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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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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
BTS' Jung Kook releases holiday cover of 'Christmas Song'
Travel & Food

Temples offer screen-free winter activities for kids

As winter vacation approaches, many parents are searching for ways to keep their children engaged — and away from screens. One option worth considering is Buddhist temples, which offer templestay programs for young participants, featuring a range of hands-on activities. Naksan Temple in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, is currently recruiting participants for a templestay program that includes curling practice. The three-day program features a nearly four-hour session of practice for the winter sport, along with meditation, bowing practice and a tea ceremony. Naksan Temple is also known for its scenic setting overlooking the East Sea. The earliest session begins Dec. 26 with reservations now open. Naeso Temple in Buan, North Jeolla Province, is offering a three-night program introducing hanja, or Chinese characters, to fourth- through sixth-grade students. The program aims to teach the basics of hanja, an important component of the Korean language. Eight hanja workshops are interspersed with games, arts and crafts sessions, short walking trips, meditation, yoga and campfire activities to

Dec 22, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Temples offer screen-free winter activities for kids
Music

'Dancing conductor' Baek Yoon-hak brings passion, playfulness to classical music

Set to "Overture" from Jacques Offenbach’s opera “Orpheus in the Underworld,” a conductor turns from the podium to signal the audience to quiet down. Facing the orchestra again, he hops lightly with arms spread wide, his legs moving as if waltzing to the rhythm, in a YouTube video that went viral. As the piece builds toward its finale, the pounding drums grow louder and his movements more intense. His arms shake vigorously, almost as if he were a shaman attempting to connect with the spirit world. The Korean conductor is Baek Yoon-hak of the Seoul Festa Philharmonic Orchestra. Many of his videos have went went viral, with one short-form surpassing 10 million views. The unexpected fame turned him into a social media sensation, earning him an invitation to the popular talk show “You Quiz on the Block,” hosted by Yoo Jae-suk. Many viewers were drawn to his unconventional conducting style, dubbing him the “dancing conductor.” Comments also praised the way he brought visual excitement to classical music. But is he really dancing? It is one of the questions Baek hears most often.

Dec 19, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
'Dancing conductor' Baek Yoon-hak brings passion, playfulness to classical music
Music

Where to hear Cho Seong-jin, Lim Yun-chan live in Korea in 2026

Two of Korea’s biggest classical music stars, Cho Seong-jin and Lim Yun-chan, are poised to headline a stellar lineup of concerts in 2026, giving Korean audiences a rare opportunity to hear both pianists in solo recitals, chamber performances and accompanied by some of the world’s leading orchestras. For Cho, 2026 will be a particularly notable year, as Lotte Concert Hall named him one of its in-house artists this week. Cho, who in 2015 became the first Korean to win the International Chopin Piano Competition, is currently a resident artist with the Berlin Philharmonic. Cho is scheduled to appear twice at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul in July, performing in a chamber concert on July 14 and a solo recital on July 19. At the chamber concert, he will share the stage with violinist and Berlin Philharmonic first concertmaster Daishin Kashimoto, principal clarinetist Wenzel Fuchs, principal horn player Stefan Dohr and violist Kyoungmin Park. At his solo recital, Cho will perform Bach’s Partita No. 1, Schoenberg’s Piano Suite, Schumann’s Carnival Jest from Vienna and Chopin’

Dec 17, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Where to hear Cho Seong-jin, Lim Yun-chan live in Korea in 2026
Shows & Dramas

‘Dynamite Kiss’ tops Netflix with new kind of chaebol romance hero

A romance between a wealthy, good-looking man and a poor but kind-hearted woman has long been a cliche in Korean romantic comedies. The ongoing rom-com “Dynamite Kiss” may start with this familiar Cinderella-style setup, but what sets this 14-episode Netflix hit apart is its leading man. Unlike the traditional chaebol characters, he stands out for his sensitivity and thoughtful, attentive approach to relationships — qualities that reflect a growing trend in contemporary K-dramas and strike a chord with today’s viewers. After premiering on Nov. 12, “Dynamite Kiss” climbed up Netflix’s non-English series chart on Nov. 30 and remained there for a week as fans expressed their fondness for the drama on social media. At its core is the romance between Ji-hyuk (Jang Ki-yong), the heir to a wealthy conglomerate owner family, and Da-rim (Ahn Eun-jin), a financially struggling job seeker. After a chance meeting on Jeju Island, the pair are swept into a fake relationship that turns into real love, and circumstances eventually lead them to an explosive kiss that begins to soften the h

