Lifestyle - The Korea Times

BTS’ Jin tops survey for star most suited to beer commercials

Jin of BTS has been voted the No. 1 star most suited for a refreshing beer commercial, according to a recent survey. Idol Chart recently conducted a poll asking, “Which star best fits a cool beer advertisement?” Jin took first place with 25,492 votes out of a total 57,439, or about 44 percent of the votes. The result highlights the singer’s continued global popularity and strong fanbase. Meanwhile, Jin is currently on his first solo fan concert and global tour, titled “#RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR.” His schedule includes stops in Korea, Chiba and Osaka, Japan; Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa and Newark, U.S.; as well as London, U.K. and Amsterdam, Netherlands. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Jul 16, 2025By Xportsnews

BTS’ Jin tops survey for star most suited to beer commercials

KTO launches event to guess new honorary ambassador

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is hosting an event to guess its new ambassador, ahead of the release of its new global advertisement teaser and soundtrack slated for July 24. The new soundtrack is a collaboration between the new ambassador and legendary K-Pop producer KENZIE’s production team, KZLAB. According to the KTO, participants should visit the agency’s YouTube channel, Imagine Your Korea, and join an event to guess the identity of the new ambassador from their silhouette. The KTO said it will draw 20 winners from the correct entries, submitted through Sunday. Each winner will be given an invitation ticket to the 2025 Korea Tourism Honorary Ambassador Appointment Ceremony, which the new ambassador is scheduled to attend. The event winners will be announced on July 22 and notified individually via email. (Advertorial)

Jul 15, 2025

KTO launches event to guess new honorary ambassador

Pull-ups saved his life — now this cancer survivor is inspiring thousands after more than 10 surgeries

The cancer kept coming back. Again and again. At one point, Kim Dong-ho thought that if treatment would never end, maybe his life should. He climbed to the rooftop of his apartment, ready to give up. Then he remembered what his high school gym teacher had once told him: “Let’s try to overcome cancer through exercise.” Kim, now 23, installed a pull-up bar in his room and began training one to two hours a day. At the time, he was worn down physically and emotionally from repeated surgeries to remove tumors in his face. But focusing on something — anything — helped shift his mind. “Just being immersed in something was enough to lift my mood,” he said. The pull-up bar became both his workout and his therapy. As his physical strength grew, so did his confidence. He no longer felt small and withdrawn from the world. In July 2020, just one day before another surgery, Kim learned of an online pull-up competition. He filmed himself doing the exercise and entered. Then he went under the knife once more. After the surgery, a phone call came: He had won first place, beating dozens of h

Jul 12, 2025By Hankookilbo

Pull-ups saved his life — now this cancer survivor is inspiring thousands after more than 10 surgeries

Artist Kimsooja promoted to 'officer' rank in French cultural order

Korean artist Kimsooja was named an Officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters, the second-highest of the European country's three-tier honor. The artist received the award at the French ambassador's residence in Seoul on Wednesday, recognizing her contributions to cultural exchange and relations between Korea and France. In 2017, she was named a "commandeur" of the same order. The multi-disciplinary conceptual artist uses a one-word name, Kimsooja, as it "refuses gender identity, marital status, socio-political or cultural and geographical identity by not separating the family name and the first name," according to her official website. Born in 1957 in Daegu, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, she is renowned for a body of work built on original exploration of the self, seeking connections between the individual, the community, nature and the cosmos. Her practice is also deeply engaged with contemporary social, global and gender issues. Based mostly in Seoul and New York, she is best known for her "Bottari," or wrapped bundles, series, an installation made of bed covers and c

Jul 11, 2025By Yonhap

Artist Kimsooja promoted to 'officer' rank in French cultural order

FKF sets sail to counter low birth, aging society problems

The Federation for Korean Families (FKF) celebrated its official establishment at the Press Center in central Seoul, Thursday. Supported by 164 civil society groups, the organization aims to counter various social problems caused by Korea’s persistently decreasing fertility rate, accelerating population aging and increasing family dissolution, the organization said in a press release. “Korea has indiscriminately accepted the Western society’s gender equality. It has various side effects, including dissolution of values in family and social disconnection between generations,” FKF Establishment Preparation Committee head Hwang In-ja said during her welcome remarks for the organization's launch ceremony at the Press Center on Thursday. “It is difficult to counter such problems solely through the government’s efforts. We now need a family-centered society. The FKF aims to strengthen the traditional role of family and parents while reviving solidarity between generations.” Korea’s total fertility rate has reached a record low of 0.75 while the country has become a super-aged s

