Lifestyle - The Korea Times

IVE’s Jang Won-young reveals training secret behind her figure

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. IVE member Jang Won-young has revealed the workout routine that helps her maintain her much-admired body shape. She combines a slender frame with enviable curves — a physique that many in Korea’s MZ generation describe as “unrealistic.” In a recent appearance on Kang Min-kyung’s YouTube channel, Jang candidly shared her love of sweets. “I really love desserts and anything sweet. It would be better if I cut down, but I can’t,” she said with a laugh. Instead, she explained, she focuses on exercise, especially personal training (PT) sessions. “When I do PT, I only concentrate on my hips,” she said. Kang agreed, replying, “I also work only on hips. To do the ‘Wonyoung turn’ on stage, you need it.” The “Wonyoung turn,” in which Jang spins gracefully in place, has become a viral sensation, especially in China, where related clips have garnered nearly 5 billion views. The role of glute muscles Gluteal muscles are essential for balance and stability. Jang’s smooth “Wonyoung turn” relies on a strong core and glutes

Sep 13, 2025By Kormedi.com

IVE’s Jang Won-young reveals training secret behind her figure

Aespa’s Winter stuns in chic all-black airport fashion before flying to New York

Aespa’s Winter turned heads at the airport with her sleek all-black look. On Tuesday morning, Winter departed for New York via Incheon International Airport to attend a fashion show. Winter showcased a comfortable yet sporty style, pairing an oversized black jacket with training shorts. She completed the chic monochrome look with minimalist jewelry, including a slim metallic bangle and a delicate pendant necklace, enhancing her sophisticated vibe as photographers’ flashes surrounded her. Meanwhile, aespa released their sixth mini-album “Rich Man” on Friday, receiving enthusiastic support from fans. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Sep 9, 2025By Xportsnews

Aespa’s Winter stuns in chic all-black airport fashion before flying to New York

Giselle and Rosé spark midsummer K-pop trend with Ugg-style footwear

Despite entering September, the scorching summer heat in Korea shows no signs of easing — yet some fashion-forward stars are already defying seasonal norms. K-pop idols Giselle of aespa and Rosé of BLACKPINK have drawn attention for their unexpected choice of Ugg-style footwear in the middle of summer, raising speculation about whether a new trend is emerging. Giselle recently shared a series of everyday photos on her social media, showcasing a casual yet stylish outfit. She paired a fitted black zip-up top with oversized Bermuda sweat shorts, finishing the look with a cap and sunglasses for a relaxed vibe. While the outfit could have appeared simple, one bold styling choice set it apart — Ugg-style boots. Traditionally known as winter shoes made from sheepskin and lined with wool, these boots are rarely associated with summer fashion. However, Giselle’s pairing of cozy boots with a lightweight outfit gave her look a chic, edgy twist. The boots, priced at about 1 million won ($730), feature a denim-print finish on leather, adding a standout element to her otherwise minimal ensem

Sep 6, 2025By Hankookilbo

Giselle and Rosé spark midsummer K-pop trend with Ugg-style footwear

BLACKPINK’s Jennie goes viral for chic sunglasses and monochrome styling

Jennie of K-pop powerhouse BLACKPINK turned heads with her sophisticated and effortlessly chic style at a global eyewear brand’s popup store event held in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, Sept. 4. For the photo call, Jennie wore an all-gray outfit featuring a high-neck detailed shirt paired with matching tailored shorts, creating a sleek look. She added a black belt to accentuate her silhouette and completed the look with black knee-high boots for a bold, confident finish. The highlight of her outfit was a pair of statement black sunglasses, paired with metallic nail art, which perfectly complemented the brand’s identity. Jennie’s signature confidence and poised demeanor elevated the look, embodying her reputation as a global fashion icon. Known for effortlessly balancing elegance and edge, Jennie once again proved why top brands worldwide seek her influence both on and off stage. From music performances to casual outings and high-profile events, she consistently delivers trend-setting style moments that capture international attention. Meanwhile, BLACKPINK is halfway through its large-scale

Sep 6, 2025By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Jennie goes viral for chic sunglasses and monochrome styling

$365K fan gifts for IVE’s Jang Won-young stir heated online debate

IVE member Jang Won-young has become the center of an online debate after fans revealed that she received birthday gifts worth about 500 million won ($365,000). Jang celebrated her birthday Sunday, and her Chinese fan community released a list of presents prepared for her. The collection included luxury-brand handbags, clothes, shoes, hats, accessories, perfumes, cameras and gaming consoles, along with character merchandise, phone cases, pajamas and other small personal items. According to reports, the total value of the gifts was around 500 million won, sparking a heated discussion online. Gift-giving to celebrities, known as “jogong” in Korea, has been a long-standing part of fan culture. In the past, fan communities openly shared detailed lists of expensive birthday support packages, and celebrities were often compared based on the value of gifts they received. However, public sentiment has shifted in recent years, with many criticizing the practice of sending high-priced gifts to celebrities who already earn significant incomes. Some fans and agencies have adopted a no-gift polic

