Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Not your average marathon: Korea’s running scene goes full fandom in 2025

What do Mickey Mouse, Pikachu, Marvel superheroes, Hello Kitty and the cast of beloved Korean variety show “Infinite Challenge” have in common? This year, they are leading a pop-culture parade across Korea’s marathon scene, transforming fitness into a festival of fandom and fun. Forget grueling finish lines — 2025 is all about themed running events where costumes, character encounters and Instagram moments take center stage. From dashing through Yeouido Park with Mickey and Minnie at the inaugural Disney Run, to grabbing limited-edition merchandise at the Sanrio Cutie Run to embarking on a mission-filled Pokemon Run along Jeju’s scenic trails, these events are more parade than race. It is not just pop culture icons making waves — Korea’s entertainment legacy joins the party, too. The Infinite Challenge Run turns nostalgia into exercise, bringing the beloved variety show’s cast and fans together for immersive experience zones and a festival-style concert in Busan. Let’s take a look at five of Korea’s most unique running events planned for the second half of this year.

Jul 28, 2025By Kwak Yeon-soo

Not your average marathon: Korea’s running scene goes full fandom in 2025

Michigan State University students explore Korean culture during Seoul trip

As Korean pop culture continues to resonate far beyond the peninsula, a group of Michigan State University (MSU) freshmen experienced the Korean Wave firsthand through a new First-Year Seminar Abroad program that brought them to South Korea. From palace grounds to K-pop studios and from historic landmarks to immersive musical productions, the two-week course offered students a dynamic introduction to Korean society and its global cultural impact. The course, titled "K-cultures: Stories and Identity in Korean Cultures," was led by professor Laura MacDonald from MSU’s Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, who did a fellowship at Ewha Womans University and studied Korean musical theater. Designed to help new students develop critical thinking and intercultural understanding, this year marks MSU’s first-ever overseas seminar to Korea, reflecting the growing appeal of Korean culture among young Americans. For many students, the trip was a way to deepen their understanding of Korean culture beyond what they had encountered online. Emad Shahjahan, a double-major in comparative cu

Jul 25, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

Michigan State University students explore Korean culture during Seoul trip

G-Dragon’s colorful Jakarta-bound airport look? Only he could pull it off

G-Dragon departed for Jakarta on Thursday for the next leg of his world tour, drawing attention with his vibrant and stylish airport look. The singer was spotted making his way to the departure hall, showcasing a playful fashion sense that highlighted his signature charisma. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Jul 24, 2025By Xportsnews

G-Dragon’s colorful Jakarta-bound airport look? Only he could pull it off

Heartthrob Park Bo-gum named face of Korea’s tourism push

Actor Park Bo-gum will lead a new global campaign aimed at attracting visitors to Korea. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday it will officially appoint Park as this year’s honorary ambassador for Korea tourism. In recent years, the ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization have rolled out global campaigns featuring BTS in 2022, Lee Jung-jae in 2023 and NewJeans in 2024. Park will promote Korean tourism through two commercials, one styled as a short film and the other as a music video, accompanied by bonus footage. He also performed the theme song for the music video, titled “On My Way.” A teaser video was released Thursday on “Imagine Your Korea,” the official YouTube channel for Korean tourism. The ministry and the organization have also partnered with Netflix to produce tourism-themed videos inspired by Korean hits such as “Squid Game” and “All of Us Are Dead.” Through November, the ads will be displayed on landmark billboards in 16 major cities, including New York, Tokyo, Beijing and Bangkok. The campaign will extend its reach to key overseas ma

Jul 24, 2025By Park Ung

Heartthrob Park Bo-gum named face of Korea’s tourism push

Yang Yong-jin, expert who preserved Jeju’s culinary heritage, dies at 60

Yang Yong-jin, a researcher of traditional Jeju cuisine, died Monday. He was 60. Yang’s surviving family told The Korea Times that he died of cancer at Jeju National University Hospital. Born in Jeju in 1965, Yang was the son of Kim Ji-soon, who was recognized in 2010 as the island’s first master of traditional Jeju cuisine. He graduated from Ohyeon High School and went on to study architecture at Jeju College of Technology. After working in performance planning, Yang opened a baking school in 1996. A 2000 trip to Italy introduced him to the slow food movement, which emphasizes traditional food culture and local ingredients. Inspired, he later founded the Institute for Preservation of Jeju's Traditional Local Food. Yang learned to cook traditional Jeju dishes such as bracken and beef soup (gosari yukgaejang), gulfweed and pork soup (momguk), pork cartilage soup (jeopjjak-bbone-guk) and glutinous rice cakes (omegitteok) from his mother. Jeju’s cuisine, shaped by the island’s isolation and limited arable land, differs from that of the mainland. It primarily uses grains, seafood, veg

