News

Squid Game Season 3: What to watch for in final chapter of 4-year journey

2025/06/27 18:35

For those of you who have yet to make weekend plans as rain is in the forecast here how about binge watching the final season of "Squid Game" which was released about an hour ago? Our Choi Soo-hyung has some of the highlights. 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 that were 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 those stories and each character's can create." The six-episode season was released 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. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

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

2025/06/27 15:38

Eun-hee, I heard you have a story on a young composer who's pushing the boundaries of music. Tell us more. Yes, Soa. Nineteen-year-old composer Lee Hanurij is one of the most in-demand young composers on the global classical music scene. Recently, he took a bold leap into new territory, making his debut in Korean traditional orchestral music. His new piece, "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25," was recently premiered in Seoul under the baton of conductor Choi Soo-yeol. Let's take a look. 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.

[K-enter] "Squid Game" finale arrives today!

2025/06/27 15:37

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, today is a big day for all Squid Game fans. The day has finally come! Netflix's global phenomenon "Squid Game" returns for its highly anticipated third and final season today. The final season will feature six episodes, a shorter run compare to Season 1's nine episodes and Season 2's seven episodes. Picking up directly from Season 2's cliffhanger, the final installment will show Gi-hun navigating through more deadly games and heading toward an ultimate showdown with the Front Man. The "Squid Game" series has been viewed a total of 600 million times, making it the most watched series on Netflix. The third and final season will be released on Friday at 4 p.m., Korea time, on Netflix. For "Squid Game" fans in Korea, after you enjoy the final season on Friday, you can catch a parade, featuring Younghee, the pink guards and other characters from the series, at Gwanghwamun in Seoul on Saturday. The director of the series Hwang Dong-hyuk and the main actors, including Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun will be present at the event as well. We know what many people will be watching this weekend. Let's now move onto a story that will thrill BLACKPINK fans. BLACKPINK are getting ready for their reunion with the upcoming world tour "DEADLINE." On Thursday, the group's agency, YG Entertainment, released the teaser for this upcoming tour on the group's official social media. The video opens with Rosé at a phone booth in the middle of the desert, calling up the other members. The camera then cuts to quick highlights of each member, before the group hop in a pink convertible and take off on a roadtrip. "DEADLINE" will kick off at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium on July 5th and the group will perform 31 shows across 16 places around the globe. Before the tour, BLACKPINK will comeback with their first new release in about three years. They will perform it for the very first time at the Goyang concert. Lucky for those going to the concert. And we'll end off with another girl group! Aespa have just dropped a new single "Dirty Work." They released the new single just before our show today. "Dirty Work" is a dance track characterized by synth bass sounds. The single album features four different versions of the song. The new single also achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing 1.01 million pre-orders, which will make it aespa's sixth million-seller. As the fans may know, aespa have become associated with the term 'iron taste,' referencing the group's edgy, futuristic concepts and industrial musical style. Well, the music video for "Dirty Work" amplifies their 'iron taste' concept as they perform inside Hyundai Steel's steel mill in Dangjin, with 225 extras and large-scale heavy machinery. Aespa's songs are always so catchy, so make sure to give it a listen! I was able to give it a listen right before the show, and I have to say they did some "great work" with "Dirty Work". Thank you Bella for the updates. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/06/27 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Just one month after joining Russia's Mariinsky Ballet, South Korean ballerino Jeon Min-chul has already been cast in a lead role. The theater in St. Petersburg announced on Thursday that Jeon will perform as the male lead, Solor, in La Bayadère at the Mariinsky Theatre on July 17th. La Bayadère, meaning "The Temple Dancer of India" in French, tells the story of a tragic love triangle between the warrior Solor, a temple dancer, and a royal princess. Jeon previously performed the role of Solor with Korea's Universal Ballet in September. He is the second South Korean dancer to join Mariinsky Ballet company, following ballerino Kim Ki-min. A special retrospective is being presented by the Korean Film Archive to mark the 100th birthday of the legendary Korean filmmaker Yu Hyun-mok, a pioneer of Korean realist cinema. Under the title "Yu Hyun-mok Centennial: Time, Genre, Practice", the program will screen a total of 18 films, including his most acclaimed works as well as lesser-known melodramas, comedies, children's films, and experimental pieces. The retrospective will also shed light on his contributions as a producer and educator. In particular, the 4K restored version of the historical film "Im Kkeok-jeong", based on the novel of the same name, will be screened for the first time ever in Korea since its discovery in the U.S. in 2022. Design Council Busan has launched its seventh annual Busan Design Festival at BEXCO on Thursday. This year, under the theme of "Heung", a Korean term for joy or excitement, the dynamic energy and evolving identity of life in Busan will be expressed through the language of design. Over 150 designers and brands will take part, divided into three categories: communication design, product design, and ESG, or environmental, social and governance, design. Showcasing trends and talents across Korea's design scene, the festival runs through June 29th. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

