The Korea Times

Letter to 5 women from Netflix’s 'My Korean Boyfriend'

First, let me congratulate all of you for having the courage to come all the way to Korea in search of a real-life K-drama romance and for putting your private lives on public display on Netflix. I enjoyed watching all eight episodes. Not only was the show entertaining, it was also thought-provoking, prompting me to reflect on love, cultural differences and romance between people from different cultural backgrounds. Beyond the relationships, the show offered an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of my home city, Seoul. The stunning views from cafés, the nocturnal light show along the Han River, the architecture of Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the cherry blossom-lined streets of Yeouido and Bukchon Hanok Village were all very beautiful. I would recommend the show to anyone who wants a glimpse of Seoul before visiting. To Morena: Congratulations on your marriage to Se-woong. While it came as a bit of a surprise, the two of you looked beautiful together, and I hope you will build a happy family. What stood out most to me about you was the trust you placed in Se-woong, even during moments of

Jan 9, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

Letter to 5 women from Netflix’s 'My Korean Boyfriend'

Films

Swedish diplomat, North Korean officer fall in love in Pyongyang in 'The Square'

In films set in or related to North Korea, certain elements often recur: secret agents and military personnel of the country, deprived civilians, breathtaking chases and graphic brutality. "The Square," an animated feature by director Kim Bo-sol, has none of that. Instead, the film focuses on two civilians in North Korea: Isak Börg, a Swedish diplomat, and Bok-ju, a North Korean traffic safety officer and Börg's lover. This unprecedented plot alone is enough to engage viewers immediately. The film follows how the two navigate their emotions and circumstances as they face an impending, permanent separation, inviting viewers to reflect on isolation, control and the quiet cost of love under surveillance. The plot was inspired by a news story Kim came across in 2016. “It was an interview with a real Swedish diplomat who had returned from North Korea after three years of service. When the reporter asked, ‘What was life like in North Korea?’ the diplomat replied, ‘I was so lonely.’ He explained that due to surveillance and control in North Korea, he could not even share a single be

Jan 8, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

Swedish diplomat, North Korean officer fall in love in Pyongyang in 'The Square'

Shows & Dramas

9 most anticipated K-dramas of 2026

From star-studded casts to high-budget fantasy worlds and bold reinterpretations of familiar stories, 2026 is going to be a major year for Korean dramas. Global streaming platforms and local broadcasters are rolling out ambitious projects that pair top actors with acclaimed writers and directors, reflecting the continued global appetite for K-content. Several of the most anticipated series feature long-awaited returns by major stars and genre-blending narratives that span historical romance, legal thrillers and fantasy epics. From Netflix and Disney+ to Genie TV and ENA, content creators are vying for viewer attention with productions designed for both domestic and international audiences. 1. 'Can This Love Be Translated?' Scheduled for release on Jan. 16 on Netflix, "Can This Love Be Translated?" is expected to be the platform's first major Korean original drama of the year. The 12-episode series will depict an unpredictable romance between Joo Ho-jin (Kim Seon-ho), a multilingual interpreter, and Cha Moo-hee (Go Yoon-jung), a top global star. Ho-jin is fluent in multiple languages, inc

Jan 8, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

Trends

'Ramyeon' among 8 new Korean words added to Oxford English Dictionary

Eight Korean words have been newly added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), further cementing the global influence of Korean culture and language. The latest update by the Oxford University Press includes everyday terms familiar to Korean speakers, from beloved dishes to social titles. The newly included entries are "ramyeon" (dried noodles and seasoning that are reconstituted in hot water), "haenyeo" (female free-divers who harvest seafood), "sunbae" (a senior member of a group based on age or experience), "bingsu" (shaved ice with sweet toppings), "jjimjilbang" (a bathhouse with facilities for relaxation), "ajumma" (a middle-aged woman), "Korean barbecue" (thinly sliced meat cooked on a grill) and "officetel" (a building with both commercial and residential units), according to Jieun Kiaer, the University of Oxford professor who serves as the publisher's Korean language consultant, Wednesday. The additions mark the second consecutive year that Korean words have entered the OED. Last year, seven words including "dalgona" (a confection of baking soda and melted sugar) and "tteokbo

Jan 7, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

'Ramyeon' among 8 new Korean words added to Oxford English Dictionary

Others

Seoul subway transfer station melody gets rearranged

Many Seoul subway riders will recognize the short piece of traditional Korean music that plays as a train approaches a station with transfer lines. The tune, played for about five seconds, alerts passengers to upcoming transfer stations. According to the National Gugak Center (NGC), which created the tune, the transfer melody used on Seoul Metro subway lines 1 through 8 will be changed this year after a survey. The music will not be replaced entirely, but differently arranged. “Pungnyeon,” a gayageum (traditional zither) solo accompanied by piano, bass and drums was composed by musician Park Gyeong-hoon and adopted as the subway transfer music in 2023. The full version of “Pungnyeon” is available on the NGC Archive. “The new music will reflect feedback from subway staff and passengers who asked for clearer sound distinction,” the NGC said in a press release. The gugak center explained that the current version’s sound frequencies are too similar to the noise and vibrations of moving trains, making the melody difficult for passengers to recognize. “To address this, the NGC an

