News

NYT ranks 'Oldboy' and 'Memories of Murder' in 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century'

2025/06/27 21:35

Two South Korean films have been included in the list, 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century. The New York Times announced the list on Thursday, and Park Chan-wook's 2005 film "Oldboy" was ranked 43rd, while the 2003 film "Memories of Murder" directed by Bong Joon-ho was ranked 99th. The newspaper stated that "Oldboy" portrayed "operatic violence" as a twisted thriller, while "Memories of Murder" gave the perspective on "human limits against incomprehensible evil through unexpected humor." Also notable is Korean-Canadian director Celine Song's 2023 film "Past Lives," ranking 86th, which unfolds a story of love, fate and time between New York and Seoul. The ranking was compiled from 500 renowned directors, producers and actors, and the list includes movies that were released after January 1st, 2000. The New York Times released the list this week and will be releasing the top 20 later on Friday, local time.

Tariff delay possibility explained --is White House under pressure?

2025/06/27 21:34

Then where is this tariff delay coming from? Is the White House under pressure? And will South Korea be better positioned under the possible postponement? Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon explains. The White House's comment on the tariff negotiation deadline comes after other recent signs that the possibility of a deadline delay was looming. White House Economic Adviser Stephen Miran had also said on Thursday, local time, that he thinks the tariff deadlines will likely be extended for countries that are making a genuine effort to negotiate trade deals with the U.S. He said that in such cases, he doesn't expect tariff rates to suddenly increase. Experts say this shows that things aren't going the way the U.S. expected when it comes to tariff negotiations. "Trump is in a tough spot. Things aren't going his way — especially on trade. Negotiations aren't producing the results he wanted with tax policy issues in his hands as well. In terms of trade, nothing is working as he thought." So far, the UK is the only country to have concluded its trade talks. South Korea, meanwhile, dispatched Trade Minister Yeo Han-goo to Washington this week for high-level discussions — but no breakthrough has been announced. Observers say the delays could actually work in favor of the negotiating countries. "As the U.S. midterm elections approach in November next year, Washington's leverage weakens. That makes it more desperate to produce a deal it can sell to voters as a win — meaning it's giving off signals that it needs the deal more than the others do." Analysts also argue that if the U.S. were confident about its position, it would've gone ahead with the reciprocal tariffs already announced earlier this year — rather than signaling a possible extension. "Trump has two options. Stick to the July 9 deadline and enforce reciprocal tariffs — or postpone them. But if the U.S. slaps on tariffs, prices on imported goods rise, and that could hurt American consumers. So instead, it's backing off." Still, the White House isn't ruling anything out. A spokesperson said President Trump could still opt for reciprocal tariffs if he believes they serve U.S. interests and benefit American workers. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

July deadline for reciprocal tariffs could be extended: White House

2025/06/27 21:34

The Trump administration's July deadline for country-specific tariffs may be extended but its auto-related tariffs are set to be expanded. Lee Seung-jae has the details. Washington could extend its pause on reciprocal tariffs, which is set to expire next month. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, the pause could be extended, but added that it's a decision "for the president to make." The comments come as the temporary suspension of reciprocal tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, is set to expire on July 8th. In April, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs to match those of other countries on U.S. goods. While the tariffs took effect on April 9th, Trump pressed the brakes on his plans for 90 days, to allow for negotiations. Earlier this month, the U.S. President expressed his openness to extending the pause, but said that an extension might not be necessary. Meanwhile, Washington has begun a process to include more auto parts imported into the U.S., on the list of those subject to 25 percent tariffs. The U.S. Commerce Department's International Trade Administration on Thursday released its outlined process, where U.S. domestic producers may request additional auto parts to be included in the new tariff scheme. To receive the requests from the domestic producers, the ITA is forming two-week submission windows, four times a year, with the first window opening on July 1st. Following the two-week window, a non-confidential version of each valid request will be published, with the ITA making the final decision within 60 days of receiving the request. The move is expected to affect South Korea's auto parts industry. Earlier this year, Trump invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which grants the president the power to adjust imports into the U.S. when determined they threaten to impair national security. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Defense minister nominee says he'll reconsider scrapped Sept. 19th military agreement

