News

[Short-form] Korea’s enchanting cherry blossom wonderland

2025/04/02 14:00

Discover Korea’s ultimate cherry blossom hotspots, and seize the fleeting beauty before it’s gone!

[K-Correspondent] Hallyu in Cuba, a year after S. Korea and Cuba's establishment of diplomatic ties

2025/04/02 14:00

It's time for our K-correspondent segment where we connect live to a correspondent overseas who fills us in on K-culture issues in their respective country. It’s been a little over a year since South Korea and Cuba’s establishment of diplomatic ties. A move that came as a big surprise to many citizens of both countries and a pleasant surprise in terms of increased opportunities for deeper cultural exchanges. Today, we connect to our K-Correspondent Dayviana Diaz in Cuba to get a glimpse of the past year since Seoul and Havana’s milestone agreement. Q1. Please introduce yourself to ‘The Kulture Wave’ viewers. Q2-1. South Korea and Cuba last month commemorated their first year since forging diplomatic relations in February 2024. How would you compare the atmosphere before and after the establishment of such ties? Q2-2. How about the popularity of the Korean wave ‘hallyu’ in Cuba? Has it grown noticeably? Q3. Could you introduce us to any special places where you can experience Korean culture in Cuba? Q4. This shows the interest Cuban people have for Korean food. Does K-food seem to fit the local palate? Q5. With the opening of South Korea’s Embassy in Cuba earlier this year, what are your expectations for the relationship between Korea and Cuba going forward? We are looking forward to that as well Thank you very much Dayviana for connecting with us. Keep in touch.

[K-enter] Bae Doo-na's 'Virus' finally has a release date after long production

2025/04/02 14:00

It's now time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. And today it's going to get quite entertaining indeed as we have some great acting to report on on various different platforms. I believe we are starting off with some big screen news. Yes, one of my favourite Korean actresses, Bae Doona , and her new movie "Virus" finally sees a release date! Now why do I say "finally sees a release date?" Well, filming was actually completed in 2020, and the film's release was postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe it had something to do with the title "Virus", who knows? Now, "Virus," also starring Kim Yoon-seok , is set to premiere on May 7th, according to distributor By4M Studio on Tuesday. The story follows Taek-seon , a woman infected with a virus that makes people fall in love for no reason. Kim Yoon-seok plays Lee Gyun , the only expert capable of developing a cure. But in my opinion, why would you want a cure for this kind of virus? Spread the love I say! Just by hearing the title I would have never thought it's that kind of virus. But indeed, it probably wouldn’t have been a great idea to release a movie called "Virus" during the COVID era, even though this virus makes people fall in love. From movie to TV series, what's next? On Tuesday, a production presentation for K-content streaming platform TVING and their original series "Way Back Love" was held in Seoul. "Way Back Love" is a drama based on the novel of the same Korean name by writer Seo Eun-chae . This youth fantasy romance drama follows the story of Hee-wan played by Kim Min-ha , who has been drifting through life with no purpose until Ram-woo , her first love who died six years ago, reappears before her, now in the form of the grim reaper. Ram-woo is played by Gong Myung , who is known for films like "Extreme Job" while Kim Min-ha , gained recognition from dramas such as "Pachinko." "Way Back Love" will premiere on TVING on April 3. Two episodes will be released every Thursday. Another drama we hope spreads across the world and fills hallyu lovers' hearts. Okay from the big screen, to the small screen, now to the stage. The original play "Rendezvous" , which premiered last year, returns with a new dazzling cast along with a familiar face. "Rendezvous" is a two-person melodrama that uses cosmic imagination to depict the emotional distance between two wounded individuals who struggle to grow closer. Tae-seop , a rocket scientist who confines himself to his own set of rules to escape painful memories, is portrayed by a star-studded cast including Park Sung-woong , SHINee’s Choi Min-ho , and Park Geon-hyung . Ji-hee , the daughter of a Chinese restaurant owner who seeks freedom through dance, is portrayed by Lee Soo-kyung , Kim Ha-ri , and Beom Do-ha . Among them, Park Sung-woong reprises his role from the original production. "Rendezvous" will run from April 5 to May 11 at the Jayu Small Theater at Seoul Arts Center. It’s definitely a must-watch for theater lovers in Korea. Thank you very much Walter for today's stories. See you back next time!

