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Weekender

'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

About 20 people gather every morning in front of Geumcheon District Office in southwestern Seoul, holding signs and staging protests. Most are in their 50s and 60s and live in a large apartment complex identified only as "L," home to more than 1,700 households. Their protest, which they say is the first demonstration they have ever taken part in, marked its 203rd consecutive day on Sept. 21. They might be expected to be tired by now, but it is anger rather than fatigue that shows on their faces. The protesters are vehemently opposed to a data center. About 100 meters from the entrance to their apartment complex, construction of an eight-story data center has been underway for 11 months. Ko Young-chan, 33, a two-term member of the Geumcheon District Council who lives in L Apartment, said, "It seems data center developers came here thinking, 'Land prices in a place like Geumcheon District make the project worth trying.'" He also claimed that the data center itself would not generate tax revenue for the district. The situation is not unique to Geumcheon District. Data center projects are

7 MIN READ
[WEEKENDER] 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark thumbnail
Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction thumbnail

Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction

A fierce battle over artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which are increasingly being seen as unwanted facilities, is erupting around the world among governments, companies and local residents. Korea, which is also moving quickly to expand AI data centers as one of the government's three megaprojects, is no exception. Where can we find clues to resolving these conflicts? To find answers, a Hankook Ilbo reporting team traveled to Australia Aug. 7-14 for a field investigation into how the country is preparing for the future with AI data centers. Australia is seeking to make AI data centers its next major growth industry after minerals and wool. Residents are banding together to make their voices heard and searching for rules that will allow people and AI data centers to coexist. In August, winter fog in the Southern Hemisphere swallowed the morning sunlight, leaving a farm in darkness as cattle awoke to the familiar voices of an elderly couple. "Did you have any trouble during the night?" "Did you sleep well?" Every morning at 7 a.m., Paul Brackenreg, 61, and Rosalind "Rose" Murphy, 7

10 MIN READ

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK'Hope,' 'The Assassin(s)' show widening gap between reviews, viewers

Is there a right way to enjoy a movie? How a movie makes us feel is personal, and everyone should be free to speak their mind — yet two major Korean movies released this year show how starkly different those reactions can be. As of Wednesday, Na Hong-jin's "Hope" has been seen by 4.59 million viewers, while Hur Jin-ho's "The Assassin(s)" has drawn 3.08 million. Together, the films demonstrate a gap between critics' verdicts and ordinary audience reactions. "Hope" is a classic case of mixed expectations. Made with a massive budget, it arrived in July as Na's first feature since "The Wailing" in 2016. Many viewers walked in expecting a tense thriller and walked out confused or angry. Common complaints were that the story felt thin, the ending felt at odds with the rest of the film and the computer graphics felt awkward. Some felt the movie was not a complete story and just a setup for a sequel. Critics saw something else, lauding Na's films for demanding people engage in interpretation without offering easy clues — something that leaves some viewers frustrated. Renowned critic Lee Dong

2 MIN READ
'Hope,' 'The Assassin(s)' show widening gap between reviews, viewers thumbnail
Seoul Whistler Film Festival explores stories of injustice, resistance thumbnail

Seoul Whistler Film Festival explores stories of injustice, resistance

A whistle is about the simplest instrument there is. It takes one breath to blow, and once it sounds, it's hard to ignore. The Seoul Whistler Film Festival (SWFF) is built around the people who take that breath. For its third year, it's making considerably more noise. The festival will run Oct. 23-25 at Arthouse Momo, the independent cinema located inside Ewha Womans University's ECC complex in western Seoul. It will screen 47 films from 18 countries: 10 features and 37 shorts, animations and experimental works. The "whistler" in the name is the whistleblower. SWFF's mission is to tell the stories of people who resist and speak out for justice, human rights, peace, life, the environment and democracy. It also tells the stories of people who expose the pain, conflict and absurdity they carry inside. "Both threads run through the lineup, often in the same film," said Yoon Sol-ji, the festival's executive programmer. "We don't split these into sections — one person's story can carry both at once, which feels closer to how injustice actually works on people." The opening film exemplifies wh

