Lifestyle - The Korea Times

IVE’s Jang Won-young teaser sparks rumors over possible brand deal, solo launch

A single mysterious account drop from IVE’s Jang Won-young has been enough to send K-pop fandom into full speculation mode. On Monday, Won-young quietly shared a new social media account on her personal channel. The page contains no clear explanation — only a cherry-shaped logo and a series of cute, minimalist images. But fans quickly noticed that the account’s ID closely resembles Won-young’s own username, immediately fueling theories that something personal, and possibly commercial, is in the works. The post included a graphic explaining how her initials are transformed into the cherry-shaped logo. The detail made the project feel deliberate, branded and far more than a casual fan page. Within hours, Korean online communities and social media platforms lit up with speculation that she could be launching her own brand, is embarking on a collaboration or is set to release a solo album. Those reactions reflect how closely Won-young’s image is tied to trend-making. Since debuting with IVE, she has become one of Korea’s most influential Gen Z icons, often setting off viral momen

Jan 13, 2026By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK's Lisa steals spotlight in sheer Golden Globes look

BLACKPINK’s Lisa made one of the most talked-about appearances at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, instantly dominating social media feeds as she walked the red carpet in a daring sheer black dress that blended K-pop stardom with Hollywood glamour. Lisa attended the ceremony Sunday (local time) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, not as a nominee but as a presenter — a milestone moment for the global idol who recently made her acting debut in HBO’s hit drama series “The White Lotus” Season 3. The series, which premiered last year, was one of the night’s biggest contenders, earning nominations in six categories including best television series, making it the most-nominated TV title at this year’s Golden Globes. On the red carpet, Lisa chose a black sheer gown that highlighted her signature fashion-forward image. The flowing silhouette hugged her figure while the translucent fabric added a subtle sensuality that quickly went viral online, especially among Gen Z fans who praised the look for being both bold and elegant. A gold choker framing her neckline cre

Jan 12, 2026By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK's Lisa steals spotlight in sheer Golden Globes look

Late actor Ahn Sung-ki remembered for quiet generosity toward apartment staff

Heartwarming stories about the late Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki are continuing to surface, revealing a side of the beloved star that many say reflected his off-screen character. According to posts circulating in online film communities, Ahn regularly hosted year-end dinners for staff members working at his apartment complex, quietly treating them to meals at a luxury hotel while personally greeting each of the attendees. On Jan. 8, an online film forum called DVDPrime featured a post titled “Actor Ahn Sung-ki has passed away. I’d like to share one story I heard.” The writer said Ahn and his wife invited employees from the apartment’s management office to the Hilton Hotel at the end of each year to treat them to dinner. The invitation extended beyond administrative staff. The post said on-site workers from partner companies, including landscaping and cleaning crews, were also invited. Ahn lived at Hannam The Hill, a high-end residential complex in Yongsan District, Seoul. What stood out to many readers was the couple’s personal attention to detail. The writer said, “Ahn wore a su

Jan 8, 2026By Hankookilbo

Late actor Ahn Sung-ki remembered for quiet generosity toward apartment staff

Comedian’s hyperreal skit goes viral, stirring debate on misogyny in Korea

A hyperreal role-play skit by comedian Kang Yu-mi has gone viral on YouTube, touching off an emotional debate over pervasive gender bias and internalized misogynistic attitudes in Korean society. On Jan. 1, Kang uploaded a video titled “Middle-aged nammisae” to her YouTube channel, portraying a well-off, image-conscious mother obsessively devoted to her son and notably indulgent toward men. Nammisae is a derogatory Korean slang term, shortened from a phrase meaning someone “crazy about men.” Wearing luxury labels from head to toe, the character lavishes attention on male colleagues with mock concern — “Why are you dressed so lightly? You’ll catch a cold” — while harshly judging female co-workers as “fake innocents” and “girls who flirt with their eyes.” The character’s doting attitude toward her son and reproduction of patriarchal norms in the office have drawn criticism, with lines like “Girls are too emotional” and “If a girl hits you, hit her back” cited as normalizing gender stereotypes and trivializing male violence. Since her 2004 debut on a popu

Jan 8, 2026By Lee Hae-rin

Comedian’s hyperreal skit goes viral, stirring debate on misogyny in Korea

First lady promotes Korean cosmetics at K-beauty event in Shanghai

First lady Kim Hea Kyung visited a Korean beauty event in Shanghai on Wednesday in a show of support for South Korean cosmetic companies' bid to expand exports to the Chinese market, Cheong Wa Dae said. Kim attended K-Beauty GLOW WEEK in Shanghai at the Fosun Foundation Art Center while accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his visit to China, as she sought to promote Korean culture to help enhance ties between the two nations. She toured pop-up stores showcasing new Korean beauty products, sampled items and watched Chinese influencers livestream from the booths. She also took part in impromptu interviews with some influencers, vice presidential spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said in a written briefing. Asked about what makes Korean beauty products so popular, Kim said, "Korean cosmetics offer a wide range of choices depending on skin type and season, and they reflect consumer demand very quickly." She recommended sheet masks as especially cost-effective, adding that the president and she do a "one-mask-a-day" routine every evening.

