News

K-pop stars light up Seoul as Fashion Week turns the city into a runway

2025/09/03 22:40

And just when we thought we're ready to welcome back cooler weather, the good old Seoul Fashion Week is back for its 2026 spring/summer season. Our Park Hyo-been has a glimpse of the latest styles. Fashion, stars, and a runway by the palace walls. Seoul Fashion Week is back for its 2026 spring/summer season, offering a glimpse of the trends that will shape styles in the coming year. Marking its 25th anniversary, this year's event goes beyond the traditional venue at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, spreading across the entire city of Seoul. And the week began right here along the stone walls of Deoksugung Palace, with a striking opening show by Andersson Bell. "I've always followed Andersson Bell, and since the show is held here along the Deoksugung Palace walls, I was really excited to come." "I've been attending the event for about three or four years now. I didn't want to miss it this time either. The runway today is what I'm looking forward to most, especially because it's a brand I've always liked." Before the runway began, the area around the palace was already filled with stars and fans alike. On the photo wall, big names like TOMORROW X TOGETHER's Hueningkai, Hearts2Hearts' Ian and Jiwoo, and IVE's Gaeul drew the crowds. Once the opening runway show kicked off, Andersson Bell unveiled its 2026 spring/summer collection under the theme SOFT CLASH. The pieces highlighted unexpected color matches, layered silhouettes that looked effortless yet calculated, and deconstructed details with a worn-in edge. And Deoksugung Palace is not the only iconic location to serve as a backdrop. Throughout the week, 27 Korean designer brands take turns presenting their collections at Seoul landmarks, including the Oil Tank Culture Park, Heungcheonsa Temple, and, of course, Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Adding a global touch, Berlin Fashion Week also joined Seoul Fashion Week for the first time, showcasing its official Berlin Showroom. "The event runs until this Sunday, turning Seoul into a global fashion city. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

"KPop Demon Hunters" becomes most-watched title on Netflix

2025/09/03 19:41

Netflix sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" has become the most-watched title on the platform. According to the streaming service the animation has been streamed over 2-hundred-66 million times making it the top content of all time on Netflix. In fact it has surpassed "Squid Game: Season 1" which previously held the top spot in the show category. Meanwhile its original soundtrack "Golden" continues to dominate the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart holding the number one spot for the third straight week.

From tradition to modernity: Korean design illuminated at Design Miami.In Situ

2025/09/03 19:40

And a world renowned exhibition platform has opened its first Asian showcase right here in Seoul. Our Byeon Ye-young was there. Design Miami has landed in Asia for the first time, opening its Seoul edition to shine a spotlight on Korean designers who have long played a role in connecting the nation's culture with the world. Titled 'Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design', the exhibition is Design Miami's first In situ endeavor. From stunning glass decorative pieces to traditional Korean accessories made from cow intestines, the exhibition shows Korean designers who have become renowned names in global design spheres. "Design Miami is a globally renowned exhibition platform. By hosting such a prestigious design platform here in Seoul, the first in Asia, we wanted to create an opportunity for our city to expand and step onto the world stage through design." "Design Miami Seoul showcases more than 170 works by 71 designers. From traditional crafts to contemporary concepts, every piece highlights the creativity of Korean design." Among the standout works are pieces deeply rooted in Korea's culture and traditions. Park Won-min's bench, made from a massive stone slab, evokes a surreal, dreamlike effect. Lee Jung-in reinterprets hanji , traditional Korean paper, by applying it to wooden lattice frames, transforming the technique into a sculptural paper sofa. This particular piece was also a finalist for the prestigious LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize. The venue itself adds another layer of meaning. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or DDP, is a cultural landmark in Seoul and home to many artistic events like Seoul Fashion Week. DDP was designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, Design Miami's very first "Designer of the Year" back in 2005 so the choice of the venue brings Design Miami's story full circle. "Korean culture is making waves on the global stage right now. Likewise, through this Design Miami Seoul exhibition, we hope to introduce many people to Korean design and design art. The exhibition is open free of charge, so we encourage the public to come and experience the works of these renowned designers firsthand." Alongside the exhibition, Design Miami also hosted design talks on Tuesday to foster dialogue on Korean design. Design Miami Seoul runs through September 14, 2025, at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

