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Kim Se-jeong

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

I am covering trend, food and fashion. Previously, I covered diplomacy, city, environment and unification.

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People & Events

From Havana to Seoul: International Korean language instructors from 49 countries unite in Seoul

As the popularity of Korean pop culture continues to fuel demand for Korean language learning across the globe, educators gathered in Seoul this week to exchange insights and celebrate their shared mission of spreading the language and culture. Among them was Lissette Gonzalez Rodriguez, a teacher at the King Sejong Institute in Havana, Cuba — the first formal Korean language institute in the country, launched last year together with the Korean Embassy after the two countries established diplomatic relations in February 2024. The Havana branch currently has approximately 150 students. "Many learners are middle and high school students who are inspired by K-pop music and Korean dramas,” Gonzalez Rodriguez told The Korea Times in Seoul on Monday. “We don’t have Netflix, but people learn about Korean culture through YouTube.” Gonzalez Rodriguez flew to Korea to attend the 2025 World Korean Educator Conference in Seoul, joining about 300 Korean language teachers at the annual event hosted by the King Sejong Institute Foundation. Running through Thursday, the conference provides op

Jul 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
From Havana to Seoul: International Korean language instructors from 49 countries unite in Seoul
Travel & Food

5 places to enjoy cardamom buns in Seoul

With its warm, citrusy aroma and slightly sweet, peppery bite, cardamom is a spice that lingers on the tongue — mysterious yet comforting. Cultivated in subtropical regions, cardamom is made from the seeds of plants in the ginger family. In India, it’s a common ingredient in savory dishes and spiced teas. Across Scandinavia, it lends its signature fragrance to sweet breads and pastries, and in the Middle East, it’s often added to desserts and coffee. Now, this ancient spice is enjoying a moment in Korea. Though relatively new to locals, cardamom has made its way into Seoul’s bakeries and cafes. The trend has gone viral on social media, with users sharing snaps and reviews of their favorite finds. The Korea Times rounds up five of the best spots in Seoul to try these fragrant, chewy delights. 1. Lecker Lecker At Lecker Lecker, a German baker crafts cardamom buns with care — and a bit of education. Customers are treated to a short introduction to the spice, often invited to smell the cardamom pods before digging in. “The reactions are usually polarized — some dislike it, othe

Jul 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
5 places to enjoy cardamom buns in Seoul
Music

From Beethoven to BTS: How K-pop hits sample classical music

Classical music and K-pop have seemed worlds apart — the former a centuries-old tradition, the latter a hyper-modern global phenomenon. But listen closely and you’ll hear just how often the two collide in unexpected harmony. Take BTS’ V, for example. On June 17, he surprised fans by attending a piano concert by world-renowned pianist Cho Seong-jin in Seoul. Just days earlier, singer and actor Cha Eun-woo also attended the Orchestre de Paris' concerts in Seoul, conducted by Klaus Mekele and accompanied by piano prodigy Lim Yun-chan at the Seoul Arts Center on June 11. Another BTS member RM posted a photo of himself with maestro Chung Myung-whun and acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook, likely taken after Chung’s July 3 concert, offering a glimpse into his appreciation for classical music. These appearances aren’t one-off surprises, but hint at a growing appreciation for classical music within the K-pop world. K-pop artists, composers and producers are increasingly turned to classical music for inspiration, weaving iconic melodies into chart-topping tracks. So, which classical work

Jul 18, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
From Beethoven to BTS: How K-pop hits sample classical music
Books

Cheong Wa Dae insider's essay offers glimpse into life inside Korea's presidential office

As Korea’s former presidential compound Cheong Wa Dae prepares to resume its role as the official seat of power, a new memoir by a longtime employee offers an intimate look at the rhythms and rituals under its blue-tiled roofs. In May 2022, then-newly elected President Yoon Suk Yeol relocated the presidential office to Yongsan District in Seoul, vacating Cheong Wa Dae — also known as the Blue House for its distinct blue tiles — for the first time in decades. The iconic compound was opened to the public, drawing crowds of visitors eager to explore the once-exclusive site. Now, with President Lee Jae Myung announcing his plan to reinstate the office at Cheong Wa Dae soon after his election in June, preparations are underway to return to the complex. Public tours are winding down and renovations are set to begin in August. Leading up to this transfer, Kang Seung-ji, a Cheong Wa Dae employee of seven years, published a candid account of her time inside the compound. Her book, "Behind the Blue House: The People of Cheong Wa Dae," captures the unseen work and humane moments behind the s

Jul 16, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Cheong Wa Dae insider's essay offers glimpse into life inside Korea's presidential office
Music

Lim Yun-chan shines at final duo piano recital with his teacher

“His power and energy to draw the audience into his performance is out of this world.” That’s how one fan described Lim Yun-chan, the 21-year-old piano sensation, following his final duo recital with his teacher Sohn Min-soo at the Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday. “I’m completely hooked,” said Seo Ji-eun, 60, a Seoul resident, standing outside the stage door after the performance. “I went to see him on Saturday and Monday too. Today, I couldn’t get a ticket, so I watched from the lobby on the screen,” she added, referring to the duo's concerts in Incheon on Saturday and at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul on Monday. Monday and Tuesday's recitals were part of the Hyundai Card Culture Project. At this rare four-hands concert, the two pianists played Brahms’ Sonata for Two Pianos in F Minor, Op. 34b, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 and the Rosenkavalier Suite for Two Pianos by Richard Strauss. Lim’s interpretation of these works — especially those originally written for other ensembles — impressed nearly 2,000 audience members filling the auditorium. His performan

Jul 16, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Lim Yun-chan shines at final duo piano recital with his teacher
Korean Heritage