[Features reporter] Spring bliss at Bucheon Azalea Festival

2025/04/02 14:00

As spring blossoms appear across Korea, flower festivals are welcoming visitors to enjoy the spring scenery to the fullest. Today we go to our News Features Reporter Lee Eun-hee , who is in the midst of breathtaking pink waves of azaleas in full bloom. Hello Eun-hee! Hello Eun-hee, tell us where you are! Hi Soa and Walter! I'm here at the Bucheon Azalea Festival, where vibrant pink azaleas are in full bloom, with people out here just soaking up the spring vibes. Bucheon City, not too far from Seoul, is hosting this beautiful festival at Bucheon Stadium and Wonmi Mountain or Wonmisan Azalea Hill. The trails around Wonmisan Azalea Hill offer a great opportunity to enjoy both the stunning azalea blossoms and the natural beauty of the landscape while hiking. It's the perfect way to soak in the scenery and get some fresh air. Let's hear from some people who are doing just that. "I visit every year. Taking in the scenery brings me a sense of peace. Now, at 72, I find myself reflecting on the beauty of life and the passing of time." "It was my first time to come and see these beautiful flowers, I came to see the azalea blossom. And then I roamed around and saw lots of beautiful flowers. And then I found out the market which was nearby and there I enjoyed the food. it was crowded but if you want to have beautiful photos for your Instagram or social media, I recommend that you visit here." It definitely looks beautiful. Hearing the interviews, there must be other special activities that can be enjoyed at the festival, what are they? Yes Soa. So of course, there are food trucks where you can try out delicious street food. The city is also hosting events to help boost the local economy. There's a flea market where you can explore unique crafts and handmade goods from local artists. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on experiences, like creating their own azalea-themed bags. Additionally, there's a marketplace zone to support local businesses and traditional market vendors. "The Azalea Festival is timed to coincide with the spring bloom, transforming open spaces at Bucheon Stadium into interactive attractions. To promote cultural tourism and support the local economy, the festival features a flea market with local artists, small business product sales, and a variety of food trucks." It's wonderful to see festivals that bring both entertainment and a boost to the local economy! Are there any other flower festivals you can introduce to us? Yes Walter. Besides azaleas, the city is hosting other spring flower festivals, celebrating cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, tulips, and roses from mid-April to early June, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of spring in stages. I would also like to introduce a few other major festivals across South Korea that you can visit. Most of them have already started and are still running. If you visit the city of Daegu, you can experience one of the best nighttime cherry blossom displays. Another must-see is the Tulip Festival in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do Province, where over 2 million colorful tulips bloom, marking the arrival of spring. Next is the Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival, one of South Korea's most famous cherry blossom festivals, held in the Jinhae-gu District of Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Last but not least, the rose festival in Jeollanam-do Province held at Gokseong County's landmark Train Village showcases over 1-thousand varieties of roses. This festival takes place in May, making it the perfect spring event to look forward to. Going back to the azalea festival, the weather is perfect, the energy is great, and it's definitely a must-visit festival. It will run until this Sunday, April 6th, so don't miss out! I do want to note that some festivals are being delayed or canceled due to various issues in the country, including the tragic wildfires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. This festival in Bucheon also canceled its opening ceremony, which included music performances, as a mark of respect for those affected by the fires. Yes of course, Eun-hee. Spring is here, flowers are here but there are also tragic incidents that need our attention. We do however also hope that business owners, event planners or performers won't be affected too much by such cancellations. Thank you Eun-hee for being out there today! Thank you Eun-hee.

