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K-pop fashion icon: IVE's Jang Won-young wows at luxury brand event

IVE member Jang Won-young showcased her commanding presence at a Miu Miu photocall event held Friday afternoon at the main branch of Shinsegae Department Store in central Seoul. Jang, the tallest member of the group, posed confidently for photographers, drawing admiration for her model-like proportions and elegant aura. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Jun 21, 2025By Xportsnews
K-pop fashion icon: IVE's Jang Won-young wows at luxury brand event

From ‘Kuma’ to ‘Comme des’: How K-pop stars name their pets

Just like people, pets are often given names rich with meaning. When a new baby is born, parents choose names that reflect hopes for health, happiness and good fortune. Similarly, pet owners — especially celebrities — carefully consider how to name the furry family members they’ll spend a lifetime with. From lookalikes and nicknames to favorite foods and luxury brands, the naming process is anything but random. One of the simplest yet most endearing naming methods is based on resemblance. BLACKPINK’s Jennie named her dog “Kuma” because the dog looked like a bear. “Kuma” means “bear” in Japanese, and Jennie said the name came to her the moment she saw her pet’s fluffy brown fur. Fans who saw Kuma often joked, “Is that a raccoon or a bear?” Kuma even has a tuft of white fur on the chest, adding to the bear-like charm. Fellow BLACKPINK member Rosé took a different route, naming her dog “Hank” after actor Tom Hanks — whom she insists the dog resembles. “The more you look at him, the more he looks like Tom Hanks,” she once said. Some idols name their pets

Jun 21, 2025By Hankookilbo
From ‘Kuma’ to ‘Comme des’: How K-pop stars name their pets

From bold to understated: How Korea’s first ladies use fashion to send diplomatic signals

South Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung drew attention during her diplomatic debut by donning a hanbok with a soft green and yellow palette — offering a sharp contrast to the bold fashion statements previously made by former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Kim, wife of President Lee Jae Myung, appeared in traditional Korean attire at a welcome dinner hosted on June 16 (local time) by Danielle Smith, the premier of the Canadian province of Alberta, during the Group of Seven (G7) summit. While most attendees opted for formal Western dress, Kim stood out in a pastel yellow skirt and green jeogori (jacket), garnering significant attention. “The first lady’s hanbok drew a lot of interest,” a presidential office official said. “Many guests approached the president and first lady for photos.” Experts say her appearance subtly bolstered Korea’s image following the recent controversy surrounding the recent martial law fiasco. The hanbok’s green jacket and yellow skirt — known in Korean as nok-ui-hwang-sang — was interpreted as conveying dignity and balance. Some observers noted that t

Jun 21, 2025By Hankookilbo
From bold to understated: How Korea’s first ladies use fashion to send diplomatic signals

K-content boom reshapes global entertainment landscape

Korea has rapidly transformed from primarily a consumer of global culture into one of the most influential producers. From K-pop and dramas to webtoons and musicals, Korean content is now shaping entertainment trends worldwide, inspiring adaptations and redefining storytelling in global markets. This cultural ascendancy, once unimaginable, is now a key pillar of Korea's soft power. The global rise of Korean content is reflected across multiple pillars — starting with K-pop and K-dramas and now expanding into webtoons and animation — with recent landmark achievements and evolving trends highlighting its growing influence on the international stage. Underscoring the strategic importance of this cultural surge, new President Lee Jae Myung used his inauguration to pledge further expansion of Korea's cultural industry, including K-pop. The president specifically committed to fostering a nation where culture thrives, aiming to propel Korea into the top five global soft power nations. "From K-pop to K-drama, K-movie, K-beauty and K-food, Korean culture is captivating the world. Culture is

Jun 19, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
K-content boom reshapes global entertainment landscape

Babymonster’s Asa turns heads with anime-inspired airport fashion ahead of overseas schedule

Babymonster member Asa drew attention for her striking, anime-inspired visuals as she departed on an overseas trip. On June 13, the group was spotted at Incheon International Airport heading abroad for official activities. Asa, in particular, captured fans’ attention with a look reminiscent of the beloved manga character Nana Osaki from “NANA,” earning praise for her edgy style and chic presence. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Jun 14, 2025By Xportsnews
Babymonster’s Asa turns heads with anime-inspired airport fashion ahead of overseas schedule

