News

[K-wave] Korea’s cultural rise revisited on 80th Anniv. of Liberation

2025/08/26 15:35

Few may know that Korea's national hero, Kim Gu, even amid the turmoil of Japanese colonial rule, envisioned a future where the nation would rise as a cultural powerhouse. Today, that vision has become reality. Marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation, Arirang's Han Da-eun looks back on Korea's remarkable journey to becoming a pillar of the world's cultural stage. 35 years under Japanese colonial rule. Koreans could only hold their culture close in their hearts. Then came the Korean War, a tragedy that saw compatriots turn their guns on one another. It was nearly 30 years after the war that Korean culture first caught the world's attention. In 1987, actress Kang Soo-youn won Best Actress at the Venice International Film Festival for her role in "The Surrogate Womb" directed by Im Kwon-taek. "I decided to take the role because I had absolute trust in Director Im." By the late 1990s, Korean dramas like "Winter Sonata" sparked a sensation overseas, giving rise to the term Hallyu, or the Korean Wave. In the 2000s, Korean pop stars expanded across Asia, cementing K-pop fandom across the region. And then came Psy's record-breaking 2012 hit Gangnam Style, which thrust K-pop beyond Asia and onto the global stage. "Wow, it's Oxford. Beautiful. With Gangnam Style, I'm living in a dream." The rise of BTS opened new horizons for K-pop and Korean culture, proving limitless potential. They made history as the first Korean artists to top Billboard's main singles chart, the Hot 100. "No matter who you are, where you're from, your skin color, your gender identity, just speak (for) yourself." Director Bong Joon-ho became the first to win the Academy Award for Best Picture with a foreign-language film, "So it's the first for a foreign-language film, huh? But why?" Director Hwang Dong-hyuk also rewrote K-culture history with "Squid Game," which remains the most-watched series in Netflix history. "We unexpectedly found ourselves representing Korean dramas on the global stage" K-culture success goes beyond popular culture. Last year, Korea's acclaimed author Han Kang became the first Korean, and the first Asian woman, to win the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature. "I hope my daily life remains much the same as before. I wish to stay connected to the world and to readers through my writing, as I always have." And now, the smash-hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" is taking the world by storm with its uniquely Korean yet universal appeal, opening a whole new chapter in the global K-pop phenomenon. Rising from the ashes of war, K-culture now stands at the forefront of Korea's national strength. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

Blending literature and music: the 8th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival

2025/08/25 23:39

From timeless classics to bold experiments, one festival is setting the tone for the summer. The Hic et Nunc! Music Festival returns with unique collaborations, including world-famous French novelist Bernard Werber taking the stage. Our Park Hyo-been reports. When story meets music, the stage itself becomes a novel. The 8th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival is taking place across South Korea until September 5. The festival's name, "Hic et Nunc", Latin for "Here and Now", reflects its spirit as a city summer festival that brings together classical music and other art forms. Led by Sejong Soloists, an ensemble with over 700 performances in 120 cities worldwide, the festival pushes the boundaries of classical music with bold experiments and collaborations. This year's theme, "Companion Pieces," pairs works from different eras and styles to create something new. Highlights include world-class violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony, renowned guitarist Jiji's debut recital, and a performance by rising cellist Yeo Yoon-soo. But the program drawing the most attention features best-selling French author Bernard Werber. He takes the stage himself, narrating "The Time of Chimeras," a world premiere based on his latest novel, performed together with Sejong Soloists. The story imagines a dystopian future after a third world war, where hybrid beings, part human, part animal, rise to dominate the earth. Werber, who calls South Korea his "second home", shared his thoughts on the collaboration. "When literature and classical music come together, we can reach a wider audience than books alone. Music can move people more deeply than words, because it is a universal language. My first rehearsal with Sejong Soloists was breathtaking. Composer Kim Texu's music held such complexity and power." Often called South Korea's most beloved foreign author, he also spoke of his special affection for the country. "South Korea is very precious to me. It's a nation of great resilience and energy. What amazes me most is the country's pursuit of perfection, not only in technology but also in the arts." When imagination on the page turns into sound on stage, the Hic et Nunc! Music Festival once again captivates audiences with a stage beyond boundaries, here and now. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Blending literature and music: the 8th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival

2025/08/25 19:40

Meanwhile here in Seoul A classical music festival is underway and it's featuring a critically acclaimed French author as a guest narrator to blend literary works and musical notes. Our Park Hyo-been files this report. When story meets music, the stage itself becomes a novel. The 8th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival is taking place across South Korea until September 5. The festival's name, "Hic et Nunc," Latin for "Here and Now," reflects its spirit as a city summer festival that brings together classical music and other art forms. Led by the Sejong Soloists, an ensemble that has performed over 700 times in 120 cities worldwide, the festival pushes the boundaries of classical music through bold experiments and collaborations. This year's theme, "Companion Pieces," pairs works from different eras and styles to create something new. Highlights include world-class violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony, renowned guitarist Jiji's debut recital, and a performance by rising cellist Yeo Yoon-soo. But the program drawing the most attention features best-selling French author Bernard Werber. He takes the stage himself, narrating "The Time of Chimeras," a world premiere based on his latest novel, performed together with Sejong Soloists. The story imagines a dystopian future after a third world war, where hybrid beings, part human, part animal, rise to dominate the earth. Werber, who calls South Korea his "second home," shared his thoughts on the collaboration. "When literature and classical music come together, we can reach a wider audience than books alone. Music can move people more deeply than words, because it is a universal language. My first rehearsal with Sejong Soloists was breathtaking. Composer Kim Texu's music held such complexity and power." Often called South Korea's most beloved foreign author, he also spoke of his special affection for the country. "South Korea is very precious to me. It's a nation of great resilience and energy. What amazes me most is the country's pursuit of perfection, not only in technology but also in the arts." When imagination on the page turns into sound on stage, the Hic et Nunc! Music Festival once again captivates audiences with a stage beyond boundaries, here and now. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Blending literature and music: the 8th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival

2025/08/25 15:38

From timeless classics to bold experiments, one festival is setting the tone for the summer. And Hyo-been, I hear you were at that music festival? That's right Soa. I was at the 8th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival where I had the chance to interview a very special guest, a world-famous novelist who took his latest novel to the stage in collaboration with music. Let's take a look. When story meets music, the stage itself becomes a novel. The 8th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival is taking place across South Korea until September 5. The festival's name, "Hic et Nunc", Latin for "Here and Now", reflects its spirit as a city summer festival that brings together classical music and other art forms. Led by Sejong Soloists, an ensemble with over 700 performances in 120 cities worldwide, the festival pushes the boundaries of classical music with bold experiments and collaborations. This year's theme, "Companion Pieces," pairs works from different eras and styles to create something new. Highlights include world-class violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony, renowned guitarist Jiji's debut recital, and a performance by rising cellist Yeo Yoon-soo. But the program drawing the most attention features best-selling French author Bernard Werber. He takes the stage himself, narrating "The Time of Chimeras," a world premiere based on his latest novel, performed together with Sejong Soloists. The story imagines a dystopian future after a third world war, where hybrid beings, part human, part animal, rise to dominate the earth. Werber, who calls South Korea his "second home", shared his thoughts on the collaboration. "When literature and classical music come together, we can reach a wider audience than books alone. Music can move people more deeply than words, because it is a universal language. My first rehearsal with Sejong Soloists was breathtaking. Composer Kim Texu's music held such complexity and power." Often called South Korea's most beloved foreign author, he also spoke of his special affection for the country. "South Korea is very precious to me. It's a nation of great resilience and energy. What amazes me most is the country's pursuit of perfection, not only in technology but also in the arts." When imagination on the page turns into sound on stage, the Hic et Nunc! Music Festival once again captivates audiences with a stage beyond boundaries, here and now.

[K-Enter] "Kpop Demon Hunters" song “Golden” tops UK singles chart for second consecutive week, 3 weeks at No.1 in total

2025/08/25 15:36

Time for our K-enter news with Walter Lee, Walter what has been happening over the weekend? "Golden" from Netflix's "Kpop Demon Hunters" has held the top spot on the UK Official Singles Chart "Top 100" for a second week in a row. According to the latest chart published on last Friday, "Golden", sung by the movie's girl group Huntr/x, retained its No.1 position for the second straight week, marking its third week overall at the top. Also, tracks by rival boy group, Saja Boys, also charted strongly in the UK. "Soda Pop" rose to No.3, while "Your Idol" came in at No.6. and "Takedown" the contribution from TWICE members Jeongyeon , Jihyo , and Chaeyoung, entered the chart at No.31, so in total, four songs from the soundtrack are on the UK Singles Chart. We must not forget it is not just about the music but also the amazing movie itself that is still attracting a lot of people, right? So, one thing is a shame, that "KPop Demon Hunters", or let's call them "KDH" never really got shown on the big screens but that changed recently BECAUSE "KDH" soared to the top of the North American box office, this is according to Variety on Sunday local time. The release was estimated to have earned between $18 million and $20 million across North American theatres during the August 23–24 weekend. KDH became such a phenomenon that Netflix organised a two-day "sing-along" special screening event in North American theatres, almost like a real concert. And I can't wait for that to happen in Korea, at the Busan International Film Festival next month. What's next? TXT lit up Seoul on Friday and Saturday with their "TOMORROW X TOGETHER WORLD TOUR ACT: TOMORROW", delivering an electrifying set of nearly 30 songs. This tour is the group's fourth world tour, and Seoul drew an impressive 33,000 fans over two days. Even deep into the concert, TXT never lost momentum, performing with unwavering precision and stamina. As the show came to a close, TXT reassured fans of their commitment to continue growing and giving back for all the love they've received. The members also underscored their unity, especially after all five recently renewed their contracts with BigHit Music. Thanks for the stories and your energy Walter. Now we move onto our AI anchor Ari for more on the culture front. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/08/25 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Gyeongbokgung Palace will offer nighttime tours from September 3 to 28. Visitors can explore the famous Gwanghwamun, Heungnyemun, and Geunjeongjeon, as well as Gyeonghoeru, the site of grand royal banquets, and Gyotaejeon, the queen's residence. Traditional performances, including royal court music, will also be featured. A highlight is the "Royal Stroll," held Fridays through Sundays at 7 p.m., which recreates the evening walks of the king, queen, and crown prince during the Joseon Dynasty. Tickets go on sale via Interpark from 10 a.m. this Wednesday, but foreign visitors can also purchase tickets on-site at Gwanghwamun. Admission is free for those wearing 'hanbok,' so how about an autumn evening stroll steeped in Korean tradition? The King Sejong Institute Foundation is sending Korean language teacher trainees and cultural interns to about 50 Sejong branches across more than 30 countries. Selected through university recommendations and screening, over 90 undergraduate and graduate students will spend up to three months overseas, teaching the Korean language and culture to global learners. The Sejong Institute said the program will provide trainees with a valuable experience to build their expertise, while offering overseas K-culture enthusiasts a unique chance to learn the Korean language and culture in fresh ways. An exhibition of works by the late Kim Tschang-yeul, a master of Korean abstract art widely known as the "Waterdrop Painter," is now on display. The first large-scale retrospective of Kim has opened at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. It brings together over 120 works, from his early pieces to creations produced during his time in New York and Paris, including 31 previously unseen works. Visitors can view Kim's signature "Waterdrop" series alongside his representative works, organized into four sections: Scar, Phenomenon, Waterdrops, and Recurrence. The exhibition traces the origins of the "Waterdrop" motif that defined his career and reveals how it evolved over time. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] KCON LA 2025 and the current status of K-culture in the U.S.