BLACKPINK preps for new world tour, releases trailer

2025/06/26 22:39

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK is gearing up for a new world tour as a full quartet, after engaging in various solo projects. On Thursday, YG Entertainment unveiled a trailer for their new world tour, "DEADLINE," featuring the four members hitting the road together on a cinematic journey. BLACKPINK is set to kick off the tour on July 5th in Goyang, where the group will debut their first new song in nearly three years. The girl group will go on to perform 31 shows across 16 cities worldwide.

[K-enter] Jennie's "Ruby" named Best Album of 2025 by Billboard

2025/06/26 15:37

Let's kick off today with Jennie. She has received more amazing recognition? Jennie's solo album "Ruby" has been named one of the best albums of the year by Billboard. On Tuesday, Billboard announced, on its official website, the list of "The 50 Best Albums of 2025 So Far" and Jennie's first full-length album "Ruby" ranked 21st on the list. She was the only K-pop artist on this list. Billboard noted that "Ruby" shows confidence, elegance, and intense energy. In particular, the title track "like JENNIE" showcases a confident Jennie through direct and assertive lyrics, and this energy flows throughout the entire album. Earlier, the renowned American music magazine Rolling Stone and the media outlet Complex also selected Jennie's "Ruby" as one of the "Best Albums of 2025." Jennie will make a comeback with the rest of BLACKPINK in July. So proud of Jennie and can't wait for BLACKPINK's comeback! We will now move onto NewJeans. and their ongoing dispute with the agency ADOR. What's the latest update? The court injunction banning members of NewJeans from independent activities outside their management company was confirmed on Wednesday as they did not make an appeal to the Supreme Court. Last week, on June 17th, the Seoul High Court upheld a district court's decision to accept the injunction pursued by the group's agency, ADOR, to prevent the five members from independently signing advertising contracts and pursuing separate music activities, as part of a legal dispute between the two parties. Under the current law, the appeal to the Supreme Court must be made within one week of a high court ruling. The court's decision to ban the group's independent activities was finalized on Wednesday as NewJeans did not file an appeal within the deadline. Back in November, NewJeans began pursuing independent activities after accusing ADOR of violating the terms of their exclusive contract, and the dispute between the two is ongoing. And now let's end off on an upcoming movie. What kind of movie is it? Soa, do you like zombie movies? Well, a fresh take on the zombie genre is hitting the big screen. The upcoming film "My Daughter is a Zombie," starring Cho Jung-seok, has confirmed its premiere date. Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, the film has already gained attention for its unique concept and unpredictable storyline. Unlike typical zombie movies, "My Daughter is a Zombie" stands out with its imaginative plot. The story follows Su A, the last remaining zombie in the world, and her father Jeong-hwan, who begins a secret training project to protect his daughter. Cho Jung-seok plays Jung Hwan and Su A is played by Choi Yu-ri. "My Daughter is a Zombie" will premiere in theaters on July 30th. Looking forward to that. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Now, let's go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news. Ari, over to you!

