Lifestyle - The Korea Times

‘North Korea in view from Starbucks?’ Over 120,000 visit DMZ-adjacent cafe in 7 months

A Starbucks location in Korea that offers a rare view into North Korea has attracted more than 120,000 visitors in just seven months since opening, drawing both domestic and foreign tourists. The Gimpo Aegibong Ecopark branch, which opened Nov. 29 last year, sits atop the Aegibong Peace Ecopark observatory in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. According to Starbucks Korea on Sunday, the store has welcomed over 123,000 visitors to date — an average of more than 600 per day. Weekend traffic can nearly double that figure, often passing 1,000 visitors. The store is gaining attention for being the only Starbucks in the world where customers can sip coffee while gazing directly at North Korean territory. From the cafe’s panoramic windows, visitors can see across the Imjin River into Gaepung County, North Hwanghae Province, approximately 1.4 kilometers away. Located within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), access to the ecological park is restricted. Visitors must either make an online reservation for a specific time slot or purchase tickets at the on-site booth before passing through a security checkpoi

Jul 8, 2025By Hankookilbo

‘North Korea in view from Starbucks?’ Over 120,000 visit DMZ-adjacent cafe in 7 months

BLACKPINK’s Rosé rocks summer festival fashion at Psy’s ‘Water Show’ with punk-chic flair

BLACKPINK’s Rosé stunned festivalgoers with her edgy, heat-defying look at Psy’s “SUMMERSWAG 2025” concert — proving once again why she’s a go-to style icon for summer music events. Held at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, the “SUMMERSWAG” festival brought thousands together despite scorching temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. Rosé made a surprise guest appearance at the June 28 show, performing hits like “APT.,” “Toxic,” and “Dance All Night” to an electrified crowd. Her stage look embodied rock-chic sensibility with a high-fashion twist. She wore a sleeveless white T-shirt by a French brand — retailing for around 900,000 won ($650) — customized by rolling up the sleeves for a sharper, funkier fit. The shirt’s bold front artwork added to the punk-inspired mood. Rosé paired the top with ultra-short leather hotpants and standout knee-high leather boots. The strappy boots, designed by a Belgian fashion house and priced at approximately 3 million won, anchored the outfit with fierce attitude. To complete the look, she layered two bold belts — each a dif

Jul 5, 2025By Hankookilbo

BLACKPINK’s Rosé rocks summer festival fashion at Psy’s ‘Water Show’ with punk-chic flair

Simple but stunning: How K-drama star Suzy mastered the ultimate airport fashion formula

Suzy, a former member of girl group Miss A and now a leading actress, once again showcased her signature minimalist style at Incheon International Airport, Friday, as she departed on an overseas trip. Wearing a crisp white shirt paired with beige wide-leg trousers, Suzy delivered a refined and relaxed look that turned heads with its understated elegance. Adding a classic brown crossbody bag and tying a red silk scarf to it for a pop of color, she subtly elevated her outfit — breathing life into the neutral-toned ensemble with thoughtful detail. Often praised for her simple yet graceful fashion sense, Suzy demonstrated how basic items can create a luxurious feel. Her loose waves and radiant smile highlighted her fresh, natural visuals, while a softly open collar drew attention to her neckline, enhancing her delicate silhouette. Her natural-toned makeup, sleek silver earrings, and a minimal ring perfectly complemented the overall styling — making her a textbook example of Korea’s beloved "effortlessly styled" or "gguan-ggu" aesthetic. The red scarf, in particular, served as a standout

Jul 5, 2025By Xportsnews

Simple but stunning: How K-drama star Suzy mastered the ultimate airport fashion formula