2025/08/25 15:34

The presidents of South Korea and the U.S. are getting together for a bilateral summit in Washington this Monday, local time. Alongside all the trade and security issues being discussed, cultural cooperation may also come up on the back of the growing popularity of the K-wave in the U.S.. In fact, the interest in Korean culture, be it in K-pop, K-food, or K-beauty could recently be felt at a flagship K-pop festival in Los Angeles, KCON LA. We now connect to an expert who was at the event. It’s Grace Kao, IBM Professor of Sociology at Yale University. Hello Professor Kao! More than 125,000 people gathered for KCON LA 2025 earlier this month. Professor Kao, you were there yourself and wrote an article on your experience. Which performances did you watch over the three-day event and what was the most memorable part? Los Angeles has even designated August 1st as "KCON Day". How did this come about and how significant is this? When did K-pop really take off in the U.S., how popular is it right now and why do you think that is? More and more K-pop concerts are being held due to the increase in demand, right? Now let’s shift gears from K-pop and performances to K-dramas and K-movies. It's become quite common to see Korean actors holding fan meetings in the U.S. So, how well known are Korean productions and which actors have the biggest fandoms? When it comes to cultural exchange between Korea and the U.S., in the past, this took the form of Korea largely accepting American pop culture. However, now the U.S. is also rapidly embracing Korean culture. In which field is this most apparent? Back to KCON. Small and medium-sized companies related to beauty, lifestyle, food and fashion participated in the "K-COLLECTION with KCON" event. How much attention are these Korean cultural items receiving in addition to K-pop and K-dramas? K-pop is no longer limited to being songs sung by Korean singers in Korean. You can see this in "KPop Demon Hunters" for instance. From the perspective of a sociologist and someone who loves K-pop what is your outlook on the future of K-pop and its influence? Thank you very much for your insights Professor Kao, have a great start to the week. Thank you Walter, see you back tomorrow.

[NEWs GEN] Korea–U.S. Exchange Pt. 1: Unpacking the K-Food and K-Beauty Boom

2025/08/25 11:33

[NEWs GEN] Korea–U.S. Exchange Pt. 1: Unpacking the K-Food and K-Beauty Boom

[Arts & Culture] For Rumis ONLY: Exclusive KPop Demon Hunters' Director's message

2025/08/22 21:43

메기강 감독 단독인터뷰: 케데헌 성공 비결, 그리고 속편 힌트까지! It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture. We have our culture correspondent, Park Kun-woo, in the studio. Welcome Kun-woo! Great to be here, Dami! So what do you have for us today? I'm thrilled to share an exclusive interview with KPop Demon Hunters Director Maggie Kang. I'm sure you already know who she is ---she's also widely recognized for her work on popular animated films including Shrek and Kung Fu Panda. Meeting her in person, I got to listen to a lot of details related to the production process and got to know just how much effort went into making this global hit animation. While I'm pretty sure there are just three people left in the world that haven't seen the movie yet, let's first take a look at my interview, spotlighting her journey and even a sneak peek of what's next. Homecoming “Golden.” After shaking the world with “KPop Demon Hunters,” director Maggie Kang has returned to Korea ---the “home of K-pop.” "Every time I come to Seoul, I feel like I'm home. So when the plane touches down, I just think to myself, 'Oh, I'm home now.'" Having spent lots of summers in Seoul as a young girl, Kang says her back-and-forth life between Korea and abroad became a deep source of inspiration. "All the summers I spent in Seoul I was here, I was experiencing it firsthand. That memory just kind of stays with you and that paired with all the kind of pop culture and references that I learned from Western culture." Back then, her love for K-pop was often dismissed by her friends abroad, but now she feels a “massive shift” in how K-culture is embraced in the West, making her proud to be a Korean. "When I was a little bit more insecure, I hid it from people. But the older I got, I knew that I've always just had this strong Korean pride. And then to see Korean culture now it's kind of unavoidable. You go to a fast food restaurant and there's like a 'gochujang' flavor of chicken wings. Completely accepted into mainstream." Seeing the rise of K-pop's popularity, Kang says she wanted the film to reflect that connection with fans, not tied to just one idol group. "It is really a mix. When they see Huntrix, they think I'm a fan of this group. And so for me, Huntrix is this group. I just wanted to make a film for every K-pop fan to enjoy in their own way." The movie took around seven years to make, leaving a question: how did she manage to stay relevant and trendy? "It's really about the story and really staying true to what the fans are, what the audience is going to connect with. From the very beginning, that was really set. It was all a culmination of everybody's favorite things." With global fans still excited about the movie, Kang gave us a sneak peek of a potential sequel. "There's a lot of ideas that didn't make it in. I would love to feature new demons, you know that are different visually and different types of music. And I think there's a lot of back stories that we can flesh out and give the fans a little bit, you know, more information." "Can you give us a message for all the Rumis watching, who are struggling to find their dreams and pursue the career they want?" "Stay true to yourself and if you feel scared, you're probably doing something right. Once you create any work of art or you know put anything out there that's a part of yourself, that's what people want to see, that's what people connect to the most." At the end of the day, Kang stressed the film carries one true message: “Don’t be scared of who you are,” echoing the lyrics of KPop Demon Hunters’ theme song, Golden ---'I'm done hiding, now I'm shining like I'm born to be.' Kun-woo, were there any interesting behind-the-scenes stories that came up in your interview with Director Kang? I heard many fascinating stories from my one-on-one talk with her. She refers to all the scenes as “her children” and admitted that bringing them to life was far from easy. "One of the scenes that I'm most proud of is the very opening scene where we see the old-time original hunters, and we see Korean culture from, like you know, the Joseon era to modern day. It's such a short moment, but for me, being someone who's Korean, it was just such an emotional feeling to like see our tradition just on screen." She added that it took a long time to approve; actually, it was the very last scene to be approved, because the production team wanted to learn and put all the expertise they'd learned into it. And during her visit to Arirang to join our special show “K-Pop: The Next Chapter,” she also shared how much effort went into the final scene, especially in portraying traditional attire like the “gat.” One other interesting fact she revealed was about the main character, Rumi. She said her daughter was actually named after the character. And it doesn't stop there, as the voice acting and singing for the younger version of Rumi were also done by her daughter, Rumi. And were there any other interesting stories coming from the earlier press conference she had today? Yes. Dami, these days, there's one track I keep listening to on repeat. Can you guess? I wanted to dive deeper into the film's theme song “Golden.” As you probably know, Golden has topped several global charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. Amid the popularity, director Kang revealed a behind-the-scenes story of how the song was released while saying it was actually the hardest song to create, in order to serve many purposes. "Number one, it became kind of Rumi's 'I want song' which is very traditional for any musical. And we also realized that we needed to set up the backstories of all of our characters. Musically, it felt like we needed the song to be kind of difficult to sing. Our movie is about the power of music, and whenever a singer hits a really high note, we get this feeling, butterflies, and I really wanted to feel that through the song." She added that the song was so hard they had to go through seven or eight different versions before their team finally felt “this is it.” Alright, Kun-woo, thanks for all of that. We'll see you next week. Thank you.

