News

No tariffs will be applied if chip firm builds U.S. plant during Trump's term: Lutnick

2025/08/08 19:44

Chipmakers who seek to set up shop in the U.S. during the Trump administration's term will be exempt from the planned one-hundred-percent tariffs on semiconductor shipments into the American market. Lee Seung-jae has details. Semiconductor companies that commit to building chip facilities in the United States during U.S. President Donald Trump's term could be exempt from a proposed 100 percent tariff on chip imports. Speaking to Fox Business on Thursday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that firms must file their commitment with the Commerce Department and be audited throughout the construction process to qualify for the tariff exemption. The comments come as Trump announced his latest sweeping tariff plan on Wednesday, where he said Washington would impose around 100 percent tariff on semiconductor imports. He cited national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, while hinting at broader sector-specific tariffs to be announced in the coming week. The announcement has drawn close attention from South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. South Korea's top trade envoy, Yeo Han-koo, said Thursday that both companies would avoid the full 100 percent tariff under the current Seoul-Washington trade deal, adding that South Korea would receive the most favorable chip tariff rates of any country. This is because Samsung has already invested in two fabrication plants in Texas, while SK hynix plans to open an advanced chip packaging and AI R&D facility in Indiana. However, there are doubts whether SK hynix's packaging plant alone would fully qualify for tariff exemptions, while Samsung, on the other hand, could benefit from not only the two fabrication plants, but also news that it has joined Apple's supply chain. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Afternoon heat stays intense with weekend rain in south

2025/08/08 19:43

The overnight heat has finally eased quite a bit. Is Mother Nature going to be generous enough to take us right into the autumn this year? Afternoon heat stays with heat alerts in southern areas, but the morning and evening commute has become much more bearable for many of us lately. Unlike yesterday, sunny skies will turn cloudy in the afternoon with 5 to 20 millimeters of passing rain in the forecast in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Meanwhile, Jeju will see on-and-off rain all day today with a high of 30 degrees, Seoul, Daejeon, and Gwangju will reach 32 degrees. Southern regions and Jeju need to brace for heavy rain over the weekend. Jeollanam-do Province could see more than 150 millimeters of downpours until Sunday. Those near the water need to be cautious of high swells, especially along the south coast and Jeju. Meanwhile, central areas will see rain early next week.

Thailand, Cambodia reach consensus on ceasefire details

2025/08/08 19:43

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Thailand and Cambodia have reached a consensus on implementing a ceasefire, agreeing to deploy ASEAN observer teams and pledging to freeze troop movements along their shared border. At a General Border Committee session in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, officials from both countries finalized ceasefire terms, following armed clashes that erupted on their disputed border last month. They agreed to a ceasefire covering all types of weapons, a pledge to refrain from unprovoked fire, and a commitment not to increase troop deployments along the contested border area. Both parties also agreed to establish interim observer teams comprised of ASEAN defense attachés and coordinated by Malaysia, with limited oversight from observers from China and the U.S. The teams will operate within their respective borders, without crossing into neighboring territory. The Cambodian Minister of National Defense said that Cambodia will fully implement the agreement, and Thailand's Acting Defense Minister stated that this meeting was crucial to regional peace. ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5, its most advanced AI model yet, which will be available to all 700 million users of ChatGPT from Thursday. CEO Sam Altman explained that the latest model can provide PhD-level expertise across a wide range of tasks, with faster responses, reduced incorrect, misleading, or fabricated information, and built-in reasoning. The model introduces variants, GPT-5-mini and GPT-5-nano, optimized for speed and cost, as well as advanced tiers such as GPT-5-pro and GPT-5-thinking, designed for complex tasks. Finally, a study published in Scientific Reports on Thursday unveiled evidence of Neolithic cannibalism in northern Spain. Researchers examined human remains found in El Mirador cave. The remains from 11 individuals including adults, adolescents, and children date back roughly 5,600 years. Their bones displayed cut marks, human bite marks, fractures consistent with marrow extraction, and signs of boiling, suggesting that the remains were skinned, defleshed, cooked, and consumed. Researchers speculate that a single act of intergroup violence caused the cannibalization, and there were no signs of ritual or famine that might otherwise explain the event. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

