News

BTS to make full-group comeback next spring

2025/07/02 11:36

K-pop group BTS will return with a new album featuring all seven members, and begin a world tour next spring. The supergroup announced the news during a live broadcast on the K-pop fan community platform Weverse on Tuesday, adding that they'll start planning their comeback this month. BTS says the new album will be released next spring, along with a world tour to mark the group's return. All seven members of the group have now completed their mandatory military service, and have been discharged as of last month.

[K-Enter] Reliving the excitement of the tour, BTS to release their first live album

2025/07/01 16:36

Starting off with some BTS news on an upcoming album but it's a first-of-its-kind album? BTS will release their first-ever live concert album, "PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE", on July 18. This album marks the group's first live album since their formation. It features 22 live tracks from their 2021–2022 "PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE" tour, including fan favourites like "ON," "Fire," "Dope," and "IDOL." BTS's agency BigHit Music commented, "We hope this album brings back memories of the "BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE" concerts. May every moment shared with BTS continue to shine in your hearts." The 2021-2022 tour took place across 12 shows in three cities, Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, reaching 4 million fans through online live streams, live viewings, and in-person events. During this tour, BTS also became the first Korean act to perform at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. I imagine this live album will get ARMY amped up to see them live once again. Moving onto a member of SEVENTEEN and e-sports? I feel this story is for our other beautiful co-host Bella as she is an e-sports fanatic but Dino , the youngest member of SEVENTEEN, has lent his voice to the official theme song for the 2025 Esports World Cup. According to the Esports World Cup Foundation in Saudi Arabia and his agency, PLEDIS Entertainment, Dino took part in recording the theme song titled "Til My Fingers Bleed", which was released on Monday. The track also features American hip-hop artist DUCKWRTH and metalcore band The Word Alive. Dino will debut the live performance of "Til My Fingers Bleed" at the EWC opening ceremony on July 10 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The EWC is the world's largest esports event, drawing 2.6 million attendees and over 500 million online viewers last year. This is the first time a K-pop artist has performed an official theme song for the competition. Lastly over to news on a K-movie, that received big praise abroad? Director Hur Jin-ho's "A Normal Family" has been selected by U.S. entertainment outlet Variety as one of the "10 Best Films of 2025" (So far). Variety curated the list from standout international films screened in North America during the first half of the year, with "A Normal Family" being the only Korean film to earn a spot. Adapted from Dutch author Herman Koch's bestselling novel "The Dinner", the film is a tense psychological thriller that follows two well-off couples, whose lives spiral out of control after discovering their children were involved in a murder. Variety praised the film as "a suspenseful and morally harrowing drama," adding that "it's sure to grip viewers from the opening scene." Thanks for that news Walter. Now it's time for our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/01 16:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea has named the southern port city of Busan as its official candidate to host the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee next year. The National Heritage Service announced on Monday that Busan was selected over Jeju Island after a thorough review of venue facilities, accessibility, and connections to nearby World Heritage sites. UNESCO will name the final host city at this year's session of the World Heritage Committee set for July 15 in Paris. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is an intergovernmental body that meets annually to make key decisions regarding the inscription, conservation and protection of World Heritage sites. Passengers aboard France's high-speed TGV trains, which serve over 100 million people annually, can now enjoy Korean webtoons during their journey. Naver Webtoon has partnered with TGV to provide 15 Korean and French webtoons as exclusive in-train content. Passengers can access a variety of online content through the train's onboard network, and for the first time, webtoons have been added to the platform. Naver Webtoon launched its French-language service in 2019 and has since been expanding its presence in the French market. The city of Chuncheon in Gangwon-do Province has launched a new Tour Pass exclusively for international visitors to cater to the needs of independent foreign travelers. The pass offers access to the city's 11 key attractions, including Legoland Korea Resort and Kim You-jeong Literature Village, all through a single mobile ticket. A 48-hour pass is priced at 49,900 won, and a 24-hour light pass at 15,900 won. City officials say the initiative aims to enhance convenience for foreign tourists and establish Chuncheon as a stayover destination, which is expected to help boost the local economy. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] Squid Game Season 3: analysis and response

