The Korea Times

Indian woman finds her true self in 'Made in Korea'

For many global fans, Korea is a land defined by the fancy scenes of K-dramas and the flashy performances of K-pop. However, the new Netflix film "Made in Korea," released March 12, presents a different reality from this fantasy, instead focusing on the harsh reality of an outsider struggling to adapt to Seoul. Directed by Ra Karthik, the story follows Shenba (Priyanka Mohan), a young woman from a quiet village in Tamil Nadu, India. Her fascination with Korea began early, sparked by the ancient legend of Heo Hwang-ok, the Indian princess who traveled across the sea to marry King Suro. This childhood curiosity eventually grew into a deep love for K-culture, leading the adult Shenba to travel to Seoul with the hopeful goal of living there for a year. However, Seoul is far from what she imagined. Upon arrival, she goes through the deep loneliness of being a stranger. She faces the coldness of busy people and soon loses her money to a scam, leaving her in a difficult situation. Rather than focusing on iconic landmarks like Gyeongbok Palace or N Seoul Tower, the cinematography lingers on the m

Mar 31, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Indian woman finds her true self in 'Made in Korea'

Trends

K-pop remains undisputed face of Korea for 9th consecutive year: survey

K-pop has fortified its status as the most influential symbol of Korea for nearly a decade, showing that the country's global identity has unquestionably shifted from associations with geopolitical risks to popular culture, according to a government survey released Monday. The 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) showed that K-pop has maintained its position as the first image that comes to mind when people overseas think of Korea for the ninth consecutive year, dating back to 2018. The survey, which polled 27,400 consumers of Korean content across 30 countries between November and December last year, found that 17.5 percent of respondents picked K-pop as the top representative image of Korea. This was followed by Korean food at 12.1 percent, dramas at 9.5 percent, beauty products at 6.2 percent and films at 5.9 percent. This ranking remains identical to the previous year, highlighting the consistent dominance of the five leading K-culture sectors. K-pop's long-term popularity has

Mar 30, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

K-pop remains undisputed face of Korea for 9th consecutive year: survey

Films

Documentary to show the night citizens defeated martial law crisis

A documentary capturing the urgent and chaotic night of Dec. 3, 2024, when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law, is set to premiere on April 22. Titled "Ran 12.3," (tentatively titled in English), the documentary film focuses on the courageous citizens who rushed to the National Assembly to stand against armed military forces attempting to neutralize the nation's constitutional body. The movie serves as a vivid record of how ordinary people took the lead in halting an illegal attempt to subvert democracy, its distribution company NEW said Friday. The film, directed by Lee Myung-se, famous for his 1999 film, “Nowhere to Hide,” highlights the collective will of the public through an archive. To reconstruct the events of that night, the production team utilized videos and photos provided by over 150 citizens, alongside records from 50 parliamentary offices and on-site reporting from journalists and YouTubers. In "Ran 12.3," the director employs an experimental approach by avoiding traditional narration and interviews. Instead, the narrative is driven entirely by mus

Mar 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Documentary to show the night citizens defeated martial law crisis

Films

Spring box office to bloom with mix of local horror, global sequels

The domestic film market in April is set to bloom with a diverse lineup of movies ranging from sensitive emotional dramas and terrifying local horror to long-awaited Hollywood sequels. This spring follows the historic dominance of "King’s Warden," which has topped the box office for eight consecutive weeks. As movie fans look for high-quality storytelling to follow this massive hit, new releases aim to attract audiences through global recognition and nostalgic storytelling. The month kicks off on April 1 with the Japanese romantic drama, "The Last Song You Left Behind," directed by Takahiro Miki. Based on the novel by Misaki Ichijo, the film follows the success of the emotional hit, "Even if This Love Disappears from the World Tonight," and stars Shunsuke Michieda and Meru Nukumi. The story centers on a boy who writes poems for a girl struggling to find her own words, as their shared emotions eventually transform into music. To meet Korean fans, Michieda is scheduled to visit here from April 3 to 5 for a three-day promotional tour. On April 8, the focus shifts to the mystery horror film

Mar 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Spring box office to bloom with mix of local horror, global sequels

Films

After long hiatus, Bae Sung-woo tests waters with new movie

For a leading actor here, a drunk driving scandal often leads to an immediate and prolonged halt in their career. For actor Bae Sung-woo, the release of the crime action film "The Ultimate Duo" follows a long, self-imposed hiatus that began after he fell from the height of his career due to a highly publicized legal controversy. Bae was once considered one of the industry’s most sought-after actors, successfully transitioning from a reliable supporting player to a powerful leading man. After years of adding depth to various films, he proved his star power in the 2015 thriller "The Phone." He then earned widespread acclaim for his portrayal of a righteous police officer in the 2018 tvN drama "Live," a role that resonated deeply with viewers. In 2019, his career reached a new peak with the box office success of horror film "Metamorphosis," where he took on the demanding lead role of an exorcist priest. However, his activities came to an abrupt stop in 2020. While starring in the SBS drama "Delayed Justice," Bae was caught driving under the influence on a day he was not filming. The incid