How a simple belt can transform your summer outfit: Learn from this actress

Singer and actress Nana is proving that a simple belt can breathe new life into the most basic of outfits. By adding a belt to casual staples like T-shirts and sweatpants, Nana is setting the tone for effortlessly chic everyday fashion, in line with the revived Y2K aesthetic. In a recent set of social media photos, Nana showed off a laid-back look featuring a loose, oversized T-shirt and a belt slung casually around the waist. While the T-shirt, cap, pants and backpack gave off a basic vibe, the matching belt gave her outfit a trendy edge, showing how a single accessory can elevate an otherwise plain look. In another post, Nana matched distressed sweatpants with a bold black belt, creating a striking contrast that captured a playful yet fashionable mood. This mix-and-match style echoed the Y2K trend — still dominating runways and street fashion — and offered a cool, retro vibe. She paired the outfit with a cropped T-shirt and a denim shoulder bag to complete the stylish ensemble. Fashion insiders say that those looking to emulate Nana’s signature belt style this summer should skip

Jul 5, 2025By Hankookilbo

How a simple belt can transform your summer outfit: Learn from this actress

Vacation style done right: Actor Ki Eun-se brings elegance and charm to Bohol with scarf tops, bold swimsuits and summer polish

Actress and influencer Ki Eun-se gave fans a glimpse of her relaxed island getaway, sharing effortlessly stylish resort looks from her recent trip to Bohol, Philippines. In photos posted to her personal channel, Ki Eun-se is seen enjoying the natural scenery and poolside leisure — all while serving inspired fashion. Her looks balance elegance and playfulness, showing how simple styling choices can elevate any vacation outfit. One standout look features a red gingham swimsuit that flatters her figure and brings a retro-chic vibe. The one-piece suit highlights her slim waist and delicate shoulders, while a blue headband and dark sunglasses complete the look with a refreshing, playful tone. Posing with a large lollipop-shaped float, Ki channels the energy of a fashion shoot, glowing under the tropical sun with her signature bright smile. In another outfit, Ki stuns in a bold printed scarf top paired with flowy white trousers and a wide-brimmed straw hat. The look combines coastal elegance with effortless charm, offering a resort-ready style that’s both breathable and eye-catching. Her

Jul 3, 2025By Xportsnews

Vacation style done right: Actor Ki Eun-se brings elegance and charm to Bohol with scarf tops, bold swimsuits and summer polish

From sleek knits to high-waist jeans: Red Velvet Joy's London look is a summer style guide

Red Velvet’s Joy captivated fans with her effortless style and striking visuals during a recent trip to London, where she appeared to turn the city streets into her own personal runway. On Monday, Joy posted a series of photos to her social media channel with the caption “LONDON” and a sprouting plant emoji, offering fans a glimpse into her travel diary. In the photos, Joy flaunts her toned waistline in a black sleeveless knit top paired with high-waisted jeans. Her long, wavy hair added a soft touch to the look, while a ball cap and brown leather backpack brought in a casual yet chic edge. The singer previously performed at “SMTOWN LIVE 2025” in London on Saturday. In the shared images, Joy is seen against a London backdrop — blue skies, red buses and city streets — offering a more mature, poised aura with her gaze. Her radiant skin and defined features, glowing under the sunlight, immediately caught the attention of global fans and followers. Joy debuted with Red Velvet in 2014 and has since been active not only as a singer and actress but also in a variety of entertainmen

Jul 1, 2025By Xportsnews

From sleek knits to high-waist jeans: Red Velvet Joy's London look is a summer style guide

Meet Japanese dancer Kyoka, redefining street fashion and confidence on Korea’s hottest dance show ‘World of Street Woman Fighter’

As “World of Street Woman Fighter” continues to dominate ratings and online buzz, one dancer in particular — Kyoka of Japan’s Osaka Ojo Gang (Osaka Gals Gang) — has emerged as a fan favorite, capturing the attention of the so-called (in Korea) MZ generation with her confident performances and distinct personal style. According to Nielsen Korea, the Mnet series has ranked No. 1 in its time slot for five consecutive weeks among target demographics (15–39 and 20–49), including against major broadcast networks. The show has proven especially popular with women, topping ratings for women in their 10s to 40s. Notably, it scored a 3.1 percent rating among women in their 40s. On streaming platform Tving, it achieved a real-time viewership share of 90.1 percent. The show’s buzz is just as strong online. “World of Street Woman Fighter” has topped the TV-OTT non-drama popularity rankings for four weeks straight, according to Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex. As of the third week of June, it again ranked No. 1 in combined TV-OTT buzz. The show's Mega Crew Mission videos have co