2025/07/01 16:34

Game over. Korea's most successful Netflix series that took the world by storm, Squid Game, has finally wrapped up its epic journey with Season 3. Let's see how the reactions have been so far. For that, we are joined by Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Hello Professor Soh! Q1. There was much anticipation ahead of the release, and fans around the world were quick to watch through the six-episode series. Squid Game 3 claimed the top spot on Netflix worldwide within a day of its release. Professor Soh, what did you think of the final installment, and how has the local and overseas response been so far? Q2. What was season 3 about and without giving too much away, do you think it was a good way to end the series? Q3. Was there anything that made season 3 different from seasons 1 and 2? Q4. A variety of actors showed off their impressive acting throughout the seasons. What are some characters that stood out to you? Who would you say received a lot of attention in the third series? Q5. Professor Soh, after watching and hearing assessments on all three seasons, was there any part that received a different reaction from the audience in Korea and outside Korea? Q6. 'Squid Game' has become a global phenomenon. What needs to be done for Korean content to continue such global success? Q7. It's kind of sad that it's the end of the Squid Game series. Is there anything lying ahead for the future of Squid Game, or how will it be remembered? (Possible spin-offs?) Thank you very much Professor Soh for your insights and analysis. Thank you Walter as always, see you soon.

[Short-form] Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival

2025/07/01 16:33

Short-form] Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival Explore Korea’s celebrated lotus festival and let your own story bloom among the petals

From Tokyo to Seoul: How Japan's teens are dancing into the spotlight

2025/06/30 22:37

Time now for the final installment in our series of stories to mark the 60th year of the normalization of Seoul-Tokyo ties. After Korean dramas, literature and food, it is K-pop that's been at the heart of the two countries' relations and which continues to promise a brighter future for them. Ahn Sung-jin has more. 11-year-old Hanae has a big dream, to become a K-pop idol. From Twice to her favorite artist, Tomorrow by Together, the idol wannabe's dance practices continue day and night. Her journey began when she was an infant. "When I watch K-pop, the singing is amazing and the dancing is incredible too. It makes me think that it's something really special." Her love for K-pop came from her mother, though she was also inspired by someone else, her grandmother. The passion for K-pop runs through three generations of her family. "In the past, only some people knew about and liked Korean culture, but now it's become mainstream, even my friends enjoy it. I think it gives people a positive motivation for life. Korean culture is now really being embraced here in Japan." For Hanae's mother, it started with Korean fashion and then naturally merged into K-pop. Now she's glad to be supporting her daughter's dream that she had once hoped for. "I want to support her dream with all that I can. I hope she becomes a globally renowned K-pop idol, maybe even performing at Coachella one day." For Hanae, this means a lot of effort, whether it be learning Korean or enhancing her dance skills. "I'm working hard on my singing and dancing until I can be truly satisfied with it myself. I want to meet K-pop idols up close and not only debut in Korea, but also ultimately launch a global career." But it's not just Hanae who has this ambitious aspiration. Students at this dance studio are also a part of a rising wave of Japanese teens captivated by K-pop who practice for hours every day. The studio has more than 1-thousand registered students and offers classes for all different levels. "We've been seeing a steady increase in students over the past seven or eight years, but I think that number will only grow. Until recently, most students have been high schoolers, but now we're seeing a lot more kids from elementary school or those who are in their 20s as well." "It's the K-pop performance for me, and how K-pop idols really try hard and put in a lot of effort." Kurumi has already crossed that threshold. She debuted only around a month ago as a K-pop idol in Korea and said that her dream since elementary school had come true. "It still doesn't feel real, but as we've been appearing on music shows more often these days, it's starting to sink in more and more. I hope to perform in Japan, my home country, sometime in the future." But the phenomenon of K-pop is flowing in both directions. &TEAM is a successful example of K-culture localization and draws fans from all over the world. "We just made the plans full steam. We booked the flight, we booked the hotel and we were on our way. I think it's because the members are so diverse and a lot of them are multilingual." "I had been learning Korean but I stopped for a while. After I started liking &TEAM, I picked it up again." These journeys represent not only what many young hopefuls see as success, but it also signifies a cultural crossover as K-pop continues to transcend borders, languages and generations. This next wave of idols are gearing up for their dream, one step and one beat at a time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

"An Exhibition Without Borders": 9 artists with development disabilities soar beyond limits

