Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Running into Year of the Horse: Korea looks back on long bond with equines

As Korea gallops into the Year of the Horse, a zodiac sign known for its unstoppable energy and daring spirit, the nation celebrates its enduring bond with horses, from royal courts to farmlands. Throughout history and across civilizations, horses have accompanied humankind — plowing fields, carrying people and goods and serving as important assets in wartime. For centuries, they were central to daily life. As tractors and vehicles replaced animal labor, horses gradually disappeared from farms. Today, they are most commonly seen at racetracks and in parks, where they are kept for sport, recreation and exhibition. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Asian zodiac. As the seventh of the 12 animals in the calendar, the horse traditionally symbolizes power, action, speed and strength. When combined with the fire element's passion and intensity, these traits create a personality that's dynamic, confident and quick to act. While the Year of the Horse returns every 12 years, the specific combination of the horse with the fire element only occurs once every 60 years, due to the zodiac’s

Jan 1, 2026By Kim Se-jeong

Running into Year of the Horse: Korea looks back on long bond with equines

NEW YEAR POLL Pop culture drives Korea’s image among expats

Korea's pop culture continues to play a decisive role in shaping how Korea is perceived by foreigners living in the country, according to a New Year poll conducted by The Korea Times. Many respondents also say that K-culture provides a fairly authentic glimpse into everyday life here. The online survey of 258 foreign residents in Korea conducted from Dec. 18 to 24 by Hankook Research at the request of the newspaper, found that images associated with K-dramas, K-films, K-pop and other pop culture overwhelmingly dominated respondents' perceptions of the country. When asked to name up to three images that first come to mind when thinking of Korea, 67 percent of respondents chose pop culture, making it the most frequently cited response by a wide margin. Food and traditional culture followed at 43 percent, while information technology and semiconductors ranked third at 38 percent. Other responses included high competition in exams and employment at 32 percent, cosmetics at 31 percent, the division of North and South Korea at 27 percent and democracy and civic culture at 19 percent. Pop cultur

Jan 1, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min

[NEW YEAR POLL] Pop culture drives Korea’s image among expats

What is the facelift revision that comedian Shim Hyung-rae underwent at age 67?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Comedian Shim Hyung-rae, 67, revealed that he recently underwent a revision facelift procedure, saying he decided to have the surgery so he could present a more polished appearance to viewers as he begins a new chapter on YouTube. Shim shared the news through a video posted on his channel “Young9TV,” titled “[First video] I’m starting YouTube — and I fixed my face first.” In the video, he visits a clinic and explains, “This isn’t just facial lifting, it’s what you’d call a facelift. I’m trying to remodel my face completely,” adding that entertainers need to maintain their appearance, especially when starting a new broadcasting platform. After changing into hospital attire, Shim reacts nervously when a nurse explains that the procedure will be a revision facelift. “This is really painful,” he says, recalling his previous experience. He adds, “I’m doing this for the fans. Entertainers need to have professional awareness, and if possible, I want to meet fans with a better face.” Following the roughly three-hour s

Dec 26, 2025By Kormedi.com

What is the facelift revision that comedian Shim Hyung-rae underwent at age 67?

Do stress balls really work? Why BLACKPINK’s Rosé and aespa’s Karina swear by them

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Small, soft and easy to overlook, stress balls have quietly become a go-to item for stress management — even among K-pop stars. But does squeezing a stress ball actually help relieve stress, or is it just a placebo fueled by celebrity buzz? BLACKPINK’s Rosé recently drew attention to the item in a video on the Vogue Korea YouTube channel, pulling a stress ball out of her bag and explaining why she never goes without it. “I always carry it, even to business meetings,” she said. “Whenever I feel anxious, it helps shift my attention elsewhere, so I make sure to have one with me.” She added that holding the stress ball helps her focus during high-stakes moments. “When I have an important meeting or need to make a big decision, this really helps me concentrate,” she said. “It’s so good for relieving stress and anxiety that I can’t do anything without it now.” Aespa’s Karina echoed the sentiment in a YouTube video for GQ Korea, where she showed off a stress ball she received as a gift. Smiling, she said she touches it when

Dec 23, 2025By Kormedi.com

Do stress balls really work? Why BLACKPINK’s Rosé and aespa’s Karina swear by them

BTS’ V appears in effortlessly cinematic wedding look

BTS’ V has once again proved his global star power — this time not on stage, but at a celebrity wedding, where his presence quickly turned into a viral fashion moment. On Saturday afternoon, actors Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a tied the knot at The Shilla hotel in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. The ceremony drew an A-list guest lineup, including Lee Kwang-soo, EXO’s D.O., Lee Byung-hun, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Tae-ri, Lee Se-young, Ahn Bo-hyun, Ryu Jun-yeol, producer Na Young-seok and screenwriter Kim Eun-sook. But it was the surprise appearance of BTS’ V that instantly dominated social media timelines. Fans and online users reacted with excitement, flooding platforms with comments comparing his visuals to a film character rather than a real-life wedding guest. V opted for a refined, understated look centered on a brown oversized double-breasted long coat. He paired it with a green khaki-toned shirt and slightly darker brown slacks, creating a cohesive yet layered outfit that balanced elegance with modern ease. He completed the look with black horn-rimmed glasses, adding an intellectual edge, whi