'K-Display 2025' unveils latest in display technology

2025/08/08 19:42

Pundits say the evolution of display technology has been dramatic. And to share with you the latest advances in enhancing the visual experience an exhibition is underway here in Seoul until tomorrow that is Saturday. Our Moon Ji-young files this report. A glimpse of South Korea's latest display technologies. The 24th edition of the Korea Display Exhibition, dubbed "K-Display 2025," kicked off in Seoul on Thursday. At this internationally certified exhibition, domestic panel companies leading the OLED sector, along with a large number of domestic and international materials, parts, and equipment companies, gathered to showcase the future direction of display technology. LG Display, an industry giant, unveiled its cutting-edge 4th-generation OLED TV panel. This panel stands out with an industry-first technology that independently stacks the three primary colors of light, pushing the boundaries with a stunning peak brightness of 4-thousand nits. The company further showcased, for the first time, the world's fastest OLED monitor panel, which boasts an unparalleled refresh rate. "LG Display is also highlighting its automotive display, which spans the entire width of the car in front of both the passenger's and the driver's seats." This Pillar-to-Pillar display is poised to be the first of its kind to enter mass production in the industry. Another industry titan, Samsung Display, has taken the lead with its ultra-fine OLED on Silicon or 'OLEDoS' products for XR devices, showcasing the expansive possibilities of ultra-high-resolution XR technology. The company also unveiled a groundbreaking 6,000-nit Micro LED for next-generation smartwatches. This is a significant leap, 2-thousand nits brighter than the 4-thousand-nit watch Micro LED that Samsung Display showcased at CES 2025 just six months ago. All these display technologies are being showcased until Saturday in Seoul. More than 140 companies are participating in this year's event, which has attracted approximately 20-thousand visitors. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the government will continue to provide policy support, including R&D investment and strengthening the competitiveness of the materials, parts, and equipment industry. Moon Ji-young. Arirang News.

How to become a K-pop demon hunter: Trainees from around the world at K-pop camp

2025/08/08 19:40

In other news. A K-pop camp is currently taking place here in the country ahead of the opening of an actual K-pop school. Our culture correspondent Park Kun-woo was there. "Letícia IN YOUR AREA!" 21-year-old Letícia from Brazil traveled halfway across the globe to Korea with one goal --to succeed in K-pop. Not even the scorching summer heat can stop her from practicing hard every day. "Most exciting part is to feel like such a great team and to learn from people like in another different country. In K-pop, they mix up a lot of styles and you need to really know the basics to really do well and that's really hard because you need to be focused." "I REALLY want to get into this K-pop school if it opens." "Participants from around the world have gathered here in Jeonju, drawn by their passion for K-pop and chasing one big dream: to become part of the K-pop scene. Let's see how hard they've been working to make that dream come true." For two weeks, about 20 girls from 10 different countries, including India and Kazakhstan, have been training for hours daily, perfecting K-pop songs and choreography, as part of a pilot program before the launch of an official K-pop school. For every move and facial expression, practice, practice, and more practice. During the day, Korean vocal practice also echoes around the practice room, with voices blending into one harmonious sound, despite the different nationalities. And though Korean isn't their mother tongue, they keep practicing tirelessly to improve. But it's not always easy, as sometimes they struggle after facing challenges. "It's a lot of pressure. I think there's the desire to be constantly perfect. I'm hoping that I can meet the standards of both myself and the people that I want to perform for. It's been hard and I'm not used to dancing like eight hours a day it's something that I still want to pursue and continue." When the pressure builds, teachers are there with them. Detailed feedback follows each performance, and the trainees work hard to apply it, boosting their skills and confidence. "Lots of them didn't even know how to sing at first, but their love for K-pop makes them absorb everything so quickly. If they get systematic training, I'm sure they'll be good enough to achieve their dreams." After beating 28-to-1 odds to get here, these aspiring K-pop demon hunters are now preparing for their debut showcase next week --the moment they'll fight to secure the "honmoon." Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Jeonju.