2025/06/30 22:36

Over in Türkiye. A special exhibition is taking place by a group of South Korean artists whose works of art prove that developmental disabilities do not hinder creative ability. Our Choi Soo-hyung has their story. A hot air balloon floats gently on a small canvas, showing the beauty of Cappadocia, Türkiye. Flowers, recreated with Korean colors and lines, also catch the eye. All of these works are made using tape. Artist Park Tae-hyun visited Türkiye in 2017, and ever since, he has dreamed of going back to hold an exhibition there. "He rode a hot air balloon and sailed on a cruise ship in Türkiye, which left a strong impression. After returning to Korea, he made many related artworks and has always dreamed of exhibiting them." Since June 16, a special exhibition has been held at the Korean Cultural Center in Ankara, Türkiye, featuring work from Art Brut Korea by nine artists with developmental disabilities, including Park and Jeong Do-woon. More than 40 pieces of art grab the attention of visitors with their bold colors and unique perspectives. "I thought many Korean residents would come, but many locals visited instead. They listened carefully to the stories behind each artwork, asked questions, and showed their respect. Our artists felt very happy, and I was truly proud." "We thought it would be meaningful to share Korean culture through pure and unique perspectives. By introducing artworks about Türkiye seen through Korean eyes, we also hoped to highlight the strong friendship between Korea and Türkiye." Over the past 10 years of their artistic journey, the artists' disabilities have become a driving force for their art, not a limitation. "People with developmental disabilities often have sensitive hearing or vision, giving them a unique view of the world. With strong intuition and focus, it feels like the picture is already complete in their mind, and they simply transfer it onto the canvas." There were many doubts and stereotypes about how people with developmental disabilities could create such artwork. "One tough prejudice is people doubting that artists with developmental disabilities truly created the artwork themselves. It's a hurtful misunderstanding." From planning the exhibition to setting up the artwork, the parents do everything except create the pieces themselves. But the parents of Art Brut Korea say they want the world to recognize these works as those of true artists. "An Exhibition Without Borders" in Türkiye runs until July 25. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

From Tokyo to Seoul: How Japan's teens are dancing into the spotlight

2025/06/30 19:37

And it's time now for the final installment in our series of stories to celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan this year. K-pop continues to connect the two countries as promising talents from the neighboring country also seek the stage. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin has more. 11-year-old Hanae has a big dream, to become a K-pop idol. From Twice to her favorite artist, Tomorrow by Together, the idol wannabe's dance practices continue day and night. Her journey began when she was an infant. "When I watch K-pop, the singing is amazing and the dancing is incredible too. It makes me think that it's something really special." Her love for K-pop came from her mother, though she was also inspired by someone else, her grandmother. The passion for K-pop runs through three generations of her family. "In the past, only some people knew about and liked Korean culture, but now it's become mainstream, even my friends enjoy it. I think it gives people a positive motivation for life. Korean culture is now really being embraced here in Japan." For Hanae's mother, it started with Korean fashion and then naturally merged into K-pop. Now she's glad to be supporting her daughter's dream that she had once hoped for. "I want to support her dream with all that I can. I hope she becomes a globally renowned K-pop idol, maybe even performing at Coachella one day." For Hanae, this means a lot of effort, whether it be learning Korean or enhancing her dance skills. "I'm working hard on my singing and dancing until I can be truly satisfied with it myself. I want to meet K-pop idols up close and not only debut in Korea, but also ultimately launch a global career." But it's not just Hanae who has this ambitious aspiration. Students at this dance studio are also a part of a rising wave of Japanese teens captivated by K-pop who practice for hours every day. The studio has more than 1-thousand registered students and offers classes for all different levels. "We've been seeing a steady increase in students over the past seven or eight years, but I think that number will only grow. Until recently, most students have been high schoolers, but now we're seeing a lot more kids from elementary school or those who are in their 20s as well." "It's the K-pop performance for me, and how K-pop idols really try hard and put in a lot of effort." Kurumi has already crossed that threshold. She debuted only around a month ago as a K-pop idol in Korea and said that her dream since elementary school had come true. "It still doesn't feel real, but as we've been appearing on music shows more often these days, it's starting to sink in more and more. I hope to perform in Japan, my home country, sometime in the future." But the phenomenon of K-pop is flowing in both directions. &TEAM is a successful example of K-culture localization and draws fans from all over the world. "We just made the plans full steam. We booked the flight, we booked the hotel and we were on our way. I think it's because the members are so diverse and a lot of them are multilingual." "I had been learning Korean but I stopped for a while. After I started liking &TEAM, I picked it up again." These journeys represent not only what many young hopefuls see as success, but it also signifies a cultural crossover as K-pop continues to transcend borders, languages and generations. This next wave of idols are gearing up for their dream, one step and one beat at a time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