K-wave AI News

2025/06/26 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. With just seven months to go until the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, the organizing committee says preparations are well on track, drawing key lessons from the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Speaking at an official briefing held in Seoul, the CEO of the committee, Andrea Varnier, said the PyeongChang Games served as a valuable reference, particularly in areas such as information and communications technology, ICT, venue sustainability, and transportation. Varnier also expressed hopes of welcoming Korean athletes and fans, given the country's strength in winter sports. Also attending the event was former Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yuna, who encouraged the athletes to fully enjoy what may be the most impactful moment of their lives. The National Palace Museum of Korea will partially close from July 8 to 27 for renovation work. Exhibition halls on the first floor and basement will remain open from July 8 to 20, but the entire museum will shut down from July 21 to 27. Museum officials say the renovations aim to upgrade aging lobby facilities, enhance visitor guidance, and improve the overall flow of foot traffic. The New York Philharmonic, often called the heart of American classical music, is set to perform in Korea for the first time in 11 years. At a press conference, conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen expressed his excitement about returning to Korea with the orchestra, stating that the tour in Korea feels like a family trip. He also highlighted the significance of reuniting with world-renowned pianist Krystian Zimerman after more than 30 years, praising Zimerman's performance as "pure as water." The program features Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 and Symphony No. 3 'Eroica', along with French repertoire including Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite." The stages will be presented at the Arts Center Incheon today, and at the Seoul Arts Center this Friday and Saturday. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Bezos' Venice wedding party relocated over security concerns

2025/06/26 12:37

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez have moved their wedding party in Venice to a more isolated location. The change was made due to security concerns and the risk of protests. The couple had planned to celebrate in the popular Cannaregio district. However, after local groups threatened to block access to the venue, organizers moved the event to the historic Arsenale hall in the eastern Castello district. The wedding ceremony's exact date and location remain secret, but it is expected to take place between Thursday and Saturday. Around 200 to 250 high-profile guests from entertainment, politics, and finance are expected to attend.

Military service break no longer a setback for K-pop artists

2025/06/25 19:40

In other news. Korea's mandatory military service break is no longer considered a career setback for K-pop idols. Our Park Kun-woo tells us why. "Welcome Back." Fans say it with sincerity after a long wait for their favorite K-pop idols to finish their military service. Those two words have never felt more powerful than this June, the month when BTS finally became whole again, with SUGA being the last member to officially complete his military duty. "Military service is very demanding, so they need to take a little break, but we're looking forward to the comeback, their new potential concepts, their new music. We're just happy that they're back together." Fans from around the world had been preparing for this moment, some even from the year before. On this day, it was easy to find global fans from regions, including Southeast Asia, and North and South America, celebrating the return of their favorite stars. That was especially visible at fan cafes, where fans transform regular cafes into customized spaces for special events, like being discharged from the military. "At first glance, this may look like an ordinary cafe. But take a closer look and you'll find all kinds of decorations celebrating the discharge of BTS members from the military, from photo displays to fan letters and even custom-made merchandise. There was a time when military service meant two years of silence with less interaction with fans, but these days, fans have found ways to stay connected." Fans say they managed the wait, thanks, ironically, to the abundance of content released when the artists were away. "They were prepared before they went into the military. At least they had some content for all of the ARMY to consume while they were away, so I'm sure they really thought of us." One expert says the military service break used to be seen as a major obstacle to idol careers, but not anymore. "Unlike now, in the past, idol groups typically lasted only a few years, and very few made it past seven. That meant going to the military during their peak, often ended their career and fandom. But K-pop's global expansion is also another factor as international fans tend to stay loyal, regardless of age, giving artists greater longevity." He added that in the case of BTS, the group's decision to enlist one by one was a smart strategy, helping maintain the group's brand, even while some members were away. As public perception toward military service breaks has shifted, the time away is no longer seen as a full stop, but merely a comma before a brand new chapter begins. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Military service break no longer a setback for K-pop artists

