The Korea Times

Seoul city bus union goes on indefinite strike

Seoul’s city bus union launched a full strike starting with the first buses early Tuesday morning, after last-minute wage talks with management collapsed overnight, causing commuting disruptions amid a severe wave of cold weather. Negotiations between the union and management lasted more than 10 hours and continued past midnight under mediation by the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission. Despite extending talks beyond a self-imposed deadline, the two sides failed to reach an agreement. The union proceeded with a strike at 4 a.m., affecting all 18,700 union members across 64 bus companies. The dispute centers on how to apply a Supreme Court ruling that recognized bonuses as part of ordinary wages. Management proposed revising the wage system by folding bonuses into base pay and offered a wage increase in the low double-digit range. The union rejected any wage system overhaul, instead demanding a 3 percent pay raise this year and an extension of the retirement age to 65. Management countered that the proposal could result in an effective wage increase of nearly 20 percent, calling

Jan 13, 2026By Jane Han

Seoul city bus union goes on indefinite strike

South Korea

Lee Boo-jin’s modest look stands out at scholarship ceremony

At a scholarship ceremony Friday, Hotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin appeared to dress with the intention of staying out of the spotlight. Instead, her modesty became the focus. Lee attended the 2026 scholarship certificate award ceremony of the Dooeul Scholarship Foundation at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul. The event brought together newly selected scholarship recipients for a formal presentation marking their selection. Lee, who chairs the foundation, used the ceremony to emphasize education and opportunity rather than personal prominence. Her outfit reflected that intent. The Samsung heiress wore a gray high-neck wool dress from domestic womenswear brand Dint, priced at 177,000 won ($125). The design, offered in gray and brown options, features a relaxed upper silhouette, a covered neckline and a clean H-line skirt, creating a look that is composed, restrained and quietly formal. After Lee appeared at the event, the dress rose to bestseller status on the brand’s website as photos circulated online. Commentators noted the contrast between her position as chief executive of Hotel Shilla

Jan 10, 2026By Jane Han

Lee Boo-jin’s modest look stands out at scholarship ceremony

World

Eat kimchi: US dietary guidelines highlight fermented foods

SEATTLE — Kimchi made its first appearance in the U.S. dietary guidelines this week, a small line in a federal nutrition document that is giving the Korean staple a noticeably bigger moment. Released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, the updated guidelines encourage Americans to eat more whole and minimally processed foods and single out fermented options such as kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir for their potential benefits to gut health. The revisions also recommend cutting back on ultra-processed foods and artificial additives, reflecting a broader rethink of how diet affects long-term health. Health officials cited a growing body of research showing how the gut microbiome affects digestion, immunity and overall health, pointing to fermented foods as a simple way to add beneficial bacteria to everyday diets. While kimchi has become increasingly popular in the U.S. in recent years, appearing on restaurant menus and grocery shelves well beyond Korean communities, its inclusion in the latest federal dietary guidelines marks a s

Jan 9, 2026By Jane Han

Eat kimchi: US dietary guidelines highlight fermented foods

Foreign Affairs

Pororo pops up in Lee’s message to North Korea

After wrapping up his four-day state visit to China, President Lee Jae Myung sent a message to North Korea invoking Pororo, a cartoon penguin character familiar on both sides of the border. In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Lee wrote that “one day, the abnormal state of chaos and hostility on the Korean Peninsula will be overcome,” adding New Year’s greetings to the North. He paired the message with a photo of two penguins and the caption “Meet up, Ppo-Jae-myung and Ppo-Jong-un,” a play on words linking himself with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The post referenced a recent Hankyoreh column that mentions "Pororo the Little Penguin" as a joint South-North animation launched in 2003 through shared expertise and technology. The column notes that penguins are animals genetically wired to survive through coexistence and asks whether a similar instinct could guide relations between the two Koreas, imagining a meeting between the two leaders, characterized as Ppo-Jae-myung and Ppo-Jong-un. The timing of Lee’s message, shared shortly after his return from Ch

Jan 8, 2026By Jane Han

Pororo pops up in Lee’s message to North Korea

Foreign Affairs

Viral Lee-Xi selfie hands Xiaomi spotlight, sidelines Samsung

A casual selfie shared by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping has turned into an unexpected publicity boost for Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, while pushing Samsung Electronics — often regarded as Korea’s national tech champion — out of the frame. The photo, taken during Lee’s state visit to China and posted on his social media, showed the two leaders posing with a Xiaomi smartphone that Xi had previously given Lee as a gift. In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Lee asked, “Is the image quality good?” and described the selfie as a “once-in-a-lifetime photo,” drawing attention to the device used rather than the diplomatic setting. The image circulated widely on social media and was later picked up by overseas online media and tech-focused websites, which noted the use of a Xiaomi device by Korea’s president. “Think of Korean President Lee pulling out Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold phone and capturing a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping,” said Yash, a contributor to Samsung-focused tech media outlet Sammy Fa

Jan 7, 2026By Jane Han

Viral Lee-Xi selfie hands Xiaomi spotlight, sidelines Samsung

World

White House ‘FAFO’ post featuring Korean airport backdrop stirs curiosity

A blunt White House social media post following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has drawn unexpected attention among Korean online users, who quickly identified the photo’s background as a Korean airport and began speculating about whether its use carried a hidden message. The post, uploaded Saturday to the White House’s official Instagram and X accounts, featured a black-and-white image of President Donald Trump walking up stairs, overlaid with the acronym “FAFO,” a slang expression meaning “F--- Around and Find Out.” The caption read, “No games. FAFO.” While the message was widely interpreted as a warning directed at Maduro and other adversaries, Korean-language comments soon flooded the post after online users recognized the setting as Gimhae International Airport in Busan. The image was taken in October, when Trump visited South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a nearby air base. Screenshots of Korean comments questioning the photo choice circulated across online communities,