"An Exhibition Without Borders": 9 artists with development disabilities soar beyond limits

2025/06/30 19:36

Over in Türkiye. An exhibition currently underway in that country by a group of South Korean artists is proving physical disability does NOT hinder creative ability and instead deepens the power of perspective. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. A hot air balloon floats gently on a small canvas, showing the beauty of Cappadocia, Türkiye. Flowers, recreated with Korean colors and lines, also catch the eye. All of these works are made using tape. Artist Park Tae-hyun visited Türkiye in 2017, and ever since, he has dreamed of going back to hold an exhibition there. "He rode a hot air balloon and sailed on a cruise ship in Türkiye, which left a strong impression. After returning to Korea, he made many related artworks and has always dreamed of exhibiting them." Since June 16, a special exhibition has been held at the Korean Cultural Center in Ankara, Türkiye, featuring work from Art Brut Korea by nine artists with developmental disabilities, including Park and Jeong Do-woon. More than 40 pieces of art grab the attention of visitors with their bold colors and unique perspectives. "I thought many Korean residents would come, but many locals visited instead. They listened carefully to the stories behind each artwork, asked questions, and showed their respect. Our artists felt very happy, and I was truly proud." "We thought it would be meaningful to share Korean culture through pure and unique perspectives. By introducing artworks about Türkiye seen through Korean eyes, we also hoped to highlight the strong friendship between Korea and Türkiye." Over the past 10 years of their artistic journey, the artists' disabilities have become a driving force for their art, not a limitation. "People with developmental disabilities often have sensitive hearing or vision, giving them a unique view of the world. With strong intuition and focus, it feels like the picture is already complete in their mind, and they simply transfer it onto the canvas." There were many doubts and stereotypes about how people with developmental disabilities could create such artwork. "One tough prejudice is people doubting that artists with developmental disabilities truly created the artwork themselves. It's a hurtful misunderstanding." From planning the exhibition to setting up the artwork, the parents do everything except create the pieces themselves. But the parents of Art Brut Korea say they want the world to recognize these works as those of true artists. "An Exhibition Without Borders" in Türkiye runs until July 25. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

'Squid Game' season 3 tops Netflix charts in 93 countries

2025/06/30 19:35

The third season of the Netflix series "Squid Game" topped the charts in 93 countries within a day of its release. According to FlixPatrol a global OTT ranking site on Saturday the series which was released on Friday ranked number one in the Netflix TV show category in 93 countries. With 10 points awarded for every country in which a show ranks first this South Korean drama series garnered 9-hundred-30 points. It was first released in 2021 and stands as the most popular series in Netflix's history.

[Features reporter] From Tokyo to Seoul: How Japan's teens are dancing into the spotlight

