Lifestyle - The Korea Times

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

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul welcomes new general manager

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

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