The Korea Times

The Korea Times
My TimesLatest

US Midterms

Decisive Democratic victory could bring tougher OPCON transfer conditions: experts

The Democratic Party’s victory in the U.S. midterm elections could complicate Seoul’s push to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington, with experts warning that the new congressional majority may seek tougher conditions for the transfer. Democrats secured control of both the House and Senate, putting Congress in a stronger position to scrutinize U.S. President Donald Trump’s security policies, including U.S. troop deployments and defense cooperation with Seoul. Shin Beom-chul, a senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute and former vice defense minister, warned that the Democratic victory could create new hurdles for Seoul’s OPCON ambitions. “If Democrats take control of Congress, they could impose tougher conditions on the OPCON transfer through the National Defense Authorization Act,” Shin said. Seoul seeks to retake OPCON by 2028, with the allies set to decide on the timeline at a security consultative meeting slated for early next year. The election outcome gives Democrats greater leverage over defense legislation. Any new restrictions on OPCON trans

3 MIN READ
Decisive Democratic victory could bring tougher OPCON transfer conditions: experts thumbnail

Democrats usher in new era with resounding sweep of the House and the Senate

WASHINGTON — Democrats are riding their sweep of Congress into a new era, eager to meet voter demands for change with plans to tackle high costs of living and confront President Donald Trump's final years in the White House. In a nationwide romp, Democrats ousted Republicans from coast to coast, with many surprising places in between, as voters rejected the president’s party for the promise of something different for the country. Their majorities will be padded by wide margins in both the House and the Senate. The results set up a divided government, with Congress poised to reassert itself as a coequal branch ready to challenge Trump and reverse course after two years of unified GOP control. “We hear you,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who would make history as the first Black speaker of the House if his colleagues elect him to the job when the new Congress begins on Jan. 3, 2027. “We're going to work hard to deliver on the dramatic change that you deserve,” he said. The tally was decisive, at times bewildering, for the staggering scope of Democrati

3 MIN READ
Democrats usher in new era with resounding sweep of the House and the Senate thumbnail

US stocks surge, Brent oil's price drops below $95 per barrel

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are soaring Wednesday after President Donald Trump’s party lost its sole control of Washington in the midterm elections. Stocks generally do well in the months following any midterm U.S. election, regardless of who wins, and the S&P 500 jumped 1.8 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,524 points, or 2.9 percent, as of noon Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 2.1 percent higher. Stocks of solar-power companies, dollar stores and hospital owners helped lead the way as Wall Street tried to sort the winners from losers following the widespread losses for Republicans. Investors, meanwhile, see risks ahead for Trump’s social-media company, the artificial-intelligence industry and businesses owned by Elon Musk, who donated heavily to Republicans. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil fell below $100 for the first time in nearly a month. Vice President JD Vance blamed the war with Iran, which caused a spike in oil prices, for Republicans’ midterm losses. Strategists along Wall Street had been urging investors not to get swept up in the elect

4 MIN READ
US stocks surge, Brent oil's price drops below $95 per barrel thumbnail

Seoul stocks face fresh uncertainty as Democrats retake US Congress

Korean stocks face growing policy uncertainty after Democrats regained control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the U.S. midterm elections, according to market analysts, Wednesday. They say obstacles to extending corporate tax cuts and the prospect of stricter oversight of Big Tech and artificial intelligence (AI) could fuel volatility in Korea’s tech-heavy stock market. However, sweeping policy changes remain unlikely given U.S. President Donald Trump’s veto power and ability to issue executive orders, the analysts said. Over the medium term, Korean stocks are expected to be driven more by returns on AI investment, semiconductor demand and foreign investor flows than by the election outcome itself. KOSPI closed slightly higher after a volatile session as investors assessed the implications of the Democrats’ victory. After rebounding 2.24 percent in the previous session, the benchmark opened at 5,786.13, up 137.34 points, or 2.43 percent, and climbed as high as 5,828.13, a gain of 3.17 percent. It then reversed course, falling as much as 4.02 percent to 5,421.

