my timesThe Korea Times
South KoreaSociety

Society

BTS comeback sparks tenfold hotel price hikes, forced cancellations

The return of K-pop juggernaut BTS is fueling an economic boom in local commercial districts, but it has also triggered a wave of price gouging, with hotel rates soaring tenfold and guests reporting forced cancellations. Local governments say they plan to crack down on such practices, but critics argue they lack effective tools to impose real sanctions. After the group’s 2026 world tour schedule was announced, accommodations in Goyang (Gyeonggi Province), Busan and Seoul — the confirmed Korean stops — sold out almost instantly. Major hotels near the stadium in Goyang are already fully booked for the concert dates of April 9, 11 and 12. According to industry sources Tuesday, rooms at Sono Calm — 826 rooms, 730,000 won ($500) per night — and the Gloucester Hotel — 422 rooms, 600,000 won per night — are fully booked. Smaller lodgings are also filling up fast as inquiries flood in. Local businesses are celebrating the BTS effect. “The local commercial district, which struggled after the pandemic, is vibrant again,” said Na Do-eun, a representative for small businesses in Goy

Jan 22, 2026By Hankookilbo
BTS comeback sparks tenfold hotel price hikes, forced cancellations

Seungri and the shadow of 'Burning Sun': New allegations in Cambodia

Seungri, once one of the best-known K-pop stars and a former member of the idol group BigBang, was forced to retire after a massive scandal erupted in 2019. The incident came to be known as the “Burning Sun” scandal and involved several celebrities and police officers. Seungri was among those implicated, accused of being one of the ring leaders. Now allegations have emerged that he is pursuing another entertainment business in Cambodia. Journalist Oh Hyuk-jin made the claims on Tuesday on his YouTube channel. Citing multiple tips, he said Seungri was attempting to join the nightlife industry and may be holding business-related discussions in Cambodia. “He is making contacts with individuals linked to money laundering, voice phishing rings and casino operations,” Oh said, adding that there were reports of Seungri socializing with senior figures at so-called “crime compounds” in Cambodia. Those compounds are locations where organized criminal groups are believed to run voice phishing operations, luring job seekers from South Korea, Japan and China and subjecting them to coercion

Jan 22, 2026By Xportsnews
Seungri and the shadow of 'Burning Sun': New allegations in Cambodia

Korea’s ruling party pushes more bills to restrict free speech despite US concerns

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea is advancing a new round of media legislation, prompting worry among civil liberties groups that the measures could expand the government’s authority to restrict online news and shape public discourse. The new push comes despite concerns raised by the United States and international organizations, including UNESCO, over Korea’s recently enacted “anti-fake news” law, a revision of the Information and Communications Network Act set to take effect in July, following President Lee Jae Myung’s approval. Rep. Yang Moon-seok introduced a bill last week to create a new “right to request the blocking of news articles.” The measure would allow people who claim harm from online reporting to demand that specific articles be effectively removed from public circulation. Under the proposal, people alleging that they have suffered privacy violations or defamation from online media could file a request to have the relevant article blocked from news sites and search engines. Current law permits victims of false news to seek correction, rebuttal or compen

Jan 22, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Korea’s ruling party pushes more bills to restrict free speech despite US concerns

Buldak’s success earns Samyang honorary street name in Wonju

The global success of spicy instant noodles is now reflected in a city map. On Tuesday, the city of Wonju said it designated a section of Usan-ro in Usan-dong, where Samyang Foods’ local factory is located, as an honorary road named “Samyang Buldak-ro.” The honorary name was assigned to a 1,963-meter stretch from Usan-ro 1 to Usan-ro 264. The distance was chosen to commemorate the year 1963, when South Korea’s first instant noodles, Samyang Ramen, were introduced. “The designation is done to recognize Samyang Foods’ long-standing contributions to the local economy,” city officials said, citing its role in job creation and sustained regional investment. It is the first honorary road name designated in Wonju. The title of Samyang Buldak-ro, however, does not replace the legal address, which will remain Usan-ro. In South Korea, honorary road names are added to existing streets to commemorate individuals or historical events, or to support business activities and international exchange, without altering official addresses. Established in 1989, Samyang Foods’ Wonju plant serves

Jan 21, 2026By Hankookilbo
Buldak’s success earns Samyang honorary street name in Wonju

