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Lee Hae-rin

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.

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Travel & Food

Everland unveils 'KPop Demon Hunters' zone for autumn festival

Everland is turning K-pop into a major draw this fall with a new attraction inspired by the hit Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The themed zone, opening Friday as part of the park’s largest autumn festival, highlights how Korean pop culture has become a powerful commercial and cultural force, expected to drive attendance and enthusiasm at the “Everland of OZ” celebration. In collaboration with Netflix, Everland has reimagined part of its festival content zone into an interactive playground inspired by the animated film’s K-pop idol characters and their magical battles. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the world of fan-favorite characters through arcade-style shooting games, rhythm dance challenges, mission-based quests and a variety of themed photo zones. A giant art installation of Derpy the tiger, full-size character displays and all-day screening of the movie’s popular soundtracks on large LED screens will add to the atmosphere. The zone also showcases 38 types of limited merchandises, from plush dolls and costume figures to embroidered hats an

Sep 24, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Everland unveils 'KPop Demon Hunters' zone for autumn festival
Travel & Food

Seoul Int’l Fireworks Festival to draw huge crowds, cause traffic jams Saturday

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival will light up the skies above the Han River this weekend, marking one of the city’s most anticipated autumn events. The 2025 edition, organized by Hanwha Group in partnership with SBS and backed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, will be held Saturday at Yeouido Hangang Park. Typically held on the first Saturday of October, the event has been moved up this year due to the Chuseok holiday, which falls in the first week of October. Since its launch in 2000, the festival has grown into a signature cultural event, attracting over 1 million spectators annually. The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with booths, interactive experiences and entertainment hosted by Hanwha and its partners across the Yeouido area. The main fireworks show starts at 7 p.m., featuring dazzling displays by teams from Italy, Canada and Korea. Italy will open with a performance choreographed to the music of composer Ennio Morricone, followed by Canada’s superhero-inspired showcase set to blockbuster film scores. Korea will close the night with a presentation themed “Into the

Sep 23, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul Int’l Fireworks Festival to draw huge crowds, cause traffic jams Saturday
Travel & Food

Hanwha's new luxury resort opens at foot of Mount Bukhan

Hanwha Hotels & Resorts has introduced its new luxury brand, ANTO, after acquiring a premium property in northern Seoul, signaling its ambitions to stake a larger claim in Korea’s high-end resort market. During a press briefing, Monday, officials introduced the brand and shared its vision for the future. ANTO, launched last month, combines the Korean words for “comfort” and “earth,” embodying the philosophy of offering guests peace and wellness rooted in nature under the brand slogan “Where luxury meets tranquility.” Located along the foot of Bukhansan National Park, just 40 minutes from central Seoul, the property, formerly Paraspara Seoul, garnered recent media attention for hosting the members of Coldplay during their Korea tour. The property offers several standout features including its prime location, stunning natural views and extensive wellness amenities. “ANTO is the only space in the city that combines urban accessibility with a deep connection to nature,” officials said. “We aim to reflect values of wellness and sustainability while delivering unique guest

Sep 23, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Hanwha's new luxury resort opens at foot of Mount Bukhan
Society

Gov't starts receiving applications for second round of cash handouts

Korea will begin receiving applications Monday for the second round of state-issued cash handouts aimed at spurring consumer spending and supporting small businesses, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Sunday. The handouts, valued at 100,000 won ($72) per person, will reach about 90 percent of the population, excluding the top tier of high-income earners and wealthy property owners. Applications open at 9 a.m. Monday, both online and in person. The first round of cash handouts, rolled out in July, was part of the government’s emergency response to sluggish domestic spending and the economic challenges by global uncertainties. Under the scheme, all citizens and some foreign residents were eligible for a payment of 150,000 won, with additional benefits for low-income and single-parent households. Recipients may choose to receive the benefit through credit and debit cards, prepaid cards or local gift certificates. According to the Bank of Korea, consumer sentiment rebounded, and there was a measurable rise in retail sales, particularly among small businesses accepting local gift

Sep 22, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Gov't starts receiving applications for second round of cash handouts
Society

Ieodo International Seminar on Jeju to address maritime security in East Asia

The ninth Ieodo International Seminar will convene in Jeju City from Thursday to Saturday, drawing experts from around the world to address maritime security challenges in East Asia, organizers said Sunday. Hosted by the Society of Ieodo Research, a Jeju-based think tank founded in 2007, and co-organized by The Korea Times, the three-day gathering at Hotel The One will bring together maritime security experts from Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines. This year’s seminar, held under the theme “New Strategic Responses to Maritime Security Threats in East Asia,” will tackle China’s gray-zone tactics, territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas and the prospects for legal remedies and multilateral cooperation. Ieodo, known internationally as Socotra Rock, lies 149 kilometers south of Mara Island, Korea’s southernmost point, and sits at the center of a territorial dispute between Seoul and Beijing, as it falls within overlapping Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). Koh Choong-suk, chairman of the Society of Ieodo Research, said the seminar will offer a chan

