Lifestyle - The Korea Times

K-Culture Forum in London explores future of hallyu in digital age

The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) will host the K-Culture Forum at the Royal Society of Arts in London on June 9, bringing together cultural leaders, innovators and thinkers to explore new directions for Korea’s soft power amid a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Under the theme “Celebrating Creativity: Digitally, Boldly, Korean,” the forum aims to present a vision for the future of the Korean wave, also known as hallyu, while embracing uncertainty as an opportunity for creative transformation. “Culture transforms uncertainty into possibility,” KCCUK Director Sun Seung-hye said. “At the forefront of Korea’s soft power, we aim to present the future of hallyu here in the U.K. — the birthplace of the creative industries — while boldly navigating the digital era with Korean creativity and aesthetics.” The event consists of two parts — a series of keynote talks in the morning, followed by an open forum and networking reception in the afternoon. It is expected to bring together prominent voices in Korean culture alongside international experts in art, economics, phi

May 26, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

K-Culture Forum in London explores future of hallyu in digital age

‘Original face genius’ Seo Kang-joon stuns with early-morning visuals

Actor Seo Kang-joon showcased his flawless looks during a morning appearance at a luxury brand event. On Friday, Seo attended Montblanc’s “2025 Novelty Preview” held at the 2GIL29 Gallery in Sinsa-dong, Seoul. The event highlighted upcoming releases from the luxury lifestyle brand. Seo posed for photos during the event, once again drawing praise for his signature visuals — earning him the enduring title of Korea’s “original face genius.” This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

May 24, 2025By Xportsnews

‘Original face genius’ Seo Kang-joon stuns with early-morning visuals

Sunfull Foundation chief shares vision for entrepreneurship in global MBA lecture

Min Byoung-chul, an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University and chairman of the Sunfull Foundation, delivered a special lecture Tuesday to the school's Global MBA students from 21 countries. Under the theme “Designing the future of humanity with AI — AI x metaverse: a new frontier for startup innovation,” Min encouraged students to pursue entrepreneurship that combines innovation with empathy. As part of the "Global Leader Special Lecture" series, the program featured team-based startup simulations that challenged students to develop business concepts incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and metaverse technologies. Emphasizing the importance of practical experience, Min said, “Now is the best time for humanity to grow alongside AI with creativity and empathy.” He added, “Global companies expect even fresh graduates to have real-world experience. This lecture was designed to help students build the competitiveness needed to join global firms or launch their own startups.” Min is a long-standing advocate of English education, using language as a tool to foster gl

May 23, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Sunfull Foundation chief shares vision for entrepreneurship in global MBA lecture

Olympic champion Jang Mi-ran donates medals ahead of sports museum opening

Jang Mi-ran, Korea’s Olympic weightlifting legend and current vice minister for culture, sports and tourism, has become the inaugural donor in a sports star donation relay campaign, a program launched ahead of the much-anticipated opening of the National Sports Museum in Seoul’s Olympic Park in late 2026. The sports ministry and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation said Friday that they initiated the campaign to encourage Korea’s most celebrated athletes to contribute personal memorabilia, preserving the nation’s rich sporting legacy for future generations. Jang, the first Korean female athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in weightlifting, donated 88 personal items from her career. Among them are her full set of Olympic medals — a silver medal she won at the 2004 Athens Olympics, a gold medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal from the 2012 London Olympics — as well as Asian Games medals, competition uniforms, weightlifting belts and shoes she wore while setting a world record in Beijing. “I am honored to be the first donor in this donation relay. While th

May 23, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Olympic champion Jang Mi-ran donates medals ahead of sports museum opening

Seocho District unveils concert, attractions at Banpo Hangang Park

Seoul’s Seocho District Office will outfit Banpo Hangang Park with Seventeen-themed installations for the popular boy band's upcoming concert marking the 10th anniversary of their debut. According to a press release Wednesday from the district office, Seventeen will hold "B-DAY PARTY: BURST Stage" at Jamsu Bridge at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Located beneath Banpo Bridge, it is one of the the district’s best known scenic spots, especially for picnic goers and joggers who enjoy the Han River's scenery and atmosphere. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is hosting the DdooDdoo Festa through June 22, during which the Jamsu Bridge is closed to vehicles for weekends. As part of the collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the boy band will deliver a one-hour concert on the bridge for the first time. Banpo Hangang Park area visitors will be able to watch the whole concert via screens installed along the park. “I am very happy to see Seventeen’s monumental concert at the district’s signature destination,” Seocho District Head Jun Sung-soo said in the release. “The concert will as

