The Korea Times

'Spring for Travel' campaign offers big discounts on flights, trains, stays

Spring travel deals are here, packed with discounts to lure people outdoors. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization kicked off the 2026 "Spring for Travel" campaign, which runs from April 1 through May 31. Free train travel to depopulated regions Korea Railroad KORAIL is offering 100 percent refunds in points on fares to 42 depopulated regions for trips booked April 1 to May 31. Riders can verify their visits via QR code to unlock coupons matching their round-trip costs. For instance, if you travel from Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Andong using the depopulated-region independent travel package, which costs 55,400 won ($36.5) round trip, you can receive a 55,400 won discount on your next train ride, by verifying the visit with a QR code or digital tourism resident card. Tourist trains are joining in, too, with five themed routes at half price. Eligible trains include the East Santa Train (Gangneung-Buncheon), the V-Train (Yeongju-Cheolam), the G-Train (Yongsan-Iksan), the S-Train (Seoul-Yeosu, Busan-Mokpo) and the A-Train (Cheongnyangni-Mindungsan).

Apr 1, 2026By Park Jin-hai

'Spring for Travel' campaign offers big discounts on flights, trains, stays

Shows & Dramas

Netflix hit action show 'Bloodhounds' returns with bigger fights

The Netflix action hit series “Bloodhounds,” which captured global attention with its raw, pulse-pounding fights and the story of two rookie boxers taking on a ruthless loan shark empire, returns three years later, bigger, bolder and more explosive. In Season 2, the series steps into the world of a global illegal boxing league, bringing more intense action and deeper emotional payoff. Gun-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) once again find themselves battling a corrupt world ruled by money and violence — only this time, the fight takes them into the high-risk arena of underground international boxing. “Season 2 is about the two main characters meeting new adversaries and fighting more fiercely than before,” director Jason Kim said during a press conference at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel Tuesday. “While preparing for the new season, I wanted to build on the elements fans loved most in Season 1 — the fresh boxing action and the strong bromance — and make them even more powerful and gripping,” he added. Director Kim explained that choosing an underground box

Mar 31, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Netflix hit action show 'Bloodhounds' returns with bigger fights

Shows & Dramas

Thriller 'Climax' exposes power-entertainment shadows

ENA's "Climax," which premiered March 16, dives into the shadowy ties between power brokers and entertainment elites through bold plotting and vivid characters. Protagonist Bang Tae-seop (Ju Ji-hoon) — driven by his factory-worker father's suicide after a corrupt prosecutor wrongly jailed him for labor activism — pursues a career in prosecution to seize power and reach authority's peak. Alongside his wife, Chu Sang-ah (Ha Ji-won), once a top star but who has since declined, and WR Group power broker Lee Yang-mi (Cha Joo-young), who links entertainment and politics by exploiting celebrities' weaknesses to "entertain" elites, the series thrillingly charts their high-society ambition and backstabbing. Tae-seop comes from humble beginnings and thought becoming a prosecutor would enable him to conquer all, only to hit walls of school and regional cliques inside. He draws public attention following his marriage to Korea's top actress, Sang-ah, and leverages this clout to climb up the social ladder. Meanwhile, as a top star facing scandals, Sang-ah needs a prosecutor's protection and statu

Mar 30, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Thriller 'Climax' exposes power-entertainment shadows

Korean Heritage

Traditional tide‑tracking system becomes Korea's Intangible Cultural Heritage

Korea’s centuries-old knowledge of “multtae,” the traditional system for calculating tidal movements, has been officially designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced Wednesday. Multtae, literally meaning “tide time” in Korean, refers to the collective knowledge and system used to predict the rise and fall of ocean tides — a vital practice that for centuries has guided coastal life across the Korean Peninsula. It serves both as a calendar of tidal cycles and as a practical science enabling people to anticipate the timing of high and low tides. In Korea, the west coast has a higher tidal range, with up to nine meters in area near Incheon, while the east coast sees the tidal range lower than one meter. The KHS said multtae is a “community transmission” heritage item, without an individual or group deserving recognition, for the knowledge has long been shared and practiced collectively among coastal residents. Historical records trace the use of multtae back to the 12th century. Poet Yi Kyu-bo is believed to have written a

Mar 26, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Traditional tide‑tracking system becomes Korea's Intangible Cultural Heritage

Travel & Food

5 places in Korea to enjoy cherry blossoms

Warm spring winds have brought national attention to cherry blossoms, which are expected to bloom earlier than usual this year, heightening anticipation for one of Korea’s most cherished seasonal rituals. According to weather forecasts, global warming has pushed flowering dates forward by one to seven days compared to the annual average. Seogwipo in the southern part of Jeju Island has already seen blossoms emerge, with Busan, Daegu and Ulsan to follow, before the blooms reach Seoul around April 3. For both locals and visitors, cherry blossom viewing is a popular way to celebrate the season, with many taking time off to enjoy the fleeting spectacle. Numerous flower festivals are also held across the country to cater to seasonal travelers. The Korea Times has compiled a list of five places to enjoy cherry blossoms. Jinhae, South Geongsang Province Each spring, Jinhae District in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, transforms itself into a sea of cherry blossoms, earning its designation as Korea's largest cherry blossom destination. This year's Jinhae Gunhangje Festival runs for 10 days

