News

How has Korean literature taken the heart of Japanese readers?

2025/06/23 14:00

Sung-jin, we are heading towards the end of your series from Japan, and today it's another interesting topic to delve into! I have already covered Han Kang's story and her Nobel Prize win at a bookstore here in Korea. This time, I delve into a similar aspect of it in Japan. Have a look at how Korean literature is appealing to readers in Japan. 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 Chaeccori 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.

K-wave AI News

2025/06/23 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Korea Beauty Festival 2025 has kicked off in Seoul as part of the Culture Ministry's global tourism initiative. The festival celebrates the booming K-Beauty industry with events taking place across Seoul's busiest districts, including Dongdaemun, Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and Gangnam. Centered on five key categories, namely hair, makeup, fashion, medical, and wellness, the festival offers a variety of programs such as personal color analysis, free makeup touch-ups, hairstyling sessions, and herbal oil crafting. It will run through July 18. K-Beauty has become a major driver of Korean tourism, with cosmetics exports reaching a record high last year, surpassing 10 billion U.S. dollars. World-renowned conductor Chung Myung-whun and pianist Cho Seong-jin lit up a summer evening in Busan with a masterful display of classical music. The performance, held to mark the grand opening of the Busan Concert Hall on Sunday, brought together a rare collaboration between Chung, Cho, and pianist-organist Cho Jae-hyuck. Highlights included Cho Seong-jin performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, known as the "Emperor," with the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra led by Chung, as well as Cho Jae-hyuck delivering a powerful rendition of Bach's Toccata and Fugue on the pipe organ. The concert came on the heels of Chung's appointment as the first Asian music director of Italy's prestigious La Scala opera house. Museum SAN, located in Wonju City in Gangwon-do Province, is hosting a major solo exhibition by acclaimed British sculptor Antony Gormley. Titled "Drawing on Space," the exhibition explores Gormley's long-standing contemplation of the relationship between sculpture, space, and the human body. Featuring 48 works, it marks Gormley's largest solo exhibition ever held in Korea. Museum SAN's newly constructed exhibition space, "Ground," co-designed by globally celebrated architect Tadao Ando, is 또한 impressive scale. The exhibition runs through November 30. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

The now and future of Hallyu: 2025 MyK Festa

2025/06/20 20:00

Korean culture is taking center stage. A one-stop experience of all things Hallyu, the first-ever MyK FESTA has kicked off. Byeon Ye-young was there. 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. "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." "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's 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 can try 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 is also taking 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. In the days to come, a global conference will bring 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.

[Arts & Culture] 2025 Seoul International Book Fair: Showcasing Korea's new book culture and literary power

