News

[K-Enter] Jennie's "like JENNIE" MV surpasses 100 million views

2025/05/12 14:00

Starting off with some news on BlackPink's Jennie. Recently we talked about her latest music video "Seoul City", today it's her song "like JENNIE" making hits again it has been consistently performing well on the video streaming platform YouTube, correct? Jennie's music video "like JENNIE", from her first full solo album "Ruby" released on March 7, officially surpassed 100 million views on YouTube last Friday, making it the first K-pop music video of 2025 to hit that milestone. This marks Jennie's second music video to cross the 100 million mark, following "Mantra" off the album "Ruby". She also holds the record as the first female K-pop artist to reach 1 billion views on a single music video, with "SOLO" achieving that feat in February last year. On top of that, "like JENNIE" made Jennie the first female soloist this year to top both the Melon TOP 100 and daily charts in South Korea. Moving onto some news of a K-pop concert that we reported on before but now there's a possible cancellation in talk? K-pop boy group EPEX were scheduled to hold a concert in Fuzhou . But EPEX's agency, C9 Entertainment, announced on its official social media that "the concert originally scheduled to take place in Fuzhou on May 31 has been unavoidably postponed due to local circumstances." The eight-member boy group, composed entirely of Korean members, had planned to hold their solo concert "Youth Scarcity in Fuzhou" on May 31. The concert had drawn attention as it would have marked the first K-pop group concert in China in about nine years since the Chinese government unofficially imposed a "Hallyu Ban". According to sources C9 Entertainment is in talks with selecting a new date and venue for the concert and have said they will share the details as soon as possible. China has been enforcing the Hallyu Ban, an unofficial retaliatory measure limiting Korean music, dramas, and films, since around 2016 in response to South Korea's deployment of the U.S. THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area 데펜스) missile defense system. Last but not least let's talk about SHINee. Starting May 18 to 22 at 8 p.m. Korea time, SHINee will kick off "SHINee WEEK" a special event marking the 17th anniversary of their 데뷔 by streaming replays of their first through fifth solo concerts on their official YouTube channel. The band will also hold three concerts this month, titled "SHINee World Ⅶ (Every Stage Shines Around You), held from May 23 to 25 at the KSPO DOME in Seoul's Olympic Park, which will be followed by the release of a new single on May 25. The single will consist of two tracks, including the title song, and will be released on major music platforms at midnight on May 25. It will showcase SHINee's latest music and performances, and is timed for the anniversary of their debut. Definitely a week that SHINee fans will look forward to. Thanks for the news Walter, stick around as we move onto our AI anchor Ari who has some interesting culture-related news at hand. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/05/12 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's performance and exhibition services exports reached 754 million U.S. dollars last year with imports at 419 million dollars, posting a surplus for the third consecutive year. While exports to Asia remain dominant, K-pop performances and other Korean exhibition exports have significantly grown in North America and Europe. The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute noted that the surplus was achieved despite most other service sectors experiencing trade deficits. A replica of the "Joseon Tongsinsa" ship, once a symbol of Korea-Japan exchange, has arrived in Osaka. According to the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage, this is the first time in 261 years that a Joseon Tongsinsa ship has made the journey to Osaka since its 11th mission in 1764. The term "Tongsinsa" refers to the official diplomatic envoys sent by the Joseon government to Japan from the 1600s to the 1800s to promote cultural exchanges. The symbolic reenactment comes as part of the two nations' celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of their normalized diplomatic relations. A one-of-a-kind event took over Seoul's Banpo Hangang River Park on Sunday — the annual "Space-Out Competition," where doing absolutely nothing earns you the top prize. This year, 126 participants across 80 teams joined the event in colorful flair, with some dressed as clowns and llamas while others opted for traditional 'hanbok.' Launched in 2016, the competition aims to challenge the modern obsession with constant productivity by celebrating stillness and mental rest. Contestants must sit in silence and remain motionless for 90 minutes, with winners determined by heart rate stability and audience votes. This year's champions, punk band "Pogo Attack," said the contest offered them a rare break from their packed daily schedules. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Love in the air as giant Cannes posters go up for 2025 film festival

2025/05/12 10:00

Finally, in France, the 78th Cannes Film Festival kicks off Tuesday until May 24. This year's festival will open with the French comedy Leave One Day by Amelie Bonnin, marking the first time a debut director's film has been selected for the opening slot. 22 films have been officially selected for competition. Notably, actors Scarlett Johansson and Kristen Stewart will debut as directors with their respective films Eleanor the Great and The Chronology of Water. Despite global challenges, including potential U.S. tariffs on international films, the festival's president expressed confidence in Cannes' commitment to showcasing diverse and significant films.