3 MIN READ
Seoul stocks face fresh uncertainty as Democrats retake US Congress thumbnail

'S. Korea ignored North's 2023 offer for joint UNESCO taekwondo listing'

In 2023, despite freezing inter-Korean relations and heightened cross-border tensions, North Korea proposed a joint UNESCO heritage listing for taekwondo — only for the South Korean government to sit on the offer and miss a crucial window, according to a key advocacy leader. Choi Jae-chun, head of the KOREA Taekwondo UNESCO Promotion Committee, revealed Wednesday that Pyongyang suggested a collaborative inscription modeled after the successful joint 2018 UNESCO registration of "ssireum," traditional Korean wrestling. However, the lack of response from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration allowed North Korea to press ahead with a standalone application that is nearing final approval next month, raising fears that Seoul is ceding historical leadership over its national martial art. "In 2023, North Korea reached out to me," Choi said. "Inter-Korean relations were extremely strained at the time, but Ri Yong-son, president of the North Korean-backed International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), sent word suggesting that filing separate applications first and merging them into a joint listing late

2 MIN READ
'S. Korea ignored North's 2023 offer for joint UNESCO taekwondo listing' thumbnail

Korean celebrities reveal painful school bullying experiences

Korean television personality Lee Hye-sung has opened up about her painful experience of being bullied during her school years, drawing renewed attention to similar revelations by celebrities including actor Park Seo-joon, singer Sung Si-kyung and travel YouTuber KwakTube. On Friday, Lee discussed the bestselling self-help book "The Courage to Be Disliked" on her YouTube channel, Lee Hye-sung's 1% Book Club, offering advice to people struggling with school bullying and social exclusion. "If you think school is the only community where you belong, it can be incredibly painful when you're bullied or can't make friends," Lee said. "I've been through it myself." Reflecting on her middle school years, Lee said she had struggled to see beyond the difficult circumstances she faced at the time. "When I was younger, in middle school, I couldn't think that way. There wasn't an adult around who could tell me something like that, either," she said. "That's why the situation was so incredibly painful and difficult." Her candid account has brought renewed attention to other Korean celebrities who have

2 MIN READ
Korean celebrities reveal painful school bullying experiences thumbnail

Lions defeat Wiz in extra innings to even up Korean Series

SUWON — The Samsung Lions edged out the KT Wiz 3-2 in extra innings on the road Wednesday to even up the Korean Series at one game apiece. The Lions scored the go-ahead run on an error by Wiz second baseman Oh Yoon-suk in the top of the 12th inning before a sellout crowd of 17,700 at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, some 30 kilometers south of Seoul. Lewin Diaz scampered home on the play to score the winning run. He batted 4-for-5 and drove in two runs for his team. He had two singles, a double and a triple to fall a home run shy of the first cycle in Korea Baseball Organization postseason history. The best-of-seven Korean Series will now shift to the Lions' home of Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, about 230 kilometers southeast of the capital, for the next three games. Game 3 will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by Game 4 at 2 p.m. Saturday and Game 5 at 2 p.m. Sunday. Against the sidearm pitcher Ko Young-pyo, the Lions put six straight left-handed batters in their starting lineup. Two of them had a hand in opening the scoring in the top of the second inning. Choi Hyoung-woo, who moved up a spot to

3 MIN READ
Lions defeat Wiz in extra innings to even up Korean Series thumbnail

Hoban becomes Hanjin KAL's largest shareholder, overtaking Cho Won-tae

Hoban Group has become the largest shareholder of Hanjin KAL, overtaking Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae and his related parties, according to a regulatory filing Wednesday, marking a significant shift in the ownership structure of the holding company behind Korean Air. Hanjin KAL disclosed that Hoban Group and related parties held a combined 13,814,053 common shares, totaling a 20.69 percent stake in Hanjin KAL, confirming the change in its largest shareholder position as of Wednesday. The disclosure follows growing speculation over whether Hoban's share had surpassed Cho's after the construction group recently purchased additional Hanjin KAL shares and reported it with the Fair Trade Commission. “However, as disclosed by Hanjin KAL’s recent report, Cho and his related parties could regain their position as Hanjin KAL’s largest shareholder once they complete the planned purchase of 325,000 shares by Jan. 1 next year,” an official from Korean Air said. As of Wednesday, Cho and his related parties secured a 20.58 percent stake in Hanjin KAL, which shifted their position to the f