2025/06/20 20:00

It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture. We have our culture correspondent Choi Soo-hyung in the studio. Welcome Soo-hyung! Thank you for having me! So, what story will you tell us this time? Just before we start, do you usually read a lot? I love books, and I try to read as much as I can. Me too. Today, I have a story for anyone who loves books, wants to love books, or is just interested in them. The Seoul International Book Fair opened this Wednesday, and its venue was crowded with excited visitors. Visiting the book fair felt like being part of a cultural trend, and it was a chance to see how Korean literature is valued around the world. Here's the full story. The rich, nostalgic scent of ink and paper fills the venue. Crowds have flooded the hall, reading, touching and experiencing books up close. The 2025 Seoul International Book Fair opened on Wednesday, June 18, and tickets were all sold out even before the event started. "I come every year out of habit, but it really feels like there are more people each year. It's just so nice to see that so many people in Korea truly love books." Under this year's theme The Last Resort, the fair has invited visitors to find their own peaceful "last resort" in books. Beyond books, book-related goods, merchandise, and open-to-all book talks and author lectures are major crowd-pullers, especially attracting young people eager to enjoy book culture. "Although the publishing industry faces challenges, I keep seeing that many people still love books themselves. There's a reason why a book needs to be a book, even with so much digital content out there. We put effort into creating books that people want to buy, own, and read by finding designs that best complement the text." "We wanted to show how book culture extends beyond paper into many content formats, like merchandise. And a new generation is rediscovering the power of books and freely expressing their identity through them. Our goal is to create a space where everyone can enjoy and celebrate that culture." International interest in discovering Korean authors and literary content is heating up as well. "Korean literature is in the global spotlight, thanks to novelist Han Kang's winning the Nobel Prize in Literature. That buzz is fueling a record turnout at this year's Seoul International Book Fair, with around 150,000 visitors expected by this weekend." Over 530 publishers from 17 countries, including Taiwan, France, Germany, and Thailand, are taking part in the event. A German publisher participating in the fair for more than 20 years says Korean literature stands out for its modern blend of history and pop culture. "We had a new trend worldwide with young adults, fantasy, romance, and Korea is very strong in that. Korea is very strong in contemporary works. Strong fantasy, which goes back into history but also uses elements of all other popular culture, the integration of popular culture into literature, I think it is a phenomenon from Korea." The Seoul International Book Fair runs until Sunday, June 22. What an exciting venue in there. But Soo-hyung, we often hear that the print publishing industry is struggling, so what do you think is driving such huge interest in the book fair? An independent publisher said we're now seeing a shift back from digital books to analog reading habits. People realize that turning pages, feeling paper, and connecting with content physically is something digital books simply cannot replace. She also mentioned books offer an emotional connection and that may be what's driving the growing enthusiasm around the book fair. The Publishers Association also said reading is now seen as a proud part of personal identity, a shift from the past. The fair was designed to help people enjoy that pride. They said that with this reading culture change, financial support for producing a high-quality book would help the industry. Indeed, So Soo-hyung, has the global perception of Korean literature changed since Han Kang won the Nobel Prize? Things have really changed. Books used to be somewhat overlooked compared to films or cartoons, but Korean publishing has quietly developed to a world-class level. Han Kang's Nobel Prize win became a turning point, helping the world rediscover the strength and global competitiveness of Korean literature, with great authors and high-quality works. An official I met at the French booth said her win sparked even greater interest not only in Korean books, but in Korean culture as well. "In France, poetry books don't sell well, so publishers rarely release them. However, they chose to translate and publish Han Kang's very first poetry collection into French, a bold and groundbreaking move." France, famous for many Nobel winners, holding a key place in global literature,. is now making more efforts to discover other talented Korean authors thanks to Han Kang. All right, Soo-hyung, thanks for sharing your report. Always my pleasure.

2025 Seoul International Book Fair: Showcasing Korea's new book culture and literary power

2025/06/20 17:00

Seoul is currently hosting its annual book fair which began 71 years ago to offer book writers book makers and book readers a venue to come together. And the enthusiasm for the event this year has been even greater. Our Choi Soo-hyung tells us why. The rich, nostalgic scent of ink and paper fills the venue. Crowds have flooded the hall, reading, touching and experiencing books up close. The 2025 Seoul International Book Fair opened on Wednesday, June 18, and tickets were all sold out even before the event started. "I come every year out of habit, but it really feels like there are more people each year. It's just so nice to see that so many people in Korea truly love books." Under this year's theme The Last Resort, the fair has invited visitors to find their own peaceful "last resort" in books. Beyond books, book-related goods, merchandise, and open-to-all book talks and author lectures are major crowd-pullers, especially attracting young people eager to enjoy book culture. "Although the publishing industry faces challenges, I keep seeing that many people still love books themselves. There's a reason why a book needs to be a book, even with so much digital content out there. We put effort into creating books that people want to buy, own, and read by finding designs that best complement the text." "We wanted to show how book culture extends beyond paper into many content formats, like merchandise. And a new generation is rediscovering the power of books and freely expressing their identity through them. Our goal is to create a space where everyone can enjoy and celebrate that culture." International interest in discovering Korean authors and literary content is heating up as well. "Korean literature is in the global spotlight, thanks to novelist Han Kang's winning the Nobel Prize in Literature. That buzz is fueling a record turnout at this year's Seoul International Book Fair, with around 150,000 visitors expected by this weekend." Over 530 publishers from 17 countries, including Taiwan, France, Germany, and Thailand, are taking part in the event. A German publisher participating in the Fair for more than 20 years says Korean literature stands out for its modern blend of history and pop culture. "We had a new trend worldwide with young adults, fantasy, romance, and Korea is very strong in that. Korea is very strong in contemporary works. Strong fantasy, which goes back into history but also uses elements of all other popular culture, the integration of popular culture into literature, I think it is a phenomenon from Korea." The Seoul International Book Fair runs until Sunday, June 22. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