[THE INTERVIEW] Plenty of demons left to "take down"; Sequel teased by KPop Demon Hunters director

2025/08/22 19:38

Director Maggie Kang of "KPop Demon Hunters" says a sequel to this Netflix summer sensation is possible as there are many more demons left to conquer. Our Park Kun-woo sat down with her. Homecoming "Golden." After shaking the world with "KPop Demon Hunters," director Maggie Kang has returned to Korea ---the "home of K-pop." "Every time I come to Seoul I feel like I'm home. So when the plane touches down I just think to myself 'Oh I'm home now.'" Having spent lots of summers in Seoul as a young girl, Kang says her back-and-forth life between Korea and abroad became a deep source of inspiration. "All the summers I spent in Seoul I was here, I was experiencing it firsthand. I was feeling everything. I was smelling the smells and that memory just kind of stays with you and you know it almost becomes real. It's like you're reliving your memories and that paired with all the kind of pop culture and references that I learned from Western culture." Back then, her love for K-pop was often dismissed by her friends abroad, but now she feels a "massive shift" to how K-culture is embraced in the West, making her proud to be a Korean. "When I was a little bit more insecure I hid it from people. But the older I got, I knew that I've always just had this strong Korean pride so it always had stayed with me. And then to see Korean culture just be more I don't know like just loved and people wanting more of it, I've just seen that gradually happen where now it's kind of unavoidable. You go to a fast food restaurant and there's like a 'gochujang' flavor of chicken wings and it's just natural. It's just like kind of completely accepted into mainstream and that's just amazing to me." Seeing the rise of K-pop's popularity, Kang says she wanted the film to reflect that connection with fans, not tied to just one idol group. "We opened up kind of a reference board to our entire crew. And by the time that we got into designing these characters and figuring them out, literally everybody was on there. We took elements of this idol or this group or and so it is really a mix. When they see Huntrix, they think I'm a fan of this group. And so for me Huntrix is this group. I just wanted to make a film for every K-pop fan to enjoy in their own way." The movie took around seven years to make, leaving a question: how did she manage to stay relevant and trendy? "It's really about the story and really staying true to what the fans are, what the audience is going to connect with and that's really the emotional story of the characters and the message of the film. And I think from the very beginning that was really set. That was our kind of North Star. It was all a culmination of everybody's favorite things." She even shared her favorite scene that much effort was put into. "All of the scenes are like my children and I can't really say that any of them were easy. One of the scenes that I'm most proud of is the very opening scene where we see the old time original hunters and we see Korean culture from like you know the Joseon era to modern day. It's such a short moment but for me being someone who's Korean it was just such an emotional feeling to like see our tradition just on screen." With global fans still excited about the movie, Kang gave us a sneak peek of a potential sequel. "After spending so many years making this film there's a lot of ideas that didn't make it in. So there's different types of demons that we didn't get to feature so I would love to feature new demons you know that are different visually and different types of music. And I think there's a lot of back stories that we can flesh out and give the fans a little bit you know more information." "Can you give us a message for all the Rumis watching, who are struggling to find their dreams and pursue the career they want?" "Don't be scared. You know stay true to yourself and if you feel scared you're probably doing something right because it means that it hasn't been done and it means that it's coming from somewhere deep inside of you. And I think once you create any work of art or you know put anything out there that's a part of yourself that's what people want to see that's what people connect to the most." At the end of the day, Kang stressed the film carries one true message: "Don't be scared of who you are," echoing the lyrics of KPop Demon Hunters' theme song, Golden ---'I'm done hiding, now I'm shining like I'm born to be.' Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Features reporter] Plenty of demons left to "take down"; Sequel teased by KPop Demon Hunters director