Mar 26, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

After long hiatus, Bae Sung-woo tests waters with new movie

Films

'The Ultimate Duo' proves worth 7-year wait

It took seven years due to a pandemic and a drunk driving scandal involving its lead actor, but the crime action film "The Ultimate Duo" has finally reached the big screen, proving that a well-crafted plot remains effective even years later. Directed by Park Cheol-hwan, the film follows an unlikely pair of detectives — Jae-hyeok (Bae Sung-woo), a veteran detective, demoted to a rural station, and Jung-ho (Jung Ga-ram), a wealthy influencer-turned-rookie cop. Their journey to Seoul to catch a real killer offers a seamless blend of comedy, high-stakes action and tense procedural drama. The story kicks off when the duo arrests a petty thief for stealing 48,700 won ($33) from a rural church offering box, only to discover he is a prime suspect in a murder case in Seoul's affluent Gangnam District. Despite the case being officially closed with another suspect (Yoon Kyung-ho) behind bars, the duo embarks on an unauthorized investigation. Supported by prosecutor Mi-ju (Esom), but hindered by the ambitious Gangnam team leader Oh Min-ho (Jo Han-chul), they dive into a web of conflicting testimon

Mar 25, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

'The Ultimate Duo' proves worth 7-year wait

People & Events

Jeju tea house brings wellness experience to Seoul

Hoesoodaok, a tea house rooted in the local traditions and natural landscape of Jeju Island, has opened a pop-up store in central Seoul to celebrate its recent designation as a top wellness travel destination. The Jeju-based tea house is hosting its pop-up store at Seochon Lounge, a public hanok space run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, from Wednesday through May 31. The event comes after the tea house was selected as one of the four new Excellent Wellness Tourism Destinations for 2026 by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Among the 88 sites reviewed by the KTO annually for their quality of service and facilities, Hoesoodaok was the only newcomer from Jeju to earn the official title this year. The pop-up offers a reinterpreted version of the brand’s signature tea course. Visitors can experience a variety of seasonal teas made from ingredients grown on the island, served alongside tea snacks made from local crops. Starting April 7, the venue will host a special tea program that changes its lineup according to the harvest season. In April, the program features two types of flowe

Mar 25, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Jeju tea house brings wellness experience to Seoul

People & Events

‘Emotion is goal of AI’: Samsung design chief

Mauro Porcini, president and chief design officer of Samsung Electronics, believes that the next era of innovation will not be defined by the cold efficiency of technology but by its ability to amplify human experience. During a masterclass at the 10th Italian Design Day in Seoul, Monday, the Italian designer laid out a road map to bridge the gap between the logic of artificial intelligence (AI) and human emotion. Humanizing technology through emotional intelligence Porcini, who joined Samsung’s Device Experience Division in April 2025, introduced a specific framework for innovation that he calls “AI x (EI+HI).” In this equation, AI is multiplied by emotional intelligence (EI) and human imagination (HI) because Porcini believes true competitive advantage lies in the human ability to empathize and imagine as AI becomes a commodity as accessible as the internet. “If you outsource everything to AI, the result will be the same as everyone else,” Porcini told the audience. “Whether you are a designer or a journalist, you need human imagination and empathy to create something origina

Mar 25, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

‘Emotion is goal of AI’: Samsung design chief

People & Events

Rev. Robert Brennan, dedicated advocate for the poor, dies at 84

The Rev. Robert John Brennan, a New Zealand-born Catholic priest who dedicated six decades to serving the urban poor and marginalized in Korea, died Saturday. He was 84. According to the Missionary Society of Saint Columban’s Korea branch, Brennan died at 4 a.m. at a nursing home in Seoul. Also known by his Korean name Ahn Gwang-hoon, the priest was a towering figure in the nation’s social welfare history and was recognized as a "godfather to the poor." Born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1941, he joined the Missionary Society of Saint Columban in 1959. The organization is a prominent international Catholic missionary society that has been active in Korea for decades. He was ordained in 1965 and arrived in Korea the following year. He spent his early years in the Diocese of Wonju in Gangwon Province, where he witnessed the devastating effects of high-interest private loans on local residents. To combat this, he established the Jeongseon Credit Union in 1972. He also opened the St. Francisco Clinic to provide affordable medical care. His activism extended to human rights during the dicta

Mar 23, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Rev. Robert Brennan, dedicated advocate for the poor, dies at 84

Films

BTS members reflect on fame, future in Netflix documentary

Following its historic live performance at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, BTS continues to invite fans into its private world through the new Netflix documentary "BTS: THE RETURN," which captures the journey toward its latest milestone. The documentary, set for global release on Friday, shows the group’s emotional reunion and the creative process behind its fifth studio album "ARIRANG." Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bao Nguyen, the film focuses on the transition from the members' mandatory military service to their return as a complete group. Nguyen, known for works such as “Be Water” (2020) and “The Greatest Night in Pop” (2024), described the project as the "greatest privilege" of his career. "It's about intimacy, it's about reunion, and at the end of the day, it's very much about brotherhood," Nguyen said during a press conference in Seoul, Friday. "I hope this film is a love letter to this time that the group has been away from the world." The director revealed that he drew inspiration from classical mythology to frame the group's hiatus and return, comparing the bond bet

Mar 23, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Baek Byung-yeul

Read more

Indian woman finds her true self in 'Made in Korea'

K-pop remains undisputed face of Korea for 9th consecutive year: survey

Documentary to show the night citizens defeated martial law crisis

Spring box office to bloom with mix of local horror, global sequels

After long hiatus, Bae Sung-woo tests waters with new movie

'The Ultimate Duo' proves worth 7-year wait

Jeju tea house brings wellness experience to Seoul

‘Emotion is goal of AI’: Samsung design chief

Rev. Robert Brennan, dedicated advocate for the poor, dies at 84

BTS members reflect on fame, future in Netflix documentary

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