2025/06/27 19:36

Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back will consider restoring the suspended September 19th military agreement between the two Koreas. Addressing members of the media earlier on this Friday ahead of his confirmation hearing Ahn said South Korea should first seek civil-level exchanges with North Korea and then advance to restoring the military accord to ensure peace on the peninsula. When asked about his potential approach to the Trump administration Ahn spoke of adopting a proactive.. positive posture based on national interests. Meanwhile Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee during his inauguration ceremony also on this Friday reaffirmed the importance of a practical approach. He said the military here must seek practical cooperation to boost deterrence based on the ROK-U.S. alliance and to defend national interests.

S. Korea weighing response as U.S. moves to demand higher defense budget, extra costs towards alliance

2025/06/27 19:36

The recent consensus by members of NATO to raise their defense spending by five percent of their respective GDP over the next decade is looking to have tangible implications on U.S. allies here in this part of the world including South Korea. Our senior correspondent Oh Soo-young explains. U.S. President Donald Trump seems set to call on Asian allies to increase their defense budgets, after European countries bowed to his demand to hike their spending targets to five percent of Gross Domestic Product. In a briefing on Thursday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said if America's "European allies in NATO can do it, then "allies and friends in the Indo-Pacific region can do it too." Leavitt added that specific matters would be addressed by President Trump. The previous day, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, during its annual summit in the Netherlands, adopted a joint statement with all 32 member countries, agreeing to raise their respective defense expenditures to a total of five percent of GDP by 2035. Representing South Korea, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac attended the summit, after which he told the Korean media that NATO's budget increase "reflects a broader trend," and that "similar demands are being made of Seoul." Wi said such demands are being discussed by working-level officials, but clarified that they haven't yet established how the agenda would proceed. South Korea will have to decide how to respond, he said. U.S. officials have recently been pushing for alliance modernisation, which entails its security partners spending more on their defense, paying for the deployment of U.S. strategic assets, and reassessing the role of American forces stationed abroad. U.S. Acting Ambassador to Seoul, Joseph Yun said on Wednesday that the two allies should address "new areas," concerning costs, that are not covered in their bilateral defense cost-sharing agreement reached last year. Seoul appears to be maintaining caution amid sensitive discussions. The Foreign Ministry on Thursday released an official statement saying it will continue working closely with Washington to develop the alliance into a "future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance" that can respond to a changing security dynamic. A senior official told reporters that the two governments are engaging frequently at various levels. However, when asked whether their talks include defense spending or the costs of deploying strategic assets, the official said it is "difficult to share," and declined to comment on what a "future-oriented alliance" entails. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Tariff delay possibility explained --is White House under pressure?

2025/06/27 19:35

So what does a potential U.S. extension in country-specific tariffs mean for South Korea? Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon asked a few pundits for their thoughts. Do take a listen. The White House's comment on the tariff negotiation deadline comes after other recent signs that the possibility of a deadline delay was looming. White House Economic Adviser Stephen Miran had also said on Thursday, local time, that he thinks the tariff deadlines will likely be extended for countries that are making a genuine effort to negotiate trade deals with the US. He said that in such cases, he doesn't expect tariff rates to suddenly increase. Experts say this shows that things aren't going the way the U.S. expected when it comes to tariff negotiations. "Trump is in a tough spot. Things aren't going his way — especially on trade. Negotiations aren't producing the results he wanted with tax policy issues in his hands as well. In terms of trade, nothing is working as he thought." So far, the UK is the only country to have concluded its trade talks. South Korea, meanwhile, dispatched Trade Minister Yeo Han-goo to Washington this week for high-level discussions — but no breakthrough has been announced. Observers say the delays could actually work in favor of the negotiating countries. "As the U.S. midterm elections approach November next year, Washington's leverage weakens. That makes it more desperate to produce a deal it can sell to voters as a win — meaning it's giving off signals that it needs the deal more than the others do." Analysts also argue that if the U.S. were confident about its position, it would've gone ahead with the reciprocal tariffs already announced earlier this year — rather than signaling a possible extension. "Trump has two options. Stick to the July 9 deadline and enforce reciprocal tariffs — or postpone them. But if the U.S. slaps on tariffs, prices on imported goods rise, and that could hurt American consumers. So instead, it's backing off." Still, the White House isn't ruling anything out. A spokesperson said President Trump could still opt for reciprocal tariffs if he believes they serve U.S. interests and benefit American workers. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

