Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Seoul Plaza turns into after-work fitness hub

Seoul Plaza is set to become an after-work fitness hub this fall, offering free evening classes for residents looking to trade the commute home for a workout in the heart of the city. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that its “Exercising Seoul Plaza” program will begin Tuesday and run through Oct. 29, with 10 sessions combining group workouts, personalized exercise consultations and fitness challenges. The program will generally take place at 7 pm, giving office workers and other residents an opportunity to exercise without traveling far from their daily routines. Classes will include stretching, nighttime diet dance, bodyweight training and barre, which combines elements of ballet and Pilates. Participants will also be able to receive one-on-one consultations from trainers, posture-correction specialists and physical therapists through a program called the Exercise Prescription Center. The consultations will cover common concerns among office workers, including forward-head posture and back pain, while offering exercise and daily management techniques tailored to individ

Aug 31, 2026By Lee Kyung-min

Seoul Plaza turns into after-work fitness hub

From fighting software piracy to protecting children with AI

A career spent tracking illegal activity online has taken on a new purpose in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). For nearly two decades, Choi Seung-hyun worked in software license compliance and anti-piracy, including stints with Adobe, Microsoft, the Business Software Alliance and PTC. Now, the DragonEyes CEO is using that experience to develop an AI agent designed to find harmful online content and help protect children. “My 20 years in software license compliance were a major inspiration for DragonEyes,” Choi told The Korea Times in an interview. “It started with a question I had as a compliance professional about how we could tackle harmful content online. That eventually led me to develop an AI agent.” The idea became personal in November 2025, when Choi read about a multinational game company in the United States facing investigations over its handling of harmful online content. Some cases had raised concerns about child abuse. Choi, whose two sons were then in high school and elementary school, began looking at the issue as both a parent and a compliance expert. “As

Aug 31, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

From fighting software piracy to protecting children with AI

Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026: Everything you need to know

This year's Seoul International Fireworks Festival is set for Saturday, with teams from Korea, the United States and Britain set to showcase fireworks displays unique to their respective countries. The festival, hosted by Hanwha Corp., is expected to attract over a million visitors, many of whom gather at Yeouido Hangang Park to enjoy the lightshow in its full glory. The collective anticipation is palpable, as Starbucks Yeouido Hangang Park seat packages offering panoramic views of the fireworks — priced up to 300,000 won ($220) — sold out in 30 seconds. Here are all the details you need. When is the festival happening? The fireworks festival will take place on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., with shows running from 8 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. Britain's Pyrotex Fireworx will kick off the show from 8 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., followed by the U.S.' Ace Pyro from 8:20 p.m. to 8:35 p.m. For the finale, Korea's Hanwha Corp.'s fireworks display will take place from 8:40 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. A five-minute break will take place between each performance. A pre-festival event is scheduled for Friday, from 1 p.m.

Aug 30, 2026By Kim Young-moo

Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026: Everything you need to know

Lakeside Peace Walk to highlight World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon

GCS International, World Taekwondo and The Korea Times, in collaboration with Chuncheon City and the Chuncheon Leisure Taekwondo Organizing Committee, will co-host the inaugural Chuncheon Peace Walk on Sept. 17. Taking place in Chuncheon — a scenic lakeside city in northeastern Korea's Gangwon Province, located about 75 kilometers northeast of Seoul — the event invites residents and international visitors to stroll along a stunning lakeside course as part of celebrations for the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, running from Sept. 16-20. Organizers intentionally designed the outdoor course to give athletes, officials and spectators a chance to stretch their legs outside the indoor competition arenas and soak in the region's celebrated autumn scenery. Participants will gather at 10 a.m. at the Songam Sports Town Inline Skating Arena before embarking on a flat, 4-kilometer round trip to the Uiamho Skywalk — a glass observation platform suspended over the calm waters of Uiam Lake. On-site registration opens at 8 a.m., and participation is free. Every finisher will receive a

Aug 28, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Lakeside Peace Walk to highlight World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon

Photo Honoring Homer Hulbert

Kim Dong-jin, chairman of the Hulbert Memorial Society, delivers a speech during the 77th commemoration event in Seoul for Homer Hulbert (1863-1949), an American Christian missionary who educated many Koreans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He also supported Korea's independence from Japan, and the Korean government awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation posthumously. Courtesy of Hulbert Memorial Society

