News

[K-Enter] BLACKPINK's Jennie: "It's like a dream"

2025/04/15 14:00

So Walter, we've got more Coachella news today! Who would've thought years ago that we would have this much of a K-pop presence on the Coachella stage. Yesterday, we talked about BLACKPINK'S Lisa and ENHYPEN's performance there, now it's time to talk about BLACKPINK's Jennie. How did she go? Yes, Jennie took the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. On Sunday evening, local time, Jennie appeared at Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre wearing a stylish Western-style hat and sunglasses, and began her performance with her solo song “Filter.” She went on to perform her pre-release track “Mantra” from her first solo album, along with songs like "Handlebars,” “ZEN,” “F.T.S.,” and “Like JENNIE.” Of course, she put on an amazing performance filled with great choreography, showing how she's a not just a member of a girl group but a fantastic solo performer. Jennie shared her thoughts, saying, "I didn't expect this many people to show up. It really looks like a huge crowd. Thank you for coming to my Coachella stage." Jennie is scheduled to perform once more at Coachella on April 20. We didn't expect anything less than amazing from Jennie, I am sure her second crowd will be just as big. Moving on to news about NCT WISH. On Monday, NCT sub-unit boy group NCT WISH released their second mini album “poppop”. NCT WISH is a multinational boy group based in Japan that debuted in February 2024. Among the six members, four are Japanese, and two are Korean. They are also the “youngest” unit among SM’s various NCT sub-groups, following predecessors like NCT U and NCT 127. Their second mini album includes a total of six tracks: the title song “poppop”, “Melt Inside My Pocket”, “Design”, “1000”, “Silly Dance”, and “Still 3PM”. The title track “poppop” is a dance-pop song that blends a bouncy melody with NCT WISH’s bright and refreshing vibe. The new album surpassed 1.21 million pre-orders, significantly exceeding the 800,000 pre-orders of their first mini-album. Great to see their popularity grow with each new release. Finally we move onto a new film set to be released next month, who is it from? I believe this might be a good year for Korean director Hong Sang-soo. First, with the recent news of his child with actress Kim Min-hee and now a film to follow. It was confirmed on Monday that director Hong Sang-soo’s new film “What Does That Nature Say to You” is set to be released on May 14, making it Hong’s 33rd feature-length film. Partner Kim Min-hee also took part as the production manager. The film follows the story of Dong-hwa , a poet in his 30s, who makes an unexpected visit to the home of his lover Jun-hee . The film was selected for the competition section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival held in February 2025, but did not win any awards.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/14 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo has kicked off, marking the start of its six-month journey. The Korean pavilion was unveiled on Sunday, boasting the largest scale among all international pavilions. It features three distinct exhibition zones designed to bridge tradition and modernity, people and technology, and Korea and the world. A striking media facade showcases Korea's cultural heritage alongside AI-powered media art, K-pop artist visuals, and more. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper named the Korean pavilion one of the event's "noteworthy exhibition halls." The night sky over the Hangang River will once again be illuminated with a spectacular light display this year as Seoul City presents the 2025 Hangang Drone Light Show at Ttukseom Hangang Park from April 19 to May 25. This year's drone show will return with 200 additional drones, bringing the total to 1,200, adorning the sky with a breathtaking light display. Various cultural performances, including magic shows and Taekwondo demonstrations, will entertain spectators before and after the main event. On opening night, a special performance featuring 2,000 drones will take place, portraying drones that transcend the boundaries of time and space. A solo exhibition by Ron Mueck, the acclaimed Australian sculptor known for his hyperrealistic, large-scale human figures, is now open at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. Marking his first solo show in Asia, the retrospective features ten major works from across his 30-year career. Highlights include "Mask II," a self-portrait roughly four times life-size, "In Bed," a larger-than-life sculpture that draws viewers into the subject's emotional state, and "Mass," a haunting installation that adapts to each exhibition space. Exploring themes of life, death, and the human condition, the exhibition runs through July 13. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] The "featuring effect" in the global K-pop industry

2025/04/14 14:00

It went from "Some" by Soyou and Junggigo featuring Lil Boi of Geeks or Zico's "Soulmate" featuring IU to BTS's "Idol" featuring Nicki Minaj and JENNIE's "Handlebars" featuring Dua Lipa. It's not that sensational anymore to have global super stars collaborate with K-pop stars, as Korean artists are now too the global stars. Today, we want to delve into the "featuring effect" and K-pop's influence in the global music market. For that, we are now on the line with Stephanie Choi, postdoctoral researcher at the Asia Research Institute at State University of New York at Buffalo. Hello Stephanie / Dr. Choi! Q1. We see more and more vibrant collaborations between K-pop artists and foreign artists in the music scene compared to the past. Please tell us about this trend. Q2. Having well-known pop stars featured in K-pop songs seemed like a strategy to expand overseas, (or is it still?) but nowadays that doesn’t seem to be the priority. What do you say? Is it a more “natural” thing to see these international collaborations? Q3. (We reported on this on our program just recently) BTS’s Jungkook, with his solo single “Seven” featuring American rapper Latto, has been ranked number one on the “Best K-Pop and Rap Collaborations of All Time” by Complex magazine. Why do you think the song gained so much love? Q4. So, seeing the success of these partnerships, how are they benefitting the K-pop industry? Q5. I think there are benefits for both sides. Let’s take the BLACKPINK members as an example. LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE (Born Again), JENNIE feat. Dua Lipa (Handlebars), and of course ROSE feat. Bruno Mars (APT.) have all made it onto the Billboard charts. Big names in the western pop world are probably welcoming these collaborations and also make the first move for them? Q6. It also seems like featuring for a song goes beyond singing a few lines, it’s about producing music together and mixing styles. Is it fair to say that we are seeing a deeper cooperation in the way songs are featured? Q7. What are the prospects of these collaborations, or what could be done better in the future?