2025/08/22 15:38

Kun-woo, I'm always excited to talk about KPop Demon Hunters. And today, I'm even more excited thanks to what you've brought for us. Please go ahead. Soa, I'm also thrilled to share an exclusive interview with KPop Demon Hunters Director Maggie Kang. Meeting her in-person, I realized she's just the nicest person in the world and got to know just how much effort went into making this global hit animation. While I'm pretty sure there are just three people left in the world that haven't seen the movie yet, let's first take a look at my interview, spotlighting her journey and even a sneak peek of what's next. Homecoming "Golden." After shaking the world with "KPop Demon Hunters," director Maggie Kang has returned to Korea ---the "home of K-pop." "Every time I come to Seoul I feel like I'm home. So when the plane touches down I just think to myself 'Oh I'm home now.'" Having spent lots of summers in Seoul as a young girl, Kang says her back-and-forth life between Korea and abroad became a deep source of inspiration. "All the summers I spent in Seoul I was here, I was experiencing it firsthand. That memory just kind of stays with you and that paired with all the kind of pop culture and references that I learned from Western culture." Back then, her love for K-pop was often dismissed by her friends abroad, but now she feels a "massive shift" to how K-culture is embraced in the West, making her proud to be a Korean. "When I was a little bit more insecure I hid it from people. But the older I got, I knew that I've always just had this strong Korean pride. And then to see Korean culture now it's kind of unavoidable. You go to a fast food restaurant and there's like a 'gochujang' flavor of chicken wings. Completely accepted into mainstream." Seeing the rise of K-pop's popularity, Kang says she wanted the film to reflect that connection with fans, not tied to just one idol group. "It is really a mix. When they see Huntrix, they think I'm a fan of this group. And so for me Huntrix is this group. I just wanted to make a film for every K-pop fan to enjoy in their own way." The movie took around seven years to make, leaving a question: how did she manage to stay relevant and trendy? "It's really about the story and really staying true to what the fans are, what the audience is going to connect with. From the very beginning that was really set. It was all a culmination of everybody's favorite things." With global fans still excited about the movie, Kang gave us a sneak peek of a potential sequel. "There's a lot of ideas that didn't make it in. I would love to feature new demons you know that are different visually and different types of music. And I think there's a lot of back stories that we can flesh out and give the fans a little bit you know more information." "Can you give us a message for all the Rumis watching, who are struggling to find their dreams and pursue the career they want?" "Stay true to yourself and if you feel scared you're probably doing something right. Once you create any work of art or you know put anything out there that's a part of yourself that's what people want to see, that's what people connect to the most." At the end of the day, Kang stressed the film carries one true message: "Don't be scared of who you are," echoing the lyrics of KPop Demon Hunters' theme song, Golden ---'I'm done hiding, now I'm shining like I'm born to be.'

[K-enter] Stray Kids drop some "KARMA"

2025/08/22 15:37

Time for K-enter news with Bella Kim. Let's begin with a group that have just released a new album before our show today. Stray Kids have just dropped their 4th album “KARMA” this afternoon, that's Friday Korea time. The album’s title track ‘KARMA’ delivers the message -“When bad karma comes, we will calm it down with our good karma.” The title track “CEREMONY” is a collaboration of EDM and baile funk that celebrates their success built through their efforts and sweat. The group’s producing unit 3RACHA, who are Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, took part in producing all 11 tracks, reinforcing their identity as a ‘self-producing group.’ Recently, Stray Kids set numerous records through their latest world tour “dominATE” with 54 performances in 34 regions. The next story, something Director Maggie Kang will love to hear! "KPop Demon Hunters" will have a special sing-along screening for the very first time in Korea at the 30th Busan International Film Festival. This special sing-along screening will be held at Dongseo University Sohyang Theatre ShinhanCard Hall, inviting audience members to join in singing the film’s hit songs, such as “How It’s Done,” “Soda Pop,” “Golden,” and “Your Idol,” that have swept across the globe. This will provide a thrilling experience to explore the musical elements of the film in the theater. “KPop Demon Hunters” blends the astonishing world of K-pop with the occult genre. For people planning to visit BIFF, the detailed schedule for this special screening will be announced on the official BIFF website. Bella, let's work on those high notes and make a trip to BIFF. Let's wrap up with an impressive record by a Korean film. “My Daughter is a Zombie” has set a box office record -holding the top spot at the box office for 23 consecutive days, since its release on July 30th. The film has maintained the longest duration of being number one at the box office this year, surpassing the number one streaks of “Mickey17” and “The Match,” both released earlier this year. Not only that, immediately upon its release, it achieved the highest opening score for a Korean comedy film in history, and became the highest-grossing film of the year, surpassing 4 million viewers. “My Daughter is a Zombie” is a story of a father Jung-hwan trying to protect his daughter Soo-ah, who has turned into a zombie. The film is still at the theaters, so check it out if you haven’t yet! Thank you Bella for today’s stories. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for more on the culture front!

