Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Jung Woo-sung returns to advertising after acknowledging child born out of wedlock

Actor Jung Woo-sung has returned to commercial activities after a period of absence, becoming the new model for a cryptocurrency exchange. Following months away from the public eye due to controversy over his child who was born out of wedlock, his comeback has drawn significant attention. On Sept. 4, Jung’s agency Artist Company confirmed his return to Xportsnews, saying, “Jung Woo-sung has been selected as the advertising model for a cryptocurrency exchange and completed filming on Sept. 3.” Actor Jeon Jong-seo also reportedly participated in the shoot. Jung is the father of model Moon Ga-bi’s son. In November last year, Moon announced the birth of her son on social media, after which it was revealed that Jung was the father. At the time, Artist Company acknowledged his paternity, saying, “The child Moon Ga-bi revealed on social media is Jung Woo-sung’s biological son,” adding that “we are discussing the best way to handle child-rearing, and Jung will take full responsibility as the father.” After confirming his paternity, Jung reconsidered attending the 45th Blue Dra

Sep 4, 2025By Hankookilbo

Jung Woo-sung returns to advertising after acknowledging child born out of wedlock

InterviewPhotographer blends AI, art in ‘photo revolution’

In the heart of Insa-dong, Seoul, a cozy neighborhood where traditional Korean culture and contemporary art are gathered, photographer Oh Seung-hwan is challenging the definition of photography. At his exhibition “AI Photo Revolution” at Gallery Index, running through Sept. 15, the veteran photographer presents a series of photo works created by combining his own artistic vision with artificial intelligence (AI). The exhibition coincides with the recent publication of his book, “AI Photo Revolution,” the first book in Korea to explore the theoretical and practical aspects of images generated using the emerging technology. Oh, a former photojournalist and photography professor, describes his professional identity simply as “just a photographer.” He believes that art is a way of communicating one’s feelings to others, and for him, visual communication is the most powerful tool. “The very first form of art was cave paintings. It was a way of leaving an index that ‘I am alive,’” Oh told The Korea Times at the gallery Wednesday. “Visual language is so powerful that it

Sep 4, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Photographer blends AI, art in ‘photo revolution’

Children’s TV show director wins Seoul Gender Equality Award

Lee Ji-hyun, a producer at EBS and longtime director of “Ding Dong Dang Kindergarten,” a popular children’s program, was awarded the 2025 Seoul Gender Equality Award’s Grand Prize for challenging traditional gender roles through her work. As part of the government-backed Gender Equality Week (Sept. 1–7), the Seoul Metropolitan Government held its annual conference on Tuesday to recognize individuals and organizations that have made notable contributions to advancing gender equality. The Grand Prize this year went to Lee for her pioneering work in planning and producing the first youth sex education episodes on public broadcasting and for promoting gender equality through children’s programming, such as “Ding Dong Dang Kindergarten” and “Earth Hero Thunder Man.” In “Earth Hero Thunder Man” and other shows, she introduced diverse characters such as girls who love sports, boys who enjoy reading, fathers on paternity leave and children from single-parent families, encouraging children to develop egalitarian and accepting attitudes. She also created special sex educat

Sep 4, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Children’s TV show director wins Seoul Gender Equality Award

Seoul Africa Festival set to showcase continent’s charm

Showcasing the rich diversity of African cultures, a festival in Seoul next week is set to offer a vibrant glimpse into the continent’s traditions, music and cuisine. The nonprofit organization Africa Insight said Wednesday it will co-host the Seoul Africa Festival along with the African Group of Ambassadors in Korea and Seoul Design Foundation at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul from Sept. 12-13. Launched in 2016, the festival is Korea’s largest event dedicated to African culture. This year’s edition will feature fashion, performances, hands-on programs and exhibitions that highlight the continent’s diversity. The opening ceremony and dinner on the first day will bring together around 200 dignitaries, including African diplomats, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, scholars, business leaders, cultural figures and local residents. At the venue, visitors will be able to sample food and drinks from across Africa, including wine and coffee. Special souvenirs donated by African embassies in Seoul and round-trip tickets to Africa provided by Ethiopian Airlines will

Sep 4, 2025By Park Ung

Seoul Africa Festival set to showcase continent’s charm

InterviewThrough strangers and small encounters, photographer finds stories beyond tourist landmarks in Seoul

On a warm afternoon in Seoul, a tall young man with black glasses stops on a street corner. He hesitates for a moment, then bows and introduces himself in Korean: “Hello. I am a photographer.” The stranger looks startled, but moments later, stands in front of the lens — a new face in a growing gallery of ordinary Seoul citizens. When Belgian photographer Bleg Bayraktar, better known as ItsBleg, came to Korea in this spring, he initially planned to stay for 10 days. It was his second visit; his first trip three years earlier had left him wanting to return to experience the country again. “One of the best decisions of my life,” he said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. After staying three months in Korea and taking a short trip to Japan, the 24-year-old is back in Seoul, with plans to return and possibly stay forever. From finance to photography ItsBleg’s path to portraiture was anything but linear. He holds a master’s degree in business economics and began his career in finance in late 2023. Within months, however, the pull of photography outweighed the security of

