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  • Music

    EJAE, Andrea Bocelli perform at World Cup opening ceremony

    Singer-songwriter EJAE, who performed the hit song “Golden” from the popular animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” joined renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in performing FIFA's official World Cup anthem, “DNA,” at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City, Thursday (local time). Wearing a sleeveless blue gown with crossed halter straps, the Korean American singer drew attention from Korean audiences by singing a brief line in Korean: “Although I fall, I stand up again.” FIFA said “DNA” embodies the spirit of solidarity and unity for the historic tournament, which is being co-hosted for the first time by three countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico. The competition will be held across 16 cities and feature 48 teams until July 19.

    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
  • K-pop

    BTS to release new digital single 'Come Over'

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    BTS to release new digital single 'Come Over'
  • Others

    Koo Kyo-hwan is on a roll, and for a good reason

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Koo Kyo-hwan is on a roll, and for a good reason
  • Shows & Dramas

    Korean guesthouse reality shows find new global audience on Netflix

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Korean guesthouse reality shows find new global audience on Netflix
  • K-pop

    InterviewKATSEYE reflects on AMA wins as group prepares new release

    3 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    KATSEYE reflects on AMA wins as group prepares new release
  • K-pop

    'KPop Demon Hunters' singer EJAE to take World Cup opening stage

    2 MIN READBy Park Jin-hai
    'KPop Demon Hunters' singer EJAE to take World Cup opening stage
  • Shows & Dramas

    Are multiple seasons becoming the new norm for Korean dramas?

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Are multiple seasons becoming the new norm for Korean dramas?
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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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Films

Netflix to release 4 Korean movies in bid for 2026 success

Netflix is set to release four Korean films in 2026, rolling out one title per quarter in a streamlined slate that signals a shift in strategy. The platform ended last year on a disappointing note, after a run of releases that generated early attention but struggled to sustain critical momentum. Now, Netflix is recalibrating its Korean film output — seeking a more deliberate balance between mainstream appeal and auteur-driven credibility, with the aim of translating local hits more effectively for a global streaming audience. The four titles slated for sequential release in Netflix’s 2026 content road map are "Pavane," "Husbands in Action," "Cross 2" and "Possible Love." While modest in number, the lineup appears carefully curated to deliver mainstream entertainment tailored to Netflix’s global platform. The first release arrives Feb. 20 with "Pavane," a youth romance about three emotionally withdrawn individuals drifting through their own silences, until chance encounters pull them into a delicate orbit of connection and mutual healing. The film is directed by Lee Jong-pil, who prev

Jan 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
Netflix to release 4 Korean movies in bid for 2026 success
Shows & Dramas

Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung decode language, love in new Netflix romance

"Your language is too difficult for me. You speak in opposites to hide your weaknesses and lash out in anger." Joo Ho-jin (played by Kim Seon-ho), a multilingual interpreter who is fluent in Korean, English, Japanese and Italian, often finds himself hitting a communication wall with global star Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung). While Ho-jin communicates in a direct and logical “language of straight lines” Mu-hee speaks in a “language of curves,” circling around her true emotions. Released on Jan. 16, the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" follows two people with contrasting communication styles as they misunderstand, hurt and eventually come to understand each other. The Hankook Ilbo recently sat down with actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, along with director Yoo Young-eun, at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, to talk about the series. In the drama, interpretation works both as a plot device and as a metaphor. The two first met in Japan, where Ho-jin translates for Mu-hee during her days as an unknown actress. She later rises to stardom after playing a zombie in a hit film

Jan 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung decode language, love in new Netflix romance
K-pop

