News

[K-wave] National treasure paintings featured at Kansong Art Museum Daegu exhibition

2025/05/02 14:00

Gyeomjae Jeong Seon is an artist of the 18th century who greatly impacted the history of art in Korea, leading the shift in art style to true landscape views of the Joseon kingdom. It is one of his paintings that adorns the back of the 1-thousand won bill. Our Lee Eun-jin gives us a glipse into an exhibition where visitors can now see his representative works. The Scene of Inwangsan Mountain After Rain. Considered a true landscape painting that used ink to show the rain-soaked mountainscape in 1751, the painting titled 'Inwangjesaekdo' is a masterpiece by Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, a painter of the late Joseon Dynasty. He drew the piece at the age of 76. A winter landscape of Mount Kumgang. This painting titled 'Geumgang jeondo' is another one of Gyeomjae Jeong Seon's masterpieces and it continues to receive the most praise among all his works. Each mountaintop is expressed as well to show an aerial view. He drew this piece at the age of 59. "On the top corner of the painting, there is a poem that says looking at this painting is more pleasant than going to the actual Mount Kumgang. With it, the painting as a whole encompasses the desires of the people at the time who could not visit Mount Kumgang." These two representative works of art by Gyeomjae Jeong Seon are not only considered by far the best among many landscape paintings of Korea, but are also designated as National Treasures -numbers 216 and 217. Also, it is his 'Geumgang jeondo' painting that adorns the back of South Korea's 1-thousand won bill. From the then-prevailing imitation paintings of Chinese art, the arrival of Gyeomjae Jeong Seon's new style of painting left a lasting impact on Korean art. A new era was opened as Gyeomjae Jeong Seon established original "true-view" paintings of Korea's mountains and streams to which he visited himself while traveling. "Paintings started to portray our land and our lives, expressing the pride of living on Joseon land." Now the representative works of Gyeomjae Jeong Seon have been gathered in one place on the largest scale ever. The two giants of ancient art exhibitors in Korea, Hoam and Kansong Art Museums, have collaborated to exhibit artwork from 18 institutions and private collections. This special exhibition titled 'The Sense of Beauty within Bird-and-Flower Paintings' features "Hwajohwa", meaning flower-and-bird painting, which has become a prominent genre in Korean traditional art, as it transitioned from the 16th to 19th centuries. But it also reveals things about Gyeomjae that we did not know, welcoming visitors to the Kansong Art Museum Daegu from April 30th through August 3rd. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[K-enter] NCT DOYOUNG confirms additional show after sold-out concerts

2025/05/02 14:00

You've got some updates on NCT member DOYOUNG and his solo concert. Please fill us in. DOYOUNG is adding to his solo concerts after receiving an explosive response from the fans. The “2025 DOYOUNG CONCERT ,” scheduled to be held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul on June 14th and 15th, sold out both days just with fan club pre-sales. So the artist has decided to hold an additional show on June 13th. The tickets for it will be available on May 12th for fan club pre-sales and May 13th for general sales. Since DOYOUNG’s first solo concert at Kyung Hee University Peace Hall in Seoul last year, he has been expanding the scale of his concerts every time. Meanwhile, DOYOUNG is set to release his second solo album on June 9th. One more chance for DOYOUNG’s fans to get their hands on the tickets. For our next story, we stay on the note of music, but this time it’s a rock festival. Which festival are we talking about? We are talking about the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. It has revealed the first names on this year’s lineup that features a blend of legendary acts and rising stars from around the globe. First, the iconic Britpop band, Pulp, is headlining the festival. It’s Pulp’s first-ever concert in Korea. The band, formed in 1978, rose to prominence in the 90s with their hit songs like “Babies” and “Common People.” They recently announced the release of their new album, titled “More,” in June -a first release in 24 years. Some Korean artists featured in the line-up are singer-songwriter Chang Ki-ha, vocalist Song Sohee, and the band Hyukoh, who will team up with Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster. The 2025 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival will be held from August 1st to 3rd at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park in Incheon. This year, the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary and about 60 domestic and international artists are expected to perform. It's interesting to see Song Sohee in the lineup, as she used to be a popular traditional folk singer and now has transformed into a contemporary music singer-songwriter. Lastly, we are going to move onto Netflix. Korean Netflix series are doing amazing, so it’s exciting to hear about a new release, especially when it’s a first for Korea? The first Korean original animated film on Netflix, “Lost in Starlight,” is set to be released on May 30th. The film, taking place in Seoul in the year 2050, depicts a romance between astronaut Nan-young, who dreams of Mars exploration, and Jay, who has put aside his dream of becoming a musician. It is the work of director Han Ji-won, who rose to prominence in the Korean animation scene as a pioneer after winning the Grand Award at the Seoul Indie-Ani Fest with her debut work “Kopi Luwak.” Actors Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung lend their voices to Nan-young and Jay respectively. If you want to catch Korea’s first-ever original animated film on Netflix, make sure to check it out on May 30th. Excited to see how well a Korean animation will do on Netflix. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

