Lifestyle - The Korea Times

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

Aespa’s Karina shows perfect airport fashion with effortless beauty

Ballerina-turned-designer reinvents Russian tutu for Korea's ballet stars

Chung Han-ah, once a ballerina herself, now channels her artistry into designing ballet costumes rather than gracing the stage. Her elegant and charming ballet costumes are sought after not only by Korean performers but also by renowned dancers from abroad. She has designed “La Bayadère” and “La Esmeralda” costumes for Korean ballerinas competing at various international ballet competitions. For the inaugural performance of the Busan Opera House Ballet, she wove distinctly Korean colors and motifs into her creations, earning widespread acclaim. As Korean ballet gains global recognition, Chung notes with some regret that many original productions with overseas licenses bring in costumes made by local designers abroad, leaving Korean designers with only the fitting process. Her greatest satisfaction comes from seeing young Korean dancers wear her creations at top competitions and hearing praise from audiences and peers alike. “Korean dancers are now performing as soloists, principals, and company members in the world’s most renowned theaters. At major international competition

Apr 25, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Ballerina-turned-designer reinvents Russian tutu for Korea's ballet stars

Korean moviegoers ditch multiplex chains in favor of smaller, independent cinemas

As Korea's cinema landscape continues to evolve, a growing number of moviegoers are seeking alternatives to the ubiquitous multiplex chains. Dissatisfied with standardized experiences, audiences are increasingly drawn to smaller, independent venues that offer unique concepts, curated film selections and intimate atmospheres. From retro-themed theaters showcasing classic gems to private screening rooms serving meals during the movie, these emerging cinemas are redefining the film-watching experience. Digging for dusty gems at Movie Land A prime example of this trend is Movie Land, nestled in Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong neighborhood. Housed in a renovated three-story building, Movie Land has quickly become a hotspot since its opening in February 2024, not just for showing films, but also for cultivating a community around a love of cinema and storytelling. The theater’s director, known as Soho, elaborated that Movie Land is more than just a place to watch films, saying it was conceived as “a place for digging for dusty gems.” The director added it stems from a belief that older films,

Apr 24, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Korean moviegoers ditch multiplex chains in favor of smaller, independent cinemas

‘Ultherapy’ glow-up: Stars like Ji Ye-eun and Jun Hyun-moo spark buzz with jawline transformations

A growing number of South Korean celebrities are turning heads after revealing they underwent Ultherapy, a non-invasive ultrasound-based lifting and tightening procedure. On the Sunday broadcast of SBS’s “Running Man,” actress Ji Ye-eun made an appearance with noticeably slimmer features. The segment surprised many viewers as her signature “double chin” had disappeared. Comedian Yoo Jae-suk quipped, “I’ve seen a few people lose their character like this,” drawing laughter on set. Ji had previously revealed on the same program that she received Ultherapy, saying she did it because “it needed to be lifted.” Entertainer Jun Hyun-moo also recently shared that he had undergone Ultherapy. On the YouTube channel “Fairy Jaehyung,” he appeared with a refreshed look, prompting host Jung Jae-hyung to comment, “Your skin looks great.” Jun responded, “I got Ultherapy,” and added, “They say one month later is peak visual. This is my peak.” Along with Ultherapy, Jun said he received Botox treatments as well. His recently sharpened jawline has become a hot topic onlin

Apr 22, 2025By KTimes

‘Ultherapy’ glow-up: Stars like Ji Ye-eun and Jun Hyun-moo spark buzz with jawline transformations

‘It just makes me happy to look at it’: Korean adults go wild for ‘cuteness’

A growing number of young Korean adults are spending their money on “cute” products — from plush keychains to cartoon-themed pens — as a way to lift their moods and find comfort in an increasingly uncertain society. “I feel better every time I look at something cute,” said Oh Bo-mi, 26, an office worker who recently purchased a pen topped with a white bear doll at the “Inventario: 2025 Stationery Fair” held in Seoul’s Gangnam District on April 2. She added that she often carries cute keyrings and household items with cartoon characters. “They brighten my day, so I keep buying them.” This trend, dubbed “cuteness consumption,” has taken hold among the MZ generation — Koreans in their 20s and 30s — with businesses actively jumping on board. Online sales for items featuring charming characters are surging, and the recent popularity of Studio Ghibli-style AI-generated portraits on social media reflects the same phenomenon. This trend, dubbed “cuteness consumption,” has taken hold among Koreans in their 20s and 30s, — with businesses actively jumping on boa

Apr 19, 2025By KTimes

‘It just makes me happy to look at it’: Korean adults go wild for ‘cuteness’

Jennie of Blackpink, actor Choi Hwa-jung show off bold red lips, offer beauty tips

Bold red lips have long been a favorite among celebrities, and they continue to dominate makeup trends in 2025. From Jenny of BLACKPINK to veteran actor Choi Hwa-jung, stars are putting their own spin on the iconic look — and sharing tips on how to wear it flawlessly. Jenny recently turned heads at the “2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards” with her striking red lips. By keeping the rest of her makeup minimal — using soft eyeshadow tones and a subtle blush — she highlighted her lip color for a modern, trendy finish. Her approach proves that balancing a strong lip with understated makeup elsewhere can create a clean, sophisticated style. Actor and TV host Choi Hwa-jung, known for her love of red lips, has also offered her own beauty insights. In a recent video on her YouTube channel, she emphasized the importance of technique. “Even with the same red lipstick, it looks completely different depending on whether you apply it with a brush or just dab it on with your finger,” she said. “There are deep reds, and there are perfectly ripened tomato reds.” Choi also shared a uni

Apr 16, 2025By KTimes

Jennie of Blackpink, actor Choi Hwa-jung show off bold red lips, offer beauty tips

Pink takes the lead as spring's signature shade

As temperatures rise and people swap out their winter wardrobes for lighter outfits, spring fashion is in full bloom. One trend in particular that is catching people's eyes is styling with the color pink, reminiscent of cherry blossoms and springtime charm. Korean celebrities are embracing the season with pink-toned clothing, makeup and even hair, inspiring fans to do the same. Im Yoon-ah, a member of Girls’ Generation and actor, captivated fans in a pink frilled dress paired with dazzling accessories. Her long, flowing hairstyle added to the outfit's elegance. Lee Hee-jin of Baby V.O.X also opted for pink, donning a balloon-style dress with floral patterns to amplify the spring vibe. Fellow member Kim E-Z left a warm comment saying, “So pretty,” on the photo shared by Lee on social media. Actress Seo Hyo-rim styled a pink top with a frilled skirt and bold necklace, creating a look full of spring energy. She posted the photo with the caption “Spring,” sharing her delight with the seasonal outfit. Singer Jeon So-mi, meanwhile, embraced a youthful vibe with a simple T-shirt with

Apr 14, 2025By KTimes

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