K-pop stars light up Seoul as Fashion Week turns the city into a runway

2025/09/03 19:39

Seoul Fashion Week is back and the catwalk this time around has been extended across the capital city. Our Park Hyo-been has a glimpse. Fashion, stars, and a runway by the palace walls. Seoul Fashion Week is back for its 2026 spring/summer season, offering a glimpse of the trends that will shape styles in the coming year. Marking its 25th anniversary, this year's event goes beyond the traditional venue at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, spreading across the entire city of Seoul. And the week began right here along the stone walls of Deoksugung Palace, with a striking opening show by Andersson Bell. "I've always followed Andersson Bell, and since the show is held here along the Deoksugung Palace walls, I was really excited to come." "I've been attending the event for about three or four years now. I didn't want to miss it this time either. The runway today is what I'm looking forward to most, especially because it's a brand I've always liked." Before the runway began, the area around the palace was already filled with stars and fans alike. On the photo wall, big names like TOMORROW X TOGETHER's Hueningkai, Hearts2Hearts' Ian and Jiwoo, and IVE's Gaeul drew the crowds. Once the opening runway show kicked off, Andersson Bell unveiled its 2026 spring/summer collection under the theme SOFT CLASH. The pieces highlighted unexpected color matches, layered silhouettes that looked effortless yet calculated, and deconstructed details with a worn-in edge. And Deoksugung Palace is not the only iconic location to serve as a backdrop. Throughout the week, 27 Korean designer brands take turns presenting their collections at Seoul landmarks, including the Oil Tank Culture Park, Heungcheonsa Temple, and, of course, Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Adding a global touch, Berlin Fashion Week also joined Seoul Fashion Week for the first time, showcasing its official Berlin Showroom. "The event runs until this Sunday, turning Seoul into a global fashion city. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

[Features reporter] From tradition to modernity: Korean design illuminated at Design Miami.In Situ

2025/09/03 15:39

Ye-young, I heard a huge design event has made its way to Korea? That’s right, Soa. Design Miami is a world-renowned design fair that brings together pieces from some of the most prestigious galleries worldwide. It also features talks, special programs, and awards, making it a landmark in today’s global art scene. Sounds fascinating. What can we see there? Great question, Walter. Think of furniture, lighting, even decorative objects that go beyond function to become art in themselves. This year’s Seoul edition is titled “Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design,” and I got a sneak preview. It was a very "illuminating" experience to see how far Korean design has come. Let's take a look together. Design Miami has landed in Asia for the first time, opening its Seoul edition to shine a spotlight on Korean designers who have long played a role in connecting the nation’s culture with the world. Titled 'Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design', the exhibition is Design Miami's first In situ endeavor. From stunning glass decorative pieces to traditional Korean accessories made from cow intestines, the exhibition shows Korean designers who have become renowned names in global design spheres. “Design Miami is a globally renowned exhibition platform. By hosting such a prestigious design platform here in Seoul, the first in Asia, we wanted to create an opportunity for our city to expand and step onto the world stage through design.” "Design Miami Seoul showcases more than 170 works by 71 designers. From traditional crafts to contemporary concepts, every piece highlights the creativity of Korean design." Among the standout works are pieces deeply rooted in Korea’s culture and traditions. Park Won-min’s bench, made from a massive stone slab, evokes a surreal, dreamlike effect. Lee Jung-in reinterprets hanji , traditional Korean paper, by applying it to wooden lattice frames, transforming the technique into a sculptural paper sofa. This particular piece was also a finalist for the prestigious LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize. The venue itself adds another layer of meaning. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or DDP, is a cultural landmark in Seoul and home to many artistic events like Seoul Fashion Week. DDP was designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, Design Miami’s very first “Designer of the Year” back in 2005 so the choice of the venue brings Design Miami's story full circle. “Korean culture is making waves on the global stage right now. Likewise, through this Design Miami Seoul exhibition, we hope to introduce many people to Korean design and design art. The exhibition is open free of charge, so we encourage the public to come and experience the works of these renowned designers firsthand.” Alongside the exhibition, Design Miami also hosted design talks on Tuesday to foster dialogue on Korean design. Design Miami Seoul runs through September 14, 2025, at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Those are some funky-looking pieces! Yes, they're definitely unique! Artists can be so creative with the materials they use. What were some other stand-out pieces? Well, since I mentioned pieces that drew inspiration from Korean tradition in my report, let's take a look at some fun modern pieces. Doesn't the logo seem familiar to you? Looks like a fast food chain's logo? Yes, it's a lamp made entirely from paper bags that once had burgers and fries in them. And take a look at these cool chairs. They look like balloons! And they were made with actual balloons too, encased in resin. I wonder why Design Miami chose Korea as its first site for an 'In Situ' event? Well, I had the same question, but with Korean culture taking the world by storm, Korea being selected as a location for creative dialogue and artistic innovation should be no surprise. Let's listen to what Jen Roberts, CEO of Design Miami, had to say. "So we've been paying attention to Seoul for a long time and there is a history of great collectors in the city. So in the past decade, we've seen such an increase of participation in the design community from Korea. It started you know, the 14 years ago with one gallery representing Korean design and now there's many Korean designers with many international galleries that's really grown." Very happy to hear Korea was chosen Koreans have a long history of intricate craftsmanship along with modern designers, there is so much to showcase. Thank you Ye-young for your coverage. Thank you Ye-young. It was my pleasure.