K-pop streams soar 470-fold on Spotify, U.S. tops the list

2025/06/20 17:00

Streams of K-pop songs have surged more than 400-fold over the past decade. According to the world's largest streaming service Spotify K-pop plays on its platform have jumped 4-hundred-70 times since 2014. Last year K-pop accounted for over 9-point-7 million streaming hours with artist revenue more than tripling compared to 2019. The U.S. Indonesia and Brazil were among the countries that streamed K-pop the most.

K-wave AI News

2025/06/20 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to invest 51 trillion won, or roughly 37 billion U.S. dollars, over the next five years to turn Korea into one of the world's top five cultural powerhouses. The initiative, also one of President Lee Jae-myung's key pledges, centers on bolstering the K-content industry, upgrading sports infrastructure to match Korea's status as a major global player, and crafting strategies to position the country as a leading tourism destination. The government also plans to boost the international reach of Korean culture by ramping up support for its overseas expansion. The inaugural 'MyK Festa,' a large-scale Korean Wave festival, was launched to strong public interest. Kicking off with a dazzling K-pop concert on Thursday, the festival offers a wide range of K-culture experiences--from exhibitions and interactive zones to content industry conferences. Around 100 Korean companies across sectors such as drama, webtoons, food, and lifestyle are showcasing their latest content and products. The event will be held through this Sunday at Seoul's Olympic Park. K-pop has seen explosive growth on global music platform Spotify, with streams increasing 470-fold over the past ten years. Spotify says the genre's streaming volume grew significantly from 2014 to 2024, with average annual growth hitting nearly 120% in Southeast Asia and 90% in the United States. Riding this global momentum, revenue earned by Korean artists on Spotify more than tripled last year compared to 2019. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture-Issue] K-movie "Hi-Five": The future of Korean superhero movies and visual effects

2025/06/20 14:00

The movie "Hi-Five" continues to rank highly in Korea's box office, and is receiving a positive global response ahead of its fresh release in North America on Friday. The action comedy film is being referred to as the Korean version of "Avengers." So today, we want to talk about the new possibilities of Korean superhero movies like "Hi-Five" as well as the technology involved in such productions. For that, we are joined by Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Welcome back, Professor Soh! Q1. As of of Friday "Hi-Five" is nearing 1.6 million views in Korea. Q2. The storyline of the film is unique, the characters are one of a kind, but it's not just the fun factor that led to this scale of success. There is more to it, isn't there? Q3. Science fiction or films involving characters with superpowers were not really among the strengths of the Korean film industry, I believe. Q4. Do Korean superhero movies have a different approach for example in terms of reflecting the sentiment of Koreans compared to overseas superhero movies made by Marvel or DC? Q5. Let's talk about technology now. SF movies just like "Hi-Five" are a visual spectacle for the audience. Q6. As such, there are more and more movies where VFX technology will play an important role. Q7. "Hi-Five" is being released in North America on Friday, and is already running in a number of Asian countries. Thank you Professor Soh for your insights, we wish you a great weekend.

[Short-form] 2025 Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival

2025/06/20 14:00

[Short-form] 2025 Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival Spend your Sunday strolling across Jamsu Bridge, where you can enjoy the beauty of the Hangang River in a fresh, new way.

