Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Singer Soyou shares dramatic before-and-after weight loss photos

Singer Soyou has sparked buzz online after unveiling dramatic before-and-after photos showcasing her weight loss transformation. On her YouTube channel Soyougi, a recent video whose Korean title can be translated as “Insane body… is this before-and-after real? Soyou’s ultimate diet tips revealed” caught the attention of fans. In the video, Soyou said, “I’ve successfully lost weight,” and revealed side-by-side photos comparing her physique before and after the diet. While her earlier appearance emphasized healthy curves, her current look features a noticeably toned abdomen and defined, slim silhouette. Discussing her diet, she emphasized the importance of vegetables, saying, “Green — eating lots of greens — is key,” and added that starving is not part of her approach. Addressing alcohol consumption, she advised, “If you avoid drinking but end up stress-eating instead, it’s actually better to drink low-sugar options like distilled liquor or whiskey in moderation.” She added, “Beer and wine are off-limits.” Soyou’s recent health stats reflect the impact of h

Apr 23, 2025By KTimes

Singer Soyou shares dramatic before-and-after weight loss photos

Why Lee Hyo-ri’s wedding guest fashion keeps going viral

Singer Lee Hyo-ri continues to make waves with her iconic and effortless wedding guest fashion. Lee recently caught attention after posting several photos on her personal social media, taken at singer Kim Jong-min’s wedding. In the pictures, she pairs a simple gray knit top with a bold yellow sheer skirt, balancing elegance with a youthful twist. The lace-embroidered skirt subtly added flair without being flashy. To complete the look, Lee added a pop of color with a blue crossbody bag featuring playful character charms, maintaining her signature wit and individuality. Her loosely waved hair and minimal makeup contributed to a relaxed, natural vibe — hallmarks of what many now call “the Lee Hyo-ri style.” Earlier this month, Lee also drew praise for her outfit at another friend’s wedding. That time, she wore a soft pink blouse and a long brown skirt, creating a warm, vintage mood. Burgundy strap heels added a touch of classic charm, while her light makeup and natural hairstyle enhanced her effortless elegance. Every time she shows up to a wedding, her look earns comments like

Apr 22, 2025By KTimes

Why Lee Hyo-ri’s wedding guest fashion keeps going viral

Yoona channels ‘spring goddess’ vibes with cherry bag and denim look

Girls’ Generation member and actor Yoona is ushering in the season with a fresh and radiant spring look. Yoona posted several photos on her social media account Tuesday, tagging a fashion brand and adding a cherry emoji. In the photos, she pairs a black jacket with a corset-style blouse and wide-leg denim jeans, creating a chic yet relaxed silhouette. A luxury handbag embroidered with cherry patterns adds a playful touch to the ensemble. Her long hair, softly styled in subtle waves, and her light, natural makeup enhances her charm. International fans flooded the comment section with praise, writing messages like “Why is she so pretty?” and “So elegant,” along with heart emojis expressing their admiration. Yoona is currently filming the tvN drama “The Tyrant’s Chef.” This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Apr 22, 2025By KTimes

Yoona channels ‘spring goddess’ vibes with cherry bag and denim look

Kim Yuna stuns at Dior event with husband’s discharge just a month away

Former figure skating champion Kim Yuna made a dazzling appearance at a fashion event in Seoul, drawing attention as she counts down the final month before her husband, singer Ko Woo-rim, completes his military service. On Friday afternoon, Kim attended a photo call event at the DDP Art Hall in Seoul’s Dongdaemun District, held to commemorate the opening of a new Dior exhibition. Wearing an elegant ensemble from Dior, Kim posed gracefully for the cameras, captivating onlookers with her trademark elegance. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Apr 19, 2025By KTimes

Kim Yuna stuns at Dior event with husband’s discharge just a month away

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shines with ‘100 percent beauty’ at Dior event

Jisoo of girl group BLACKPINK turned heads once again with her stunning appearance at a high-profile fashion event in Seoul. On Friday afternoon, Jisoo attended a photo call event at the DDP Art Hall in Seoul’s Dongdaemun District, celebrating the opening of a new Dior exhibition. Clad in elegant Dior fashion, Jisoo captivated the crowd during the photo session, drawing praise for her signature poise and timeless beauty. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Apr 19, 2025By KTimes

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shines with ‘100 percent beauty’ at Dior event

Local matchmaking programs make comeback despite past backlash

Spring is in the air, and a renewed wave of matchmaking events hosted by local governments across Korea is gaining momentum. Once criticized as outdated attempts to address the country’s low birthrate, publicly backed dating programs are now gaining traction again, this time with more subtle framing and enthusiastic responses from young participants. In Seoul, the city government is actively promoting a series of meet-up events for unmarried residents, with some likening the initiative to a “Seoul-style ‘I Am Solo’,” referencing the popular dating reality show. This revival comes roughly a year and a half after Seoul scrapped its 2023 “Seoulting” program due to backlash over the use of taxpayer funds and accusations of bureaucratic overreach. So what’s different now? Officials say that distancing the programs from direct low birthrate solutions and minimizing city funding has helped soften criticism. Instead, events are framed as casual opportunities for social connection. That strategy seems to be working. Local districts are also jumping on board, offering their own the