Jan 6, 2026By Jane Han

White House ‘FAFO’ post featuring Korean airport backdrop stirs curiosity

Companies

Shinsegae’s Twelve sparks Erewhon copycat debate online

SEATTLE — Shoppers in the U.S. may not have set foot inside Shinsegae’s new luxury store Twelve, but photos circulating online have been enough to spark copycat claims. Much of the debate centers on the luxury store’s striking resemblance to Erewhon, the Los Angeles grocer that has become known as an ultra-premium name in wellness retail. Images of Twelve’s sleek interiors, pastel-toned smoothies and wellness branding have spread quickly across Korean blogs and social media, with the conversation quickly reaching U.S. audiences familiar with Erewhon’s look and pricing. Bloggers and online users argue that the similarities go beyond global trends, pointing instead to excessive parallels in concept, visual language and product mix. “My first reaction was, ‘This is Erewhon,’” one blogger wrote, adding that the store’s overall mood and concept felt immediately familiar. Much of the discussion has centered on Twelve’s smoothie bar, where brightly colored drinks priced at around 28,000 won ($20) quickly drew comparisons to Erewhon’s famously expensive offerings, particu

Jan 3, 2026By Jane Han

Shinsegae’s Twelve sparks Erewhon copycat debate online

Shows & Dramas

Lee Je-hoon chokes up after second SBS top award win for 'Taxi Driver'

Actor Lee Je-hoon won the top award at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, marking his second grand prize in two years, for his performance in the ongoing series “Taxi Driver.” Lee received the honor during the awards ceremony held Wednesday evening through the early hours of the new year at SBS Prism Tower in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. He was recognized for his portrayal of Kim Do-gi, a vigilante taxi driver who carries out revenge on behalf of victims wronged by criminals. It was Lee’s second time taking home the top prize at the SBS Drama Awards. He previously shared the grand prize with Kim Tae-ri in 2023 for “Taxi Driver 2.” Accepting the award, Lee said acting has only grown more difficult the longer he has pursued it. “There are many moments when I wonder if this is all I’m capable of,” he said, adding that the unwavering support of fans has helped him endure those doubts. Fighting back tears, he credited viewers for sustaining the “Taxi Driver” series for more than five years, saying their anger, empathy and sincere hope that such crimes would disappear have ke

Jan 1, 2026By Jane Han

Lee Je-hoon chokes up after second SBS top award win for 'Taxi Driver'

South Korea

Lee Sang-min’s journey earns him SBS top honor, 'Running Man' wins again

Lee Sang-min took home the top honor at the 2025 SBS Entertainment Awards on Tuesday, with the ceremony highlighting his return after years of personal hardship while also celebrating an industry veteran and introducing a new AI-based award. Lee’s win resonated with viewers familiar with his long-publicized struggles, many of which have unfolded on SBS variety programs over the years. Beating out heavyweights such as Yoo Jae-suk and Jun Hyun-moo, Lee’s personal journey emerged as a defining storyline of the awards night. Lee has appeared on SBS’s long-running variety show “My Little Old Boy” since 2017, where his frugal lifestyle and candid portrayal of financial difficulties earned him the nickname “Gungsang-min,” a play on his name meaning someone who lives in extreme thrift. He also spent four years and five months on “Dolsing Fourmen,” a talk-variety program that recently ended its run. Accepting the grand prize, Lee became emotional as he reflected on how openly his life has been documented on television. “I never imagined that just showing how hard I struggle t

Dec 31, 2025By Jane Han

Lee Sang-min’s journey earns him SBS top honor, 'Running Man' wins again

South Korea

Seo Kang-joon wins MBC Drama Awards as ceremony honors Lee Soon-jae

Actor Seo Kang-joon took home the top honor at the 2025 MBC Drama Awards, capping a night that also paid tribute to late veteran actor Lee Soon-jae and offered a first look at an upcoming high-profile series. The ceremony, hosted by announcer Kim Sung-joo and actress Lee Sun-bin, was held Tuesday at MBC’s public hall in Sangam-dong, western Seoul. Seo received the grand prize and said he was taken aback by the weight of the honor. “I feel overwhelmed receiving such a heavy award,” Seo said, adding that the recognition came at a particularly meaningful moment in his career. Seo starred in “Undercover High School,” his first drama project since completing mandatory military service. Reflecting on the experience, he said returning to a drama set had been deeply moving. “I missed the set so much,” he said. “When I look around, there are so many people who work harder and are more accomplished than I am. I often think about how easily I could be replaced.” He added that he hopes to continue growing as an actor. “Until the day my acting career ends, I don’t want to be repl

Dec 31, 2025By Jane Han

Jane Han

Read more

Seoul city bus union goes on indefinite strike

Lee Boo-jin’s modest look stands out at scholarship ceremony

Eat kimchi: US dietary guidelines highlight fermented foods

Pororo pops up in Lee’s message to North Korea

Viral Lee-Xi selfie hands Xiaomi spotlight, sidelines Samsung

White House ‘FAFO’ post featuring Korean airport backdrop stirs curiosity

Shinsegae’s Twelve sparks Erewhon copycat debate online

Lee Je-hoon chokes up after second SBS top award win for 'Taxi Driver'

Lee Sang-min’s journey earns him SBS top honor, 'Running Man' wins again

Seo Kang-joon wins MBC Drama Awards as ceremony honors Lee Soon-jae

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