2 MIN READ
Hoban becomes Hanjin KAL's largest shareholder, overtaking Cho Won-tae thumbnail

Yoon loses appeal in election law case, putting PPP campaign reimbursement at risk

An appellate court on Wednesday upheld a lower court's conviction of former President Yoon Suk Yeol for making false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign. If the ruling becomes final, it could require the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) to repay 39.7 billion won ($30 million) in campaign reimbursements. The Seoul High Court upheld the lower court’s sentence of 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, over statements Yoon made before his election in March 2022. “By making false statements during the campaign, he infringed on voters’ right to make an informed decision and undermined the fairness of the election and the integrity of the electoral process,” judge Baek Seung-yeop said. The verdict leaves the party facing a substantial financial liability, although the repayment obligation depends on the conviction becoming final. Under the election law, presidential candidates who win or receive at least 15 percent of the vote qualify for full reimbursement of eligible campaign expenses. But the funds must be returned if a candidate receives a prison senten

2 MIN READ
Yoon loses appeal in election law case, putting PPP campaign reimbursement at risk thumbnail

Doctor injured in stabbing attack at hospital in western Seoul

A man stabbed and injured a doctor at a major hospital in western Seoul, police said Wednesday, adding that they are investigating the motive for the attack. The Seodaemun Police Station said it apprehended the man presumed to be in his 50s on suspicion of aggravated assault after he allegedly stabbed a psychiatry professor with a knife at Severance Hospital at around 4:30 p.m. The doctor sustained a wound measuring 5 centimeters and was taken to an emergency room for treatment. According to sources, the suspect was not a patient waiting for medical treatment at the hospital. Police are investigating the exact motive behind the suspect's attack.

1 MIN READ
Doctor injured in stabbing attack at hospital in western Seoul thumbnail

Korean actors take on fictional fantasy monarchy in 'The Remarried Empress'

“I accept the divorce. And I request approval to remarry.” Korean actors portray a palace romance set in an imaginary empire in an unspecified time and place, where love and betrayal intertwine with power and desire in the Disney+ original series “The Remarried Empress.” Released Tuesday, the series is based on a hit web novel turned webtoon. The series opens the door to live-action adaptations of Korean romantic fantasy works. Can the bold experiment push genre boundaries and expand storytelling horizons? In Korea, the romantic fantasy genre typically combines fantasy elements with an imaginary aristocratic society reminiscent of medieval Europe. This has made live-action adaptations particularly challenging. When KBS adapted the web novel “The First Night With the Duke” into a drama, it relocated the story to the Joseon era and gave its characters Korean names to make the setting more familiar to viewers. “The Remarried Empress,” however, takes a different approach, focusing on recreating the original fantasy world on screen. Moving the story to a specific period in Ko

2 MIN READ
Korean actors take on fictional fantasy monarchy in 'The Remarried Empress' thumbnail

Jamsu Bridge car-free festival draws record crowds before pedestrian-only conversion

Seoul’s car-free festival on Jamsu Bridge drew a record 2.38 million visitors this year, the city said Wednesday. That brings attendance over five years to 7.68 million as the bridge gets ready to become a pedestrian-only crossing. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said this year’s Car-free Jamsu Bridge Ttubeok-ttubeok Festival ended on Oct. 25. “Ttubeok-ttubeok” is a Korean word for the sound of footsteps. Jamsu Bridge opened in 1976. It sits just above the Han River’s surface, under the upper deck of Banpo Bridge, making it the bridge closest to the water. Cars have been kept off it on festival Sundays since 2022. This year’s festival ran on 15 Sundays from April to June and from September to October, drawing an average of 159,000 visitors a day. Attendance was about 1.4 times last year’s and about 2.1 times that of 2022. Food trucks, a handicraft market and a farmers’ market sold about 2.58 billion won ($1.8 million) worth of goods. That is a record, about 1.7 times the previous high set in 2024. Food truck operators donated 53.27 million won of their earnings. The busi