A rare crimson red diamond unveiled at Smithsonian Natural History Museum

2025/04/02 10:00

Finally, on Tuesday local time, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the U.S. unveiled the Winston Red Diamond, a 2.33-carat gem recognized as one of the world's largest Fancy Red diamonds. Donated by Ronald Winston, son of renowned jeweler Harry Winston, the rare diamond is now on public display in the museum's Harry Winston Gallery alongside 40 other colorful diamonds. Fancy red diamonds are exceptionally rare, with researchers estimating their occurrence is fewer than one in 25 million diamonds. The deep crimson hue results from unique alterations in its crystal structure under extreme pressure and temperature conditions.

Paik Nam-june exhibitions to commemorate 20th anniversary of his death

2025/04/01 17:00

On the cultural front. Paik Nam-june was an influential artist of his time known for his pioneering video art using television sets. For those of you hoping to delve into his artistic depictions a gallery bearing his name is scheduled to start a relevant showcase this month. Lee Eun-jin reports. On New Year's Day of 1984, the first international "satellite art" installation was presented by Korean-American artist Paik Nam-june. Setting out to counter George Orwell's depressing portrayal of television in the novel "1984," the live broadcast of the satellite art production from New York was simultaneously aired in Korea, and the live broadcast from Paris was also aired in real-time to Germany. Featuring pop music videos, dance and video art, the piece, called "Good Morning, Mr. Orwell" combined live and taped segments, along with TV graphics designed by Paik himself. The breakthrough attempt of its time was an astounding success, reaching an audience of over 25 million viewers worldwide. Painting with his hair, or dragging a violin through the streets, then setting it on fire, Paik Nam-june broke stereotypes with his eccentricity. Paik's Robot K-456, first displayed in 1964, was his first work that took shape of a robot, which opened questions of humanity amid advancing technology. "He was an artist that suggested how new technology could change the world. Above all, he made such predictions from such a euphoric and optimistic perspective." Paik Nam-june shifted away from traditional ideas and pioneered a new genre called "video art" by breaking down the boundaries between technology and art. In the 1970s when black and white analogue TVs were still the norm, Paik was ahead of his time, as if he had an insight into the hyper-connected era we live in today. "The most internationally famous K-culture content before PSY was that of Paik Nam-june. As a future-thinking artist, he very insightfully showed how society would change with the development of technology and what the roles of artists and communication will be in that world." Efforts to display Paik Nam-june's journey have been underway for years. And for this year, the first was an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan that ended on March 16th. It was the largest exhibition since Paik's death, and was visited by 122-thousand visitors. The Nam June Paik Art Center continues to hold events and exhibitions to showcase the artist's experimental mindset. Many are interested to see how Paik Nam-june's ideas were realized with the help of his collaborators. "The role that Paik played was like the conductor of an orchestra. Under his direction were very, very talented collaborators who came together to produce these projects. And their passion and efforts have been documented." The 'Play it Again, Paik' exhibition will feature recordings of his past interviews. It will open on April 10th at the Nam June Paik Art Center, and run into next year. The 2023 film titled 'Nam June Paik: The Moon Is the Oldest TV' is screening at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art as part of its 'Moment of Creation -The Artist's Studio' a collection of eight films that show artists creating new works. This program will run until May 24th. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[K-wave] Paik Nam-june exhibitions to commemorate 20th anniversary of his death