Jun 28, 2025By Hankookilbo

Meet Japanese dancer Kyoka, redefining street fashion and confidence on Korea’s hottest dance show ‘World of Street Woman Fighter’

Slicked-back hair trend sweeps K-pop, led by BLACKPINK's Jennie, IVE's Rei and TWICE's Jihyo

With rising temperatures making bangs increasingly uncomfortable, a sleek hairstyle that pulls all hair away from the face is gaining traction among K-pop stars. Known as the slicked-back or all-back style, this clean and polished look is being embraced by top idols including BLACKPINK’s Jennie, IVE’s Rei and TWICE’s Jihyo. IVE’s Rei recently drew attention after appearing with a dramatically different hairstyle. Known for her signature blunt bangs, she surprised fans by completely sweeping her fringe back, leaving not a single strand out of place. The look highlighted a more sophisticated and modern charm, moving away from her previous image. Jennie of BLACKPINK also showcased a variation of the slicked-back style, wearing a high bun with her forehead fully exposed. Unlike Rei, who parted her hair at the center and slicked it along the hairline, Jennie combed all her hair directly back for a sharper, bolder impression. TWICE’s Jihyo followed suit, pairing a clean center part with tightly styled edges that smoothed all baby hairs along her forehead. Her look brought a fresh, b

Jun 28, 2025By Hankookilbo

Slicked-back hair trend sweeps K-pop, led by BLACKPINK's Jennie, IVE's Rei and TWICE's Jihyo

IU, Jihyo and Olivia Rodrigo embrace the polka dot trend as summer’s most charming print returns

Polka dots are making a playful comeback this summer, thanks in part to the fashion seen in the hit Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines" and stars embracing the iconic look on and off screen. IU, who starred as Ae-sun in the series, sparked renewed interest in the print when she appeared wearing a polka dot scarf. Her charming style captivated viewers and set off a trend among fans and fashion watchers alike. Across social media, other stars have also been showing off their love for polka dots. Yuna of the K-pop group BB Girls was seen in a soft pink polka dot top paired with a pleated skirt, channeling a pure and nostalgic vibe. In another post, she wore a frilly skirt with a matching polka dot blouse while taking retro-style four-cut photos. TWICE’s Jihyo captured the essence of summer with a breezy look that layered a sleeveless polka dot top over a plain T-shirt. Her tied-back hair and silver accessories added a refreshing touch to her seasonal style. Actress Park So-dam, meanwhile, offered a more subdued take while traveling in Japan. She opted for a monochrome look but

Jun 24, 2025By Hankookilbo

IU, Jihyo and Olivia Rodrigo embrace the polka dot trend as summer’s most charming print returns

Figure skating icon Kim Yuna, Han So-hee help $50 Dior bag go viral

An eco bag carried by “figure skating queen” Kim Yuna has become the center of attention online, with fans admiring both its chic design and surprisingly affordable price tag. Kim recently shared several photos on her personal social media account. In the photos, she appeared in a relaxed, effortlessly stylish outfit, wearing a black T-shirt and light-wash denim jeans. She completed the outfit with a Christian Dior eco bag, elevating her simple style with a touch of luxury. The bag is a limited-edition item released by Dior as part of its “Designer of Dreams” exhibition and brand campaign. It features an elegant sketch of a dress printed on the front, combining practicality with artistic flair. Priced at around 70,000 won (approximately $50), the bag has attracted attention as both a fashion statement and a collectible piece. Other celebrities, including actor Han So-hee, model Irene and actor Nam Joo-hyuk, have also been seen carrying the same eco bag. Online users responded enthusiastically, leaving comments such as “So beautiful and lovely — Dior is lucky to have her,”

Jun 23, 2025By Xportsnews

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