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  • 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
  • Entertainment

    Actor-singer Lee Jun-young to begin military service, leaving behind packed roster of projects

    1 MIN READBy Jhoo Dong-chan
    Actor-singer Lee Jun-young to begin military service, leaving behind packed roster of projects
  • K-pop

    Seventeen's Hoshi to drop new digital single during military service

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Seventeen's Hoshi to drop new digital single during military service
  • Films

    'Colony' breaks 5 mil. admissions, tops weekend box-office chart for 4th week

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    'Colony' breaks 5 mil. admissions, tops weekend box-office chart for 4th week
  • 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
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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.

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Shows & Dramas

From screen to table: Where to try dishes of Netflix’s 'Culinary Class Wars 2' finalists

With the final episode of Netflix’s popular cooking contest show "Culinary Class Wars" Season 2 imminent, the competition has reached a fever pitch. On Friday, Netflix spotlighted the top seven participants by revealing new portraits and reflections on the core philosophies that define their cooking. While veteran chef Choi Kang-rok has already secured his place in the final round, the competition remains fierce between legendary Chinese chef Hou Deok-juk and the rising star known as Culinary Monster for the remaining spot. Here is a guide to the philosophies of these finalists and where you can experience their flavors. Haobin Led by the legendary Chinese cuisine master Hou Deok-juk, Haobin is located at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Seoul’s Jung District. Hou, who secured his spot in the final three, views cooking as a lifelong process of learning and responsibility. "I believe cooking is an endless study," he said, adding that his philosophy is to create food that heals both the body and mind. At Haobin, he continues to serve his signature dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the W

Jan 9, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
From screen to table: Where to try dishes of Netflix’s 'Culinary Class Wars 2' finalists
Shows & Dramas

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKLetter 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'
Entertainment

Final farewell held for beloved film star Ahn Sung-ki

Members of the film community and fans paid tribute to late actor Ahn Sung-ki at Myeongdong Cathedral in downtown Seoul on Friday, where a memorial Mass and a funeral service were held to honor his lifelong devotion to cinema and warm-hearted spirit. Leading the funeral procession were actors Jung Woo-sung, carrying Ahn's portrait, and Lee Jung-jae, holding the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the country's highest cultural honor that was posthumously awarded to the actor on Monday. Fellow actors Sul Kyung-gu, Park Chul-min, Yoo Ji-tae, Jo Woo-jin, Park Hae-il and Ju Ji-hoon served as pallbearers. Archbishop Chung Soon-taick of Seoul presided over the 8 a.m. Mass for Ahn, a devoted Catholic. A funeral service followed, with eulogies being delivered. Jung shared fond memories of the late actor, who was consistently soft-spoken and warm to everyone during five months of filming in China for the 2001 film "The Warriors." "Even under difficult filming conditions, he always made a point of calling the Korean and local staff, as well as fellow actors, by their names, and greeting us with a smi

Jan 9, 2026By Yonhap
Final farewell held for beloved film star Ahn Sung-ki
K-pop

Why K-pop albums are increasingly resembling merchandise

After years of growth driven by physical album sales, the K-pop industry is now undergoing a major structural shift. While album sales have declined from their peak, overall revenue continues to expand as companies diversify into concerts, merch sales and paid fan services, reshaping the role of physical albums. Rather than signaling a downturn, industry officials describe the change as a move away from volume-based sales toward participation-driven consumption, where albums function less as music carriers and more as gateways to fan engagement. According to the Circle Chart, cumulative album sales for the top 400 releases in 2025 reached about 90.9 million units through November, down roughly 2.56 million from the same period a year earlier. The long-cited benchmark of 100 million albums sold annually, once treated as a symbolic marker of K-pop’s expansion, has now fallen short for a second consecutive year. Boy band Stray Kids led album sales with nearly 7 million units, followed by Seventeen, NCT Wish, ENHYPEN, BOYNEXTDOOR and ZeroBaseOne. While leading acts continue to post multim

Jan 9, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Why K-pop albums are increasingly resembling merchandise
Films

Kwon Sang-woo swaps action for romance in new comedy 'Heartman'

Actor Kwon Sang-woo, who previously defined his own brand of action-comedy through the “Hitman” franchise, reunited with director Choi Won-sub for their third collaboration, stepping away from the intense action of his previous hits to show off his romantic comedy chops. “Heartman” follows Seung-min (Kwon), who reunites with his first love Bo-na (Moon Chae-won) and desperately tries to keep her in his life while hiding a secret. The movie delicately balances its focus between humor and sincere emotion. Choi explained that while the “Hitman" series was intentionally hilarious and action-packed, he approached “Heartman” with a commitment to emotions. The movie is based on the 2015 Argentinan comedy film “No Kids,” with the director noting that he put significant effort into adapting the original version to emphasize the theme of first love. "For 'Hitman' I focused on making people laugh through intense energy, but for 'Heartman' I tried not to overdo it and instead prioritized a natural flow and emotions," Choi said during the press conference, Thursday. In the film, Kwon

Jan 8, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Kwon Sang-woo swaps action for romance in new comedy 'Heartman'
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
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