[K-enter] "KPop Demon Hunters” surpasses “Squid Game”

2025/09/03 15:36

It's now time for K-enter news with Walter Lee and let's start with "KPop Demon Hunters," which has broken a record that many thought would be standing for years to come. According to Netflix’s official site Tudum on Wednesday, "KPop Demon Hunters" has now become the platform’s most-watched title across both films and series, amassing a total of 266 million views. Remarkably, just two weeks ago it sat in third place behind "Squid Game: Season 1" and "Wednesday: Season 1" , but has since surged into the top spot. To put that into perspective, "KPop Demon Hunters" has surpassed records set during the COVID-19 era, a period when OTT streaming consumption was at its peak and "KPop Demon Hunters" has done all that despite only being released on June 20. And the music is still proving hot too! According to Billboard on Tuesday local time, the single "Golden" from the movie has kept its No. 1 spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for the third week in a row. The milestone comes in the same week that Stray Kids’ "KARMA" entered at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, meaning K-pop is leading both the singles and albums rankings this week. It marks the first time in nearly five years that the genre has pulled off the double, following BTS in December 2020 with their album "BE" and its lead single "Life Goes On". Well, what other records are left? Next up, another movie that is buzzing is Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) announced on Tuesday that director Park Chan-wook’s film, "No Other Choice", has been selected as Korea’s official entry for the "Best International Feature Film" at the 2026 Academy Awards. KOFIC highlighted the film’s exceptional craftsmanship and outstanding performances as key reasons for its selection. "No Other Choice" premiered last Friday at the Venice International Film Festival, in the main competition. It has also been invited to the Gala Presentations at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Main Slate at the New York Film Festival, and will be the opening film at the Busan International Film Festival later this month. Keep our fingers crossed! Lastly a new series coming out on Disney+. A press conference for the Disney+ original series "Tempest" was held on Tuesday in Seoul, starring Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won , which will premiere on September 10. The story follows Mun-ju , a former UN ambassador, as she investigates the conspiracy behind an assassination attempt, teaming up with San-ho , a mysterious special agent tasked with protecting her, to uncover a massive threat to the peninsula. Thanks for the news Walter.

