Lifestyle - The Korea Times

K-pop remains undisputed face of Korea for 9th consecutive year: survey

K-pop has fortified its status as the most influential symbol of Korea for nearly a decade, showing that the country's global identity has unquestionably shifted from associations with geopolitical risks to popular culture, according to a government survey released Monday. The 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) showed that K-pop has maintained its position as the first image that comes to mind when people overseas think of Korea for the ninth consecutive year, dating back to 2018. The survey, which polled 27,400 consumers of Korean content across 30 countries between November and December last year, found that 17.5 percent of respondents picked K-pop as the top representative image of Korea. This was followed by Korean food at 12.1 percent, dramas at 9.5 percent, beauty products at 6.2 percent and films at 5.9 percent. This ranking remains identical to the previous year, highlighting the consistent dominance of the five leading K-culture sectors. K-pop's long-term popularity has

Mar 30, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

K-pop remains undisputed face of Korea for 9th consecutive year: survey

Netflix, McDonald's team up in US for 'KPop Demon Hunters' themed meals with Korean-inspired flavors

The universe of Netflix’s animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters” is moving from the screen to the McDonald’s menu in the United States. The fast-food giant has partnered with Netflix on a limited-time rollout of two meals built around the film’s rival bands, as the Oscar-winning title continues to draw global attention. Netflix announced Wednesday that the two themed meals will launch March 31. The promotion lets fans pick a side between meals tied to the film’s three-member girl group, Huntrix, and its rival five-member boy band, the Saja Boys. In “KPop Demon Hunters,” the two groups form a rivalry for fans’ loyalty. McDonald’s frames the promotion as a menu-based showdown. The meals also include collectible photocards that unlock exclusive content related to the film. The menu items feature Korean-inspired flavors. The Huntrix meal includes Ramyeon McShaker Fries, which feature a savory ramen-seasoning flavor. Customers who order the Saja Boys meal will receive the Spicy Saja McMuffin, inspired by the flames of the film’s villain, Gwi-Ma. The lineup also provides a spic

Mar 26, 2026By Hankookilbo

Netflix, McDonald's team up in US for 'KPop Demon Hunters' themed meals with Korean-inspired flavors

Why is the Mediterranean diet so effective?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A new study suggests that what you eat may influence proteins inside your cells, specifically those in the mitochondria. The Mediterranean diet — rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and legumes, while limiting red meat and processed foods — is already known to benefit heart and brain health. However, exactly how it works in the body has remained unclear. Study sheds light on what’s happening inside cells Researchers from the University of Southern California and Sapienza University of Rome found that people who closely followed the Mediterranean diet had higher levels of two mitochondrial proteins. The study involved 49 elderly patients (average age of 78) with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases stroke risk. These patients tend to have high oxidative stress — a condition where harmful reactive oxygen species outweigh the body’s defenses — making it easier to detect diet-related changes. Oxidative stress is linked to aging, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Higher protein level

Mar 26, 2026By Kormedi.com

Why is the Mediterranean diet so effective?

Health effects of cherry blossoms: Peak bloom can help ease anxiety, tension

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Just as some people feel down and empty in autumn, similar emotional shifts can happen in spring. As the weather warms and flowers begin to bloom, people may feel oddly restless or get the urge to go somewhere. At times like this, simply walking slowly along streets filled with the scent of flowers — especially cherry blossom-lined paths — can help calm the mind. Why do cherry blossoms lift your mood? Cherry blossoms have a positive effect on emotions. A study by a research team at Gangneung-Wonju National University involving 80 people in their 20s found that spring flower scenery (including cherry blossoms, forsythia, azaleas and magnolias) is perceived as brighter and more beautiful than scenes without flowers and helps reduce feelings of depression. Among all spring flowers, cherry blossoms were the most effective at lowering depressive feelings, likely because they promote a sense of comfort and reduce tension. Walking under cherry blossoms reduces stress Walking along streets lined with cherry blossoms can also lower stress levels. Accord

Mar 26, 2026By Kormedi.com

Health effects of cherry blossoms: Peak bloom can help ease anxiety, tension

Exercise timing matters: 7-8 a.m. workouts linked to lower cardiovascular risks

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A study has found that people who exercise in the morning tend to have a lower risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity, compared to those who exercise later in the day. Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center analyzed heart rate data collected over one year from wearable devices worn by approximately 15,000 adults. They defined exercise as periods when heart rate remained elevated for at least 15 minutes, and classified participants according to the time of day they exercised. They then compared each group in terms of major cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol and coronary artery disease. During analysis, they adjusted for various factors such as age, sex, income level, sleep, alcohol use, smoking and total exercise amount. Key findings Compared to those who exercised later in the day, the morning exercise group showed 35 percent lower risk of obesity, 31 percent lower risk of coronary artery disease an

Mar 25, 2026By Kormedi.com

Exercise timing matters: 7-8 a.m. workouts linked to lower cardiovascular risks

Aespa’s Karina goes viral on Instagram with ‘girlfriend shots’

