Lifestyle - The Korea Times

K-drama star Kim Woo-bin shows off his muscular physique at airport

Actor Kim Woo-bin departed for Milan, Italy, on Wednesday morning through Incheon International Airport to attend an overseas engagement. Kim heads to the departure hall at Incheon International Airport. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Jun 18, 2025By Xportsnews

K-drama star Kim Woo-bin shows off his muscular physique at airport

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

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

'Lovely Runner' Byeon Woo-seok shows off model physique and playful charm at fashion event

Actor Byeon Woo-seok poses for photos during a pop-up store event hosted by a luxury fashion brand at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido on Wednesday afternoon. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Jun 6, 2025By Xportsnews

'Lovely Runner' Byeon Woo-seok shows off model physique and playful charm at fashion event

The ‘no Wegovy’ diet movement sweeping Korean comedy stars

Korean comedians are taking a no-shortcuts approach to weight loss, impressing fans with transformations achieved without injections, surgery or popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy. Instead, they’re relying on discipline, diet and exercise — often while documenting their journeys publicly. On June 4, the YouTube channel “Hong Yun-hwa Kim Min-ki Kkongnyangkkongnyang” uploaded a video titled “How I overcame my diet plateau: Easy and delicious menu recommendations after losing 20kg.” In the video, comedian Hong Yun-hwa celebrated reaching a major milestone: “For three weeks, I kept gaining and losing the same 2 kilograms — but I finally hit 20kg lost,” she said. “This morning, I was just so happy. I brought the outfit I wore in our first episode to show how much has changed. I’ll be revealing my workout routine soon.” Hong is just one of many comedians showcasing significant weight loss without medical procedures. Kang Jae-jun, for example, stunned fans after dropping 32kg. He had weighed 108kg before publicly committing to weight loss in 2023, vowing on YouTube

Jun 6, 2025By Xportsnews

The ‘no Wegovy’ diet movement sweeping Korean comedy stars

IVE’s Rei ditches bangs for sleek side ponytail and summer-ready elegance

IVE’s Rei captivated fans with a bold new hairstyle that showcased a dramatic yet refined transformation — just in time for summer style inspiration. On Wednesday morning, Rei attended a Tod’s photo call event at the Shinsegae Department Store in Banpo-dong, Seoul. She turned heads by appearing without her signature bangs, instead revealing a sleek middle-parted ponytail that exposed her forehead and brought out a more mature, elegant aura. The long, softly waved ponytail was tied low and draped over one shoulder, creating a romantic yet polished look. Rei completed her transformation with a cream-toned sleeveless wrap-style dress layered over wide-leg trousers. She paired the outfit with a silver necklace, black mesh shoulder bag and subtle accessories, creating a minimalistic but high-impact ensemble. The clean lines and luxurious textures enhanced her natural beauty, while her chic back silhouette added an unexpected element that further elevated the look. True to her nickname “Kongsuni,” Rei struck some playful poses, but the overall vibe was a departure from her usual imag

Jun 4, 2025By Xportsnews

IVE’s Rei ditches bangs for sleek side ponytail and summer-ready elegance

Kim Go-eun steals the spotlight with refreshing short hair

Actor Kim Go-eun turned heads with her chic short hairstyle as she departed for Japan, Monday. Kim was spotted at Gimpo International Airport, dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit consisting of an oversized white shirt, embroidered light-wash jeans and black shoes. Her light makeup and natural look highlighted her effortless charm, while the short haircut gave her a refreshing summer vibe. Kim is headed to Osaka, where she is expected to promote her latest projects and connect with her growing international fanbase. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Jun 2, 2025By Xportsnews

Trends