2 MIN READ
Jamsu Bridge car-free festival draws record crowds before pedestrian-only conversion thumbnail

VIDEO Inside the lab behind a K-beauty best-seller

Every two seconds, someone somewhere in the world buys a Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. The small pink jar has become one of the best-known products of the K-beauty boom. How did a country that only a few generations ago had a handful of basic beauty creams become one of the world's top cosmetics exporters? Looking at Amorepacific R&I center's researcher, we explored story behind the lip mask, and the industry around it. The Lip Sleeping Mask is a favorite not only in Korea but also across North America and Europe. It has become a fixture at Sephora, where it ranks among the best-reviewed lip treatments. Shoppers in the U.S. and Canada have turned it into a cult favorite. One reason for that rise starts in Korea itself: Korean shoppers are known for reading ingredient lists, comparing reviews and switching brands quickly when something better comes along. Industry analysts point to these demanding consumers as a major driver of K-beauty's success. A product that wins them over has already passed a tough test before it goes abroad. That pressure also keeps companies moving quickly. New K-be

2 MIN READ
[VIDEO] Inside the lab behind a K-beauty best-seller thumbnail

DaouKiwoom-CJ consortium to sign deal to acquire JoongAng Ilbo this week

A consortium comprising CJ, Shinsegae and two other companies will sign a deal Thursday to acquire debt-laden South Korean newspaper publisher JoongAng Ilbo, the company said Wednesday. Under the deal, the DaouKiwoom-CJ consortium will purchase 520 billion won ($388 million) worth of new shares in JoongAng Ilbo, with Daou Technology, CJ, Shinsegae and Saramin contributing 36.5 percent, 35.7 percent, 14.1 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively. The agreement, set to be signed Thursday, would make the consortium JoongAng Ilbo's largest shareholder. In July, JoongAng Ilbo entered a debt workout program led by its main creditor, Hana Bank, and other lenders amid liquidity problems at its parent, JoongAng Group. JoongAng Ilbo said it will receive all proceeds from the share sale and use the funds to improve its financial health and address risks associated with its debt. The consortium said it plans to retain all current employees and provide a stable working environment without layoffs. JoongAng Ilbo also said the consortium pledged to guarantee press freedom and editorial independence. "We wil

1 MIN READ
DaouKiwoom-CJ consortium to sign deal to acquire JoongAng Ilbo this week thumbnail

SK hynix faces dilemma between Solidigm investment, Chinese plant expansion

SK hynix is facing a growing dilemma over U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductor equipment for its NAND flash plant in China, as Washington's reluctance to approve equipment shipments slows the chipmaker's plans to generate revenue from the Chinese plant to finance new production facilities for its NAND flash unit Solidigm in the United States. Reuters reported on Wednesday that U.S. officials have held up approval for American chipmaking equipment needed by SK hynix to expand production in its NAND plant in Dalian, China. The Dalian plant is a key production hub for Solidigm, manufacturing NAND flash memory and enterprise solid-state drives used in smartphones and data centers. SK hynix is seeking to resume investment in its second Dalian plant to expand NAND production capacity. SK hynix had its Validated End User status expanded by the U.S. Commerce Department in 2023, effectively allowing it to bring American chipmaking equipment into its Chinese plants indefinitely. However, Washington revoked the status at the end of 2025 and replaced it with annual export licenses that al