BTS 'Arirang' world tour sells out across North America, Europe

Tickets for K-pop megastar BTS' upcoming "Arirang" world tour have completely sold out across North America and Europe, the group's agency, BigHit Music, said Tuesday. Tickets for the 41 concerts in these regions were quickly snapped up after going on sale Saturday, demonstrating global fans' immense interest in BTS' return, the agency said. The "Arirang" tour, set to be the largest in K-pop history, will kick off April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex near Seoul. The world tour will span 34 cities and 79 shows and feature a 360-degree stage design to create a more immersive experience for fans, according to BigHit. The North American leg of the tour is scheduled to begin April 25 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The group will perform in 12 cities across North America before heading to Europe for 10 shows in five cities. Due to overwhelming demand, additional shows were scheduled in Tampa, Stanford and Las Vegas, according to the agency. Ahead of the world tour, the seven-member act will release its fifth studio album, "Arirang," on March 20. The 14-track album marks its first since

Jan 27, 2026By Yonhap
BTS 'Arirang' world tour sells out across North America, Europe
K-pop

Cha Eun-woo apologizes over tax evasion allegations

Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo, who is currently serving in the military, issued a public apology Monday over recent allegations of large-scale tax evasion, pledging full cooperation with tax authorities. In a message posted on social media, Cha said he was deeply sorry over the controversy and vowed to comply faithfully with all tax-related procedures going forward. "I will humbly accept the final judgment made by the relevant authorities and take full responsibility in accordance with the outcome," he said. The apology followed media reports that the National Tax Service (NTS) had notified Cha of additional income tax assessments exceeding 20 billion won ($14 million), sparking allegations of tax evasion. In response to the reports, his agency, Fantagio, said Thursday that the matter had not yet been finalized and that no official notice had been issued. Cha's statement marked the first time he has personally addressed the issue since the allegations emerged. Cha, 29, enlisted in the Army in July last year and is currently serving as a member of a military band. In South Korea, all able-b

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Cha Eun-woo apologizes over tax evasion allegations
Others

How Byeon Woo-seok stays muscular without losing his slim frame

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. For Byeon Woo-seok, a Korean actor and former model currently in Milan for a fashion show hosted by Prada, skipping the gym is not an option — even while traveling abroad. A recent photo shared by Thai actor Metawin Opas-iamkajorn shows Byeon working out at a local gym, dressed in a sleeveless top. The image highlights a contrast that has become closely associated with him: a slim overall frame paired with notably broad shoulders and well-developed arms. Byeon is widely recognized for a physique that stands out even by industry standards. In Korea, he is often described as a “doorframe man,” a colloquial expression for men whose height and shoulder width dominate their silhouette. That balance between leanness and muscle has prompted questions about how it is maintained. In past interviews, Byeon has attributed it to consistency rather than short-term routines, emphasizing regular exercise as the foundation of his approach. “I try to keep my body fat at around 10 percent, because this is a job where I am constantly visible,” he said.

Jan 26, 2026By Kormedi.com
How Byeon Woo-seok stays muscular without losing his slim frame
K-pop

KiiiKiii frames freedom, fantasy in 2nd mini-album 'Delulu Pack'

Rookie K-pop girl group KiiiKiii returned Monday with its second mini-album, "Delulu Pack," framing "delusion" as a playful expression of youthful freedom. Released under Starship Entertainment — home to K-pop acts IVE and CRAVITY — the album builds on the confident tone of the group’s breakout debut single "I DO ME." According to the agency, "Delulu Pack" explores KiiiKiii’s identity by "layering the world with colors and narratives unique to the group." The quintet introduced the album during a media showcase held Monday at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, just hours before its official release at 6 p.m. Appearing in white fur-accented outfits, the five KiiiKiii members — Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum and Kya — performed new songs and shared behind-the-scenes stories from the album's production, Jiyu, the group's leader, said the album's title was inspired by the term "delulu," a shortened, online meme-derived form of the word "delusional." "We wanted to share KiiiKiii's own playful and lighthearted fantasies through this album," Jiyu said. "Delulu Pack" consists of s

Jan 26, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
KiiiKiii frames freedom, fantasy in 2nd mini-album 'Delulu Pack'
Films

Sam Raimi explores workplace power dynamics in survival thriller 'Send Help'