Sep 6, 2025By Xportsnews

$365K fan gifts for IVE’s Jang Won-young stir heated online debate

Korean webtoon giants turn comics into videos to capture short-form generation

Korean webtoon platforms Naver Webtoon and Kakao Webtoon are racing to reshape digital comics into a new hybrid form of entertainment by merging traditional scrolling panels with dynamic video content. As short-form video continues to dominate online platforms across generations, especially young users, the country’s two biggest webtoon players see an opportunity to extend their reach and boost audience engagement beyond the conventional reading experience. “The webtoon industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of providing content that aligns with the consumption habits of users, especially the younger generation, who prefer shorter content,” an official from the local webtoon industry said. “It appears that leading players in the industry are making this move to meet this demand.” Webtoon Entertainment, a parent company of Naver Webtoon which oversees the platform’s global business, recently introduced a new feature called Video Episodes on its English-language service. Rather than the familiar vertical scroll, readers using Video Episodes service can watch chapte

Sep 3, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Korean webtoon giants turn comics into videos to capture short-form generation

‘Hallyu’ style defines Korean identity, CICI survey shows

As Korea’s cultural influence continues to rise, from blockbuster K-dramas to the growing global appetite for Korean cuisine, the question of what defines "Koreanness" has become more relevant than ever. A new survey by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) sheds light on this evolving identity, showing how K-culture has emerged as a central force in shaping perceptions of Korea both at home and abroad. Conducted from Aug. 11-31, the survey gathered responses from 406 people — 203 Koreans and 203 foreigners who have either lived in or visited Korea. Participants were asked to select multiple items they associate with Koreanness and identify the directions in which K-culture may develop. When asked what foreigners would associate with Korean identity, an overwhelming majority of both Korean (94.58 percent) and foreign (93.1 percent) respondents chose the “hallyu” (Korean wave) style. This encompasses K-pop, Korean dramas, films, beauty and fashion, all of which have become Korea’s most recognizable cultural exports. In other words, for many Koreans and foreigners alike

Sep 2, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

‘Hallyu’ style defines Korean identity, CICI survey shows

Everland brings Netflix hit 'KPop Demon Hunters' to life this fall

Everland is bringing Netflix’s smash hit animation “KPop Demon Hunters” to life with a brand new themed zone this fall. Samsung C&T Resort Group, the operator of the theme park, announced Monday it is partnering with Netflix to create an immersive “KPop Demon Hunters” zone starting Sept. 26. The zone will feature storylines and popular characters from the film, including Huntrix and Saja Boys, as well as K-food to invite visitors into the movie’s universe. The animated film tells the story of a K-pop girl group battling against demons to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural danger. It was a massive success, remaining on Netflix’s Top 10 chart for films since its release in June. The animation became the streaming service’s most-watched film ever within two months of its launch, with 236 million total views, surpassing Hollywood blockbusters “Red Notice” and “Carry-On.” Its soundtrack also garnered huge popularity, sweeping global music charts like the U.S. Billboard and U.K. Singles Charts. One of the songs, “Golden,” has topped Billboard’s Ho

Sep 1, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee

Everland brings Netflix hit 'KPop Demon Hunters' to life this fall

One in four young Korean women undergo cosmetic surgery — comedian’s case highlights hidden nose surgery risks

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. South Korea is often called the “plastic surgery capital of the world,” and data shows just how common cosmetic procedures have become — especially among young women. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), about 25 percent of Korean women aged 19 to 29 have undergone cosmetic procedures, one of the highest rates globally. But as demand grows, experts are warning that the risks — including long-term side effects — are often overlooked. Korean comedian Heo Anna recently drew public attention after revealing she had undergone revision nose surgery 21 years after her initial procedure. In a video posted to her social media, Heo shared before-and-after images and showed the recovery process, including removing splints and reducing swelling. She explained that she decided on a second surgery after developing a nasal contracture, a condition where scar tissue hardens around implants and causes the nose to become deformed. Experts say that rhinoplasty (nose surgery) is among the most common cosmetic proce

Aug 30, 2025By Kormedi.com

One in four young Korean women undergo cosmetic surgery — comedian’s case highlights hidden nose surgery risks

Wired earphones over AirPods as Gen Z revives retro trend

Once dismissed as outdated after the rise of wireless earbuds, wired earphones are making a comeback as a hip fashion accessory, blending practicality with retro flair. Industry officials said on Monday that the popularity of wired earphones began to wane in 2016 when Apple launched its AirPods. The move triggered a surge in wireless earbud competition from Samsung, LG and others, while smartphone makers’ removal of the 3.5-millimeter jack was seen as a symbolic end to wired earphones. The trend, however, is shifting. BLACKPINK’s Jennie drew attention when she posted a photo of herself wearing wired earphones on social media on Aug. 20, after a concert in Barcelona, opting for a vintage aesthetic over Bluetooth convenience. She had previously been spotted at Incheon International Airport with wired earphones as well. Fellow group member Rose also revealed her preference during an interview with Vogue, pulling a pair of wired earphones from her bag and saying she favored the “classic wired style.” Other stars, including actors Han So-hee and Moon Ga-young and singer Lee Hyo-ri, have

Aug 26, 2025By Hankookilbo

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