Mar 26, 2026By Park Jin-hai

5 places in Korea to enjoy cherry blossoms

Shows & Dramas

Actor Lee Seo-jin becomes ‘Texas guide’ in new Netflix travel show

Actor Lee Seo-jin and acclaimed television producer Nah Yung-suk have teamed up again for a new travel series — this time set in Lee’s favorite U.S. state, Texas — with Lee serving as a guide. Netflix “Ready or Not: Texas,” an unscripted, plan-free travel reality show, follows the duo as they wander across the Lone Star State. The show spotlights “Texas fanatic” Lee, who considers the state his second home, alongside Nah and the production crew as they join him on a series of unpredictable adventures. “I’ve been visiting Texas often because I’m interested in it — the weather’s great, it’s a good place to live, and I thought it’d be a perfect spot to retire. I’ve told people for years that Dallas is where I want to settle down," Lee said during a press conference at CGV I’Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul, Tuesday. “You’ll see why Texas is so popular once you go. It’s strong in sports, most athletes are from there, and there’s no state income tax. With its oil wealth, people live comfortably and are very friendly. There are just so many great things abou

Mar 24, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Actor Lee Seo-jin becomes ‘Texas guide’ in new Netflix travel show

K-pop

BTS comeback costumes inspired by Joseon era, 'han'

Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul became the stage for BTS’ grand comeback performance on Saturday evening. Much like its setting — the historic square at the heart of the capital — and the album title itself, "ARIRANG," named after a 130-year-old Korean folk song, the show was widely seen as a statement about the place of Korean culture and identity on the global stage. Among the many elements that deepened the performance’s Korean resonance, the costumes stood out especially vividly. As BTS danced against the backdrop of Gyeongbok Palace, the sight of luminous fabric gliding over dark, subtly shimmering outfits created an impression of both grace and power. The stage costumes, titled “Lyrical Armor,” were created by Korean designer brand Songzio. The brand’s creative director Jay Song described the pieces as “embodying the spirit of a new generation of heroes who carry the turbulent history of Korea," on the fashion house brand's Instagram page. Blending the sturdy armor worn by warriors of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty with flowing "hanbok" (Korean traditional clothi

Mar 22, 2026By Park Jin-hai

BTS comeback costumes inspired by Joseon era, 'han'

Shows & Dramas

Long-running travel show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' returns with major revamp

MBC's "Welcome, First Time in Korea?," a long-running reality travel show, has returned after a thoughtful makeover, kicking off its fourth season this evening. The show has been a trailblazer for foreigner-led travel shows and one of network's flagship programs, charming viewers with real stories from international guests exploring Korea. It has delivered fun and cultural connection over more than 400 episodes, all with solid 3 percent average ratings. Breaking free from traditional trips, the new season opens its doors to anyone worldwide with an interest in Korea, allowing visitors to explore and share their journeys. The production team has handpicked unexpected figures to uncover Korea's hidden charms and reaffirm the show's enduring power. "We dropped 'invited' because fans — big names even — emailed us wanting in. After some 300 Zoom calls over six months, we selected those genuinely eager to travel Korea. The show will also introduce unique national traits, inviting hosts from each country to the studio," the show's producer Jeon Min-kyung said during an online press confere

Mar 19, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Long-running travel show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' returns with major revamp

Korean Heritage

BTS, MU:DS unveil collection inspired by Silla’s Divine Bell

As BTS fans flock to the city for their idol group’s historic comeback concert, one point of interest for them is finding memorable souvenirs to take home. For anyone bored with photo cards, magnets and key rings and looking for something new and charming, the MU:DS collaboration collection could be a great option. The group’s agency HYBE has collaborated with the National Museum Foundation of Korea’s cultural brand MU:DS to unveil the “2026 BTS x MU:DS Collaboration” collection, reinterpreting traditional patterns from the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok into modern design items. The ancient bell, housed at Gyeongju National Museum in North Gyeongsang Province and designated a National Treasure, was cast in 771 to honor King Seongdeok of the Unified Silla Kingdom (668-935). It remains the largest extant Korean temple bell and one of the finest examples of Silla’s metal-casting artistry. The massive bronze bell, standing 3.75 meters tall and weighing 18.9 tons, is widely known as the Emille Bell, named after an old legend that tells of a child cast into the molten metal so the

Mar 19, 2026By Park Jin-hai

BTS, MU:DS unveil collection inspired by Silla’s Divine Bell

Shows & Dramas

2 young souls find light amid life's gray realities in 'Still Shining'

A gentle, beautifully observed coming-of-age romance, "Still Shining" isn’t really about campus hijinks so much as it is about tracing two teens into their 30s, where love, work and family quietly reshape their hearts across more than a decade of subtle transformations. At 19, Tae-seo (Park Jin-young) arrives in the countryside after losing both parents in a car accident. He grew up in a household where money was always short, to the point that his parents only wished for "something safe and peaceful, where Tae-seo can make a living without struggle." Now, with a younger brother who has been left with a permanent limp and grandparents to support, Tae-seo spends the entire summer alone in an empty school library, studying as if his family’s survival depends on every page. On the surface, Tae-seo looks solid and unshakable, but that composure masks constant tension. He is a boy who learned too early that there is no safety net. Into this tightly controlled life slips Eun-a (Kim Min-ju). Talkative, playful and just a little chaotic, she becomes the one person who makes him unclench hi

Mar 18, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

'Spring for Travel' campaign offers big discounts on flights, trains, stays

Netflix hit action show 'Bloodhounds' returns with bigger fights

Thriller 'Climax' exposes power-entertainment shadows

Traditional tide‑tracking system becomes Korea's Intangible Cultural Heritage

5 places in Korea to enjoy cherry blossoms

Actor Lee Seo-jin becomes ‘Texas guide’ in new Netflix travel show

BTS comeback costumes inspired by Joseon era, 'han'

Long-running travel show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' returns with major revamp

BTS, MU:DS unveil collection inspired by Silla’s Divine Bell

2 young souls find light amid life's gray realities in 'Still Shining'

Top 5 stories