K-wave AI News

2025/09/03 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young has pledged to expand support for Korean artists and eliminate blind spots in assistance so that they can fully showcase their talents and reach global audiences. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a roundtable organized to hear from performing artists across all fields, including traditional Korean music, theater, and dance. Participants included Koh Sun-woong, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre, and Kim Yong-geol, dance professor at the Korea National University of Arts. Among the requests made were stronger funding for arts education and more cross-disciplinary collaboration centered on production theaters. More than 1.3 million foreign tourists visited Seoul in July, hitting the highest monthly figure on record. According to the Seoul city government, the number was up over 23% from a year earlier and over 18% from 2019, before the outbreak of COVID-19. Officials attributed the growth to diverse cultural experiences, Seoul's safe and smart digital infrastructure, and its blend of tradition and modernity. They added that the explosive popularity of the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has also fueled the rise in international visitors. Kukje Gallery has opened a solo exhibition by Korean-Colombian-American artist Gala Porras-Kim, titled "Conditions for Holding a Natural Form." The exhibition presents two groups of drawings that explore the ways human-constructed categories are applied to naturally occurring and organic forms. Highlights include the drawing series "Signal," where moisture and droplets build up on her work, creating patterns that reflect the weather, seasons, and even visitors' movements. Her new series, "Suseok," features meticulous colored-pencil drawings of traditional stones that explore conditions shaped by human perceptual habits and aesthetic traditions. Based in London and Los Angeles, Porras-Kim investigates how artifacts and objects are collected, perceived, and interpreted within institutional contexts. The exhibition runs through October 26, and entry is free of charge. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Two worlds collide: Reality show 'Kpopped' gives classic hits a K-pop twist

2025/09/02 22:41

On the cultural front, picture iconic stars from the 80s and 90s, like the Spice Girls and Kylie Minogue, teaming up with K-pop idols to reimagine their greatest hits. What happens when these two worlds collide? Ahn Sung-jin shows us. "You've kpopped it." What would it be like if the Spice Girls and Boyz II Men were K-pop groups? That's what a new reality show aims to find out. The show 'Kpopped' was released last Friday, made by executive producers Lionel Richie and Megan Thee Stallion, and co-produced by CJ ENM. K-pop artists including ITZY, ATEEZ, Kiss of Life and STAYC are paired up with global music legends like Kylie Minogue and Kesha to recreate some of their most iconic songs. 8 episodes have been released on Apple TV+, and every episode highlights the cover performance together and the precise K-pop style choreography, alluding to the title "kpopped." Not only were popular songs like 'Savage', 'Say You'll Be There', 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' performed with a K-pop twist to it, but the artists also tried wearing Hanbok, tasted Korean food and visited local spots. One expert says the show could give viewers a deeper understanding of the unique aspects of K-pop. "K-pop has a strong fandom so not only does it have a persistent demand, but now they are trying out more new things." According to FlixPatrol, which ranks TV shows and movies on the main streaming platforms, "Kpopped" ranked fourth for its global popularity and topped the chart in Korea. Following the craze for "KPop Demon Hunters," maybe "Kpopped" could be the next piece of K-pop content to make waves on streaming platforms. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