President Lee invites war veterans to Cheong Wa Dae for lunch

2025/06/27 19:34

President Lee Jae Myung reiterated his words of gratitude to the country's patriots for their selfless service during a luncheon on this Friday at Cheong Wa Dae. Our Presidential Office Correspondent Song Yoo-jin covers this occasion. Two days after the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, President Lee Jae Myung hosted a lunch on Friday to mark National Patriots and Veterans Month. 1-hundred-60 guests, including recipients of national merit and their families, were invited to Cheong Wa Dae, the site of the former presidential office. "From the independence movement under Japanese colonial rule to the Korean War, the April 19 Revolution, the Gwangju Democratization Movement, and the defense of the West Sea, today's Republic of Korea exists because of all of you." President Lee introduced some of the honorees by name and asked for a round of applause in recognition of their sacrifices. At the heart of his speech was a pledge to better honor and repay their service, which he says has been far too neglected until now. "When it comes to those who gave so much for the survival of our nation and the safety and lives of our people, the entire country must show special care, respect, and appropriate compensation." This is something President Lee pledged during his candidacy, promising to review and improve compensation and medical care for those who have helped safeguard the nation, as well as their families. The menu included dishes prepared with abalone, crabs, and short ribs. The Presidential Office says Friday's event was to express gratitude and respect by providing the highest honors to those who gave everything to protect their country. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

BIRTH RATE, K-DRAMAS, AND MORE

2025/06/27 19:34

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Friday June 27th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. It's that time of the week yet again during which we touch upon a host of social headlines that made international headlines. For more I have Hanna Siemiatycki with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche. It's a pleasure to have you here. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on today's topics. Colin welcome back. Colin, let's begin with your thoughts on the rising number of newborns and marriages here in South Korea. Do you believe we're witnessing a tangible shift in trend or is this a temporary phenomenon? Hanna, Korea has the world's lowest birth rate. What have been some of your firsthand observations here in the country with regard to this reality? Colin, the New York Times recently carried an opinion piece that linked Korea's low birth rate to K-dramas. Do you care to elaborate? Also, do you agree? In sharp contrast, Hanna, an earlier article by the Agence France-Presse sheds light on an expert who claims K-dramas may be good for mental health. Again, do give us some details, and what are your thoughts? Colin, quite a number of foreign media outlets in recent years have referred to South Korea as a cultural powerhouse. Do you believe this is a fitting title, or does South Korea need to do more? Hanna, moving forward, there is much speculation over which Korean food will fuel the next global craze. What are your guesses? Hanna, the French media covered South Korea's plan to introduce AI-based evaluation methods across the education system. Do tell us more about this coverage and the response. Colin, there has been media coverage about some college students being unhappy that their professors are resorting to ChatGPT for lectures. Do walk us through the concerns being raised within the academic arena amid the advances in AI. And what are your thoughts? All right.

