The Korea Times

Did 'World of Street Woman Fighter' succeed in winning global fans?

Mnet’s global dance sensation “World of Street Woman Fighter” (WSWF) has concluded with the victory of Osaka Ojo Gang from Japan. Thanks to its star-studded lineup and larger scale, WSWF generated high anticipation even before its broadcast. While the show succeeded in creating buzz with street dance legends from around the world facing off under one roof, various controversies followed, tarnishing the show's reputation. Ultimately, the dance survival show ended on Tuesday with its lowest ratings ever, leaving a lingering sense of disappointment. In the final episode, where teams from Japan, Australia and the United States competed, Japan's Osaka Ojo Gang took the win. The segment garnered a national paid household viewership rating of 0.7 percent, according to Nielsen Korea, which was just over half of the previous episode's 1.2 percent rating from July 15. This figure is the lowest rating across all episodes this season, adding to the show's bittersweet ending. Among the season’s standout moments was the Mega Crew Mission video by Korean team BUMSUP, comprising “Street Woman

Jul 24, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Did 'World of Street Woman Fighter' succeed in winning global fans?

Shows & Dramas

K-pop idol-studded rom-com ‘My Girlfriend is the Man’ to debut

K-pop idol-studded KBS drama "My Girlfriend is the Man" will meet drama fans Wednesday evening. Based on the popular webtoon by the same title, the Wednesday-Thursday drama tells a wild romance story between Ji-eun, who suddenly transforms into a man overnight, and Yoon-jae, a devoted boyfriend who can't give up on her. Director Yoo Gwan-mo described the fantasy rom-com in one word as "a watercolor painting depicting K-youth." "It not only tells a love story about whether the two protagonists can protect their love when they face difficulties, but it also deals with themes of friendship and family," Yoo said during a on-line press conference for the drama, Wednesday. He also said the drama has a lot of things to attract K-drama fans overseas. "You'll see various scenes captured in places that tourists are curious about including popular dating spots. It also shows a lot of natural scenery as well," he elaborated. Another highlight is appearance of K-pop idol group stars in the drama, including Sanha from Astro, Arin from Oh My Girl and Chuu from Loona. Yoon San-ha, known as Sanha from the

Jul 23, 2025By Park Jin-hai

K-pop idol-studded rom-com ‘My Girlfriend is the Man’ to debut

Shows & Dramas

Gun disaster series 'Trigger' hits amid Korea's real shooting incident

As Korea — long perceived as a gun-free country — confronts the shock of a rare shooting involving a homemade firearm, the new Netflix series "Trigger" is set to debut Friday, thrusting viewers into a dystopian scenario where illegal, untraceable firearms are rampant. The show’s resemblance to current events has drawn both anticipation and unease. "Trigger" is a 10-part disaster action thriller that follows two men who pick up weapons for personal reasons in a society where firearms circulate freely and untraceably and public safety has collapsed. While "Trigger" initially garnered anticipation for its depiction of a chaotic society stripped of safety measures and dynamic action, the series now arrives in an atmosphere of heightened anxiety following a shooting on Sunday in which a man used a homemade gun to kill his son during a family gathering in Incheon. The series canceled a scheduled live broadcast during a fan event on Tuesday in light of the incident. "This work tells a story of guns becoming widespread in Korea, where firearms are still illegal. It encapsulates the though

Jul 22, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Gun disaster series 'Trigger' hits amid Korea's real shooting incident

Shows & Dramas

Yum Jung-ah plays devilish adoption trafficking kingpin in 'The Defects'

