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Lee Kyung-min

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People & Events

Seoul design exhibition wins global gold award as visitors pass 1 mil.

An exhibition designed to help people see Seoul not just as it is but as what it could become has earned international design recognition, with more than 1 million visitors passing through its doors in less than nine months. My Friend Seoul Pavilion, an interactive exhibition space introducing the capital’s current landscape, future vision and urban policies, received a Gold rating in the exhibition category of FRAME Awards 2026, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday. The pavilion opened Feb. 5 and had attracted about 1 million visitors by the end of October, reflecting strong public interest in its presentation of the city’s development plans and ambitions. Organized by FRAME, a Dutch magazine specializing in interior design, the awards recognize work across 31 categories spanning architecture, interiors and exhibitions. The Seoul pavilion was among six finalists for Exhibition of the Year before receiving its Gold rating in the final judging announced Oct. 22. City officials said the recognition highlights how exhibition design and digital content can make complex urban po

Oct 29, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul design exhibition wins global gold award as visitors pass 1 mil.
Companies

Krafton's chairman urges entrepreneurs to venture beyond comfort zone

Krafton Chairman Chang Byung-gyu urged aspiring entrepreneurs to venture beyond familiar territory, arguing that breakthroughs often begin when people abandon comfortable paths and embrace uncertainty. Chang delivered the keynote address, titled “Expanding Into Infinity,” at the 2026 Chung Ju-yung Startup Competition Demo Day on Wednesday at Coex in southern Seoul, where he discussed how personal choices, persistence and lessons from past ventures can open new avenues for growth. Hosted by the Asan Nanum Foundation, the competition marked its 15th edition this year under the theme “Infinite,” inspired by the late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung’s belief that human potential is limitless. Chang opened by reflecting on the paradox of finite human lives and the impulse to contemplate infinity, recalling how preparing remarks for the groundbreaking ceremony of Krafton’s headquarters in Seongsu-dong led him to consider how ideas and beliefs embedded in buildings can outlast both individuals and companies. He described giving up as one way to discover new possibilities, recount

Oct 29, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Krafton's chairman urges entrepreneurs to venture beyond comfort zone
Others

Overseas Koreans can now renew military discharge cards at embassies

Overseas Koreans living abroad can now easily apply for the reissuance of their military discharge certificates at Korean diplomatic missions, including embassies and consulates, without appointing a proxy in Korea. The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) and the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) announced Thursday that the expanded consular service takes effect immediately. Previously, diplomatic missions provided military service certificates, but lacked a system to issue replacement discharge certificates. Consequently, Koreans residing overseas who lost or damaged their certificates had to designate a representative back home to handle the application process, causing significant inconvenience. To honor veterans and streamline administrative support, the MMA issues wallet-sized, card-style discharge certificates in both Korean and English. Under the new arrangement, the MMA updated the relevant legal framework and established an integrated network with the OKA’s Consular Services 24 system. Overseas Koreans can now submit reissuance requests directly at local diplomatic missions, wh

Oct 29, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Overseas Koreans can now renew military discharge cards at embassies
Korean Heritage

Korean traditional arts take center stage on European tour

Korea’s traditional rhythms, masked dances and epic storytelling are heading to European stages next month in a three-country tour designed to bring the energy of its intangible cultural heritage to international audiences. The National Intangible Heritage Center, under the Korea Heritage Service, said Thursday that “K-Intangible Heritage Festival: Pungjang Korea” would stage performances in Budapest on Wednesday, Podgorica on Nov. 8 and Ankara on Nov. 13. More than 20 performers, including practitioners of nationally recognized intangible heritage and contemporary artists, will combine traditional music, dance and theatrical performance in a production making its European debut. The tour is intended to raise the international profile of Korean cultural heritage while introducing audiences unfamiliar with its traditional arts to the exuberance and communal spirit at the heart of these performances. The program unfolds across four scenes, opening with “Mungut,” a ritual that launches the performance, followed by “Saemgut,” which invokes life and well-being. “Jisinbapgi” d

Oct 29, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korean traditional arts take center stage on European tour
Music

BLACKPINK, late Shin Hae-chul to receive top government arts awards

From global K-pop stars to rock pioneers and beloved television personalities, Korea is honoring generations of entertainers whose work has helped shape its popular culture, with BLACKPINK and the late singer Shin Hae-chul among this year’s recipients of the country’s highest government awards for the arts. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency, will hold the 17th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul, Thursday, recognizing 36 individuals and groups for their contributions to the industry. Ten recipients will receive cultural medals, while seven individuals or groups will receive presidential commendations, eight will receive prime ministerial commendations and 11 will receive commendations from the culture minister. Shin, who helped popularize Korean rock through his experimental music and his band N.EX.T, will receive the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, one of the country’s major cultural honors. The legendary rocker died unexpectedly in 2014 at age 46 due to medical

Oct 29, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
BLACKPINK, late Shin Hae-chul to receive top government arts awards
Companies

