The Korea Times

K-Culture Forum in London explores future of hallyu in digital age

The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) will host the K-Culture Forum at the Royal Society of Arts in London on June 9, bringing together cultural leaders, innovators and thinkers to explore new directions for Korea’s soft power amid a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Under the theme “Celebrating Creativity: Digitally, Boldly, Korean,” the forum aims to present a vision for the future of the Korean wave, also known as hallyu, while embracing uncertainty as an opportunity for creative transformation. “Culture transforms uncertainty into possibility,” KCCUK Director Sun Seung-hye said. “At the forefront of Korea’s soft power, we aim to present the future of hallyu here in the U.K. — the birthplace of the creative industries — while boldly navigating the digital era with Korean creativity and aesthetics.” The event consists of two parts — a series of keynote talks in the morning, followed by an open forum and networking reception in the afternoon. It is expected to bring together prominent voices in Korean culture alongside international experts in art, economics, phi

May 26, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

K-Culture Forum in London explores future of hallyu in digital age

People & Events

Women architects in spotlight

Visitors take a look around the 2025 International Special Exhibition of Women Architects at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul, Tuesday. Under the theme of "Arch of Inclusion, Architecture Bridging Worlds," SANAA co-founder Kazuyo Sejima, UN Studio partner and senior architect Astrid Piber, COBE CEO Mari Randsborg and Cheong So-yi of Korea's Land and Housing Institute took part in an international symposium, discussing future urbanism and architecture from the perspective of women. Yonhap

May 20, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korean Heritage

Rare Joseon-era world atlas from 18th century to be auctioned in UK

Five rare Korean maps from the 18th-century atlas "Cheonhado" (Atlas of the World), once owned by a former New Zealand ambassador to Seoul, will go under the hammer in the U.K. Tuesday, offering a rare glimpse into premodern Korean cartography and worldviews. The hand-crafted maps — part of the private collection of Patricia (1920-2010) and Denis Dunlop (1917-2012) — will be featured in Woolley & Wallis auction house's "Japanese & Korean Works of Art" sale under the name of "Ch’onha Chido." The lot's estimate is between 2,000 and 3,000 British pounds ($2,675.21 to $4,012.81). Created during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the "Cheonhado," also known as "Cheonhajido," was a Korea-centered atlas that typically featured a world map, maps of Korea’s eight provinces and depictions of neighboring regions such as China, Japan and the Ryukyu Islands (now Japan's Okinawa Prefecture). It was produced mainly for administrative training, military planning and ceremonial purposes. The five pieces to be auctioned are presumed to be part of a once-complete atlas. "Crafted entirely by hand

May 20, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Rare Joseon-era world atlas from 18th century to be auctioned in UK

People & Events

Youth gambling prevention week rallies public support in Seoul

As part of a weeklong national campaign to address the growing threat of underage gambling, the Ministry of Education and the National Gambling Control Commission (NGCC) held an event in Seoul, Friday, presenting a united front against a problem that is increasingly affecting young Koreans. Now in its second year, the Youth Gambling Prevention Week runs from May 12 to Sunday under the theme “Building a Social Safety Net to Prevent Youth Gambling.” The campaign emphasizes that the issue is not a matter of individual behavior but a growing social concern that demands coordinated action across government, schools, families and the private sector. The Seoul event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza served as the campaign’s centerpiece, following earlier regional events in Busan and Daejeon and convening relevant ministries, the gambling industry, youth-related organizations and private companies such as Kangwon Land and SportsToto Korea. The program featured talks with experts, recovering gambling addicts, parents and public figures; a magic show by YouTuber Nicky; youth busking performances; a

May 16, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Youth gambling prevention week rallies public support in Seoul

People & Events

Choi Jung-wha awarded French Legion of Honour Officier medal

Choi Jung-wha, chairperson of the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) and honorary professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, became the first Korean woman to be awarded the Legion of Honour at the rank of Officier by the French government. Ambassador of France to Korea Philippe Bertoux presented the honor on behalf of the French president in a ceremony Thursday at the ambassador’s residence in central Seoul. Choi was previously awarded the Chevalier grade of the same order in 2003, also marking a first for a Korean woman, and her elevation to Officier recognizes her decades-long contributions to strengthening Korea-France relations and promoting cultural exchanges. A lifelong advocate for cultural diplomacy, Choi has been widely recognized for her work in promoting Korean culture overseas and fostering global dialogue. During the ceremony, French Ambassador Bertoux praised Choi as a rare and charismatic figure who continuously inspired admiration through her energy, warmth and commitment to cultural diplomacy. "Choi's devotion to France began with her love for the French

May 15, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Choi Jung-wha awarded French Legion of Honour Officier medal

Opinion

Can K-pop still be K-pop without Korea?