July deadline for reciprocal tariffs could be extended: White House

2025/06/27 18:38

The Trump administration's July deadline for country-specific tariffs may be extended but its auto-related tariffs are set to be expanded. Lee Seung-jae has our top story. Washington could extend its pause on reciprocal tariffs, which is set to expire next month. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, the pause could be extended, but added that it's a decision "for the president to make." The comments come as the temporary suspension of reciprocal tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, is set to expire on July 8th. In April, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs to match those of other countries on U.S. goods. While the tariffs took effect on April 9th, Trump pressed the brakes on his plans for 90 days, to allow for negotiations. Earlier this month, the U.S. President expressed his openness to extending the pause, but said that an extension might not be necessary. Meanwhile, Washington has begun a process to include more auto parts imported into the U.S., on the list of those subject to 25 percent tariffs. The U.S. Commerce Department's International Trade Administration on Thursday released its outlined process, where U.S. domestic producers may request additional auto parts to be included in the new tariff scheme. To receive the requests from the domestic producers, the ITA is forming two-week submission windows, four times a year, with the first window opening on July 1st. Following the two-week window, a non-confidential version of each valid request will be published, with the ITA making the final decision within 60 days of receiving the request. The move is expected to affect South Korea's auto parts industry. Earlier this year, Trump invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which grants the president the power to adjust imports into the U.S. when determined they threaten to impair national security. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Monsoon rain again across the country

2025/06/27 18:37

It would be nice if the weather was sunny this weekend, but there is rain forecast all over the country. Starting with the central parts of the country tomorrow morning, it will spread further south in the afternoon. Some central areas will continue to have rain until Sunday morning. As for the expected amount of rainfall, up to 40 millimeters of rain will fall in the central regions, and up to 60 millimeters in the south. The intensity of the rain will not be strong, but it will be accompanied by gusty winds and lightning around the south. Tomorrow morning will start warm with high humidity at 21 to 24 degrees Celsius across the country. Highs will move up to 28 degrees in Seoul, Chuncheon, and Busan, 31 degrees in Gwangju and Jeju. It will also rain in the Seoul metropolitan area and western parts of Gangwon-do Province early next week. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

France to ban smoking at beaches, parks and outside schools

2025/06/27 18:37

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The White House has announced that there is no evidence showing enriched uranium was moved from the sites it targeted in Iran. On Thursday, local time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that U.S. intelligence had monitored the sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan before Saturday's strikes, and found "no indication" that any enriched uranium had been moved before the attacks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed those assurances at a Pentagon briefing, saying he was "not aware of any intelligence" to suggest nuclear material was relocated. President Trump also took to Truth Social on Thursday morning, reaffirming that "Nothing was taken out of the facility." This stance confronts claims from satellite imagery and some experts suggesting heavy truck activity near the Fordow entrance, possibly indicating a removal of uranium ahead of the attacks. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a significant portion of Iran's 60 percent enriched uranium may have been relocated to undisclosed sites in advance. Speaking before the General Assembly during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the signing of the organization's Charter, Guterres said global actors are selectively observing the document's rules "when it suits, and ignoring them when it does not." He described this as a danger to the foundations of international relations, stating the Charter "is not an a la carte menu" and its violation must not be "normalized." The Secretary General urged member states to recommit to core principles, including sovereignty, non-aggression, protection of civilians, and the rule of international law. U.S. diplomat McCoy Pitt acknowledged the UN's successes over eight decades but underscored its failure to contain current wars and urged a renewed dedication to the Charter as a "continuing call to action." Shubhanshu Shukla, a 39-year-old group captain in the Indian Air Force, boarded the International Space Station on Thursday, becoming the first Indian to do so and becoming only the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. He traveled to the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 Mission, operated privately by SpaceX, which lifted off on Wednesday. The mission places Shukla on a two-week science run, working alongside U.S. astronaut Commander Peggy Whitson and astronauts from Poland and Hungary. Shukla called the view from space beyond expectations. France is introducing a ban on outdoor smoking, effective July 1, which prohibits nicotine use in public spaces frequented by children, including beaches, parks, and school entrances. The move aims to protect youths from secondhand smoke, with violators facing fines of up to 153 U.S. dollars. The French Health Minister stated, "Where there are children, tobacco must disappear," underscoring the government's commitment to creating a smoke-free generation. The legislation builds on the 2008 indoor smoking ban and follows pilot bans already adopted by over 1,500 municipalities and numerous beaches. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

From classical to traditional Korean: Lee Hanurij's bold new sound "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25"