4 MIN READ

Korean American entrepreneur seeks memorial site for UN troops killed in Korean War

For Sunny K. Park, memories of the 1950-53 Korean War remain vivid more than seven decades later. Park, an 84-year-old Korean American entrepreneur who serves as president of the American Korean Friendship Society and the Korean War United Nations Veterans Memorial Foundation, was 8 when the war broke out in 1950. While fleeing from Seoul to Busan during the war, he witnessed scenes that would stay with him for the rest of his life — including the bodies of young foreign soldiers who had come to fight in Korea. “The bombs shattered all these people. Body parts were all over … I saw dead bodies at the rice paddy. They were about 17-18 years old,” Park said during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday. “(At the time) I didn’t quite understand why they were doing it." The war devastated the peninsula, killing millions of Koreans. Tens of thousands of international troops serving under the United Nations Command also lost their lives. Park moved to the United States in 1974 and went on to build a successful business career. As he grew older, he said he came to better understan

3 MIN READ
Korean American entrepreneur seeks memorial site for UN troops killed in Korean War thumbnail

Bipartisan US Senate bill reaffirms 'ironclad' nuclear deterrence pledge to S. Korea

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. senators have introduced bipartisan legislation seeking to reaffirm Washington's "ironclad" extended nuclear deterrence commitments to South Korea and other treaty allies, amid growing nuclear threats from North Korea, China and Russia. The Reaffirming Extended Nuclear Deterrence Act, introduced by Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) late last month and cosponsored by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), calls for maintaining a credible U.S. nuclear deterrent supported by conventional military capabilities, joint exercises and strategic consultations with allies. The bill states that United States should "reaffirm that its extended deterrence commitments to its treaty allies remain ironclad" and ensure that its military posture, exercises, strategic consultations and defense investments demonstrate The legislation specifically identifies South Korea, Japan, Australia and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as allies whose security directly advances U.S. national security interests, while highlighting growing nuclear threats from North Korea, China and Russia. It also

1 MIN READ
Bipartisan US Senate bill reaffirms 'ironclad' nuclear deterrence pledge to S. Korea thumbnail

Seoul stocks open higher after 7-day losing streak

Seoul stocks opened higher Friday after the previous session's over 7 percent dip amid woes over artificial intelligence (AI) trade and U.S. inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 85.62 points, or 1.54 percent, to 5,639.84 at 9:15 a.m. Overnight, major stocks indexes on Wall Street closed higher, but major AI and semiconductor shares ended in negative territory. The S&P 500 added 0.33 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq inched up 0.08 percent. U.S. producer price data posted the largest gain in over four years in September, further solidifying speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise key rates to rein in inflation. In Seoul, most market heavyweights strengthened. Chip giant Samsung Electronics and SK hynix added 1.55 percent and 0.48 percent, respectively. Industry leaders Hyundai Motor advanced 2.54 percent, financial firm KB Financial jumped 4.72 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace moved up 4.37 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1,340.6 won against the U.S. dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 1.4 won from the close of the previous stock trading s

1 MIN READ
Seoul stocks open higher after 7-day losing streak thumbnail

Seoul to maintain Ukraine support despite NK POW dispute

South Korea will continue supporting Ukraine “as a responsible member of the international community” despite a diplomatic dispute over the disclosure of two North Korean prisoners of war being repatriated to the South, a foreign ministry official said Thursday. The official said Seoul will treat its assistance to Ukraine separately from the dispute, while continuing bilateral consultations to resolve outstanding issues. The remarks came after South Korean Ambassador to Ukraine Park Ki-chang was recalled to Seoul on Saturday, following a spat over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public disclosure of the transfer during his U.N. General Assembly speech on Sept. 23. The ambassador’s recall was one of several options Seoul considered after the disclosure, which it says breached a confidentiality arrangement intended to protect the soldiers and their families in North Korea. President Lee Jae Myung has demanded that Kyiv acknowledge the agreement and publicly apologize, warning of “additional measures” if it refuses. Kyiv has denied such an understanding existed. Meanwhi