2025/06/25 15:37

Today, June 25th marks the 75th year since the outbreak of the Korean War. And since the war ended in an armistice, finishing military service is a mandatory thing for Korean men, right Kun-woo? That's true. As a Korean citizen myself, I also finished my service as a KATUSA, serving as a soldier at Camp Humphreys, cooperating with U.S. troops. Thinking of this, it's not just me who has done such service, but also K-pop boy group members. Since going to the military means nearly 2 years off stage for them, there have been concerns about a career end. But I witnessed a little change in that perception, so follow me and see how it has been changing. "Welcome Back." Fans say it with sincerity after a long wait for their favorite K-pop idols to finish their military service. Those two words have never felt more powerful than this June, the month when BTS finally became whole again, with SUGA being the last member to officially complete his military duty. "Military service is very demanding, so they need to take a little break, but we're looking forward to the comeback, their new potential concepts, their new music. We're just happy that they're back together." Fans from around the world had been preparing for this moment, some even from the year before. On this day, it was easy to find global fans from regions, including Southeast Asia, and North and South America, celebrating the return of their favorite stars. That was especially visible at fan cafes, where fans transform regular cafes into customized spaces for special events, like being discharged from the military. "At first glance, this may look like an ordinary cafe. But take a closer look and you'll find all kinds of decorations celebrating the discharge of BTS members from the military, from photo displays to fan letters and even custom-made merchandise. There was a time when military service meant two years of silence with less interaction with fans, but these days, fans have found ways to stay connected." Fans say they managed the wait, thanks, ironically, to the abundance of content released when the artists were away. "They were prepared before they went into the military. At least they had some content for all of the ARMY to consume while they were away, so I'm sure they really thought of us." One expert says the military service break used to be seen as a major obstacle to idol careers, but not anymore. "Unlike now, in the past, idol groups typically lasted only a few years, and very few made it past seven. That meant going to the military during their peak, often ended their career and fandom. But K-pop's global expansion is also another factor as international fans tend to stay loyal, regardless of age, giving artists greater longevity." He added that in the case of BTS, the group's decision to enlist one by one was a smart strategy, helping maintain the group's brand, even while some members were away. As public perception toward military service breaks has shifted, the time away is no longer seen as a full stop, but merely a comma before a brand new chapter begins. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] J-Hope ranks 40th on Billboard's 'Hot 100', sets record for most entries by a Korean solo artist

2025/06/25 15:35

Time for K-enter news with Walter Lee! Walter, BTS fans will like today's show, with just talked about the group with Kun-woom and we have some record-breaking news regarding one of their members. BTS's j-hope has made history on the U.S. Billboard charts, setting a new record for the most entries by a Korean solo artist. According to Billboard's latest chart released on Tuesday , j-hope's new track "Killin' It Girl" featuring GloRilla debuted at No. 40 on the Hot 100, Billboard's main singles chart. This marks his eighth solo entry on the chart, the highest number ever achieved by a Korean solo artist. "Killin' It Girl" also becomes j-hope's highest charting solo song on the Hot 100. His previous personal best was No. 60 with "On the Street" featuring J. Cole in 2023. All three singles from j-hope's 2024 solo project have made it onto the Hot 100. "Sweet Dreams" featuring Miguel entered at No. 66, followed by "MONA LISA" at No. 65, and now "Killin' It Girl" has claimed the highest spot among them. But it's not just the boys of K-pop that are breaking records on the Hot 100, but girls also, right? Correct, also according to Billboard, BLACKPINK's Rosé has made K-pop history AGAIN by charting on the Billboard Hot 100 for her 35th consecutive week with her hit single "APT." featuring Bruno Mars at No. 25 this week. Last week, she made history by surpassing BTS member Jimin's solo track "Who," which had charted for 33 consecutive weeks, thus becoming the longest charting K-pop solo artist. Rosé also recently shared an upcoming collaboration on her social media page where she will be featuring with American singer-songwriter and YouTuber Alex Warren which is due to come out Friday at 12 a.m. ET . And as I mentioned recently, BLACKPINK are also scheduled to start their tour from July 6 at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. Lastly, let's talk Stray Kids, they recently won big at a popular awards show, right? Stray Kids have been named the winners of the "Favorite Music Group" category at the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, according to an announcement by their agency JYP Entertainment on the Tuesday. The Kids' Choice Awards are a viewer-voted event that celebrates achievements across music, television, film, and more. The group received the honor during the awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on Saturday local time. This makes them the second K-pop act to earn this award, following BTS. Stray Kids were also nominated for 'Favorite Global Music Star.' but that went to South African singer-songwriter Tyla. Thanks for today's K-enter news Walter. Stick around as we turn to our AI anchor Ari for more culture related news. Ari, over to you!

