The Korea Times

Living memory: How Busan connected with world during Korean War

BUSAN — "This is the only United Nations memorial cemetery in the world," said Hwang Sun-bi, an official from the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan's Nam District, Tuesday. "Tomorrow, a sacred ritual will unfold here. In accordance with their final wishes, two French veterans of the Korean War will return to be laid to rest alongside the very comrades they fought beside decades ago, reunited at last in a solemn burial ceremony." Today, the vast memorial grounds are alive with color, blanketed in fully bloomed azaleas and seasonal flowers that soften the weight of the history kept here. This is the eternal home of more than 2,300 U.N. soldiers hailing from 14 different countries across the globe. Their stories span generations and continents — embodied poignantly by Australia’s Pvt. James Daunt, the youngest laid to rest here at the tender age of 17. Operating under international stewardship, this site is an island of memory, permanently etching the spirit of international solidarity into the earth. "Our goal is to make sure the flowers never fade, no matter the season," the official

May 29, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Living memory: How Busan connected with world during Korean War

Korean Heritage

Korea to open massive 'K-Heritage House' at UNESCO session in Busan

BUSAN — The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced on Wednesday plans to establish a "K-Heritage House" roughly twice the size of a soccer field at the upcoming UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan in July. The initiative aims to use the committee session as a milestone event to firmly cement the global footprint of both K-heritage and K-culture. "During the assembly, we will establish the K-Heritage House, covering about 13,254 square meters at BEXCO in Busan, to promote K-heritage and K-culture to the world," KHS chief Huh Min said during a briefing in Busan, Wednesday, 50 days before the session's opening. "Through this World Heritage Committee session, we are anticipating three major effects: elevating our national standing, promoting the host city and boosting the local economy. The estimated economic impact is 137.2 billion won ($100 million)." President Lee Jae Myung was also briefed during his visit to Busan and echoed the importance of the event for promoting Korean culture and heritage. "No matter what anyone says, the driving force behind K-culture, which now lead

May 27, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Korea to open massive 'K-Heritage House' at UNESCO session in Busan

Travel & Food

Discover Seoul from sky to river with the perfect Yeouido travel combo

As spring blends into the early summer travel season, Korea is welcoming a historic influx of international visitors. For travelers looking to experience Seoul from entirely new perspectives, two attractions have quickly emerged as definitive night and waterfront experiences: SEOULDAL, a tethered helium balloon that soars into the sky, and the Hangang Bus, a sleek boat cruising the iconic Han River. Because both attractions share Yeouido as their central hub, they offer a seamless, one-stop itinerary that lets you experience the multidimensional beauty of Seoul by day and by night. Located inside Yeouido Park, SEOULDAL is a vertical flight experience that takes passengers up to 130 meters into the air. It has rapidly become a bucket-list item for global travelers. It operates daily from 12 to 10 p.m., though it opens at 10 a.m. on weekends during the peak seasons of April to June and September to November. Each flight, lasting approximately 15 minutes, is priced at 25,000 won ($16.50) for adults, with a 10 percent discount available for holders of the Climate Card, Seoul's unlimited tran

May 26, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Discover Seoul from sky to river with the perfect Yeouido travel combo

Travel & Food

Mystic appeal of Korea’s most uncommon temples

Korea’s Buddhist temples are experiencing an unprecedented surge in visitors as the nation celebrates Buddha’s Birthday, Sunday, highlighting how these sacred spaces have increasingly evolved into premier cultural and wellness destinations for both adherents and nonbelievers. According to data released by mobility platform Tmap Mobility, temple destination searches jumped 27 percent year-over-year last year, marking a 56 percent spike compared to data from two years prior. The historical and architectural grandeur of these sites remains a primary draw for many visitors, with Bulguk Temple, located in the historic city of Gyeongju, South Geongsang Province, topping the charts as the nation's most-visited Buddhist site last year. It was followed by Naksan Temple in Yangyang, Gangwon Province; Tongdo Temple in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province; and Haedong Yonggung Temple in Busan. For younger demographics, temples have also emerged as a popular canvas for digital storytelling. Several temples have recently gone viral on social media, becoming popular backdrops for millennial and Gen Z

May 25, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Mystic appeal of Korea’s most uncommon temples

Shows & Dramas

Director highlights superpowers, ‘B-grade’ humor in ‘The Wonderfools’

Following the global phenomenon of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," director Yoo In-sik returns with comic hero series "The Wonderfools." "When choosing a project, I ask myself if it makes my heart flutter or if it's a challenge I haven’t faced yet," Yoo said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Friday. He described the new series as a genre he has "long held close to his heart," revealing that it was actually in development even before "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." "I was overjoyed when it finally came together, but since superhero stories were an unproven gamble in the domestic market when we started, I felt a fair amount of pressure," he admitted. A lifelong fan of adventure classics like "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones," Yoo’s primary goal was to provide pure entertainment. "I’ve always wanted to create a drama where 'fun' was the absolute priority," he explained. "I hope viewers can just unwind and enjoy the ride, laughing and being surprised. If they can go to bed with a sense of warmth rather than lingering bitterness, then I’ve achieved my goal." Set in 1999, "T

May 15, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Director highlights superpowers, ‘B-grade’ humor in ‘The Wonderfools’

Trends

Rise of occult tourism: 3 must-visit horror-themed spots in Seoul

In a season where the cinematic landscape can feel stagnant, the horror genre has emerged not just as a source of entertainment, but as cultural phenomenon. The film "Salmokji: Whispering Water" has recently shattered the 3-million-viewer mark and is poised to unseat the legendary "A Tale of Two Sisters" (2003) as the highest-grossing Korean horror film in over two decades. On the small screen, the Netflix series "If Wishes Could Kill" mirrors this success, dominating global non-English TV charts. However, the true story isn’t just in the numbers — it’s in how these works are spilling out of the screen and into the real world. "Salmokji," is a fictional account of a camera crew haunted by a dark presence in a reservoir, rooted in real folklore surrounding the Salmokji Reservoir in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province. The film's success ignited a tourism boom, with audiences feeling compelled to verify the terror with their own eyes. The area surrounding the reservoir has transformed from a quiet rural site into a viral destination for "courage tests." The fervor became so intense th

