Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Daughter retraces Korean War veteran father’s journey through fiction

As Wednesday marks the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, one American woman is commemorating it in a more personal way — through a novel that connects her father’s military service to the divided realities of the Korean Peninsula today. Patrice Bittel, a retired lawyer now pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at Pacific University in Oregon, recently made a research trip to Korea. Her goal was to collect firsthand experiences and impressions for her debut novel, “The Buddha Head,” a modern-day suspense story involving South and North Korean characters. But the trip was also a journey into her father’s past — one she only partially understood while he was alive. “My dad was in the Navy during the Korean War, and his job was to deploy depth charges,” she said during a recent Zoom interview with The Korea Times. Depth charges are explosive devices dropped into the sea to destroy enemy submarines. Her father, James Edwin Thomas, enlisted in the Navy in 1943 at age 17, served until 1949 and returned to active duty in 1951 during the Korean

Jun 24, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Daughter retraces Korean War veteran father’s journey through fiction

Who is Asuka Kirara? Former AV star linked to The Boyz’ Ju Haknyeon prostitution rumors draws renewed attention

Asuka Kirara, a former Japanese adult film actress, is back in the spotlight following reports of a private meeting and alleged prostitution involving Ju Haknyeon, a former member of K-pop group The Boyz. On June 18, media reported that Ju Haknyeon met with Asuka Kirara at a private bar in Tokyo on May 29. The encounter reportedly continued into the early morning hours and included physical contact such as hugging. Additional reports raised suspicions that their meeting may have involved prostitution, fueling intense public scrutiny of both figures. Born in 1988, Asuka Kirara debuted in the AV (adult video) industry in December 2007 and starred in over 400 films. In 2009, she was awarded both Best Actress and Best HD Actress at the SkyPerfecTV! Adult Broadcasting Awards. Later that year, she signed with HMP Prestige and remained active until her retirement in February 2020. In 2023, she received a special award in the overseas model category at the 11th Korea Arts and Culture Awards. She now works as a social media influencer and CEO of her own company. Meanwhile, Ju Haknyeon took to soc

Jun 21, 2025By Xportsnews

Who is Asuka Kirara? Former AV star linked to The Boyz’ Ju Haknyeon prostitution rumors draws renewed attention

Korea Times-AMCHAM forum to discuss strategic Korea-US partnership

The Korea Times and the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) will jointly host a forum titled “Strategic Proposals for the Korea-U.S. Partnership” on Tuesday. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul. The recent inauguration of Korea’s new government presents an opportunity to redefine the country’s economic vision and strategy for the next decade, with a focus on innovation, sustainability and global cooperation. The forum will address the complex challenges facing the new administration of Lee Jae Myung, including adapting to global supply chain restructuring, navigating U.S. industrial subsidy policies, responding to rising protectionism, managing geopolitical risks and accelerating the energy transition. Featuring key figures from the new government alongside leading experts, the forum will generate policy recommendations and encourage dialogue to advance the strategic partnership between Korea and the U.S. The opening speeches will be delivered by the hosts, Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho and AMCHA

Jun 19, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee

Korea Times-AMCHAM forum to discuss strategic Korea-US partnership

PHOTO Promoting respect through football

Lee Jae-sung, back row second from left, a Korean footballer who play for the German club Mainz 05, stands with children holding footballs during an event launching a fundraising campaign to promote unity and the value of respect for others at the Korean National Commission for UNESCO in Seoul, Monday. Lee is a member of UNESCO Friends. The raised funds will be used for educational football programs that will teach the importance of respect and unity to youth. Courtesy of Korean National Commission for UNESCO

Jun 19, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

[PHOTO] Promoting respect through football

Japanese hip-hop dancer enjoys immense popularity in Korea after starring in Mnet's survival program

Japanese hip-hop dancer Kyoka Yamamoto has become a sensation among Koreans — a rare achievement for a Japanese woman — thanks to her outstanding performances and charisma in the latest series of Mnet’s popular survival reality show, “Street Woman Fighter.” The ongoing third season of the show, titled “World of Street Woman Fighter” (WSWF), expands the show’s original format into an international contest, featuring six crews from Korea, Japan, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Born and raised in Osaka, Kyoka is a core member of OSAKA Ojo Gang, a seven-member project crew that represents Japan. Out of the 24 dancers competing against each other as national representatives, the 29-year-old has received significant attention from Korean viewers, not only for her charismatic stage presence, but also for her authentic confidence and iconic character. Kyoka was born in 1996 and began dancing at the age of 8, quickly garnering recognition as a world-class dancer. She became the first Japanese dancer to win the global hip-hop competition Juste Debout in France at the

Jun 19, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Japanese hip-hop dancer enjoys immense popularity in Korea after starring in Mnet's survival program

