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Lee Kyung-min

Korea Times AI content 2 team Reporter

Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr

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Companies

Sulwhasoo expands luxury footprint with 1st Tokyo department store pop-up

Sulwhasoo is making its first formal push into Japan’s luxury beauty market, opening its first official department store pop-up in Tokyo as it seeks to turn six decades of ginseng research into a new connection with Japanese consumers. The Korean luxury beauty brand’s pop-up at Isetan Shinjuku opened Sept. 5 and runs through Oct. 13, marking its first official pop-up at a Japanese department store. Sulwhasoo operates more than 600 stores in 15 countries and is using its ginseng research as a central part of its expansion in Japan. This year marks 60 years since Sulwhasoo introduced ABC Ginseng Cream, which it describes as the world’s first cosmetic product to apply ginseng to skin care. The brand began building awareness in Japan before its department store debut, holding a pop-up with Japanese beauty platform @cosme in May and hosting a launch event in August for beauty media, retailers and influencers. At the event, Sulwhasoo presented its brand philosophy, core products and six decades of ginseng research, while collaborating with Japanese beauty magazine Biteki Grand on content

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Sulwhasoo expands luxury footprint with 1st Tokyo department store pop-up
K-pop

1VERSE turns claw-machine frustration into new track 'LOOP'

K-pop boy group 1VERSE is back with "LOOP," turning that universally relatable sting of a missed claw-machine prize into an infectious, high-octane electronic pop anthem. Marking its first release since January, the group takes an everyday moment of playful annoyance and spins it into a sleek, fast-paced rhythm that hits home for listeners anywhere in the world. 1VERSE released “LOOP” at noon on Friday in Korea, with members Kenny, Nathan and Aito contributing to the song’s lyrics and composition. Inspired by the cycle of reaching for a prize, missing it and deciding to try “just one more time,” “LOOP” uses arcade-style electronic sounds and a tense, game-like progression to capture the pull of repeated failure. Michelle Cho, CEO of Singing Beetle, said the song explores how a small expectation can become difficult to abandon as repeated attempts turn into a cycle that is increasingly hard to escape. Nathan said “LOOP” brings to mind playing a claw machine in an arcade, where failure only makes another attempt feel more necessary. Kenny said his own difficulty with claw m

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
1VERSE turns claw-machine frustration into new track 'LOOP'
People & Events

Unplug, unwind at Seoul Botanic Park's autumn haven

Escape the fast-paced energy of the capital and step into an urban sanctuary in western Seoul, as Seoul Botanic Park invites travelers and residents to slow down and reconnect with nature. Running from September through November, the park is launching 20 immersive seasonal programs — ranging from guided eco-walks to hands-on botanical workshops — designed to bring children, families and solo explorers closer to Korea’s vibrant autumn wildlife and flora. The programs span four areas, including native plants, insect and bird observation, and garden design, with activities tailored to different ages and interests, Seoul Botanic Park said. Children can learn about plant survival strategies, make crafts, cook seasonal food, tend gardens and plant succulents through programs held at Children’s Garden School. Among them is “Our Plant Story,” which explores native plants found at the park, along with “Little Botanist,” “Yum Yum Plant Table” and “Climate Hero Expedition.” Family programs move beyond indoor instruction, inviting participants outdoors to search for grasshoppe

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Unplug, unwind at Seoul Botanic Park's autumn haven
People & Events

Ditch the commute and hit the mat at Seoul Museum of Craft Art

Trade the rush-hour crush for sunset views, quiet mindfulness and creative spark at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art — located in the heart of central Seoul, just steps from Anguk Station at the entrance to historic Insa-dong and Bukchon — as it opens its doors after dark this fall. Residents and travelers alike are invited to unwind through open-air yoga on the museum grounds, evening heritage runs through historic Bukchon and hands-on traditional craft workshops. The programs are designed to give residents more ways to use the museum as an evening leisure space, while supporting Seoul’s efforts to expand nighttime cultural activity. The first yoga and meditation sessions begin Sept. 19 and continue through Oct. 14, with six sessions scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in outdoor areas including the Craft Yard and rooftop. Participants will wear headsets and follow professional instructors through yoga and meditation accompanied by sounds including singing bowls, a traditional Korean plucked zither, handpans and gongs. About 880 people are expected to participate across the six sessions. The museum

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Ditch the commute and hit the mat at Seoul Museum of Craft Art
People & Events

Korea's regional cities bet on culture for growth

Nestled along the banks of the Miryang River in South Gyeongsang Province, about 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, an ambitious national initiative for regional development is taking shape. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with South Gyeongsang Province and the National Council of Cultural Cities, opened the 2026 National Cultural City Fair on Friday. Running through Sunday near the historic Yeongnamru Pavilion, the four-day gathering brings together 37 designated “cultural cities” across Korea to share how local heritage can help revitalize provincial towns. Faced with severe demographic shifts and rapid rural depopulation, Korea launched its Cultural City initiative in 2019. The policy aims to empower municipalities, local artists and residents to cultivate unique cultural identities, driving local economic growth and reversing youth exodus. Over the past seven years, the program has grown into a cornerstone of regional policy, providing structural support to help smaller cities build sustainable, creative ecosystems outside the capital region. “Cult