Aug 27, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

RoundtableRegulatory storm threatens Korea's integrated resorts

Korea's casino and integrated resort industry is facing a major crisis as the government pushes to increase the maximum tourism development fund levy from 10 percent to 15 percent of total revenue. The regulatory shift comes as major operators are still struggling to recover massive initial investments and manage escalating operational costs following years of market uncertainty. Industry executives and tourism experts gathering at The Korea Times' roundtable discussion on Wednesday highlighted that the proposed policy changes could hinder future expansion and harm competitiveness. The discussion focused on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's revision of the Tourism Promotion Act, which the government reportedly began pushing forward in July. Along with raising the cap on the tourism fund levy, the ministry is seeking to implement a five-year license renewal system and a prior approval process for business ownership transfers. While the government argues that these measures are necessary to align with global standards and reclaim public benefits, local resort operators point out

Aug 27, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Regulatory storm threatens Korea's integrated resorts

Seoul Art Week transforms capital into open-air gallery

Korea’s capital is transforming into an expansive citywide canvas as the fourth annual Seoul Art Week prepares to open Monday. Running through Sept. 6, the seven-day festival will link 141 visual art spaces across the metropolis, presenting 159 exhibitions and events designed to broaden the cultural footprint of the world-famous Kiaf and Frieze Seoul art fairs. Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, this year’s significantly expanded edition moves beyond traditional gallery hubs like Samcheong-dong and Cheongdam-dong to improve access to contemporary creative expression for residents and international visitors alike. For the first time, the festival will kick off its signature opening night in Euljiro, a celebrated industrial neighborhood where historical tool-repair shops, hidden alleyway cafes and experimental youth art spaces uniquely coexist. On Monday, 20 visual art venues across Euljiro will extend their operating hours late into the evening, hosting live sound performances, networking DJ sessions and interactive artist talks. News Museum Euljiro will serve as the cent

Aug 27, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Seoul Art Week transforms capital into open-air gallery

Nowon Craft Beer Festival returns to historic railway park

A former railway park in northeastern Seoul is set to transform into a vibrant two-day showcase for craft beer, live music and regional cuisine as the Nowon Craft Beer Festival returns this September. Set to take place on Sept. 12 and 13 at Hwarangdae Railway Park, the festival will feature more than 200 craft beers curated from 34 breweries across Korea. Running daily from noon to 9:00 pm, the celebration will officially kick off with an opening ceremony at 7:00 pm on Sept. 12, at the main stage in the park’s parking lot. In partnership with Seoul Music Week, the festival promises an impressive lineup of live performances. Singer Kassy and rapper Mad Clown will headline Saturday’s stage, while the legendary punk rock band Crying Nut is set to deliver an energetic closing performance Sunday. Beyond the music, attendees can sample signature dishes from local traditional markets and neighborhood eateries across Nowon-gu, and enjoy a diverse array of gourmet food trucks. The festival grounds will also feature a marketplace spotlighting small business brands and youth entrepreneurs, alo

Aug 26, 2026By Lee Kyung-min

Nowon Craft Beer Festival returns to historic railway park

From Tufts art student to Miss Korea: Woo Seo-yoon takes 2026 crown

Woo Seo-yoon, the daughter of a former national basketball player, has been crowned Miss Korea 2026, with the 22-year-old Tufts University student setting her sights on a career as a global art curator. Woo won the top title of "Jin" at the 70th Miss Korea pageant held at the Coex Auditorium in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Saturday. Woo turned emotional as her name was announced, after which she thanked those who had supported her throughout the competition. "I was able to come this far thanks to the support of so many people," she said. "Even people who have never met me supported me online and showed me so much interest. I believe that helped lead to today's result. I am sincerely grateful." Woo also said she understood the responsibility that came with the crown. "I know the responsibility that comes with the crown I received today, and I want to become someone who has a positive influence on society," she said. Twenty-six finalists who advanced through eight regional preliminary competitions across the country competed in this year's pageant. Oh Soo-min, 25, a student in the Sch

Aug 24, 2026By Hankookilbo

From Tufts art student to Miss Korea: Woo Seo-yoon takes 2026 crown

DMZ turns to peace tourism with new fall festival across Korea's borderlands

The borderlands of Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) will take on a different role this fall, as a new festival invites visitors to experience the region through nature, local life and reflection rather than its history of division. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday that it will hold the inaugural DMZ Peace Festa with the Korea Tourism Organization, Incheon’s Ganghwa County and Gangwon Province’s Cheorwon County. The festival will begin in Ganghwa County on Saturday, Sept. 12, and continue in Cheorwon County on Saturday, Sept. 26, with programs running through the following Sundays. Organizers said the festival is designed to connect tourism resources that have largely been developed separately by local governments along the DMZ. In Ganghwa, programs under the theme “Walking peace on an island where time stands still” will include sunrise meditation and yoga, a walk along the DMZ fence to collect sounds from nature, and a nonalcoholic cocktail-making class inspired by the lives of displaced residents. Ganghwa will also designate September as a DMZ Visit Mont

Aug 24, 2026By Lee Kyung-min

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