2 MIN READ
SK hynix faces dilemma between Solidigm investment, Chinese plant expansion thumbnail

Seoul to curb downtown marathons after road closures disrupt 190 bus routes

Seoul plans to tighten oversight of downtown marathons through a joint consultative body with police and other government agencies, responding to mounting complaints about road closures, traffic congestion, noise and litter. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it will work with city police authorities to review race schedules, routes, traffic diversions and safety management plans for 2027. Detailed arrangements will be announced in December. Organizers preparing next year’s events were asked to refrain from recruiting participants until consultations on safety plans and traffic restrictions are complete. “While we recognize the contribution marathons make to the health of many residents, the disruption caused by downtown races has recently become a growing concern for others,” said Cho Sung-ho, director general of the city’s tourism and sports bureau. “We ask event organizers to take the initiative and work with us to address the issue.” The latest such disruption occurred on Sunday, when marathons prompted extensive road closures from Gwanghwamun to Olympic Par

2 MIN READ
Seoul to curb downtown marathons after road closures disrupt 190 bus routes thumbnail

SK Group chairman to chair board of SK hynix's US AI arm

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will chair the board of HYAICO, the U.S.-based artificial intelligence (AI) investment arm of SK hynix, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filing, made public Wednesday local time, identified the company as HYAICO, formerly known by its tentative name AI, which SK hynix announced in January with plans to invest up to $10 billion. SK hynix earlier said the new arm would help "accelerate AI advancement in global markets" and "find new AI growth engines." The new arm will be launched by restructuring SK hynix's existing U.S. arm, SK hynix NAND Product Solutions, also known as Solidigm. The chipmaker will instead set up a separate subsidiary called Solidigm to retain the brand name. Other current and former SK Group executives, meanwhile, will join Chey on HYAICO's board, and SK hynix President Song Hyun-jong will serve as HYAICO's chief executive.

1 MIN READ
SK Group chairman to chair board of SK hynix's US AI arm thumbnail

Hotel manager accused of tricking BTS fan into canceling booking, reselling rooms at 7 times the price

A hotel manager in Busan has been referred to prosecutors on fraud charges after allegedly tricking a guest into canceling a reservation for a BTS concert weekend, then reselling rooms at up to seven times their normal rates. The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit said Wednesday that it had referred the manager, a person in their 50s, to prosecutors without detention. According to police, the manager allegedly contacted a guest in mid-May who had booked a hotel room at the regular rate in mid-January to attend BTS concerts scheduled for June 12 and 13 in Busan. The manager, who was responsible for handling reservations and cancellations, allegedly falsely told the guest that the hotel had been overbooked. "We have dozens of overbooked reservations right now, so there's nothing we can do. Please cancel your reservation through the booking website," the manager allegedly told the guest. However, a police investigation, including a search and seizure operation and interviews with people involved, found that rooms were still available for

2 MIN READ
Hotel manager accused of tricking BTS fan into canceling booking, reselling rooms at 7 times the price thumbnail

'They just need a chance': Mother of twins with autism calls for more inclusive schools

ULSAN — “Chae-a, do you like drawing?” “Yes!” “You won an award for your drawing. What did you do with your picture at school?” “I showed it off.” “How did you feel when you showed it to everyone?” “Happy. Excited.” The eight-year-old's answers were brief, but her drawings were filled with endless stories. Jang Chae-a, 8, a second-grader at Samdong Elementary School in Ulsan, won the gold prize in the 8-10 age category at the 2026 International Youth Art Contest (IYAC), a global competition for children and teenagers. She met with the Hankook Ilbo on Oct. 29 in Ulsan. Chae-a, who is on the autism spectrum, has difficulty expressing her thoughts spontaneously through speech. But her mother, Lee Kyung-geum, 43, said this does not mean her daughter lacks the desire to communicate or the determination to do things well. “It's as though all the stories she cannot fully put into words pour onto the drawing paper,” Lee said with a smile. Chae-a's award-winning work, titled “My Wonderful World of Stories,” is filled with images of children in traditional Korean clothi

