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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

‘Will AI replace spiritual practice?' Priests and monks join the AI age

Religious communities in Korea are diving into artificial intelligence (AI) studies, marking a sharp shift from earlier years when AI was largely viewed as a threat to ethics, spirituality and human values. As AI becomes ubiquitous in everyday life, many religious figures say faith communities must understand and use the technology wisely rather than shun it. AI-powered chatbots and apps designed for religious use have already emerged, and efforts are underway to employ AI in scripture interpretation and theological research. “Nabuteo Forum,” a Protestant group, held an AI seminar Monday, attended by leaders from various denominations and theological schools. During the event, Koo Yo-han, a professor at CHA University in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, demonstrated a worship song generated by an AI music tool. Reactions were mixed. Some said AI could become a practical tool for ministry, while others questioned whether an AI-created hymn could truly qualify as an act of faith. “AI can be a valuable partner if pastors use it to organize materials for ministry,” Koo said. The Buddhist co

Oct 24, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘Will AI replace spiritual practice?' Priests and monks join the AI age

Occult webtoon 'Mirae's Antique Shop' wins Grand Prize at World Webtoon Awards

“Mirae's Antique Shop,” an occult webtoon by author Gu A-jin, clinched the prestigious Grand Prize at the 2025 World Webtoon Awards, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday. Co-hosted by the ministry and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the second annual World Webtoon Awards recognized the year’s best webtoon works from around the globe. The ministry said this year's competition was fierce as around 1,400 webtoons and online comics competed for the top honors. "I shed tears when I saw the video announcing my work was selected for the Grand Prize," Gu said at the award ceremony held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul. "There is still a long way to go for 'Mirae's Antique Shop,' but this award gives me great strength to complete the series well." "Mirae's Antique Shop" tells the story of Mirae, a young shaman who uses exorcism to save the world from destruction. “Judges highly praised the work's solid narrative and elegant artwork,” the ministry said. The judging panel selected 10 winners for the main awards. They are: "The Uncanny Counter," "Myst, M

Oct 22, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Occult webtoon 'Mirae's Antique Shop' wins Grand Prize at World Webtoon Awards

World Webtoon Festival grows into global celebration of online comics

“I learned about this event while traveling in Korea, and I’m so glad I could buy merchandise for my favorite webtoon,” said a visitor from Taiwan, a fan of the popular webtoon “The Remarried Empress,” with a shopping bag full of exclusive merchandise. She was among the many international fans flocking to Seoul as the 2025 World Webtoon Festival transforms Lotte Town Jamsil into a global hub for comics lovers. Now in its second year, the festival has been expanded both in scale and ambition, drawing visitors from around the world to celebrate the growing influence of webtoons in global entertainment and pop culture. With a more international atmosphere and an array of fan-centered experiences, this year’s edition underscores how Korea’s homegrown digital comics have become a worldwide phenomenon. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the four-day event running from Sunday to Wednesday transformed the Lotte Town Jamsil complex in southeastern Seoul into a hub for webtoons, or online comics. The festival offer

Oct 22, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
World Webtoon Festival grows into global celebration of online comics

K-drama star Song Hye-kyo credits flawless skin to nightly habit

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Actress Song Hye-kyo has revealed the secret behind her famously clear, porcelain-like complexion — and it’s surprisingly simple. In a recent appearance on a YouTube channel, the 43-year-old star shared that her skincare routine relies less on expensive treatments and more on daily discipline. “There’s nothing special about my routine,” Song said. “But I think cleansing my face thoroughly is the most important thing. Before bed, I always make sure to hydrate my skin with enough night cream.” Her comments echoed what dermatologists have long emphasized — that removing makeup properly is crucial. Cleanse deeply, especially after sunscreen When makeup or sunscreen residue remains on the skin overnight, pores can become clogged and lead to breakouts. Because many people now apply thick layers of sunscreen for UV protection, thorough cleansing has become essential. Experts recommend a two-step cleansing routine: First, remove oil-based products with a cleansing oil or balm; then follow with a foam cleanser or mild soap. For smoother, br

Oct 18, 2025By Kormedi.com
K-drama star Song Hye-kyo credits flawless skin to nightly habit

World Webtoon Festival returns to Seoul on massive scale

The World Webtoon Festival is set to return to Seoul for its second edition from Sunday to Wednesday, transforming Lotte Town in Jamsil — the complex including Lotte World Mall and other locations — into a premier destination for global comics enthusiasts. Building on its mission to strengthen Korea’s status as the webtoon industry’s originator, this year’s festival boasts a notably expanded scale, featuring massive pop-up stores, a special history exhibition and fan-centric events across the complex in southeastern Seoul. The four-day celebration concludes with the World Webtoon Awards, a ceremony to honor the year’s best works. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the festival aims to create a vibrant space for interaction among creators, platforms, production houses and fans. Jamsil becomes webtoon hub The Lotte Town Jamsil complex will be transformed into a cultural hub as the site of the largest webtoon festival of its kind in Korea. The event features more than 200 webtoons and combines exhibitions, experienc

Oct 16, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
World Webtoon Festival returns to Seoul on massive scale

TWICE turns Victoria’s Secret runway into K-pop spectacle at New York fashion show