J-Hope's final world tour show will be available for live viewing worldwide

2025/05/01 20:00

J-Hope, a member of South Korea's leading boy group BTS, will have the final show of his current world tour available for live viewing across 70 countries. Bighit Music says "Hope on the Stage" will make its final stop in Osaka, Japan on May 31st, which will be available in a live cinema broadcast. Ticket purchases for the live viewing will begin on the 9th in Korea, and more than 90 movie theaters will be airing it. J-Hope's first solo world tour began in Seoul this February and is continuing its tour journey, which spans across 31 concerts in 15 regions in North America and Asia.

Stray Kids becomes third K-pop artists to reach 20 mil. subscribers on YouTube

2025/05/01 17:00

On the K-pop front. Stray Kids has amassed over 20 million subscribers on YouTube becoming the third K-pop act to mark this milestone. Following Blackpink and BTS in 2019 the eight-member boy band welcomed this feat this past Wednesday. Stray Kids is currently on a world tour covering over 30 cities and according to JYP Entertainment the group is projected to amass the largest audience in K-pop tour history.

[K-wave] Special exhibition to remark 20th anniversary of artist Koh Woo-young's death

2025/05/01 14:00

Up next, we learn about a prominent Korean comic artist Koh Woo-young who continues to be celebrated for his unique storytelling technique, through an exhibition to mark the 20th anniversary of his death. Cha Yun-kyung shares his story. Artist Koh Woo-young received high praise for raising the standard of Korean comics. He was a true storyteller who reinterpreted classics and folktales to give them a modern viewpoint. He left a lasting impression on his readers by reinventing strong characters from retold traditional tales like 'Iljimae'와 'Garujigi'. The Chinese classic, such as 'Samgukji' and 'Water Margin' were also reinvented through Koh's humor and art. "We say that the history repeats itself. While I was working on Chinese classics, my hair stood on end several times. It is just as the same as our situation. More than a lesson, a story from a thousand years ago could be our story, too." The comics of Koh Woo-young secured a large fan base of adult readers, opening up a new world of Korean comics. Koh also received much lover from the readers, increasing newspapers sales in the process. The special exhibition: “Storyteller of our times, Koh Woo-young,” sheds light on Koh's artwork and heritage. "We planned this exhibition with the hope that people, those who have read his works, and young people, can rediscover the values of artist Koh Woo-young's works. Koh's various works have been exhibited such as his most well-known pieces, scripts, and sketches. Visitors can see a timeline of the life of the artist and his work at the exhibition, which will be run until May 16th at Chungkang’s Comics and Animation Library in the city of Icheon, Gyeonggi-do Province. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