“K-pop is K-pop — throwing in British is like forcing fish and chips into kimchi.” This was one of the comments I encountered after publishing my recent article on dearALICE, a British boy band trained under K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment. Such comments capture a growing debate seeking to define this globalizing moment in Korean pop culture: What exactly qualifies as K-pop? It had been years since I last interviewed so-called idols, but meeting members of dearALICE in London was a delight — they were young, bright and full of ambition. In my piece, I avoided explicitly labeling dearALICE as a “K-pop" group. Instead, I borrowed their own words, describing them as a British boy band doing their own music, inspired by K-pop and in the process of figuring out their identity. But still, I found myself frequently referring to K-pop throughout the article. Maybe I, too, subconsciously viewed them through a K-pop lens — a natural reflex when a group trains in Seoul, debuts under collaboration with SM and appears on K-pop stages. I was intrigued to see the article spark debate onli

May 14, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Arts & Theater

Matt Doyle, Senzel Ahmady to lead ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Korea

The Seoul production of the Broadway hit musical “The Great Gatsby” revealed its star-studded cast Wednesday, with Tony Award winner Matt Doyle and rising musical theater talent Senzel Ahmady set to lead the show, ahead of its August premiere at GS Arts Center in southern Seoul. Doyle, who won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in “Company,” will take on the role of the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby. Known for his emotionally rich performances and exceptional vocal ability, Doyle has built a solid resume on Broadway with appearances in “Spring Awakening,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “War Horse” and “The Book of Mormon.” Starring opposite Doyle as Daisy Buchanan is Senzel Ahmady, a breakout star best known for her two-year run as Jasmine in the North American tour of “Aladdin.” The production brings a roster of Broadway talent to Seoul, featuring Gerald Caesar as Nick Carraway, Amber Ardolino as Jordan Baker, Jeanna De Waal as Myrtle Wilson, Wes Williams as Tom Buchanan, Tally Sessions as George Wilson and Ed Staudenmayer as Meyer W

May 14, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Matt Doyle, Senzel Ahmady to lead ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Korea

Music

Chung Myung-whun to lead Italy’s La Scala as first Asian music director starting 2027

Maestro Chung Myung-whun, one of Korea’s most celebrated conductors, has been appointed music director of Italy’s Teatro alla Scala, becoming the first Asian to hold the post in its 247-year history. The opera house, commonly known as La Scala, announced Monday (local time) that Chung will assume the role in 2027, following the conclusion of current music director Riccardo Chailly's tenure. The decision marks a turning point for the Milan-based opera house, long considered one of the so-called "Big Three" alongside the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in London. Chung, 72, will serve for approximately three years, overlapping with the term of La Scala’s new general manager and artistic director Fortunato Ortombina, whose tenure runs through February 2030. Chung’s relationship with La Scala spans more than three decades. Since making his debut at the Milanese opera house in 1989, he has conducted nine operas across 84 performances and led 141 concerts, holding the record for the highest number of appearances, apart from its official music directors. In 202

May 13, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Chung Myung-whun to lead Italy’s La Scala as first Asian music director starting 2027

People & Events

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV expected to visit Korea for World Youth Day 2027

Pope Leo XIV, newly elected as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, is expected to visit Korea in 2027 to attend the next World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul. If realized, the visit would make him the third pope in history to set foot on Korean soil. The prospect of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Korea emerged as Pope Francis had already announced Seoul as the next WYD host city during the 2023 gathering in Lisbon. Given the tradition of popes attending WYD in person, including in 2005 when Pope Benedict XVI attended the Cologne event following the death of John Paul II, expectations for Leo XIV’s attendance in Seoul are high. First formalized in 1986 under Pope John Paul II, WYD has since become a landmark event in global Catholicism, bringing hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world together for worship. The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul predicts between 400,000 to 800,000 participants for the 2027 gathering, including both domestic and international visitors. It would become the fourth papal visit to Korea, following those of Pope John Paul II in 1984 and 1989 a

May 9, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV expected to visit Korea for World Youth Day 2027

K-pop

From London to Seoul: How dearALICE is redefining K-pop boy bands

LONDON — Just two years ago, Olly, Dexter and Blaise knew little about K-pop beyond its biggest names. Now, they are preparing to step onto the SMTOWN LIVE London stage as members of dearALICE, the first-ever British K-pop boy band. Born out of a BBC reality show and trained under K-pop giant SM Entertainment, the band now stands at the forefront of K-pop’s ambitious global expansion, blending Korean perfectionism with distinctly British charm. Sitting down at the Korean Cultural Centre UK near Trafalgar Square on April 24, three of the quintet's members reflected on their journey. Members James and Reese were not able to attend the interview. “It was quite secretive at the start. You didn’t really know what you were walking into,” Dexter said, recalling the early audition process. “It was just an audition to be in a boy band. We showed up not knowing much. But then once we found out the opportunity to go to Korea to train with SM, all of us realized it was quite a big opportunity, not something you’d ever want to miss. I’m so happy we made it." Formed through the BBC rea

May 8, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Kwon Mee-yoo

Read more

K-Culture Forum in London explores future of hallyu in digital age

Women architects in spotlight

Rare Joseon-era world atlas from 18th century to be auctioned in UK

Youth gambling prevention week rallies public support in Seoul

Choi Jung-wha awarded French Legion of Honour Officier medal

Can K-pop still be K-pop without Korea?

Matt Doyle, Senzel Ahmady to lead ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Korea

Chung Myung-whun to lead Italy’s La Scala as first Asian music director starting 2027

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV expected to visit Korea for World Youth Day 2027

From London to Seoul: How dearALICE is redefining K-pop boy bands

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