K-pop powerhouse TWICE made a dazzling appearance at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York Wednesday (local time), drawing worldwide attention for their bold pink carpet looks and electrifying stage performance. Members Nayeon, Momo, Jihyo and Tzuyu posed for photos ahead of their live performance at the event. Each member showcased a unique take on sensual elegance that quickly went viral across social media. Nayeon turned heads in a sheer cutout dress with a slit skirt that highlighted her long legs. Jihyo exuded confidence in a black lace dress adorned with feathers, revealing a bralette and briefs for a daring, high-fashion twist. Tzuyu opted for refined elegance in an ivory high-neck gown featuring an open-waist design, while Momo balanced allure and charisma with a striped suit layered over a plunging V-neck lingerie top. Onstage, the quartet performed “This Is For” and “Strategy,” a song also featured on the soundtrack of the popular Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters." Dressed in fur-trimmed boots and sleek bodysuits, TWICE delivered a dynamic set that bl

Oct 16, 2025By Xportsnews
TWICE turns Victoria’s Secret runway into K-pop spectacle at New York fashion show

BTS rules fashion week without even performing

BTS has once again demonstrated its dominance in global pop culture — this time not on stage, but on the world’s most glamorous runways. The group generated an estimated 56 billion won ($39.3 million) in earned media value during the 2026 S/S fashion week season, according to influencer marketing platform Lefty. The report analyzed global engagement and brand exposure across New York, Milan and Paris fashion weeks from September to October, where BTS members attended as ambassadors for major luxury brands. RM appeared at Bottega Veneta, Jin at Gucci, Jimin at Dior, V at Celine and Jungkook at Calvin Klein — each drawing intense attention from the fashion industry and international media. Lefty’s data showed that the members collectively ranked among the top global influencers of the season, with Jin and RM placing second and sixth, respectively, in Milan, while V and Jimin ranked third and 10th in Paris. Jungkook alone generated $7.44 million (10.6 billion won) in media value from his appearance at the Calvin Klein show — accounting for 30 percent of the brand’s total earned

Oct 15, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS rules fashion week without even performing

K-pop’s style icon Jang Won-young’s London photos prove casual fashion can look runway-ready

Jang Won-young of IVE turned heads in London with her stunning visuals and relaxed charm during a short visit to the city. On Tuesday, Jang shared several photos on her personal social media account with the caption, “A short stop in London still filled up my camera roll.” The photos show the K-pop star enjoying a calm day in London after attending a fashion show. Dressed in a gray hoodie layered over a matching long dress, Jang exuded natural elegance even in casual attire, her flawless proportions drawing admiration from fans. Her signature sculpted features and graceful aura transformed ordinary London settings — from a red phone booth to a quiet lakeside spot — into scenes straight out of a movie. Fans flooded the comments with praise, calling her “the definition of effortless beauty” and “a real-life princess in London.” Meanwhile, IVE will kick off their new world tour “Show What I Am” with three concerts at KSPO Dome in Seoul from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, before heading overseas for additional stops. This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system an

Oct 14, 2025By Xportsnews
K-pop’s style icon Jang Won-young’s London photos prove casual fashion can look runway-ready

Suzy reveals her glowing skin secret: ‘Towels aren’t good for the skin’

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Singer and actress Suzy, 30, has shared the secret behind her flawless complexion — and it’s surprisingly simple. Appearing on Hyeri’s YouTube channel on Oct. 3, Suzy discussed her Netflix series “Genie, Make a Wish” and shared details about her skincare routine. “I try my best to remove makeup thoroughly,” she said. “Sometimes I feel too lazy, but then I ask myself, ‘Will you wash it off now or have bad skin tomorrow?’ and I make the right choice.” When Hyeri mentioned that Suzy once said she doesn’t use a towel after washing her face, Suzy confirmed, “I still don’t. I heard towels aren’t good for the skin. I apply toner directly while my face is still wet.” Are towels really bad for facial skin? Dermatologists say towels aren’t inherently harmful, but using them incorrectly can cause irritation or contamination. Rough rubbing can damage the skin barrier, leading to dryness and inflammation. To avoid this, they recommend gently patting the face rather than scrubbing it. Old or overused towels can also become rou

Oct 11, 2025By Kormedi.com
Suzy reveals her glowing skin secret: ‘Towels aren’t good for the skin’

Trader Joe’s Halloween totes are here — will fakes follow in Korea?

SEATTLE — New Halloween mini totes from Trader Joe’s, one of the most anticipated merch drops of the season, hit U.S. shelves Wednesday. Now, shoppers in Korea are watching closely to see if the frenzy will inspire another round of knockoffs. The $2.99 mini canvas bags, available in pumpkin orange, purple, jet black and multicolored, are the latest addition to the American grocery chain’s line of reusable totes that have become unlikely collectors’ items. In the U.S., the limited edition release drew long lines and social media buzz within hours. But in Korea, the conversation centers not only on scarcity, but authenticity. Earlier this summer, pastel-colored “Trader Joe’s” totes flooded Instagram and Naver, many of them marketed as “officially licensed imports.” The nearly identical bags mimicked the brand’s viral mini size, but many buyers soon realized they were dupes. Complaints piled up as customers discovered that the fabric, stitching and number of outer pockets differed from genuine Trader Joe’s merchandise. As refund requests increased, one question domina

Oct 10, 2025By Jane Han
Trader Joe’s Halloween totes are here — will fakes follow in Korea?
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