Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Full-body tattoo removal becomes trend among Korean stars

In Korea, where tattoos have long carried social stigma, a new wave of celebrities is now publicly choosing to remove their ink. What once served as a form of emotional expression and rebellion is now being erased — and shared with fans in a surprising cultural shift. One of the most notable examples is singer HyunA, who revealed on Wednesday during an appearance on the web variety show “Yongtaro” that she began removing her tattoos about a year ago. “I had so many across my body that it takes a lot of time,” she said. Her decision was prompted by her mother, who told her, “You’ve done everything you wanted — how about experiencing a clean body just once?” HyunA added, “I’ve gone for removal about four times, and it really hurts.” Comedian Lee Yong-jin, who appeared on the show with HyunA, empathized with her experience, saying, “I’ve removed tattoos on my legs over a dozen times. Now that I’m raising a child, there are moments when I regret them.” HyunA has long been recognized as a celebrity closely associated with body art. Her tattoos ranged from smal

May 17, 2025By Xportsnews

Full-body tattoo removal becomes trend among Korean stars

From breakfast buffets to life advice, Korea’s older YouTubers are thriving online

“Who am I living for?” actress Sunwoo Yong-yeo asks in a recent video, then hops into her Mercedes-Benz and heads to a five-star hotel for breakfast alone. At age 80, the veteran performer is rewriting the script on aging, and her vibrant, candid lifestyle is resonating with viewers across generations. Just over two weeks after launching her YouTube channel, Soonpoong Sunwoo Yong-yeo, on April 24, Sunwoo has already amassed more than 144,000 subscribers as of May 12. Her channel — described as a one-of-a-kind space “filled with laughter, tears, and life wisdom” — is gaining traction for its honest portrayal of older adult life that is healthy, independent, and full of personality. In one popular video, which has surpassed 2.9 million views, Sunwoo drives herself to a hotel buffet, enjoying a colorful spread of vegetables and grains. “If I buy all this just for myself, I end up wasting it,” she says. “For just a little more money, I can eat hotel breakfast — and it’s better for me.” She adds with her signature candor, “What’s the point of saving money when it

May 17, 2025By Hankookilbo

From breakfast buffets to life advice, Korea’s older YouTubers are thriving online

Korean celebrities embrace honesty about cosmetic procedures, sparking public interest

A growing number of South Korean celebrities are openly discussing their cosmetic procedures, signaling a cultural shift in how stars engage with the public about beauty standards. On Tuesday, Shinji of K-pop trio Koyote posted on her personal social media, “Whatever. It’s obvious anyway, so I’ll just say it,” admitting she had undergone double eyelid surgery. Her visibly more prominent eyelid crease immediately caught fans’ attention. “It’s only been a week, but I’m grateful for the last-minute schedule I was able to attend,” Shinji wrote, preemptively addressing potential criticism. “Once the swelling goes down, it’ll look similar to before. So, no saying ‘You looked better before.’ Wait until it heals.” Broadcaster Jang Young-ran also drew attention recently for revealing she has had four eyelid surgeries. She even shared a candid moment consulting for eyeliner tattoo removal. Similarly, actress Han Ye-seul revealed she receives Ultherapy yearly, a noninvasive procedure that stimulates collagen production. “It depends on your skin type, but I start the ye

May 15, 2025By KTimes

Korean celebrities embrace honesty about cosmetic procedures, sparking public interest

BTS J-Hope turns airport into 'runway' with effortlessly cool black-and-denim look

BTS member J-Hope showcased his signature hip style at Incheon International Airport, transforming his departure for Bangkok into a full-on fashion moment. On the morning of May 9, J-Hope departed for Bangkok, Thailand, for the next stop in his global tour. Dressed in a chic combination of black and denim, he effortlessly blended comfort and trendiness in his airport outfit. He layered a loose-fit zip-up jacket in black and navy over a black sleeveless T-shirt, creating a sleek yet casual silhouette. The lettering detail on the T-shirt added a touch of brand flair, while a belt with a rose-shaped buckle at the waist served as a unique statement piece. His wide-fit, dark denim pants enhanced the overall hip vibe of the look. Accessories also played a key role in elevating his outfit. A pair of round, retro-style sunglasses complemented his soft facial features, and a luxury monogram handbag added a refined finish to the ensemble. Balancing laid-back comfort with high-end appeal, J-Hope’s look turned the airport into his own personal runway. Meanwhile, J-Hope kicked off his solo world tour

May 10, 2025By KTimes

BTS J-Hope turns airport into 'runway' with effortlessly cool black-and-denim look

Skinny brows are back — and BLACKPINK’s Rosé is already on trend

The skinny brow trend that once dominated the 1990s is making a strong comeback, with stars like BLACKPINK’s Rosé leading the way. Paired with a modern twist and the edgy flair of Gen Z style, these slim, feminine eyebrows are quickly regaining popularity across the beauty world. Skinny brows — characterized by their narrow, defined shape — have been spotted on international celebrities, signaling the return of the Y2K-inspired look. While thicker brows are often associated with youthfulness, thinner and elongated eyebrows create a more elegant and sultry impression. The trend’s resurgence also ties in with the continued appeal of the Y2K aesthetic among younger generations. Experts expect skinny brows to gain even more traction as they evolve with contemporary beauty sensibilities. Rosé, known for her fashion-forward style, exemplifies the new wave of skinny brows. She has not only refined the shape of her brows to a slim silhouette but also bleached them to match her lightened hair, resulting in a softer and trendier look that balances chic and approachable. Those looking to