France's largest wildfire in decades contained

2025/08/08 19:39

France's biggest wildfire in about 80 years has been tamed after blazing through one-hundred-60 square kilometers of land in the southern Aude region. Now this is equivalent to an area larger than the French capital city Paris. Also according to local authorities the fire which began Tuesday was contained as of Thursday evening. One woman was killed more than a dozen injured and some 36 homes destroyed. Some two thousand people were also forced to flee. Firefighters meanwhile remain on alert to ensure no flare-ups occur.

S. Korea, U.S. express "interest" in reviving Trump-Kim dialogue

2025/08/08 19:39

South Korea has reaffirmed its strong support for the resumption of dialogue with North Korea including that between the U.S. and the regime. Oh Soo-young has the latest. Seoul and Washington have again expressed their wish to revive top-level dialogue between the United States and North Korea. On Friday, South Korea's Ministry of Unification said Seoul has on a number of occasions "revealed its active support" for resuming summitry between Washington and Pyongyang. (Korean_AI) "South Korea and the US share the position that they are open to dialogue with North Korea to seek peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue." The official added that peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations are being discussed in preparation for the meeting of Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump this month. Various related agencies are closely coordinating on the matter, she said, saying further details cannot be revealed at this time. This comes after a U.S. official on Thursday said Washington is "noting with interest" a recent remark by North Korea hinting it may be open to dialogue. The U.S. State Department's Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian Affairs, Seth Bailey, referenced last week's statement made by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Kim Yo-jong had said the relationship between the U.S. and North Korean leaders is "not bad," and called for a "new" approach by Washington, saying Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities and the geopolitical reality had changed since Donald Trump's first term. But she flatly rejected the idea of denuclearization --included in the 2018 statement following then-President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un's first summit in Singapore. The two leaders had agreed to work towards denuclearization and to build new bilateral relations. Bailey said that the second Trump administration is still committed to the statement's principles, and that the U.S. leader has clearly shown his willingness to engage in negotiations. Washington, however, remains committed to North Korea's denuclearization, through its alliance with South Korea to counter security challenges in Northeast Asia. President Trump in his first term, met with Kim Jong-un on three occasions. While the first Singapore Summit offered hope for a breakthrough deal on North Korea's denuclearization and economic development, disagreements over the scope of dismantling nukes led to the breakdown of their summit in Hanoi. A meeting at the inter-Korean border in 2019 was brief and saw no outcome. South Korea's new Lee Jae Myung administration has expressed its support for the resumption of Trump-Kim talks, as well as inter-Korean diplomacy. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Israel approves plan to occupy Gaza City while detailing 'principles for ending the war'

2025/08/08 19:38

In the Middle East. A major escalation in the conflict there is expected as Israeli forces prepare to take over Gaza city. Kim Do-yeon explains. Israel's political-security cabinet has approved a plan to occupy Gaza City the largest city in the enclave early Friday, signaling a significant escalation in the near two-year conflict, despite intensifying international and domestic criticism. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on social media read, quote, "The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones," detailing the following "principles for ending the war": Disarmament of Hamas Return of all hostages -both living and dead Demilitarization of the Gaza Strip Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip The existence of an alternative civilian government that is not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority Netanyahu's office also noted most political-security cabinet members believed an alternative plan would not achieve the defeat of Hamas or the return of hostages. However, government sources indicate that the security cabinet's decision still requires final approval from the full cabinet, a session not expected until Sunday. The cabinet's approval came just hours after Netanyahu said Israel intended to assume full military control of the entire strip. "In order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza, and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel. That's what we want to do. We want to liberate ourselves and liberate the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas." As the cabinet votes, mass protests erupted across Israel. According to Israel, it already controls around 75 percent of Gaza. Most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months and aid groups are warning that the enclave's residents are on the verge of famine. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Pres. Lee faces key diplomatic events upon returning from summer break