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea's regional cities bet on culture for growth
K-pop

BTS brings 'ARIRANG' tour to cinemas worldwide

BTS will bring two South American concerts from its "ARIRANG" world tour to movie theaters worldwide, giving fans a chance to watch performances on large screens across more than 80 countries and regions. The live viewing events will feature BTS' Oct. 24 concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and its Oct. 30 concert in São Paulo, Brazil, according to BigHit Music. Tickets for the screenings will go on sale Thursday, with sales in Korea opening sequentially from 10 a.m. and global sales beginning at 10 p.m. that day. The screenings will be presented live or on a delayed basis depending on local time zones, with audiences in Korea, other parts of Asia and Australia expected to watch the concerts one to two days after the performances. The screenings will use large screens and enhanced sound systems to recreate the concert experience for audiences gathered in cinemas. BTS has previously held live viewing events in Goyang and Busan in Korea and in Tokyo, drawing strong interest from music fans. The South American screenings are expected to take place at about 3,800 theaters across more than 80 c

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
BTS brings 'ARIRANG' tour to cinemas worldwide
South Korea

Eyes above the water: Seoul deploys physical AI to prevent Han River tragedies

Beneath the bridges that span the Han River, the sound of splashing water or a sharp scream can mean the difference between life and death. Korea’s capital is turning to cutting-edge technology to ensure those desperate calls for help do not go unheard. As part of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a new 2.8 billion won ($2.1 million) initiative to deploy an artificial intelligence (AI) emergency response system along the city's waterways. Supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the two-year national project seeks to drastically narrow the critical response window for individuals in crisis along the river's iconic spans. The high-tech lifesaver will debut at Banpo Bridge, a central landmark in Gangnam, with a full operational launch scheduled for November, following a pilot program in October. The stakes could not be higher. According to official fire department statistics, emergency crews recorded 1,272 suicide attempts across the Han River’s 31 bridges in 2024 alone. Surviving a fall into the powerful current hinges entirely on how fast

Sep 10, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Eyes above the water: Seoul deploys physical AI to prevent Han River tragedies
People & Events

Cheongna Lake Park turns into triathlon, culture hub

Cheongna Lake Park will trade its usual quiet pace for two days of racing, music and hands-on activities as Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Authority hosts its 2026 IFEZ Triathlon and related events on Saturday and Sunday. The centerpiece is the IFEZ Triathlon Sunday, when about 500 athletes and triathlon enthusiasts are expected to swim 1.5 kilometers, cycle 40 kilometers and run 10 kilometers through Cheongna International City. Unlike races confined to stadiums or dedicated courses, the event will bring competitors into the city itself, with swimming in Cheongna Lake Park and cycling along roads around the park before runners return to finish at the waterfront. Organizers said the event is intended not only for competitors but also for residents, children, teenagers and families, offering a broader festival built around sports, culture and future mobility. On Saturday, visitors can explore the IFEZ RC Mobility Championship from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park’s waterside plaza, with RC car displays, miniature car assembly and racing, RC boat demonstrations and vintage and heavy-equi

Sep 10, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Cheongna  Lake Park turns into triathlon, culture hub
Economy

Seoul pitches innovation, skilled workers to global investors in London

Seoul is pitching itself to global investors as a city where technology can be tested quickly, industries are tightly connected and skilled workers are plentiful. Seoul Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Park Chan-gu presented the city’s investment environment and competitiveness on Tuesday (local time) in London at the “Invest K-Finance: London IR 2026” event, which was attended by representatives of 22 global investment banks and asset management firms, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The event, hosted by the Financial Supervisory Service with participation from the Seoul city government, the National Pension Service and major financial institutions, brought together about 40 senior executives for discussions with Korean officials and financial leaders. Park said Seoul’s three main investment strengths were its role as a fast-moving test bed, its industrial ecosystem linked to global companies and its human capital. He highlighted Seoul’s large consumer market and high digital adoption, which allow companies to test new products and services in real-world setting

Sep 10, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul pitches innovation, skilled workers to global investors in London
Policy

Korea, EU seek stronger supply chain ties as industry rules evolve

Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with senior European Union officials to press for closer industrial cooperation and raise concerns over proposed EU rules that could reshape supply chains. Kim met with Stephane Sejourne, EU executive vice president for prosperity and industrial strategy, to discuss the EU Industrial Accelerator Act, the Korea-EU Competitiveness Partnership and plans for a high-level economic dialogue. Kim also met separately with Dirk Gotink, a member of the European Parliament, and conveyed Korea’s concerns about provisions being considered in the European Parliament. Kim said Korea and the EU, as economic partners that share commitments to free trade and a rules-based international order, should deepen cooperation as geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain restructuring and technological competition accelerate. He said Korea’s manufacturing strengths in advanced industries such as semiconductors and batteries could complement European capabilities and help both sides strengthen supply chain resilience and industrial competitiveness. Kim raised particular c

Sep 10, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea, EU seek stronger supply chain ties as industry rules evolve
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