2025/04/01 14:00

Paik Nam-June is a world-renowned artist, considered a pioneer of video art. Though many may recognize his name, his works may not come to mind. Ahead of the 20th anniversary of Paik's death next year, various exhibitions have been organized to commemorate the groundbreaking artist. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. On New Year's Day of 1984, the first international "satellite art" installation was presented by Korean-American artist Paik Nam-june. Setting out to counter George Orwell's depressing portrayal of television in the novel "1984," the live broadcast of the satellite art production from New York was simultaneously aired in Korea, and the live broadcast from Paris was also aired in real-time to Germany. Featuring pop music videos, dance and video art, the piece, called "Good Morning, Mr. Orwell" combined live and taped segments, along with TV graphics designed by Paik himself. The breakthrough attempt of its time was an astounding success, reaching an audience of over 25 million viewers worldwide. Painting with his hair, or dragging a violin through the streets, then setting it on fire, Paik Nam-june broke stereotypes with his eccentricity. Paik's Robot K-456, first displayed in 1964, was his first work that took shape of a robot, which opened questions of humanity amid advancing technology. "He was an artist that suggested how new technology could change the world. Above all, he made such predictions from such a euphoric and optimistic perspective." Paik Nam-june shifted away from traditional ideas and pioneered a new genre called "video art" by breaking down the boundaries between technology and art. In the 1970s when black and white analogue TVs were still the norm, Paik was ahead of his time, as if he had an insight into the hyper-connected era we live in today. "The most internationally famous K-culture content before PSY was that of Paik Nam-june. As a future-thinking artist, he very insightfully showed how society would change with the development of technology and what the roles of artists and communication will be in that world." Efforts to display Paik Nam-june's journey have been underway for years. And for this year, the first was an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan that ended on March 16th. It was the largest exhibition since Paik's death, and was visited by 122-thousand visitors. The Nam June Paik Art Center continues to hold events and exhibitions to showcase the artist's experimental mindset. Many are interested to see how Paik Nam-june's ideas were realized with the help of his collaborators. "The role that Paik played was like the conductor of an orchestra. Under his direction were very, very talented collaborators who came together to produce these projects. And their passion and efforts have been documented." The 'Play it Again, Paik' exhibition will feature recordings of his past interviews. It will open on April 10th at the Nam June Paik Art Center, and run into next year. The 2023 film titled 'Nam June Paik: The Moon Is the Oldest TV' is screening at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art as part of its 'Moment of Creation -The Artist's Studio' a collection of eight films that show artists creating new works. This program will run until May 24th. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[Kulture Issue] K-food on its way to global mainstream

2025/04/01 14:00

The globalization of Koreans’ comfort food kimbap was recently introduced in the Washington Post. Today, we will have a talk about how K-food has made it to the global mainstream with someone who in that article mentioned that the rising popularity of the seaweed rice roll is partly due to the success of a certain K-drama. We are now connected with Robert Ku, Managing Editor of a major textbook project at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. Hello Mr. Koo! 1) You wrote that the 2022 Korean series “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” worked as a catalyst in spreading the global kimbap boom. How much influence does Korean content have on the rise of Korean food items? 2) Is K-food a thing in the U.S. right now? (Are there any episodes you experienced that clearly show that awareness of K-food has grown?) 3) A couple of years ago in an interview with CNN, you mentioned that spam has undergone a “reputation makeover” as Asian and Asian American chefs reintroduced the canned lunch meat. Tell us more about spam and K-food as well as other food items that now are receiving similar revivals. 4) From a Korean immigrant's point of view, what is it like to experience K-food in the U.S. and what does K-food mean to Koreans living abroad? (connection to Korea, sense of identity, etc.) 5) Some K-foods are localized and modified, which happens with lots of foods once they make it overseas. But what’s your take on that? (Does this have more positive aspects or negative ones, is it inevitable?) 6) Do you think the popularity of K-food will further grow and last long?

