my timesThe Korea Times

Entertainment

K-popShows & DramasFilmsMusicOthers
  • K-pop

    BTS celebrates 13th anniversary with return to Busan

    BUSAN — K-pop juggernaut BTS marked its 13th anniversary with a massive celebration, bringing the group's ongoing "ARIRANG" world tour to Busan's Asiad Main Stadium on Friday and Saturday for a two-night run that felt much bigger than a concert. The timing was no accident. The second show landed squarely on June 13, the group's debut anniversary, sending fans worldwide into a frenzy well before the first note dropped. Busan, too, carries deep meaning for the group — it is the hometown of members Jimin and Jung Kook, and the site of "Yet to Come," the sprawling farewell concert that preceded the members' hiatus due to mandatory military service in 2022. The group's return had been anticipated for weeks. "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG BUSAN," a large-scale urban festival running since early June, transformed the city's landmarks into extensions of the "ARIRANG" album's themes, stretching from a grand welcome at Busan Station to a drone light show above Gwangalli Beach. By Saturday evening, 55,000 fans packed the stadium. The crowd had already endured a roughly 75-minute delay the night before a

    4 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    BTS celebrates 13th anniversary with return to Busan
  • K-pop

    EVAN drops snippets of debut solo single 'RIDE OR DIE'

    2 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    EVAN drops snippets of debut solo single 'RIDE OR DIE'
  • Entertainment

    BLACKPINK's Lisa headlines FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in US

    2 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    BLACKPINK's Lisa headlines FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in US
  • Entertainment

    Is Korea ready for era of YouTuber directors?

    2 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Is Korea ready for era of YouTuber directors?
  • Films

    For ‘Colony,’ K-zombie film from ‘Train to Busan’ director, Korean box-office success is no surprise

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    For ‘Colony,’ K-zombie film from ‘Train to Busan’ director, Korean box-office success is no surprise
  • K-pop

    HYBE apologizes for delay on 1st night of BTS world tour in Busan

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    HYBE apologizes for delay on 1st night of BTS world tour in Busan
  • Music

    EJAE, Andrea Bocelli perform at World Cup opening ceremony

    1 MIN READBy Kim Se-jeong
    EJAE, Andrea Bocelli perform at World Cup opening ceremony
  • K-pop

    BTS to launch Busan shows for 'Arirang' world tour

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    BTS to launch Busan shows for 'Arirang' world tour
Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Read more

Entertainment

10 iconic hallyu moments turning a decade old this year

As BTS prepares for its full-group comeback in March and Netflix animation hit "KPop Demon Hunters" continues to draw global attention, hallyu, or the Korean wave, is showing no signs of slowing down. Looking back at the last decade, 2016 was a landmark year that set the stage for today’s global hallyu wave — K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, debuted in 2016 and that same year, the Korean drama "Descendants of the Sun" made a splash as stars Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo gained global fame. Hit dramas, breakthrough idols and blockbuster films did not only entertain — they shaped fandoms, created trends and exported Korean culture across the world. Here's a rundown of 10 iconic moments, songs, films and dramas from 2016 that set the foundation for hallyu's worldwide growth. January: “Reply 1988” Airing from late 2015 to January 2016, "Reply 1988" captured the hearts of viewers with its nostalgic portrayal of Korea in the 1980s, family bonds and first love. The final episode recorded a peak rating of 21.7 percent, the highest ever for a cable TV drama at the time. February: “Descendan

Jan 8, 2026By Ahn Seo-hyeon
10 iconic hallyu moments turning a decade old this year
Others

Korean YouTuber KIMPRO takes No. 1 spot for annual global views

Korean YouTuber KIMPRO ranked first among all YouTube channels worldwide for annual view counts last year. According to data released by the YouTube analytics site PLAYBOARD, the channel recorded a staggering 77.53 billion views last year. The figure far exceeded the approximately 61.5 billion views of the second-place channel, "Double Date." It is also more than double the annual views of MrBeast (approximately 38.1 billion), the YouTuber with the most subscribers globally. "KIMPRO ranked #1 worldwide in annual YouTube views," the creator shared in a post on the channel's community page on Monday. We owe this entirely to you. In 2026, we’ll keep improving and continue to deliver consistently good content. Thank you for being with us." KIMPRO was launched in August 2022 by Kim Dong-jun, an event planner, who grew the channel alongside his cousin and influencer, kkubi99. They primarily post content covering diverse themes such as mukbang, challenges and sitcom skits. KIMPRO made headlines last April by becoming the first domestic channel to surpass 100 million subscribers. The channel n

Jan 8, 2026By Hankookilbo
Korean YouTuber KIMPRO takes No. 1 spot for annual global views
Films

ReviewSwedish 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'
Others

TV personality Lucky welcomes first child with wife

Lucky, a well-known television personality in Korea, has become a father. Lucky welcomed his first daughter, Rahi, at around 1 p.m. on Jan. 6. Both mother and child are reported to be in good health. On Wednesday, the day after the birth, Lucky shared the joyful news by posting a photo of his daughter, Rahi, on social media. The image, which combined childhood photos of Lucky and his wife, Hye-eun, with photos of their newborn daughter, drew warm reactions. Lucky expressed his overwhelming emotions, saying, “We welcome our precious gift, daughter Rahi, who came to Hye-eun and Lucky,” and that “They say life gains meaning only when you embrace someone. Thank you so much for coming to us.” He further revealed his deep affection for his daughter by saying, “Mom and Dad love you with all our hearts and we’ll always be there to protect you.” Lucky has long been beloved by viewers, frequently coming across on television as a devoted husband and a responsible family man. Having shared candid stories about family life since his marriage, he has earned public sympathy, and congratul