2025/08/08 19:37

President Lee Jae Myung is poised to return to state affairs this weekend as today marks the last of his five-day summer break. Our correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. The President will have a lot on his plate when he returns to work from his week-long vacation. First off, he is set to host Vietnam's political leader To Lam on Monday, the first foreign leader to be hosted by President Lee Jae Myung. Their focus is on partnership in key areas at a time when global trade uncertainty grows. "On top of politics, security, trade and investment, the leaders will discuss strategically important areas in-depth, including nuclear energy, high-speed railways, and smart cities, as well as science technology and human resources." Then will come the first Lee-Trump summit in Washington, likely slated for August 25th, according to diplomatic sources. A framework trade deal has been reached between Seoul and Washington with the U.S. tough on tariffs, but it's not a done deal. The two sides still need to work on the details, such as the quarantine process for fruit and vegetables imported from the U.S. Security issues could be also on the table, such as upping South Korea's defense spending and a possible change to the role and scale of U.S. troops stationed in Korea as Washington focuses on countering China's influence. Here at home, Lee's official schedule includes the "People's Appointment Ceremony" --as named by the top office --on August 15th at Gwanghwanmun Square, when the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of its liberation from Japan's colonial rule. It will act as the official inauguration ceremony for the president who took office in June right after the election and without a formal inauguration ceremony, given that it was a snap election. "At this event, the people will be declared as the owner of the country and a pledge will be made to develop the Republic of Korea as a leading nation by upholding the sovereign will of the people." Invited are former presidents and first ladies --both conservatives and liberals alike --and people from all walks of life. Also, appointments of key posts will likely pick up speed to fill the remainder of the Cabinet seats as well as ambassadorial posts to the U.S., Japan, China and Russia that are currently vacant. On top of the nominations, speculation is rife that Lee will confirm the first round of presidential pardons during next week's Cabinet meeting for the Liberation Day, that could spark some political repercussions. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

S. Korea, U.S. express "interest" in reviving Trump-Kim dialogue

2025/08/08 19:35

South Korea has reaffirmed its strong support for the resumption of dialogue with North Korea including that between the U.S. and the regime. Oh Soo-young has the latest. Seoul and Washington have again expressed their wish to revive top-level dialogue between the United States and North Korea. On Friday, South Korea's Ministry of Unification said Seoul has on a number of occasions "revealed its active support" for resuming summitry between Washington and Pyongyang. (Korean_AI) "South Korea and the US share the position that they are open to dialogue with North Korea to seek peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue." The official added that peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations are being discussed in preparation for the meeting of Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump this month. Various related agencies are closely coordinating on the matter, she said, saying further details cannot be revealed at this time. This comes after a U.S. official on Thursday said Washington is "noting with interest" a recent remark by North Korea hinting it may be open to dialogue. The U.S. State Department's Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian Affairs, Seth Bailey, referenced last week's statement made by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Kim Yo-jong had said the relationship between the U.S. and North Korean leaders is "not bad," and called for a "new" approach by Washington, saying Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities and the geopolitical reality had changed since Donald Trump's first term. But she flatly rejected the idea of denuclearization --included in the 2018 statement following then-President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un's first summit in Singapore. The two leaders had agreed to work towards denuclearization and to build new bilateral relations. Bailey said that the second Trump administration is still committed to the statement's principles, and that the U.S. leader has clearly shown his willingness to engage in negotiations. Washington, however, remains committed to North Korea's denuclearization, through its alliance with South Korea to counter security challenges in Northeast Asia. President Trump in his first term, met with Kim Jong-un on three occasions. While the first Singapore Summit offered hope for a breakthrough deal on North Korea's denuclearization and economic development, disagreements over the scope of dismantling nukes led to the breakdown of their summit in Hanoi. A meeting at the inter-Korean border in 2019 was brief and saw no outcome. South Korea's new Lee Jae Myung administration has expressed its support for the resumption of Trump-Kim talks, as well as inter-Korean diplomacy. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Trade Minister Yeo highlights "Manufacturing Renaissance" with U.S. at AMCHAM