2025/06/30 15:37

Sung-jin, so we really have come to an end to your Japan series. And today you are going to introduce to us something that we cannot miss out on when talking about Korean culture? Right, perhaps something too clichéd, but still so essential, and that is K-pop. K-pop has really been Korea's global cultural export, transforming from a regional genre to an international phenomenon. And as a country with a strong fan base, I spoke with those in Tokyo aspiring to be the next K-pop idols. Have a look. 11-year-old Hanae has a big dream, to become a K-pop idol. From Twice to her favorite artist, Tomorrow by Together, the idol wannabe's dance practices continue day and night. Her journey began when she was an infant. "When I watch K-pop, the singing is amazing and the dancing is incredible too. It makes me think that it's something really special." Her love for K-pop came from her mother, though she was also inspired by someone else, her grandmother. The passion for K-pop runs through three generations of her family. "In the past, only some people knew about and liked Korean culture, but now it's become mainstream, even my friends enjoy it. I think it gives people a positive motivation for life. Korean culture is now really being embraced here in Japan." For Hanae's mother, it started with Korean fashion and then naturally merged into K-pop. Now she's glad to be supporting her daughter's dream that she had once hoped for. "I want to support her dream with all that I can. I hope she becomes a globally renowned K-pop idol, maybe even performing at Coachella one day." For Hanae, this means a lot of effort, whether it be learning Korean or enhancing her dance skills. "I'm working hard on my singing and dancing until I can be truly satisfied with it myself. I want to meet K-pop idols up close and not only debut in Korea, but also ultimately launch a global career." But it's not just Hanae who has this ambitious aspiration. Students at this dance studio are also a part of a rising wave of Japanese teens captivated by K-pop who practice for hours every day. The studio has more than 1-thousand registered students and offers classes for all different levels. "We've been seeing a steady increase in students over the past seven or eight years, but I think that number will only grow. Until recently, most students have been high schoolers, but now we're seeing a lot more kids from elementary school or those who are in their 20s as well." "It's the K-pop performance for me, and how K-pop idols really try hard and put in a lot of effort." Kurumi has already crossed that threshold. She debuted only around a month ago as a K-pop idol in Korea and said that her dream since elementary school had come true. "It still doesn't feel real, but as we've been appearing on music shows more often these days, it's starting to sink in more and more. I hope to perform in Japan, my home country, sometime in the future." But the phenomenon of K-pop is flowing in both directions. &TEAM is a successful example of K-culture localization and draws fans from all over the world. "We just made the plans full steam. We booked the flight, we booked the hotel and we were on our way. I think it's because the members are so diverse and a lot of them are multilingual." "I had been learning Korean but I stopped for a while. After I started liking &TEAM, I picked it up again." These journeys represent not only what many young hopefuls see as success, but it also signifies a cultural crossover as K-pop continues to transcend borders, languages and generations. This next wave of idols are gearing up for their dream, one step and one beat at a time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

[K-Enter] "Squid Game 3" ranked No. 1 in the world within a day of its release

2025/06/30 15:35

We've been expecting to talk about Squid Game 3 in our K-enter news segment today. And we'll do that now with Walter. So, what's the latest on the final season? Season 3 of "Squid Game", released last Friday, soared to No.1 globally just a day after its premiere. According to FlixPatrol, a streaming data site, Squid Game 3 topped the global Netflix charts and has remained in the top position, this was the last time I checked. The series ranked No. 1 in all 93 countries monitored by FlixPatrol. Let's go through the season history. When Season 1 premiered in 2021, it became Netflix's most-watched series globally among both English and non-English shows, earning massive international acclaim. Season 2, which dropped on December 26, 2024, also debuted at No. 1 during its first week. In cumulative viewership, it now ranks as the third most-watched Netflix TV series. But it will go down as one of the best K-dramas that Korea has ever produced. Now, from one influential drama to an influential K-movie that's been out six years ago, but made new history? Last Friday New York local time, the New York Times released its list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century," placing director Bong Joon Ho's 2019 film "Parasite" at the top of its list. A direct quote from The Times described "Parasite" as "a tale of haves and have-nots, and a ferocious rebuke to the devastations of neoliberalism," calling it a film that is "pleasurably kinked and unsettling." The article praised Bong as "a master of genre unbound by convention," Also included on the list were Bong's 2003 film "Memories of Murder" at No. 99, "Past Lives", the 2023 semi-autobiographical debut by Korean-Canadian director Celine Song at No. 86. and Park Chan-wook's 2005 film "Oldboy" at No. 43. Let's end off with an animation movie, but more-so the soundtrack of that movie. The Netflix U.S. animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters", which revolves around the world of K-pop, is gaining massive popularity across the globe, and its original soundtrack is also creating a buzz. On Sunday, Billboard revealed in a chart preview that the "K-Pop Demon Hunters" soundtrack debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, the magazine's flagship albums chart. This marks the highest-charting soundtrack debut of the year and the first soundtrack to break into the Top 10 in 2025. Several songs from the soundtrack have also made their way onto Spotify's charts. The album features songs by the fictional K-pop girl group in the movie "HUNTR/X," as well as songs by their rival boy group "Saja Boys." Thanks for that news Walter, as always stick around as we now move onto our AI culture news anchor Ari. Ari what do you have today?