[K-enter] Kim Soo-hyun makes tearful stand against allegations

2025/04/01 14:00

Actor Kim Soo-Hyun and his legal representatives held a press conference yesterday afternoon regarding the allegations that he dated late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. Can you tell us how the press conference went down please? On Monday, at 4:30pm (Korea time) Kim Soo-Hyun stood in front of the media to attempt to clear his name from the allegations surrounding his relationship with actress Kim Sae-ron who took her own life in mid February this year. This was the first appearance by Kim Soo-Hyun since the allegations were made on a YouTube channel in early March. Alongside the dating allegations were allegations that there was pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, for Kim Sae-ron to pay back a loan that she allegedly owed the company. In a tearful statement to the media, Kim Soo-hyun said something to the effect of, "I refuse to admit to something I did not do." Kim, however, did admit to dating Kim Sae-ron five years ago for around one year, when she was of legal age. Regarding social media conversations between him and Kim Sae-ron, which were leaked by the family of the late actress, Kim Soo-hyun claimed that these messages were fabricated. His agency has also filed a lawsuit, which the court has accepted, seeking 12 billion Korean won, just over 8 million U.S. dollars, in damages against the bereaved family and the operator of the YouTube channel that disclosed their claims. I don't think this is the last time we will hear from this story so keep us updated Walter. Moving on to a lighter note, this time news on K-pop "girls" or "women"! On Saturday, K-pop girl group aespa and BLACKPINK’s Jennie took home trophies at the "Billboard Women in Music awards" 2025, which honours influential female musicians, held in Los Angeles. Girl group aespa received the "Group of the Year award." The members of aespa shared their thoughts, saying, "aespa supports all women who are chasing their dreams, and we hope everyone gets the opportunity to fully realise their potential." Jennie was honoured with the "Global Force Award". This award is given to females in the music industry who have made a significant impact. Jennie is the first K-pop solo artist to receive an award at this ceremony. Congratulations to both aespa and Jennie for receiving these awards that help inspire young women from all over the world. Sticking to the topic of K-pop but this time a tour that many can look forward to, who looks to be gracing the stage soon? Boy group ATEEZ will kick off their new world tour, "IN YOUR FANTASY", on July 5 and July 6 at Inspire Arena on Yeongjongdo Island in Incheon. Following their performances at Inspire Arena, ATEEZ will visit cities in the U.S. in July, including Atlanta, New York, and for the first time Baltimore, Nashville, Orlando, San Jose and also in August, Mexico City. In September, they are scheduled to hold concerts in Saitama, Nagoya and Kobe in Japan. "IN YOUR FANTASY" North American tickets expect to go on sale from April 10 at 10am, Eastern Daylight Time. Great news for the "ATINYs" out there. Thanks for the news today.

Korean pianist Kim Sae-hyun wins prestigious international competition

2025/03/31 20:00

Korean pianist Kim Sae-hyun has taken first place at the Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition, a renowned triennial event in France. According to the Kumho Cultural Foundation on Monday, the 17-year-old won the competition with a rendition of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 3 in the final round of the competition this past Saturday. Fellow Korean pianist Lee Hyo placed third. Notably, his brother Lee Hyuk was a co-winner of the same competition in 2022. Another past Korean winner is Lim Dong-hyek who claimed the title in 2001.

S. Korean cosmetics outshine French products in U.S.

2025/03/31 20:00

South Korean beauty products have surged in popularity in the U.S., driven by the Korean wave, and have now surpassed French cosmetics. According to Bloomberg on Monday, South Korea emerged as the top exporter of cosmetics to the U.S. in 2024, followed by France and Canada. It cited a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission showing Korean cosmetics exports to the U.S. in 2024 totalled over 1-point-7 billion dollars. This success can be attributed to the Korean beauty industry's online marketing strategies through platforms like TikTok and Reddit, as well as partnerships with major retailers such as Costco and Amazon.

[Kulture-Issue] What's behind the success of K-pop groups celebrating 10th anniversary?

2025/03/31 14:00

2025 is a special year for many K-pop groups and their fans, as a number of bands are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debuts. Today we want to delve into the factors behind such long-lasting success and the impact of these idols on the global K-pop scene. We are now connected to CedarBough Saeji, Assistant Professor at Pusan National University. Hello Professor Saeji! Q1-1. This year Seventeen, Twice, Monsta X, Oh My Girl and GFriend (Yeojachingu) celebrate their 10th anniversary. What's your view on the decade of success for these K-pop groups? Q1-2. So, as this year marks the 10th anniversary for them it means that many groups appeared on the K-pop scene in 2015. Was that an important year for the K-pop industry? (What were the characteristics of the music industry back then?) Q2. In the world of K-pop, we have heard of the "7th year curse", as it has been known to be difficult for idol groups to survive more than 7 years. Why is that? Q3. But now we're seeing numerous groups celebrating their 10th anniversary. How significant do you see this achievement and what's behind those groups that have reached this milestone? Q4. Nowadays it's not unusual to see idol group members go solo separately from their group activities, but it doesn't mean they leave the group. Could you tell us about the positive and negative aspects of this trend? Q5. How do these long-lasting idol groups contribute to the K-pop industry as a whole? Q6. What would idol groups be without their fans Loyal fans have played a big part in keeping these groups together for a whole decade. To further strengthen the relationship with their fans how do you think idol groups could organize their 10th anniversary? (Maybe beyond albums and concerts) (Congrats to all the K-pop groups celebrating their 10th anniversary!) Thank you Professor Saeji for your insights today. Thank you Walter, we'll see you next time.

