News

[K-enter] "KPop Demon Hunters" makes history with a new record

2025/07/24 15:38

And what a coincidence our first story is another success story on KPop Demon Hunters. What is it? Soa, I have this song stuck in my head for weeks. "KPop Demon Hunters" is definitely going 'up, up, up' as the movie set a new record as the most watched animated film on Netflix. On Wednesday, Netflix announced on social media that "KPop Demon Hunters" became the first work in Netflix movie history to hit the highest views in the fifth week of its release. Additionally, it is currently the most-watched content across both English and non-English movies and shows, emphasizing that it has become the most watched animated film on Netflix. We also talked several times on our show about the explosive popularity of its soundtrack. Well, the songs by Huntrix and Saja Boys are still sweeping music charts both in Korea and the U.S, including on Spotify, Billboard, YouTube Music, and Melon. Can't wait to talk more about their songs in our "Kulture Issue" segment. Next up, this was a pleasant surprise. the 2025 APEC ambassador has been chosen? And it is G-Dragon! He has been appointed honorary ambassador for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, summit that will be held in Gyeongju in October. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced the news on Wednesday, describing G-Dragon as South Korea's leading artist who has continuously demonstrated creativity and innovation, including by transmitting his 음악 into space earlier this year. G-Dragon also posted a photo on social media saying that it's an honor to be involved with APEC Korea. As an APEC ambassador, he will participate in promoting key messages of the APEC summit to the world and appear in promotional videos. And we end off with another superstar of a slightly different genre. Singer Lim Young-woong will return with a full-length album after about three years. His agency, Mulgogi Music, announced the release of his second full-length album "IM HERO 2" by releasing a teaser video on his YouTube channel. The new album will feature songs from various genres, including ballad, trot, pop, hip-hop, dance, and folk, showcasing his wide musical spectrum. As his first full-length album, "IM HERO" swept the charts at the time of its release, expectations are rising for the second album as well. "IM HERO 2" will be released on various music sites on August 29th. Thank you, Bella, for today's stories. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for more on the culture front. Ari, take it away!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/24 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Amid a prolonged slump in the Korean film industry, the government will roll out 6,000-won movie ticket discounts starting Friday. A total of 4.5 million discount coupons will be provided, with each person eligible to download up to two coupons available on the websites of major multiplex chains such as CGV and Megabox. The discount applies only to online bookings and cannot be used for tickets purchased at the theater. With this year's cinema attendance expected to hit a 20-year low, excluding the pandemic period, attention is focused on whether the government's efforts will pay off. The Korea University Theater Festival, the nation's largest festival of its kind, has opened in Yongin. The final twelve teams that advanced through fierce competition will showcase original productions, including a reinterpretation of Shakespeare's "Othello." This year's preliminary round drew around 80 teams, with a competitive selection ratio of roughly 7 to 1. All performances are free and open to the public, with reservations available through the Yongin Cultural Foundation's website. A new nighttime media art exhibition is lighting up the Cheonggyecheon stream in central Seoul. Titled "Cheonggye Soul Ocean," the exhibition captures the charm of Seoul through wave-inspired media art. It spans three zones– a 40-meter section of the stream, a walking trail near Gwanggyo, and a gallery space– featuring immersive water-surface light projections and interactive installations. The Seoul Tourism Organization plans to continue transforming Cheonggyecheon into an urban art space, with a variety of media art displays scheduled through the end of the year. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] Overwhelming global impact of 'Squid Game' leaves future of Korean content in question