"KPOP DEMON HUNTERS" ON S. KOREAN TOURISM

2025/09/02 19:44

Welcome to Tuesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's September Second here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Today we REVISIT the popularity of KPop Demon Hunters and its ripple effects on travel trends here in Korea. For more I have Celio Fioretti with French daily La Croix. Celio welcome back. I also have Jin Yu Young with American daily The New York Times. Yu Young it's good to have you on. Celio, KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix's most watched movie. What are some of factors behind this feat as shared by the foreign media? Yu Young, the New York Times recently published an article titled "The Overlooked Element to the KPop Demon Hunters' Phenomenon". Do tell us a bit about this element and your takeaway. Yu Young, does this reality look to have an impact on future screen productions? What's your outlook? Celio, following the release of this animated film on Netflix, searches on Google about specific venues here in Seoul soared in quite a number of countries such as the U.S., Japan and France. Do tell us more about this trend and its implications. Yu Young, KPop Demon Hunters has also reportedly triggered a shift in travel trends among foreign visitors to the country. Do elaborate on this for us. Celio, amid the rise in the number of foreign visitors to Korea, there have been growing calls for efforts to encourage travel to areas beyond the capital region. Based on your firsthand experience here, what are your thoughts and suggestions? Yu Young, what do you believe has been the impact of the popularity of K-culture on its soft power? And perhaps in recognition of its greater potential, Celio, I hear "APEC for the first time in its history placed culture at the center of its economic agenda." Do tell us about the inaugural meeting in Gyeongju last week. Meanwhile Yu Young, what do you suppose is next for KPop Demon Hunters? I mean, what are you keeping an eye on with regard to its global popularity? All right.

Two worlds collide: Reality show 'Kpopped' gives classic hits a K-pop twist

2025/09/02 19:39

In other news. A reality show on a streaming platform is sharing music collaborations between iconic artists of the 80s and 90s like Kylie Minogue teaming up with K-pop idols to re-imagine their greatest hits. Our features reporter Ahn Sung-jin has more. "You've kpopped it." What would it be like if the Spice Girls and Boyz II Men were K-pop groups? That's what a new reality show aims to find out. The show 'Kpopped' was released last Friday, made by executive producers Lionel Richie and Megan Thee Stallion, and co-produced by CJ ENM. K-pop artists including ITZY, ATEEZ, Kiss of Life and STAYC are paired up with global music legends like Kylie Minogue and Kesha to recreate some of their most iconic songs. 8 episodes have been released on Apple TV+, and every episode highlights the cover performance together and the precise K-pop style choreography, alluding to the title "kpopped." Not only were popular songs like 'Savage', 'Say You'll Be There', 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' performed with a K-pop twist to it, but the artists also tried wearing Hanbok, tasted Korean food and visited local spots. One expert says the show could give viewers a deeper understanding of the unique aspects of K-pop. "K-pop has a strong fandom so not only does it have a persistent demand, but now they are trying out more new things." According to FlixPatrol, which ranks TV shows and movies on the main streaming platforms, "Kpopped" ranked fourth for its global popularity and topped the chart in Korea. Following the craze for "KPop Demon Hunters," maybe "Kpopped" could be the next piece of K-pop content to make waves on streaming platforms. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

[K-enter] “My Universe” surpasses 1.5 billion streams on Spotify

2025/09/02 15:37

Let's get right into it. And today Walter, we are all about boy groups! Who are we starting off with? Let's start with BTS and Coldplay’s collaboration track "My Universe", 'You, you are, my Universe' a tribute to the old Arirang opening to News Generation. Released in September 2021, "My Universe" has officially surpassed 1.5 billion streams on Spotify as of Sunday. It is now BTS’s second group song to achieve this milestone on the platform, following “Dynamite.” The song appears on Coldplay’s ninth studio album, "Music Of The Spheres", with both groups taking part in its writing and composition. Upon release, “My Universe” debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, marking BTS’s sixth chart-topper, and reached No. 3 on the UK Official Singles Chart. It's such a fun song and I remember when Coldplay came to Korea in April this year and played "My Universe" with Jin. Moving onto NCT WISH! NCT WISH, the Japanese-Korean sub unit group of NCT, have released their new mini-album “COLOR,” which features seven tracks, title track "COLOR", the pre-released track “Surf,” and “WICHU,” a nostalgic 2000s-inspired R&B number that samples Chris Brown’s hit “With You.” The title track stands out as an electro-pop song with striking synth sounds and dynamic shifts in the chorus rhythm. Its lyrics convey the group’s determination to paint the world in their own colours and protect that identity with confidence. NCT WISH expressed their excitement about the comeback, explaining that they had spent the past five months preparing to showcase their growth. They emphasised that their main goal with this album is to clearly deliver the message of colouring the world with their own shades. Finally, let's talk about ZEROBASEONE. Yes, last but certainly not least, ZEROBASEONE hosted a media showcase on Monday in Seoul, to mark the release of their first full-length album "NEVER SAY NEVER". The album captures the moment of their transition from boys to artists, while conveying the message that “nothing is impossible” and broadening the scope of the group’s story and identity. Reflecting on releasing a full album only two years after their debut, the members shared personal thoughts. Kim Tae-rae noted that beyond simply showing growth, they wanted to firmly present ZEROBASEONE’s unique colour. Sung Han-bin added that the record embodies the collective narrative built by all nine members since their formation. Thanks for the news Walter. Now let's both take a look at what our AI anchor Ari has for us with more culture news. Ari, take it away!