Tardy but trendy: G-Dragon turns heads with bold fashion at Seoul brand event

G-Dragon of BigBang is once again under scrutiny for tardiness — this time arriving late to his own promotional event. On June 13, a launch party for a new highball product featuring G-Dragon’s artwork was held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Hannam-dong. The photo session was originally scheduled for 7 p.m., but the star arrived more than 40 minutes late, showing up around 7:40 p.m. in a Cybertruck wrapped with the logo of his fashion brand, PEACEMINUSONE. Without offering any greeting, he briefly posed for photos before moving into the main venue. This was not the first time G-Dragon has been criticized for being late. On March 29, he held the Korean leg of his 2025 world tour Übermensch at Goyang Sports Complex — his first concert in eight years. Despite high anticipation, the show began 74 minutes behind schedule due to adverse weather, sparking frustration among fans. The June 13 event celebrated the launch of a highball product that features G-Dragon’s original artwork. As part of the event, the singer announced he would donate 880 million won ($635,000), symbolizing the infi

Jun 14, 2025By Xportsnews
Tardy but trendy: G-Dragon turns heads with bold fashion at Seoul brand event

Interview25 years apart, one fight: Queer icons on shattering Korea's closet

When TV personality Hong Seok-cheon first came out in 2000, it was technically on his own terms — but the fallout was far from what he intended. His initial disclosure, made during the taping of a public broadcast, was edited out by a producer who said it was to “protect” him. Hoping to take control of his story, he then gave a magazine interview, intended as a quiet step forward. But the news was leaked and sensationalized, turning his sexuality into headline fodder — “I am homo(sexual)” — pushing him into a years-long exile from Korea’s conservative television industry. Fast-forward more than two decades to when Bain of K-pop boy band JUST B stood before thousands at a concert in Los Angeles in April and came out in his own words — “I’m proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, as a gay person.” Draped in and waving a Pride flag and singing Lady Gaga’s queer anthem “Born This Way,” he was met with applause. It was a moment that would’ve been unthinkable in Hong’s time. And yet, both moments carried the same weight — the cost of truth and the risk

Jun 13, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo and Pyo Kyung-min
25 years apart, one fight: Queer icons on shattering Korea's closet

Matcha craze sweeps Korea’s cafes, supermarkets

There’s something about the color of a matcha latte that draws people in, as if the shade itself has healing powers. Also there’s an undeniable allure to matcha's rich, creamy texture and sweet, earthy flavor. And these days, it feels like everyone is sipping on it. The popularity of matcha, a finely ground powder of specially grown green tea leaves, is sweeping through cafes and dessert shops across Korea. From small independent cafes to major franchise chains, matcha has taken over menus in the form of lattes, cookies and cakes. It’s also turning supermarket snack aisles green, with matcha-flavored Choco Pie — Korea’s version of the Moon Pie — and matcha-flavored Pepero, the chocolate-covered biscuit sticks developed in collaboration with popular cafe Cheongsudang, filling the shelves. Scroll through social media, and you'll find a sea of matcha content. People share photos of their beautifully layered matcha drinks, short videos of green batter swirling into cookies and even do-it-yourself matcha-inspired recipes. Matcha’s appeal goes beyond aesthetics and taste. Matcha is

Jun 10, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Matcha craze sweeps Korea’s cafes, supermarkets

Celebrity weight-loss drug trend sparks concern over youth misuse

Celebrity endorsements of weight-loss injections and obesity treatments are drawing massive attention on YouTube and social media — but also raising alarm over potential misuse and the spread of misleading health perceptions, especially among youth. While many stars say they’ve seen dramatic results, they also acknowledge side effects. Still, simply mentioning these treatments can serve as indirect promotion, fueling growing concern over how such stories are received and repeated. For celebrities — whose careers often hinge on appearance — weight loss is a frequent endeavor, whether for a role, image change or health. Naturally, their slimming journeys receive widespread attention. Many even share personal methods, gaining admiration from fans. Recently, testimonials about obesity drugs and weight-loss injections have multiplied, though the focus on efficacy often overshadows the risks. One such drug, Wegovy, is designed to suppress appetite and is approved only for people with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, or over 27 with comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes. Its pop

Jun 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
Celebrity weight-loss drug trend sparks concern over youth misuse
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