2025/07/24 15:35

It's been around a month since the final season of Squid Game has been released and it has gained global popularity on par with previous seasons. In this next report we look at what significance and impact this has on Korea's content industry and what challenges lie ahead. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. After becoming a global phenomenon, the Squid Game series has come to a close with its third season released on June 27th. While opinions on Season 3 were mixed, the level of attention it received remained overwhelming. "Season 3 was amazing. I started it the first night, and I finished it all in one go. I didn't take a break. I sat there through the whole series." Squid Game marked a turning point in global perceptions of K-content. This is because global demand for Korean-language content surged dramatically. "The continued success of outstanding works, riding the Korean Wave, Hallyu, has proven to be a catalyst in expanding the presence of Korean content." Following the massive parade that marched through downtown Seoul for the release of its final season, the actual-sized Young-hee and Chul-soo structures stood in Gwanghwamun Square. Various games and gift-winning events were held at the square, where people even tried out the jump rope game as featured in Season 3. Despite the hot weather, the square was filled with both locals and tourists eager to join in. "Jumping rope, trying out the prize activities, and actually experiencing what I had only seen on TV—doing it myself makes it feel more real and fun." Squid Game also drew attention as a business model through its intellectual property. In addition to snacks and stationery developed in collaboration with the retail industry, various spin-offs like mobile games and experience zones have generated significant revenue. "We always want to first and foremost be able to provide the fan of the show with all the elements that they expect, and then surprise them." Now, the big question is whether another work can reach the heights of Squid Game. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed his desire to take on risky, even potentially disastrous projects, emphasizing the spirit of creative challenge. "It might be risky, but those anxiety-inducing, nerve-wracking projects create something that's truly new." However, the reality for new creators in the content industry remains challenging. There's still lack of opportunities that allow for investment in original content that carries risks. "In film school, we were taught to make movies that reflect our unique voices. But once you enter the industry, the focus shifts away from personal style to marketability and commercial appeal " Experts say that instead of repeating Squid Game's success formula, what's needed now is policy support and a collaborative system to enable the emergence of the next wave of innovative content. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[Kulture Issue] The sounds of KPop Demon Hunters and latest K-pop trends

2025/07/24 15:34

Sometimes soft, sometimes powerful. K-pop music trends change rapidly, driven by listeners' tastes and cultural trends. That's also reflected in the recent Netflix animation hit "KPop Demon Hunters." For more on the K-pop music in this film and the fast-changing K-pop industry trends, we are now connected to our expert Claire Marie Lim, music technologist, artist and faculty member at Berklee College of Music. Hello Claire! Q1) It's almost hard to tell whether HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys are real K-pop idols or not, as the K-pop groups from the animation musical film KPop Demon Hunters have conquered the Billboard charts and you can hear people sing along to "Soda Pop" and "Golden" all around the world. Do you feel the KPop Demon Hunters phenomenon around you? Q2) So, who is behind the hit soundtrack, and how have these creators led the songs to become such a success? Q2-1) What do you think of the Korean lyrics that pop up in those songs and what impact does that have on the viewers/listeners? Q3) Maggie Kang, the Korean-Canadian director of the film, said that she didn't want KPop Demon Hunters to be a very traditional musical movie, but rather one that has real K-pop music that speaks to K-pop fans. So, what are the elements that made the songs "real" K-pop? Q4) A variety of K-pop styles can be found in KPop Demon Hunters, just like in the real K-pop world. But some styles dominate others at times. I remember so-called "Easy-listening" songs were very popular. Tell us more about that trend. Q5) Recently, "Hard-listening" is becoming a thing again. Could you define that for us as well? And why would people like to listen to that style? Q6) Who creates those trends? Why do they change so quickly, and what impact does such rapid change have on K-pop artists? (Could there possibly be concerns on maintaining the identity of groups?) Thank you very much Claire for your insights and have a great rest of the week. Thank you Bella, see you back tomorrow.

[NEWs GEN] Chilling Horror Hits: What makes Korean horror films so unique?

2025/07/24 13:33

뉴젠] K-귀신이 흥행공식? 한국 귀신의 종류와 인기 비결 #케이팝데몬헌터스 #저승사자 #무당 #도깨비 #구미호 #kpopdemonhunters #horrormovies #occultstories #khorror #occultfilms

Panda twins celebrate 3rd birthday in southwest China's Chongqing

2025/07/24 12:40

Chongqing Zoo in China's southwest celebrated the third birthday of a pair of twin giant pandas this week. The twins, named Yu Ke, the brother, and Yu Ai, the sister, were born on July 22, 2022. A special birthday party was designed to help them stay cool in the region's summer heat, with frozen fruit cake sculptures, bamboo ice treats, and chilled play areas. While Yu Ai was resting in a non-exhibition zone due to a mild eye condition, Chongqing Zoo officials stated that both pandas are thriving, thriving, healthy, and remain popular attractions.