K-wave AI News

2025/09/02 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Global interest in Korean culture is showing no sign of slowing, fueled by the explosive popularity of Netflix smash-hit animated film, "KPOP Demon Hunters." With attention now turning to the next wave of K-culture, a recent survey showed that the key lies in Korean traditions. According to the survey by the Corea Image Communication Institute, 72% of Korean and 78% of foreign respondents picked "content that blends tradition and the future" as the next driver of Hallyu in the years ahead. But they also noted that ongoing political and social conflicts in Korea could negatively affect the country's image. The 30th Busan International Film Festival will take place from September 17 to 26 across the Haeundae area, featuring a total of 328 invited films. Ticket reservations for the opening and closing ceremonies, open cinema outdoor screenings, and midnight screenings will begin this Friday at 2 p.m. on the festival's official website, while bookings for general screenings will be available starting next Tuesday. For seniors aged 65 and older and people with disabilities who may face difficulties with digital platforms, tickets will also be available at the on-site box office at the Busan Cinema Center. Access to Geunjeongjeon Hall, the largest and most ceremonial building at Gyeongbokgung Palace, will be partially restricted for the next two months. The Korea Heritage Service announced that entry to the stone terrace of Geunjeongjeon will be limited through October 31, requiring visitors to view the hall from the courtyard. This is to prevent potential damage to its stone structures during the peak tourist season. Since last year, the agency has restricted access to the terrace during the busy spring and autumn months to protect the historic site. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] Two worlds collide: Reality show 'Kpopped' gives classic hits a K-pop twist

2025/09/02 15:35

Iconic stars from the 80s and 90s like the Spice Girls and Kylie Minogue team up with K-pop idols to reimagine their greatest hits. What does this synergy between the two worlds look like? Our News Features reporter Ahn Sung-jin takes a look at the reality show "Kpopped." "You've kpopped it." What would it be like if the Spice Girls and Boyz II Men were K-pop groups? That's what a new reality show aims to find out. The show 'Kpopped' was released last Friday, made by executive producers Lionel Richie and Megan Thee Stallion, and co-produced by CJ ENM. K-pop artists including ITZY, ATEEZ, Kiss of Life and STAYC are paired up with global music legends like Kylie Minogue and Kesha to recreate some of their most iconic songs. 8 episodes have been released on Apple TV+, and every episode highlights the cover performance together and the precise K-pop style choreography, alluding to the title "kpopped." Not only were popular songs like 'Savage', 'Say You'll Be There', 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' performed with a K-pop twist to it, but the artists also tried wearing Hanbok, tasted Korean food and visited local spots. One expert says the show could give viewers a deeper understanding of the unique aspects of K-pop. "K-pop has a strong fandom so not only does it have a persistent demand, but now they are trying out more new things." According to FlixPatrol, which ranks TV shows and movies on the main streaming platforms, "Kpopped" ranked fourth for its global popularity and topped the chart in Korea. Following the craze for "KPop Demon Hunters," maybe "Kpopped" could be the next piece of K-pop content to make waves on streaming platforms. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

[Short-form] The Hyoseok Cultural Festival

2025/09/02 15:34

Step into the world of Lee Hyo-seok’s classic “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” and behold the moonlit buckwheat fields that carry a legacy across generations

Will Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" win Golden Lion at Venice?