Karina is once again going viral — this time for a rapid-fire Instagram drop that has fans calling it a “girlfriend shot” overload. On March 22, the aespa member shared 15 photos across two posts on her personal account. The photos showcase Karina’s signature duality, from soft, innocent charm to bold, high-impact visuals. In one post, she pairs a white blouse with blue jeans, highlighting a clean and elegant look. In the other, she switches to a red knit sleeveless top and black pants for a more vibrant, striking mood. Instant photo shots add a playful touch, capturing her bright smile and mischievous side — often referred to by fans as her “cheeky charm.” The sheer volume of images — and variety of concepts — quickly drew attention online, with fans praising Karina as a “visual queen” and noting how well she understands what her audience wants. Karina is widely regarded as one of K-pop’s leading fourth-generation visual stars, and her social media updates frequently spark global engagement, reflecting her growing influence beyond Korea. Meanwhile, aespa is set to

Mar 23, 2026By Xportsnews

Aespa’s Karina goes viral on Instagram with ‘girlfriend shots’

Korean actress Han Ga-in tries viral Chinese ‘wanghong makeup’ — fans call the result 'shockingly beautiful'

South Korean actress Han Ga-in is drawing a buzz online after trying the viral Chinese beauty trend known as “wanghong makeup,” leading viewers to flood her YouTube channel with comments calling the transformation “shockingly beautiful.” On March 12, a new video titled “What happens when Han Ga-in tries Shanghai’s wanghong makeup? (+BH company dinner explanation)” was uploaded to her YouTube channel “hangainisfree.” In the video, the actress visits China and undergoes the elaborate beauty styling popular among Chinese social media influencers known as wanghong. As Han Ga-in arrived at the salon, staff members specializing in the trend appeared visibly impressed by her natural features, focusing carefully on styling her hair and makeup. The actress, widely known in Korea for her distinctive facial features and elegant image, quickly became the center of attention in the studio. The production crew filming the video also reacted with surprise. “You’re so pretty. Your side profile. Don’t you like it too?” one staff member said, prompting Han Ga-in to respond shyly

Mar 14, 2026By Xportsnews

Korean actress Han Ga-in tries viral Chinese ‘wanghong makeup’ — fans call the result 'shockingly beautiful'

BLACKPINK’s Jennie raises middle finger in bold Paris selfie

BLACKPINK star Jennie drew widespread attention online after sharing a series of striking photos from Paris Fashion Week — including a mirror selfie where she raises her middle finger — shortly after videos circulated showing her looking visibly stressed by crowds of fans. On March 10, Jennie uploaded several photos to her social media account from the Chanel 2026 FW collection show at Paris Fashion Week. The singer is currently a global ambassador for the French luxury brand. In the photos, Jennie poses for mirror selfies while wearing a daring beaded net outfit styled with a black bra top. With her slicked-back hairstyle and sharp facial features, the look highlights her signature chic image. One image in particular caught fans’ attention: Jennie lifting her middle finger toward the camera in a bold gesture. Other photos show her warmly posing with a foreign man, hugging him from behind. The post quickly spread across online communities and social media, where fans and viewers reacted to the confident styling and provocative pose. The photos also come shortly after videos circulat

Mar 12, 2026By Xportsnews

BLACKPINK’s Jennie raises middle finger in bold Paris selfie

InterviewItalian design master urges Korean designers to focus on emotion, sustainability

Design is not a destination, but a continuous movement that defines the very essence of human life. That is the philosophy Michele De Lucchi brought to Seoul this week, when the Italian architect and designer visited Korea as the official design ambassador for the 10th edition of Italian Design Day. For De Lucchi, design should never be a static object in a gallery. It should evolve, grow and breathe alongside the people who use it — much like a dance that changes every time it is performed. "I have always felt that life is a dance because we are never truly still," De Lucchi told The Korea Times during an interview at High Street Italia in southern Seoul, Tuesday. "We are constantly regenerating our environment and our relationships through the objects we create." The 75-year-old maestro is a towering figure in the global design scene, best known for creating the Tolomeo lamp for Italian lighting brand Artemide. This iconic desk lamp won the Compasso d’Oro award in 1989 and remains one of the best-selling design objects in history. Beyond his commercial success, De Lucchi was a pivot

Mar 12, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Italian design master urges Korean designers to focus on emotion, sustainability

Why young Koreans are meeting strangers to eat french fries together

Red cartons stacked into makeshift towers. Phones hovering overhead for the perfect aerial shot. Some 50 strangers chatting like old friends — all brought together by little more than a shared love of french fries. That was the scene at a McDonald's near Sinsa Station in southern Seoul earlier this month, where what looked like an ordinary fast-food outlet transformed into something harder to categorize: a pop-up social gathering built entirely around fries. The idea is older than it looks. Back in 2013, a group of attendees at Comic World, an amateur subculture convention, gathered at a McDonald's in Busan simply to eat mountains of french fries together. The tradition resurfaced earlier this year and quickly swept the country, spreading through social media and Danggeun, Korea's largest secondhand marketplace app, known as Karrot in English. The format is disarmingly simple: Strangers gather at a fast-food joint, order towering trays of fries, swap stories over crispy bites, then go their separate ways — no strings, no dues, no drama. There are no membership fees, no obligation to

Mar 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai

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