[K-enter] EPEX hold solo concert in China, a first in 9 years for a K-pop group

2025/05/01 14:00

Today we start off with some exciting news for K-pop fans in China. Please fill us in Bella. K-pop boy group EPEX is set to hold a solo concert in China next month, raising expectations that Beijing may be moving toward easing its tacit ban on South Korean entertainment. EPEX’s agency, C9 Entertainment, announced on Tuesday that the group will perform in Fuzhou, China, on May 31st as part of their Asian tour that kicked off in Seoul last December. EPEX’s concert would mark the first time in nine years that a K-pop group will stage a solo concert in China since 2016. As some of you may know, back in 2016, China had placed an unofficial ban on Korean culture and products in retaliation to Korea’s deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, THAAD. There have been signs of China warming up to Korea with K-pop singers opening small pop-up stores, fan meetings and concerts, but a full solo concert in a separate venue holds great significance for the two countries’ cultural diplomacy. EPEX are currently on their Asia tour that began in Seoul last December. The next tour dates coming up are in Macau on May 3rd, and in Taiwan on May 24th. We’ll keep an eye out as to how the two countries’ cultural diplomacy unfolds. Let’s stay on the topic of K-pop. This time we have a girl group gaining tremendous love on YouTube? The music video for FIFTY FIFTY’s latest release “Pookie” topped the Trending Videos list on YouTube on Wednesday. The new song was just released on Tuesday, so it’s impressive that this happened just within 24 hours. The music video surpassed 3.6 million views, the last time I checked just before the show, and it looks like it will continue to soar. FIFTY FIFTY’s third mini-album, “Day & Night,” released on Tuesday, is about five girls’ emotional journey to find their true identity as they face fear, confusion, and courage, breaking away from the world we live in. The new album features a total of six songs with double title tracks “Pookie” and “Midnight Special.” The music video is definitely eye-catching, colorful and artistic too a perfect match to the catchy melody. And for our last story, we are going to talk about a movie that has topped Korea’s box office? We talked about ‘One Punch Man’ Ma Dong-seok’s new film “Holy Night: Demon Hunters” previously on our show. Well, it has topped the box office on its opening day on Wednesday, just before the upcoming long weekend here in Korea. According to the Korea Box-office Information System, the new film claimed the top spot with over 117-thousand views on its opening day. This is very impressive as it got ahead of some big titles that are also currently out, such as “YADANG: THE SNITCH” and “THE OLD WOMAN WITH THE KNIFE.” “Holy Night” is an occult action film where the Holy Night team of dark fixers take on the forces of evil in a city plunged into chaos by a cult that worships evil. Under director Lim Dae-hee, the film features Ma Dong-seok, Seo-hyun, and Lee Da-wit. I’ll make sure to catch it during the long weekend. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

World's tallest and smallest dogs meet

2025/05/01 10:00

On Wednesday, Guinness World Records revealed that the world's tallest and shortest dogs met for the first time in early April. Facilitated by GWR, Reggie, a seven-year-old Great Dane from Idaho standing at approximately 1 meter, and Pearl, a four-year-old Chihuahua from Florida, measuring just over 9 centimeters in height, met as part of the institution's 70th-anniversary celebrations. Despite a huge height difference, the two dogs quickly bonded at Reggie's home, where the event took place. Reggie, known for his gentle demeanor, was cautious around the tiny Pearl, who, according to the owner, is unfazed by larger dogs and enjoys their company.

How 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' captures the beauty of Jeju

2025/05/01 10:00

South Korean Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines", known as "Pokssak Sogatsuda" in Korean has become a hit both at home and abroad. What's so special about it? Ahn Sung-jin tells us. This line from the last episode of the Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" captures one of the underlying meanings of the series, 'living life.' The story of a young couple on Jeju island and how their life progresses through many ups and downs caught many sniffling throughout the episodes of this heartwarming story. "Across generations, these stories and the lines from the characters were very relatable in talking about life and values because it revolves around family." Such storylines have resonated with viewers from around the world as the show topped Netflix's global non-English show chart. "The theme is so universal. In fact that there are Korean themes involved is part of the fascination and interest for me as a Westerner. That show makes me feel like I'm there. I feel like a part of their life, and I feel like I'm experiencing what it's like to be in Korea during the stretch of time. I think it's absolutely universal." The series' Korean title uses a phrase from Jeju dialect, "Pokssak Sogatsuda" which translates to "you've worked hard." The drama portrays glimpses of the beautiful scenery of Jeju island as a background to key events in their life. The characters grow up on Je주's rocky shores in the 1950s, and these scenes were filmed around Gimnyeong beach where haenyeo or female divers can often be seen, a symbol of Jeju Island. They fall in love in the warm bright canola fields in the 1960s, another endearing sight on the island during April and May. The characters take part in a writing contest at the Jeju-mok Government Office, capturing the history of Jeju. And other scenes show off the island's natural beauty. "This site right here was one of the places where scenes from the drama were filmed. You can also get a glimpse of the traditional houses that represent Jeju Island." The local government is developing programs so that tourists can visit these locations easily. "Through hosting drama filming locations and investing more in these programs, we hope to further invigorate Jeju's content and tourism business." So for those who haven't had a chance yet to catch up with the series, why not give it a look to enjoy the beauty of Jeju. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

How 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' captures the beauty of Jeju

