Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Actor Park Bo-gum turns a simple winter jacket into a photoshoot in new snapshots

Actor Park Bo-gum is once again proving why he remains one of Korea’s most admired visual stars, drawing enthusiastic reactions online after sharing a series of winter-themed photos that fans say look “like a pictorial, even in a tracksuit.” Park posted the images on his social media account on Dec. 3, writing, “May every winter that comes keep your heart warm.” The photos capture the actor taking a quiet stroll along the Han River dressed in a black long padded coat, hoodie and beanie — a simple, comfortable look that still highlights his sculpted features and calm presence. Even without styling or makeup, Park stands in the sunset glow as if shooting a magazine spread. His soft smile and playful expression add warmth, while another photo, apparently taken against a snowy New Zealand backdrop, showcases his clean-cut visuals and draws fresh admiration from fans. Social media reactions were immediate, with comments such as “Even in a tracksuit, it looks like a photoshoot,” “It’s not winter — Park Bo-gum is the warmth,” and “His face completes the fashion.” Thi

Dec 3, 2025By Xportsnews

Actor Park Bo-gum turns a simple winter jacket into a photoshoot in new snapshots

'Level-5 glam is for your ex’s wedding': K-beauty trends go global

K-beauty’s famously precise routines are now shaping global beauty culture, with millennial and Gen Z consumers driving trends like the “five levels of glam” and this summer’s viral “tanning kitty” look. A beauty talk event for tvN’s variety show “Perfect Glow” took place Monday at Stanford Hotel Seoul in Mapo District. The panel included Dr. Seo Yoo-hyun, CJ ENM entertainment production head Park Hee-yeon, celebrity hairstylist Cha Hong, makeup artist Pony and Olive Young brand strategy head Yeom Ji-hye. “Perfect Glow” follows hosts Ra Mi-ran and beauty director Park Min-young as Korea’s top hair and makeup artists open a Korean-style beauty salon called “DANJANG” in Manhattan. The show documents their encounters with local clients as they attempt a “K-beauty takeover” in New York, delivering Korean-style precision in real time. ‘Five levels of glam’ go mainstream During the talk Seo introduced an analysis of how millennial and Gen Z consumers now categorize their appearance with surprising detail. “Young people these days ask each other, ‘How many

Dec 2, 2025By Xportsnews

'Level-5 glam is for your ex’s wedding': K-beauty trends go global

'Saekdong' goes modern: Colorful Korean stripes get playful makeover

“Saekdong,” Korea’s iconic striped fabric that is often seen in hanbok (traditional Korean attire), is being reimagined for a new generation of style-savvy shoppers, showing up in a range of products found everywhere from museum shops to luxury goods and Disney collaborations. This fresh wave of popularity can be traced to Korea’s global cultural boom. The stripes entered the international spotlight with the Korea Tourism Organization’s (KTO) promotional campaign “Feel the Rhythm of Korea” in 2020, in which members of Ambiguous Dance Company and fusion pop band Leenalchi wore clothing made with saekdong patterns. Momentum grew when Italian luxury brand Gucci released saekdong-inspired bags, clothing and accessories in 2021. Disney Korea joined the trend this summer, partnering with Korean artists to unveil a line of saekdong-themed products. The Korea Times introduces the following selection of saekdong-inspired items worth taking a look at. Saekdong hanbok Saekdong has long been used in children’s clothing, and demand for saekdong hanbok remains strong, especially for tod

Dec 2, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

'Saekdong' goes modern: Colorful Korean stripes get playful makeover

Korea’s last 'saekdong' weaver keeps colorful tradition alive

Korea’s bag charm craze: What comes after Labubus?

Wherever you go in Korea, it’s impossible to ignore the rise of unique and eye-catching bag charms dangling from backpacks, tote bags and purses. You might even feel tempted to buy one yourself. But is this bag charm craze really just a Korean thing? Rise of Labubus For a while, Chinese toy company Pop Mart’s much sought-after Labubus dominated the Korean market. After K-pop celebrities such as BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Lisa were spotted with them, these quirky charms instantly caught the public eye and sold out nationwide. As demand skyrocketed and availability plummeted, Labubus transformed from collectibles into status symbols. However, the trend didn’t stop in Korea. A-list Hollywood celebrities like Rihanna have been seen with their own Labubus, and tennis star Naomi Osaka’s bedazzled Labubu stole the spotlight at this year’s US Open. Influencers such as American beauty vlogger James Charles promote the trend through Reels and TikToks. What began as an Asian phenomenon quickly expanded into the Western market. The question remains: Why is Korea obsessed with these little cha

Nov 26, 2025By Kim Sur-hyun

Korea’s bag charm craze: What comes after Labubus?

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo stuns fans with dramatic short-hair transformation ahead of comeback

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo has revealed a striking new hairstyle, captivating fans with a dramatic look that marks one of her boldest transformations yet. On Monday, Jisoo uploaded several photos to her personal social media account without any caption. The images show her on a photo shoot set, carrying herself with the poise and professionalism of a seasoned global star. One detail immediately drew attention: Jisoo’s hair. Known for her long, signature hairstyle, the singer appeared with a sharp, chic short cut, prompting widespread admiration online. Fans say her “untouchable” visuals shine even without her trademark long hair. In the photos, Jisoo pulls off a range of outfits — from a halterneck dress to a pink skirt paired with a khaki shirt — all while maintaining her distinct features and effortlessly commanding presence. Her bold makeover has already sparked buzz across social media, with many praising her versatility and elegance. BLACKPINK, the group Jisoo belongs to, is currently in the midst of its large-scale “Deadline” world tour, with concerts running from Nov. 28 to