K-wave AI News

2025/06/25 15:34

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's renowned pianist Lim Yun-chan's live recording of "Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3" has been selected as the Editor's Choice for July by Gramophone, one of the world's most prestigious classical music magazines. Praising Lim's performance as having "already acquired almost legendary status," Gramophone called it "one of those rare occasions when composer, score, soloist, conductor and orchestra all combine in perfect synchronicity." The live recording was captured during the final round of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where Lim made history as the youngest-ever winner with his performance of the piece. The Seoul Arts Center will officially launch its performance streaming platform, the "Digital Stage," on July 1. The platform will offer access to archived performances as well as real-time live streams. By simply signing up, users can watch nearly 100 past productions, including Lim Yun-chan's 2022 piano recital, the ethereal ballet "Giselle," and the timeless play "Othello." Labeling Digital Stage as a new way to enjoy the performing arts anytime, anywhere, the center pledged to continue providing high-quality online content to make the performing arts a part of everyday life. Ten beaches across Jeju Island opened on Tuesday, welcoming early visitors. Following the openings of popular beaches Hamdeok, Hyeopjae and Woljeong, Sinyang Beach will open on Thursday, with Jungmun Beach set to open next Monday. Due to an early heatwave, all 12 designated beaches on the island are opening ahead of their original schedules this year. At 3 p.m. every day, all beaches across the island will hold a 30-minute trash cleanup session, inviting tourists and locals to join in voluntary efforts to keep the marine environment clean. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Stray Kids clinch Favorite Music Group award at 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards

2025/06/24 19:38

K-pop boy band Stray Kids is bringing home the top honor of Favorite Music Group from this year's Kids' Choice Awards. The awards ceremony took place this past Saturday in LA and Stray Kids is now the second K-pop act to win this category following BTS. Hosted by Nickelodeon this awards ceremony celebrates leading figures in music television and film with winners selected through fan votes. Back in March Stray Kids also won Music Video of the Year and Best 3 Albums at Japan's 39th Gold Disc Awards.

[K-Enter] K-Pop Demon Hunters’ sweeps Netflix No.1 globally, Top 10 in 93 countries

2025/06/24 15:36

So Walter, an interesting new K-pop animation has been taking the world by storm recently? The animated film "K-Pop: Demon Hunters" has taken the top spot on Netflix's GLOBAL film category and a Top 10 spot on Netflix in 93 countries as of Tuesday. It currently sits at No. 2 in Korea. The animation was produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and co-directed by Korean-Canadian director Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, with several Korean creators also involved in the production. The story centres on K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who lead double lives, shining on stage while secretly battling dark forces to protect the world. It combines elements of Korean culture, and though K-pop serves as a central theme, the storyline avoids clichés, which is seen as one of the key reasons behind the film's popularity. From animated K-pop stars to real ones, let's talk about BLACKPINK! BLACKPINK is set to premiere their new song during their upcoming world tour "DEADLINE," which kicks off only weeks from now on July 5 and 6 at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. On Monday, YG Entertainment said, "We decided to unveil it first at the Goyang concert, during the DEADLINE tour, which marks a meaningful new beginning with our fans." Aside from "THE GIRLS," the soundtrack for the mobile game "BLACKPINK THE GAME," this will be the group's first official release in approximately 2 years and 8 months, following their second studio album "BORN PINK" in 2022. The members also recently filmed the music video for the new track in Korea. After the Goyang concerts, BLACKPINK will embark on a global tour throughout July, performing 31 shows in 16 cities. The countdown is on! Let's finish off with a boy band. NCT DREAM is making a return next month with a brand-new full-length album and world tour. SM Entertainment announced that the group will release its fifth studio album, "Go Back To The Future," on July 14. The album follows the members on a journey through time past, present, and future as they search for their most radiant and true selves. Before the album drops, NCT DREAM will launch their fourth tour, "THE DREAM SHOW 4: DREAM THE FUTURE," with a three-night run in Seoul from July 10 to 12. The tour will then travel to seven cities, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Singapore. Thanks for that Walter! Now let's turn to our AI anchor, Ari, for more culture-related news. Ari, take it away.

