Lifestyle - The Korea Times

BLACKPINK’s Jennie shares 30th birthday photos, party video sparks online debate

BLACKPINK’s Jennie has thanked fans for their birthday wishes and shared behind-the-scenes photos from her 30th birthday celebration, drawing renewed attention amid ongoing online debate surrounding footage from her party. On Wednesday, Jennie posted several photos on her social media account alongside a short message saying, “Thank you for celebrating my birthday.” The images show the artist enjoying a lavish birthday party, with balloons, cakes and elaborate decorations creating a glamorous atmosphere for the milestone occasion. In the photos, Jennie stands out in a stylish outfit that matches the festive setting, once again showcasing her distinctive presence and fashion sense. The post quickly drew interest not only from fans but also from online users already discussing Jennie’s birthday celebrations. Earlier, a video said to be filmed at her birthday party spread across online communities and social media platforms. The footage shows Jennie dancing to music in what appears to be a club-like venue. The video sparked debate after several women commonly referred to online as

Jan 22, 2026By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Jennie shares 30th birthday photos, party video sparks online debate

Kyung Hee University researchers publish analysis on chronic respiratory illnesses, COVID-19

A research team led by Yeon Dong-Geon of the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine has published its assessment of negative impacts of chronic respiratory diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic. A Kyung Hee university official said the analysis is the world’s first global assessment on such illnesses and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, a massive international collaboration involving more than 1,100 researchers from institutions including the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Harvard Medical School, was published in the January issue of Nature Medicine. Chronic respiratory diseases encompass conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease and pneumoconiosis. They are among the four major noncommunicable diseases identified by the World Health Organization alongside cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. As of 2023, an estimated 569 million people worldwide were living with chronic respiratory disease, with more than half of these cases at

Jan 20, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Kyung Hee University researchers publish analysis on chronic respiratory illnesses, COVID-19

Korea University team selected for international R&D program with Lund University

A Korea University research team, led by professor Kim Sung-do in the school’s department of linguistics, has been selected for the international cooperative research support program “Get Started,” hosted by Lund University in Sweden. Kim’s team had a kickoff meeting with Lund researchers on Jan. 12 before officially beginning their joint research project. Get Started is a competitive program designed to activate international collaborative research, selecting leading academic teams from around the world through a rigorous peer review process. According to a Korea University official, prestigious institutions such as University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and University of Geneva in Switzerland were also selected for this year’s cycle. Among Korean universities, only Korea University and Seoul National University were chosen, highlighting the global competitiveness of humanities research in Korea. The team said the joint project, titled “Homo Ritualis,” will apply methodologies from cognitive semiotics to conduct comparative analyses of ritual practices in Eastern an

Jan 20, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Korea University team selected for international R&D program with Lund University

The Korea Times, SONSIK collaborate to support Nepali students

Nepal's Ambassador to Korea Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, center, poses with Ahn Seong-jin, right, a project manager at The Korea Times, and Kiran Suwal, president of the Society of Nepalese Students in Korea (SONSIK), during a ceremony for collaboration between The Korea Times and SONSIK at the Embassy of Nepal in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Embassy of Nepal in Seoul

Jan 19, 2026By Ahn Seong-jin

The Korea Times, SONSIK collaborate to support Nepali students

BLACKPINK’s Jennie turns 30 with a wink and sunglasses, redefining a milestone

Jennie of BLACKPINK marked her 30th birthday in unmistakably cool fashion, sparking buzz across social media with a playful yet chic celebration. On Jan. 15, Jennie shared a series of photos on Instagram with a simple caption: “thirtyyyyyy.” The images show her celebrating in a space decorated with “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” balloons while holding a Cinnamoroll character cake, blending a lighthearted mood with her signature style. In one photo, Jennie flashes a wink and a bright smile in front of a cake topped with candles shaped in the number “30.” In another, she gazes at the candles while wearing sunglasses, projecting a relaxed confidence. Dressed in a black tube-top dress, Jennie balances cuteness and maturity — a visual that many fans said perfectly captured the start of her 30s. Online reactions poured in quickly, with comments such as “Happy birthday,” “We love you,” and “Already 30?” reflecting both celebration and disbelief at the milestone. Jennie’s post resonated widely among fans, particularly younger followers, as conversations spread about aging, self-ass

Jan 17, 2026By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Jennie turns 30 with a wink and sunglasses, redefining a milestone

C-sections in Korea: Convenience or medical necessity?