Nov 26, 2025By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo stuns fans with dramatic short-hair transformation ahead of comeback

Hallyu Con marks 5 years of growing UK interest in Korean culture

LONDON — Five years after a small volunteer team first tested the idea of a grassroots K-culture convention in London, Hallyu Con has grown into a yearly reunion for the United Kingdom’s Korean culture community, where fans and creators gather under one roof for a day that now stretches far beyond K-pop into film, food, fashion and frank conversations about representation. Hosted at Samsung KX in London, Friday, with support from the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) and the Korea Tourism Organisation UK, the 2025 edition carried the theme “Past, Present, Future,” capturing both the evolution of U.K. hallyu (Korean wave) fandom and the organizers’ aspirations for the years ahead. While more compact than previous editions due to a change in dates, the event delivered a warm celebration of Korean culture, underscored by a committed and growing community. Community rooted in cultural exchange Hallyu Con co-founder Lashai Ben Salmi reflected on the meaning of the five-year milestone. “It’s really exciting, mainly for the community,” she told The Korea Times, describing Hallyu

Nov 22, 2025By Jiji Ahn

Hallyu Con marks 5 years of growing UK interest in Korean culture

BABYMONSTER’s Chiquita and Asa stun airport crowd with long-boots styling twist

BABYMONSTER members Chiquita and Asa sparked buzz at Incheon International Airport this week as they stepped out in coordinated yet strikingly different long-boots styling — a fashion moment that quickly spread across Korean social media. The YG Entertainment rookie group departed for Nagoya on Nov. 21 for the next stop of their Japan fan concert tour. While the two members wore outfits built around ivory tops and long black boots, the details made their looks stand out in completely opposite ways, reflecting each member’s personality and image. Chiquita chose an ivory tweed jacket that gave off a classic and slightly romantic feel. She paired it with black sheer stockings and chunky black long boots, highlighting her long legs. Her dark wine-colored hair was braided into a single plait, giving her a soft, innocent aura, while a small keyring doll added a playful touch befitting the group’s youngest member. Asa, on the other hand, leaned into a bolder mood. She wore an oversized loose-fit knit sweater styled like a mini dress, creating a subtly sexy silhouette. With a black micro-

Nov 22, 2025By Xportsnews

BABYMONSTER’s Chiquita and Asa stun airport crowd with long-boots styling twist

How Jennie and Karina made ‘kimjang vest’ trendy in Korea

A floral quilted vest long seen as an unfashionable “grandma-style” item in Korea — commonly nicknamed the “kimjang vest” because older women often wore it while making kimchi for winter — is enjoying a surprising revival among young consumers as a trendy winter fashion piece. According to Naver Data Lab search trends on Nov. 18, searches for these quilted vests and related keywords such as “floral vest” among users aged 19 to 34 hit an all-time high of 100 the previous day. Naver assigns the peak search volume a value out of 100 to show relative change. After reaching 96 in December 2024 and dropping to zero, interest began surging again in mid-October. Search analysis platform BlackKiwi also reported that searches for the vest this month increased nearly sevenfold — 699.85 percent — from the previous month. Users in their 20s and 30s accounted for nearly half of all searches, at 13.2 percent and 36 percent respectively, while women made up an overwhelming 84.3 percent. Analysts say the resurgence is linked to the growing popularity of “choncance,” a trend where

Nov 22, 2025By Hankookilbo

How Jennie and Karina made ‘kimjang vest’ trendy in Korea

Why Spotify is betting big on Korea's new listening culture

In Korea, music streaming is no longer just about listening — it’s becoming a lifestyle. As Korean pop culture continues to expand its global influence and Gen Z turns playlists into tools of self-expression, music platforms are racing to keep up. What used to be a straightforward choice between a few domestic services has shifted into a multi-platform habit: one app for chart voting, another for discovery, another for mood playlists. In this new landscape, Spotify is trying to move from "just another app" to something closer to a lifestyle brand, embedding itself into daily routines both online and offline. An ordinary stretch of street in Seoul’s trendy Seongsu-dong took on a different energy earlier this month. Past crowded cosmetic stores and the stream of office workers and students, a three‑story building pulsed with music loud enough to spill onto the sidewalk. Inside was Spotify House Seoul, a pop-up venue where the streaming giant staged its largest offline event in Korea to date from Nov. 13 to 15. The installation was more than a temporary attraction. Through interacti

Nov 20, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Why Spotify is betting big on Korea's new listening culture

'KPop Demon Hunters' comes to Seoul with December pop-up

A pop-up store for Netflix's smash hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" will open in Seoul next month, extending the movie's momentum offline with a full range of official merchandise and character-themed attractions. The "KPop Demon Hunters Official POP-UP — SEOUL" will run from Dec. 4 to 28 in the Seongsu-dong area, a major retail hub for pop-up events. The project is a collaboration between Netflix and B.stage, the Korea-based fan-commerce company which produces and globally distributes the film's merchandise. The pop-up will feature items based on popular characters from the film, including members of the fictional K-pop groups Huntrix and the Saja Boys. The merchandise lineup includes plush dolls, keyrings, apparel, accessories and K-pop-themed collectibles such as photocards and binders designed for photocard collectors. Several items will be sold exclusively at the Seoul event. Fans can get early access through an online pre-order from Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. to Nov. 30 at midnight via the film's official fan community website. A Netflix spokesperson gave an official statement sayin

Nov 13, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

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