4 MIN READ
'They just need a chance': Mother of twins with autism calls for more inclusive schools thumbnail

Korea draws record $2 bil. foreign investment pledges in AI, semiconductors

Korea secured a record $2 billion in foreign investment pledges from seven global companies, primarily in semiconductors, advanced materials and energy industry, as the government seeks to position the country as a key investment destination amid growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said the pledges were announced at its annual Invest Korea Summit 2026, a three-day investment promotion event jointly hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, which opened in Seoul on Wednesday. The event brought together 267 foreign investors and companies, along with around 2,000 business officials globally. The investment commitments mark the largest amount ever secured at the annual summit in its 22-year history, with about 97 percent of the pledged funds earmarked for regions outside the Seoul metropolitan area. "The record-high investment pledges demonstrate global companies' confidence in the Korean economy," KOTRA President and CEO Kang Kyung-sung said. "Korea, with its solid manuf

2 MIN READ
Korea draws record $2 bil. foreign investment pledges in AI, semiconductors thumbnail

From T-shirts to padded jackets: Why Korea's October weather swung so wildly

Koreans went from wearing short sleeves to pulling out padded winter jackets last month as temperatures swung dramatically between summer-like heat and early winter chills. The reason, meteorologists say, was a massive high-pressure system thousands of kilometers away over Russia's Ural Mountains. The atmospheric phenomenon, known as "Ural blocking," disrupted the usual flow of weather systems, allowing cold Arctic air to surge south toward the Korean Peninsula. Scientists say rapid warming in the Arctic may have helped intensify the disruption by weakening the jet stream that normally helps contain frigid air in northern latitudes. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) released its analysis of October's climate conditions on Wednesday, identifying extreme temperature variability as the month's defining characteristic. The difference between the warmest and coldest daily average temperatures nationwide reached 14 degrees Celsius, the fourth-largest October fluctuation on record. The average temperature stood at 22.1 degrees on Oct. 12 before plunging to 8.1 degrees on Oct. 28. Se

3 MIN READ
From T-shirts to padded jackets: Why Korea's October weather swung so wildly thumbnail

Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] President, first lady to get new passports after personal data exposure

COVER STORY President, first lady to get new passports after personal data exposure

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung are having new passports issued after their passport and other personal information were leaked, the foreign ministry said, Tuesday. The government and the police are investigating how the data was exposed, although they believe it was a leak, not an external cyberattack. “The foreign ministry is swiftly taking measures to ensure the smooth reissuance of passports for all affected individuals, including the president and first lady,” ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said during a briefing. The measures came after it was known that sensitive personal information of 168 people who were aboard the presidential jet for Lee’s trip to Europe in June had been uploaded on a security-related paid website. The leak affected not only the presidential couple but also ranking officials, including then-chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, current Prime Minister Han Seong-sook and several Cabinet members, as well as senior officials from Cheong Wa Dae and the foreign ministry, security personnel and

3 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Han River autumn concert brings jazz, classical music, Korean favorites to Yeouido

Han River autumn concert brings jazz, classical music, Korean favorites to Yeouido

As autumn deepens in Seoul, the Han River will become an open-air concert hall Saturday, with four musical acts bringing classical, jazz and popular music to Yeouido for a free evening performance against the city's illuminated skyline. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday it will host Autumn Night on the Han River, Filled With Music at Yeouido Mulbit Stage in Yeouido Hangang Park, beginning 5 p.m. this Saturday. The approximately two-hour program will feature four acts: singer Choi Seung-yeol and Kim Chang-ki of the band Zoo, jazz duo Park Jeong-in and Lee Gyu-ri, vibraphone player Yoon Hyun-sang and string quartet Ensemble Allegri. Choi gained attention as a runner-up on the second season of the television program "Hidden Singer," where he performed songs by the late singer Kim Kwang-seok. Kim Chang-ki, a singer and songwriter who performed with Kim Kwang-seok in Zoo, wrote popular songs including "On the Street" and "I'll Love You." Park and Lee will offer jazz performances, while Yoon will move between classical, jazz and pop through vibraphone arrangements. Ensemble Allegri,