[Arts & Culture] Discovering the story of Joseon Tongsinsa in Seoul

2025/05/09 20:00

Time now for our Arts and Culture segment. As always, we're joined by our culture correspondent, Song Yoo-jin. Welcome! Happy Friday! What do you have for us today? Over the past two weeks, I've been bringing you the story of the Joseon Tongsinsa through the reenacted envoy procession and the recreated ship that sailed to Japan. Today, I'll take you inside a special exhibition in Seoul that dives into the history behind this centuries-old diplomatic mission. These paintings offer a glimpse into the original Joseon Tongsinsa missions, depicting the formal procession and the ships that carried the envoys across the sea to Japan. For those curious about how these centuries-old diplomatic journeys helped bridge the two countries, you can step back in time here. "This exhibition, 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance,' currently on at the Seoul Museum of History, is the largest-ever held on the Joseon Tongsinsa. It also marks the museum's biggest exhibition since its opening in 2002." More than 100 artifacts from both Korea and Japan are on display, some of them listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. "The Tongsinsa missions were launched after the Imjin War, at a time when Japan was still viewed as a sworn enemy. But Joseon decided to restore diplomatic ties for the peace and stability of its people. Those efforts to rebuild trust is what we've focused on." The three-part exhibition traces the history of the 12 Tongsinsa missions from the 17th to 19th centuries, from their dispatch and sea voyage, to cultural exchanges in Japan, and their return home. "As the missions continued, mutual understanding grew, and many of the artifacts on display, such as the handwritten exchanges and literary works by the envoys, reflect that deepening relationship." That human connection is captured in this painting, collected by the late Korean historian Shin Gi-su. Shin donated over a hundred artifacts related to the Joseon Tongsinsa to the Osaka Museum of History. "This painting shows an everyday interaction. An envoy on horseback is greeted by a Japanese citizen, almost like an autograph signing. While we have many records of formal diplomacy, there's little that shows how ordinary people connected with the envoys." The first part of 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance' will close on May 25th. The second and final phase will open on May 27th with new artifacts, until June 29th. You just gave us a sneak peek that we'll get to see some new artifacts once the exhibition enters its second phase. What can we expect in the latter half? That caught my interest too, so I asked Curator Oh directly. She explained that while the first phase of the exhibition walks visitors through the overall journey of the Joseon Tongsinsa, from their departure in Seoul to their arrival in Japan, the second phase will zoom in on more detailed aspects of the missions. For example, one of the new artifacts for phase two will be a painting of a Tongsinsa ship carrying an official royal letter from the Joseon king to the Japanese ruler, the Shogun. Safely delivering this letter to Tokyo was considered the core purpose of the entire diplomatic mission. Other highlights include illustrations of Joseon's horseback performances, which were a major crowd-pleaser among Japanese locals at the time. Sounds fascinating, and hopefully you'll be covering the second phase for us as well. And Yoo-jin, you previously mentioned that the Tongsinsa procession and ship you've been following this year are based on the 11th mission. Can you tell us more about that specific journey and whether the exhibition highlights it in any particular way? Absolutely. The 11th mission, which took place from 1763 to 64, is often regarded as the highlight of the 12 official Tongsinsa missions. That's because by that point, the diplomatic relationship between Korea and Japan was pretty much restored, and mutual understanding had grown significantly. As a result, the exchange of culture and ideas, especially between Joseon envoys and Japanese scholars, reached a high point. That's why the greatest number of travel records and collections of envoy poetry were published during that mission. In fact, the exhibition's final section, part three, includes a dedicated space highlighting the 11th Tongsinsa mission and its significance. It's located at the very end of the gallery. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin, thank you as always for your reporting. Always a pleasure.