Jan 8, 2026By Hankookilbo
TV personality Lucky welcomes first child with wife
Films

‘Project Y’ redefines buddy film through gritty tale of ambition, survival

The highly anticipated crime noir "Project Y" is set to redefine the buddy film genre through a gritty lens of female survival and raw ambition. The film also marks a commercial film debut of director Lee Hwan, who gained attention with his independent films such as "Park Hwa-Young" (2018) and "Young Adult Matters" (2021) that addressed the social vulnerability of young people. The film follows two young women, Mi-seon (Han So-hee) and Do-gyeong (Jeon Jong-seo), who are pushed to their limits. In a desperate bid to change their lives, they attempt a high-stakes heist involving black money and gold bars in the fictional Hwajung Market, a place the director describes as a boiling pot of human greed. Lee said that casting Han and Jeon for the project was very important. "I believe they are the best actors to represent their generation," he said. "I wanted their strong acting to help the audience understand why the characters make such dangerous choices." Both lead actors said they joined the movie because they wanted to work together. Han said she liked that her character looked weak but was

Jan 8, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Project Y’ redefines buddy film through gritty tale of ambition, survival
K-pop

G-Dragon, Stray Kids to perform at Paris charity concert

K-pop stars G-Dragon and Stray Kids are set to return to the stage for a charity concert organized by French first lady Brigitte Macron's hospital foundation in Paris, music industry sources said Thursday. According to the sources, G-Dragon and Stray Kids are among the performers scheduled for the 2026 Le Gala des Pieces Jaunes (Yellow Coins Gala) at Paris La Defense Arena on Jan. 22. The star-studded lineup for the event, organized by the Fondation des Hopitaux, also includes global pop stars Christina Maria Aguilera and A$AP Rocky. Both K-pop acts have previously performed in the event, with Stray Kids taking part in 2024. G-Dragon performed in 2025, alongside fellow BIGBANG member Taeyang, as well as BLACKPINK's Rose and BTS' J-Hope. The foundation has held the Yellow Coins fundraising campaign nearly every year since 1989 to support children and adolescents hospitalized in medical facilities. Since 2023, it has organized concerts featuring musicians from around the world to raise funds through ticket sales.

Jan 8, 2026By Yonhap
G-Dragon, Stray Kids to perform at Paris charity concert
Shows & Dramas

'Squid Game 3' earns Actor Award nomination for stunt ensemble action performance

WASHINGTON — Netflix's Korean original series "Squid Game" Season 3 received this year's Actor Award nomination for a stunt ensemble action performance category on Wednesday, as organizers unveiled the list of nominees for the annual prizes presented by a U.S. labor union representing actors and other media workers. The series was nominated in the category of the outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble in a television series for the 32nd Actor Awards that the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) will present on March 1. It was placed in the category along with four other competitors — Disney+'s "Andor," Paramount+'s "Landman," HBO's "The Last of Us" and Netflix's "Stranger Things." The Actor Awards is the new name for the SAG Awards. At the 2022 SAG Awards, Squid Game's first season won three awards — best male actor and female actor as well as outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble. The Actor Awards recognizes individual and ensemble achievements in motion pictures, drama series and comedy series. Nominees and

Jan 8, 2026By Yonhap
'Squid Game 3' earns Actor Award nomination for stunt ensemble action performance
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
9 most anticipated K-dramas of 2026
Shows & Dramas

Quiet leadership of chef Hou Deok-juk from 'Culinary Class Wars'

While there are many culinary greats emerging from Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars 2" Hou Deok-juk stands out not as a new star but rather as a stalwart master of Korean Chinese cuisine. Born in 1949, his culinary career spans 57 years, including a 42-year tenure at Palsun, the Chinese restaurant in the Shilla Hotel. He remains an active chef, still working the wok himself. Just two years after taking charge of Haobin at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in 2021, he earned the restaurant a Michelin star. Even today, he reportedly checks every dish emerging from his kitchen to ensure it is served at the perfect temperature. Chef Hou began his career in 1968 as a kitchen assistant in a hotel restaurant, enticed by the promise that he "could eat plenty of ham and sausage." Through grueling training that started with cleaning and laundry, and through tenacious research into culinary secrets, he became a master chef. He introduced the Chinese dish "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall," a Fujianese shark fin soup, to Korea in 1987. He transformed the landscape of Chinese cuisine here, which had be

Jan 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
Quiet leadership of chef Hou Deok-juk from 'Culinary Class Wars'
Shows & Dramas

'Gimbap and Onigiri' turns shared meal into cross-border romance

Food is the starting point for romance in "Gimbap and Onigiri," a new Japanese drama pairing Japanese actor Eiji Akaso and Korea's idol-turned-actor Kang Hye-won. Set to premiere Jan. 12 on TV TOKYO, the upcoming series follows two young adults as they navigate uncertainty in their lives and experience romance despite their different cultures. Rather than centering on cultural clashes, the story unfolds through quiet encounters, creating a story of intimacy that is gradual and relatable. Akaso stars as Hase Taiga, a former college track athlete who loses direction after a major setback. With his confidence shaken, Taiga drifts through daily life without a clear vision for the future, working part time at a small restaurant in Japan. "Taiga meets Park Rin through his part-time job and the show centers on how he grows after that," Akaso said at a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday afternoon. "When I first saw the title, I was curious about what kind of story it would be. The characters are as warm and approachable, as the title suggests. It is a story about people who live sincerely and

Jan 7, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
'Gimbap and Onigiri' turns shared meal into cross-border romance
previous page
106107108109110
next page

Most Read in Entertainment