1 MIN READ
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Seoul pushes back against US signal for OPCON transfer delay

The South Korean military said Thursday it would stick to an existing agreement on conditions for wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer from Washington to Seoul, despite a warning from the top U.S. commander in Korea that evolving security threats require new standards. It showed discomfort over U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson’s remarks on the need to change standards and conditions for the transition because “the transfer would never be possible” under the existing standards. The military said it has not decided whether to accept any new conditions proposed by the U.S. “The principle that OPCON will be transferred once the conditions mutually agreed upon by South Korea and the United States are met remains unchanged,” ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said at a briefing. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Thursday that Seoul had already conveyed its concerns to the U.S. side over Bronson’s remarks. “We have already conveyed our position on that matter,” Kang said during a National Assembly audit, responding to a question from Rep. Son Sol

3 MIN READ
Seoul pushes back against US signal for OPCON transfer delay thumbnail

Seoul, Tokyo agree to extend $10 bil. currency swap deal by another 3 years

BANGKOK — Korea has agreed with Japan to extend their $10 billion currency swap arrangement, set to expire next month, by another three years, the finance ministry said Thursday, as the two countries seek to further bolster bilateral economic ties. Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il reached the agreement with his Japanese counterpart, Satsuki Katayama, during a meeting in Bangkok on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. The two countries' three-year, $10 billion currency swap deal, signed in December 2023, was due to expire in November. Under the latest agreement, the currency swap arrangement, which involves the U.S. greenback, will run through November 2029, with its size unchanged. A currency swap is a tool designed to guard against financial turmoil by allowing a country facing a liquidity crunch to borrow foreign currency in exchange for its own currency. During the meeting, the officials concurred that the foreign exchange authorities of both countries currently maintain ample liquidity, describing the currency swa

1 MIN READ
Seoul, Tokyo agree to extend $10 bil. currency swap deal by another 3 years thumbnail

Iranian film 'Midday Meal' wins top honor at 31st BIFF

Iranian director Majid Majidi's "Midday Meal" won the Best Film Award, a grand prize at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on Thursday, securing a direct entry for consideration at the upcoming Academy Awards. The top honor was announced during the closing ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center outdoor theater in Busan. Hosted solely by actor Yim Si-wan, the event wrapped up a 10-day festival run that began on Oct. 6. Jury President Zhang Yimou praised "Midday Meal" as the ideal film and noted that all seven jury members agreed unanimously on the selection. Starting this year, the grand prize winner under the Busan Award competition section automatically gains qualification to submit for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. The Best Film Award also comes with a cash prize of 50 million won ($37,180). Receiving the award, Majidi expressed his gratitude to the festival. He said it was an honor to receive such a huge prize on his first visit to Busan, adding that the energy came from the love of his late mother. "This award means everything to my jo

2 MIN READ
Iranian film 'Midday Meal' wins top honor at 31st BIFF thumbnail

FSC's relocation to Sejong stirs unease across financial industry

The Financial Services Commission’s (FSC) planned relocation to the administrative city of Sejong next year is raising concerns across the financial industry about potential disruptions to communication with regulators and the resulting operational inefficiencies, industry officials said Thursday. Industry officials are particularly concerned that the move could make it harder for banks and securities firms, most of which are headquartered in Seoul, to consult financial authorities on regulatory matters. The country's top financial regulator, currently based in Seoul, plans to move to Sejong, about 110 kilometers to the south, in the second half of 2027. The move is part of a broader government plan to relocate 44 central government agencies and affiliated bodies from the Seoul metropolitan area to Sejong between 2027 and 2031, aiming to decentralize functions concentrated in the capital area and promote regional growth. Banks are weighing how to adapt, with some expecting to rely more heavily on remote communication. "We expect to establish ways to respond, including expanding the use

