive into the mud and leave the summer swelter behind. Daecheon Beach in Chungcheongnam-do Province is holding the 28th Boryeong Mud Festival, which opened last Friday. "It's over 30 degrees here in Boryeong, but the more mud, the cooler it gets. This is why people head here to beat the summer heat." What began as a local event has now become one of the most beloved summer festivals in the world, attracting around 1.6 million visitors last year, many of them from abroad. The only goal here is to get dirty, together. "Oh yeah, it's really fun." "It's a lot more fun than we thought." "The mud dunk tank was really good because we got fully submerged in mud." "Yeah just completely covered." "Hi, I'm from the U.S. and I am having a lot of fun here." "I'm from Canada, I'm having so much fun. I've never been to an event like this before. It's been so fun." "You can see it feels really good. I hope it's good for my skin. It doesn't feel sticky or dirty at all it actually feels really nice." But the now-famous Boryeong mud wasn't always celebrated. Back in the early 1990s, Daecheon Beach was seen as murky and uninviting, until it was discovered that the mineral-rich mud was great for the skin. What was once worthless became a treasure, and by 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival was born. This year's event is bigger and bolder than ever. Visitors can dive into a mudslide, spin through the mud barbeque, or simply cover themselves in the mineral-rich sludge. There are special zones for families with young children and by night, the energy ramps up with K-pop concerts and dazzling drone light displays. Festival organizers say safety is a top priority, especially with the record-breaking heatwaves this summer. "The heatwave has been especially intense lately, so we've prepared safety measures to make sure visitors can stay comfortable while enjoying the festival." Officials say more than 2 million people from around the world are expected to join the festival this year. To help visitors from overseas enjoy the fun, interpretation services are offered in English, Chinese, and Japanese. The ultimate summer playground, Boryeong Mud Festival, runs until August 10th. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News, Boryeong.