The Korea Times

Rachel Chavkin directs new chapter for ‘Lempicka’ in Korea

Tamara de Lempicka (1894-1980) was a Polish artist whose work defined the daring spirit of the “new woman.” Her “Autoportrait (Tamara in a Green Bugatti)” (1929) shows the artist behind the wheel of a green sports car, her gloves and scarf matching the era’s fascination with speed, glamour and control. Nearly a century later, de Lempicka’s spirit forms the heart of the Broadway musical “Lempicka,” which arrives in Seoul this spring in a Korean-language production led by original director Rachel Chavkin. “No, she never owned a green Bugatti, but it’s her with her scarf flying in the wind,” Chavkin said at a studio in Gangdong Arts Center in Seoul on Friday, a day after arriving for rehearsals. “Tamara is probably best known as giving a face, an image, a style and an expression to this idea of the new liberated woman who works, goes after what she wants and has sex with who she wants.” New chapter in Seoul The musical tells the unapologetic story of de Lempicka, a bisexual painter who fled the Russian Revolution and reinvented herself in Paris, navigating political

Jan 23, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo

Rachel Chavkin directs new chapter for ‘Lempicka’ in Korea

Korean Heritage

Heritage agency files complaint against Kim Keon Hee over private use of cultural sites

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) filed a criminal complaint against Kim Keon Hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, with Seoul’s Jongno Police Station, Wednesday, following an internal audit that found state-managed cultural heritage sites and resources were allegedly used for private purposes. The complaint stems from a special audit launched by the agency last November to investigate matters related to state heritage involving the former president and his spouse. The KHS noted this internal investigation was separate from a special probe already transferred to police. According to the audit findings, Kim allegedly held a private tea gathering at Mangmyoru Pavilion inside Jongmyo Shrine, an area normally closed to the public, for reasons unrelated to official state events or diplomatic receptions. The report also states that Kim exceeded her authority regarding national heritage affairs by conducting advance inspections of an official commemorative event for the restoration of Gwanghwamun’s Woldae platform and signboard and by touring restricted areas of the National Pal

Jan 21, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo

Heritage agency files complaint against Kim Keon Hee over private use of cultural sites

K-pop

Korea Heritage Service gives conditional nod to BTS' Gwanghwamun comeback show

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) conditionally approved HYBE’s proposal to stage a large-scale “K-heritage and K-pop fusion performance” in and around some of Seoul’s most symbolic cultural heritage sites, including Gyeongbok Palace, Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun. The decision came Tuesday after the agency’s Cultural Heritage Committee reviewed HYBE’s request to use and film within the heritage zones for the show in March. The committee’s palaces and tombs subcommittee passed the plan with conditions and decided to form a smaller working group to address specific issues such as safety, noise and crowd management, and to further assess the potential impact on the heritage environment, according to the KHS. HYBE, home to global K-pop powerhouse BTS, recently submitted an application seeking permission to use multiple heritage locations for a concert and a media facade event. The requested sites include areas of Gyeongbok Palace such as Geunjeongmun Gate and Heungnyemun Gate, Gwanghwamun and Woldae (stone platform) zone and surrounding walls, as well as Sungnyemun, also known a

Jan 20, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korea Heritage Service gives conditional nod to BTS' Gwanghwamun comeback show

Foreign Affairs

Korean lawmakers introduce resolution condemning Iran crackdown

A coalition of Korean lawmakers submitted a resolution condemning what they describe as Iran’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests, urging a coordinated international response and demanding the Korean government prioritize the safety of its citizens in Iran. Rep. Lee Un-ju, a Supreme Council member of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), announced Friday that she filed the resolution, which denounces the Iranian government’s suppression of ongoing demonstrations, calls for protection of the Iranian people’s lives and human rights, and emphasizes the need for a strong and responsible stance from the international community. The resolution drew support from 77 lawmakers across party lines, including more than 60 from the DPK, as well as members of the main opposition People Power Party, the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, the Social Democratic Party and several independents. Lee described the effort as a rare example of bipartisan consensus on an urgent international human rights issue. She expressed her gratitude to lawmakers who came together, highlighting the shared

Jan 16, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korean lawmakers introduce resolution condemning Iran crackdown

Films

'KPop Demon Hunters' wins big at Golden Globes with best animated film, song

Netflix’s animated hit "KPop Demon Hunters" emerged as a major winner at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes, Sunday (local time), taking home awards for Best Motion Picture — Animated alongside Best Original Song for its standout track "Golden." The double win cemented the K-pop-inspired film’s status as one of the night’s most successful titles. Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, along with producer Michelle Wong, accepted the award for best animated feature on behalf of the team. Kang expressed gratitude to the Golden Globes and to everyone who believed a film so deeply rooted in Korean culture could resonate globally. "Through this film we really wanted to depict female characters the way that we know women, which is really strong and bold, really silly and weird and really hungry for food, and sometimes a little thirsty," Kang said. Appelhans called the project "a love letter to music and the power it has to connect us, to make us see some kind of shared humanity, which we could use in the world these days." "We have to thank the fans for embracing the film, it meant every