G-Dragon appointed as ambassador for Gyeongju APEC Leaders' Meeting

2025/07/23 23:33

K-pop star G-Dragon has been appointed as the honorary ambassador for the 2025 Gyeongju APEC Leaders' Meeting. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the head of the meeting preparation committee, made the announcement on Wednesday via social media, calling G-Dragon "an artist that represents South Korea." He added that the singer has consistently shown passion and creativity through his artistic endeavors, such as recently transmitting music into space.

Former Seoul Station marks centennial with poetic art exhibition

2025/07/23 22:39

Just steps away from today's bustling Seoul Station stands its century-old predecessor, now reborn as a space for art and memories. A special exhibition there is inviting people to rediscover the space under the theme of "paradise." Park Hyo-been takes us there. Once a place of departures, the station now offers a different kind of arrival. The exhibition, "Our Enchanting Paradise," brings together 50 works by 21 Korean artists, featuring sculpture, media art, virtual reality, and installations, all presented inside the century-old former Seoul Station, now reborn as Culture Station Seoul 284. "This grand hall once echoed with train whistles and footsteps. Now, a century later, it's filled with the sound of art and imagination." Curators say the idea of "paradise" wasn't drawn from distant utopias, but from the very emotions this space once held: anticipation, hope and relief. "The old Seoul Station represents both departures and arrivals. We wanted to show that paradise isn't one fixed idea. It's a journey each of us makes from our own place, in our own way." In the main hall, once the heart of the station, a large-scale digital work by Hwang Se-jin reimagines a traditional Korean landscape painting, blurring the line between memory and illusion. "I was surprised by how diverse and unexpected the artworks were. The media art in the main hall really left an impression." Roh Jin-ah's "Evolutionary Chimera" blinks and responds like a real person. Her AI-powered sculpture, with human eyes and voice, challenges the boundaries between life and machine, reminding us that in an age where nature and technology blur, we are called to rethink what paradise truly means. "We think the exhibition is nice and we like the mix of old things with new and modern things." "For me, it was the talking face downstairs with the moving eyes. It was like something new and different." In a station once filled with departures and returns, art now fills in with meaning. In its century of change, it offers not only history but also a moment of reflection through art. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Former Seoul Station marks centennial with poetic art exhibition

2025/07/23 19:38

Just a few footsteps away from today's bustling Seoul Station stands its one-hundred-year-old counterpart which has been transformed into a space for art. Our Park Hyo-been was there. Once a place of departures, the station now offers a different kind of arrival. The exhibition, "Our Enchanting Paradise," brings together 50 works by 21 Korean artists, featuring sculpture, media art, virtual reality, and installations, all presented inside the century-old former Seoul Station, now reborn as Culture Station Seoul 284. "This grand hall once echoed with train whistles and footsteps. Now, a century later, it's filled with the sound of art and imagination." Curators say the idea of "paradise" wasn't drawn from distant utopias, but from the very emotions this space once held: anticipation, hope and relief. "The old Seoul Station represents both departures and arrivals. We wanted to show that paradise isn't one fixed idea. It's a journey each of us makes from our own place, in our own way." In the main hall, once the heart of the station, a large-scale digital work by Hwang Se-jin reimagines a traditional Korean landscape painting, blurring the line between memory and illusion. "I was surprised by how diverse and unexpected the artworks were. The media art in the main hall really left an impression." Roh Jin-ah's "Evolutionary Chimera" blinks and responds like a real person. Her AI-powered sculpture, with human eyes and voice, challenges the boundaries between life and machine, reminding us that in an age where nature and technology blur, we are called to rethink what paradise truly means. "We think the exhibition is nice and we like the mix of old things with new and modern things." "For me, it was the talking face downstairs with the moving eyes. It was like something new and different." In a station once filled with departures and returns, art now fills in with meaning. In its century of change, it offers not only history but also a moment of reflection through art. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

G-Dragon appointed as ambassador for Gyeongju APEC Leaders' Meeting

2025/07/23 19:33

In related news. K-pop artist G-Dragon has been appointed honorary ambassador of this year's APEC summit in the Korean city of Gyeongju. The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on social media where he called G-Dragon "an artist who represents South Korea." He added the singer continues to show passion and creativity through his artistic endeavors including his recent transmission of music into space. Officials also believe his appointment will draw greater global attention to the upcoming multilateral meeting.