[K-Enter] Lisa kills it at Coachella

2025/04/14 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. Let's start with some news on the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Coachella, the largest music festival in the U.S. is underway and on Friday local time, BLACKPINK's Lisa was the first to represent the K-pop genre, performing at the Sahara Stage. Lisa performed tracks from her solo collection such as "Thunder", "Rockstar", "New Woman" and "Lalisa". Lisa’s performance received praise for her costume changes and choreography. She is set to perform again on the 18th. And on Saturday, boy group ENHYPEN became the first K-pop boy group to perform at the world famous music festival. ENHYPEN were backed by a live band and delivered a total of 13 songs. They will return on the 19th for the second performance. I believe BLACKPINK's Jennie also performed only a couple of hours ago as well, so I look forward to hearing how she went. Let's stay on the topic of K-pop and move on to some news on boy group ATEEZ . If you live in North America and didn’t get a chance to grab tickets to ATEEZ's 2025 WORLD TOUR 'IN YOUR FANTASY', well, you may be in luck, as on Saturday, ATEEZ's agency KQ Entertainment announced additional North American stops for their upcoming tour. The Orlando concert, originally scheduled for July 22, has added an additional show on the 21st, making it a two-day event. The Los Angeles concert, initially set for August 8, will also be held over two days with an additional show on the 9th. ATEEZ will now perform a total of 14 shows across 12 cities including New York, Orlando, Chicago, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Mexico City. The 2025 WORLD TOUR is set to kick off on July 5 and 6 at Inspire Arena in Yeongjongdo , Incheon. Great news for the fans and it must feel great for ATEEZ to feel the love from their North American fans. Lastly let's finish off with a K-movie, that's already showing its popularity before it's out? Yes, "Yadang: The Snitch" has topped the overall reservation rankings ahead of its release on April 16. On Monday, the film announced that it had maintained the number one spot in overall ticket reservations for three consecutive days since reaching the top on the Saturday. Starring Kang Ha-neul , Yoo Hae-jin , and Park Hae-joon , "Yadang: The Snitch" is a crime action film that follows a broker who runs South Korea’s drug trade, an ambitious, power-hungry prosecutor, and a detective who puts everything on the line to crack down on drug crimes. Again, "Yadang: The Snitch" is set to be released on April 16.

Meet the artist who's putting Korea on the map

2025/04/14 10:00

We often hear about how Korean culture is putting Korea on the map. But here is a story of an illustrator who's quite literally putting Korea on a map. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin tells us more. You know Gwanghwamun Gate, but you've never seen it quite like this. This is how UK-based map artist Jenni Sparks reimagined one of Seoul's most iconic landmarks. For over a decade, her hand-drawn maps have covered major cities across the West, such as London, New York, Paris, and Berlin. Now, she's turning her creative compass toward Asia, starting with Seoul. "The traditional architecture is extremely different from all the cities that I've done before. I think, also like the actual geography of the place, it's got like it's very like mountainous, including actually in like the middle of the city." This idea sparked when Seol Jae-woo, who runs a local tour business in Seoul, reached out to Sparks a few years ago. "Maps are usually seen as just information, useful in the moment but often forgotten after. Jenni Sparks' map, however, felt like a work of art. So I thought, what if we could create a map people would treasure, one that tells a story of the place they live?" That question led to Sparks creating a map of Seoul's Seochon neighborhood before setting her sights on the entire city. It's halfway done, but already, you can see what makes her maps so unique. It's not just the pop art-style design or the bold use of color but the sheer level of detail, including hidden gems like Tongin Market in Jongno-gu District. That insight comes from her rigorous research, her first and most important step, through books and videos. She then sketches out the bones of the city, rivers, mountains, parks, and metro lines before layering in Seoul's soul. "I will usually ask people from that city and say, 'Is this right?' or 'Take a look at this.' Is there anything you're like, 'This is absolutely wrong, like no, what you've forgotten this building is this is a really famous cafe, this is a really famous restaurant.' And then right at the end, it's just kind of just drawing like lots of residential buildings." It's a challenging process that takes months, but the map, in the end, becomes something more than directions. It becomes a story, one you can hold in your hands and revisit. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Bangkok celebrates Thai New Year with Songkran splash

2025/04/14 10:00

Finally, Bangkok has officially kicked off the 2025 Songkran Festival, Thailand's traditional New Year celebration, known for major water fights. The festival, which runs from April 13 to 16 and involves the world's biggest water fight, symbolizes renewal and cleansing. Participants engage in spirited water battles across the city during the period. Key locations such as Silom Road, Khao San Road, and Siam Square have become epicenters of activity, and an 8% increase in foreign visitors during the celebration week is anticipated. The festival marks the end of the dry season and the start of a new agricultural cycle.

Fully blooming cherry blossoms in Yeouido, Seoul

2025/04/11 20:00

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

Fully blooming cherry blossoms in Yeouido, Seoul

2025/04/11 17:00

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

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

2025/04/11 14:00

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

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

2025/04/11 14:00

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

Kansong Art Museum opens rare fan art exhibition

2025/04/10 20:00

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

Kansong Art Museum opens rare fan art exhibition

2025/04/10 17:00

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

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

2025/04/10 14:00

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

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

2025/04/10 14:00

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

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

2025/04/09 17:00

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

K-wave AI News

2025/04/09 14:00

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

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

2025/04/09 14:00

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

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

2025/04/09 14:00

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

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

2025/04/08 14:00

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

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

2025/04/08 14:00

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