A dark and gripping new Korean drama that tackles a modern-day illegal adoption ring will start airing Monday evening. "The Defects," a new ENA drama based on the Kakao Webtoon of the same name, which recorded over 51 million views, is an action thriller depicting the desperate survival and revenge of children who were abandoned by their adoptive parents and barely survived at the brink of death. The drama’s premise, an illegal adoption cartel where adoptive parents can buy children and even request refunds if not satisfied, already sparked buzz for its provocative subject matter. Director Oh Ki-hwan said he was drawn to the project because of one haunting line: refund a child. "For example, if you look at Greek mythology, it contains human desires, doesn't it? I felt that the relationships depicted in the original 'The Defects' could tell a broad story about Korean people," Oh said during a press conference for the drama at Stanford Hotel in western Seoul, Monday. Veteran actor Yum Jung-ah plays Kim Se-hee, the de facto leader and villain of an illegal adoption trafficking organization

Jul 21, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Yum Jung-ah plays devilish adoption trafficking kingpin in 'The Defects'

K-pop

Why are K-pop stars obsessed with 'KPop Demon Hunters'?

The Netflix animated sensation, “KPop Demon Hunters,” has taken the K-pop world by storm, captivating even the brightest stars in the industry. K-pop icons are embracing “KPop Demon Hunters” not just as a movie, but as a global phenomenon, covering its songs, expressing admiration and joining fans worldwide in celebrating the film’s electrifying blend of music, fantasy and star power. Various K-pop artists — including Mamamoo’s Solar, Urban Zakapa’s Kwon Soon-il, Kwon Jin-ah, A.C.E’s Junhee and Epik High’s Tablo — have released covers of the film’s soundtrack. The cover video by Kwon Soon-il, in which he flawlessly handles the original song’s high notes, surpassed a total of 2.5 million views on Instagram and YouTube. Lily of girl group NMIXX achieved over 10 million views on TikTok with her cover of the show’s anthem “Golden.” IVE’s An Yu-jin’s version of “Golden” racked up 1.6 million views within just two days of its release, drawing comparisons to IVE’s own hit “I AM,” with both songs celebrated for empowering themes of self-love and con

Jul 20, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Why are K-pop stars obsessed with 'KPop Demon Hunters'?

Trends

Dancing to passionate rhythms: A look into Korea’s vibrant Latin dance scene

At Latin A Class, a Latin dance club in southern Seoul's Gangnam District, bachata music with lyrics as hot and romantic as summer flows across the dance floor. Some 50 people fill the main hall on the basement level, communicating with each other in a language of dance that is even hotter than summer itself. As a man extends his hand to a woman, asking her to dance, there is only the music and the quiet thrill of connection. Through bachata — a slower and more sensual Latin dance than the quick-spinning salsa — two strangers become partners and move as one. When the male lead gives a subtle cue with his fingertips, the female follow responds with a head roll, a body wave or sometimes a flashy and expansive turn. Throughout the dance, the partners may also fluidly separate slightly and then come back together, creating dynamic tension and connection. "I was shocked at how busy this club was even on a weekday. The energy is so fun and it’s wild to see how many people are out dancing, even on a weekday night," said Keri Schnabel, an English teacher from the U.S. who started learning

Jul 19, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Dancing to passionate rhythms: A look into Korea’s vibrant Latin dance scene

Trends

Top 3 Latin dance venues in Seoul

Whether you’re a seasoned salsero or a newcomer curious about bachata, Seoul’s Latin dance scene offers something for everyone. The city is home to a growing number of clubs where Latin rhythms come alive every night. Here are three standout venues where you can experience the heat, passion and community of Latin dance right in the heart of Seoul. 1. Latin A Class Latin A Class, which opened in November 2022 in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, is the largest Latin club in Korea, with a capacity of 1,000 people. The venue features clean, modern interiors and bars. On both the first and second basement floors, there are three separate halls where you can enjoy a variety of dance genres — including bachata, salsa, kizomba and zouk — all for a single entrance fee of 11,000 won (about $8), which includes a nonalcoholic drink. The club is open 365 days a year without holidays and attracts many dancers daily. More than 200 people visit on weekdays and the number jumps to around 800 people on Saturdays. It is known for attracting serious dancers, with many regulars at the intermediate to

Jul 19, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Dancing to passionate rhythms: A look into Korea’s vibrant Latin dance scene