2025/08/08 19:34

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo attended a meeting with American Chamber of Commerce in Korea earlier on this Friday and affirmed yet again his prospects for productive partnership between South Korea and the U.S. highlighting the concept of a "Manufacturing Renaissance." "I think Korea and the U.S. are really indispensable and inevitable key partners." "I think that a manufacturing renaissance partnership is what Korea can offer to help the U.S. rebuild its capacity, especially in the shipbuilding, semiconductor, batteries, and biopharma sectors." Minister Yeo also claimed the recently agreed upon trade deal between the two countries will serve to ease the U.S. trade deficit while revive its manufacturing.

BOOSTING INTEGRATION, BATTLING ISOLATION

2025/08/08 19:34

Welcome to Press Perspective. It's Friday August 8th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. From isolation to integration today we discuss Korea's initiatives aimed at addressing social concerns. For more I have freelance journalist Raphael Rashid. Raphael welcome back. I also have writer Colin Marshall with us. Colin it's good to have you here. Raphael, let's start with your coverage of South Korea's efforts to "chart a path to a cohesive multicultural future." First then, do share with us details of your findings. Colin, in terms of policy, the government is seeking to open its doors to foreign immigrants given its plunging population. In terms of community, are the doors wide enough? Raphael, the Japanese media recently touched upon South Korea's efforts to better accommodate its foreign workers, highlighting the access to language and support centers. How does Korea's efforts compare to those of its neighbors? Colin, the growing presence of foreign immigrants here is bound to challenge the country with a number of new social tasks. What are your thoughts? And Raphael, given your observations on the ground here, what are some of the pending tasks for Korea as we prepare for a broader multicultural society? Raphael, moving forward, you also recently covered Seoul's campaign against loneliness and isolation among its residents. Do tell us more about this campaign and your takeaways. Colin, loneliness is now considered a crisis that requires collective effort by governments as well. Do you agree? Raphael, back in 2018, Britain was the first to appoint a Minister for Loneliness. What have been some of the notable achievements since then? Colin, how are advances in technology serving to assist in efforts to ease loneliness and assist in care-giving? All right.

[NEWs GEN] Korea to Africa: Why young Africans are choosing Korean companies

2025/08/08 15:38

[NEWs GEN] Korea to Africa: Why young Africans are choosing Korean companies "입사하면 동네잔치"… 아프리카 MZ들 난리 난 '한국 회사’

[Features reporter] Calligraphy and resistance: Lee Sang-ryong's legacy on display

2025/08/08 15:38

Ye-young, I heard you're introducing someone very special to our audience today. That's right, Soa. This year is the 80th year since Korea was finally liberated from Japanese occupation. And around that time, there were countless heroes who dedicated their lives to our country's independence. In Korea, we usually associate names like An Jung-geun with independence fighters, but I recently visited an exhibition that highlighted someone who might be a bit unknown to us, but nonetheless played an integral part in Korea's fight for independence. Now I'm really curious. Who was this unsung hero? He was a leader, an educator, and a patriot who gave up everything for the independence movement. Let's take a closer look at his life and the legacy he left behind. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. To commemorate, a special exhibition is underway to spotlight the life and legacy of Lee Sang-ryong, one of the leaders of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Titled "Prime Minister Lee Sang-ryong and Imcheonggak", the exhibit also celebrates 100 years since his inauguration. After Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910, Lee gave up his fortune and relocated to Manchuria, China with his entire family to escape colonial oppression and lay the foundations for armed resistance. "He focused on unifying the fragmented independence movement groups and also established the Shinheung Military Academy, where he aimed to provide proper historical education to the cadets by writing the Daedong History and teaching them accurate accounts of Korea's past." But Lee's story cannot be told without Imcheonggak, his ancestral home in Andong city. Imcheonggak is a 500-year-old hanok, or traditional Korean house, and one of the largest preserved residences from the Joseon Dynasty. The home also produced no fewer than ten recognized independence activists, including Lee's brothers, son, grandchildren, nephews, and even his uncle. "Imcheonggak is a historic site that shows how the sacrifices made for the nation will ultimately be honored and protected by the nation itself. Though it was damaged due to its role in the independence movement, the government is now fully committed to restoring it." "Lee Sang-ryong was not only an independence fighter, but also a literary figure. Through letters, essays, and manifestos, he chronicled Korea's suffering and yearning for independence. These handwritten records in the exhibition are being featured as works of calligraphy." A gifted poet and writer, Lee's literary contributions have been brought to light by the brushwork of master calligrapher Lee Dong-ik. "This exhibition was created to give visitors a chance to engage with the Seokju Yugo, a collection of Lee Sang-ryong's writings. It's especially meaningful because it also features calligraphy works that reflect his passion and sacrifice for Korea's independence." The exhibition can be enjoyed for free at the Seoul Museum of History until August 31st.