[K-enter] All seven BTS members to reunite as SUGA gets discharged on Saturday

2025/06/20 14:00

Bella, we are going to start off with a story that all BTS fans have been waiting for. To all ARMYs out there, there's just one more day until all seven BTS members reunite! SUGA will be discharged on Saturday after completing his mandatory military service as a social service agent. According to his agency, BigHit Music, SUGA's official discharge date is Saturday, but his last day was Wednesday as he used vacation time for the last few days. The agency said there will be no official event marking his discharge, and urged fans to avoid the undisclosed location in Seoul where he has been serving. The remaining six members of BTS have all completed their military service and have been discharged. So with SUGA's discharge, all seven members of BTS have completed their military service and will now return to their fans as a whole BTS. Fans have been waiting for this day. Please keep us updated with BTS' upcoming activities as well. Our second story for today is on a Korean animation that we talked about several times on our show because it did amazing in North America. "The King of Kings" has confirmed its domestic release for July 16th. The film is a global hit Korean animation that depicts the journey of the outstanding British writer Charles Dickens traveling 2-thousand years into the past to tell the story of Jesus alongside his youngest son, Walter. It was first released in North America and set a record for the highest box office for a Korean movie in North America using pure domestic technology and capital. This means it even beat global hit Korean film "Parasite" as well. "The King of Kings" will be available in two versions in theaters -the North American version with voice acting from Kenneth Branagh, Oscar Isaac, and Uma Thurman, as well as a dubbed version featuring top domestic actors, including Lee Byung-hun, 이병헌, Jin Sun-kyu, 진선규, and Lee Ha-nee. 이하늬. We look forward to seeing how it does in Korea. It looks like the ultimate release date has been moved up by a week, as we earlier were expecting it to be out in the fourth week of July. But, July 16th it is! Now moving from the big screen to the small screen. What's coming up? The Netflix film "Wall to Wall" is set to premiere on July 18th. The new film, starring Kang Ha-neul, Yeom Hye-ran, and Seo Hyun-woo, is an unpredictable thriller about Woo-sung, who has finally achieved the dream of owning his home through extreme financial measures, only to find himself tormented by mysterious noises from other floors. The Korean title "84 Square Meters" (84제곱미터) refers to the most popular apartment size in South Korea, known as the 'national standard,' and symbolizes the reality of the country's real estate market. "Wall to Wall" is the second thriller by director Kim Tae-joon, who received acclaim for his film "Unlocked" in 2023. With the mysterious atmosphere and dense performances by the actors, "Wall to Wall" is eagerly awaited and will be available exclusively on Netflix on July 18th. I can imagine many viewers in Korea to relate to the film, and other countries where noise dispute in apartments is a social concern. And even without, it looks like a thrilling story. Thank you Bella for today's K-enter news. Now time to go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news.

Korean ballet sees a boom amid acknowledgment on the world stage

2025/06/19 17:00

On the cultural front. Korea is expanding its presence in the world of ballet led by local talent and global recognition. Cha Yun-kyung has more. Last fall, famous Korean ballet troupes performed the ballet 'La Bayadère' with renowned dancers including Ballerino Jeon Min-chul. Ticket sales last year saw a dramatic increase due to famous works and performances. The total ticket sales in the first three quarters of 2024 exceeded 6 billion Korean won, around 4.4 million U.S. dollars, which is the highest in 5 years. And with this growth, world famous ballet companies and choreographers are visiting Korea. The American Ballet Theatre performed in Korea last month, showing the history of American ballet. 'Lady of the Camellias', which brought an award to Korean National Ballet director Kang Sue-jin in 1999, also returned to the stage at the beginning of this month. And choreographer John Neumeier has come to Korea to collaborate for this work. Living legends of Korean ballet, such as Choi Tae-ji and Kim Joo-won, will come out in the 15th 'Ballet Festival Korea', which will be held until the end of June. The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet has also collaborated with famous Swedish choreographer Johan Inger for this festival. Inger has visited Korea for the first time as a choreographer for this project. As Korean ballet dancers are seeing global acknowledgment, world famous masters are also heading to Korea. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

K-enter_Hearts2Hearts show their summer "STYLE"