What palaces offer at night under the moonlight

2025/05/09 17:00

The nights on the royal grounds of palaces here in Seoul are more beautiful than the days. And our Ahn Sung-jin has pictures to prove it. "Promoting harmony" That's what the name of main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace, Honghwamun means. One of the main palaces in Seoul, the Changgyeonggung used to be the living quarters for the royal family during the Joseon dynasty. Though its historical values and beauty shine during the day, once the sun goes down, the palace's roof tiles, or giwa, glisten in the moonlight. Starting from this year, the Moonlight Lotus show at Changgyeonggung Palace has become a regular night tour program. The enchanting media art illuminates Chundangji pond. Scenes of blossoming flowers sparkle on the serene pond backdrop, and petals fall to the sound effect of a water drop. The night tour program encapsulates the palace's scenery through media art facades and revolves around the theme of harmony between tradition and modernity. "I really enjoy it. It's some really good creation with numeric art. It was a surprise because I only came to visit the palace." "I didn't know they were doing this today, but it's so beautiful." "I just came here with my girlfriend, but I'd want to come back again. It'll be a great memory for us." The glass greenhouse resembles a treasure chest floating above the illuminated water surface. "Such programs at night open up the opportunity to soak in the virtue and the beauty of the palace through various visual attractions." "I think one reason why these night tours are so popular is because unlike the bustling daytime view, the night view offers something different, serenity and peacefulness. That's why we want to further expand our programs." Even though night tours will be offered through the entire year, those who want to see the media art facade will have to go before May 18th or wait till September when the program resumes. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/09 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. New Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit Korea in 2027. If the visit materializes, he will become the third pope in history to visit the country. Anticipation for his visit stems from a decision made by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who announced Seoul as the host city for the next 'World Youth Day' set for 2027. World Youth Day is a global event that brings together young Catholics from around the world to celebrate and deepen their faith. It has been customary for the pope to attend the event, and the tradition has been upheld even when there has been a change in the papacy. Meanwhile, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of the Seoul Archdiocese offered his congratulations, expressing hope that the new pontiff will guide the Catholic Church with the light of love and justice. He also voiced his wish for continued care and affection for the Korean Church and the wider Asian community. The '2025 Gangneung Danoje Festival,' a millennium-old celebration recognized as both a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and a National Intangible Cultural Asset, will take place from May 27 to June 3. Marking the 20th anniversary of its UNESCO inscription, this year's festival offers more than 60 vibrant programs, including traditional rituals, shamanistic ceremonies, folk games, and interactive events for visitors. The event will also include a variety of performances, such as traditional women's opera and international guest showcases. With the growing global popularity of K-culture, the festival will welcome an increased number of international participants this year. The '2025 Delight Seoul' media art exhibition is currently underway in Jongno District, inviting visitors to a captivating blend of cutting-edge technology and immersive art. The Delight series, which uses intellectual property developed by Seoul-based media production company 'Design Silverfish,' has garnered global acclaim with praised showcases in major cities from New York to Dubai. This year's event highlights the most popular content from the past five years, integrating technologies like AI, augmented reality, and projection mapping. The exhibition will run through November 15. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] Latest K-movie releases around golden holiday

2025/05/09 14:00

Just in time for the “golden holiday“ we’ve had this week here in Korea, a number of movies of different genres, messages and appeal were released. Let’s take a look at the latest in the world of K-movies with Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Welcome back, Professor Soh! Q1. Koreans have just come back from a long holiday, with Children’s Day and Buddha’s birthday all happening earlier this week. That also meant many people flocked to movie theaters. How’s the box office looking this month so far? Q2. Then let’s talk about the movies that were released around these holidays. What are they about and how has the response been so far? Q3. Is there a film that you’re particularly drawn to? Q4. “The Old Woman With the Knife“ had been unveiled at the Berlin International Film Festival back in February. How has it been viewed abroad and how is the domestic response? Q5. “Holy Night: Demon Hunters“ and “Virus“ were two movies that were postponed during the pandemic. It’s become more common to have movies being released years after shooting them. That is also leading to criticism that there is a lack of freshly developed film content. What’s your take on this? Q6. Professor Soh, let’s also talk a little bit about the Jeonju International Film Festival, which is wrapping up today. What were the highlights or what’s your general impression of it? Q7. Is there anything that could be done better at the festival to grow the reputation of JIFF? Q8. Do you think the golden week holidays and the film festival’s atmosphere will carry over to the cinema scene this month and beyond?

[K-enter] Tom Cruise in Korea to promote "Mission Impossible 8"