May 10, 2025By KTimes

Skinny brows are back — and BLACKPINK’s Rosé is already on trend

Maternity style inspiration: Lady Jane's wardrobe for twin pregnancy

Lady Jane, a singer-turned-TV personality currently expecting twins, drew attention recently for her stylish maternity fashion. Known for her expertise in beauty and style, she has also made a name for herself as a show host, frequently sharing fashion and lifestyle tips with fans. In a recent video uploaded to her YouTube channel, Lady Jane introduced a series of outfits that repurpose everyday clothing rather than relying on traditional maternity wear. “Many people have asked me to recommend pretty outfits,” she said with a smile. “I tried to focus on clothes that I could keep wearing even after giving birth. Pregnant women want to look pretty too.” With her due date this summer, Lady Jane noted that her baby bump has become prominent. “My belly is quite big. Since I’m pregnant with twins, it’s not an exaggeration to say I look like I’m already full-term with a single baby,” she said. Throughout the video, Lady Jane showcased a variety of outfits. Soft and comfortable fabrics, along with fashionable dresses and overalls that don’t appear to be maternity wear, stood

May 6, 2025By KTimes

Maternity style inspiration: Lady Jane's wardrobe for twin pregnancy

K-pop girl group member's home shopping comeback shows new trend

Sung Yu-ri, a celebrated member of iconic K-pop girl group Fin.K.L, has made a return to the spotlight this week with the launch of her own show “Sung Yu-ri Edition” on GS Home Shopping. The home shopping broadcast, which premiered Wednesday, featured Sung as both host and lifestyle curator, recommending handpicked living essentials and unveiling fresh, thoughtfully chosen items in every episode. It marks her first major public activity in about two years, following a hiatus caused by controversy over her husband’s alleged fraud. The 44-year-old professional golfer Ahn Sung-hyun was sentenced to prison for receiving tens of billions of won in illicit payments related to cryptocurrency listings. After the broadcast, online communities responded with a mix of admiration and surprise, with comments like “She’s still beautiful,” “I was shocked to see her on home shopping,” and “Her visuals are on another level.” Others expressed disappointment, saying, “Fin.K.L is selling tableware?” and “It’s unfortunate. When a celebrity turns to home shopping, it often means t

May 3, 2025By Park Jin-hai

K-pop girl group member's home shopping comeback shows new trend

InterviewKCCUK director believes Korean philosophy is next K-culture

LONDON — When Sun Seung-hye, director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK), returned to the British Museum’s Korea Gallery in 2023 — some two decades after she helped ship initial artifacts from Seoul to London — she was struck by how dramatically things had changed. Back in the early 2000s, she worked quietly behind the scenes at the National Museum of Korea, coordinating Korea’s early forays into international cultural recognition. “At that time, sending artifacts to overseas museums felt like the best way to represent Korea,” she said during an interview with The Korea Times at KCCUK on April 24. "Now, it's everywhere — K-pop concerts at Wembley Stadium, Korean contemporary artists at Tate Modern and our literature winning global recognition like the Nobel Prize. It’s astonishing to see how far we've come." Sun, now in her third year as KCCUK director, reflected on her journey from museum curator and public diplomacy expert to leading one of Korea’s foremost global cultural outposts. With academic roots in aesthetics and art history, her career began at the Nat

May 1, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo

KCCUK director believes Korean philosophy is next K-culture

What’s attracting celebrities to world of home shopping?

Sung Yu-ri returned to the spotlight on Wednesday through GS Home Shopping’s “Sung Yu-ri Edition,” selling household goods for the first time in over two years. The singer-actress had halted her career following controversy surrounding her husband’s fraud allegations. Now, she joins a growing list of high-profile stars — including Han Ye-seul, So Yoo-jin, Jang Shin-young, Ahn Jae-hyun and Soyou — who have recently debuted as home shopping hosts, a rising trend in the Korean entertainment industry. The appeal is mutual. Home shopping companies benefit from celebrity-driven marketing, while celebrities find an accessible way to reconnect with the public. Since the latter half of last year, major stars have increasingly embraced the role of show host. Actress Han Ye-seul has been fronting the CJ OnStyle mobile live show “What Should I Wear Today?” since September. That same month, So Yoo-jin launched the GS Home Shopping program “The So Yoo-jin Show,” selling kitchen products. Actress Lee Yoo-ri began “Yoo-ri’s Modern Shopping” with Lotte Home Shopping, offering h

May 1, 2025By KTimes

What’s attracting celebrities to world of home shopping?

Aespa’s Karina shows perfect airport fashion with effortless beauty

Karina of the group aespa showcased a textbook example of airport fashion. On the morning of April 25, aespa members Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning departed for Taiwan via Incheon International Airport to attend an overseas event. Karina caught attention with a casual look centered around an "all-black" concept. Standing out first was her pairing of a dotted cropped top, which accentuated her upper body line, and a tweed jacket casually draped over her shoulders. The jacket added a casual twist to the classic tweed fabric with cutting details and emblem decorations. Karina completed the look by matching cargo-style wide denim pants, achieving a trendy yet comfortable vibe. She also flaunted a natural short hairstyle, often called a "short-hair craze" look, prompting admiration. Particularly charming was her gesture of holding her bangs against the wind. Even with minimal makeup close to a bare face, Karina's small face and sharp features shone brightly. Meanwhile, aespa held encore performances for their 2025 world tour "SYNK : PARALLEL LINE" on March 15 and 16 at the KSPO DOME (fo

Apr 26, 2025By KTimes

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