[K-Enter] IVE Reach No.1 on Japan's Oricon, Billboard Japan, and Tower Records Charts

2025/08/08 15:37

Time for our K-enter news, today with Walter Lee. Walter I know you love IVE so what do you have for us? Girl group IVE have swept the Japanese major music charts. According to Oricon Japan on Thursday, IVE's third Japanese album "Be Alright" topped the latest "Oricon Weekly Combined Album Chart." The album also claimed the No. 1 spot on the "Weekly Album Sales Chart", making IVE a double chart-topper on Oricon's weekly rankings. IVE's momentum continued on Billboard Japan, where "Be Alright" also ranked No. 1 on the weekly "Top Album Sales Chart" on Wednesday. With this, IVE have now scored three consecutive No. 1 albums on Billboard Japan. Finally, the group also dominated Tower Records' "All-Store Album Chart", coming in at No. 1. Tower Records is one of Japan's largest and most influential record store chains. What a great achievement for the girls. Next up, sticking with the Japanese theme, let's talk NCT Wish. NCT WISH, the Japanese sub unit to NCT, are set to release their third mini album "COLOR". Scheduled for release on September 1, the album features seven tracks in total. This new release showcases the group's energy and noticeable artistic growth. Ahead of the album's official drop, NCT WISH will pre-release the track "Surf" on August 12 at 6 PM Korea time on major music platforms. The song is a vibrant, feel-good summer track that highlights the group's signature bright and refreshing charm. Back in April, NCT WISH achieved their first million-seller status with their second mini album "Wish", which sold over 1.33 million copies. The release also earned strong results on domestic and international music charts. Can't wait to hear more from the boys. And finally, let's talk about a new teen romance movie set to come out soon. The Netflix original teen romance film "Love Untangled" , starring Gong Myung and Shin Eun-soo , is set to premiere on August 29. Set in 1998, the story centres on 19-year-old Park Seri . Park is in the midst of planning a mission to tame her biggest lifelong insecurity, her naturally frizzy hair, she unexpectedly becomes entangled with a transfer student, Han Yoon-seok . Capturing the charm and nostalgia of late 1990s youth, "Love Untangled" as mentioned before, it will be available worldwide on Netflix on August 29. Thanks for the news Walter. Now we move onto our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari.