Director Sam Raimi returns to his genre-bending roots with "Send Help," a survival thriller that sees workplace hierarchies flipped on their head when a plane crash strands an overworked employee and her demanding boss on a remote island. "I hope that the film has an effect on the audience, not knowing who to identify, who's safe to follow," the director said during an online press conference, Monday. "Is it this woman who seems like our protagonist or is it this man who at first seems like our antagonist, but later we are attracted to? I love the switching back and forth of the audience identification." Starring Rachel McAdams as Linda and Dylan O’Brien as her boss Bradley, the film explores shifting power dynamics, psychological tension and moral ambiguity in a hostile environment. Raimi, known for films ranging from the cult classic "The Evil Dead" to the blockbuster "Spider-Man" trilogy and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," returns to his horror roots for this project. He explained that the genre provides a unique sense of catharsis for viewers. "I think people like fac

Jan 26, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Sam Raimi explores workplace power dynamics in survival thriller 'Send Help'
K-pop

Local economies powered by ARMY: BTS tour’s economic ripple effects

The announcement of the upcoming BTS world tour is already generating a measurable surge in global travel demand and economic activity across multiple continents. BTS will kick off its world tour, titled “Arirang”, on April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex’s main stadium, before moving on to 34 cities across North America, Europe, South America and Asia. The tour will span a total of 82 concerts, making it one of the group’s most extensive global undertakings to date. According to global accommodation platform Hotels.com, international searches for travel to Seoul rose 155 percent within 48 hours of the tour announcement on Jan. 14, compared with the previous week. Search interest for Busan, which will host concerts in June, surged by an extraordinary 2,375 percent. In key Asian markets such as Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, searches for travel to Busan increased by several thousand percent. Domestic travel searches also spiked sharply, with Seoul up 190 percent and Busan rising 3,855 percent. The response overseas has been equally pronounced. Brazil’s news radio outlet BandNews FM h

Jan 26, 2026By Xportsnews
Local economies powered by ARMY: BTS tour’s economic ripple effects
K-pop

K-pop concert prices double over past decade, fueled by premium tickets

K-pop concert ticket prices have nearly doubled over the past decade, sparking growing frustration among fans. A decade ago, top-tier seats at major idol concerts averaged about 100,000 won, or around $90 at the time. Today, tickets for popular acts typically fall between 150,000 won ($102) and 250,000 won. This dramatic price escalation is evident in the K-pop scene. The most expensive ticket for BTS’ “THE WINGS TOUR” in Seoul in 2017 was 110,000 won, but top-tier seats for the group’s upcoming shows in Korea, starting in April, have risen to 264,000 won. Long-running groups show the same trend. Super Junior sold all seats for their 2016 world tour “SUPER SHOW 6” at 110,000 won, but for the upcoming “SUPER SHOW 10” in April, standing tickets closest to the stage are priced at 198,000 won. Similarly, while standing tickets for APINK’s 2016 concert were 99,000 won, VIP seats for their February show, “The Origin: APINK,” have reached 187,000 won. Across the industry, prices have risen by approximately 100,000 to 150,000 won compared to a decade ago. The sharp rise is

Jan 26, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-pop concert prices double over past decade, fueled by premium tickets
K-pop

CORTIS and LNGSHOT are testing a new kind of K-pop

Is the K-pop idol industry witnessing a new shift? At the very least, two rookie boy groups — CORTIS and LNGSHOT — are drawing attention by openly breaking with long-established genre formulas and proposing a different model of what an idol group can be. CORTIS debuted last September with its first album, "COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES," while LNGSHOT made its debut in January this year with the album "SHOT CALLERS." They do not perform tightly synchronized choreography or build elaborate fictional universes designed to anchor group narratives and they avoid meticulously unified visual concepts — all of which are often considered standard K-pop practice. CORTIS made this approach evident from the get-go, and refuse to rely on a conventional top-down production system. Instead, all members participate collectively in composing music, creating choreography and producing visual content — a structure the group has described as a "young creator crew." The emphasis is less on polish and more on experimentation. LNGSHOT has taken a similar path. In its debut album, which moves across hip-hop,

Jan 26, 2026By Hankookilbo
CORTIS and LNGSHOT are testing a new kind of K-pop
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