2025/05/09 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, let’s start off with a story about a Hollywood star visiting Korea right now. Who’s in town? Hollywood icon Tom Cruise arrived in Korea on Wednesday to promote his upcoming film “Mission: Impossible -The Final Reckoning,” the 8th movie of the Mission Impossible series. This is his 12th official visit to Korea. At a press conference held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul on Thursday, Cruise acknowledged the fear involved in his stunts but emphasized his willingness to confront it. Along with Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie and actors Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis also attended. Cruise never misses Korea to promote his upcoming films and said visiting Korea was one of his dreams and the fact that he has visited 12 times is proof of that. “Mission Impossible 8” is an action blockbuster in which Ethan Hunt and his Impossible Mission Force (IMF) team members risk their lives amid a desperate crisis that threatens the entire human race. It will be released in theaters on May 17th here in Korea. His stunts never get old and I still can’t believe he does all of them himself. We now move on from Hollywood to K-pop news on one of the members of NCT? Yes, we briefly talked about DOYOUNG’s Seoul concert last week. Well, we thought he’s just holding a concert in Seoul, but it happens that he is actually holding a tour across Asia. His second Asia tour, the “2025 DOYOUNG CONCERT ” will begin right here in Seoul from June 13th to 15th for a total of three days. It will then head across Asia, including concerts in Yokohama, Singapore, Macau, Bangkok, and Taipei. As we covered last week, only two concerts in Seoul were originally planned, but due to the explosive response from the fans, an additional show was added. DOYOUNG will deliver warm comfort and empathy to his fans as he expresses various memories and emotions that he encounters at the moment of opening ‘the door of memories.’ Meanwhile, DOYOUNG will release his second solo album on June 9th. Lastly, we have a story on an upcoming animation. Korean author Baek Hee-na’s books have been made into a Japanese animated film titled, “Magic Candies.” The new film is a story about Dongdong, a quiet boy who spends most of his time alone, until he discovers magical candies that allow him to hear the thoughts and feelings of others. What starts as a simple treat turns into a life-changing journey of connection and growth. “Magic Candies” is based on Baek Hee-na’s beloved books “Magic Candies” and “I Am a Dog.” She is the first Korean winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, known as the Nobel Prize of children’s literature. The upcoming film is already receiving global praise as it has been invited to over 30 film festivals around the globe. It won the Jury Prize and Audience Award at the New York International Children’s Film Festival and has also been nominated for the Best Animated Short category at the Oscars. Here in Korea you can watch the film at Lotte Cinema theaters starting on May 28th.

[K-enter] j-hope surprises fans with encore concert on BTS anniversary

2025/05/08 14:00

So, let’s start off with some exciting news for BTS fans, especially fans of a specific member. BTS j-hope is preparing a special gift for ARMYs on a very meaningful day. BIGHIT MUSIC, j-hope’s agency, announced on Wednesday that j-hope will hold his encore concert, “j-hope Tour: HOPE ON THE STAGE – FINAL,” on June 13th and 14th at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. This encore concert will serve as the grand finale of j-hope’s solo world tour, which began in February at KSPO Dome in Seoul. The tour has since spanned over 15 cities and 31 performances across the globe, including Chicago, Mexico City, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Osaka. What makes this finale concert even more special is that the first of the two shows will be held on June 13th, which is the anniversary of BTS’s debut. Ticket sales will begin on May 12th for fan club pre-sales and 13th for general sales. And if you don’t get your hands on one of the tickets, not to worry. The concert will be streamed live through an online platform. It definitely will be a gift for ARMYs on such a special day. Our next story is a comeback story. Who are we talking about? DAY6 are back with a fresh burst of spring energy. On Wednesday, the band released their new digital single “Maybe Tomorrow.” This marks DAY6’s first new release since their 9th mini album “Band Aid,” released back in September last year. “Maybe Tomorrow” blends vibrant drum beats, refreshing instrumentals, and emotionally charged vocals. The members were very active in making the new single. Young K wrote the lyrics, delivering hopeful messages, while Young K and Wonpil took part in the composition. Meanwhile, DAY6 are set to hold the grand finale of their third world tour titled, “DAY6 3RD WORLD TOUR FINALE in SEOUL,” from May 9th to 11th and again from May 16th to 18th at KSPO DOME in Seoul. DAY6 songs always lift me up. And the next boy group does too. The name of the band already says it: RIIZE. There’s a chance for K-pop fans in the States to meet them? RIIZE will become the first K-pop act to perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in the United States. The festival will be held over six days from October 3rd to 5th and from the 10th to 12th at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. RIIZE will perform during the first weekend. The ACL Music Festival began in 2002 and attracts up to 450-thousand attendees every year. Along with RIIZE, this year’s lineup includes singer Sabrina Carpenter, rapper Doja Cat, and rock band The Strokes. It’s not the first time that RIIZE are dominating the global stage. Last year, they were the first K-pop artist to perform at Tecate Emblema, Mexico’s biggest pop festival. Meanwhile, RIIZE are currently gearing up for their first full-length album “Odyssey” set to be released on May 19th. Excited to see them shine on another global stage. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

Disney announces plans for new theme park in Abu Dhabi

2025/05/08 10:00

Finally, Walt Disney announced on Wednesday that it plans to open its first theme park resort in the Middle East, selecting the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, as the location. Disney's seventh global resort and first new theme park in over a decade will be on Yas Island, a popular destination with many other family-friendly attractions. The project is a collaboration with Miral, a regional developer known for creating immersive destinations. The new resort aims to blend Disney's iconic storytelling with Abu Dhabi's rich culture and modern architecture. Disney CEO Bob Iger said the project will be "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati."