[K-Enter] IZM selects BTS, PSY, IU, as artists who lit up K-pop in the 21st century

2025/03/31 14:00

Alright, let's then kick off with our daily dose of K-enter news with you Walter and that K-pop news you just mentioned is about BTS's Jungkook , what do you have for us? Jungkook's single "Seven" topped the list of '15 Best K-pop and Rap Collaborations of All Time', released by the American pop culture magazine 'Complex' on Friday. Complex said on their website (quote), "Jungkook's powerful vocals deliver desire in a way that's digestible and witty," and that the song's collaborator Latto (quote) "delivers a high-energy, flirtatious verse that's technically impressive for a summertime hit." In total five BTS solo and group songs made it onto the list. J-Hope's "on the street" ranked 4th and "LV Bag" ranked 14th, BTS's "Butter" remix ranked 8th, and RM's "Change" ranked 11th. Best K-pop and Rap Collab of all time? It seems so early to be using phrases such as "of all time" but another media outlet has done something similar. Though we are only in the very early stages of the 21st century, one webzine has already named their most influential K-pop artists of this century. Who made the list? The music webzine IZM announced on Friday that it had conducted a survey of 31 critics and producers to select 25 musicians who have been influential in K-pop over the past 25 years, from 2000 to last year. The selected musicians include top groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, 2NE1, Wonder Girls, Girls' Generation, solo singers like IU, BoA and Park Hyo-shin, bands like YB and hip hop acts like Epik High, Dynamic Duo and Beenzino. Notably when it comes to BTS, popular music critic Im Jin-mo described the group by saying, "K-pop has become a common noun thanks to BTS's immense achievements. Since then, various attempts in K-pop, in terms of visuals, sounds, and sensations, have orbited around them." Quite the list and happy to see a variety of genres such as band music, hip hop, ballad, plus "older" idol groups. What do you have for us next Walter? Actor Kim Soo-hyun, who has been embroiled in controversy over accusations of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage, is due to hold an urgent press conference today (Monday Korea time) at 4:30pm according to Kim's agency, Gold Medalist. Kim Soo-hyun and legal representatives, however, are set to only release a statement without taking any questions. This will be the first time that Kim Soo-hyun has spoken directly on the matter since the dating rumours surfaced on a YouTube channel on March 10. Kim's agency initially denied the claims as false but later revised its stance, stating that their relationship began after she became an adult following a series of allegations. Meanwhile, Kim Sae-ron's family has continued to demand the truth, releasing social media conversations that they claim is evidence of their relationship during her minor years. Keep us updated on the developing story. And finally we have a new K-pop concert movie for fans to look forward to. The film "ZEROBASEONE THE FIRST TOUR 'TIMELESS WORLD' IN CINEMAS", featuring live footage from ZEROBASEONE's world tour, is set to connect with global fans. The movie has been confirmed for screenings in 51 regions, with some limited screenings already released. "TIMELESS WORLD IN CINEMAS" captures the emotional journey of ZEROBASEONE's first world tour, which attracted a total audience of 140,000. Meanwhile, ZEROBASEONE is set to hold a fan concert at KSPO DOME in Seoul from April 18 to April 20. Additionally, on April 4, they will release the physical album of their fifth mini-album, 'BLUE PARADISE', in the U.S. Thanks for that news Walter. Now let's take a look at what our AI anchor Ari has for us today. Ari, take it away.

