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Baek Byung-yeul

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.

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Sports

PHOTO Promoting 'K-sport' hangung to the world

Hu Kwang, right, founder of hangung, or Korean hand archery, and president of World Hangung Association, poses with Janez Sodrznik of Slovenia, center, newly elected president of The Association For International Sport for All (TAFISA), and Kang Seok-jae, World Hangung Association vice president, during the TAFISA general assembly meeting in Prague, May 15. The World Hangung Association said Friday that it successfully promoted the Korean-born sport, which blends traditional Asian archery and pitch-pot with Western darts to global sports officials during the five-day event to expand its international presence. Courtesy of World Hangung Association

May 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
[PHOTO] Promoting 'K-sport' hangung to the world
People & Events

Yoido Full Gospel Church opens 52nd World Mission Conference

Bringing together hundreds of missionaries from around the globe, Yoido Full Gospel Church launched its 52nd World Mission Conference at its main sanctuary in Seoul on Wednesday to discuss future evangelical strategies and share their mission experiences. The three-day annual event ran from Wednesday to Friday at the church's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul, and the Youngsan Camp in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, under the theme “Mission, Driven Only by the Power of the Cross.” Every May, Yoido Full Gospel Church hosts the event to honor the dedication of overseas missionaries. This year's conference drew 677 missionaries and their families serving in 67 countries across the world, alongside tens of thousands of church members. During the opening service on Wednesday, Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of the church, delivered a sermon, emphasizing the core essence of Christian mission work. "The world is currently in deep lamentation and despair due to wars, famines and natural disasters, and the only path to salvation is the cross of Jesus Christ," Lee said. "Just as the Apostle Paul co

May 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Yoido Full Gospel Church opens 52nd World Mission Conference
Travel & Food

LEE'S 1ST YEAR IN OFFICE President bets big on regional tourism

No president in Korean history has taken tourism more seriously than President Lee Jae Myung. Previous presidents did not feel the need to focus heavily on tourism because the Korean economy largely relied on exports such as electronics, refined petroleum products, automobiles and semiconductors. However, the situation looked quite different when Lee took office last year. The global popularity of Korean dramas, films and K-pop artists has drawn international tourists to Korea to visit locations featured in their favorite shows, eat dishes enjoyed by celebrities and shop for beauty products used by K-pop stars. Lee also had his own reason to push for tourism, as he seeks to alleviate Korea's slowing economic growth, demographic decline and weak regional economies. The president has described tourism as a “core national strategic industry,” stressing that the country must move beyond Seoul-centered tourism growth to achieve sustainable expansion. “Tourism is a key national strategic industry for Korea,” Lee said during a meeting to discuss national tourism strategy in February.

May 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
[LEE'S 1ST YEAR IN OFFICE] President bets big on regional tourism
Films

Um Tae-goo showcases unexpected rapper charms in 'Wild Sing'

Actor Um Tae-goo is widely recognized for his deep, husky voice and quiet personality. Having built a reputation through intense, dark roles, the actor has rarely been associated with high-energy comedy. However, the 42-year-old is set to shock audiences by transforming into a rapper in the upcoming comedy film "Wild Sing." Um portrays Sang-gu, who constantly talks in a high voice, loves hip-hop and even makes cute faces while dancing. The actor said Thursday that taking on this unconventional character was a terrifying challenge that pushed him to his physical and mental limits. "Everything about this role was a burden, including the comedy genre itself, the rapping and keeping the character's tension so incredibly high," Um told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul. "Intellectually, I always knew that comedy is the most difficult genre of acting, but experiencing it made me realize how truly challenging it is to make someone laugh. I now deeply respect actors who specialize in this field." Directed by Sohn Jae-kon, "Wild Sing" follows Triangle, a former idol group that attempts a comeback

May 28, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Um Tae-goo showcases unexpected rapper charms in 'Wild Sing'
People & Events

Gov't aims to boost K-culture exports to $110 bil. by 2030

When President Lee Jae Myung took office last year, his administration's goal for K-culture exports by 2030 was set at $35 billion. On Thursday, the government updated the target at a much higher level: $110 billion. The new export target came up as the government redefined the scope of K-culture and recalculated its market size. Under the new definition, K-culture now includes tourism, K-food, K-beauty and K-fashion. “Inbound foreign tourism is a natural result and extra benefit of K-culture, because visitors come to Korea after falling in love with its cultural charms,” Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. "We also included global demand for K-food, K-beauty and K-fashion, as these lifestyle choices are driven by overseas consumers' attraction to Korean culture." The minister also said: "At a time when many traditional sectors that have driven the Korean economy are facing challenges, an upgraded statistical figure proves that the K-culture sector is indeed another engine that can lead our future. We believe this clearer picture will he

May 28, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Gov't aims to boost K-culture exports to $110 bil. by 2030
Travel & Food