2025/06/19 14:00

Let's kick off today's K-enter with a girl group in "style!" Hearts2Hearts dropped a summer hit on Wednesday with their new song "STYLE." "STYLE" is an uptempo dance song with a lively rhythm, where the members' bright and playful vocals harmonize to deliver a feel-good energy. While the group's debut song "The Chase" showcased the mysterious and chic side of Hearts2Hearts, "STYLE" highlights the bright and lovely charm of the group. One of the members, Yuha, introduced the song as the perfect song for the summer season as it is filled with energetic vocals. Hearts2Hearts, who debuted on February 24th of this year, are SM Entertainment's first new girl group since aespa five years ago. Excited for their future activities. Next story is on a male artist who collaborated with a famous artist in Japan? On Wednesday, artist and producer ZICO released a new song "EKO EKO" in collaboration with a famous Japanese musician m-flo. "EKO EKO" is a love song about two people living in different universes-resonating through the frequency of their minds to exchange echoes with each other, and fly to "a world just between you and me." The lyrics that mix Korean, Japanese, and English imply a message that things can work out even with distance. The new release is part of the "loves" series to commemorate the 25th anniversary of m-flo's debut. ZICO participated in the overall work of the song, including writing, composing, and concept planning. Meanwhile, ZICO will meet with his fans at "ZICO FANMEETING COMvenience" in Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul from July 5th to 6th. Collaborations with the Japanese artist m-flo always turn out so trendy. Always great to see new collaborations. Lastly, we will end off with an exciting story on a boy group that's celebrating something big this year. Super Junior will launch a world tour as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut. According to the group's agency, SM Entertainment, the tour titled "Super Show 10" will kick off in Seoul on August 23rd to 24th and continue in 15 cities around the globe, including Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila and Mexico City. Since their debut 20 years ago, the group gained global popularity with their hit songs such as "Sorry, Sorry" and "Mr. Simple." That's not all! As Walter reported last week, while the fans wait for the tour to come around in their region, the group is set to release their 12th full-length album, "Super Junior25," on July 8th. Super Junior fans must be very thrilled with both news. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Now let's go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news. Ari, take it away!

K-wave AI News

2025/06/19 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Maestro Chung Myung-whun, set to lead Italy's prestigious opera house, Teatro alla Scala, will preview his collaboration with the La Scala Philharmonic in Korea this fall. Chung will conduct the orchestra alongside Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky on September 17 at the Seoul Arts Center, and at Busan Concert Hall the following day. The program features Verdi's overture "Laforza del destino" and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique." Chung was recently appointed to lead La Scala starting in 2027, becoming the first Asian to hold the position. Seoul City will simultaneously open six outdoor swimming pools and water play areas along the Hangang River tomorrow to help residents beat the summer heat. The swimming pools at Ttukseom, Yeouido, and Jamwon Hangang Parks, along with water play zones at Jamsil, Yanghwa, and Nanji Hangang Parks, will operate until August 31. Located in the city center, these facilities attracted over 310,000 people last year offering easy access and scenic views of the Hangang River. How about catching a golden wave of sunflowers in a scenic and tranquil rural village in Gyeongsangnam-do Province? The 'Gangju Sunflower Festival' has kicked off in Haman County at the Gangju Village Sunflower Center, inviting visitors to radiant sunflower fields in full bloom. This year, the sunflower fields have been expanded to over 42,500 square meters, the largest scale to date. Haman County hopes that the festival will offer visitors a chance to enjoy the region's scenic charm and also help boost the local economy. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Korean ballet sees a boom amid acknowledgment on the world stage

2025/06/19 14:00

Ballerino Jeon Min-chul won the Grand Prix at the world's largest student ballet competition in the U.S. last month. Also, world famous choreographers are visiting Korea to collaborate, raising expectations for Korean ballet. Cha Yun-kyung reports. Last fall, famous Korean ballet troupes performed the ballet ' La Bayadère' with renowned dancers including Ballerino Jeon Min-chul, who will join Mariinsky Ballet Company next month. Ticket sales last year saw a dramatic increase due to famous works and performances. The total ticket sales in the first three quarters of 2024 exceeded 6 billion Korean won, around 4-point-4 million U.S. dollars, which is the highest in 5 years. And with this growth, world famous ballet companies and choreographers are visiting Korea. The American Ballet Theatre performed in Korea last month, showing the history of American ballet. 'Lady of the Camellias', which brought an award to Korean National Ballet director Kang Sue-jin in 1999, also returned to the stage at the beginning of this month. And choreographer John Neumeier has come to Korea to collaborate for this work. Living legends of Korean ballet, such as Choi Tae-ji and Kim Joo-won, will come out in the 15th 'Ballet Festival Korea', which will be held until the end of June. The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet has also collaborated with famous Swedish choreographer Johan Inger for this festival. Inger has visited Korea for the first time as a choreographer for this project. As Korean ballet dancers are seeing global acknowledgment, world famous masters are also heading to Korea. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