K-wave AI News

2025/08/22 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Amid surging global interest in Korean culture, the National Museum of Korea has welcomed more than four million visitors so far this year. From January through August 20, attendance reached four million seventy three thousand, nearly double the figure from last year. The museum has steadily gained popularity, attracting nearly 4.2 million visitors in 2023 and ranking sixth among the world's most visited museums, according to the UK's Art Newspaper. The museum's annual attendance is on track to set a new record this year, fueled in part by the success of the smash-hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." On Thursday, the film's director, Maggie Kang, visited the museum and toured the exhibits with Museum Director You Hong-june. Korea's largest art fairs, Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, will kick off at Seoul's COEX on September 3. The two fairs will showcase a wide range of works, from multi-billion-won masterpieces to works by emerging artists, presented by galleries from Korea and abroad. Frieze Seoul will feature more than 120 galleries worldwide, highlighting works from American abstract pioneer Adolph Gottlieb, Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami, and leading Korean artists such as Ha Chong-hyun and Kim Yun-shin. Kiaf Seoul, or Korea International Art Fair, will bring together 175 galleries, about one-third of which are international. A modern reinterpretation of the Joseon Dynasty's royal ritual dance, "Jongmyo Jeryeak," is captivating audiences. The performance by the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre titled "Ilmu," meaning "One Dance," premiered in 2022 and has since evolved each year with refinements in choreography, costumes, and staging. Praised for embodying the Korean aesthetics of restraint and empty space, Ilmu reflects the evolution of traditional values into a modern language. Creative director Jung Ku-ho noted that while the production maintains Korea's traditional roots, it seeks to present transformation for today's audiences. Ilmu runs at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts through Sunday, before moving to the Gangneung Arts Center on August 29 and the Daegu Arts Center on September 4 and 5. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] The “Cheoseo Magic”

2025/08/22 15:34

Ever heard of the Cheoseo Magic? Discover what it’s all about, and get ready for autumn’s cool, crisp embrace!

[Kulture Issue] Korea-U.S. collaborations in culture and arts become new K-wave genre

2025/08/22 15:34

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold their first summit talks in Washington D.C. on the 25th of August. Along with politics and diplomacy, cooperation between the two countries is continuing in the field of culture and arts. Today, we want to examine Korean-American collaborations in dramas, films as well as the performing arts. For that, we are joined by culture critic Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University. Welcome back Professor Chie! Recently, there has been a surge in creative collaborations between Korea and the U.S. It seems that this has become a K-wave genre of its own over the past few years. What are your thoughts? Let’s break it down a bit by category and start with productions for streaming platforms. This seems to be the field where Korea-U.S. collaborations are most active these days. And today, this Friday, the South Korea-U.S. joint production "Butterfly" will begin airing in Korea. What are your expectations? But I’m curious, how are these collaborative productions being made? And what do you think are the strengths of these collaborations in the streaming platform environment? Next, let’s talk about performance arts. "Maybe Happy Ending", an original musical from Korea that won six Tony Awards is a wonderful example of collaboration between a Korean writer and an American composer. What other performances have been created through such collaborations? Speaking of “The Great Gatsby,” it has all-foreign cast and has first toured in the U.S. and UK, so at first glance, it doesn't really feel like a Korean-American collaboration but it is considered one, right? Could you please explain. Let's move on to movies. Made by directors with a Korean background, "Minari" and "Past Lives" capture both Korean and North American sentiments and have attracted worldwide attention. Why do you think that is? What was their approach? What are some of the things that need to be considered for smooth progress when creators from different nationalities and backgrounds work together on one single project? As the number of joint Korean-American content projects increases, so does the controversy surrounding creators' rights and revenue distribution. How do you think these issues should be discussed and resolved in the future? Thank you very much Professor Chie for your insights. See you next time. Bella, thank you as always, have a great weekend! Thank YOU for spending the past half an hour with us on "the Kulture Wave". Have a great weekend everyone. We'll be back next week, Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. Korea time.

Plenty of demons left to "take down"; Sequel teased by KPop Demon Hunters director