3 MIN READ
FSC's relocation to Sejong stirs unease across financial industry thumbnail

Asian Cup uncertainty clouds Moreno's future as Korea coach

Robert Moreno has not had long in the job as Korea's interim national team coach but must have already realized that this is not a simple one. Moreno was appointed after the World Cup with a contract until the end of November with a possibility of extending it to the Asian Cup in January and beyond. What happens if there is no Asian Cup is anyone’s guess. The former boss of Spain's national football team was given four games in September and October and then two more in November to prove to the Korea Football Association (KFA) that he is the man for the job. Those two fixtures had not been confirmed but it was expected that they would take place in the Middle East, probably Saudi Arabia. That is because the country is hosting the Asian Cup, starting on January 7 and it seemed like a good idea to spend some time in the region. But then there have been attacks on Saudi airports and other targets by the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group based in Yemen. There have been deaths and casualties and it caused the closure of Riyadh airport for the best part of a week. In such times when c

2 MIN READ
Asian Cup uncertainty clouds Moreno's future as Korea coach thumbnail

'Super El Niño' could bring roller-coaster winter weather to Korea

Wild temperature swings are expected to continue through the winter, with what could be the strongest El Niño on record forecast to peak toward the end of the year, raising the likelihood of a “roller-coaster winter” marked by mild spells interrupted by sudden cold snaps. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), morning lows on Wednesday plunged by around 10 degrees Celsius from the previous day, reaching 9 degrees in Seoul and 3 degrees in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province. Temperatures are expected to gradually rise above the seasonal average over the weekend before plunging again, with lows reaching 3 degrees by the middle of next week, pointing to continued sharp fluctuations. The erratic weather is typical of autumn, when migratory high- and low-pressure systems pass through the Korean Peninsula in succession. Cold winds blowing down from the north are battling warm, humid southerly winds originating over the western Pacific, where sea temperatures are higher than normal, causing weather conditions to fluctuate sharply. Such unpredictable conditions are expect

3 MIN READ
'Super El Niño' could bring roller-coaster winter weather to Korea thumbnail

French fridge hack highlights need for connected equipment security in Korea

A recent hacking incident involving commercial refrigerators at supermarkets in France is highlighting the importance of cybersecurity for connected equipment among Korean businesses, as companies increasingly rely on interconnected and centrally controlled systems for their operations. Industry officials said Thursday that the attack compromised supermarket refrigeration systems, but the underlying issue is the growing reliance of commercial equipment on network connectivity. They stressed the need to strengthen security across both hardware and software to ensure that no loopholes emerge anywhere in the system. The incident affected hundreds of supermarkets in France, where hackers reportedly gained remote access to centralized refrigeration control systems and manipulated temperatures, forcing retailers to discard spoiled food. Danish manufacturer Danfoss, which supplied the affected systems, attributed the incident to outdated equipment that had not received security updates. Retail chains, including supermarkets, use commercial refrigeration equipment. In Korea, major electronics c

3 MIN READ
French fridge hack highlights need for connected equipment security in Korea thumbnail

Factory owner sentenced to 3 years for air gun assault on migrant worker

A manufacturing company owner accused of severely injuring a migrant worker by firing high-pressure air from an industrial air gun into his body has been sentenced to three years in prison. Judge Koo Na-young of the Suwon District Court on Thursday sentenced the owner of a metal-cleaning company, a man in his 60s identified only as A, to three years in prison on charges of aggravated bodily injury and violations of the Labor Standards Act. The court dismissed the case against A's wife, identified as B, who had been charged with intimidation. A was indicted on charges of placing the nozzle of an industrial air gun against the anal area of C, a Thai man in his 40s, and blasting high-pressure air for about seven seconds at his factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, on Feb. 20. C suffered injuries including a traumatic rectal perforation measuring more than 10 centimeters and underwent surgery. A was also accused of threatening C, who needed emergency surgery, by saying, "Illegal immigrant, police," suggesting that he would report C to police for his undocumented immigration status unless h