2025/04/30 20:00

Couple of weeks ago, we covered how the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines" has been gaining popularity in and outside of the country. Ahn Sung-jin was in Jeju herself to see the scenes from the drama and to talk about what makes the drama the latest buzz. This line from the last episode of the Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" captures one of the underlying meanings of the series, 'living life.' The story of a young couple on Jeju island and how their life progresses through many ups and downs caught many sniffling throughout the episodes of this heartwarming story. "Across generations, these stories and the lines from the characters were very relatable in talking about life and values because it revolves around family." Such storylines have resonated with viewers from around the world as the show topped Netflix's global non-English show chart. "The theme is so universal. In fact that there are Korean themes involved is part of the fascination and interest for me as a Westerner. That show makes me feel like I'm there. I feel like a part of their life, and I feel like I'm experiencing what it's like to be in Korea during the stretch of time. I think it's absolutely universal." The series' Korean title uses a phrase from Jeju dialect, "Pokssak Sogatsuda" which translates to "you've worked hard." The drama portrays glimpses of the beautiful scenery of Jeju island as a background to key events in their life. The characters grow up on Jeju's rocky shores in the 1950s, and these scenes were filmed around Gimnyeong beach where haenyeo or female divers can often be seen, a symbol of Jeju Island. They fall in love in the warm bright canola fields in the 1960s, another endearing sight on the island during April and May. The characters take part in a writing contest at the Jeju-mok Government Office, capturing the history of Jeju. And other scenes show off the island's natural beauty. "This site right here was one of the places where scenes from the drama were filmed. You can also get a glimpse of the traditional houses that represent Jeju Island." The local government is developing programs so that tourists can visit these locations easily. "Through hosting drama filming locations and investing more in these programs, we hope to further invigorate Jeju's content and tourism business." So for those who haven't had a chance yet to catch up with the series, why not give it a look to enjoy the beauty of Jeju. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

How 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' captures the beauty of Jeju

2025/04/30 17:00

"Ageing is just another word for living." And the wisdom behind these few words comes to light in a Korean drama ALSO on Netflix that has been reigniting interest in the southern island of Jeju. In fact my colleague Ahn Sung-jin was just there. This line from the last episode of the Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" captures one of the underlying meanings of the series, 'living life.' The story of a young couple on Jeju island and how their life progresses through many ups and downs caught many sniffling throughout the episodes of this heartwarming story. "Across generations, these stories and the lines from the characters were very relatable in talking about life and values because it revolves around family." Such storylines have resonated with viewers from around the world as the show topped Netflix's global non-English show chart. "The theme is so universal. In fact that there are Korean themes involved is part of the fascination and interest for me as a Westerner. That show makes me feel like I'm there. I feel like a part of their life, and I feel like I'm experiencing what it's like to be in Korea during the stretch of time. I think it's absolutely universal." The series' Korean title uses a phrase from Jeju dialect, "Pokssak Sogatsuda" which translates to "you've worked hard." The drama portrays glimpses of the beautiful scenery of Jeju island as a background to key events in their life. The characters grow up on Jeju's rocky shores in the 1950s, and these scenes were filmed around Gimnyeong beach where haenyeo or female divers can often be seen, a symbol of Jeju Island. They fall in love in the warm bright canola fields in the 1960s, another endearing sight on the island during April and May. The characters take part in a writing contest at the Jeju-mok Government Office, capturing the history of Jeju. And other scenes show off the island's natural beauty. "This site right here was one of the places where scenes from the drama were filmed. You can also get a glimpse of the traditional houses that represent Jeju Island." The local government is developing programs so that tourists can visit these locations easily. "Through hosting drama filming locations and investing more in these programs, we hope to further invigorate Jeju's content and tourism business." So for those who haven't had a chance yet to catch up with the series, why not give it a look to enjoy the beauty of Jeju. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Netflix original K-drama Weak Hero Class 2 tops its non-English chart