2025/06/27 18:36

Now let's move from the screen to the stage. A talented teenage composer is seeking to blur the boundaries between traditional Korean musical instruments and contemporary musical compositions. Our Lee Eun-hee met up with him. 19-year-old classical music composer Lee Hanurij has unveiled his first traditional Korean music piece. He won the Bartók World Competition in Hungary when he was just 18. This young talent has also written a commissioned piece for pianist Lim Yun-chan, the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at just 18 years old in 2022. Now, Lee has entered a completely new territory by composing his first piece for Korean traditional orchestra, a bold step that bridges tradition and modernity, and breaks down the walls between Korean and Western music. The opportunity came when conductor Choi Soo-yeol, currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, invited Lee to write a piece. Choi describes the Korean traditional orchestra as "a branch of contemporary music; a special genre that allows us to express the present through ancient instruments." Lee Hanurij's debut in the genre came to life through the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra's concert, filling the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night with the richly layered and resonant sounds of "gugak," Korea's traditional music. In an interview with representatives from the Sejong Center, Lee described his piece as "an attempt to construct an entirely different kind of sentence using the vocabulary of gugak, one that unfolds loosely, hazily, without clear peaks or dramatic climaxes." Lee Hanurij, premiering his work "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,"; his debut composition for a Korean traditional orchestra experimentally explores the unique tones and sonic possibilities of traditional instruments. Quoting him, "In this piece, the loop functions more like a memory; fading, warping, and merging into new contexts, yet never entirely vanishing." As pianist Lim Yun-chan puts it, he is "one of the most outstanding composers of our time." The future of the music world isn't just bright, it's dynamically unpredictable. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

Squid Game Season 3: What to watch for in final chapter of 4-year journey

2025/06/27 18:35

For those of you who have yet to make weekend plans as rain is in the forecast here how about binge watching the final season of "Squid Game" which was released about an hour ago? Our Choi Soo-hyung has some of the highlights. In Season 2, Seong Gi-hun joined the game again, but failed to foment a rebellion and even lost his best friend. His fate is now decided in Season 3. "Gi-hun changes and makes up his mind ---"This is what I can do" ---and decides to take action based on that belief." The conflicts and stories of the main characters, pushed to the edge between life and death, are key points to watch. In particular, many viewers have been looking forward to the showdown between Gi-hun and the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, the surprise central figure of Season 2. "All the characters' interactions and stories will finally explode in Season 3, so I believe it makes up for any disappointments from Season 2." "Season 3 centers on the clash of values between Gi-hun and the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, individual survival or collective cooperation. This ideological conflict began to take shape in Season 2, and how this conflict ends is a key point to watch." In Season 3, new Korean games that were not featured in previous seasons are introduced in the survival game. Moreover, beyond survival, a key point to watch is how unique Korean emotions and culture in Squid Game make it stand out. "Season 2 also introduced many new games. But in Season 3, what's more important is how the characters' personal stories unfold and what message they ultimately deliver. The key point is how much emotional impact those stories and each character's can create." The six-episode season was released all at once on June 27 at 4 PM, Korean standard time. With Season 3, Squid Game has begun its final dance, bringing a four-year-long journey to an end. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Ruling DP unilaterally fills four of five vacant standing committee leadership posts amid opposition PPP walkout

2025/06/27 18:34

At the parliament on this Friday. A plenary session took place to fill the leadership posts of standing committees including those of the budget and judiciary both of which remain under the DP. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Amid a bipartisan deadlock over the redistribution of standing committee chairs, the ruling Democratic Party unilaterally filled four of five vacant posts in a plenary session on Friday. The chair positions at the Budget and Accounts; Legislation and Judiciary; House Steering; Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Strategy and Finance committees were vacant. Of these, four positions ---excluding the Strategy and Finance Committee ---were filled by DP lawmakers, maintaining the party's control over them from the past year. Three-term DP lawmaker Han Byung-do was appointed chair of the Special Committee on Budget and Account and will lead the review of the supplementary budget proposal. Four-term DP lawmaker Lee Choon-suak was named chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The main opposition People Power Party walked out of the session as it had been calling for a rebalancing of the committees' leadership, arguing that the shift in government following the recent snap presidential election justified the change. The PPP insisted it should hold the chairs of the judiciary and budget committees to provide checks and balances on the ruling party. "The supplementary budget is an important issue, so the PPP is willing to cooperate to quickly elect a new budget committee chair. For the other committee chairs, we believe more talks are needed to restore cooperation and bring back the National Assembly's tradition of checks and balances." The Democratic Party, however, has maintained that the current arrangement should remain, citing last year's agreement between the two parties on a two-year term for committee chairs. "The People Power Party is delaying the Prime Minister's confirmation and budget review over the Legislative and Judiciary Committee chair. Don't they see people are struggling with the sluggish economy? Shouldn't they help the new government get to work?" With the Budget and Accounts Special Committee chair now in place, the review of the supplementary budget proposal is expected to gain momentum. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Seoul urges Pyongyang to give prior notice before releasing dam water