K-wave AI News

2025/06/30 15:34

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korean golfers Im Jin-hee and Lee So-mi clinched their first LPGA title on Sunday at the Dow Championship, a team event held in the U.S. state of Michigan. In the fourth and final round of the championship, the duo finished at 20-under par, forcing a playoff where they secured victory by birdying the first hole against the American team of Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang. The pair became the fourth and fifth Korean golfers to win on the LPGA Tour this year. In celebration of the grand season finale of Netflix's global hit "Squid Game," large-scale events were held in Korea and the UK. A massive parade was showcased in central Seoul near Gwanghwamun on Saturday, the day after the release of the final season, drawing an estimated 5,000 participants. The event featured a live reenactment of the show's signature game, "Red Light, Green Light," along with a parade of giant characters and iconic symbols from the series. Meanwhile, over in the UK, Newcastle's Millennium Bridge was transformed into a supersized jump rope, featuring Young-hee, the menacing doll and iconic face of the series, alongside her newest companion, Chul-su. The spectacle was part of a series of global events held to bid farewell to the show. The Culture Ministry and the King Sejong Institute Foundation have designated 11 new King Sejong Institutes across nine countries. This brings the total number of Sejong institutes operating worldwide to 252 across 87 countries. The newly established institutes include two in Egypt, six across Asia, including Uzbekistan and the Philippines, and three in Europe, including Germany and Italy. The ministry aims to operate over 350 King Sejong Institutes globally by 2030, fostering a robust Korean language ecosystem across different regions. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] From team name to logo K-pop groups and rebranding strategies

2025/06/30 15:34

I-dle, CRAVITY, NOWZ. These K-pop groups all have something in common. They all recently underwent a rebranding. Rebranding in marketing is the process of updating or changing a brand's identity, be it by a change in name, logo, slogan, visual or verbal presentation. Today, we want to delve in to what rebranding means for K-pop groups. For that, we are now connected with our K-pop expert Jeff Benjamin. Hello Jeff! Q1. Let's start with the girl group i-dle, which sent off the "G" of their former name (G)-I-DLE with a kind of "funeral", and have been continuing their successful career as a powerful K-pop idol group. How do you assess the rebranding of i-dle? Q2. Next, let's talk about CRAVITY, a group that you have also spoken well about before Jeff. How did they undergo a rebranding? Q3. (Any other mentionable rebranded groups?) Now, why are these groups changing their names, logos, etc.? Why do they go through this process? What are they aiming for? Q4. So how are fans reacting to rebranding? (Also, is there a difference in the reaction from overseas fans and domestic fans?) Q5. In some cases, groups have to inevitably change their name as they move to a different agency, such as HIGHLIGHT and BBGIRLS . Recently, even a relatively new boy group, former NOWADAYS, begun a new era after turning into "NOWZ". What are your thoughts on the potential risks or concerns groups can face with rebranding? Q6. How do you think the process of rebranding will affect the sustainability of K-pop artists? Thank you very much Jeff for your insights, talk to you next time. Thanks Walter for kicking off the new week with us, see you tomorrow.

From classical to traditional Korean: Lee Hanurij's bold new sound "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25"

2025/06/30 11:36

A talented teenage composer is seeking to blur the boundaries between traditional Korean musical instruments and contemporary musical compositions. Our Lee Eun-hee has this story. 19-year-old classical music composer Lee Hanurij has unveiled his first traditional Korean music piece. He won the Bartók World Competition in Hungary when he was just 18. This young talent has also written a commissioned piece for pianist Lim Yun-chan, the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at just 18 years old in 2022. Now, Lee has entered a completely new territory by composing his first piece for Korean traditional orchestra, a bold step that bridges tradition and modernity, and breaks down the walls between Korean and Western music. The opportunity came when conductor Choi Soo-yeol, currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, invited Lee to write a piece. Choi describes the Korean traditional orchestra as "a branch of contemporary music; a special genre that allows us to express the present through ancient instruments." Lee Hanurij's debut in the genre came to life through the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra's concert, filling the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night with the richly layered and resonant sounds of "gugak," Korea's traditional music. In an interview with representatives from the Sejong Center, Lee described his piece as "an attempt to construct an entirely different kind of sentence using the vocabulary of gugak, one that unfolds loosely, hazily, without clear peaks or dramatic climaxes." Lee Hanurij, premiering his work "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,"; his debut composition for a Korean traditional orchestra experimentally explores the unique tones and sonic possibilities of traditional instruments. Quoting him, "In this piece, the loop functions more like a memory; fading, warping, and merging into new contexts, yet never entirely vanishing." As pianist Lim Yun-chan puts it, he is "one of the most outstanding composers of our time." The future of the music world isn't just bright, it's dynamically unpredictable. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

'Squid Game' season 3 tops Netflix charts in 93 countries

2025/06/30 11:35

The newly released third season of the popular Netflix series 'Squid Game' has topped the OTT platform charts in 93 countries within a day of its release. According to FlixPatrol, a global OTT ranking site, on Saturday, Squid Game Season 3, which was released on Friday, ranked first in the Netflix TV show category in 93 countries. With 10 points given for every country a show ranks first, the South Korean drama series earned 930 points. First released in 2021, the show became the most popular series in Netflix's history.