2025/04/30 17:00

On the entertainment front. Korean drama "Weak Hero Class 2" has topped the chart for the most-watched non-English series on Netflix. Findings for the final full week of April show this drama series standing at number one in nine countries including South Korea the Philippines and Thailand following its release last Friday. The plot revolves around efforts to fight bullying at school. Also with regard to the latest Netflix ranking six out of the top ten non-English series were Korean productions.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/30 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival opens today, kicking off a ten-day celebration of independent and art house cinema. The festival begins tonight with a star-studded red carpet and the screening of the opening film "Kontinental '25." This year's program features 224 films from 57 countries, including a record 38 titles in the Korean Cinema section. A special section will spotlight democracy, with six films presented that explore themes of martial law and political unrest around the world, drawing parallels with Korea's own experiences. The festival will close with the Korean documentary "In the Land of Machines," directed by Kim Ok-young. Korea's leading ballet companies, including the Korea National Ballet and Universal Ballet, will unite for the 'Korea Ballet Festival,' opening on May 9. Held under the theme "Connection," this year's edition will feature 12 performances, including two special productions and four guest works. Legendary Korean ballet figures, including Choi Tae-ji, Moon Hoon-sook, and Kim Joo-won, are set to grace the stage. The festival will open at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts with Johan Inger's acclaimed "Walking Mad & Bliss," followed by Universal Ballet's "Chunhyang," Gwangju City Ballet's "Coppélia," and more, with performances running through June 22. Seoul City will host the "Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival" every Sunday from May 4 to June 22 at Banpo Hangang River Park and around Jamsu Bridge. The festival, which attracted 1.5 million visitors last year, will expand the venue to the northern end, covering the entire Jamsu Bridge. Unique immersive programs, such as the Hangang Space-Out Competition and a silent DJ party, will entertain visitors, along with a variety of performances. Vehicle access will be restricted every Sunday from 11 AM to 11 PM along the 1.1-kilometer stretch from the northern end of the bridge to Dalbit Plaza. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Enter] Rosé's 'APT' breaks own record on Billboard 'Hot 100'

2025/04/30 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. Starting off with your favourite, Rosé! BLACKPINK's Rosé has broken her own record for the longest-charting K-pop female artist on the Billboard Hot 100 with "APT," her collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars. According to Billboard on Tuesday, APT. ranked No. 16 on the Hot 100 chart, marking its 27th consecutive week on the chart. Last week, Rosé broke the previous record held by girl group FIFTY FIFTY, whose song "Cupid" stayed on the Hot 100 for 25 weeks, the longest run by a K-pop female act at the time. Now, Rosé extended her stay even further with no sign of slowing down. "APT." had also reached as high as No. 3 on the chart for two consecutive weeks, the highest peak ever for a K-pop female soloist. Meanwhile, Rosé's debut solo album "ROSIE" ranked 110th on this week's Billboard 200, charting for a total of 20 weeks. Like you said, let's see how long this record will go for, it seems like it isn't going anywhere soon. Let's move on to boy groups now. Boy group NCT 127 successfully wrapped up the Macau stop, which is the forteenth city of their fourth world tour, "NEO CITY – THE MOMENTUM." The concerts were held on Saturday and Sunday at Galaxy Arena, Macau's largest indoor venue, with both shows selling out completely. NCT 127 opened with high-energy tracks such as "Gas" and "2 Baddies." They continued to captivate the audience with songs including "No Clue," as well as hits like "Sticker," and "Kick It." Throughout the night they created a dynamic and engaging atmosphere while the audience passionately sang along in Korean and followed the choreography. After the show, the members thanked their fans, saying, "Thanks to Czennies , we had an incredibly enjoyable concert. Your voices gave us so much strength." NCT 127 is set to conclude their tour with a finale at Tokyo Dome in Japan on May 21 and 22. Let's keep with the subject of boy groups DAY6 is getting ready for a new single. maybe. tomorrow? According to JYP Entertainment on Tuesday, boy band DAY6 will release a new digital single titled "Maybe Tomorrow" on May 7. A trailer for the music video was released on the JYP social media accounts on Monday. In the video, the members of DAY6 said, "Not everyone will dream the same tomorrow," this was the band's way of expressing their thoughts about the new song being released. DAY6 are currently on a new world tour titled "FOREVER YOUNG", performing 45 shows across 23 locations both in Korea and abroad. They will conclude the tour with finale performances at the KSPO Dome in Seoul Olympic Park from May 9th to the 11th and May 16th to the 18th. The concerts will feature 360-degree seating surrounding the stage. All dates for the shows are sold out. Thanks for that news Walter and stick around as we go to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news, Ari!