2025/08/22 13:38

KPop Demon Hunters Director Maggie Kang is back in Korea, the home of the genre that inspired her global hit animation. Our Park Kun-woo sat down with the star director to talk about her journey and what may come next. Homecoming "Golden." After shaking the world with "KPop Demon Hunters," director Maggie Kang has returned to Korea the "home of K-pop." "Every time I come to Seoul I feel like I'm home. So when the plane touches down I just think to myself 'Oh I'm home now.'" Having spent lots of summers in Seoul as a young girl, Kang says her back-and-forth life between Korea and abroad became a deep source of inspiration. "All the summers I spent in Seoul I was here, I was experiencing it firsthand. I was feeling everything. I was smelling the smells and that memory just kind of stays with you and you know it almost becomes real. It's like you're reliving your memories and that paired with all the kind of pop culture and references that I learned from Western culture." Back then, her love for K-pop was often dismissed by her friends abroad, but now she feels a "massive shift" to how K-culture is embraced in the West, making her proud to be a Korean. "When I was a little bit more insecure I hid it from people. But the older I got, I knew that I've always just had this strong Korean pride so it always had stayed with me. And then to see Korean culture just be more I don't know like just loved and people wanting more of it, I've just seen that gradually happen where now it's kind of unavoidable. You go to a fast food restaurant and there's like a 'gochujang' flavor of chicken wings and it's just natural. It's just like kind of completely accepted into mainstream and that's just amazing to me." Seeing the rise of K-pop's popularity, Kang says she wanted the film to reflect that connection with fans, not tied to just one idol group. "We opened up kind of a reference board to our entire crew. And by the time that we got into designing these characters and figuring them out, literally everybody was on there. We took elements of this idol or this group or and so it is really a mix. When they see Huntrix, they think I'm a fan of this group. And so for me Huntrix is this group. I just wanted to make a film for every K-pop fan to enjoy in their own way." The movie took around seven years to make, leaving a question: how did she manage to stay relevant and trendy? "It's really about the story and really staying true to what the fans are, what the audience is going to connect with and that's really the emotional story of the characters and the message of the film. And I think from the very beginning that was really set. That was our kind of North Star. It was all a culmination of everybody's favorite things." She even shared her favorite scene that much effort was put into. "All of the scenes are like my children and I can't really say that any of them were easy. One of the scenes that I'm most proud of is the very opening scene where we see the old time original hunters and we see Korean culture from like you know the Joseon era to modern day. It's such a short moment but for me being someone who's Korean it was just such an emotional feeling to like see our tradition just on screen." With global fans still excited about the movie, Kang gave us a sneak peek of a potential sequel. "After spending so many years making this film there's a lot of ideas that didn't make it in. So there's different types of demons that we didn't get to feature so I would love to feature new demons you know that are different visually and different types of music. And I think there's a lot of back stories that we can flesh out and give the fans a little bit you know more information." "Can you give us a message for all the Rumis watching, who are struggling to find their dreams and pursue the career they want?" "Don't be scared. You know stay true to yourself and if you feel scared you're probably doing something right because it means that it hasn't been done and it means that it's coming from somewhere deep inside of you. And I think once you create any work of art or you know put anything out there that's a part of yourself that's what people want to see that's what people connect to the most." At the end of the day, Kang stressed the film carries one true message: "Don't be scared of who you are," echoing the lyrics of KPop Demon Hunters' theme song, Golden 'I'm done hiding, now I'm shining like I'm born to be.' Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Econ & Biz] It's time --KPop Demon Hunters characters finally on their favorite K-food packaging

2025/08/21 21:39

The Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just topping global charts — it’s fueling a surge of interest in Korean food, culture, and even tourism. Korean companies are rushing to seize the moment while President Lee Jae Myung is pledging stronger support for the culture industry. For more, we have our Kim Do-yeon in the studio with us. Do-yeon first, the good news Huntrix members' favorite snacks in real life will have the characters on them? That's right, Dami. On Wednesday, Nongshim announced it will launch limited-edition versions of Shin Ramyeon and Shrimp Crackers — the exact snacks enjoyed by Huntrix members in the film. Fans had already been associating the products with the show, and it was rather clear in the movie which real-life items the animation had included. Some fans even made their own labels to mimic the packaging. Now Nongshim is making it official, teaming up with Netflix to roll out the items across Korea, the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia. I spoke to an official from the company earlier take a listen. “Just as KPop Demon Hunters has introduced K-culture to the world, Nongshim will use this collaboration to genuinely share the taste and value of K-ramyeon and K-snacks with global consumers.” Now there is actual evidence that people are more interested in Korean culture after the movie was released and this seems to be the perfect time for the company and others as well. That's right, Dami. First off, Nongshim said collaboration was possible because the movie's fans were already making labels on their own to cover the items on the shelf to make it seem like the ones from the KPop Demon Hunters. Now, merchandise is just a big part of K-pop in general, and so it's natural for merch from the movie to be selling well now take a listen to this critic from yesterday's Arirang Special said. “It’s not just about saying Huntrix is pretty. Fans ask, what are they holding, what are they wearing, what are they singing? If a song is out there, fans will try to cover it. That whole culture of imitation and participation has been built up through K-pop — and now the film is amplifying it.” All in all, it's the perfect time for Korea to jump on this as well like you said, there's evidence. According to Google Trends, searches for “Korea” worldwide surged to their highest level in nearly three years during the week of July 17th to 23rd. Interest even surpassed the spike seen last December when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Since the release of KPop Demon Hunters on June 20th, global searches for “Korea” have nearly doubled. Searches for “Korean food” also jumped to an all-time high — up 75 percent following the show’s debut. And the government says it's not going to miss this chance. Now during the Arirang Special we just saw from the music critic, was also President Lee Jae Myung himself and Maggie Kang. The government seems to be willing to support the industry more now. What did the President have to say? That's right, President Lee has shown interest in fostering the culture industry. It's only natural as the industry is doing so well already. Take a listen to what he had to say. Earlier this year, at the beginning of Lee's term, the Lee administration pledged to build a “top 5 cultural power.” The government is expected to inject 51 trillion won, or around 37 billion U.S. dollars, over the next five years to do that. Now, what can the government do more? Where are some improvements that are needed in the industry right now? There is something. Despite the Netflix film's global success, the estimated one-trillion-won — or roughly 750 million U.S. dollars — intellectual property value of KPop Demon Hunters will flow to the U.S. platform Netflix and Japan’s Sony Pictures. None of the world’s top 50 IP holders are Korean firms, according to a recent study by the Korea Chamber of Commerce By contrast, the U.S. dominates with 32, followed by Japan with seven, and China and France with two each. The economic stakes are massive: Disney alone generated about 62 billion dollars last year through IP-based businesses like Mickey Mouse and Marvel. Collectively, America’s top IP companies earned revenues equivalent to around 13 percent of Korea’s entire GDP. For Korea — still heavily dependent on manufacturing exports — such figures highlight why building a homegrown “super IP” may be crucial to future growth.

