Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Why Han So-hee turned to diary writing after removing her tattoos

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Actress Han So-hee, 32, has found a new way to spend her time, turning to diary writing as a tool to manage her emotions. Han recently spoke about her daily life during a promotional interview for the film “Project Y” held in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. Once known for the tattoos on her arms and other parts of her body, Han has now removed them entirely. “As I work, I have to wear dresses and portray a wide range of characters. Having tattoos limited the clothes and roles I could take on, so I decided to remove them. I can always get them again later,” she said, adding that “the removal process was extremely painful." After relying on exercise to relieve stress, she said she has recently become absorbed in keeping a diary. “These days, I write in a diary. Writing a diary helps a lot when it comes to managing your emotions,” Han said. As the trend of “decorating diaries” continues to gain popularity among Generation Z and millennials, Han said starting her diary at the beginning of the year helps calm her mind. With mental health con

Jan 26, 2026By Kormedi.com

Why Han So-hee turned to diary writing after removing her tattoos

Korean ‘kimjang vest’ returns as $4,300 luxury item

The “kimjang vest” — a floral, quilted gilet once considered the uniform of Korean grandmothers — has made its way into high fashion. Social media and online communities are abuzz with comparisons between the humble Korean granny vest and new releases from major luxury houses. Posts titled “Valentino copying Korea’s hot trend” point to the similarities between the brand’s new Gobelin Apres L’Hiver Fiorellini Waistcoat and the traditional Korean vest. Priced at a staggering 6.3 million won ($4,300), the Valentino vest features a vibrant floral tapestry pattern with fur trim on the neck and shoulders. The men’s version retails for 3.4 million won. Moncler, known for its premium down jackets, has also adopted the look. Their Reversible Floral Down Vest, featuring colorful flowers on a navy background, is priced at 2.33 million won. The massive price gap has sparked amusement across Korean online communities and social media. The original kimjang vests — widely available in traditional markets or online — usually cost between 5,000 and 10,000 won. “If I go buy a kimj

Jan 23, 2026By Hankookilbo

Korean ‘kimjang vest’ returns as $4,300 luxury item

Foreign residents have low awareness of Culture Day benefits

From time to time, Monica, 36, a working mother from Uzbekistan, and her Korean husband take their daughter Miso, 11, to the cinema near their home in Seoul. Miso loves animated films, and the family considers movie outings a small but meaningful moment amid their busy schedules. But, as Monica recently learned, she has been missing out on a benefit designed to make such experiences more affordable. “We recently watched ‘Zootopia 2’ and paid full price,” Monica told The Korea Times. “If we had known a discount was available on the last Wednesday of the month, we definitely would have planned around it.” The discount Monica was referring to is part of Culture Day, a government initiative designed to make cultural activities more accessible. Introduced in 2014, Culture Day offers reduced or free admission to a wide range of cultural venues such as movie theaters, public museums, galleries, concert halls and sports events on the last Wednesday of every month. In a 2024 survey by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, six out of 10 Koreans were aware of the program and 66

Jan 23, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

Foreign residents have low awareness of Culture Day benefits

Stray Kids’ Hyunjin turns heads at airport ahead of Paris trip

Stray Kids member Hyunjin once again proved his fashion power, drawing attention at Incheon International Airport as he departed for Paris on Tuesday for an overseas trip. Hyunjin arrived wearing a deep indigo denim jacket paired with straight-fit denim pants, pulling off a polished look with ease. Under the jacket, he layered a blue shirt and a striped necktie, blending the formality of a classic suit with a relaxed street sensibility. The styling highlighted his reputation as a fashion-forward idol who effortlessly balances structure and edge. He completed the outfit with a brown suede bag, adding both practicality and style. Notably, the bag was decorated with a large flower-shaped charm and multiple keyrings, showcasing the trendy “bag customization” look popular among Gen Z and millennials. The playful details reinforced his status as a fashion icon known for personal flair rather than safe choices. With long hair brushing the back of his neck and sharp facial features often described by fans as “straight out of a comic,” Hyunjin posed calmly for reporters and fans gathered

Jan 20, 2026By Xportsnews

Stray Kids’ Hyunjin turns heads at airport ahead of Paris trip

K-culture lifts Korea's global image to record high: survey

More than eight in 10 people around the world now view Korea favorably, an all-time high driven largely by the global surge in Korean popular culture, according to the latest government-commissioned poll. Conducted annually by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism since 2018, the survey tracks how perceptions of Korea are evolving around the world. The 2025 edition gathered responses from 13,000 people aged 16 and older across 26 countries. Korea’s overall favorability rating stood at a record 82.3 percent, with the sharpest increase among teenagers — historically the least favorable demographic — whose approval rose from 70.6 to 78.9 percent year-on-year. The ministry said the findings reflect both strong favorability toward Korea worldwide and the growing influence of K-culture across global audiences, and vowed to explore ways to apply the insights across policies and cultural initiatives. By country, people in the United Arab Emirates showed strong favorability (94.8 percent), followed by Egypt (94 percent), the Philippines (91.4 percent), Turkey (90.2 percent) and India