Richard Chamberlain, TV actor who starred in 'Dr. Kildare,' dies at 90

2025/03/31 10:00

Finally, in the United States, renowned actor Richard Chamberlain, celebrated for his roles in "Dr. Kildare" and the award-winning miniseries "The Thorn Birds," died at the age of 90 on Saturday local time. Chamberlain died in Hawaii due to complications following a stroke. A three-time Golden Globe winner, he first gained fame in the 1960s after starring in "Dr. Kildare," which made him a teen idol. Beyond television, Chamberlain appeared in films such as the Oscar-winning movie "The Towering Inferno," and "The Three Musketeers." His lifelong partner, Martin Rabbett, paid tribute, expressing, "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now."

[Kulture Issue] Novel-based hit movies "Mickey 17", "Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning" draw attention to original works

2025/03/28 14:00

Award-winning Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s latest hit movie “Mickey 17“ and occult K-animation film “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning“ have something in common. Both have led to an increased interest in the original novels they are based on. Today we want to take a closer look at this trend and the two movies in more detail with Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Hello Professor Soh! Q1. It’s been exactly a month since Director Bong Joon-ho’s “Mickey 17“ was released here in Korea, Q2. In Korea “Mickey 17“ has spurred sales of the original novel “Mickey7" by Edward Ashton. More than 100,000 copies have been purchased as of two weeks ago. But there are some distinct differences between the book and the film. Let’s talk about those. Q3. Why do you think “Mickey 17” appealed to such a wide audience? Q4. Let’s now talk about “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning“ or “Toemarok“ which has been one of the most successful animation films lately. Ticket sales and book sales are both looking good. What’s behind its popularity? Q5. “Toemarok“ was first published three decades ago. How has it been adapted to modern times? Also, are there any chances for season 2 to come out in the near future? Q6. What are your thoughts on the impact resulting from the consumption of content that shares the same “universe“ as well as the positive impact that success at theaters brings to the bookstores? Q7. Finally, what are some movies based on existing stories we can look forward to later this year?

[K-enter] Celebrities rally to support wildfire recovery

2025/03/28 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. So Bella, yesterday we talked about Korean celebrities showing support for the wildfire recovery efforts in the southeast of the country. We have more stars contributing? The generous wave of donations is continuing for the wildfire recovery efforts. Among the music industry, BTS members RM, J-hope and Suga each donated 100 million won, or roughly 68,000 U.S. dollars to the Korea Disaster Relief Association. SM Entertainment, the agency for aespa and NCT, also donated 300 million won. In addition, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, NCT Doyoung and RIIZE, under their fandom name BRIIZE , contributed generously as well. Actors have also stepped up to support wildfire relief efforts including Lee Jong-suk, Byun Woo-seok, and Jang Geun-suk. Our next story is an update on an on-going controversy between actor Kim Soo-hyun and late actress Kim Sae-ron . Please give us the details. The family of Kim Sae-ron released what is claimed to be evidence supporting their assertion that she was in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun when she was still a minor. Bu Ji-seok, the family’s legal representative, held a press conference on Thursday and presented several SNS messages while criticizing Kim Soo-hyun and claiming that he was lying about the relationship. The KakaoTalk messages exchanged between the two reportedly date back to 2016, when she was a minor and include phrases like “Miss you,” “Wanna hug you” and heart emojis. The lawyer also revealed an unsent letter Kim Sae-ron wrote to Kim Soo-hyun. He stated that the press conference was held in hope to end the criticism directed at the family. Please continue to keep us updated on this issue. Let’s move onto our last story on a newly released, but not so new song by a K-pop girl group. What song are we talking about? It’s aespa’s mega-hit song “Whiplash.” The English version of the title track “Whiplash” from the group's 5th mini-album was released on Thursday. This single also includes a remix version of the same song by world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki. Aoki has reinterpreted the distinct vocals of aespa members in his own style. Meanwhile, aespa will perform the English version of “Whiplash” for the very first time at “Billboard’s Women in Music 2025” held in Los Angeles Saturday, on March 29th. Great to hear that global fans can now easily sing along to the song. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