Barrier-free tourism gains ground in Korea

Korea’s tourism industry is increasingly shifting its focus toward barrier-free travel, as government agencies and local authorities expand programs designed to improve accessibility for seniors, people with disabilities and other travel-vulnerable groups amid growing demand for inclusive tourism experiences. The push shows a broader recognition that tourism accessibility is no longer limited to physical infrastructure such as ramps or wheelchair paths, but is increasingly viewed as part of a wider social environment that determines whether all people can comfortably participate in travel and leisure activities. “Barrier-free tourism is one of the basic conditions of an advanced society,” Han Sang-il, a professor from the Department of Hotel & Tourism Science at Daegu Catholic University, told The Korea Times. “A society can be evaluated by how well it cares for socially vulnerable people, and tourism should also be an area everyone can enjoy equally.” The renewed attention comes as the government places greater emphasis on the tourism sector as a future growth industry. The M

May 27, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Barrier-free tourism gains ground in Korea
Arts & Theater

Musical actor drops out of show, issues apology over Starbucks post

Musical actor Jung Min-chan has stepped down from the ongoing musical "Diaghilev" after facing online backlash over a social media post showing him drinking a beverage at Starbucks Korea, which recently came under fire for a marketing campaign criticized as insensitive to a painful chapter in Korea’s modern history. On Saturday, Jung posted a lengthy apology on his Instagram, stating, "I sincerely apologize for causing discomfort and disappointment to many people due to my recent social media post." The controversy began after Starbucks Korea faced severe criticism for holding a promotional event named "Tank Day" on May 18, which marks the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising. In Korea, tanks are a sensitive historical symbol associated with violent military suppression of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising. Although Starbucks Korea issued an official apology, the incident triggered a boycott against the coffee franchise. Jung sparked outrage by uploading a photo of his visit to a Starbucks store on his social media. When online users criticized the post, his initial response w

May 24, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Musical actor drops out of show, issues apology over Starbucks post
Films

Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' falls short of Palme d’Or win at Cannes

Director Na Hong-jin’s film “Hope” fell short of winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, but the genre-bending work remained one of the most talked-about entries in this year’s competition. Set in a remote harbor village near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, "Hope" follows a police chief and a rookie officer as they confront a mysterious being. Anchoring the spectacle, the ensemble cast — including Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon alongside Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell — gives performances anchored in fraught human reactions: fear, panic, denial and opportunism. Despite missing the top prize, “Hope” drew significant attention throughout the festival, emerging as a dark horse with its unconventional mix of thrills, comedy, action and science fiction. The film generated strong buzz at Cannes, selling to major international markets and mirroring the success of Park Chan-wook’s "Decision to Leave" (2022). Critics described it as a rare surprise in an otherwise subdued lineup. Na said the film stems from his contemp

May 24, 2026By Lee Hae-rin and Baek Byung-yeul
Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' falls short of Palme d’Or win at Cannes
Law & Crime

Voice file, messages involving actor Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Sae-ron manipulated by AI: Seoul police

A voice file of deceased actor Kim Sae-ron, in which she admits that she had been a minor when she began a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun, had been manipulated by artificial intelligence (AI), Korean language daily Chosun Ilbo reported Thursday, quoting a police document. The female actor committed suicide in February last year, raising allegations that Kim Soo-hyun was in part responsible. Kim Soo-hyun most recently enjoyed popularity with his role in the 2024 drama series "Queen of Tears." Following the spiraling allegations against him, Kim held an emotional press conference, claiming he had not been in a relationship with the deceased at the time of her suicide and that he had not dated Kim when she was a minor. The press conference and ensuing media coverage led to his downfall as an actor. Police have been conducting an investigation into the case since then, and on Wednesday sought an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui, head of the controversial YouTube channel HoverLab (GaroSero Institute), over allegations of defaming Kim Soo-hyun by spreading fabricated claims about his past r

May 21, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Voice file, messages involving actor Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Sae-ron manipulated by AI: Seoul police
Films

Jon Favreau aims to bridge generations with ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’

Director Jon Favreau is set to bring the iconic “Star Wars” franchise back to movie theaters for the first time in nearly seven years, aiming to capture both longtime fans and a fresh generation. The filmmaker emphasized that the franchise's latest installment, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” serves as a perfect gateway for newcomers. "It's my great pleasure to present 'Star Wars' to movie theaters for the first time in almost seven years. I hope this is an opportunity to introduce both new people to 'Star Wars,' but also an opportunity to engage with all the fans who've been there since the beginning,” Favreau said during an online press conference with Korean media on Thursday. The upcoming feature film serves as a big-screen continuation of "The Mandalorian" series, which first debuted in 2019. The story follows the lone bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) operating in the outer reaches of the galaxy, who forms a bond with a vulnerable, force-sensitive child named Grogu. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey across the stars. Favreau said that the immense g

May 21, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Jon Favreau aims to bridge generations with ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
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