K-wave AI News

2025/05/07 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The original Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has clinched the top prize from the New York Drama Critics' Circle. It was named Best Musical by the Circle, one of America's most prestigious playwriting honors, which has been presented annually since 1936. Created by writer Park Chun-hue and composer Will Aronson, the futuristic love story between two helper robots premiered last November at Belasco Theatre in New York and its run has been extended through January 17 due to its high popularity. The show was also nominated in 10 categories at the 78th Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and received three nominations at the Drama League Awards. The Korean National Ballet will perform "The Lady of the Camellias" at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera Theater from today through May 11th, kicking off its 2025 season. Created in 1978 by renowned choreographer John Neumeier, the ballet is based on Alexandre Dumas fils' 1848 novel of the same name which tells a tragic love story set in 19th-century Paris. This marks the first full-length performance of the ballet in Asia. The production is directed by Korea's ballet legend Kang Sue-jin, who became the first Asian dancer to win the prestigious Benois de la Danse award in 1999 with this very ballet. The Gyeongju National Museum is hosting a special exhibition on ceramic art from the Goryeo dynasty. Titled, "Molding the Blue World," it highlights the artistic pinnacle of Goryeo dynasty ceramic craftsmanship. On view for the first time in Gyeongju, the exhibition features 97 exquisite pieces of "sanghyeong cheongja," or shape-style celadon, modeled after animals and plants such as lions, monkeys, ducks, pomegranates and lotus flowers. The exhibition runs through August 24. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture-Issue] Globalization of K-Buddhism

2025/05/07 14:00

What do BLACKPINK Jennie’s songs Mantra and ZEN have in common? Both of the titles are Buddhist terms. Riding on the hallyu wave, Korean Buddhism’s global influence is growing bigger. We also hear a lot about the “hipness” of Buddhist culture these days. For more on this, we are joined in the studio by HyeJu Sunim , Director of the Meditation Center at Jingwansa Temple. Welcome to the program! 1-1) Please tell us a little bit about Jingwansa Temple. 1-2) Jingwansa is also known to be a temple visited frequently by foreigners. What do tourists experience there? 2) We’ve heard that many foreign tourists are interested in Korean Buddhist culture such as temple food and temple stays. How do they come across these and grow their interest? 3) The influence of K-pop stars like Jennie with her songs that include Buddhist elements, as well as IVE member Jang Won-young’s recommendation of a Buddhist book have recently contributed to the interest in Korean Buddhism as well. Have you heard Jennie’s songs, Mantra and ZEN? If yes, what did you think of them and this kind of influence? 4) The Buddhist community itself also appears to be reaching out to the public with fun events and unique merchandise. Do you feel Korean Buddhism is becoming more and more “hip”? If yes, why? 5) The Buddhist community also hosts various programs and events to raise awareness of Korean Buddhism to the world. Could you introduce us to some of them? 6) What do you think about Buddhism being perceived as part of hallyu? 7) Do you have any upcoming events or projects you are planning that could be of interest to our viewers? 8) Finally, is there any message or Buddhist teaching you would like to share before we let you go? Thank you very much for sharing your words with us today, Director, HyeJu Sunim. Walter, thank you as always. We'll see you again soon.

[K-Enter] BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN K-pop stars shine in New York's Met Gala