Jan 5, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

Seoul subway transfer station melody gets rearranged

Trends

Running into Year of the Horse: Korea looks back on long bond with equines

As Korea gallops into the Year of the Horse, a zodiac sign known for its unstoppable energy and daring spirit, the nation celebrates its enduring bond with horses, from royal courts to farmlands. Throughout history and across civilizations, horses have accompanied humankind — plowing fields, carrying people and goods and serving as important assets in wartime. For centuries, they were central to daily life. As tractors and vehicles replaced animal labor, horses gradually disappeared from farms. Today, they are most commonly seen at racetracks and in parks, where they are kept for sport, recreation and exhibition. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Asian zodiac. As the seventh of the 12 animals in the calendar, the horse traditionally symbolizes power, action, speed and strength. When combined with the fire element's passion and intensity, these traits create a personality that's dynamic, confident and quick to act. While the Year of the Horse returns every 12 years, the specific combination of the horse with the fire element only occurs once every 60 years, due to the zodiac’s

Jan 1, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

Running into Year of the Horse: Korea looks back on long bond with equines

Others

Former PM Kim Hwang-sik defends Syngman Rhee at Far East Forum

Former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, who served from 2010 to 2013, said that blaming Syngman Rhee, Korea’s first president, for the division of the Korean Peninsula amounts to "historical distortion." “It was already the case that a communist regime had been established in the North before the formation of a separate government in South Korea. If this had been left unchecked, there was a high possibility that the entire Korean Peninsula would have become communist,” Kim said Monday at the 56th Far East Forum held in Seoul. The forum was organized by the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea. Views on Rhee’s legacy remain deeply divided in Korea. Critics argue that Rhee failed to pursue reunification as the country’s leader, while his defenders contended that without Rhee, the entire peninsula could have fallen under communist rule. Born in 1875, Rhee spent his young adult life in the United States and contributed to Korea's independence fight against Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation. After liberation, he was elected Korea’s first president in 1948, and remained in of

Dec 30, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Former PM Kim Hwang-sik defends Syngman Rhee at Far East Forum

Travel & Food

Your guide to New Year’s Eve celebrations in Seoul

Whether you’re visiting Seoul for the holidays or calling the city home, the capital offers many ways to welcome the New Year. From centuries-old rituals to large-scale media shows and family-friendly activities, Seoul blends tradition and contemporary culture in its year-end celebrations. For those spending New Year’s Eve in the city — residents and travelers alike — here is a guide to where and how to ring in the New Year. Bosingak bell-ringing ceremony The Bosingak bell-ringing ceremony offers one of Seoul’s most time-honored New Year traditions. Located in the city’s historic center, the event dates back to the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty. Each year, city officials, celebrities and residents ring the bell 33 times before tens of thousands of spectators. The number 33 symbolizes peace and safety in Buddhism. Visitors should expect large crowds and are strongly advised to use public transportation as roads near the venue will be closed. Taking the subway is the best option for getting in and out. The closest station is Jonggak Station on Seoul Metro Line 1 and Euljiro 1-ga Sta

Dec 30, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Your guide to New Year’s Eve celebrations in Seoul

Shows & Dramas

5 Korean thriller dramas to watch before year ends

Thriller is a genre in which Korean dramas excel. Starting with Netflix’s “Squid Game,” series such as “The Glory” (2022) and “Kingdom” (2019) have successfully blended suspense, action and psychological depth with distinctive Korean storytelling, drawing viewers around the world. Another recent success is “The Price of Confession,” starring Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun. Released earlier this month, the series entered Netflix’s global top 10 list of non-English dramas, recording 2.7 million views. Among the many thriller dramas released this year, The Korea Times has selected five titles worth watching before the year ends. 'The Price of Confession' A mystery thriller, “The Price of Confession” centers on Ahn Yoon-soo (Jeon Do-yeon), an art teacher who becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. In prison, she meets Mo-eun (Kim Go-eun), a fellow inmate with a notorious reputation and psychopathic tendencies. Mo-eun proposes a disturbing deal that ties Yoon-soo to a crime from Mo-eun’s past, forcing her to confront moral dilemmas, buried guilt and the price

Dec 26, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

5 Korean thriller dramas to watch before year ends

Music

BTS' Jung Kook releases holiday cover of 'Christmas Song'

BTS’ Jung Kook released a cover of “The Christmas Song” on YouTube and SoundCloud on Christmas Eve, along with a music video he filmed himself, BigHit Music said. “The song is Jung Kook’s Christmas gift to BTS fans at the end of the year,” the agency said. The video features nighttime views of Seoul, with N Seoul Tower in frame. Jung Kook covered the version by U.S. singer-songwriter Johnny Stimson, who remade the classic in 2020. The original song was written in 1945 for the Nat King Cole Trio. He is currently appearing alongside fellow BTS member Jimin in the Disney+ travel reality show “Are You Sure?” A documentary about his journey as a solo artist during the release of his 2023 debut album “Golden” was also released on Sept. 18. BTS is anticipated to release a new album and embark on a world tour next year.

Dec 25, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Kim Se-jeong

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