2025/09/01 23:39

Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook's latest work, "No Other Choice," has been drawing global acclaim after its first world premiere in Venice last Friday. Our culture correspondent Park Kun-woo has more. Twenty-years of effort have finally paid off. That's how to describe Korean star director Park Chan-wook's latest film, "No Other Choice," which has been receiving global plaudits. The movie holds a perfect 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of Monday. Just 17 reviews are in so far, but praise has been pouring in. The BBC said it's "not just Park's funniest film, but his most humane," while the Guardian called it "the best film in the Venice competition so far." At Friday night's premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the movie drew a 9-minute standing ovation. There, the director shared how people found his film relatable. "Whenever I told this story to people, regardless of timing or country, they said it was relatable and very timely." A lead actress also shared how much effort the director put into coaching her acting. "His direction is so detailed that, for example, he would say to put more emphasis on a particular syllable in a sentence or walk in a certain way. I would get perplexed at first, but as the shoot went on, I realized he was spot on, so I followed his every word." Expectations are running high for Park to take home the golden lion as it's the first Korean entry in Venice's main competition since Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" won in 2012. "Park's already a renowned director known for the visual aesthetics of his scenes. And as he tackles universal themes like unemployment, his chances of winning are high. Just like 'Parasite,' films that are receiving acclaim at many international film festivals tend to engage with globally relevant social issues." The winner of the golden lion among 21 candidates will be announced at the awards ceremony this Saturday. Now the big question: Will the jury say there was truly "No Other Choice?" Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Stray Kids "KARMA" tops Billboard 200 with seventh consecutive No. 1 album

2025/09/01 19:40

K-pop boy band Stray Kids has topped the Billboard 200 chart yet again this time with its album "KARMA." This is the seventh consecutive number one ranking for the group since 2022 and now Stray Kids has become the first K-pop act to achieve such an accomplishment breaking its previous tie with BTS at six. Through its agency on this Monday the group said it was honored and added it would respond with greater performances and music.

Oldboy director, Park Chan-wook's new film, 'No Other Choice,' has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

2025/09/01 19:39

A much anticipated film by director Park Chan-wook No Other Choice has garnered a one-hundred-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. According to the film rating website 17 critics have reviewed the film as of Monday and it is as fresh as it gets. In fact one critic claimed "No Other Choice isn't just Park's funniest film but his most humane." The film went on screen at Venice Film Festival last week and received a lengthy standing ovation.

[K-Enter] Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” praised by critics