[Features-reporter] How 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' captures the beauty of Jeju

2025/04/30 14:00

Sung-jin, you recently were on Jeju Island to explore and cover a number of stories for us. We have a Jeju theme going on this week, yesterday we had a very interesting talk about Jeju's culture with Professor David Tizzard, Sung-jin, you recently reported on the inscription of the Jeju uprising in UNESCO records, and today's topic is closely linked to the drama that's been the buzz these days. Right, so I saw that you guys already talked about Jeju and the meaning of "Pokssak Sogatsuda" on the show yesterday, but today I want to go a bit deeper to talk about the show itself and why it resonates with so many viewers in and outside of the country. This line from the last episode of the Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" captures one of the underlying meanings of the series, 'living life.' The story of a young couple on Jeju island and how their life progresses through many ups and downs caught many sniffling throughout the episodes of this heartwarming story. "Across generations, these stories and the lines from the characters were very relatable in talking about life and values because it revolves around family." Such storylines have resonated with viewers from around the world as the show topped Netflix's global non-English show chart. "And so people who are Koreans a lot of people are concerned you know, it's so Korean. I'm not sure that the rest of the world can really appreciate it.There's so many things that are peculiar to Korea. No, the theme is so universal. The fact that there are Korean themes involved is part of the fascination and the interest for me as a Westerner." The series' Korean title uses a phrase from Jeju dialect, "Pokssak Sogatsuda" which translates to "you've worked hard." The drama portrays glimpses of the beautiful scenery of Jeju island as a background to key events in their life. The characters grow up on Jeju's rocky shores in the 1950s, and these scenes were filmed around Gimnyeong beach where haenyeo or female divers can often be seen, a symbol of Jeju Island. They fall in love in the warm bright canola fields in the 1960s, another endearing sight on the island during April and May. The characters take part in a writing contest at the Jeju-mok Government Office, capturing the history of Jeju. And other scenes show off the island's natural beauty. “This site right here was one of the places where scenes from the drama were filmed. You can also get a glimpse of the traditional houses that represent Jeju Island.” The local government is developing programs so that tourists can visit these locations easily. "Through hosting drama filming locations and investing more in these programs, we hope to further invigorate Jeju's content and tourism business." So for those who haven't had a chance yet to catch up with the series, why not give it a look to enjoy the beauty of Jeju. So, Sungjin, what was your favorite part of "When Life Gives You Tangerines"? And Sung-jin you were in Jeju island yourself to cover this report. Is there anything memorable that you could tell us from the journey? Absolutely Walter! So to talk a bit about the stories behind the scenes, as an avid fan of the Netflix series I found it fascinating to compare the scenes with the actual settings. Though it turns out that a lot of the background was set up, it felt like I was a part of the drama. Fun times! And apart from the places that you went to and introduced in your article, what other places in Jeju are worth a visit? Well, it briefly shows up in the beginning of my article with the canola flowers, but or Sunrise Peak is well-known for its volcanic crater on the top of the hike. It is a well-known photo spot for a lot of visitors to Jeju. Obviously can't miss out on the Hallasan Mountain or the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall as well. Great recommendations, especially just ahead of the holidays.Thank you for your coverage Sung-jin. My pleasure as always.

Special exhibition to remark 20th anniversary of artist Koh Woo-young's passing opens

