The Korea Times

UNESCO urges Japan to disclose wartime forced labor at Sado mines

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on Japan to reflect the "whole history" across all periods of mining exploitation in on-site interpretation and displays at the Sado mines. The adoption supports the Korean government's demand that Japan mention the mine's history of using wartime forced laborers from the Korean Peninsula and other Asian countries on signposts located in the heritage site. During the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held at BEXCO in Busan, member states adopted the decision regarding Japan’s State of Conservation report by consensus without debate. The decision emphasized that Tokyo's follow-up measures regarding wartime history remain insufficient, stating that "further clarification is needed regarding how the interpretation and presentation strategy and facilities comprehensively address, at the site level, the whole history of the property throughout all periods of mining exploitation." The committee requested that Japan keep the World Heritage Committee regularly informed of its progress and recommended that i

Jul 23, 2026By Park Jin-hai

UNESCO urges Japan to disclose wartime forced labor at Sado mines

Korean Heritage

Korea's living history takes center stage at World Heritage Committee in Busan

BUSAN — As Korea hosts the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time since joining the organization in 1988, a major cultural showcase in Busan is drawing massive crowds eager to experience the nation's traditional heritage powered by cutting-edge technology. Since its opening on Monday at BEXCO, the K-Heritage House has drawn attention from locals and committee meeting participants. The special exhibition introduces Korea’s UNESCO-listed assets and heritage administration policies across four themed zones: an archive tracing the past, present and future of heritage; a living intangible heritage zone; a technology-driven heritage section; and interactive activity spaces. Living heritage: Master craftsmen in action The highlight for many visitors is a joint public demonstration featuring master artisans holding National Intangible Cultural Heritage titles. Craftsmen demonstrate intricate traditional techniques, including making "gat" (horsehair hats), embroidery, needlework, mother-of-pearl inlay, woodworking, woodcarving and engraving. Hands-on workshops also allow

Jul 21, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Korea's living history takes center stage at World Heritage Committee in Busan

Korean Heritage

UNESCO adopts Busan Declaration for global heritage preservation

BUSAN — As armed conflict and climate change threaten heritage sites around the globe, government officials and experts participating in the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan adopted a new declaration calling for international collaboration to shield vulnerable cultural and natural assets from damage. The agreement — dubbed the Busan Declaration on World Heritage — also encouraged transparent and responsible use of digital technologies in identifying, recording and preserving heritage. The participants passed the declaration by consensus during the opening business session of the committee’s 48th meeting, hosted by Korea in the southeastern port city of Busan. It marks the first time Korea has hosted the meeting since joining the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in 1988. The core of the declaration officially elevates "collaboration" as the new "sixth C" of the strategic objectives of its heritage framework. The new pillar integrates global cooperation as a key guiding principle alongside the previous "Five Cs": conservation, credibility, capacity-building, communicat

Jul 20, 2026By Park Jin-hai

UNESCO adopts Busan Declaration for global heritage preservation

Shows & Dramas

Chilling beyond ghosts: 'The East Palace' ushers in new era of K-occult

“I will wipe out the King’s entire bloodline.” A mysterious ghost hunter arrives at a palace consumed by a sinister curse. Swarming with vengeful spirits, the royal court is a perilous labyrinth of buried secrets and political conspiracies. Navigating between reality and the eerie "world of spirits," the hunter tracks the source of the curse. This is the premise of Netflix’s new series "The East Palace" — a brutal, shadowy clash between a cursed dynasty, those desperate to break the spell and the ghosts hell-bent on taking over the throne. Breaking away from the conventional tropes of royal court period dramas and zombie apocalypses, "The East Palace" delivers a highly original piece of "Joseon Gothic occult action," seamlessly blending Korean shamanism with Western dark fantasy. Writers Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, who previously laid the groundwork for modern K-occult thrillers with "The Guest" (2018), have successfully transplanted their expertise into the Joseon court, crafting a mesmerizing yet grotesque abyss. Ahead of its global release on July 17, the first four episodes

Jul 15, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Chilling beyond ghosts: 'The East Palace' ushers in new era of K-occult

Shows & Dramas

'Spooky in Love' reimagines hit film with supernatural twist

The hit 2011 movie "Spellbound" is returning as a drama series. Actors Park Eun-bin, Yang Se-jong and Ong Seong-wu have teamed up to deliver tvN's occult romance "Spooky in Love," promising to blow away the midsummer heat. The series follows a hotel heiress who sees ghosts and a passionate prosecutor who team up to solve cases together. This 12-episode drama takes a bold approach to reimagining the original film, which previously garnered massive love and starred Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ki. To differentiate itself from the movie, the drama completely revamps the story, keeping only the female lead's ability to see ghosts. Instead of just a strange woman who possesses a secret ability to see dead people, the female protagonist is now a hotel CEO Yeo-ri (Park), and the male lead is a prosecutor instead of a magician. The drama also introduces a unique supernatural twist where anyone who touches Yeo-ri's hand gains the temporary ability to see ghosts. This addition paves the way for far more diverse incidents than the original film. Park takes on the role of the luxury hotel heiress harborin