2025/05/07 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-entertainment with Walter Lee. Starting off with K-pop stars on a big fashion stage! K-pop idols took centre stage at one of New York fashion's biggest nights, the 2025 Met Gala. Held on Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this year's event embraced the theme of 250 years of "Black Men's Fashion History," with global stars donning bold, black and white looks. BLACKPINK's Jennie wore a classic Chanel black dress, with oversized pearls and a white-ribboned hat. Lisa donned a Louis Vuitton glittering lace jacket and logo-embroidered mesh stockings, and Rosé in a flash Saint Laurent tuxedo. Making his Met Gala debut, SEVENTEEN's S.Coups delivered a twist on tradition, cladding a hanbok-inspired gray suit with a flowing overcoat and silver hair. They all certainly looked wonderful. Next up we have news on the final chapter of the Squid Game saga. Netflix dropped the teaser for Squid Game Season 3, and fans are losing it! The teaser kicks off with those infamous pink guards marching in carrying a mysterious coffin. But who is in the coffin? It's Gi-hun . Then suddenly. Eyes open. Game on. For the final season, Gi-hun returns to the game with a new mission but he's not the only one hiding something. The enigmatic Front Man is back, still in the shadows, and the few survivors are clinging to whatever hope they've got left. As we know, Squid Game shattered records back in 2021, becoming Netflix's biggest hit ever. Season 2? Over 165 million views in just three months! Season 3 was filmed right alongside Season 2 and hits TV screens on June 27 just six months later. Probably the most anticipated K-drama of the year and fans can't wait. Lastly, K-movie news. Speaking of hits, the Korean film "Yadang: The Snitch", starring Kang Ha-neul , is officially the biggest domestic hit of 2025 so far! Released on April 16, "Yadang" held onto the number one spot throughout the recent holiday weekend, topping the box office for five out of six days and drawing in over 830,000 viewers from May 1 to 6 alone. Its total audience reached more than 2.67 million, knocking "Hitman 2" out of first place for the year. Kang Ha-neul plays Lee Kang-soo , a broker who sells drug intel to the authorities for profit. Alongside him, a morally gray prosecutor played by Yoo Hae-jin , and a determined detective who'll risk everything to take down a drug cartel. Thank you for that Walter. Let's now move onto Ari our AI anchor with more culture related news.

Seoul Spring Festa 2025: Seoul turns into a place full of joy and excitement

2025/05/05 12:00

For those of you here in Seoul with no plans yet for the long weekend, there are still a plenty of things to do here in the city because the good old Seoul Festa is back for its spring edition. Our Choi Soo-hyung went to check it out. As K-pop music begins to play, visitors start dancing passionately to the rhythm. Seoul Plaza in front of the Seoul City Hall has been filled with people dancing happily to K-pop songs. At this year's Seoul Spring Festa, the "K-pop Random Play Dance" event has drawn many foreign visitors who are eager to experience it in person. "We're here mainly for the play dance where you like dance do a lot of We've seen it a lot online, and we were really excited to come, and I seen one that's actually happening in person since we got here." "I'm also very excited for the random play dance. I've watched so many on YouTube " Aside from the random play event, there's also the "Haechi Zone" set up in one corner of the plaza to mark the first anniversary of Haechi becoming Seoul's official mascot. Families enjoyed taking photos and playing in a variety of fun booths. "I had fun making a cute hat with my grandma. It feels like we made a really sweet memory together." "I'm really thankful. It's been such a special day with my granddaughter, in a beautiful place and perfect weather." In the center of the plaza, the picnic zone was packed with people enjoying a relaxing spring day. There were also sweet music performances under the warm, clear spring sky with nice weather. Visitors laid out mats and watched. This year's Seoul Spring Festa kicked off last Wednesday, offering everyone in Seoul the chance to experience and enjoy a new kind of K-culture. "It's hard to define Seoul with just one word because the city has so many different charms. In fact, I believe its diversity and constant change are what make Seoul truly special. Our festival reflects those qualities, providing different programs every day across various locations. For tourists, it's a great way to experience the essence of Seoul in a concentrated and vivid way." "During the festival, new events and shows are taking place across different parts of the capital, including here at Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Deoksugung Palace." This year's Seoul Spring Festa, full of trendy and exciting fun in the capital city, Seoul, will run until Tuesday, May 6th. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Seoul Spring Festa 2025: Seoul turns into a place full of joy and excitement