[Arts&Culture] Squid Game Season 3: What to watch for in final chapter of 4-year journey

2025/06/27 22:36

It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture. We have our culture correspondent Choi Soo-hyung in the studio. Welcome Soo-hyung! Happy to be back here! Soo-hyung, I do know what you have for us today the return of Squid Game! Yes, Dami. About a few hours ago finally "Squid Game" has returned to the world with its final season. This Netflix original series is considered one of the most successful K-content series of all time. So, I bring the key highlights of Season 3's storyline. Let's do take a look. In Season 2, Seong Gi-hun joined the game again, but failed to foment a rebellion and even lost his best friend. His fate is now decided in Season 3. "Gi-hun changes and makes up his mind ---"This is what I can do" ---and decides to take action based on that belief." The conflicts and stories of the main characters, pushed to the edge between life and death, are key points to watch. In particular, many viewers have been looking forward to the showdown between Gi-hun and the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, the surprise central figure of Season 2. "All the characters' interactions and stories will finally explode in Season 3, so I believe it makes up for any disappointments from Season 2." "Season 3 centers on the clash of values between Gi-hun and the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, individual survival or collective cooperation. This ideological conflict began to take shape in Season 2, and how this conflict ends is a key point to watch." In Season 3, new Korean games ---not featured in previous seasons ---are introduced in the survival game. Moreover, beyond survival, a key point to watch is how unique Korean emotions and culture in Squid Game make it stand out. "Season 2 also introduced many new games. But in Season 3, what's more important is how the characters' personal stories unfold and what message they ultimately deliver. The key point is how much emotional impact these stories and each character's can create." The six-episode season was released in full ---all at once ---on June 27 at 4 PM, Korean standard time. With Season 3, Squid Game has begun its final dance, bringing a four-year-long journey to an end. Seems so interesting, Soo-hyung. But you know, some said the previous season's storyline felt slow and drawn-out. Is Season 3 any different? Seasons 2 and 3 of Squid Game depart from Season 1's storyline, with Season 2 serving mainly to expand the universe. Season 3 is expected to move at a faster pace, bringing the story to a conclusion. Many viewers criticized the previous season's too slow pacing, but such criticism may overlook the features of drama formats. Films are much more compact and symbolic, requiring tight storytelling within around two hours. But dramas allow space for people to feel emotional depth and cultural context within many episodes and seasons. So the professor said if Season 3 delivers the emotional payoff Season 2 was building toward, its extended narrative is justified. Indeed, then Soo-hyung, foreign media also had high expectations, does Season 3 also retain strong Korean cultural elements? Yes, absolutely. As you know, the traditional Korean games in the survival scenes sparked a global reaction in earlier seasons. But in the final season, director Hwang has hinted at new, unrevealed games not shown in the trailers, further raising anticipation. Experts have also pointed out a unique aspect of Squid Game, its emotional depth, rarely seen in typical survival formats. Unlike most survival movies that focus solely on individual skills and competition, Squid Game includes the themes of family, friendship, community and humanism. These melodramatic, emotionally charged elements played a key role in its explosive global appeal. Viewers can expect Season 3 to continue emphasizing this distinct blend of Korean sentiment and emotional catharsis. Right So, Soo-hyung, will this be the last season of Squid Game? Unfortunately, yes. Director Hwang has confirmed that Squid Game will end with Season 3. For now, he has no plans for another season but, as always, nothing is certain yet. There are still some stories to explore, focusing on the Front Man or the game system itself. So, it wouldn't be surprising if Squid Game expands into new extra series through future spinoffs. Indeed, Soo-hyung. I will be spending my whole weekend watching the final season. Thank you for sharing the highlights. Thank you, my pleasure.