Jul 14, 2026By Park Jin-hai

'Spooky in Love' reimagines hit film with supernatural twist

Arts & Theater

Colombian salsa ambassadors visit Seoul

For professional salsa dancers Andres Sabogal, Nasly Valencia, Cesar Villan and Madelehyne Aristizabal, a visit to Seoul from Cali, Colombia, marks a profound exchange of identity, history and artistic philosophy. The Embassy of Colombia in Seoul invited the four dancers to the Korean capital for a two-day Cali-style salsa show this weekend as part of a cultural diplomacy initiative. The dancers said they were thrilled to discover an active Latin dance scene that defies stereotypes. "Contrary to the prejudice that Asian cultures might be relatively quiet and shy, it is incredibly interesting and wonderful to see such a passionate and massive Latin dance scene in Korea, where new artistic attempts are constantly being made," said Aristizabal at the Embassy of Colombia in Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday. Cali-style salsa — also known as Colombian Salsa and Salsa Caleña — is officially recognized as part of Colombia’s national cultural heritage, an inherently spectacular dance style that arose by taking the basic salsa steps that originated in the Caribbean and took shape in New Yor

Jul 10, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

JTBC's 'The Apartment Job' showcases hilarious teamwork from 'fake family'

Boasting a powerhouse cast and explosive acting synergy, JTBC’s upcoming crime-comedy "The Apartment Job" is set to deliver a highly relatable, down-to-earth human drama set right in our everyday living spaces. The series, which will also stream globally on Netflix, follows Park Hae-gang (Ji Sung), the former boss of the Oasis gang. In an attempt to pocket a massive stash of hidden cash within the complex, Hae-gang runs for president of the residents' council. Instead of an easy heist, however, he ends up partnering with the residents to clean up deep-rooted local corruption. The cast noted that the show’s setting was a major selling point, as a massive apartment complex is a deeply familiar backdrop for most people. "The premise of all these events unfolding inside a massive residential complex was instantly intriguing. I was completely captivated by the charm of this team play — setting up a fake family just to pull off a scam — and the fact that it's a bright, refreshing comedy rather than a heavy crime noir," said Ji Sung, who stars as the ex-mobster who becomes head of a fra

Jul 10, 2026By Park Jin-hai

JTBC's 'The Apartment Job' showcases hilarious teamwork from 'fake family'

Shows & Dramas

Netflix aims for next global K-occult hit with 'The East Palace'

Netflix’s upcoming original series "The East Palace" is aiming to become the next global sensation in the rising wave of occult-themed content. Capturing international momentum surrounding Korean shamanism and horror, the eight-episode period drama blends occult themes, horror, fantasy and high-octane action. "The East Palace," follows Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a man with the unique ability to cross over into the spirit realm, and Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady harboring a mysterious past. Summoned by the king (Cho Seung-woo), the duo is tasked with untangling dangerous histories to uncover a secret buried in the very heart of the palace. The project marks the return of Nam, who chose the series as his first screen appearance after a three-year hiatus for mandatory military service. He revealed that he received the casting offer while still serving in the army. "The military is a place where there are many moments to stretch your imagination. Reading the script in that kind of environment increased my desire to take on the challenge. I was also intensely curious about how a sp

Jul 8, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Netflix aims for next global K-occult hit with 'The East Palace'

Shows & Dramas

'Agent Kim Reactivated' revives middle-aged action hero

On the surface, Mr. Kim (So Ji-sub) is just an ordinary, submissive neighborhood man who cares for nothing but his only daughter. He is a single dad who would rather kneel down and beg for forgiveness before a bully's wealthy parents than cause a scene. But the moment his daughter goes missing, the seal on this middle-aged man is shattered. Confronting a cocky gang member who claims legal protection under juvenile law, Kim delivers a bone-chilling warning: “When you lose your parents, you're called an orphan. When you lose your husband, a widow. But there is no word for a parent who loses a child. Do you know why? Because the sheer misery and agony leave you with absolutely nothing left to lose. 'Juvenile offender'? Nice phrasing. Then I guess I’ll have to be the 'lawless middle-aged'.” SBS’s drama "Agent Kim Reactivated," also streaming on Netflix, is a gripping crime noir that follows "Code Name 66" — a former North Korean operative who defected and settled in the South — as he unleashes his monstrous, hidden combat skills against a corrupt nation and giant criminal syndic

Jul 8, 2026By Park Jin-hai

'Agent Kim Reactivated' revives middle-aged action hero

Shows & Dramas

New wave of chef reality shows breaks the rules

The golden age of culinary television shows is undergoing a massive paradigm shift. Moving far beyond traditional cooking shows that rely on simple studio competitions or restaurant tours, a new wave of variety shows is breaking the rules by introducing high-stakes, real-world challenges. At the center of this cultural revolution are two hit reality shows titled "Undercover Chef" and "Street Restaurant Fighter." By stripping top-tier celebrity chefs of their hard-earned fame and authority, these shows have found a winning formula that resonates deeply with modern audiences worldwide. In the tvN's "Undercover Chef," legendary Korean culinary icons travel abroad to work as bottom-tier kitchen helpers under fake identities. For instance, dim sum queen Jung Ji-sun, pasta master Sam Kim and Kwon Sung-jun, winner of Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" Season 1 must blend into demanding kitchens in China and Italy. They are given just five days to adapt to a foreign environment and successfully get their own dish onto the restaurant's main menu. Viewers are saying the format actually feels like a

Jul 7, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

UNESCO urges Japan to disclose wartime forced labor at Sado mines

Korea's living history takes center stage at World Heritage Committee in Busan

UNESCO adopts Busan Declaration for global heritage preservation

Chilling beyond ghosts: 'The East Palace' ushers in new era of K-occult

'Spooky in Love' reimagines hit film with supernatural twist

Colombian salsa ambassadors visit Seoul

JTBC's 'The Apartment Job' showcases hilarious teamwork from 'fake family'

Netflix aims for next global K-occult hit with 'The East Palace'

'Agent Kim Reactivated' revives middle-aged action hero

New wave of chef reality shows breaks the rules

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