K-Wave AI News

2025/08/08 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The "Encyclopedia of Hallyu," the first comprehensive reference on Korean Wave culture, is now available online. The National Folk Museum of Korea has unveiled it on the museum's official website and the Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture website. The database features over 450 entries and more than 900 images related to the Korean Wave, spanning traditional heritage to modern pop culture. Noting that the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters is reigniting global interest in K-culture, the museum said that fans can now explore the film's cultural elements through the new encyclopedia. This year's Royal Culture Festival will run from October 8 to 12, offering performances, hands-on programs, and exhibitions at Seoul's major palaces. Held every spring and fall, the festival is designed to celebrate, preserve, and share the heritage of Korea's royal palaces and traditions. The Korea Heritage Agency is seeking volunteers for the festival, open to anyone born before 2006 who is proficient in Korean. Applications can be made online through August 20. Are you a fan of tteokbokki? Then mark your calendar. The "Korea Tteokbokki Festa" returns on November 15 and 16 in Sunchang County, Jeollabuk-do Province, celebrated as the mecca of the spicy rice cake sensation. Now in its second year, the festival will bring together top tteokbokki varieties, leading brands, and beloved snack shop favorites from across the country. Sunchang County says it hopes the event will set a new benchmark for food festivals nationwide. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Your Ultimate Guide to Korea’s Iconic Beaches

2025/08/08 15:34

From Korea’s largest sandy shores to surfing and snorkeling hotspots, discover the country’s most iconic beaches.

[Kulture Issue] Summer heats up at Korea's box office with hot movie releases

2025/08/08 15:34

The summer movie season is in full swing. With that, we are seeing competition heating up on the big screen among Korean films of various genres, moods, and approaches. Which films are currently capturing the hearts of the audience? Let’s have a chat with our movie expert Jae Soh, professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Welcome back Professor Soh! Q1. Let’s start with “My Daughter is a Zombie“ , which surpassed its break-even point in just a week after its release and has been ranking number 1 at the domestic box office, for 9 straight days. What is the film about and why are people loving it? Q2. “My Daughter is a Zombie“ is based on a hit webtoon of the same name and the film has been receiving praise for its resemblance to the original work, including a cat that appears in the story. So, is it a good thing to make an adaptation that's as similar as the original work as possible? Q3. Let’s move on to the webnovel-based movie ”Omniscient Reader“. Over 1 million have watched it by now, and it's also seen success overseas. This was one of the highly anticipated movies of the second half of the year. How is this work appealing to the audience? Q4. Some fans of the original work expressed disappointment with the cinematic adaptation, while others praised it for offering new visual and cinematic elements. What is your assessment, Professor? Q5. Now let’s talk about a movie that’s set to be released next week. “Pretty Crazy” . This one is a mystery comedy film with a totally new script. What is it about and what are your expectations? Q6. Zombies, science fiction, demons we’re looking at a variety of themes in the theaters this summer. But do you see any similarities in these recent works? Q7. The movie makers of these recent productions also seem to be conscious of the overseas market. Do you see any works that have the potential to successfully compete on the global stage? Thank you Professor Soh for your insights! Have a great weekend. Thank you Walter, see you back next week.

OpenAI launches GPT-5 as the AI industry seeks a return on investment

2025/08/08 12:38

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5, its most advanced AI model yet, which will be available to all 700 million users of ChatGPT from Thursday. CEO Sam Altman explained that the latest model can provide PhD-level expertise across a wide range of tasks, with faster responses, reduced incorrect, misleading, or fabricated information, and built-in reasoning. The model introduces variants, GPT-5-mini and GPT-5-nano, optimized for speed and cost, as well as advanced tiers such as GPT-5-pro and GPT-5-thinking, designed for complex tasks.

Thailand, Cambodia reach consensus on ceasefire details

2025/08/08 12:38

Thailand and Cambodia have reached a consensus on implementing a ceasefire, agreeing to deploy ASEAN observer teams and pledging to freeze troop movements along their shared border. At a General Border Committee session in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, officials from both countries finalized ceasefire terms, following armed clashes that erupted on their disputed border last month. They agreed to a ceasefire covering all types of weapons, a pledge to refrain from unprovoked fire, and a commitment not to increase troop deployments along the contested border area. Both parties also agreed to establish interim observer teams comprised of ASEAN defense attachés and coordinated by Malaysia, with limited oversight from observers from China and the U.S. The teams will operate within their respective borders, without crossing into neighboring territory. The Cambodian Minister of National Defense said that Cambodia will fully implement the agreement, and Thailand's Acting Defense Minister stated that this meeting was crucial to regional peace.