Sep 21, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Ieodo International Seminar on Jeju to address maritime security in East Asia
Travel & Food

Quanzhou preserves multicultural legacy as ancient maritime Silk Road hub

QUANZHOU, China — Marco Polo recalled Quanzhou in the 13th century as “the Haven of Zayton, frequented by all the ships of India, which bring thither spicery and all other kinds of costly wares.” The Venetian explorer portrayed the southeastern Chinese city as the beating heart of the maritime Silk Road, a view echoed by the Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, who described it as “one of the greatest ports in the world, if not the greatest.” Their words conjure images of harbors teeming with vessels from every corner of the globe, vibrant markets and neighborhoods where every faith and culture were welcome. Today, Quanzhou continues to enchant visitors with its serene, scenic atmosphere of lush parks, gentle rivers and historic mountain retreats. The city’s tranquil atmosphere endures in the incense wafting from ancient temples, the bustle of street markets and centuries-old bridges and historic architecture. Here, the spirit of multicultural China comes alive, sustained by a long tradition of dialogue and diversity. Once deemed the “Emporium of the World,” Quanzhou is making

Sep 18, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Quanzhou preserves multicultural legacy as ancient maritime Silk Road hub
Education

Korea urged to enhance campus life, support for int'l students

Korea needs to upgrade campus life, expand language and visa support, and provide visionary leadership to transform overseas talent from transient guests into thriving members of Korean society, experts said at the Korea Times Global Conference on Wednesday. Under the title, “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Global Competitiveness of Korean Universities,” leaders and experts in higher education convened at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry Wednesday to evaluate hurdles in internationalizing Korea’s universities and chart a path forward. The stakes, experts said, are far higher than simply attracting more foreign students. With Korea’s declining birthrate threatening to shrink its workforce and dim its economic future, the ability to successfully integrate skilled foreign workers is not a matter of convenience — it’s a matter of national survival. Moderated by Byun Ki-yong, director of Korea University’s Higher Education Policy Research Institute, the panel revealed insights and candid solutions for boosting Korea’s appeal to international students. “Until now, un

Sep 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Korea urged to enhance campus life, support for int'l students
Travel & Food

Korea takes spotlight as Trip.com rolls out data-driven travel picks

INCHEON — Trip.com, a leading online travel platform, underscored Korea’s growing role in global tourism on Tuesday as it introduced its data-driven curation service, Trip.Best, at a media event at Incheon’s Paradise City resort. Korea was selected as the inaugural host for the Trip.Best 2025 gathering, marking a strategic move that underscores the nation’s growing influence in global tourism. Trip.Best is Trip.com’s annually updated, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered service that curates and ranks hotels, restaurants and travel destinations in more than 15,000 cities across 200 countries by analyzing booking data and user reviews to provide themed recommendations in 14 categories, helping travelers make confident choices in an information-heavy market. Since its launch in Korea in 2018, visits to Trip.com’s website and app have risen 144 percent in the first half of 2025, with a surge in repeat bookings underscoring strong customer loyalty. “Korea is becoming a strategic hub in the global travel market. Expanding the base of loyal customers and analyzing diverse trend d

Sep 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Korea takes spotlight as Trip.com rolls out data-driven travel picks
Travel & Food

Korea launches major fall tourism campaign to boost local economies

Korea has launched a major autumn tourism campaign, offering discounted travel packages, regional festivals and expanded public-private partnerships in a bid to revive local economies, the government said Tuesday. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched the campaign together with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Six major business associations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also joined the effort, signaling strong collaboration between government and industry. At a declaration ceremony at the Korea Tourism Organization’s (KTO) Seoul center, participating groups pledged to promote travel to lesser-known regions while supporting small businesses and local service providers. Jointly organized by the culture ministry and the KTO, the campaign runs until November and is designed to mobilize both public resources and private networks. K-pop singer Chuu has been appointed as an honorary ambassador to draw younger travelers. The initiative features a suite

Sep 16, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Korea launches major fall tourism campaign to boost local economies
Travel & Food

PHOTO Heartthrob Park Bo-gum named Incheon airport ambassador

Actor Park Bo-gum and Incheon International Airport Corp. President Lee Hag-jae pose for a photo during a ceremony for this year's honorary ambassador at the airport, Monday. Following in the footsteps of figure skating icons Kim Yuna and Cha Jun-hwan, K-pop girl group aespa and climber Um Hong-gil, Park will promote Korea's busiest air travel hub for three years. Courtesy of Incheon International Airport Corp.

Sep 16, 2025By Lee Hae-rinphoto
[PHOTO] Heartthrob Park Bo-gum named Incheon airport ambassador
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