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Park Jin-hai

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.

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Shows & Dramas

Park Ji-hoon’s seamless shift in 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier'

After captivating audiences in the blockbuster historical film "The King’s Warden," actor Park Ji-hoon is breaking records once again — this time, in a completely different genre. Starring in Tving’s original comedy series "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier," Park has swapped intense period drama for the playful world of B-grade humor, proving his incredible range as a performer. "I think the strength of our show lies in how relaxing it is," Park shared during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. In a sea of heavy, high-stress thrillers, his new project offers viewers a chance to unwind. "It’s light, comfortable to watch and has a breezy, flexible storyline rather than a tight, stressful one." Based on a popular webtoon, the military-cooking-fantasy drama follows Seong-jae, who knows absolutely nothing about cooking. His life turns upside down when a cooking game window for "Guardian" — visible and audible only to him —suddenly appears. By clearing various quests to revive failing dishes, he eventually grows into a legendary military chef. In Monday's ep

Jun 4, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Park Ji-hoon’s seamless shift in 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier'
Trends

Gen Z flock to Korea’s first ‘fate expo’

Amid a massive wave of interest in fortune-telling, the nation’s first comprehensive event featuring face reading, "saju" (fortune-telling based on year, month, day and time of birth) and tarot opened to great success over the weekend. Younger people who are keen on attracting "good cosmic energy" were among the large crowds that turned up at Korea's first-ever expo organized around the concept, "Fortune Adventure 2026" in Seoul. After waiting in a line that stretched about 30 meters, attendees secured spots at booths for fortune-telling for a mere 10 minutes at the cost of about 10,000 won ($7.50). The booths were diverse, ranging from saju readings and tarot consultations to aroma therapy and personal image consulting. Some even specialized in career anxiety and wealth management. "If people can easily see your ears well from the front, that means you left very good impression," a face reader explained to his 30-something client. "It’s almost like a free pass when you're interviewing for jobs." Tailoring his advice to stocks and asset management, based on what young people were most

Jun 1, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Gen Z flock to Korea’s first ‘fate expo’
Shows & Dramas

Kim Soo-hyun case signals dangerous new era of AI cybercrime

After an arrest warrant was sought for the notorious YouTuber who allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) to spread malicious rumors about actor Kim Soo-hyun, the resulting damages lawsuit is expected to expand from 12 billion won to a staggering 30 billion won ($20 million). Kim Se-ui, operator of the controversial YouTube channel HoverLab (Garo Sero Institute), was taken into custody Wednesday. The case gained nationwide attention last year when the channel released an audio recording of deceased actor Kim Sae-ron allegedly discussing her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun, sparking intense public backlash and forcing the actor to halt his activities for over a year. However, police have now concluded that the audio was generated using AI voice technology. The actor's legal representative, Ko Sang-rok, characterized the incident as unprecedented. "They not only manipulated public perception by spreading unverified allegations and distorting narratives, but even fabricated core evidence such as KakaoTalk messages and voices," Ko said. The case caused immense financial and professional da

May 29, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Kim Soo-hyun case signals dangerous new era of AI cybercrime
Korean Heritage

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
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