2 MIN READ

Lifestyle

'Knockout drink' returns after 11 years, and young Koreans can't get enough

Captain Q, the legendary liquor brand, has made a comeback after 11 years, sparking a nationwide craze. For middle-aged and older consumers who enjoyed it in the past, the relaunch evokes nostalgia. For younger generations who never got to try it, the brand has become an object of curiosity, fueled by notorious hangover tales that have evolved into entertaining internet memes. The product is now so hard to find that it is reportedly changing hands on the secondhand market for several times its retail price. Captain Q was first launched in 1980 by Lotte Chilsung Beverage, then known as Lotte Liquor, and is considered one of the original mass-market Korean liquors. Such products were developed at a time when liquor imports were restricted. They were essentially imitation spirits made by blending neutral alcohol (ethanol) with coloring, flavoring and small amounts of liquor concentrates to mimic the taste and aroma of imported spirits. Captain Q was one such product, containing a small amount of rum concentrate. Its affordable price made it particularly popular among college students and

3 MIN READ
'Knockout drink' returns after 11 years, and young Koreans can't get enough

K-Culture

BTS concerts in Taiwan, Indonesia to be screened at movie theaters in over 80 countries

Two shows from K-pop supergroup BTS' upcoming tour in Taiwan and Jakarta will be livestreamed at movie theaters in more than 80 countries and regions, the group's agency said Tuesday. The live viewings will feature the group's second-day show in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Nov. 21 and its third-day show in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 29, BigHit Music said in a notice posted on K-pop fan community platform Weverse. The Kaohsiung and Jakarta concerts will be shown on about 3,300 and 2,800 large screens worldwide, respectively. In South Korea, audiences can watch them at three major cinema chains — CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox. BigHit Music said screening times will be adjusted for different time zones, meaning viewers in some regions will watch delayed broadcasts one to two days later. The shows are part of the Asian leg of the group's "ARIRANG" tour, set to kick off in Kaohsiung on Nov. 19. The septet will hold a total of 15 performances across five cities that also include Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The group completed its South American tour in Sao Paulo late last month, selling o

1 MIN READ
BTS concerts in Taiwan, Indonesia to be screened at movie theaters in over 80 countries

Celebrities

Song Joong-ki's son steals attention with striking resemblance to actor dad

Actor Song Joong-ki has drawn attention after photos of a family outing with his wife, Katy Louise Saunders, and their two children spread across Chinese social media, with fans particularly surprised by how much his 3-year-old son has grown. Photos and witnes accounts of the family of four recently circulated on Chinese social media platforms, showing Song enjoying a casual outing with Saunders, their son and their daughter, who is approaching her second birthday. The family was spotted in an underground pedestrian passage leading to Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. In the photos, Song is dressed casually and wearing a cap as he pushes a stroller. What particularly caught fans' attention was the couple's firstborn son, who has grown considerably and now appears to reach nearly his father's waist. According to eyewitness accounts, the boy displayed a cheerful, outgoing personality, smiling and greeting people around him. The couple's younger daughter reportedly sat quietly in the stroller, which Song pushed himself throughout the outing. Chinese social media users also pointed out the boy's re

1 MIN READ
Song Joong-ki's son steals attention with striking resemblance to actor dad

Get key insights on Korea from the members-only personalized news service My Times.

Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Former supermodel Kim Ja-yeon marries Samsung executive at 45

  2. Decisive Democratic victory could bring tougher OPCON transfer conditions: experts

  3. I came to Korea to learn Korean. I ended up learning about the world

  4. 'S. Korea ignored North's 2023 offer for joint UNESCO taekwondo listing'

  5. Korean won to strengthen against dollar following Democrats' midterm sweep

  6. Yoon loses appeal in election law case, putting PPP campaign reimbursement at risk

  7. Democrats seize US Congress in sweeping midterm repudiation of Trump

  8. Doctor injured in stabbing attack at hospital in western Seoul

  9. Democratic sweep in US midterms dims prospects for Trump-Kim summit, analysts say

  10. US stocks surge, Brent oil's price drops below $95 per barrel

Video

Interesting contents

Taboola 후원링크