[K-Enter] 1st-generation iconic idol group H.O.T. to reunite for full-group performance

2025/07/23 15:37

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news. And today Walter we are starting off with something H.O.T.! H.O.T., one of the most iconic first-generation K-pop groups, will be returning to the stage as a full group and is set to headline the "Hanteo Music Festival," taking place at Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 6 and 7. September 7, also marks the 29th anniversary of their debut. This will be the first time in six years that all five members have performed together, following their last concert in September 2019. As one of K-pop's most iconic first-generation idol groups, H.O.T. debuted in 1996 and achieved massive success with numerous hits such as "Candy," "Descent of Warriors" "Light," and "Happiness," cementing their legendary status in the Korean music industry. From one group of H.O.T. artists to another hot K-pop icon! Let's talk Jennie! BLACKPINK's Jennie has once again earned recognition for her musical artistry. On Monday, Billboard revealed its "25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far): Critic's Picks" list, naming Jennie's "Like JENNIE", the main track from her first full-length solo album "Ruby", as the No. 1 pick. Billboard praised the track as "a powerful two-minute anthem that goes beyond just charting on the "Hot 100" and "Pop Airplay", it cements Jennie's status as the next-gen 'It Girl.'" The outlet added, "Her razor-sharp rap turns negative narratives on their head and delivers what might be the most confident performance of her career." Jennie also topped Spotify's "2025 Mid-Year Global Impact List" with "Like JENNIE." In fact, nine of her tracks, including the hit single, were featured on the list underscoring her wide-reaching global influence. Congratulations to Jennie! Lastly, let's hear about another group thats smashing the charts. TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) have once again proven their global impact, with their 4th studio album "The Star Chapter: TOGETHER," selling nearly 1.43 million copies on its release day, Monday, securing another million-seller milestone. According to "Hanteo Chart" on Tuesday, the album sold approximately 1 million 428 thousand copies on its first day, landing at No. 1 on the daily physical album chart. Starting with "Minisode 2: Thursday's Child" in 2022, TXT have now achieved six consecutive first-week million-sellers with their Korean releases. As of 8 a.m. the morning of the release day, the album also topped "iTunes Top Albums" charts in 19 regions, including Japan, Chile, and Hong Kong. It ranked No. 2 on both the Worldwide and European iTunes Albums Charts. The title track "Beautiful Strangers" also reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in nine countries. The group just keeps continuing to build a better tomorrow. Thanks for the news Walter. Now, let's go to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/23 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Director Park Chan-wook's new film "No Other Choice" has been selected to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion at this year's Venice International Film Festival. This marks the first time in 13 years that a Korean film has been invited to the festival's main competition since the late director Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta," which won the Golden Lion in 2012. Starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, "No Other Choice" follows the story of an employee who, after being suddenly laid off, struggles to find a new job to support his family. This marks Park's return to the Venice competition after 20 years. Tourist arrivals to Jeju Island from January to July this year have surpassed seven million, according to the Jeju Tourism Association. The number of foreign tourists, in particular, rose by more than 14% compared to the same period last year. With nearly 1.6 million passengers expected to pass through Jeju Airport during the peak summer vacation season, the association plans to boost efforts to further support the local tourism industry and enhance travelers' convenience. The 2025 Gwangju Design Biennale will run in the southern city from August 30 to November 2. Now in its 11th edition, this year's event is themed "You, the World: How Design Embraces Humanity," highlighting the value and significance of inclusive design. The biennale will feature works by more than 220 artists and 80 organizations from 11 countries, showcasing design as a powerful way to perceive and embrace the world around us. Alongside the exhibition, an international symposium and experimental projects exploring real-world applications of inclusive design will also be held. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Features reporter] Former Seoul Station marks centennial with poetic art exhibition