May 22, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

Seocho District unveils concert, attractions at Banpo Hangang Park

Singer Lee Hyo-ri unveils $4.3 mil. Pyeongchang-dong home

Singer Lee Hyori has surprised fans by revealing the interior of her lavish Pyeongchang-dong home, shortly after making headlines for her generous donations. On Tuesday, Lee uploaded several photos of her residence to her social media without any accompanying captions. The photos include potted plants placed outdoors and a view of lush greenery through large windows, highlighting a spacious yard and Lee Hyo-ri herself. The interior also drew attention for its elegant wood-toned design, harmonious mix of greenery, distinctive lighting fixtures, animal sculptures and art pieces by Lee, all arranged with refined taste. On May 19, Lee and her husband, Lee Sang-soon, donated 200 million won ($147,000) to the Beautiful Foundation to support young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. The funds will be used to assist with living expenses and career development for these individuals. Just days earlier, on May 16, the couple visited an animal shelter where they donated 2 tons of pet food and volunteered their time. In March, they also donated 120 million won to help regions affected

May 22, 2025By Xportsnews

Singer Lee Hyo-ri unveils $4.3 mil. Pyeongchang-dong home

Gangnam District to host culture festival this month

Seoul’s Gangnam District will host a music and food festival at Jamwon Hangang Park Shinsa Jamwon Area and the district’s famous Garosu Street starting this weekend. The district office said Monday that it will host the G-KPOP Concert for two days starting Saturday. In addition to the concert, the office will also host the G-KFOOD Festival at Garosu Street for five days starting Saturday. “The two events aim to attract visitors and boost consumption in the district,” the district official said in a press release. “These will also boost Gangnam’s brand value as a global culture city.” The district said 13 artists will perform at the G-KPOP Concert: STAYC, Dreamcatcher, Nerd Connection, Hwang Garam, Rocky and Yoon Soo-il will perform for the Saturday show, while Kim Tae-woo, Lee Jae-hoon, Jinusean, Park Mi-kyung, Space A, Lee Ja-yeon and Park Hyun-bin will perform the next day. The concert is free, and runs from 7 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. The district will hand out entrance bracelets at the ticket booth starting at 11 a.m. Visitors can also enjoy busking performances for two ho

May 21, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

Gangnam District to host culture festival this month

Women architects in spotlight

Visitors take a look around the 2025 International Special Exhibition of Women Architects at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul, Tuesday. Under the theme of "Arch of Inclusion, Architecture Bridging Worlds," SANAA co-founder Kazuyo Sejima, UN Studio partner and senior architect Astrid Piber, COBE CEO Mari Randsborg and Cheong So-yi of Korea's Land and Housing Institute took part in an international symposium, discussing future urbanism and architecture from the perspective of women. Yonhap

May 20, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKLights, but no clarity: Inside Korea’s puzzling pavilion at Osaka Expo

OSAKA, Japan — When it began in 1851, the World Expo served as a showcase for industrial innovation, technological advancements and cultural achievements from around the globe. Today, it has evolved into a venue where countries promote their identity, values and innovation. Visiting the Expo’s 36th edition in Osaka, Japan — which opened on April 13 and runs through Oct. 13 — this reporter found that the Korea Pavilion left many, especially Korean visitors, underwhelmed. Its abstract representation of Korea and overall dim atmosphere failed to resonate. The pavilion features a rectangular digital media facade that displays Korea’s four seasons, iconic landmarks and K-pop dances. Inside, the exhibition is divided into three halls. The first, which this reporter found the least successful, offers a light show where visitors record their voices before entering. Inside, they hear their voices layered with artificial intelligence-generated orchestral music, accompanied by synchronized light beams. Although exhibition director Koh Joo-won explained that the underlying message was “

May 19, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Lights, but no clarity: Inside Korea’s puzzling pavilion at Osaka Expo

IU celebrates birthday with $145,000 donation and dinner with BTS’s V at luxury restaurant

K-pop star IU marked her 32nd birthday on May 16 with a generous donation and a widely discussed dinner outing that quickly made headlines across fan communities. On May 15, a post in an online forum shared a photo of IU and BTS member V dining together at a high-end restaurant, sparking speculation that the two met to celebrate IU’s birthday. The photo, taken at the restaurant Mosu, showed two individuals resembling IU and V enjoying a meal together. Fans believe the dinner was a personal reunion following their previous collaboration in the music video for IU’s 2024 single “Love wins all,” where the two artists captivated audiences with their chemistry. Mosu, the restaurant where they were reportedly seen, is operated by chef Ahn Sung-jae, who gained fame as a judge on the Netflix cooking competition “Culinary Class Wars.” Known for its elegant ambiance and refined cuisine, Mosu offers a 420,000 won (approximately $310) dinner course, adding further buzz to the celebrity sighting. While the dinner drew fan nostalgia and excitement, IU’s birthday was also marked by a notew

May 17, 2025By Xportsnews

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