2025/05/02 20:00

Here in the capital, Seoul. The city has turned into a place full of joy and excitement. Our Choi Soo-hyung brings you the spring edition of Seoul Festa, now one of the city's main festivals. As K-pop music begins to play, visitors start dancing passionately to the rhythm. Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall has been filled with people dancing happily to K-pop songs. At this year's Seoul Spring Festa, the "K-pop Random Play Dance" event has drawn many foreign visitors who are eager to experience it in person. "We're here mainly for the play dance where you like dance do a lot of We've seen it a lot online, and we were really excited to come, and I seen one that's actually happening in person since we got here." "I'm also very excited for the random play dance. I've watched so many on YouTube " Aside from the random play event, there's also the "Haechi Zone" set up in one corner of the plaza to mark the first anniversary of Haechi becoming Seoul's official mascot. Families enjoyed taking photos and playing in a variety of fun booths. "I had fun making a cute hat with my grandma. It feels like we made a really sweet memory together." "I'm really thankful. It's been such a special day with my granddaughter, in a beautiful place and perfect weather." In the center of the plaza, the picnic zone was packed with people enjoying a relaxing spring day. There were also sweet music performances under the warm, clear spring sky with nice weather. Visitors laid out mats and watched. This year's Seoul Spring Festa kicked off last Wednesday, offering everyone in Seoul the chance to experience and enjoy a new kind of K-culture. "It's hard to define Seoul with just one word because the city has so many different charms. In fact, I believe its diversity and constant change are what make Seoul truly special. Our festival reflects those qualities, providing different programs every day across various locations. For tourists, it's a great way to experience the essence of Seoul in a concentrated and vivid way." "During the festival, new events and shows are taking place across different parts of the capital, including here at Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Deoksugung Palace." This year's Seoul Spring Festa, full of trendy and exciting fun in the capital city, Seoul, will run until Tuesday, May 6th. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Arts & Culture] What’s ahead on Joseon Tongsinsa's first voyage in 261 years

2025/05/02 20:00

Friday means it's time for our Arts and Culture segment. Joining us is our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin. Welcome back to the studio! It's great to be back! What do you have for us today? Last week, I brought you the story of Korea's historic Joseon Tongsinsa envoys, and how their centuries-old diplomatic mission to Japan is being recreated. Today, I have the next chapter of that journey, this time from Busan, where the envoys once boarded ships, and where a restored Tongsinsa vessel is now making a symbolic voyage to Japan. The final stop on Korean soil for the Joseon Tongsinsa, Korea's diplomatic missions to Japan during the 17th to 19th centuries, was the port city of Busan. After arriving from Seoul, hundreds of envoys boarded ships bound for Japan. Every year, this historic moment is revived through the Joseon Tongsinsa Festival. Dressed in traditional Korean attire, hundreds of participants march through Busan, retracing the footsteps of the original envoys. "It's my first time participating, but it really made me reflect more deeply on Korea's relationship with Japan, such as the colonial era." "When I filled the form for this event, I did look it up, and it was like, it was a good historical piece that I got to know." And completing the recreation, the Tongsinsa ship has also been meticulously brought back to life. "This vessel, modeled after the original Tongsinsa ships, will set sail for Japan. By mid-May, the vessel is set to arrive in Osaka." This marks the first time in 261 years that the route to Osaka is being taken. The man behind this reconstruction is Hong Sun-jae, who has spent a decade bringing the historic vessel back to life. Since 2015, he's collected historical documents, studied ancient ship models, and traveled across the country to find the right timber. The ship launched in 2018, made its first voyage to Japan in 2023, and this year, it's heading farther than ever before. "This year marks 60 years since South Korea and Japan normalized diplomatic ties. Our ship will hold an arrival ceremony in Osaka on May 13th, Korea Day at the Osaka World Expo. Through this journey, we hope to promote peace and remind people that our two countries share a long history of connection, not just conflict." Having departed from Busan on April 28th, the ship will visit multiple ports in Japan, hosting exhibitions and performances, just as the Joseon Tongsinsa envoys did centuries ago to share Korean culture. Your report mentioned how the Tongsinsa ship will host exhibitions and performances during its stay in Japan. Can you tell us more about how that will work? Of course. First, it's important to note that, unlike the original Tongsinsa missions, this time only the ship and its seven designated crew members are sailing to Japan. The performers, who will be staging traditional Korean performances, will travel separately and join the ship at various ports based on the performance schedule. Curator Hong says he wanted to create an onboard museum, so they filled the ship's interior with pictures and props telling the history of the Joseon Tongsinsa, such as how the ship was built. A floating museum like this is incredibly rare. That brings me to my next question: where can people in Japan see the ship, enjoy these performances, and experience the exhibitions? According to the sailing schedule from the National Institute of Maritime Heritage, the ship is currently docked in Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Tomorrow, it's scheduled to sail to Kure, where the first major public events in Japan will take place on Monday, May 5th. That day will feature a welcoming ceremony, the opening of the onboard exhibition, and a series of traditional Korean performances. From there, the ship will continue along the route you're seeing on screen now. After arriving in Osaka in mid-May, it will retrace its path back to Korea, and is expected to return to Busan on May 27th. And as you've mentioned in both last week's and this week's reports, the ship's arrival in Osaka this year carries special significance. It sounds like there's a full lineup of events planned when it gets there. That's right. The big day is May 13th, when a welcoming ceremony will be held in the morning with local residents of Osaka. That will be followed by a marching procession, like the one featured in my report, this time through the grounds of the Osaka World Expo site. I'll be on-site covering those events, so please stay tuned for that coverage! We definitely will. Thank you for your report today, Yoo-jin! Always a pleasure.