K-wave AI News

2025/06/24 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Korean structure Gwanwoldang, which was taken to Japan during Japanese colonial rule in the 1920s, has returned home after nearly 100 years. Research suggests that Gwanwoldang was originally used as a shrine associated with the Joseon royal family during the 18th and 19th centuries. Japanese authorities, in coordination with the Korea Heritage Service, dismantled the structure and shipped its components, including roof tiles, stones, and timber, back to Korea. This marks the first time an entire Korean traditional building located overseas has been returned. Gwanwoldang will now undergo restoration to recover its original form. A special exhibition honoring a U.S. journalist Jack James, who was the first to report the outbreak of the Korean War to the international community, is underway at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. James served as a war correspondent for the United Nations and United Press during the conflict. The exhibition sheds light on his life and work related to Korea, centered around a collection of 25 items, including his first original report announcing the outbreak of the war, photographs, and personal belongings. They were donated by his son, David James. The exhibition runs through July 20. The global success of the Netflix K-drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" has turned Jeju Island's filming locations into must-visit destinations for international tourists. At a Korea-ASEAN tourism marketing seminar held Monday in Singapore, producer Park Sang-hyun highlighted that key Jeju sites, such as Seongsan Ilchulbong and the buckwheat flower fields in Ora-dong, are earning a global reputation as premier tourist attractions. The seminar focused on innovative tourism promotion strategies to better adapt to the evolving global travel landscape. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

The present and future of Hallyu: 2025 MyK Festa

2025/06/24 15:35

A one-stop experience of all things Hallyu, the first-ever MyK FESTA showed the depth of the Korean Wave. Almost like "The Kulture Wave" outside of the screen. Arirang's Byeon Ye-young was there, to take us around. Korean culture isn't just about K-pop, just as K-pop isn't only about singing and dancing. It's about storytelling, identity, and connection. Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, has turned Korea's pop culture into a global bridge, uniting fans, industries, and ideas across borders. That is what the 2025 MyK Festa represents. "Where I'm standing right now is "K-street", a sprawling exhibition and experience zone showcasing over 100 Korean companies. From webtoons and food to lifestyle brands, attendees can get a hands-on feel for both K-content and everyday Korean culture– and also do a little shopping along the way." On "K-street," there was something for everyone. "I think what I like the most is very diverse. I can see K-beauty booths I can see K-fashion, K-pop, K-food. They also have like a color analysis so I really like going around and seeing everything that Korea has to offer." "Well first I went to see the NEWBEAT fan sign and then I just attended with my friends so I could see all the different booths and kind of see what the sellers are offering." At the food zone, visitors tried food from popular brands that were carefully selected to reflect Korean food trends and appeal to foreigners as well. "K-street food like the old food trucks it was so good like especially the tteokbokki. I love Korean food so tteokbokki stood out like the most for me." An export consultation event also took place, connecting Korean companies with foreign buyers, a move to open tangible new markets and build global networks. "I'm looking for some brandings and or looking for some products. Anything that it's like matching together and it's a good thing for me also that I can look to Korea, local products, and also the entertainment as well. That is one thing that I feel like Korea is number one in Asia." The first day also included a panel session to discuss music networking in Asia, and signed off with a K-pop concert headlined by K-pop group AESPA. "The Korean wave is having a strong impact on the world, but we shouldn't stop here. We felt the need to find ways to connect it with other industries, like tourism and resource diplomacy. If we can grow together with our industries, I believe MyK could become a key asset for Korea's future." A global conference also brought together cultural industry leaders to discuss the future of Hallyu, alongside performances and a major closing concert, drawing the curtain on a festival that celebrates not just Korean content, but Korea's place on the world stage. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

How has Korean literature taken the heart of Japanese readers?