Hallyu People_Meet the first foreigner recognized for traveling to all of Korea's nat'l heritage sites

2025/06/19 14:00

With its roughly 5,000 years of rich history, Korea has been and is home to a wide range of cultural and natural heritage. Since 2020, the South Korean government has been promoting Korea's national heritage to Koreans and foreigners alike through the "Visit Korean Heritage Campaign". One of the programs within this campaign is the "Korean Heritage Passport Tour" through which participants visit all 76 of Korea's national heritage sites. Today, we meet with a person who became the first foreigner to visit all of them in the span of just two months. It's Kuvvet Ayse who's joining us in the studio. Hello Ayse! Ayse, just last week, you were acknowledged for having completed the "Korean Heritage Passport Tour", which is part of the Korea Heritage Agency and Korea Heritage Service's programs. Congratulations! How do you feel about this achievement? So tell us more about this exciting tour. 76 sites in just two months. To me, that sounds almost impossible. How did you do it? How did you plan your trip and how did you move from one place to another? Was there any site that you particularly remember? A lot can happen on a two-month tour. Are there any fun episodes you could share? Or some trip that turned out to be totally different from what you expected? Our theme today is Korean heritage sites, but Türkiye, the country you are from, also is known for its rich and diverse cultural heritage. I'm sure there are many heritage sites of Türkiye that you would like to introduce to Koreans visiting your country. Can you tell us about some of them? Ayse, you majored in Korean, completed your master's degree here, and are active as a Korean language teacher. What sparked your interest in Korea? You have finished the "Korean Heritage Passport Tour", but your travel plans do not end here, right? Please share with us your upcoming goals. Thank you very much Ayse for joining us today. We wish you the best for all your travels and life in Korea. Thank you Bella as always, we'll see you back tomorrow.

Colourful kites fill sky over Danish island for festival

2025/06/19 10:00

On Fano Island, off Denmark's southwestern coast, more than 5,000 kite enthusiasts from over 26 countries are taking part in the 40th anniversary of the island's international kite festival. Fano Island is uniquely positioned for the festival with its 16-kilometer length, 3-kilometer width, and reliable winds, making it ideal for kite flying. The festival runs from June 19 to 22, and family-friendly events, including workshops and demonstrations, will be offered.

Rosé's APT. sets record for longest charting K-pop track on Billboard Hot 100

2025/06/18 17:00

BLACKPINK's Rosé has made K-pop history as her song "APT." has become the longest charting K-pop song on the Billboard Hot 100. According to the latest findings "APT." entered week 34 on the Hot 100 at number 24 the same spot as the week prior. This breaks the previous K-pop record of 33 weeks set by Jimin of BTS with his track "Who." Rosé's "APT." is a collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars and it went viral for its addictive hook and entertaining nod to a popular Korean drinking game.