Jan 12, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo

'KPop Demon Hunters' wins big at Golden Globes with best animated film, song

PHOTOS Dazzling at Golden Globe Awards

Arts & Theater

From 'Frozen' to K-musicals: What’s coming to Korean stages in 2026

Korea’s theater scene is set for another eventful year in 2026, from blockbuster imports to ambitious original works aiming for international success. Here’s a look at some of the key titles that are expected to shape the season. Global hits land in Seoul The year opens with CJ ENM bringing the stage adaptation of “Spirited Away” to Seoul, premiering Jan. 7 at the Seoul Arts Center. Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film, the play follows Chihiro as she stumbles into a fantastical world of spirits and must find her way back. The show debuted in Tokyo in 2022, later traveling to London’s West End and Shanghai, and arrives in Korea as a touring production featuring Japanese performers. Two well-known actors share the title role: Mone Kamishiraishi, the Japan Academy Film Prize winner who originated the stage role, and Rina Kawaei, formerly of AKB48. The Seoul production runs through March 22. Another major international arrival is “Lempicka,” a new Broadway musical based on the life of the iconic Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka, at NOL Theater COEX Woori Bank Hall fro

Jan 8, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo

From 'Frozen' to K-musicals: What’s coming to Korean stages in 2026

Society

PHOTO Year of the Horse

Jeju horses, designated as a Natural Monument of Korea, roam in a pasture of the Jeju Livestock and Life Science Research Institute on Jeju Island, Dec. 19. In Korean tradition, the Year of the Horse is associated with strength, speed, passion and daring spirit. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Dec 31, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Opinion

Why we still look to zodiac to begin new year

As December fades into January, I find myself returning to a familiar assignment — one I first picked up as a Culture Desk reporter and now continue as an editor. It’s time to write once again about the New Year’s zodiac animal and what it supposedly means for all of us. To be honest, this task has become more a habit, driven by inertia. The outline is always there: A ready-made topic, a cultural framework that many readers share and an annual excuse to talk about traditions that survive because they stay useful, not because they stay factual. Still, every year, a quiet question lingers in the back of my mind: Do we really believe this? That all people born 12 years apart share a distinct set of personality traits based on the animal assigned to their birth year? In 2026, that animal is the horse. In Korean tradition, the horse stands for more than just speed or strength. It is considered a sacred and auspicious creature — a messenger between heaven and earth, a sign of royal presence and a symbol of power, passion and forward movement. It has long carried more than just riders;

Dec 31, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Music

PHOTO KNSO Academy nurtures aspiring musicians

Han Yun-sang, center, senior executive advisor of The Korea Times’ sister paper Hankook Ilbo, presents a 3 million won scholarship to cellist Hwang Hae-won, right, and flutist Lim Jeong-woo during the Korea National Symphony Orchestra's (KNSO) 2025 KNSO Academy completion ceremony in Seoul, Dec. 29. Hwang and Lim were recognized as exemplary participants in the string and wind instrument categories, respectively. This year’s KNSO Academy, now in its fifth edition, expanded enrollment from 18 to 60 young musicians under age 34, offering 10 months of training and over 30 performance opportunities, including orchestra, chamber music, ballet and opera productions. Courtesy of KNSO

Dec 30, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

[PHOTO] KNSO Academy nurtures aspiring musicians

K-pop

NewJeans full-group return derailed as Ador ends Danielle’s contract

NewJeans’ full-member comeback is thrown into doubt after Ador announced the termination of its exclusive contract with member Danielle. In its official statement released Monday, Ador outlined the status of ongoing discussions with Minji, Hanni and Danielle, who had previously expressed a willingness to return to the company after the Seoul Central District Court ruled on Oct. 30 that all five members must honor their exclusive contracts with Ador through 2029. "Following the court's ruling, we’ve held numerous conversations with Minji, Hanni, Danielle and their families,” the label said in the statement. “Hanni, along with her family, visited Korea and engaged in discussions with us. Through sincere dialogue, she made the decision to remain with Ador, respecting the court’s decision.” The company added Minji is also continuing discussions with the agency, but it did not indicate whether she reached a final decision. However, a different conclusion was reached regarding Danielle. “We determined it would be difficult to continue with Danielle as a NewJeans member and Ador ar

Dec 29, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

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