2025/06/24 00:28

Now, onto our weekly installment of stories to celebrate 60 years of normalized Seoul-Tokyo relations. If K-pop and K-dramas have been visually striking materials in Japan, K-literature has long been there, making its understated yet powerful presence. Ahn Sung-jin tells us more. On a rainy street in Tokyo, a sign with the word " " colored in red stands out. This is a street in Jinbocho, known as one of the world's oldest bookstore districts, located in Tokyo, and also where the only Korean bookstore in the district stands. But Chekccori is more than a bookstore: it's a gateway to Korea. When Kim Seung-bok opened her first publishing company in 2007, Hallyu had only just arrived in Japan. Some told her that her endeavor to introduce it was useless, but Kim said she had faith. "Through these small efforts, a lot more people began to notice us. It's been deeply rewarding to see Japan's publishing industry recognize our work and have Japanese readers seek out Korean literature. Even literary critics here finally acknowledged its value as well. Ranging from novels, essays, and poetry to picture books, now there are more than a thousand books to quench the desire of Korean learners and Korean culture enthusiasts in the bookstore she has been running since 2015. Kim's first translated book, published here in Japan, was Han Kang's "The Vegetarian." She said that of all the works she read in the 2000s, this novel stood out the most due to its powerful resonance with Japanese society. "Did Han Kang become famous because of the Nobel Prize? Not really. If anything, I'd say the Nobel Committee was late to the party. But yes, after the Nobel buzz, her books sold in huge numbers with multiple reprints and strong sales. What surprised me most, though, was how many middle-aged men came in specifically to buy her books." But she added that beyond Han Kang's books, as Korea's cultural standing has risen tremendously, there is a genuine admiration for Korea's creative content, which helps those like Kim working in content and publishing. There are also trends in literature that show parallels between Korea and Japan. "Right now, there's a growing interest in caregiving here in Japan, and I've been pitching some of these books to publishers. We're also seeing a wave of feminist books and essays exploring new forms of family, a theme that feels timely and also resonates with what Japanese readers are interested in today. And to further fuel interest, from poetry readings, workshops, and author visits, the bookstore offers a bridge to mutual understanding. "This publisher hosts around 100 events annually at this bookstore to introduce more Korean literature to the Japanese public." "What's appealing about Korean literature is that you can clearly sense the writer's perspective on the history of societal issues, so through their works, you're able to see various aspects of Korea's past and present. If more translations of other genres like poetry or comics were introduced, I think that could spark a wider interest." "I'm currently studying Korean literature translation through the Chekccori Translation class. I'm interested in Korean literature or novels because it often delves deep into social issues and the inner humanity of human nature." As Korean literature continues to find its voice in Japan, through committed publishers like Kim, aspiring translators, and communities like Chaeccori, what was once marginal is becoming mainstream. With trends and stories that speak across borders, literature is becoming a tool to broaden the cultural landscape. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

How has Korean literature taken the heart of Japanese readers?