Books

Korean stories inspire Saudi readers at Ithra Children’s Book Fair

Korea was invited as the guest of honor country at a children’s book fair at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where young Saudi readers can explore Korean culture through children’s books. The 2025 Ithra Children’s Book Fair, running through Sunday, July 19 (local time), is in its fifth year of shedding light on literacy, creativity and cultural enrichment, primarily for children aged 4 to 14. Previous guest countries included Belgium, Sweden, France and Egypt. Ghadeer Yamani, head of children’s literacy programs at the King Abdulaziz Center, also known as Ithra, noted how Korea’s storytelling culture resonates with Saudi Arabians. "Korean children’s books are widely appreciated for their emotional depth, visual richness and ability to engage young readers in creative and meaningful ways," she said during an interview with The Korea Times. She said Korean children’s books often invite readers to slow down, reflect and look inward. "The stories explore emotion with care and encourage thoughtful observation of the world around them. This ki

Jul 17, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Korean stories inspire Saudi readers at Ithra Children’s Book Fair

Shows & Dramas

KOCOWA sees rapid growth in Europe, Oceania, shows K-content's potential

KOCOWA, the overseas counterpart of Korean streaming platform Wavve, is reporting strong subscriber growth in Europe and Oceania, underscoring the accelerating global demand for K-content. Operated by Wavve America, the U.S.-based Korean content streamer, KOCOWA recorded an average monthly subscriber increase of 20 percent in Europe and Oceania since its regional launch in April 2024. The platform attributes this growth primarily to the enduring global appeal of K-pop, complemented by a rich library of variety shows featuring Korean idols. Despite competition from established global streaming services and local broadcasters in those markets, KOCOWA says demand for Korean dramas, variety shows and K-pop content continues to grow, reaching new and diverse audiences across Europe and Oceania. Jung Han, CEO of K EnterTech Hub and an adviser to KOCOWA, views the global sensation of the animated series "KPop Demon Hunters" as an example of K-pop's expandability. "The consumption of K-content is directly linked to the popularity of K-pop and we determined there was significant market potential,

Jul 14, 2025By Park Jin-hai

KOCOWA sees rapid growth in Europe, Oceania, shows K-content's potential

Shows & Dramas

'Low Life' unites hitmakers for riveting treasure hunt on Disney+

The stars of Disney+ hits “Big Bet” and “Moving” are teaming up for “Low Life.” With director Kang Yun-sung and actor Ryu Seung-ryong teaming up, expectations are high for the series to become the platform’s next flagship Korean original. Kang, known for his intense style in Disney+ series “Casino” and the film “The Outlaws,” joins forces with writer Yoon Tae-ho, who penned the webtoons “Moss,” “Misaeng” and “Inside Men.” Set in 1977, the story follows the adventures of diligent, hardworking bumpkins who gather to claim a sunken treasure ship beneath the sea. “I was thrilled to work with the brilliant webtoon artist Yoon, director Kang, whom I've always wanted to collaborate with, and the talented cast,” Ryu said, sharing his enthusiasm for joining the project during a conference promoting the drama at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Tuesday. “I’ve been a fan of director Kang, so it felt like a dream come true. It was a really enjoyable process, creating each character one by one.” Ryu stars as Oh Gwan-seok, a cunning leader willing to do anything for

Jul 8, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

Did 'World of Street Woman Fighter' succeed in winning global fans?

K-pop idol-studded rom-com ‘My Girlfriend is the Man’ to debut

Gun disaster series 'Trigger' hits amid Korea's real shooting incident

Yum Jung-ah plays devilish adoption trafficking kingpin in 'The Defects'

Why are K-pop stars obsessed with 'KPop Demon Hunters'?

Dancing to passionate rhythms: A look into Korea’s vibrant Latin dance scene

Top 3 Latin dance venues in Seoul

Korean stories inspire Saudi readers at Ithra Children’s Book Fair

KOCOWA sees rapid growth in Europe, Oceania, shows K-content's potential

'Low Life' unites hitmakers for riveting treasure hunt on Disney+

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