2025/06/27 18:33

The Unification Ministry here has urged Pyongyang to inform Seoul in advance of any intention to discharge water from a dam across the border. Making note of past agreements between the two Koreas to fight flash flooding during the monsoon season the ministry emphasized that early notification would serve to prevent accidents arising from sudden surges in water levels of the Imjingang River that flows from the north to the south. Back in 2009 an unannounced release of water from North Korea's Hwanggang Dam near the border resulted in the loss of six South Korean lives.

China accepts thousands of N. Korean workers this year: Yomiuri Shimbun

2025/06/27 18:33

China has reportedly accepted thousands of North Korean workers this year. This is according to a report by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on this Friday. The report claims about three-thousand workers arrived in Jilin by the end of March and five hundred more in Liaoning by May. Most are said to be young women working in clothing and seafood factories. The Japanese report links this latest development to China's search for affordable labor amid its economic challenges and its efforts to boost ties with North Korea. Meanwhile the UN's 2017 sanctions ban North Korean labor in member states to thwart funding for the regime's nuclear and missile programs.

[Features reporter] From classical to traditional Korean: Lee Hanurij's bold new sound "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25"

2025/06/27 15:38

Eun-hee, I heard you have a story on a young composer who's pushing the boundaries of music. Tell us more. Yes, Soa. Nineteen-year-old composer Lee Hanurij is one of the most in-demand young composers on the global classical music scene. Recently, he took a bold leap into new territory, making his debut in Korean traditional orchestral music. His new piece, "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25," was recently premiered in Seoul under the baton of conductor Choi Soo-yeol. Let's take a look. 19-year-old classical music composer Lee Hanurij has unveiled his first traditional Korean music piece. He won the Bartók World Competition in Hungary when he was just 18. This young talent has also written a commissioned piece for pianist Lim Yun-chan, the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at just 18 years old in 2022. Now, Lee has entered a completely new territory by composing his first piece for Korean traditional orchestra, a bold step that bridges tradition and modernity, and breaks down the walls between Korean and Western music. The opportunity came when conductor Choi Soo-yeol, currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, invited Lee to write a piece. Choi describes the Korean traditional orchestra as "a branch of contemporary music; a special genre that allows us to express the present through ancient instruments." Lee Hanurij's debut in the genre came to life through the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra's concert, filling the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night with the richly layered and resonant sounds of "gugak," Korea's traditional music. In an interview with representatives from the Sejong Center, Lee described his piece as "an attempt to construct an entirely different kind of sentence using the vocabulary of gugak, one that unfolds loosely, hazily, without clear peaks or dramatic climaxes." Lee Hanurij, premiering his work "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,"; his debut composition for a Korean traditional orchestra experimentally explores the unique tones and sonic possibilities of traditional instruments. Quoting him, "In this piece, the loop functions more like a memory; fading, warping, and merging into new contexts, yet never entirely vanishing." As pianist Lim Yun-chan puts it, he is "one of the most outstanding composers of our time." The future of the music world isn't just bright, it's dynamically unpredictable.

[K-enter] "Squid Game" finale arrives today!