Dec 22, 2025By Xportsnews

BTS’ V appears in effortlessly cinematic wedding look

Cosmetics maker Yunuko introduces new eyeliner

Korean beauty brand Yunuko has introduced a new eyeliner product, Easy Eyeliner. The release aims to help diversify the company’s beauty lineup following the success of its no-glue lash product, NunTok, the company said in a statement. “The newly launched Easy Eyeliner is designed to help users of all skill levels achieve precise eye makeup, featuring a high-precision pen tip that allows smooth, uninterrupted application along the lash line, inner corners and delicate areas around the eyes,” it said. In response to consumer demand for long-lasting makeup, the formula offers enhanced water- and smudge-proof performance, minimizing smearing even on oilier eyelids, it added. “Users have praised the eyeliner product because it requires no additional touchups,” the company said. The product’s angular body design also aims to provide a more secure grip and better control to makeup beginners. Yunuko had previously introduced NunTok, its no-glue lash cluster product. The company said it sparked notable market attention when it debuted for its adhesive-free application. “Consumers are

Dec 19, 2025

Cosmetics maker Yunuko introduces new eyeliner

From furry coat to mini shorts, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung turns airport into a runway

IVE member Jang Wonyoung once again turned an airport departure into a fashion moment, showing that her presence remains unmistakable even with her face mostly covered. On Dec. 12, Wonyoung departed for Tokyo via Gimpo International Airport to attend the 2025 Music Bank Global Festival in Japan. Photos and videos of her arrival quickly circulated online, with fans and fashion watchers praising her striking proportions and effortless winter styling — a familiar pattern whenever she appears in public. Jang opted for a cozy yet polished look, layering a knit top under a furry white coat and pairing it with mini shorts that accentuated her long silhouette. She completed the outfit with long black boots featuring gold buckle details, creating a sleek and refined line. A structured black handbag added a touch of luxury, while a cap-and-mask combination delivered an understated, daily chic mood that many fans called the “textbook example” of winter airport fashion. Despite her face being mostly hidden, online reactions focused on her unmistakable aura and proportions, with comments highl

Dec 13, 2025By Xportsnews

From furry coat to mini shorts, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung turns airport into a runway

Inside ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ pop-up in Seoul

Netflix’s global sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” has leapt off the screen and into real life with the opening of its first official pop-up store in eastern Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong, inviting fans to step directly into the film’s universe. The pop-up offers a new way for visitors to experience the magic through themed rooms, photo spots and exclusive merchandise. Since its release in June, the animated feature has become a global phenomenon. Centered on a fictional K-pop girl group that fights against supernatural forces, the film became one of Netflix’s most-watched films and was nominated for Golden Globes earlier this week. Its soundtrack also shot to the top of the charts and the film's visual elements became cultural trends. Instagram and TikTok have been flooded with tutorials on Rumi’s hairstyle, while the girl group outfits became some of this year’s most coveted Halloween costumes. As fans seek new ways to stay connected to the film, Netflix opened its first "KPop Demon Hunters" pop-up experience in Seoul last week, offering dozens of official merchandise items a

Dec 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Inside ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ pop-up in Seoul

InterviewAI's two paths: Why Canada is cautious while South Korea races to adopt

Canada is the birthplace of several pioneers in artificial intelligence (AI). Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, a computer and cognitive scientist known for his breakthrough work on artificial neural networks which earned him the nickname “the godfather of AI,” is from Canada. Other influential figures such as Yoshua Bengio, a leading researcher in deep learning, and Joelle Pineau, a prominent computer scientist and professor at McGill University, are also Canadian. Despite this impressive talent pool, Canada has remained cautious about the widespread adoption of AI in everyday life. In 2018, Canada launched the International Observatory on the Societal Impacts of AI and Digital Technologies, known as Obvia, with funding from the province of Quebec. Obvia is a research network designed to study the social implications of AI and provide guidance to policymakers. Notably, it was established years before ChatGPT made its global debut in November 2022 — a sign of Canada’s far-sighted, careful approach to AI. “Our founding vision has remained unchanged,” Lyse Langlois, CEO and exec

Dec 11, 2025By Kang Hyun-kyung

AI's two paths: Why Canada is cautious while South Korea races to adopt

BLACKPINK’s Lisa turns heads at event tied to rumored boyfriend's family

BLACKPINK star Lisa attracted attention this week at a Louis Vuitton photo call in Seoul — a brand closely associated with the powerful Arnault family, to which her alleged boyfriend belongs. Her bold lingerie-inspired outfit only intensified speculation about their possible relationship. Lisa attended the global fashion house’s event on Dec. 3 in central Seoul, arriving in a striking violet look built around a sheer lingerie ensemble. The see-through top and bottoms highlighted both elegance and confidence, delivering one of her most talked-about red-carpet moments in recent months. Her presence carried added weight due to her rumored relationship with Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer and the fourth son of LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, who oversees more than fifty luxury brands. First linked in 2023 after multiple sightings, the two have drawn intense global curiosity due to the apparent blending of K-pop superstardom with one of the world’s most influential fashion dynasties. Rumors surrounding the two escalated after Lisa reportedly vacationed with the Arnault family. Fré

Dec 4, 2025By Xportsnews

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