Apr 18, 2025By KTimes

Local matchmaking programs make comeback despite past backlash

Lee Dong-gun’s new cafe in Jeju draws crowds — and complaints from neighbors

Actor Lee Dong-gun’s newly opened cafe on Jeju Island is off to a booming start, but its early success has also drawn complaints from neighboring business owners. Lee recently shared photos and a message on the cafe's official social media, writing, “We had people lining up from Day 1. Thank you to everyone who waited. This is a space for rest and relaxation — a small oasis in an alley, with handmade sandwiches, coffee and desserts. We hope it becomes a place you can always come back to when you need a break.” The cafe, converted from a residential house, features a unique atmosphere with a tropical design and striking night views accentuated by palm trees and ambient lighting. Last year, Lee shared the behind-the-scenes process of launching the cafe on the SBS variety show "My Little Old Boy," revealing that he had taken out a 200 million won loan (about $145,000) to fund the project and sought business advice from comedian Kim Jun-ho and cafe industry experts. At the time, Lee cited the downturn in drama production as a factor in pursuing the venture, saying, “A project I was

Apr 18, 2025By KTimes

Lee Dong-gun’s new cafe in Jeju draws crowds — and complaints from neighbors

Why Korea’s youngest bar exam passer left top law firm for graduate school in translation

Park Ji-won, who made headlines in 2012 after passing Korea’s bar exam at the age of 20, has shared that she left her eight-year legal career to pursue graduate studies in translation and interpretation. Seoul National University’s student-run YouTube channel Studio Sha (@snu_studiosha) released an interview Tuesday titled “Why the youngest bar passer at 20 left Kim & Chang,” featuring Park’s story. Park, then a sophomore majoring in business at Seoul National University, became the youngest-ever person to pass Korea’s 54th bar exam. She later joined the country’s largest law firm, Kim & Chang, where she began her career as a lawyer. But in 2023, she left the firm and started a new academic journey in translation and interpretation — a decision that surprised many. When asked why she decided to leave the law firm, Park said, “The core question was whether this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” She added, “If becoming a lawyer had been a goal I pursued entirely on my own, maybe that motivation would have carried me through the hard times. But in r

Apr 17, 2025By KTimes

Why Korea’s youngest bar exam passer left top law firm for graduate school in translation

High school student donates 1 million won to help premature babies

A teenage girl who was born prematurely 17 years ago has donated 1 million won ($700) to help premature babies. According to Busan Paik Hospital on Tuesday, Hong Ah-jin, a freshman student at Hanil Girls’ High School, donated the money to help treat those born prematurely. Hong said she had the same experience. Born at 26 weeks and weighing just 590 grams, she received three months of treatment at the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Thanks to the hospital's efforts, her weight increased to 2.05 kilograms, at which point she was considered healthy enough to be discharged. “Thanks to the staff at Busan Paik Hospital, I was able to grow up healthy and strong. I have always wanted to express my gratitude to the hospital, and I am so glad that I was able to contribute a small amount of money to a good cause,” Hong said. “I wanted to help those in need and give them hope that they, too, can grow up healthily even if they were born prematurely like I was. I hope everyone is healthy and thank the medical staff at Busan Paik Hospital once again.” Preterm babies can be defined a

Apr 17, 2025By Jung Min-ho

High school student donates 1 million won to help premature babies

UK shoemaker back in business to disrupt footwear market with AI

For Koreans who grew up in the 1980s, any mention of global sports brand Reebok brings back memories of an iconic TV commercial that played on a loop in their minds. In the ad, Lee Jong-won, a then-unknown model, appeared in a black sleeveless jersey emblazoned with the word “Reebok.” His flawless athletic dance performance — jaw-dropping and powerful — captivated viewers across the country. The routine was said to be inspired by Mikhail Baryshnikov’s dramatic opening dance in the critically acclaimed 1985 film “White Nights.” The TV commercial was a turning point in Lee’s career, launching him into stardom. Virtually overnight, he became one of the most sought-after actors in the country, riding the wave of the Reebok ad’s viral popularity. By the 1990s, the British footwear brand had become a must-have among trendy young Koreans. What’s less known, however, is that Reebok’s global rise had a strong Korean connection: Its shoes were produced by manufacturers based in the southeastern port city of Busan. “In 1979, I met with three factories in Busan and was amazed

Apr 16, 2025By Kang Hyun-kyung

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