KiiiKiii chosen as Seoul Color ambassadors

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it had appointed K-pop group KiiiKiii as Seoul Color ambassadors, tasking them with promoting the capital’s annually selected signature color used across major festivals, public events and prominent city landmarks. Since 2024, the city has selected an annual color meant to reflect shifting social trends and the rhythms of residents’ daily lives, as part of a broader effort to project a bright and appealing image of the capital and strengthen its visual identity. Sky Coral was chosen in the inaugural year, followed by Green Aurora last year. This year’s color is “Morning Yellow,” inspired by the morning sun and intended to symbolize vitality — the quality residents most wanted reflected in Seoul’s signature color, according to a city government survey of 1,416 people conducted last year. Debuting last year, the five-member K-pop girl group was chosen as ambassadors for their bright, upbeat image and youthful energy, city officials said. They added that the group’s fresh appeal aligns with the message the capital hopes to co

Jan 21, 2026By Park Ung
KiiiKiii chosen as Seoul Color ambassadors

Why Korea’s flight attendants commute in uniform

At first glance, Korea’s Incheon International Airport appears every bit the image of global glamour. Trains to the airport, which serves more than 70 million passengers a year, are filled with travelers — and with flight attendants commuting to work in full uniform. Even in freezing weather, they can be seen wearing thin jackets and low shoes that leave their ankles exposed. The sight has become a familiar part of the airport’s daily rhythm. Behind the scenes, however, lies a less visible reality. Many of these flight attendants are not choosing to commute in uniform, but are forced to — because their employers do not provide facilities like changing rooms. According to an aviation industry worker, the reason flight attendants report to work in thin uniforms that are not warm enough for the cold weather is simple: Airlines do not provide adequate changing rooms or lockers. The practice is not limited to low-cost carriers. Even Korean Air, a full-service airline that markets itself as a global carrier, requires flight attendants to arrive at work already in uniform or to change c

Jan 21, 2026By Hankookilbo
Why Korea’s flight attendants commute in uniform

Seoul moves to curb taxi fare gouging after almost 500 complaints of overcharging

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that 487 complaints of overpriced fares were filed within six months after a QR code system for reporting unfair taxi practices was introduced last June. To address the ongoing issue, the city last month introduced English-language paper taxi receipts that provide passengers with itemized fare details. The move follows a broader push to modernize oversight, including an app-based system for checking fare estimates. The measures aim to close loopholes that have long left travelers vulnerable to overcharging — which has emerged as the most common complaint among international visitors using taxis in the capital. New paper receipts show key details — including the final fare, pickup and drop-off times and whether surcharges were applied — in English alongside Korean. The city also standardized English terminology across platforms, using “meter fare” for fares and “toll fee” for road charges. “Previously, paper taxi receipts were printed only in Korean and did not show whether surcharges were applied, a flaw that could be exploit

Jan 20, 2026By Park Ung
Seoul moves to curb taxi fare gouging after almost 500 complaints of overcharging

Most Koreans favor keeping immigration levels steady, survey shows

Nearly half of Koreans say the number of foreign residents — now surpassing 2 million — has grown faster than they anticipated, while roughly four in 10 favor maintaining current immigration levels, suggesting substantial public concern, a survey found. Earlier this week, the Migration Research and Training Centre released a report examining Koreans’ views on immigrants, based on a 2024 Ministry of Justice survey of 6,000 Koreans. As of 2024, the number of foreign nationals staying in Korea for more than 90 days reached about 2.04 million, surpassing 2 million for the first time on record. When asked about the appropriate size of Korea’s immigrant population, the largest share of respondents, 41.5 percent, said the current level should be maintained, while only 24.1 percent favored an increase and 21.5 percent called for a reduction. The survey also found that 49.1 percent of respondents said the number of foreign residents was higher than expected, while 28.3 percent said it was about as expected. Another 15.1 percent said it was lower than expected. Responses also reflected poli

Jan 20, 2026By Park Ung
Most Koreans favor keeping immigration levels steady, survey shows

Korea moves to extend labor protections to 8.6 mil. freelancers, platform workers

Freelancers, platform workers and others long excluded from labor protections will gain new rights under sweeping changes expected to be passed by May 1. The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced a legislative package Tuesday that introduces a “presumption of worker status” and enacting a new Basic Rights of Working People Act, aiming to close legal loopholes that have left at least 5.7 million, and possibly up to 8.6 million people, without basic labor rights. Under the proposed system, anyone who provides labor for another person’s business will be presumed a worker in civil disputes. The burden of proof will shift from workers to employers, who must prove that a claimant is not an employee. The change is expected to make it easier for contract and gig workers, including delivery riders and subcontracted professionals, to claim unpaid wages, severance or minimum wage protections. Once enacted, the system will reverse the current structure that forces workers to prove their own status as employees, a hurdle that has disadvantaged freelancers and special employment workers. I

Jan 20, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Korea moves to extend labor protections to 8.6 mil. freelancers, platform workers
previous page
7475767778
next page

Most Read in South Korea