2025/04/29 17:00

Up next we learn about a prominent Korean comic artist who continues to be celebrated for his unique tale telling technique. Cha Yun-kyung shares his story. Artist Koh Woo-young received high praise for raising the standard of Korean comics. He was a true storyteller who reinterpreted classics and folktales to give them a modern viewpoint. He left a lasting impression on his readers by reinventing strong characters from retold traditional tales like ' Iljimae' and ' Garujigi'. The Chinese classic, such as ' Samgukji' and ' Water Margin' were also reinvented through Koh's humor and art. "We say that the history repeats itself. While I was working on Chinese classics, my hair stood on end several times. It is just as the same as our situation. More than a lesson, a story from a thousand years ago could be our story, too." The comics of Koh Woo-young secured a large fan base of adult readers, opening up a new world of Korean comics. Koh also received much lover from the readers, increasing newspapers sales in the process. The special exhibition: "Storyteller of our times, Koh Woo-young," sheds light on Koh's artwork and heritage. "We planned this exhibition with the hope that people, those who have read his works, and young people, can rediscover the values of artist Koh Woo-young's works. Koh's various works have been exhibited such as his most well-known pieces, scripts, and sketches. Visitors can see a timeline of the life of the artist and his work at the exhibition, which will be run until May 16th at Chungkang's Comics and Animation Library in the city of Icheon, Gyeonggi-do Province. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/29 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korean ballerino Jeon Min-chul has claimed the top prize at the 20-25 Youth America Grand Prix, which concluded on Sunday. The competition's highest honor, the Grand Prix, is awarded to the dancer who demonstrates outstanding artistry and technical excellence across all age groups and categories. Jeon became the fifth Korean dancer to clinch the prestigious title. Currently majoring in dance at Korea National University of Arts, Jeon is poised to take the next step in his career by joining the Mariinsky Ballet in Russia. The 'Chunhyang Festival,' Korea's oldest traditional festival honoring the iconic love story of Chunhyang from the Joseon Dynasty, will kick off Wednesday in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do Province. Now in its 95th year, this year's festival will be held under the theme "The Sound of Chunhyang Opens the World," presenting over 100 performances and hands-on programs. A wide array of events are in store blending traditional and contemporary, and Eastern and Western sounds in creative harmony. Adding an international flair, folk performance teams from diverse countries will take part in a special "Global Stage" program. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of immersive experiences, such as essay and drawing competitions, along with plentiful offerings of delicious and affordable local cuisine. The festival continues through May 6. The 4th Jeonju International Picture Book Fair will take place from May 29 to June 1 at the Factory of Contemporary Arts in Palbok and Jeonju Wansan Library. Under the tagline "Picture Books, A Magical Space," the festival will showcase original illustrations by domestic and international authors, and offer a rich array of programs, including picture book conferences, lectures, and a book market. Among the highlights are a lecture by Swedish author and illustrator Sara Lundberg on May 31 and a "Dance Drawing" workshop with Belgian author Kitty Crowther on June 1. For more information, visit the festival's official website at jipf.jeonju.go.kr. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] Suspension bridge spanning Namhangang River will be open next month

2025/04/29 14:00

The city of Yeoju in Gyeonggi-do Province, is known for its high-quality rice, historical sites such as royal tombs, and is now aiming to attract more visitors with a new attraction. Yeoju's Namhangang suspension bridge is poised to officially open later this week not only to provide people with panoramic sights but also the chance to make new memories. Cha Yun-kyung has more. The spring river breeze brings a pleasurable feeling to tourists. A suspension bridge spanning the Namhangang River boasts of grand and beautiful features. This is the first suspension bridge over the Hangang River with a length of 5-hundred-15 meters and an average height of 30 meters, providing magnificent panoramic views of the River. "We are shivering since it is very high up here, and I think it is a great place to visit with the family since it has beautiful landscapes." Visitors can experience the thrill of looking through the bridge's glass floor where people can view the river and at the "media glass," which looks like it is breaking when people step on it. There is a special zone at the center of the bridge where a person can propose to their loved one. People can also find an elevator for transportation of the disabled and elderly. "It is great for both adults and children to walk around here on the suspension bridge since it is not steep, is fun, and has wonderful views." Around the suspension bridge, tourists can explore the thousand-year-old Silleuksa Temple and Geumun Morae Camping, adding more things to see and enjoy. "We declare the year of 2025 as the first Visit Yeoju year with the completion of the suspension bridge. We are planning to make Yeoju a brand new city by attracting more than 6-million tourists." Based on the opening of the Yeoju Ceramic Festival, the suspension bridge will officially open on the first day of next month after final safety inspections are carried out by the end of April. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

[K-enter] "The King of Kings" beats "Parasite" as highest Korean grossing film in U.S