Jul 24, 2025By Park Ung

Yang Yong-jin, expert who preserved Jeju’s culinary heritage, dies at 60

Korea Times, KOFICE sign MOU to expand global reach of hallyu

The Korea Times, the nation's oldest English-language daily, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) to support the continued global spread of Korean culture. The agreement aims to establish a joint framework for cooperation, allowing both organizations to promote hallyu, or the Korean wave, worldwide and pursue mutual growth. Founded in 2003, KOFICE operates under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, with a mission to introduce Korean culture to the world and foster global cultural exchanges. "KOFICE and The Korea Times share a common mission of promoting Korea to the world," The Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin said during a signing ceremony at the newspaper's headquarters in central Seoul, Tuesday. "Korean culture today is loved worldwide — people sing our songs, read our literature and enjoy our food. With a great sense of pride, our job is to help more people experience how Korean culture enriches and contributes to global diversity. This agreement marks an important step in achieving tha

Jul 22, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Korea Times, KOFICE sign MOU to expand global reach of hallyu

From Havana to Seoul: International Korean language instructors from 49 countries unite in Seoul

As the popularity of Korean pop culture continues to fuel demand for Korean language learning across the globe, educators gathered in Seoul this week to exchange insights and celebrate their shared mission of spreading the language and culture. Among them was Lissette Gonzalez Rodriguez, a teacher at the King Sejong Institute in Havana, Cuba — the first formal Korean language institute in the country, launched last year together with the Korean Embassy after the two countries established diplomatic relations in February 2024. The Havana branch currently has approximately 150 students. "Many learners are middle and high school students who are inspired by K-pop music and Korean dramas,” Gonzalez Rodriguez told The Korea Times in Seoul on Monday. “We don’t have Netflix, but people learn about Korean culture through YouTube.” Gonzalez Rodriguez flew to Korea to attend the 2025 World Korean Educator Conference in Seoul, joining about 300 Korean language teachers at the annual event hosted by the King Sejong Institute Foundation. Running through Thursday, the conference provides op

Jul 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

From Havana to Seoul: International Korean language instructors from 49 countries unite in Seoul

Actor Kim Woo-bin turns 36 surrounded by fan gifts, ahead of drama reunion with Suzy

Actor Kim Woo-bin received an overwhelming wave of birthday love from fans — literally. On July 17, Kim shared a photo on his personal account, writing, “I received far more congratulations than I deserve. I will remember and cherish this gratitude for a long time. Thank you again.” The photo shows the actor surrounded by an enormous number of presents and flower bouquets, completely filling the room. With a warm smile, Kim sits at the center of the mountain of gifts, a scene that quickly captured fans’ hearts. Kim celebrated his 36th birthday, July 16. The actor has been in a long-term relationship with actress Shin Min-a, which they publicly confirmed in July 2015. The couple is now in their ninth year together. Kim is also preparing for his return to the small screen in “Genie, Make a Wish,” a new drama penned by hit screenwriter Kim Eun-sook. He will reunite with Suzy in the fantasy romance series, their first project together since “Uncontrollably Fond.” In the drama, Kim plays a genie who awakens after a thousand years. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a

Jul 19, 2025By Xportsnews

Actor Kim Woo-bin turns 36 surrounded by fan gifts, ahead of drama reunion with Suzy

Lawmakers form committee to combat online hate, misinformation

A National Assembly committee has been established to address online hate speech, fake news and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven misinformation, while promoting a culture of constructive and respectful communication. A total of 22 lawmakers — including co-chairpersons Lee Hack-young, Lee Hun-seung, Min Hong-chul, Jin Sun-mee, Yun Jae-ok and Lee In-seon — along with Sunfull Foundation Chairman Min Byoung-chul, marked the committee’s launch at a ceremony in Seoul Wednesday. Under its new mandate, the Sunfull Committee will operate through three key subcommittees: the AI Digital Response Committee, the Global Peace Committee and the Local Government Committee. Their mission includes tackling the dangers of malicious online comments, AI-generated disinformation and algorithmic bias — all growing concerns in the digital age — while also promoting peace in Korea and beyond. “In this era of digital transformation, the National Assembly will take the lead in fostering exemplary language culture and politics of coexistence,” Rep. Lee Hack-young said. “The 22nd Sunfull Committe

Jul 17, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Lawmakers form committee to combat online hate, misinformation

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul welcomes new general manager

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul has appointed Douglas Ariza-Giammaria as its new general manager, the hotel said in a statement Wednesday, bringing decades of international hospitality experience to the flagship property in Gangnam’s Shinsegae Central complex. Ariza-Giammaria, a native of Venezuela, has more than 30 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry, including 25 years with Marriott International. He holds degrees in hotel management and global hospitality management from the University of Houston and has worked in major markets including the United States, Greece, Singapore, Indonesia and China. He previously held leadership roles with high-profile brands such as Four Seasons, Hilton, Starwood and Marriott. For the past 14 years, he has served as general manager at several properties, earning a reputation for operational expertise and an ability to deliver strong performance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ariza-Giammaria led Marriott’s recovery strategy for Southeast China and chaired the Hunan Business Council, playing a key role in regional hospitality industry efforts duri

Jul 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

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