[K-Enter] Rosé's APT. sets new record for longest-running K-pop song in Hot 100

2025/06/18 14:00

Time for a look at what's making headlines in the K-enter world, with Walter Lee. Starting off with news on BLACKPINK's Rosé! Rosé has broken the record for the longest-running K-pop song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart with her hit single "APT." According to the latest chart released on Tuesday, "APT." held steady at No. 24 for the second week in a row, marking its 34th consecutive week on the Hot 100. This surpasses the previous record of 33 weeks, set by BTS's Jimin with his solo track "Who" from his second album. Since its debut on the chart in October last year, "APT." has set new milestones for a K-pop female solo artist in both chart longevity and chart position. At some time it saw itself trending downward but the song surged back up at the beginning of the year as holiday hits dropped off, climbing as high as No. 3, the highest-ever ranking for a K-pop female solo act. A massive accomplishment and congratulations to Rosé. Next up, some news on NewJeans and their ongoing legal battle with ADOR. On Tuesday, the Seoul High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the NewJeans members against the injunction that prohibited them from signing advertising contracts and maintaining their status independent of their agency. In simpler terms, NewJeans still cannot take part in any activities unless under the name of ADOR. Back in May, the court ruled that if NewJeans engage in independent activities, EACH MEMBER must pay 1 billion Korean won, or approximately 720 thousand U.S. dollars, in damages to ADOR. An appeal on yesterday's ruling was immediately made by the members of NewJeans but was subsequently denied by the High Court. Meanwhile, the main civil lawsuit filed by ADOR to confirm the validity of the exclusive contracts is still ongoing at the district court level. Obviously this is something we will continue to follow as the case progresses. Lastly, let's talk about a K-series that has taken the top spot on Netflix in many countries. As of Wednesday, Netflix reported the series "Mercy For None", starring So Ji-sub , has reached the No. 1 spot on Netflix's Global Top 10 for non-English TV shows garnering 7.6 million views in its second week and placing it at the top of the weekly non-English series rankings. The series made it into the Top 10 lists in 75 countries, including South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Switzerland, and ranked No. 1 in nine of them. The story follows Nam Gi-jun , a former gangster who once severed his own Achilles heel to escape the criminal world. He returns 11 years later after the mysterious death of his younger brother Gi-seok , the gang's second-in-command, and begins a ruthless quest for revenge. K-dramas are seeing hit after hit. As always thanks for the news Walter and stick around. Now let's move over to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/06/18 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. A global literary celebration in the heart of the city, 'The Seoul International Book Fair' kicked off today at COEX for a five-day run. This year's theme, "The Last Resort," invites visitors to reflect on the role of books as a source of comfort and resilience in an increasingly challenging world. The fair brings together over 530 publishers and literary organizations from 17 countries, including Korea, Saudi Arabia, and France. Overseas participants are showcasing their work in the international pavilion, while the domestic pavilion features a vibrant mix of book markets, exhibitions, and author talks. This year's Guest of Honor is Taiwan, represented by more than 30 prominent writers and artists. A new exhibition is offering a closer look at the layered and often unfamiliar world of Japanese culture. Marking 60 years of diplomatic normalization between Korea and Japan, the National Museum of Korea is presenting a special exchange exhibition titled "Japanese Art from Four Perspectives." The show brings together over 60 significant works, including rare pieces designated as Japan's national treasures. Among the highlights is a golden six-panel folding screen adorned with phoenixes and peacocks and traditional silk garments embroidered with autumn flowers that depict the delicate beauty of a fleeting moment. Some 40 works from the Tokyo National Museum's collection are on display in Korea for the first time. Asia's largest celebration of global musicals, the 'Daegu International Musical Festival,' kicks off this Friday in the southern city. Now in its 19th year, the festival features 29 productions scheduled for over 100 performances, including standout works from overseas alongside showcases by Korea's top-tier stars as well as emerging talents. The opening show is the European musical hit "Tesla," a spectacular production portraying the life of Nikola Tesla, the pioneering electrical engineer and one of history's most influential inventors. The festival will close with the Chinese mega-musical "Panda," an artistic meditation on the relationship between humans and nature, and a profound reflection on life itself. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Correspondent] Indulging in Korea's musical performances at K-Musical Festival in Shanghai

2025/06/18 14:00

The new face of the Korean wave or hallyu is 'K-Musical'. As we reported on the show before, a Korean original musical "Maybe Happy Ending" even won six Tony Awards just this month. The passion and excitement unfolding on the stage is captivating musical fans around the world, including through the "K-Musical Festival 2025" that took place in Shanghai recently. We now connect to an organizer of this event, Kang Yongmin , Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai. Hello Yongmin/ Director Kang! Q1. First of all, please introduce us to the "K-Musical Festival" in Shanghai. Q2. Recently, there seems to be a growing interest in Korean performing arts and content in China. So, what was the atmosphere like at the event? Q3. Korean musical recitation performances also took place. What kind of works were introduced? (Also, were there any mentionable criteria in choosing them?) Q4. Which performance received the biggest response and why? Q5. In addition to the performances, there were other things to experience, such as exhibitions and lectures. Could you tell us more about the programs? Q6. So, how was the local response to the event overall? Q7. What do you think this kind of event means to the cultural exchange between Korea and China? And would you like to share any hopes in terms of bilateral exchanges or future projects? Thank you very much, Yongmin/ Director Kang for connecting with us today and for organizing such a meaningful event Thank you Walter as always, enjoy the rest of the week, and see you soon.