Jan 20, 2026By Park Han-sol

K-culture lifts Korea's global image to record high: survey

Aespa's Karina shows off modern classic style en route to Milan

Karina of aespa turned heads with a striking airport fashion moment as she departed for Italy to attend a major luxury runway event. Karina left Korea on the morning of Jan. 16 via Incheon International Airport, bound for Milan, where she is scheduled to attend Prada’s 2026 F/W menswear fashion show. As a global ambassador for the brand, her appearance quickly became a talking point among fans and fashion watchers online. Dressed in what many described as a “modern classic” airport look, Karina chose a gray oversized blouson jacket featuring a traditional Glen check pattern as her statement piece. She paired it with a navy pleated midi skirt, creating a polished silhouette that balanced structure and movement. The styling details drew particular attention. Karina completed the look with sharp black stiletto heels, offset by loose gray socks — an unexpected combination that added a fashion-forward edge. The outfit highlighted her sleek proportions and refined image, prompting fans to describe her visuals as “almost unreal” across social media. The departure photos quickly circ

Jan 17, 2026By Xportsnews

Aespa's Karina shows off modern classic style en route to Milan

BLACKPINK member Lisa’s sheer Golden Globes after-party look turns heads online

BLACKPINK’s Lisa once again proved why she is one of K-pop’s most closely watched fashion icons — this time not on stage, but at a Hollywood awards after-party. Lisa shared several photos on her social media with the caption “Golden Globes after hours,” giving fans a glimpse of her look from a post-ceremony party following the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held in Beverly Hills, California. The K-pop superstar had attended the ceremony on Sunday (local time) as a presenter, marking another milestone in her expanding global profile. But it was her after-party outfit that quickly went viral across fan communities and fashion feeds. In the photos, Lisa wears an ivory-toned sheer dress that reveals her silhouette, paired with long gloves and a choker necklace. The styling blends elegance with boldness, creating a striking contrast that sparked immediate buzz online, with fans praising her confidence and high-fashion presence. Lisa’s appearance at the Golden Globes also reflects her growing footprint beyond music. She made her acting debut in HBO's "The White Lotus," Season 3, playing

Jan 14, 2026By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK member Lisa’s sheer Golden Globes after-party look turns heads online

From tradition to trend: How Korean names are changing

Have you ever wondered why some of your favorite K-pop idols don't use their real names? Before debuting, idols are often given the option to choose a stage name. This is not only to distinguish themselves from other idols who may share the same Korean name, but also to appeal to international fans by using names that are easier for global audiences to pronounce. A prominent example is Winter of K-pop girl group aespa, whose real name is Kim Min-jeong. On a radio show, Winter shared that her agency, SM Entertainment, presented her with several stage name options, such as Baekseul, Young Won and Moa. Ultimately, she chose Winter because it best matched her image, while also taking into account her birthday during the coldest season. The name also helped her stand out in the competitive K-pop industry, giving her a catchy, globally appealing moniker. Winter's choice of name is in line with a broader shift in naming practices that extend beyond the entertainment industry. Many Koreans today are increasingly drawn to names that reflect shifting trends and lifestyles in an era of globalizat

Jan 14, 2026By Kim Sur-hyun

From tradition to trend: How Korean names are changing

Korea’s favorite baby names of 2025

From shopping for baby items to setting up nurseries, expecting parents have to prepare extensively before their newborn arrives. As they reach the final stages of pregnancy, they face one of their most meaningful tasks: choosing the baby’s name. Traditionally, Korean names were based on Chinese characters ("hanja"), shared family syllables passed down through generations, or astrological readings meant to bring good fortune. Today, however, naming trends have changed. Over the past few years, many parents have favored short, easy-to-pronounce names that feel modern. Ease of pronunciation, uniqueness, how it sounds and how it’s spelled in English are now key considerations, emphasizing Korea’s changing culture and global awareness. These were the most popular Korean baby names of 2025, according to Namechart, a website that tracks baby name trends based on data from the Supreme Court of Korea’s Family Relations Registration System. 2025 top 10 boy names: 1. Do-yun 2. I-jun 3. Si-u 4. Ha-jun 5. Tae-o 6. Do-hyeon 7. I-an 8. I-hyeon 9. Seo-jun 10. Eun-u 2025 top 10 girl names: 1. Seo-y

Jan 13, 2026By Ahn Seo-hyeon

Why grandma’s desserts are suddenly cool with young Koreans

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Rice cake was once seen as a dessert only eaten on holidays, while many younger people viewed yakgwa, or traditional Korean honey cookie, as too sweet and greasy. “Isn’t rice cake something you only eat on holidays?” and “Isn’t yakgwa too sweet?" However, the mood has shifted. Young adults in their 20s and 30s now line up at popular rice cake shops and yakgwa specialty stores, drawn to what are being called “halmaenial desserts” — a blend of “grandmother” and “millennial” to describe the younger generation’s rediscovery of traditional sweets through a modern lens. The trend looks playful on the surface, but behind it lies a deeper shift in how people think about health, diet and snacking. One major appeal is simpler ingredients. Instead of heavy doses of sugar and syrup, many of today’s traditional snacks focus on basic components such as rice, grains, honey and malt syrup. The sweetness is toned down, allowing the natural flavors to come through. With fewer artificial colors and flavorings, these treats fit neatly

Jan 10, 2026By Kormedi.com

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