Sep 3, 2025By Dorothea Rosskopf

Through strangers and small encounters, photographer finds stories beyond tourist landmarks in Seoul

Woman who gave birth to twins at 58, 12 years after menopause, draws renewed attention

A woman who became pregnant for the first time 12 years after menopause and gave birth to twins at 58 is drawing renewed attention years later. Park Mi-sun, now 71, appeared Tuesday on the inaugural episode of a tvN STORY variety program, where she shared the story behind her pregnancy, once considered medically impossible. Park, who married in 1985, said she longed for children but struggled with infertility. “I always loved children and thought I would naturally have one after marriage, but it didn’t happen,” she said. Doctors later found that her fallopian tubes were blocked, leading her to attempt in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures for a decade without success. She entered menopause at 45. The turning point came nearly a decade after menopause, when her menstrual cycle unexpectedly resumed and rekindled her hope of having a child. Park asked a well-known infertility specialist about trying IVF but was met with skepticism. Rather than giving up, she resolved to strengthen her body for another attempt. She began visiting an oriental medicine clinic, stopped eating flour, frie

Sep 3, 2025By Hankookilbo

Woman who gave birth to twins at 58, 12 years after menopause, draws renewed attention

InterviewSeocho District fuses global culture with artistic flair

Defining Seocho District in a single word is difficult, even for Mayor Jun Sung-soo. Located in southern Seoul, the district is home to Korea’s top legal institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. It also houses the research and development centers of major conglomerates such as Samsung and LG. Beyond business and law, Seocho also serves as a cultural center, with landmarks like the Seoul Arts Center. But that is not the only source of pride for Seocho. Building on its strengths at home, the district is working to expand international ties and raise its profile on the global stage. “Seocho is a district that builds friendships with the world through culture,” Jun said in an interview with The Korea Times. “Exchanges in culture, arts and education with countries ranging from France and the Czech Republic to Ghana have become valuable assets that showcase the district’s international stature and brand.” Of the 13 countries with which Seocho maintains exchanges, France holds particular significance, thanks to Seorae Village, home to Korea’s

Sep 3, 2025By Park Ung

Seocho District fuses global culture with artistic flair

Korea's World Webtoon Awards to highlight top global creators in online comics

The 2025 World Webtoon Awards are set to take place in Seoul in October, celebrating the best and brightest in the global webtoon industry, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday. Hosted by the culture ministry and its affiliate Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the event aims to honor outstanding works, encourage professionals in the industry and solidify Korea's reputation as a global leader in online comics. This year's awards ceremony, the second of its kind, will be held Oct. 22 at Lotte Cinema’s Lotte World Tower branch. The list of 26 finalists for the main awards has been announced, chosen from a pool of 99 candidates. The ministry said the selection process was highly competitive, drawing a surprising 1,338 recommendations from readers worldwide and demonstrating the immense global popularity of online comics. The nominees include 23 Korean works and three works by Japanese artists. Among the awards, the Reader’s Choice Award is introduced for the first time this year, offering fans chances to vote for their favorite webtoon works. The winner will be de

Sep 1, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Korea's World Webtoon Awards to highlight top global creators in online comics

BLACKPINK’s Rosé tops celebrity YouTuber ranking with estimated $8.2 mil. earnings

BLACKPINK member Rosé has been making headlines not only in music but also on YouTube, where she has generated massive revenue from her channel. According to Forbes Korea’s recent report titled “K-pop fandom dominates YouTube,” Rosé ranked first among celebrity YouTubers in 2025. Her channel, which boasts 18.1 million subscribers, features 86 uploaded videos with a combined 3.6 billion views, leading to an estimated annual income of around 11 billion won ($8.2 million). While Rosé has already enjoyed global fame as a member of BLACKPINK, her collaboration with Bruno Mars on the 2024 hit single "APT." propelled her to even greater international stardom. Upon its release, the song became the fastest K-pop track released in 2024 to reach 100 million views on YouTube. It also peaked at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, setting a record for the highest-charting single by a female K-pop artist, and remained on the chart for 41 consecutive weeks. The song also achieved over 100 million streams on Spotify within just seven days of release, solidifying Rosé’s status as a global su

Aug 30, 2025By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Rosé tops celebrity YouTuber ranking with estimated $8.2 mil. earnings

Transformation in defense technology: Experts call for innovation to deploy AI-powered robot forces

Scholars and businesspeople from the defense industry said advances in artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned systems and robotics are poised to fundamentally reshape future warfare, during a forum Thursday. They discussed technical developments in the defense industry at the Glocal Defense Forum, co-organized by Konyang University and the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, at the school's Glocal Campus in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. The event coincided with a ceremony to proclaim the college’s "Glocal Vision." The term "glocal," a combination of "global" and "local," highlights the importance of preserving regional identity while adapting to the wider process of globalization. “We will witness AI–equipped robot forces as early as within 10 years — if not, certainly by the end of two decades,” said Moon Il-chul, director of the Defense Intelligence Swarm Research Center at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Although Korea is expected to spend 61.6 trillion won ($46.3 billion) for its defense in 2025, or 9.15 percent of the go

Aug 29, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

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