According to the United Nations, the world welcomed approximately 132 million newborns in 2024. Of these, roughly 21 to 22 percent were born via cesarean section. In stark contrast, 67.4 percent of the 235,234 babies born in South Korea that year were delivered through the surgical procedure, which involves an incision into the mother's uterus. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a C-section rate of 10 to 15 percent of all births, noting that the surgery should be performed only when necessary due to risks such as excessive bleeding, infection, organ damage and pulmonary embolism. The C-section rate is approximately 32 percent in the United States and 18 percent in Japan. Korea's peculiarly high rate reflects the local perception that C-sections are safer than vaginal deliveries. Critics point out that the medical community often encourages defensive practices to avoid legal liability for complications that can occur during natural childbirth. Other contributing factors include the desire to avoid labor pain, the cultural practice of selecting birth dates based on "saju" (for

Jan 16, 2026By Hankookilbo

C-sections in Korea: Convenience or medical necessity?

'KPop Demon Hunters' leaves its mark on 2026 Korea Image Awards

Netflix’s global animated sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" took center stage at the 22nd Korea Image Awards held Thursday in Seoul, tying for two of the three top honors, highlighting how pop music, heritage and food continue to shape Korea's cultural presence on the global stage. Organized annually by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), the awards honor individuals, objects and organizations that shaped Korea’s global image over the past year, highlighting the continued resonance and evolution of Korean culture worldwide. The Stepping Stone Award, presented to individuals or companies that have contributed to promoting Korea's image overseas, went to K-pop agency The Black Label. The label's in-house production team helped produce the soundtrack for "KPop Demon Hunters," including the smash hit "Golden" and other viral tracks such as "How It's Done," "Soda Pop" and "Your Idol." Agency CEO Jeong Kyung-in accepted the honor on behalf of the company and its executive producer Teddy, who was unable to attend. In his acceptance speech, Jeong noted the company signed onto the p

Jan 16, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min

'KPop Demon Hunters' leaves its mark on 2026 Korea Image Awards

Late taekwondo master named overseas Korean of the month

The Overseas Koreans Agency said Thursday that late taekwondo master Rhee Jhoon-goo has been named overseas Korean of the month in recognition of his role in globalizing taekwondo and advancing Korea-U.S. sports diplomacy. Rhee, widely regarded as the person who first established taekwondo in the U.S., helped elevate the martial art beyond self-defense into a tool for cultural exchange, diplomacy and international sports engagement. Born in 1932 in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, Rhee was first introduced to taekwondo at age 16 through the Chung Do Kwan, one of Korea's oldest martial arts schools. While studying civil engineering at Texas State University in 1957, he founded a taekwondo club and began teaching U.S. students. He established more than 60 taekwondo studios across the country, helping transform the discipline into a popular mainstream sport in the U.S. He also played a key role in expanding taekwondo in the former Soviet Union, where martial arts were illegal at the time. Rhee traveled there to persuade senior officials to legalize the practice, organizing seminars and hel

Jan 16, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Late taekwondo master named overseas Korean of the month

Kim Young-eun chosen as Korean Artist Prize 2025 winner

The National Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art (MMCA) has awarded the Korean Artist Prize 2025 to Kim Young-eun, whose work centers on sound and listening. Kim treats sound and listening as phenomena shaped by social, political and historical forces. She meticulously records sounds gathered across different places and times, revealing overlooked aspects of everyday life from new perspectives, according to MMCA on Thursday. Her recent works, "Listening Guests" and "Go Back To Your," both produced last year, examine how the migratory and translational conditions of diaspora create communal forms of existence that extend beyond individual experience. The museum praised Kim for her ability to capture the social and political contexts embedded in sound, producing powerful artwork that connects themes like diaspora to personal experience. Since 2012, the national art museum has co-sponsored the annual prize with the SBS Culture Foundation to recognize outstanding artists with keen insight into society and art. Each finalist receives 50 million won ($34,000) to support their artwork, with th

Jan 15, 2026By Yonhap

Kim Young-eun chosen as Korean Artist Prize 2025 winner

IVE’s Jang Won-young teaser sparks rumors over possible brand deal, solo launch

A single mysterious account drop from IVE’s Jang Won-young has been enough to send K-pop fandom into full speculation mode. On Monday, Won-young quietly shared a new social media account on her personal channel. The page contains no clear explanation — only a cherry-shaped logo and a series of cute, minimalist images. But fans quickly noticed that the account’s ID closely resembles Won-young’s own username, immediately fueling theories that something personal, and possibly commercial, is in the works. The post included a graphic explaining how her initials are transformed into the cherry-shaped logo. The detail made the project feel deliberate, branded and far more than a casual fan page. Within hours, Korean online communities and social media platforms lit up with speculation that she could be launching her own brand, is embarking on a collaboration or is set to release a solo album. Those reactions reflect how closely Won-young’s image is tied to trend-making. Since debuting with IVE, she has become one of Korea’s most influential Gen Z icons, often setting off viral momen

Jan 13, 2026By Xportsnews

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