May 15, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Rise of occult tourism: 3 must-visit horror-themed spots in Seoul

Shows & Dramas

'My Royal Nemesis' becomes bold new contender in rom-com genre

SBS’ new drama "My Royal Nemesis" centers on Kang Dan-sim, a Joseon-era "villainess" executed by poison who wakes up 300 years later in the body of a struggling actress, Shin Seo-ri. While the premise risked being dismissed as just another derivative time-slip trope, the series has instead debuted as a bold and cheeky romantic comedy. Actress Lim Ji-yeon’s performance is the show's true anchor, as she effortlessly pivots between slapstick comedy and poignant romance to strike a perfect balance of comedy, angst and romantic chemistry. Driven by Lim’s powerhouse performance and a narrative that outpaces the typical fantasy rom-com formula, the show has already captivated audiences. By its second episode, it hit a 5.4 percent nationwide rating, according to Nielsen Korea, and clinched the top spot on Netflix Korea. The drama opens with a haunting sequence: Kang Dan-sim (Lim), a royal concubine branded a villainess, collapses after drinking poison. Her final cry — "My only crime was struggling to survive in a palace where everyone sought my head" — is cut short as a total lunar ec

May 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai

'My Royal Nemesis' becomes bold new contender in rom-com genre

Shows & Dramas

Despite controversy, 'The Wonderfools' aims to ‘Woo’ world with retro heroics

Netflix's "The Wonderfools" marks Cha Eun-woo's return to the global spotlight, coming just as the actor puts a high-profile tax controversy behind him. The series is already generating massive hype as it reunites director Yoo In-sik with star Park Eun-bin — the powerhouse duo who previously dominated global charts with "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." Set in 1999, "The Wonderfools" is a "superpower comic adventure" centered on a group of eccentric, bumbling townspeople who unexpectedly gain supernatural abilities. As the millennium approaches, this unlikely band of heroes must clumsily defend their home against villains intent on wreaking havoc. "I’ve always had a soft spot for superheroes; it’s been a dream of mine to create one. When I first saw the concept, it really got my heart racing. It felt fresh and unique, and I wanted to translate that excitement to the audience," Yoo said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday, speaking about his lifelong passion for the genre. He likened the viewing experience to a theme park ride. "I want the audience to feel that 'seatbelt-clicki

May 12, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Despite controversy, 'The Wonderfools' aims to ‘Woo’ world with retro heroics

Shows & Dramas

Idol-turned-actor Cha Hak-yeon tackles first dual role in 'Absolute Value of Romance'

Cha Hak-yeon, charismatic leader of the K-pop group VIXX who is widely known as N, is proving that his artistic range extends far beyond the concert stage. In the trending series "Absolute Value of Romance," he has taken on the ambitious challenge of a dual role that effectively bridges the gap between cold logic and fictional fantasy. The drama utilizes a clever story-within-a-story structure that follows the life of Eui-ju (Kim Hyang-gi), a high school student secretly moonlighting as a popular web novel author. This meta-commentary on storytelling allows Cha to flex his acting muscles by portraying two vastly different personas within a single narrative. In the show’s reality, he plays Woo-su, a cold, calculated high school teacher. Conversely, within the pages of Eui-ju’s BL (boys' love) novel, he transforms into Si-on, a mysterious and alluring protagonist defined by over-the-top styling, exaggerated acting and a penchant for spitting out cringeworthy lines. "I felt a great deal of vitality from the script," Cha said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul o

May 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Idol-turned-actor Cha Hak-yeon tackles first dual role in 'Absolute Value of Romance'

Shows & Dramas

'We Are All Trying Here' answers fear of worthlessness

The JTBC drama "We Are All Trying Here" is creating a quiet sensation, depicting the deep-seated anxieties and deficiencies of the human psyche alongside a warm humanism that embraces them. Fans have offered "testimonials" for the show, claiming "not a single line of dialogue is wasted" and that they "savor each episode carefully." The story follows Dong-man (Koo Kyo-hwan), a man who has written 14 screenplays but has yet to film a single one, and Eun-a (Go Youn-jung), a film producer haunted by the trauma of being neglected by her mother during childhood. Dong-man remains the only member of "The Eight Club" — a group where members share their dreams of directing during their "pathetic" college days — who has yet to debut in 20 years. Portrayed as a somewhat pitiful character who talks incessantly among friends and freezes the atmosphere by scathingly criticizing the new release of a former best friend, Dong-man is a man racing downhill, shouting, "If I can’t prove myself through success, I’ll prove myself by falling apart." However, his nonstop chatter is actually a way to confi

May 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

Living memory: How Busan connected with world during Korean War

Korea to open massive 'K-Heritage House' at UNESCO session in Busan

Discover Seoul from sky to river with the perfect Yeouido travel combo

Mystic appeal of Korea’s most uncommon temples

Director highlights superpowers, ‘B-grade’ humor in ‘The Wonderfools’

Rise of occult tourism: 3 must-visit horror-themed spots in Seoul

'My Royal Nemesis' becomes bold new contender in rom-com genre

Despite controversy, 'The Wonderfools' aims to ‘Woo’ world with retro heroics

Idol-turned-actor Cha Hak-yeon tackles first dual role in 'Absolute Value of Romance'

'We Are All Trying Here' answers fear of worthlessness

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