Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Heritage program opens new paths for ethnic Korean from Central Asia

For Yoon Esther, 26, a fourth-generation ethnic Korean from Kazakhstan, a recent heritage program in Seoul was much more than just a chance for a short visit. “It felt like a chance to understand where I come from,” she said, recalling the five-day program hosted by the Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center. Through campus tours at Seoul National University and Inha University, and in conversations with others like her working in Korea, she said she began to see the country not as a distant place but as “a home we can still return to.” One remark in particular stayed with her: the notion that the experience of the Koryo-saram is “not immigration but a homecoming.” Koryo-saram, who are also known as Koryoin, are ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union. Hearing it framed that way, she said, helped her understand their return to Korea not as a move to a foreign country but as a restoration of ties severed by history. The idea, she added, prompted her to rethink her own sense of belonging. Yoon works as a project manager at one of Kazakhstan’s largest college prep institutes

Dec 10, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Heritage program opens new paths for ethnic Korean from Central Asia

Veteran actor Yoon Il-bong dies at 91

Veteran actor Yoon Il-bong, a silver screen star of the 1960s-80s, died Monday at the age of 91, sources said. Yoon, the father of ballet dancer Yoon Hye-jin and father-in-law of actor Uhm Tae-woong, died earlier in the day, according to the sources. Yoon made his film debut in 1947 as a child actor in the musical "The Blue Hill" and took his first leading role in the romance "The Everlasting Love" (1955). He rose to fame as a romantic lead after starring in "The Confess" (1957) and "When Love is Flowering and Fading" (1960). With his roles in "The Woman I Betrayed" (1977), "The Man I Left" (1979), "The Wooden Horse That Went to Sea" (1980) and "A Woman's Trap" (1982), he was regarded as one of the country's top heartthrobs in the 1970s, alongside Shin Sung-il and Namkoong Won. Yoon also contributed to the development of the Korean film industry, serving as chief of the Korea Film Corporation, the predecessor of the Korea Film Council, from 1998 to 1999 and as chair of the Korea Film Actors Association from 1988 to 1990. He won best actor at the Grand Bell Awards for his role in "I Want To

Dec 8, 2025By Yonhap

Korea Image Awards name The Black Label, 'gat,' Buldak as 2026 winners

The Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) announced the winners of its 2026 Korea Image Awards, recognizing a K-pop music label, a traditional cultural symbol and a global food brand for broadening Korea’s appeal overseas. The Korea Image Stepping Stone Award will go to The Black Label, represented by CEO Jung Kyung-in and executive producer Teddy, for taking part in producing the soundtrack for the hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The institute said the label’s “innovative sound and global sensibility” helped deliver the emotional appeal of K-content to international audiences and contributed to the soundtrack’s milestone achievements, including ranking No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard and U.K. Official charts for multiple weeks. The Korea Image Firestone Award, presented to a person or symbol that sparked global interest in Korea, is awarded to the “gat,” a traditional Korean horsehair hat widely associated with the upright spirit and refined dignity of the Joseon era. According to CICI, gat has been reinterpreted across K-pop, film, drama and fashion, with re

Dec 8, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korea Image Awards name The Black Label, 'gat,' Buldak as 2026 winners

Yonsei Univ. team pioneers new method to target cancer metabolism

A research team led by Park Hyun-woo, a biochemistry professor at Yonsei University, has introduced a pioneering method in Oncometabolic Precision Medicine — a breakthrough approach that aims to treat cancer by targeting the unique way tumors metabolize nutrients. The team demonstrated that a cancer patient’s nutritional and metabolic status is a decisive factor in determining the efficacy of anticancer therapies, offering a new treatment framework based on customizing care to exploit these metabolic vulnerabilities. The study found that the sensitivity of cancer cells to drugs varies significantly depending on each patient’s blood metabolite levels, offering new possibilities for personalized anticancer treatment guidelines based on metabolic profiling. The results were published in the latest issue of Cancer Research, the flagship journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Park’s team built a Cancer Metabolism–based Synthetic Lethality Platform by testing 1,813 U.S. FDA-approved non-oncology drugs while altering concentrations of metabolites typical of the tumor

Dec 4, 2025By Jung Da-hyun

Yonsei Univ. team pioneers new method to target cancer metabolism

BLACKPINK’s Lisa stuns in daring mini outfit

BLACKPINK member Lisa ignited social media once again after posting a series of photos from her recent performance in the Philippines, showing off bold stage looks that instantly captivated global fans. On Nov. 29, Lisa shared multiple behind-the-scenes photos on her account with the message “Love you, Philippines.” The images, taken at the concert venue, offered a glimpse into her backstage energy and heartfelt connection with local fans. In one of the photos, Lisa wears ultrashort hot pants paired with a glossy cropped top decorated with belt buckles. Despite the bold styling, her toned figure and flawless proportions drew admiration, with many praising her as one of K-pop’s most charismatic performers. The impact was immediate: Within a day, her post accumulated more than 2 million likes, demonstrating her unmatched global influence. Fans from around the world commented with reactions such as “So classy,” “Queen,” and “She looks like a doll.” Lisa’s ability to dominate the spotlight with just a few photos reflects her status as one of the most followed and recogniz