Jul 10, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

FKF sets sail to counter low birth, aging society problems

InterviewRights advocate for migrant workers named recipient of labor award

An immigrant rights advocate will be honored with the 2025 Korean Labor Award for her three decades of advocacy supporting and empowering migrant workers in Korea. The organizers of the prestigious annual award ― the Korea University Graduate School of Labor Studies and its Labor Issues Research Institute ― have named Jeong Gue-sun, 64, as the next recipient. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on July 16 at the Press Center in Seoul. “It is such a great honor to receive the award,” Jeong told The Korea Times on Tuesday. “But at the same time, the announcement makes me ponder over whether I deserve it, given in my view, little progress has been made over the past 30 years in terms of how workers from other countries are perceived and treated in our society.” Jeong’s journey began in the 1980s, a period marked by poor working conditions and the rise of Korea’s labor and pro-democracy movements. As new unions formed and legal reforms were enacted to protect workers from excessive overtime and health hazards, she believed these were major steps forward for all worker

Jul 10, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Rights advocate for migrant workers named recipient of labor award

Foreign language newspaper guild celebrates decade of progress

The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea (FNA) marked its 10th anniversary Wednesday, recognizing journalists and staff who have helped share Korea's stories with the world in English and Chinese. Founded in 2015, the FNA brings together Korea's major daily foreign-language newspapers — The Korea Times, The Korea JoongAng Daily, The Korea Herald and The Aju Daily, which is the Chinese edition of Aju Business Daily. The association aims to boost cooperation among its members and expand Korean media's presence on the global stage. A ceremony at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul drew an audience of lawmakers, diplomats and journalists. Notable attendees included acting chair and floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Rep. Kim Byung-kee; emergency committee chair and floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party Rep. Song Eon-seog; acting chair and floor leader of the Reform Party Rep. Chun Ha-ram; and senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication Lee Kyu-youn. In his congratulatory remarks, FNA Chairman Choi Jin-young,

Jul 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Foreign language newspaper guild celebrates decade of progress

Uzbek breaks ground by earning electrician certification via Korean training initiative

Before becoming the first person in Uzbekistan to earn an electrician certification, Dilmurodov Lazizbek made a living selling goods in his hometown of Shahrisabz. Now, after completing a year of vocational training supported by Korea’s development agency, he is stepping into a future that he once thought was unattainable. Lazizbek completed a training course at a center built by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and then passed a newly introduced national qualification exam. Held in May and June, the test attracted more than 200 applicants across three fields: automobile maintenance, welding and electrical work. Thirty candidates passed, with Lazizbek becoming the country’s first officially certified electrician. “I studied electrical systems through a KOICA program,” said Lazizbek during the certificate ceremony in Tashkent on June 26. “Now I have proof of my skills, and I believe this will open doors for me both in Uzbekistan and internationally.” The qualification exam forms part of a broader development initiative launched by KOICA in cooperation with U

Jul 9, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Uzbek breaks ground by earning electrician certification via Korean training initiative

BTS’ V, Suzy and Park Bo-gum dazzle in Paris, ending debate over ‘idol vs. actor’ visuals

The striking visuals of BTS’ V, singer-actor Suzy and actor Park Bo-gum have captivated global fans, reigniting praise for their star power and settling once and for all the debate over whether idols or actors shine brighter. On July 6, photos featuring the trio at a luxury brand event in Paris went viral across social media and online communities. A short video showing them posing side by side also spread quickly, drawing massive attention from fans around the world. Each star showcased a unique sense of style and charm. V embraced a bohemian aesthetic with a bold red-patterned top and wide-legged trousers. His wet-hair look, paired with gold accessories, lent a polished, artistic flair. Suzy wore a black two-piece outfit adorned with gold buttons, accessorized with a sleek mini shoulder bag, achieving a look that was both classic and elegant. Her long, straight hair and subtle makeup further emphasized her signature grace. Park Bo-gum opted for a dandy casual style, wearing a checkered jacket with a white shirt and denim jeans. His unbuttoned collar and soft waves gave him a relaxed

Jul 9, 2025By Xportsnews

BTS’ V, Suzy and Park Bo-gum dazzle in Paris, ending debate over ‘idol vs. actor’ visuals

Lee Si-young announces pregnancy after divorce, sparks debate over embryo use

Actor Lee Si-young revealed Tuesday that she is expecting her second child, just four months after her divorce from restaurateur Cho Seong-hyun. “My ex-husband did not agree, but I have decided to bear the full weight of this decision,” the 43-year-old wrote on her Instagram. “I could not bring myself to discard the embryo that was nearing the end of its storage period. My life as a mother has always been my greatest source of strength.” During her marriage, Lee and Cho underwent IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment. The fertilized embryo was not implanted at the time. As their relationship ended and the five-year storage period for the frozen embryo approached expiration, Lee decided to proceed with the implantation despite Cho’s opposition. “When I had my son eight years ago, it was before getting married and while I was filming a drama. Each year, I regretted and blamed myself for the moments I spent in anxiety. I always wanted children and I never wanted to repeat the regrets I felt with my first child,” she continued. Her case is very exceptional in Korea, as it is a

Jul 8, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

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