Lotte opens sprawling anime, gaming hub at Busan department store

Lotte Department Store is set to open a sprawling retail space in Busan that brings anime, gaming, character merchandise and collectible figures together in one place. The department store’s Busan Main location will open Fandom Space on Friday on its basement first floor, spanning 1,785 square meters and carrying the slogan “Where Fandoms Come Alive.” The new zone brings together merchandise and experiences that have traditionally been scattered across specialty stores, aiming to give fans a place to shop, connect and celebrate their interests. The decision to launch the first location in Busan rather than Seoul reflects the growing appeal of the Seomyeon shopping district among younger consumers, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, according to the company. Sales to customers in those age groups at the Busan branch rose about 15 percent from January through September compared with the same period last year, the retailer said. The location also stands to benefit from Busan’s expanding international tourism market, with the city attracting 3.43 million foreign visitors through

Oct 28, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Lotte opens sprawling anime, gaming hub at Busan department store
People & Events

Seoul Design Week draws 670,000 visitors as city expands global reach

Seoul Design Week attracted 670,000 visitors over 12 days, turning the city into a sprawling showcase for design and consumer culture while drawing international attention ahead of Seoul’s hosting of the 2027 World Design Congress. Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Design Foundation, the festival ran from Oct. 14 to 25, bringing together 871 companies and brands, 370 designers and 353 university students. This year’s edition expanded beyond Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) to 150 design destinations across five areas of Seoul, including Seongsu, Yeonhui, Seochon and Apgujeong, giving visitors opportunities to explore design in studios, exhibitions and everyday spaces. The DDP Design Fair, co-hosted with lifestyle commerce platform 29CM, drew 35,000 visitors over five days, with more than 80 brands presenting products under the theme “A market full of personal tastes.” The event connected consumers with emerging and established designers, offering participating brands opportunities to gauge customer reactions and explore new sales channels. International par

Oct 28, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul Design Week draws 670,000 visitors as city expands global reach
K-pop

1VERSE releases debut mini album, expands world tour in 2027

K-pop boy group 1VERSE will release its first mini album and embark on its second world tour in 2027, opening a new chapter for the group as it seeks to reach audiences across more continents. Korean music label Singing Beetle announced the plans, Wednesday, saying the projects would mark the end of the group’s “SHATTERED” era. The mini album will feature songs self-produced by the members, according to the label, which did not disclose the release date, album title or track list. The upcoming tour will expand beyond North America and Europe, where the group performed during its first world tour, although the label has not yet identified the additional regions it plans to visit. The group’s next chapter has been made possible in part by a crowdfunding project powered by 5TARZ, its fandom, with support from fans around the world, the announcement said. Tour dates, ticket details and additional information will be released through 1VERSE’s official social media channels, the label said. 1VERSE, pronounced “universe,” is preparing to build on its first international tour with a

Oct 28, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
1VERSE releases debut mini album, expands world tour in 2027
People & Events

Seoul Forest pop-up draws 43,000 visitors, with foreigners making up one-quarter

Nearly one in four visitors to a Seoul-branded pop-up store at Seoul Forest were foreign tourists, driving total attendance past 42,000 over three months as municipal authorities work to capitalize on the city's global profile through official merchandise. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that 42,738 people visited The Seoul My Soul Lounge from July 31 to Tuesday during the 2026 Seoul International Garden Show. Foreign visitors numbered 10,272, accounting for 24 percent of the total, according to the city. Set up on a lawn at Seoul Forest, the lounge combined garden displays with merchandise and food products designed to showcase Seoul’s identity, expanding on the city’s existing Seoul My Soul promotional spaces. The venue featured four sections dedicated to Seoul-themed merchandise, food, the city's brand and retail products. Among the biggest draws for international visitors were edible items, including red bean bread made by Koryodang Bakery and snacks from Pungsimdang, both developed through partnerships between the city and private companies. Merchandise featuring

Oct 28, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul Forest pop-up draws 43,000 visitors, with foreigners making up one-quarter
Others

Foreign resident population in Korea hits record 2.66 mil. as int'l student numbers surge

The number of foreign residents living in Korea rose for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 to reach a record high of 2.66 million, driven largely by a sharp increase in international students, government data showed Wednesday. According to the 2025 Foreign Resident Status report released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, foreign residents totaled 2,662,967 as of Nov. 1 last year. The figure represents a 3.1 percent increase, or 79,341 people, from 2,583,626 a year earlier, based on census data compiled by the National Data Agency. Foreign residents now account for 5.1 percent of Korea’s total population of 51,817,499 — the highest proportion on record. The ministry defines foreign residents as individuals residing in the country for more than 90 days who hold foreign nationality, have acquired Korean citizenship or were born in Korea to foreign-national or naturalized parents. By category, non-Korean nationals grew 3.2 percent to 2,109,057, while naturalized citizens increased 4.4 percent to 256,491. Korean-born children of foreign residents edged up 0.7 percent to 297,4

Oct 28, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Foreign resident population in Korea hits record 2.66 mil. as int'l student numbers surge
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