2025/09/01 15:36

Time for today's K-Enter with Walter Lee. We left off on this movie by legendary director Park Chan-wook on Friday, and we're seeing some positive reviews already. Director Park Chan-wook's film "No Other Choice" , which premiered at the "82nd Venice International Film Festival", has been met with praise from U.S. and UK critics. As of 10 o'clock this morning Korean time, review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 17 outlets had published reviews of the film, and that all of those reviews so far are positive, giving it a score of 100. The BBC gave the film a full five stars, calling it as exceptional as Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award-winning "Parasite." In the U.S., there's growing speculation that Park is not only a strong candidate for honours at Venice but that his film could also become a major contender at next year's Academy Awards. "No Other Choice" is up for the "Golden Lion" award, Venice International Film Festival's most prestigious award, which will be announced this Saturday, Venice local time. Can't wait for that announcement, who knows. only time will tell! Now from one exceptional movie to another, time for more "KPop Demon Hunters" news. The "KPop Demon Hunters" song "Golden" has claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.K. Official Singles Chart "Top 100" for a total of four weeks. Songs by the film's rival boy group Saja Boys also ranked high, with "Soda Pop" landing at No. 4 and "Your Idol" at No. 6. Meanwhile, TWICE members Jeongyeon , Jihyo , and Chaeyoung's track "Takedown" entered at No. 27. In total, four songs from the soundtrack made it onto the UK's Singles Chart. And when I checked out the U.S. billboard Hot 100 , "Golden" still holds the number one spot. How long will Huntr/x go? Lastly, let's talk about a Stray Kids and stay on the topic of breaking records! Yes, Stray Kids have set a new record with their latest album "KARMA," achieving the highest first-week sales among all K-pop artists this year. The album sold just over 3 million copies in its first week, based on "Hanteo Chart" data between August 22 and 28. "KARMA" is the only K-pop album released in 2025 to surpass the 3-million milestone. It also became the most-streamed K-pop group album on Spotify in its debut week this year. Stray Kids also made history on the U.S. Billboard 200, where "KARMA" debuted at No. 1, marking their seventh chart-topping entry. It knocked the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack album off the top spot. Stray Kids' seven consecutive No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 makes them the K-pop group with the most No. 1 albums on the chart, surpassing BTS's record of six. Remarkably, Stray Kids are also the only act in Billboard history to see their first seven albums debut at No. 1. Thanks for the news Walter. Now it's time for Ari for more culture related topics. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/09/01 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited Gyeongju, the host city of the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, last Friday to inspect preparations. He was joined by Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young. The inspection focused on cultural and tourism programs for foreign delegations and the historic sites where they will be staged. These included Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, the ruins of a Silla-era royal complex. Kim called for thorough preparations to ensure the value of Silla and Korean history is fully conveyed, voicing hopes that Gyeongju will continue to attract visitors even after the APEC meetings. A solo exhibition by British sculptor Antony Gormley, known for his explorations of the relationship between body and space, opens tomorrow in Seoul. Titled "Inextricable," the show will be held at White Cube in Gangnam and Thaddaeus Ropac in Yongsan. The exhibition examines the complex interplay between humans and the urban environment, exploring both public city spaces and private sanctuaries. Noting that Seoul was rebuilt from the ruins of the Korean War into entirely new environments, Gormley said he hopes his works will help restore a close connection between art and everyday life. The show runs until October 18 at White Cube and November 8 at Thaddaeus Ropac. Six beaches in Busan, excluding the city's largest, Haeundae, closed on Sunday. This year, the southern city's seven major beaches drew over 20 million visitors, marking the highest figure in three years. Haeundae Beach remained the most popular, attracting nearly nine million visitors so far. Amid continuing September heat, Haeundae District has extended the beach season by two weeks, keeping Haeundae open until September 14. The average water temperature at Haeundae Beach in September last year reached nearly 28°C, higher than August's 25°C. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] Busan, the "city of film" gains growing popularity as global filming location

2025/09/01 15:34

Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea, is known for its port, its beaches and also as the “city of film”. Not only does Busan host the Busan International Film Festival every year, but the city is also the first city in Asia that's been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Film. Busan recently has also been gaining prominence as a global filming location. Let's find out more, with Choy Phil, assistant manager at the production support department for the Busan Film Commission, who is connecting with us from Busan. Hello Mr. Choy/Phil! Let's begin with recent productions filmed in Busan. The Korea-U.S. co-production “Butterfly” is currently airing in Korea, following its release on Amazon Prime a few weeks earlier. Busan was one of the filming locations of the spy thriller? Not long ago, a Hollywood actor (in a documentary supported by the Busan Film Commission) was spotted visiting Beomeosa Temple in Busan. What was that about? What other works released this year (or that are expected to come out) were filmed in Busan? According to your data at the Busan Film Commission, there has been a surge in the number of projects that the city of Busan supported in the first half of this year. Please give us the details and explain to us what these figures signify. Mr. Choy / Phil, as you work at the production support department for the Busan Film Commission, are you often on the site of filming locations? Do you have any memorable episodes to share? Why do you think is it that Busan is an appealing city to film in and what are some places that are particularly popular within Busan? And why is it that Busan is increasingly gaining attention from abroad as a filming location? Do you think it’ll become even more popular from here on? Thank you very much Mr. Choy / Phil for connecting with us today from the “city of film” Busan. Thank you Walter, see you back tomorrow.