K-wave AI News

2025/03/28 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Tongyeong International Music Festival kicks off today with a captivating lineup of performances. Under the theme "Journey Inwards," this year's festival will bring together illustrious musicians from around the world for a ten-day celebration in the southern port city. The festival opens tonight with a performance led by resident artist and star pianist Lim Yun-chan, and acclaimed French conductor Fabien Gabel, who will lead the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra. Throughout the festival, audiences can enjoy performances by Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrández, the B'Rock Orchestra conducted by renowned Belgian conductor René Jacobs, and much more. It will conclude on April 6 with Britten's "War Requiem," conducted by Sung Si-yeon and performed by the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra. Established in 1999, the Tongyeong International Music Festival has grown into one of Asia's most prominent classical music events. A variety of events are set to be held in Korea and abroad to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pinkfong's Baby Shark, the beloved character that has become a global sensation. Pop-up stores will be set up at Korea's major shopping malls, with photo sessions and Baby Shark movie screenings also in store. In the United States, Pinkfong will team up with the marine theme park SeaWorld to hold collaborative events at three locations across San Diego, Orlando, and San Antonio. In Japan, Baby Shark will take part in a local kids' festival in Tokyo, featuring an offline booth and a pop-up store. Introduced in 2015 as part of a YouTube children's song series, Baby Shark became a worldwide phenomenon, earning the highest number of views in YouTube history and becoming the first video to surpass 10 billion views. Baby Shark content is available in over 200 countries and in 25 languages. The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival will return this year from April 2 to 6 at Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu District, one of Seoul's most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing. This year's festival goes beyond a simple spring outing, offering a cultural and artistic experience set against a picturesque lakeside backdrop. The opening ceremony will feature a string quartet performance, acapella group "Voice Toy," as well as beloved singers Hwang Garam and Chuu. A special cherry blossom tree lighting ceremony is also scheduled. Throughout the five-day run, diverse cultural and artistic exhibitions will be held at venues around Seokchon Lake. The Gallery Hosu will showcase Philip Colbert's exhibition, "Journey to the Lobster Planet," while other cultural facilities will feature fashion shows and media art displays. The entire 2.6-kilometer walking trail around Seokchon Lake will be illuminated at night. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Art Basel in Hong Kong kicks off

2025/03/28 10:00

Finally, Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 opened to the public on Friday, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, featuring 240 galleries from 42 countries. An off-site art installation has also been created at a high-end shopping center near the official show venue. The fair showcases a diverse range of artistic practices, including performance and digital art, with over half of the participating galleries originating from the Asia-Pacific region. Art Basel 2025, the largest and most prestigious event in the Asia Pacific region, will run from March 28 to 30.

[Short-form] Daejeon=No Fun? Think again – it’s changing fast!

2025/03/27 14:00

Dive into the excitement of Daejeon and rediscover the city’s charms with its latest must-try activities!

[Hallyu People] From JYP to SM... meet K-pop producer and songwriter Paul Thompson aka MZMC

2025/03/27 14:00

K-pop is the number one sector that comes to people’s minds when asked about the Korean wave or hallyu. In today’s “Hallyu People” segment, we meet with a person who is deeply involved in the K-pop scene and will talk about Korean pop music, its global impact and more. Let's meet Paul Thompson, a K-pop producer and songwriter who is behind numerous hit songs by well-known K-pop artists. He's also known as MZMC, the founder and CEO of MZMC Inc. Welcome! 1-1) Please introduce yourself to ‘The Kulture Wave’ viewers. 1-2) Paul, you have been behind more than 100 K-pop songs to date. Please name us a few of them, also what kind of K-pop stars you have worked with. 2) You've been in the Korean pop music industry for over 10 years and worked with JYP and SM Entertainment. How did it all start? Tell us about your journey. 3) Speaking as an expert, what are the unique characteristics of K-pop music, in terms of melody, rhythm or lyrics? (Could you also share with us your process in making songs?) 4) What sets K-pop apart from other music? Why is K-pop so popular around the world? 5) Your label MZMC Inc. is also involved in creating new K-pop groups. Tell us more about it. 6) There also exist so-called “localized” K-pop groups like NiziU and Katseye. What do you think about the adoption of Korean idol training methods overseas? 7) Where do you see the K-pop business in ten years from now?