2 MIN READ
Factory owner sentenced to 3 years for air gun assault on migrant worker thumbnail

Prosecution overhaul raises fears of drug probe gaps

The status of about 1,500 cases referred by the Korea Customs Service (KCS) to prosecutors remains unclear following a major overhaul of the criminal justice system that replaced the prosecution service with two new agencies, an opposition lawmaker said Thursday. The uncertainty has raised concerns about disruptions to drug investigations, as narcotics offenses account for most of the cases. Data the KCS provided to Rep. Lee Jong-wook of the main opposition People Power Party showed that customs officers with special investigative powers referred 1,582 cases to prosecutors in the first eight months of this year. The breakdown included 1,123 drug cases, 237 customs cases and 139 foreign exchange cases. The customs agency, however, has been unable to establish how those cases have been handled since the prosecution service was abolished on Oct. 2 and its duties were divided between two new agencies responsible for prosecutions and serious crime investigations. “The restructured Prosecution Service was expected to return previously referred cases to customs, request further investigation o

2 MIN READ
Prosecution overhaul raises fears of drug probe gaps thumbnail

POSCO, Hanwha Ocean team up on high-manganese steel LNG cargo tanks

Korean steelmaker POSCO and shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean are teaming up to build a demonstration liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier equipped with high-manganese steel cargo tanks, aiming to strengthen Korea’s technological competitiveness in a market long dominated by foreign technology. LNG fuel tanks store the fuel used to power LNG-fueled vessels, while cargo tanks on LNG carriers are large storage systems that hold the LNG itself for transportation overseas. According to POSCO, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the shipbuilder’s Geoje shipyard to develop the demonstration vessel. The signing ceremony was attended by senior executives from both sides, including POSCO President Lee Hee-geun and Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheul. The partnership comes amid expectations of rising LNG demand as countries seek lower-carbon energy sources, fueling demand for LNG carriers. Korean shipbuilders, however, remain dependent on foreign technology for cargo tanks, a key component of the vessels. Under the MOU, the companies will develop cargo tanks using POSCO’s high-m

2 MIN READ
POSCO, Hanwha Ocean team up on high-manganese steel LNG cargo tanks thumbnail

Shinhan's Lotte Insurance deal faces profitability, capital hurdles

Shinhan Financial Group is seeking to bolster its nonbank operations by acquiring Lotte Insurance, but analysts cautioned Thursday that a meaningful contribution to group earnings may take time, as the insurer could require substantial additional capital to strengthen its financial position. Concerns over the cost of the deal weighed on Shinhan shares, which plunged 4.31 percent Wednesday following Tuesday’s announcement and fell a further 0.84 percent Thursday. The group agreed Tuesday to purchase a 77.04 percent stake in Lotte Insurance from private equity firm JKL Partners for 693.3 billion won ($514.6 million). After securing regulatory approval, it plans to acquire the remaining shares and eventually merge the insurer with its existing subsidiary, Shinhan EZ General Insurance. Lotte Insurance has 14 trillion won in assets and 3.34 million customers, giving Shinhan a substantially larger foothold in non-life insurance. The financial group aims to raise annual profit from the business to at least 120 billion won within three years. But market analysts warned that the insurer’s wea

2 MIN READ
Shinhan's Lotte Insurance deal faces profitability, capital hurdles thumbnail

Hanwha Systems' laser weapon intercepts all target drones in live demonstration

Hanwha Systems' laser air defense weapon Cheongwang successfully intercepted three out of three target drones in a live-fire demonstration, highlighting the company's efforts to expand its presence in the global air defense market. The company said Thursday that Cheongwang, also known as the Laser Air Defense Weapon Block-I, and a vehicle-mounted high-energy laser cannon intercepted the drones during the Army’s Army TIGER+ integrated combat exercise in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday. About 500 people attended the exercise, including the Army chief of staff, military officials, academics and industry experts. Cheongwang and the 30-kilowatt-class vehicle-mounted laser cannon achieved a 100 percent interception rate against the three drones. Small, low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as growing battlefield threats, serving both reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and as attack weapons. Laser weapons are gaining attention as next-generation air defense systems capable of countering drone swarms while addressing some limitations of conventional missile-b