2025/07/23 15:34

Hyobeen, I heard you visited a rather unusual exhibition not in a usual museum or an art gallery, but inside a former train station? Yes, Soa. It used to be Seoul Station, from when it was opened a hundred years ago, but now it's filled with art instead of passengers. The exhibition is called "Our Enchanting Paradise", and it turns this historic space into something truly magical. Let's take a look. Once a place of departures, the station now offers a different kind of arrival. The exhibition, "Our Enchanting Paradise," brings together 50 works by 21 Korean artists, featuring sculpture, media art, virtual reality, and installations, all presented inside the century-old former Seoul Station, now reborn as Culture Station Seoul 284. "This grand hall once echoed with train whistles and footsteps. Now, a century later, it's filled with the sound of art and imagination." Curators say the idea of "paradise" wasn't drawn from distant utopias, but from the very emotions this space once held: anticipation, hope and relief. "The old Seoul Station represents both departures and arrivals. We wanted to show that paradise isn't one fixed idea. It's a journey each of us makes from our own place, in our own way." In the main hall, once the heart of the station, a large-scale digital work by Hwang Se-jin reimagines a traditional Korean landscape painting, blurring the line between memory and illusion. "I was surprised by how diverse and unexpected the artworks were. The media art in the main hall really left an impression." Roh Jin-ah's "Evolutionary Chimera" blinks and responds like a real person. Her AI-powered sculpture, with human eyes and voice, challenges the boundaries between life and machine, reminding us that in an age where nature and technology blur, we are called to rethink what paradise truly means. "We think the exhibition is nice and we like the mix of old things with new and modern things." "For me, it was the talking face downstairs with the moving eyes. It was like something new and different." In a station once filled with departures and returns, art now fills in with meaning. In its century of change, it offers not only history but also a moment of reflection through art.

[NEWs GEN] Seoul Summer Beach: Where young people are headed to this summer

2025/07/23 12:33

[NEWs GEN] Seoul Summer Beach: Where young people are headed to this summer

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's frontman, dies aged 76

2025/07/23 11:39

In the United Kingdom, Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath known as the "Prince of Darkness," died on Tuesday at the age of 76. No immediate cause was given, though he had been battling Parkinson's disease since 2020. His final performance took place only recently, on July 5, at Villa Park stadium in his hometown of Birmingham, with the proceeds donated to organizations such as Parkinson's UK. Over his five-decade career with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne sold more than 100 million records and earned a revered place in rock history. Tributes poured in worldwide, with Elton John calling him "a true legend."

"Like JENNIE" chosen as best K-pop song of 2025 so far by Billboard critics

2025/07/22 22:39

On the entertainment front, BLACKPINK Jennie's single "Like JENNIE" has been selected as the Best K-pop Song of 2025 by Billboard critics. According to the Billboard website on Monday, "Like JENNIE" ranked first out of the 25 standout singles from this year so far. Billboard praised the artist's ability to "flip all expectations of what constitutes a K-pop hit today," and highlighted the song's blend of Korean into a mostly English record.

BLACKPINK's new song 'JUMP' tops Billboard Global chart

2025/07/22 19:40

BLACKPINK's new song "JUMP" has topped the Billboard Global chart. According to its agency this marks the group's fourth time to rule the chart. What's more BLACKPINK hit number one on the Billboard Global 200 chart for the third time. These latest rankings make the team the first K-pop girl group to have the most top-ranking songs on both charts. Meanwhile TWICE's fourth full-length album called "This Is For" ranked 6th on the Billboard 200 chart. Since 2021 TWICE has seen two albums and five EPs enter the Billboard 200's Top 10.

MMCA to present history of Korean contemporary art

2025/07/22 19:38

On the cultural front. Exhibitions showcasing Korea's modern works of art are taking place at two branches of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Our Cha Yun-kyung has a glimpse. The Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, located in Jong-no District, is presenting famous works of Korean contemporary artists from the 1960s to the 2010s, utilising the museum's own collection. Starting with the renowned Kim Whan Ki's work, "Echo of Mountain," audiences can also find "Samramansang," a giant installation by Kang Ik-joong, and also "Floor" by Suh Do-ho. "As lots of Korean artists donated their works, as well as some from the Lee Kun-hee art collection, the quality of the museum's collection has been improved." World-famous artist Paik Nam-june's "Junk," which was shown at his personal exhibition at the Wolfsburg Art Museum in 1995, and Kim Soo-ja's "Bottari" from 2007 are being shown in public for the first time ever. The Gwacheon branch of MMCA, located in Gwacheon district, also presents works created in the first half of the 20th century, which encompass the Korean Empire to the Korean War, exploring how artists wrestled with the changes and challenges of their times. Famous art that came out after the Korean War is also scheduled to be shown from the end of June, which will offer viewers a multilayered introduction to current trends in Korean contemporary art through various eras. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] TWICE reach no. 6 on U.S. 'Billboard 200'