Dec 1, 2025By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Lisa stuns in daring mini outfit

How mouth painting transformed artist’s life after paralysis

Painter Hwang Jung-eon didn’t expect art to become his lifeline — until a single moment changed everything. In 1993, a car accident paralyzed him from the neck down, abruptly halting the life he knew. Yet today, Hwang is a recognized oil painter, creating vibrant works with a brush held in his mouth and enjoying a career that has restored his sense of purpose and self-reliance. He was just 29 when the devastating accident caused a cervical spinal cord injury, leaving him unable to move his limbs. After about a year of treatment and rehabilitation, he learned about mouth painting through his family and friends and decided to give it a try. Looking back, he thinks he was drawn to it for two reasons. “One was the idea that it was something I could actually do, and the other was that it would help me train myself to sit in a wheelchair,” the 60-year-old said in his home in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. When Hwang started, he first practiced holding a paintbrush in his mouth before moving on to drawing lines and circles. By 1996, he held his first exhibition, which he shared wit

Nov 29, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

How mouth painting transformed artist’s life after paralysis

King Sejong Institute Foundation opens regional office in Chile

The King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) has opened its office in Chile. According to the government-funded language education agency, Friday, it held an opening ceremony in Santiago, Chile, Thursday (local time). Its Chilean office will serve as a strategic hub for promoting Korean language and culture across Latin America. “The new office will serve as a pivotal role in providing close support services to KSIF’s 17 existing institutes across 12 countries in the continent,” KSIF said in a press release. “It will also spearhead local teacher training and continuing education, helping improve both the accessibility and quality of Korean language and cultural instruction throughout the region.” The inauguration event included a plaque unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony, group photograph, congratulatory remarks and a presentation of the office’s mission and future road map. Among the guests were Kim Hak‑jae, Korea’s ambassador to Chile, along with leading experts in Korean language education from the region. KSIF has been directly establishing overseas offices to respon

Nov 28, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

King Sejong Institute Foundation opens regional office in Chile

14 students from diverse backgrounds honored in Global Korea Awards

Fourteen outstanding students from diverse backgrounds were honored Thursday for their achievements and contributions at the 14th Global Korea Awards. The awards, hosted by The Korea Times, aim to support multicultural students who often encounter hurdles rooted in cultural differences or language barriers. The ceremony, held at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, was attended by awardees and their families, along with Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jung Goo-chang, Seoul Vice Mayor Kim Tae-kyoon and Seoul National University Vice President of International Affairs Kim Tae-kyoon. Foreign envoys, including Philippine Ambassador to Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez and Minister Counselor and Consul General of the Chinese Embassy to Korea Zhong Hongnuo, were also present. Representatives from sponsoring organizations, including Korean Association for Multicultural Education President Chang In-sil; Upbit Investor Protection Center director Lee Hae-boong, University of Utah Asia Campus Chief Administrative Officer Gregory Hill and Sharp Aviation K Executive Director Kim S

Nov 27, 2025By Park Ung

14 students from diverse backgrounds honored in Global Korea Awards

Get ready, Seoul: Magikarp migration to splash into Cheonggye Stream

For many in their 20s and 30s, Pokémon remains a nostalgic part of childhood, with the popular cartoon continuing to draw strong interest in Korea. The game Pokémon GO surpassed 7 million mobile downloads in its first week in Korea in 2017, and more than 100 million units of limited edition Pokémon-themed bread were sold in 2022. Last year, a large-scale Ditto project at Lotte World Mall attracted massive crowds in Seoul. Building on this popularity, Magikarp — the seemingly weak but beloved Pokémon known for its dramatic evolution into the dragon-like Gyarados — takes center stage this winter in the “I LOVE Magikarp” project. The project will bring 100 Magikarp lanterns to Seoul's Cheonggye Stream, offering fans a unique Pokémon-themed winter experience. Running from Dec. 12 to Jan. 4 between Gwang Bridge and Jangtong Bridge in Jongno District, "I LOVE Magikarp" is part of the annual Seoul Lantern Festival and includes in-game Pokémon GO events, a pop-up Magikarp shop and other themed activities. For all Pokémon fans, here's the ultimate guide. 1. Magikarp Lantern Install

Nov 27, 2025By Ahn SeoHyeon

Get ready, Seoul: Magikarp migration to splash into Cheonggye Stream

Korea’s rising multicultural youth population offers glimpse of more inclusive future

Good afternoon, everyone. I am Jung Goo-chang, vice minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. I extend my sincere congratulations to The Korea Times on the hosting of the 14th Global Korea Awards. First, I would like to express my gratitude to President Oh Young-jin of The Korea Times and all members of the organization for your hard work in preparing this meaningful event. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Vice Mayor 1 of Seoul Metropolitan Government Kim Tae-kyoon, as well as to the ambassadors and distinguished guests from Korea and abroad, for honoring this event with your presence despite your busy schedules. The Global Korea Awards seek to nurture young people from multicultural backgrounds as global talent and contribute to creating a more inclusive, healthy and vibrant multicultural society. Since 2012, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has supported the awards and presented a ministerial commendation. I would like to congratulate all of today’s award recipients, including Selma Naciri, who is receiving the grand prize. I will continue to support