From classical to traditional Korean: Lee Hanurij's bold new sound "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25"

2025/06/27 21:36

Now let's move from the screen to the stage. A talented teenage composer is seeking to blur the boundaries between traditional Korean musical instruments and contemporary musical compositions. Our Lee Eun-hee has this story. 19-year-old classical music composer Lee Hanurij has unveiled his first traditional Korean music piece. He won the Bartók World Competition in Hungary when he was just 18. This young talent has also written a commissioned piece for pianist Lim Yun-chan, the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at just 18 years old in 2022. Now, Lee has entered a completely new territory by composing his first piece for Korean traditional orchestra, a bold step that bridges tradition and modernity, and breaks down the walls between Korean and Western music. The opportunity came when conductor Choi Soo-yeol, currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, invited Lee to write a piece. Choi describes the Korean traditional orchestra as "a branch of contemporary music; a special genre that allows us to express the present through ancient instruments." Lee Hanurij's debut in the genre came to life through the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra's concert, filling the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night with the richly layered and resonant sounds of "gugak," Korea's traditional music. In an interview with representatives from the Sejong Center, Lee described his piece as "an attempt to construct an entirely different kind of sentence using the vocabulary of gugak, one that unfolds loosely, hazily, without clear peaks or dramatic climaxes." Lee Hanurij, premiering his work "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,"; his debut composition for a Korean traditional orchestra experimentally explores the unique tones and sonic possibilities of traditional instruments. Quoting him, "In this piece, the loop functions more like a memory; fading, warping, and merging into new contexts, yet never entirely vanishing." As pianist Lim Yun-chan puts it, he is "one of the most outstanding composers of our time." The future of the music world isn't just bright, it's dynamically unpredictable. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

NYT ranks 'Oldboy' and 'Memories of Murder' in 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century'

2025/06/27 21:35

Two South Korean films have been included in the list, 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century. The New York Times announced the list on Thursday, and Park Chan-wook's 2005 film "Oldboy" was ranked 43rd, while the 2003 film "Memories of Murder" directed by Bong Joon-ho was ranked 99th. The newspaper stated that "Oldboy" portrayed "operatic violence" as a twisted thriller, while "Memories of Murder" gave the perspective on "human limits against incomprehensible evil through unexpected humor." Also notable is Korean-Canadian director Celine Song's 2023 film "Past Lives," ranking 86th, which unfolds a story of love, fate and time between New York and Seoul. The ranking was compiled from 500 renowned directors, producers and actors, and the list includes movies that were released after January 1st, 2000. The New York Times released the list this week and will be releasing the top 20 later on Friday, local time.

From classical to traditional Korean: Lee Hanurij's bold new sound "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25"

2025/06/27 18:36

Now let's move from the screen to the stage. A talented teenage composer is seeking to blur the boundaries between traditional Korean musical instruments and contemporary musical compositions. Our Lee Eun-hee met up with him. 19-year-old classical music composer Lee Hanurij has unveiled his first traditional Korean music piece. He won the Bartók World Competition in Hungary when he was just 18. This young talent has also written a commissioned piece for pianist Lim Yun-chan, the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at just 18 years old in 2022. Now, Lee has entered a completely new territory by composing his first piece for Korean traditional orchestra, a bold step that bridges tradition and modernity, and breaks down the walls between Korean and Western music. The opportunity came when conductor Choi Soo-yeol, currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, invited Lee to write a piece. Choi describes the Korean traditional orchestra as "a branch of contemporary music; a special genre that allows us to express the present through ancient instruments." Lee Hanurij's debut in the genre came to life through the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra's concert, filling the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night with the richly layered and resonant sounds of "gugak," Korea's traditional music. In an interview with representatives from the Sejong Center, Lee described his piece as "an attempt to construct an entirely different kind of sentence using the vocabulary of gugak, one that unfolds loosely, hazily, without clear peaks or dramatic climaxes." Lee Hanurij, premiering his work "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,"; his debut composition for a Korean traditional orchestra experimentally explores the unique tones and sonic possibilities of traditional instruments. Quoting him, "In this piece, the loop functions more like a memory; fading, warping, and merging into new contexts, yet never entirely vanishing." As pianist Lim Yun-chan puts it, he is "one of the most outstanding composers of our time." The future of the music world isn't just bright, it's dynamically unpredictable. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.