Afghan refuge seeker in Korea fights for future

Following the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban swiftly retook control of the country. As Kabul unraveled into mayhem, crowds rushed to the airport, clinging to the hope of catching the last departing flights. Amid the turmoil, the Korean government launched its own evacuation mission: an operation to airlift 390 Afghans and their families — individuals deemed “special contributors” for their work with the Korean embassy, the Korea International Cooperation Agency and other organizations. But Ramis — a name he uses in place of his real one, which cannot be disclosed for security reasons — and his brother were left behind. Though their father had served at the Korean embassy in Kabul for nearly two decades, the two had to watch their parents and younger sister board the plane to safety without them. The reason? They had aged out of eligibility. At over 20 years old, they were no longer considered dependents and therefore could not be included under their father’s protection. “Saying goodbye to my family in that moment was the hardest thin

Jun 19, 2025By Park Han-sol

Afghan refuge seeker in Korea fights for future

Ways to enjoy International Day of Yoga in Korea

Yoga enthusiasts in Korea will once again mark the International Day of Yoga on Saturday with celebrations in a couple of places around the country, featuring group practices, cultural performances and community gatherings. Since 2014, the International Day of Yoga has been commemorated globally on June 21, promoting yoga’s benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Each year, thousands gather in cities worldwide to participate. The main event in Korea will take place at 5 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. Participants will gather in the open air to practice Surya Namaskar — a flow sequence of 12 yoga positions — as well as Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, two popular styles. Organized by the Embassy of India in Korea and the Korean Yoga Association, the event will also feature a Kathak dance performance, a traditional art form from India, and demonstrations of Gyrokinesis, a movement practice that stimulates the nervous system by coordinating breath, focus and motion. Acro yoga, which incorporates acrobatic elements, will also be showcased. Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit

Jun 19, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Ways to enjoy International Day of Yoga in Korea

BTS agency founder surprises fans with dramatic weight loss in photo with HYBE’s new idol group

HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk is making headlines for his dramatic weight loss. On Sunday, Bang shared a post on his personal social media with the caption, “Congrats on your new voyage!” along with a photo taken with aoen, HYBE’s new J-pop group. In the photo, Bang is seen striking the group’s signature pose alongside the aoen members. Wearing a blue jacket that matches the group’s color theme, he smiles brightly while posing with the idols. What drew the most attention, however, was Bang’s noticeably slimmer appearance. Even among the youthful aoen members, his weight loss stood out, with fans noting how naturally he fit in with the group. Bang had already sparked conversation on June 9 when he posted a photo with boy band &TEAM, showing off his slimmer figure in a short-sleeved T-shirt. His transformation was quickly noticed. He has since consistently shared photos with various HYBE artists, including Seventeen, TXT and LE SSERAFIM, showcasing a leaner figure that contrasts starkly with his earlier appearance. Fans are reacting to his transformation with comments such as “I

Jun 17, 2025By Xportsnews

BTS agency founder surprises fans with dramatic weight loss in photo with HYBE’s new idol group

Egyptian artist bridges cultures in Seoul exhibition

Cairo-born artist Dina Fahmy El Rouby presented her works in an exhibition at the Egyptian Embassy in Korea over the weekend, celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Egypt. Titled "From Nile to Han," the now-concluded exhibition featured 45 works, including calligraphy and oil paintings. Some pieces incorporate augmented reality, allowing viewers to enjoy immersive experiences. “When selecting the artworks (for this exhibition), I wanted to create a connection between the two nations. So I thought a lot about colors,” El Rouby told The Korea Times in an interview in Seoul, Monday. “I tried to integrate, for instance, the Korean flag’s blue, red and white with Egyptian or Pharaonic symbols like the key of life, the Eye of Horus or the lotus flower.” She explained the lotus flower symbolizes eternity, while the Eye of Horus means protection, health and restoration. The exhibition is part of a series of events the embassy is hosting this year to promote Egyptian culture in Korea. A separate exhibition, "Egyptian Pharaohs: From Cheops to Ramesses I

Jun 17, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Egyptian artist bridges cultures in Seoul exhibition

How a former fashion worker built a hit bagel cafe in her late 40s

It’s been nearly four years since London Bagel Museum opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Seoul, but the lines outside the store show no signs of letting up. What began in 2021 as a bagel cafe has grown into a cultural landmark — a place where taste and ambiance meet in rare harmony. Behind this phenomenon is Ryo (real name Lee Hyo-jung), a 51-year-old creative director who also founded popular cafes Artist Bakery, High West and Layered. This month, she released a personal essay collection titled “Philosophy Ryo,” which gathers over a decade of her reflections shared on social media, accompanied by her own photos and illustrations. But this is no how-to guide for running a successful cafe. Rather, Ryo describes her book as a private journal on the “courage to live as one’s true self.” At a press event held on Monday at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, she explained her philosophy behind creating beloved spaces: “I never set out to make trends or carefully brand anything. I just kept asking myself what I genuinely liked, and what I wanted to do. It turns out my tastes resonate

Jun 17, 2025By Hankookilbo

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