S. Korean musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' nominated for 10 Tony Awards

2025/05/02 20:00

The South Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The romantic musical, which made its Broadway debut last November, will compete for the top prize, and has also been nominated in categories such as Best Performance by an Actor and Best Direction of a Musical. The 2025 Tony Awards, annually celebrating excellence in Broadway theater, will take place on June 6th at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

2025 Museum Week: Museums, art galleries to provide discounted admissions and special events

2025/05/02 20:00

Starting Friday, about two-hundred-sixty museums and art galleries across the nation are holding '2025 Museum Week.' Despite its name, museum week runs from May 2nd till May 31st, with discounted admissions and special events for visitors. The number of local museums participating this year has increased compared with last year. Private collections will also be displayed at 50 museums and art galleries nationwide, including Gyeonggi Province Museum and Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art. More details can be found on the official website.

YOUTUBE, HALLYU AND TRAVEL

2025/05/02 17:00

Welcome to Press Perspective. It's Friday May 2nd and time for our talk.. on a host of headlines related to social and entertainment news. For this I have writer Colin Marshall here in the studio. Colin welcome back. I also have Marianna Baroli a journalist for the weekly Italian news magazine Panorama. Marianna it's a pleasure. 1) Colin, YouTube turned twenty this year, and Psy's Gangnam Style as well as Pinkfong's VERSION of Baby Shark were listed among the biggest moments of its history. Do tell us more. 2) And Marianna, what can you tell us about the role played by YouTube in promoting Hallyu or the Korean Wave on the global stage? 3) Colin, YouTube appears to have strengthened its status as THE platform for content creators. What are your thoughts regarding this reality? 4) Marianna, YouTube's "auto-translate" feature can translate captions into the language of your choice. What does this mean for non-English content including that from Korea? 5) Marianna, in recent times, there have tangible signs that China is slowly embracing Hallyu again. What more can you add? 6) Colin, moving forward. Starting tomorrow, we are looking ahead to a long weekend in celebration of Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday. Initially, there was talk about designating today, that is Friday, a temporary holiday to boost travel and leisure activities in hopes of bolstering domestic consumption. However, this idea was scrapped as findings showed Koreans opting for foreign destinations rather than domestic locations. What do you believe is discouraging Koreans from travel within borders? 7) And Marianna, while Koreans choose to venture overseas for their holidays, many foreign travelers from neighboring countries have made their way here. What appear to be their expectations about Korea prior to their trip here, and what accounts for a significant portion of their spending here?? 8) Colin, in contrast, what are the aspects that need to be addressed to better accommodate our foreign guests? All right.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/02 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. A variety of festivals and hands-on events for families will take place across Seoul marking the six-day "golden holiday." At Seoul City Hall and Seoul Plaza, visitors can enjoy a celebration marking the first anniversary of the new design for the city's official mascot, Haechi, with magic shows, opera performances, and cheerleading, among others. Over on Nodeul Island in the Hangang River, the eye-catching "Seoul Circus Festival" offers a unique experience. Seoul Grand Park will host various performances and interactive programs, and offer free admission for visitors under 13 and over 65 on Children’s Day. Detailed information on holiday programs is available on the Seoul city website, seoul.go.kr, and the Seoul Culture Portal, culture.seoul.go.kr. The city of Chuncheon in Gangwon-do Province has launched the "Chuncheon Tour Pass" to revamp local tourism and attract more family travelers. The pass is a QR-based digital ticket that offers access to major attractions, restaurants, and diverse experiences across the city. A 24-hour pass is available for 15,900 won and a 48-hour pass for 49,900 won. Purchases can be made through major online travel agencies. Chuncheon City plans to operate the pass program as a six-month pilot through October, intending to expand it after a review. A special exhibition “Mana Moana – Arts of the Great Ocean, Oceania” is now on display at the National Museum of Korea, offering an in-depth look at the rich cultures of the Oceania region. Highlighting the history, art, and traditions that flourished across the vast Pacific Ocean, the exhibition features over 170 artifacts from the 18th to 20th centuries, along with eight contemporary works. Divided into four thematic sections, the exhibition explores the region’s distinctive cultural expressions through a range of objects, including centuries-old navigation techniques, canoe craftsmanship, ornaments, and sculptures from islands scattered across the Pacific. This marks Korea’s first exhibition dedicated to the Oceania region, and will be on display until September 14. That’s all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.