KPop Demon Hunters characters finally on their favorite foods in real life

2025/08/21 18:37

A delicious partnership has been struck to better promote the snacks enjoyed by the fictional K-pop girl group in KPop Demon Hunters all in line with the growing demand from fans worldwide. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. If you're a fan of Korean food you will know that the ramyeon and the crackers Huntrix couldn't give up even during a fight with demons are actually real. And, of course this is a perfect chance for the company behind them. Nongshim announced on Wednesday that Shin Ramyeon and Shrimp Crackers will be collaborating with Netflix to distribute limited editions in markets like Korea, the U.S. and Europe. “Just as KPop Demon Hunters has introduced K-culture to the world, Nongshim will use this collaboration to genuinely share the taste and value of K-ramyeon and K-snacks with global consumers.” This is not just limited to Nongshim for Korean food and culture in general. According to Google Trends, searches for “Korea” worldwide surged to their highest level in nearly three years during the week of July 17th to 23rd. Interest even surpassed the spike seen last December when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Since the release of KPop Demon Hunters on June 20th, global searches for “Korea” have nearly doubled. Searches for “Korean food” also jumped to an all-time high — up 75 percent following the show’s debut. And the government says it's not going to miss this chance. President Lee Jae Nyung himself met with KPop Demon Hunters Creator Maggie Kang for an Arirang TV special amid the hype, and pledged to create a firm foundation for the culture industry. There is somewhere to begin. Despite the Netflix film's global success, the estimated one-trillion-won — or roughly 750 million U.S. dollars — intellectual property value of KPop Demon Hunters will flow to the U.S. platform Netflix and Japan’s Sony Pictures. None of the world’s top 50 IP holders are Korean firms, according to a recent study by the Korea Chamber of Commerce By contrast, the U.S. dominates with 32, followed by Japan with seven, and China and France with two each. The economic stakes are massive: Disney alone generated about 62 billion dollars last year through IP-based businesses like Mickey Mouse and Marvel. Collectively, America’s top IP companies earned revenues equivalent to around 13 percent of Korea’s entire GDP. For Korea — still heavily dependent on manufacturing exports — such figures highlight why building a homegrown “super IP” may be crucial to future growth. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

[K-enter] Jungkook achieves 2.5 bil. Spotify streams

2025/08/21 16:39

Bella, let’s start off with an amazing milestone by Jungkook of BTS. Jungkook has reached a remarkable milestone on Spotify -surpassing 2.5 billion streams. According to Spotify, Jungkook’s solo single “Seven,” released in July 2023, has surpassed 2.5 billion streams as of the chart dated August 18th. This is the first time that a single by a Korean artist has reached this milestone. In addition, Jungkook’s solo tracks have collectively surpassed 9.4 billion streams, setting a record for the most streams by a K-pop solo artist. His solo album “GOLDEN,” which features the track “Seven,” is also on the verge of reaching 6 billion streams. "Lucky Seven", but of coures it takes more than luck to make such an achievement. And we will now talk about a movie that’s being recognized in film festivals even before its release. Director Park Chan-wook’s new film “NO OTHER CHOICE” has officially been invited to the main competition section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. It's the first time in 13 years that a Korean film has competed in the festival’s main section, since director Kim Ki-duk’s “Pieta.” At a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday, Park described the project as the one he wanted to make the most for so long. Both the director and cast members described the film as simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious. This year’s Venice International Film Festival will run from August 27th to September 6th on Lido Island in Venice, Italy. The film has also been selected as the opening film for this year’s Busan International Film Festival. “NO OTHER CHOICE” will premiere in theaters in September. And now to a K-drama! KBS2 and Disney+ teamed up for a hero-style series inspired by the 12 zodiac guardians. Actor Ma Dong-seok, known for his punch in the film “THE ROUNDUP,” is poised to unleash his trademark power-packed action once again, but this time as a tiger-inspired celestial warrior. He also took part in planning and making the series. “Twelve” is a series that re-imagines the Eastern zodiac symbols as 12 guardians who take human form to protect humanity from dark forces. The cast and crew gathered at the Seoul Pullman Hotel in Seoul on Wednesday for a press conference to promote the drama. The series will premiere this weekend, August 23rd. Thank you Bella for today’s stories. Now, let's go over to our AI anchor Ari for more on the culture front. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/08/21 16:38

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Seoul has been named the most beloved city among Millennials and Gen Z members worldwide for the fourth consecutive year. Seoul City government announced that Korea's capital was named the "Favorite Worldwide City" for 2025 by a U.S.-based travel media outlet, Trazee Travel. Dublin ranked second, followed by Hong Kong and London. Officials attributed the recognition to the global spread of K-culture and the city's unique charm that blends tradition with modernity. The Seoul Tourism Organization pledged continued efforts to ensure that Seoul remains a favorite around the world as a global hub of tourism and culture. A special nighttime program will be held at Deoksugung Palace, offering visitors a unique experience of "Seokjojeon," a modern architectural landmark of the palace. The Korea Heritage Service announced it will host the event, "Night at Seokjojeon Hall," from September 10 to October 26. The event takes place every Wednesday through Sunday, featuring guided tours and a chance to enjoy the night view with light refreshments from the second-floor terrace. Tickets are available through an advance lottery on Ticketlink until next Tuesday. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will open its four branches in Seoul, Gwacheon, Deoksugung, and Cheongju free of charge from September 1 to 10 in celebration of the 2025 Korea Art Festival. Coinciding with major events such as Frieze Seoul and the Korea International Art Fair, the MMCA will showcase various exhibitions, an art market, and a variety of programs during those ten days. Exhibitions will feature works by Korea's renowned contemporary artists alongside emerging talents, highlighting the distinct value of Korean art. Further details are available on the museum's official website. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.