2025/06/23 17:00

It's time now for our weekly installment of stories to celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Tokyo. And today we touch upon K-literature and its appeal to readers in neighboring Japan. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin files this report. On a rainy street in Tokyo, a sign with the word "チェッコリ" colored in red stands out. This is a street in Jinbocho, known as one of the world's oldest bookstore districts, located in Tokyo, and also where the only Korean bookstore in the district stands. But Chekccori is more than a bookstore: it's a gateway to Korea. When Kim Seung-bok opened her first publishing company in 2007, Hallyu had only just arrived in Japan. Some told her that her endeavor to introduce it was useless, but Kim said she had faith. "Through these small efforts, a lot more people began to notice us. It's been deeply rewarding to see Japan's publishing industry recognize our work and have Japanese readers seek out Korean literature. Even literary critics here finally acknowledged its value as well." Ranging from novels, essays, and poetry to picture books, now there are more than a thousand books to quench the desire of Korean learners and Korean culture enthusiasts in the bookstore she has been running since 2015. Kim's first translated book, published here in Japan, was Han Kang's "The Vegetarian." She said that of all the works she read in the 2000s, this novel stood out the most due to its powerful resonance with Japanese society. "Did Han Kang become famous because of the Nobel Prize? Not really. If anything, I'd say the Nobel Committee was late to the party. But yes, after the Nobel buzz, her books sold in huge numbers with multiple reprints and strong sales. What surprised me most, though, was how many middle-aged men came in specifically to buy her books." But she added that beyond Han Kang's books, as Korea's cultural standing has risen tremendously, there is a genuine admiration for Korea's creative content, which helps those like Kim working in content and publishing. There are also trends in literature that show parallels between Korea and Japan. "Right now, there's a growing interest in caregiving here in Japan, and I've been pitching some of these books to publishers. We're also seeing a wave of feminist books and essays exploring new forms of family, a theme that feels timely and also resonates with what Japanese readers are interested in today." And to further fuel interest, from poetry readings, workshops, and author visits, the bookstore offers a bridge to mutual understanding. "This publisher hosts around 100 events annually at this bookstore to introduce more Korean literature to the Japanese public." "What's appealing about Korean literature is that you can clearly sense the writer's perspective on the history of societal issues, so through their works, you're able to see various aspects of Korea's past and present. If more translations of other genres like poetry or comics were introduced, I think that could spark a wider interest." "I'm currently studying Korean literature translation through the Chekccori Translation class. I'm interested in Korean literature or novels because it often delves deep into social issues and the inner humanity of human nature." As Korean literature continues to find its voice in Japan, through committed publishers like Kim, aspiring translators, and communities like Chaeccori, what was once marginal is becoming mainstream. With trends and stories that speak across borders, literature is becoming a tool to broaden the cultural landscape. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

Korea Pavilion in Osaka Expo attracts over 1 million visitors

2025/06/23 17:00

In neighboring Japan. The Korea Pavilion at the Osaka Expo drew over one million visitors as of this past Sunday. The Pavilion opened on April 13th when the Expo began and is hosting some 30 events to share Korea's advanced technology and cultural heritage. It also features a large media wall that screens videos of diverse aspects of Korea. More than one-hundred-50 countries are taking part in the Osaka Expo which runs until October 13th.

Kulture Issue_Tony award winning "Maybe Happy Ending" opens new era for K-musicals

2025/06/23 14:00

After sweeping six Tony awards, the Korean-made musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has proven that when it comes to cultural content or entertainment, Korea knows no limits. Today we want to take a deeper look at the recent achievement on Broadway as well as the further potential of K-musicals. For that, we're joined by our culture critic, Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University. Welcome Professor Chie! Q1. The Korean original musical "Maybe Happy Ending" won six Tony Awards earlier this month. We were able to touch upon it briefly on the day it happened, but it is such a meaningful achievement worth going deeper. How has the domestic and overseas response been so far? Q2. We've had our attention on this work since its debut on Broadway last year. (You Professor Chie, of course have been following it from much earlier since its domestic release) What do you think has been the most compelling aspect of the musical that led to its global acknowledgment? (And is there anything in particular about the production or creative process that stood out to you?) Q3. The plot of "Maybe Happy Ending" hasn't changed from the domestic production, but the Broadway version did go through some transformations. What are they? Q4. Professor Chie, what are the most important factors to look at in order to resonate with the international audience? (And how did "Maybe Happy Ending" succeed with this?) Q5. Apart from "Maybe Happy Ending", as Korean musicals are growing on the international stage, which productions are currently running overseas like on Broadway or which Korean actors are active abroad? Q6. What do you think is the main thing that Korean original musicals should do to reach higher in the global market from hereon? Q7. Do you believe K-musicals have the potential to become a hallyu genre of its own? Thank you Professor Chie for your insights. Have a happy start to the week. Have a happy rest of the day Walter, I'll see you tomorrow.