2025/04/29 14:00

So, let's see what's happening in the world of K-entertainment. Starting off with something we talked about last week. We had a report on the Korean animated movie "The King of Kings.". We had a feeling that this movie was going to be big but I personally couldn't imagine how big. The Korean-produced animated film "The King of Kings", has overtaken director Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning movie "Parasite" to become the highest-grossing Korean-produced film in the United States. Just in terms of numbers, according to production company MoFAC Studio on Monday, "The King of Kings" reached a cumulative revenue of 54.50 million U.S. dollars , surpassing the final U.S. box office gross of Parasite, which was roughly 54 million U.S. dollars . Written and directed by MoFAC Studio CEO Jang Sung-ho , the film is based on Charles Dickens’ "The Life of Our Lord" and depicts the journey of Jesus from birth to resurrection. The film features a star-studded voice cast including Oscar Issac, Kenneth Branagh, Mark Hamill, Uma Thurman, Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, and Forest Whitaker. The film is expected to be released in Korea this summer. Do I sense another big award coming Korea's way? It looks like the movie is becoming "The King of K-movies" at least in the U.S. for now But speaking of award we have a Korean director expected to play an important role at a major film festival? I keep saying this is the year for director Hong Sang-soo . The birth of his child with actress Kim Min-hee, a new film out and now he has been chosen to serve as a jury panelist at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. On Monday, the Cannes Film Festival’s organising committee announced the industry figures who will serve on this year’s competition jury. French actress Juliette Binoche will serve as the jury president with other jury members including, American actress and director Halle Berry, Indian director and screenwriter Payal Kapadia among others. Regarding director Hong Sang-soo, the Cannes Film Festival said, "Hong has become an indispensable presence at Cannes, even choosing Cannes as the backdrop for his film Claire's Camera.” Hong Sang-soo is the sixth Korean director or actor to serve as a jury member for the festival’s main competition section. Another example of Korea's growing presence in the global movie industry. Lastly moving onto some K-pop news. What do you have for us? Legendary boy group TVXQ or DongBangShinKi or TOHOSHINKI concluded their Japan nationwide live tour with a spectacular finale at the Tokyo Dome. Starting from Saitama in November last year, TVXQ held their “TOHOSHINKI 20th Anniversary LIVE TOUR” across several cities delivering a total of 22 performances. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut in Japan, the tour drew a remarkable total of 350,000 attendees. Notably, their recent Tokyo Dome concerts from April 25 to 27 sets a new milestone by reaching a total of 33 Tokyo Dome performances and 92 nationwide dome performances overall, once again surpassing their own record for the most dome concerts by a foreign artist in Japan.

Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper chosen for Rock Hall of Fame

2025/04/29 10:00

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2025 inductees on Sunday, honoring a diverse group of artists who have influenced the music industry. Among the honorees are Chubby Checker, a Philadelphia-born singer renowned for popularizing "The Twist," and Cyndi Lauper, celebrated for her hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Inductees are selected by fans and industry experts. Eligible artists must have released their first recording at least 25 years ago. The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 8 in Los Angeles.

K-Royal Culture Festival: Experiencing the splendid royal culture of the Joseon Dynasty

2025/04/29 10:00

It's K-Royal Culture week here in Seoul this week. Palaces across Seoul are wide open for anyone in the city to experience what it was like to live the royal life of the centuries-old Joseon Dynasty. Our Choi Soo-hyung takes us there. As the guards begin their shift with the sound of drums signalling the start of morning, a new day at Gyeongbokgung Palace starts. This year's K-Royal Culture Festival, which started on Saturday is taking place at Seoul's five major palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung, as well as at Jongmyo Shrine. Visitors can join a program where they experience royal life from the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from the late 14th century to the turn of the 20th century. One highlight is "Time Travel with King Sejong," where visitors can experience important moments from King Sejong’s life, such as the creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet and other historical achievements. "The biggest feature of this year's festival is that visitors can do more than just watch, they can actually participate." Visitors can act as royal palace apprentices, making royal desserts and trying out royal dances. And they can experience daily life as it was about 500 years ago. "My friend invited me to join the program. The weather was so great, and when I tried it myself, it was easy and so much fun for anyone to enjoy." This year is the 11th edition of the festival. Last year, more than 960-thousand people visited the event making it one of Seoul's most visited festivals. The Korea Heritage Service created a variety of programs that match current trends, different age groups, and even special programs for foreigners. "Last year, we focused mainly on performances showing daily life. This year, we wanted to give the audience a chance to join in and interact before the show starts. We also encouraged foreigners to participate, focusing more on hands-on experiences rather than just delivering lines." In front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can enjoy traditional crafts and goods. At Deoksugung Palace, near Seoul City Hall, there is a special program for foreigners called "The Emperor’s Table." Visitors can taste traditional royal food from the Korean Empire period and hear stories about the food and about Korean history in English. This year, there is a special program called "Spring Day at Gyeonghoeru" to celebrate the country's 80th anniversary of liberation. Independence heroes and their families have been invited to special performances at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace. The festival will continue until May 4th at the five palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.