2025/06/27 15:37

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, today is a big day for all Squid Game fans. The day has finally come! Netflix's global phenomenon "Squid Game" returns for its highly anticipated third and final season today. The final season will feature six episodes, a shorter run compare to Season 1's nine episodes and Season 2's seven episodes. Picking up directly from Season 2's cliffhanger, the final installment will show Gi-hun navigating through more deadly games and heading toward an ultimate showdown with the Front Man. The "Squid Game" series has been viewed a total of 600 million times, making it the most watched series on Netflix. The third and final season will be released on Friday at 4 p.m., Korea time, on Netflix. For "Squid Game" fans in Korea, after you enjoy the final season on Friday, you can catch a parade, featuring Younghee, the pink guards and other characters from the series, at Gwanghwamun in Seoul on Saturday. The director of the series Hwang Dong-hyuk and the main actors, including Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun will be present at the event as well. We know what many people will be watching this weekend. Let's now move onto a story that will thrill BLACKPINK fans. BLACKPINK are getting ready for their reunion with the upcoming world tour "DEADLINE." On Thursday, the group's agency, YG Entertainment, released the teaser for this upcoming tour on the group's official social media. The video opens with Rosé at a phone booth in the middle of the desert, calling up the other members. The camera then cuts to quick highlights of each member, before the group hop in a pink convertible and take off on a roadtrip. "DEADLINE" will kick off at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium on July 5th and the group will perform 31 shows across 16 places around the globe. Before the tour, BLACKPINK will comeback with their first new release in about three years. They will perform it for the very first time at the Goyang concert. Lucky for those going to the concert. And we'll end off with another girl group! Aespa have just dropped a new single "Dirty Work." They released the new single just before our show today. "Dirty Work" is a dance track characterized by synth bass sounds. The single album features four different versions of the song. The new single also achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing 1.01 million pre-orders, which will make it aespa's sixth million-seller. As the fans may know, aespa have become associated with the term 'iron taste,' referencing the group's edgy, futuristic concepts and industrial musical style. Well, the music video for "Dirty Work" amplifies their 'iron taste' concept as they perform inside Hyundai Steel's steel mill in Dangjin, with 225 extras and large-scale heavy machinery. Aespa's songs are always so catchy, so make sure to give it a listen! I was able to give it a listen right before the show, and I have to say they did some "great work" with "Dirty Work". Thank you Bella for the updates. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for other culture-related news. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/06/27 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Just one month after joining Russia's Mariinsky Ballet, South Korean ballerino Jeon Min-chul has already been cast in a lead role. The theater in St. Petersburg announced on Thursday that Jeon will perform as the male lead, Solor, in La Bayadère at the Mariinsky Theatre on July 17th. La Bayadère, meaning "The Temple Dancer of India" in French, tells the story of a tragic love triangle between the warrior Solor, a temple dancer, and a royal princess. Jeon previously performed the role of Solor with Korea's Universal Ballet in September. He is the second South Korean dancer to join Mariinsky Ballet company, following ballerino Kim Ki-min. A special retrospective is being presented by the Korean Film Archive to mark the 100th birthday of the legendary Korean filmmaker Yu Hyun-mok, a pioneer of Korean realist cinema. Under the title "Yu Hyun-mok Centennial: Time, Genre, Practice", the program will screen a total of 18 films, including his most acclaimed works as well as lesser-known melodramas, comedies, children's films, and experimental pieces. The retrospective will also shed light on his contributions as a producer and educator. In particular, the 4K restored version of the historical film "Im Kkeok-jeong", based on the novel of the same name, will be screened for the first time ever in Korea since its discovery in the U.S. in 2022. Design Council Busan has launched its seventh annual Busan Design Festival at BEXCO on Thursday. This year, under the theme of "Heung", a Korean term for joy or excitement, the dynamic energy and evolving identity of life in Busan will be expressed through the language of design. Over 150 designers and brands will take part, divided into three categories: communication design, product design, and ESG, or environmental, social and governance, design. Showcasing trends and talents across Korea's design scene, the festival runs through June 29th. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] A sneak peek into Korea’s baseball fever

2025/06/27 15:35

KBO has attracted over six million spectators in record time, and foreign fans are also joining the craze. Discover what’s fueling K-baseball’s explosive popularity.