UNESCO recognition for Ulsan petroglyphs rekindles preservation, water supply dilemma

Following UNESCO’s decision on Saturday to grant World Heritage status to the petroglyphs of Bangudae Terrace in the southeastern city of Ulsan, attention has turned to the long-standing dilemma facing the city: how to preserve the ancient rock art while ensuring a stable supply of clean drinking water for its residents. The petroglyphs, which stretch along a 3-kilometer section of the Bangucheon Stream, were recognized for their vivid depictions of prehistoric marine life, including whale hunting, on the Korean Peninsula, dating back nearly 7,000 years. Just 5 kilometers upstream from the UNESCO-designated site sits the Sayeon Dam, the source of Ulsan’s preservation controversy. Built in 1965 to supply water to the city’s newly established industrial complex, the reservoir later became a critical source of drinking water for Ulsan’s 1.1 million residents. Due to the dam’s design, water overflows naturally without human control. As a result, the petroglyphs begin to submerge when the dam’s water level reaches approximately 53 meters and are completely underwater at 58 meters

Jul 14, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
UNESCO recognition for Ulsan petroglyphs rekindles preservation, water supply dilemma
  • Korea's 7,000-year-old petroglyphs gain UNESCO World Heritage status
Books

Popular Naver webtoon ‘Wind Breaker’ canceled over plagiarism allegations

The popular Naver Webtoon series "Wind Breaker" was canceled last week following allegations of plagiarism. According to the platform, "the manuscript of 'Wind Breaker' was found to have compositional and directorial similarities with another work. We have decided to stop the serialization and service of the work." Webtoons — digital comics originating in Korea — are typically read on mobile phones and have gained global popularity. The creator of "Wind Breaker," Jo Yong-seok, confirmed the cancellation and issued an apology to readers. "I sincerely apologize for the distress caused by the recent tracing allegations related to my work," he wrote in Korean. Tracing refers to drawing over the lines of another image using tracing paper or digital tools. "Among the reference materials I used during production, some scenes ended up being very similar to — or nearly identical in expression to — those from other works. This is clearly my fault," Jo said in an apology posted at the end of the series' final episode on the Webtoon platform. The comic is no longer available. He continued, "Fo

Jul 13, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Popular Naver webtoon ‘Wind Breaker’ canceled over plagiarism allegations
Travel & Food

Bingsu: All you need to know about Korea's sweet summer treat

On steamy summer afternoons in Korea, there’s no better relief than a bowl of bingsu — a mountain of finely shaved ice made from water or milk, piled high with toppings like sweet red beans, fresh fruit, a slice of cheesecake or even gold leaf flakes. Once a simple treat, this dessert now ranges from traditional to ultra-luxurious, with flavors and textures as varied as the people who enjoy it. History of bingsu The story of bingsu can’t be told without first exploring the history of ice in Korea. For centuries, people harvested ice from rivers in winter and stored it in insulated facilities to use in summer. In Seoul, the most notable storage sites were Seobinggo and Dongbinggo in what is now Yongsan District. According to the “Gyeongguk Daejeon,” a legal code commissioned in 1458 under King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), ice distribution was strictly controlled due to its scarcity. Only those who could present a special wooden certificate were granted access to ice. The royal family and court officials, including retired ones, were the primary beneficiaries. The ice

Jul 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Bingsu: All you need to know about Korea's sweet summer treat
Travel & Food

Where to try bingsu in Seoul, from classic red bean to matcha and mango mountains

When the Korean summer hits full steam, few things deliver sweet relief like a towering bowl of bingsu. Whether you’re a red bean purist or a mango maximalist, bingsu offers far more than a cold treat. Here are five must-try bingsu spots in Seoul, from old-school classics to Instagram-ready creations. So grab a spoon, dig in and chill out. Taegeukdang ■ Address: 7 Dongho-ro 24-gil, Jung District, Seoul ■ Phone: 02-2279-3152 ■ Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily ■ Website: @taegeukdang on Instagram For a taste of nostalgic, classical patbingsu or red bean bingsu, Taegeukdang is the place to go. Founded in 1946, it is Seoul’s oldest bakery. Its bingsu replicates styles from the 1970s and 1980s, topped with canned fruit, corn flakes, sliced almonds, peanuts and tiny rice cakes. Yeonnam Salon ■ Address: 122-1 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo District, Seoul ■ Phone: 02-332-3471 ■ Hours: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday ■ Website: @yeonnam_salon2011 on Instagram Yeonnam Salon’s matcha white chocolate bingsu is a social media favorite, featuring finely shaved matcha ice with white choc

Jul 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Where to try bingsu in Seoul, from classic red bean to matcha and mango mountains
  • Bingsu: All you need to know about Korea's sweet summer treat
Health

Heatstroke first aid tips as Korea battles extreme heat

An unprecedented heat wave this July is putting the health of many in Korea at serious risk. On Tuesday, Seoul recorded a high of 37.7 degrees Celsius — the hottest temperature ever recorded in early July since official records began. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Tuesday that more than 1,200 cases of heat-related illnesses have been reported so far this year — more than double the number recorded by this time last year. Eight people have already died from heatstroke. Medical professionals warn that extreme heat can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition in which the body loses its ability to regulate its temperature. Heatstroke can also cause severe complications such as multiple organ damage and dysfunction and carries a high fatality rate. “Heatstroke that leads to loss of consciousness occurs when the autonomic nervous system fails and the body can no longer regulate its temperature,” said Lee Sung-woo, an emergency medicine specialist at Korea University Anam Hospital in Seoul. In addition to heatstroke, prolonged exposure to extreme h

Jul 11, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Heatstroke first aid tips as Korea battles extreme heat
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