Dec 16, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
‘Dynamite Kiss’ tops Netflix with new kind of chaebol romance hero
Music

Rwandan producer Mizzy brings traditional music, dance to 2025 Africa Week

The 2025 Africa Week, an annual celebration of African cultures in Korea, will spotlight the continent’s rich music and dance traditions during this year’s edition. Co-hosted by the Korea-Africa Foundation and The Korea Times, the event brings vibrant performances and cultural exchange to audiences in Seoul. Among the highlights is a performance by a six-member troupe of musicians and dancers from Rwanda, who will take the stage Saturday with an energetic display of the country's cultural heritage. The troupe’s leader, Mizzy, said the show aims to create a moment of cultural connection between Korea and Africa. “We’re pleased to be in Korea. Come and find what we have in common,” Mizzy said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Friday. The group is set to perform "intore," Rwanda’s iconic traditional dance, accompanied by "gakondo," the country's traditional music. They have brought traditional instruments, including the "inanga," a Rwandan 8-string instrument, and the "ingoma," a traditional drum. “I know Korea has instruments similar to ours,” Mizzy said, refe

Dec 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Rwandan producer Mizzy brings traditional music, dance to 2025 Africa Week
  • Korea-Africa Foundation, Korea Times to co-host 2025 Africa Week, showcasing culture, sustainability
Trends

Inside ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ pop-up in Seoul

Netflix’s global sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” has leapt off the screen and into real life with the opening of its first official pop-up store in eastern Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong, inviting fans to step directly into the film’s universe. The pop-up offers a new way for visitors to experience the magic through themed rooms, photo spots and exclusive merchandise. Since its release in June, the animated feature has become a global phenomenon. Centered on a fictional K-pop girl group that fights against supernatural forces, the film became one of Netflix’s most-watched films and was nominated for Golden Globes earlier this week. Its soundtrack also shot to the top of the charts and the film's visual elements became cultural trends. Instagram and TikTok have been flooded with tutorials on Rumi’s hairstyle, while the girl group outfits became some of this year’s most coveted Halloween costumes. As fans seek new ways to stay connected to the film, Netflix opened its first "KPop Demon Hunters" pop-up experience in Seoul last week, offering dozens of official merchandise items a

Dec 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Inside ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ pop-up in Seoul
Korean Heritage

Korea to highlight K-heritage at 2026 UNESCO committee session

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) pledged to use next year’s UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) session in Busan to spotlight the richness of Korea’s cultural and natural heritage. The 48th WHC session is scheduled from July 19-29, marking the first time Korea will host the meeting since joining the committee in 1988. The WHC convenes annually to review the state of existing World Heritage sites and decide on new inscriptions. Former Korean ambassador to UNESCO Lee Byong-hyun will chair next year’s gathering. “The 48th session will be an important opportunity to showcase Korean heritage to international visitors,” KHS Administrator Huh Min said during a press conference at Government Complex Seoul on Wednesday. “We plan to present a wide range of K-heritage elements for participants to experience.” Around 3,000 visitors are expected to travel to Korea for the 11-day event. According to Huh, KHS is preparing a media art exhibition highlighting Korea’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, along with reenactments of the royal palace changing-of-the-guard ceremony, intangible cu

Dec 10, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Korea to highlight K-heritage at 2026 UNESCO committee session
Shows & Dramas

Director hails dream Netflix collaboration as 'Three Idiots in Kenya' climbs charts

Collaboration with Netflix was both a dream-come-true and a major learning opportunity, said one of the directors behind “Three Idiots in Kenya,” Netflix's Korean original reality show released on Nov. 25. “Netflix is a platform many Korean creatives dream of working with these days. We're honored and proud to have launched a program on the service,” director Kim Ye-seul said during an interview in Seoul, Tuesday. Kim directed the six-episode show together with Nah Yung-suk, who she has worked with since her time as an assistant director. The travel reality series follows comedian Lee Soo‑geun, rapper‑TV personality Eun Ji‑won and Super Junior’s Kyuhyun on a chaotic adventure in Kenya in a spin‑off of the “New Journey to the West” franchise, which helped cement Nah’s reputation as a star director. Having worked with all three cast members for years, Kim now steps up as a main director. Filming in Kenya was inspired by an event from “Three Meals in Iceland,” another spin-off in the same franchise. Kyuhyun had won a stay at a giraffe hotel in Kenya, and followi

Dec 9, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Director hails dream Netflix collaboration as 'Three Idiots in Kenya' climbs charts
  • Netflix, Disney+ accelerate push into Korean reality programming
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