Jan 7, 2026By Yonhap

First lady promotes Korean cosmetics at K-beauty event in Shanghai

Quick-thinking high schoolers revive 80-year-old in heart-pounding rescue

The lunch rush was in full swing at a small restaurant in Ulsan when a sudden shout cut through the noise. “119! 119!” Two high school students working part-time in the dining hall looked up at the same moment. An elderly customer in his 80s was sitting motionless at a table, unresponsive. Other diners froze, unsure how to react. Yoon Jae-joon of Daesong High School and Moon Hyun-seo of Hwaam High School, both second-year students, had little time to think. Moon rushed to the man’s side, gently lowering him to the floor and tilting his head back to secure his airway. Yoon checked for breathing, found almost none, and immediately began chest compressions. Without exchanging words, the two divided their roles. After about two minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the man regained consciousness. Shortly afterward, paramedics arrived and took him to a nearby hospital. He survived. When asked later how he had been able to act so calmly, Yoon attributed it not to heroism, but to repetition. His father is a member of the special rescue team at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and had instru

Jan 7, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Quick-thinking high schoolers revive 80-year-old in heart-pounding rescue

Chonnam National University vows to foster AI-powered campus

Chonnam National University has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) campus transformation project that aims to embed AI tools and technology across teaching, research and administration on its campus. Under the new initiative, the South Jeolla provincial college will make eight generative AI platforms available free of charge to all students, faculty, staff and researchers — a population of roughly 30,000. The university official said the move was designed to lower barriers to AI use and promote broad accessibility across disciplines and roles. The eight generative AI tools now accessible on campus include ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, Grok, Llama, Mistral and Qwen. Subscribing to these services individually costs about 200,000 won ($140) per month, but Chonnam National University is providing them at no cost to all members of the campus community. The university said the decision to institutionalize access to these platforms reflects a broader vision of what it calls “AI for All @ CNU,” and follows years of investment in AI education and infrastructure that began wi

Jan 5, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Chonnam National University vows to foster AI-powered campus

Korea Times Managing Director Kim Jae-kyoung promoted to vice president

The Korea Times announced the promotion of Kim Jae-kyoung, who serves as managing director of Content and Business Planning, to vice president on Thursday. Kim has led content and business coordination since early 2024 and is a board member and director of the Korea News Editors’ Association. From April 2020, he served as managing editor, overseeing both the print and online editions. He previously worked as finance desk editor and economic desk editor, contributing to business, finance and macroeconomic policy coverage. From 2015 to 2018, Kim was based in Singapore as the paper’s Asia bureau chief, covering regional economic and diplomatic developments across Southeast Asia. Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Sungkyunkwan University and a master of business administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Canada.

Jan 1, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Korea Times Managing Director Kim Jae-kyoung promoted to vice president

Sejong University professors named among world’s most influential researchers

Two professors at Sejong University have been named among the world’s most influential researchers for the second consecutive year by Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) list, a prestigious international index that recognizes scientists whose work ranks in the top 1 percent by citations over the past decade. Baik Sung-wook, professor in the school’s Department of Software, was again selected in the list’s Cross-Field category. Baik’s research focuses on deep learning-based computer vision technologies for smart city environments, including CCTV-based artificial intelligence and multimodal perception systems. Also honored for the second year running was Hwang Jin-soo, professor in the Department of Food Service Management. Hwang has concentrated on applying new technologies such as drone-based food delivery, facial-recognition payment systems and 3D printing within the food service industry, analyzing consumer behavior and conducting international collaborative research using multinational samples. The Clarivate HCR list, published annually by the global research analytics

Dec 31, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

Sejong University professors named among world’s most influential researchers

Marketing veteran appointed new head of Korea Tourism Organization after 2 years of leadership vacuum

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed Park Sung-hyeuck, a former vice president and corporate adviser of Cheil Worldwide, as the new president of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Wednesday, filling a post that had been vacant for nearly two years. The ministry said Park, 57, will serve as the KTO’s 27th president and begin work immediately, and his official appointment ceremony will take place at a later date. A graduate of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with a master’s degree in journalism from Chung-Ang University, Park is pursuing a doctoral degree in media communication at his alma mater. Over his 30-year career at Cheil, he led the company’s global operations, including posts overseeing Europe and North America. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said Park is "a leader with international marketing expertise and strong management skills," expressing confidence that he will help the KTO reach its goal of attracting 30 million foreign visitors and redefine the "K-Tourism" brand. Park’s appointment came as a surprise to many in the tourism sector, as he h

Dec 31, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

People & Events