2 MIN READ
Hanwha Systems' laser weapon intercepts all target drones in live demonstration thumbnail

Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] Zelenskyy's disclosure of NK POW transfer raises risks for families: experts

COVER STORY Zelenskyy's disclosure of NK POW transfer raises risks for families: experts

For two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in January 2025 while fighting for Russia, their recent arrival in South Korea, where they requested to go, offers freedom and the prospect of a new life. But for their families left behind in the North, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public disclosure of the transfer may have heightened potentially life-threatening risks, experts said Wednesday. They say the relatives may already have become vulnerable when the soldiers' capture was made public in January 2025, but the Kim Jong-un regime's retaliation against them could be harsher after Zelenskyy disclosed the soldiers' transfer to South Korea during his U.N. General Assembly speech on Sept. 23. Forced relocation, loss of official positions and tighter surveillance are among the possible consequences cited by the experts, although the families’ whereabouts and any punishments remain unconfirmed. “North Korea probably had already banished the families to remote mountainous areas and stripped those in official positions of their posts,” said Ahn Chan-il, a North

2 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Migrant Indie Art Festival seeks artistic independence with Declaration of Freedom

Migrant Indie Art Festival seeks artistic independence with Declaration of Freedom

The Migrant Indie Art Festival is back for its 15th year, but this time it's being held under a new name. Organized by the Asian Media Culture Factory, it started in 2012 as the Seoul Migrant Art Festival. This year's festival will be held in two venues from this Saturday to Oct. 25 in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo and Seodaemun districts, featuring events including music and screenings of films made by migrants living in Korea. Founded in late 2011, the Asian Media Culture Factory is a nonprofit cultural and arts organization led by migrants. The organizers told The Korea Times that their mission is to support migrant-led artistic practices and build a cultural and artistic platform for people who arrived from overseas. “We believe that everyone should have the right to engage in the arts, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion or visa status," they said. “We hope to create a space where migrant artists and cultural practitioners, who often have limited cultural and artistic networks and few opportunities to present their work in Korean society, can showcase their work and gain rec

4 MIN READ
Seoul expands express transit to relieve commuter rush

Seoul expands express transit to relieve commuter rush

2 MIN READ
Busan wins over overseas tourists

Busan wins over overseas tourists

4 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Korea opens 1st national sports museum to preserve historic triumphs

Korea opened its first national museum dedicated to sports on Thursday, bringing together thousands of artifacts documenting historic victories, Olympic milestones and moments that have shaped the country’s sporting identity. The National Sports Museum, located in Olympic Park in southern Seoul’s Songpa District, was established by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation to collect, preserve and showcase Korea’s sporting heritage. The museum houses about 70,000 sports-related artifacts and records, offering visitors a chance to revisit achievements that have inspired athletes and spectators across generations. Among its featured items are the gold medal won by marathon runner Suh Yun-bok at the 1947 Boston Marathon, soccer shoes belonging to Korean soccer pioneer Kim Yong-sik, the competition uniform worn by Yang Jung-mo, Korea’s first Olympic gold medalist, and the Olympic torch from the 1988 Seoul Games. The collection also includes the hoop used in the opening ceremony of the 1988 Olympics, recalling one of the event’s most memor

2 MIN READ
Korea opens 1st national sports museum to preserve historic triumphs
Interactive exhibition turns K-drama fans into regional tourists

