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Suspect arrested in burglary of comedian Park Na-rae’s home, police say
Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a recent burglary at the home of South Korean comedian and TV personality Park Na-rae, local reports and police said Monday. According to officers at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, the suspect has a criminal record that includes multiple theft-related offenses. Investigators suspect the individual broke into Park’s home and stole valuables. Contrary to some media reports and rumors, the suspect is not an acquintance of Park and Park does not kn
April 14, 2025 -
KFPI to add new eateries to list of excellent Korean restaurants overseas
In an effort to recognize high-quality Korean eateries outside of South Korea, the Korean Food Promotion Institute and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs hope to add new names to their Excellent Overseas Korean Restaurants list this year. Korean restaurants in Paris, London, Los Angeles and Singapore can apply via email until May 19. More information is available on the KFPI's official website. To apply, restaurants must have been operating for the past three years in the respec
April 14, 2025 -
S. Korea to launch 2025-26 cultural exchange year with Japan, China
South Korea will kick off the 2025–26 cultural exchange year with Japan and China at a ceremony in Tokyo on Monday, the culture ministry said. The three countries plan to conduct year-round cultural exchange programs in various fields, including music, exhibitions, sports and tourism. South Korea will showcase traditional musical performances, host friendly Go matches among the three nations and organize exhibitions featuring young fine artists. Japan and China will hold programs aimed at foster
April 14, 2025 -
Gyeongbokgung royal library open for limited time
The royal library in Gyeongbokgung that served as King Gojong’s study during the Joseon era (1392-1910) is open to the public for a limited time. Those visiting Jibokjae, a complex built in 1891 with two annex buildings, may read any of the 1,700 books about Joseon history and its royal family available there. The royal library is believed to have housed about 40,000 books, according to the Korea Heritage Service, the state agency overseeing historic artifacts and sites. The collection, which in
April 13, 2025 -
Once gritty industrial area, Seongsu now a K-fashion, beauty destination
With its repurposed factory buildings now home to trendy pop-up stores and fashion and beauty flagship stores, Seongsu is a must-visit destination for the style-conscious Once an industrial district, Seongsu in Seoul has been drawing increasing international attention for K-fashion and beauty. The neighborhood, historically known for its flour mills and handmade shoe shops, has been transformed into a popular trendsetting center for fashion and beauty, attracting tourists and young locals alike.
April 12, 2025 -
'Art should be more playful' : Shara Hughes, Austin Eddy invite us to fruit stand
Brooklyn-based artists Shara Hughes and Austin Eddy, partners since 2012 and married for the past two years, present their first-ever collaboration in Seoul. Centered on the theme of fruit, the show offers a glimpse into the couple’s inner world through playful, yet introspective imagery. While their works appear similar due to the shared theme, they vary in terms of form and colors the artists used. Their paintings on display here speak about the artists themselves, but the stories deal with su
April 11, 2025 -
inZOI becomes fastest Korean game to sell 1 million copies
South Korean video game company Krafton’s new title inZOI has set a record as the fastest Korean game to sell 1 million units. According to Krafton, inZOI sold 1 million copies within seven days of its early access debut on the global gaming platform Steam in late March. InZOI's record surpassed the previous mark held by Nexon’s Dave the Diver, which reached the milestone of 1 million in 10 days in 2022. Other popular Korean games took significantly longer to hit the 1 million mark, with Neowiz’
April 11, 2025 -
Two Korean stories carved in soil and silence live on in UNESCO’s archive
In April at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, two stories from Korea -- one rooted in trees, the other in truth -- were officially recorded into the world’s memory. At the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board, now being held in Paris from April 2 to 17, two Korean archival collections were added to the Memory of the World Register: the Korea Reforestation Archives and the Revealing Truth: Jeju 4.3 Archives. The final decision was made Thursday, elevating the number of Korean entries on th
April 11, 2025 -
Chung Hyun's bronzes invite contemplation
From a distance, Korean sculptor Chung Hyun's bronze figures resemble a group of monks in contemplation. The five sculptures, around 50 centimeters in height, are cozily put together at a a gallery tucked into an alley in Hannam-dong — one of Seoul’s most affluent neighborhoods and a growing hub for contemporary art. Clearly visible through the gallery’s glass walls, the installation invites passersby to pause. The artist is known for exploring humanity through discarded materials such as coal t
April 11, 2025 -
'What Korea lacked became its creative engine': Lee Jung-jae
Actor Lee Jung-jae stated that “a sense of lacking” in the Korean entertainment industry’s capital and technological resources can be said to have been a fierce driving force behind the rapid growth of Korean content, with technological limitations “now a thing of the past.” At the Innovate Korea 2025 event held at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Daejeon on Wednesday, Lee, an actor, filmmaker and executive director of the agency Artist Company, took part in a panel disc
April 11, 2025 -
Exhibition shows modern take on buncheong ceramics
The Korea Ceramic Foundation has launched an exhibition exploring modern adaptations of buncheong, a type of stoneware that originated in the 15th century during the Joseon era (1392-1910) and whose popularity lasted about 200 years. “Living Breathing Buncheong” brings together some 100 works by 27 Korean ceramicists aged between 20 and 70. “Inside Buncheong,” the first part of the three-part exhibition, looks at how people today view the stoneware and the philosophy behind it as well as its art
April 10, 2025 -
Loewe's tea is hot in Milan
At 'Loewe Teapots,' 25 artists present their unique approach to the teapot Spanish fashion house Loewe asked 25 architects, artists and designers from around the world to reimagine the traditions of teapot making, presenting each sculptural take on the humble vessel at this year's Milan Design Week. The commissioned works are on display at the Palazzo Citterio in Milan through sunday. The six-day presentation includes a hand-made teapot by Korean architect Cho Min-suk, created in collaboration w
April 10, 2025 -
No signs of forced entry in Park Na-rae's home: reports
Police investigating the theft of property, reportedly worth tens of thousands of dollars, from comedian Park Na-rae’s residence in Seoul have found no signs of forced entry so far, local media reported Thursday. Park filed a police report Tuesday after discovering that certain valuables were missing from her home in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the day before. According to her agency, the amount of the stolen property has not yet been determined. Investigators are looking into the possibility th
April 10, 2025 -
Palace guards to reenact royal patrol to tune of K-pop
An annual reenactment of royal gatekeepers who patrolled the Gyeongbokgung neighborhood in central Seoul will take place to the tune of K-pop this year. The reenactment, taking place at 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays throughout the year starting Saturday, will commence at the Gwanghwamun entrance to Gyeongbokgung, the main Joseon-era (1392-1910) palace, moving through Songhyeon Green Plaza and the Insa-dong areas. Playing K-pop along the way would make the ceremony even more interesting to thos
April 9, 2025 -
Biannual palace festival tickets now on sale
Tickets are on sale for a nine-day palace festival in Seoul that includes interactive programs and performances across the city’s five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces and Jongmyo, the royal shrine. Twenty-four programs, including royal scene reenactments, will be available during the K-Royal Culture Festival — many of them taking place at Gyeongbokgung, the main palace, and others at Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung, Gyeonghuigung and Jongmyo. “Time Travel: Sejong,” a series of nighttim
April 9, 2025