2025/07/22 17:37

Walter, for "once" let's start off with news on "TWICE"! TWICE have achieved another major milestone as their new album entered the Billboard 200 at No. 6 in the chart. According to an article published on Billboard's official website on Sunday, the group's fourth studio album "THIS IS FOR", released on July 11, earned 80,000 equivalent album units, securing the No. 6 spot on the main U.S. album chart. This marks TWICE's seventh consecutive album to enter the top 10 of the Billboard 200, beginning with their 10th mini album "Taste of Love", which also reached No. 6 in June 2021. With this latest entry, TWICE have extended their own record for the most top 10 appearances on the Billboard 200 by a K-pop girl group. The group also kicked off their sixth world tour, "THIS IS FOR", with two shows on July 19 and 20 in Incheon. "THIS IS FOR" is for all TWICE fans out there, from one record-breaking group to a record-breaking soloist who is part of a group though. BTS's Jungkook has broken yet another record on the global music streaming platform Spotify. According to the World Music Awards (WMA), Jungkook has become the first Asian solo artist to surpass 100 million streams with each of his original tracks, to which he has 18 in total on Spotify. The global media outlet Oneily Vibe highlighted Jungkook alongside Billie Eilish and Harry Styles as the only artists on Spotify whose entire original discography has individually topped 100 million streams, an extraordinary accomplishment. Jungkook has also surpassed 9.2 billion cumulative unfiltered streams on Spotify. Lastly, let's talk about an animation directed by a well-known Korean director in the field. Renowned Korean animator and director Park Sung-hoo, celebrated worldwide for his dynamic action direction in titles like The God of High School, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Ninja Kamui, has released his latest project, BULLET/BULLET, now streaming on Disney+ as of July 16. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, BULLET/BULLET follows the unpredictable journey of a junk shop worker named Gear. The series, a passion project developed over ten years, showcases Park's signature style through the thrilling adventure of a bold team of underdogs who rise up against corruption and injustice. Thanks for that news Walter, now let's move onto Ari our AI anchor for more culture-related news. Ari, over to you!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/22 17:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Hwacheon Tomato Festival, now recognized as one of Korea's signature summer events, is set to return on August 1 in Hwacheon County, Gangwon-do Province. Running through August 3, the festival will unfold across six themed zones, offering over 40 programs. The highlight is the "Golden Ring Hunt," where 22 tons of surplus tomatoes are scattered across a giant pit, inviting participants to dive in and search for the hidden gold rings. The experience zone offers hands-on activities such as tomato face painting, while the performance zone will feature a lineup of live shows. Festivities will kick off with an opening ceremony, featuring special performances and fireworks to mark the start of the three-day summer spectacle. The 2025 World Surf League Siheung Korea Open wrapped up after a successful event at Turtle Island in Siheung, Gyeonggi-do Province, drawing over 20,000 spectators. Marking a world first, the event was the WSL's inaugural QS6000 official competition held in an artificial wave pool. A record-breaking 192 athletes from 16 countries competed in the shortboard and longboard divisions, making it the largest tournament in the event's history. Siheung City is also calling for public interest and participation in the 2025 National Marine Sports Games, scheduled to take place at Turtle Island from August 30 to September 2. Renowned Swiss photographer Markus Klinko has opened his first Korea exhibition with a David Bowie tribute in Seoul. The show features 22 selected works from the past two decades, including iconic portraits and album covers of David Bowie, as well as other global stars like Lady Gaga. Klinko gained international acclaim in 2002 with the cover photo for Bowie's album "Heathen," praised for its striking portrayal of the artist's symbolism and inner world. Calling Korean culture a global phenomenon, Klinko unveiled plans to open a studio in Seoul this fall and to regularly visit Korea for projects related to K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.