Interactive exhibition turns K-drama fans into regional tourists

3 MIN READ
DMZ art show reframes Korea's divided landscape

DMZ art show reframes Korea's divided landscape

3 MIN READ
Everland welcomes capybara triplets

Everland welcomes capybara triplets

2 MIN READ
Bread, pizza, fish: Seoul unveils GPS art running trails

Bread, pizza, fish: Seoul unveils GPS art running trails

2 MIN READ

K-Culture

BTS' 'Hooligan' music video tops 100 mil. YouTube views

The music video for “Hooligan,” a track from BTS’ fifth studio album “ARIRANG,” surpassed 100 million YouTube views at around 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to the group’s agency, BigHit Music, a label under HYBE. It is the third music video from the album to reach the milestone, following those for lead single “Swim” and “2.0.” The album, named after a traditional Korean folk song widely regarded as the country’s unofficial national anthem, was released March 20. The “Hooligan” video was unveiled April 8 on the HYBE LABELS YouTube channel. The video contrasts a moss-covered gray space with vivid red sets. The seven members, in black outerwear and sporting tooth gems, perform a hard-hitting synchronized dance with a large group of backup dancers. “Hooligan” serves as the opening number of the group’s “ARIRANG” world tour. The alternative hip-hop track reflects on BTS’ journey of carving out its own path around the world. Its intro layers the sound of clashing blades over sweeping strings, and the song pairs a blade-based rhythm with deep 808 bass, a

2 MIN READ
BTS' 'Hooligan' music video tops 100 mil. YouTube views
Lee Soo-man's new girl group A2O Lite tops Melon chart

Lee Soo-man's new girl group A2O Lite tops Melon chart

2 MIN READ
INFINITE's vocalist plays the devil on his solo anniversary album

InterviewINFINITE's vocalist plays the devil on his solo anniversary album

4 MIN READ
Han Ji-min, Koo Kyo-hwan cast as married couple in upcoming disaster comedy film

Han Ji-min, Koo Kyo-hwan cast as married couple in upcoming disaster comedy film

1 MIN READ
How g.o.d's Son Ho-young learned to take long way into solo career

InterviewHow g.o.d's Son Ho-young learned to take long way into solo career

4 MIN READ

Celebrities

Rose to perform at LACMA's 2026 Art+Film Gala

Rose of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will perform at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's annual Art+Film Gala next month in Los Angeles, the museum announced. The singer is the musical guest of this year's edition honoring artist Vija Celmins and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, the museum said on its website Tuesday (U.S. time). Co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, the gala will take place Nov. 7. Gucci is returning as the presenting sponsor, with Audi providing transportation and additional support. "The LACMA Art+Film Gala celebrates creative icons and the connections between all forms of creativity, all around the world," Chow said in a statement. "As a global pop superstar, Rose will amplify the spirit of the evening with her incomparable talent and style." Proceeds from the annual fundraiser support the initiative to make film more central to the museum's curatorial programming and its broader mission, including exhibitions, acquisitions and educational programming.

1 MIN READ
Rose to perform at LACMA's 2026 Art+Film Gala
Ha Jung-woo, Cha Jung-won to marry in December

Ha Jung-woo, Cha Jung-won to marry in December

1 MIN READ
Report says 'Celebrity A,' not Kim Soo-hyun, was behind 2016 chats with Kim Sae-ron

Report says 'Celebrity A,' not Kim Soo-hyun, was behind 2016 chats with Kim Sae-ron

2 MIN READ
Former fromis_9 member Roh Ji-sun opens up about 15 years in entertainment industry

Former fromis_9 member Roh Ji-sun opens up about 15 years in entertainment industry

3 MIN READ
What made T.O.P apologize? Fan frustration erupts after dating news

What made T.O.P apologize? Fan frustration erupts after dating news

3 MIN READ

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle

  2. 'Super El Niño' could bring roller-coaster winter weather to Korea

  3. Seoul pushes back against US signal for OPCON transfer delay

  4. COVER STORY Black Thursday: KOSPI plunges 7% amid AI spending fears

  5. WEEKENDER 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

  6. Ukraine abandons truce, attacks Russian refinery as Zelenskyy says he feels betrayed by Trump

  7. Lee rejects reelection bid speculation, vows to continue reforms

  8. Seoul to maintain Ukraine support despite NK POW dispute

  9. Factory owner sentenced to 3 years for air gun assault on migrant worker

  10. Recon, suicide drones spot targets, strike in Army's future warfare drill

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