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‘Along With the Gods’ director is the seller of W25b Seoul apartment home: report
The seller behind South Korea’s most expensive apartment sale this year has been revealed to be film director Kim Yong-hwa, best known for the "Along With the Gods" series. According to Yonhap News TV, Kim sold his duplex unit at Nine One Hannam in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, for 25 billion won ($18.5 million) in February, marking the highest apartment transaction in South Korean history. The unit spans 273.9 square meters and was one of the largest in the complex. Kim purchased the property in March 202
May 16, 2025 -
Culture Minister Yu In-chon to head delegation to pope inauguration Sunday
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon will lead the South Korean delegation to the formal inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday. Yu will attend the ceremony alongside South Korea’s ambassador to the Holy See, Oh Hyun-joo, joining representatives and religious leaders from some 200 countries. Notable attendees include US Vice President JD Vance, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Britain’s Prince Edward. Separately, prominent Korean Ca
May 16, 2025 -
Korea’s ‘Popeye’ Lee Sang-yong dies at 81
Lee Sang-yong, affectionately known as “Popeye” to generations of South Koreans, died on Friday at the age of 81. According to his agency, Emade Entertainment, Lee collapsed on his way home after receiving treatment for cold symptoms at a hospital earlier that morning. He was rushed back to the hospital but ultimately passed away. Long associated with vitality and optimism, Lee was a cherished television host, philanthropist and cultural figure whose career spanned more than five decades. He bec
May 9, 2025 -
Son donates liver to mother, tells her, 'Don't worry about it'
A story of a 54-year-old son donating part of his liver to his severely ill mother was shared by Chung-Ang University Hospital on Wednesday, ahead of Parents' Day on Thursday. According to the hospital, the 75-year-old woman surnamed Moon made a full recovery from the April 15 liver transplant and was discharged Friday. It marked the 100th successful liver transplant of the hospital’s organ transplant center. The medical staff celebrated the full recovery of patient and her son surnamed Oh, who
May 7, 2025 -
Boy saves mom with CPR, commended on Children's Day's ceremony
An elementary school student who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on his mother received a certificate of appreciation, city officials in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province said Wednesday. Jeong Tae-wun, a third-grader of Bucheon Elementary School, was commended in the Children's Day ceremony at Bucheon City Hall last Thursday, for his swift actions that saved his mother's life on Jan. 8. When his mother collapsed at home that evening, the boy called the 119 emergency service to report the case a
May 7, 2025 -
'Smile at me': Cancer-fighting senior influencer inspires with strength, grace
Have you ever thought about whether you'd get cancer? We all know someone who has. But many of us walk through life unprepared. Choi Seung-ih, a 59-year-old senior model, was no different. "Never,” she said when asked if the thought had ever crossed her mind. “There was no family history. I exercised regularly. I even trained for a body profile photoshoot. I was strict with my diet. I thought I’d never get cancer. Then, about a year ago, Choi was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Her wor
May 5, 2025 -
Chef Edward Lee serves dinner for children
A group of youngsters were treated to a special dinner when celebrity chef Edward Lee of Netflix's “Culinary Class Wars” cooked for them at an event held at The Kitchen Il Forno in downtown Seoul, Saturday. Twenty middle and high school students from children’s homes and 10 youths preparing to leave children's homes who are interested in pursuing a career in cooking or the hospitality industry took part in “Cooking Day with Edward Lee.” The event was organized by You Are Not Alone, a group dedic
April 21, 2025 -
Yang Sung-won reflects on 50 years with cello
Unlike many musicians who celebrate the anniversary of their public debut, South Korean cellist Yang Sung-won is marking something more personal: 50 years since a life-altering performance inspired a 7-year-old to trade the piano for the cello. That moment dates back to March 10, 1975, when Hungarian American cellist Janos Starker gave a performance in Seoul — one that would set the course of Yang’s life. Years later, he became not only his student, but also his assistant, entrusted to teach in
April 16, 2025 -
Roberto Abbado appointed next artistic director of National Symphony Orchestra
Italian maestro Roberto Abbado, who has captivated Korean audiences through two previous collaborations with the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, will officially assume the role of KNSO artistic director starting January 2026, the orchestra announced Tuesday. He will succeed Belgian conductor David Reiland, who has held the post since 2020. Abbado, 70, was appointed for a three-year term as the orchestra’s eighth artistic director. He previously led the KNSO in Bellini’s “Norma” in 2023, whic
April 15, 2025 -
She reclaimed her mornings and built a brand to help others do the same
Early-bird Youn Jin proved that the quietest hours can be the most impactful At 4 a.m., when most of New York was still asleep, Youn Jin was already awake. She blogged. She practiced yoga. She made breakfast. By the time her coworkers shuffled into the office, she already had accomplished a lot. Early mornings have long been considered a secret weapon of successful people, and stories like Youn’s might seem familiar — until you hear what happened next. Her mornings didn’t just set the tone for h
April 2, 2025 -
88-year-old who overcame lifetime of hardship donates building to university
Yun Geun, 88, an inn owner in Busan, has donated her building worth 4 billion won ($2.73 million) to Chungnam National University in her hometown area of South Chungcheong Province. The self-made businesswoman, who never had the privilege of even attending elementary school, expressed her wishes that her donation would allow financially-challenged students to pursue their dreams. She owns a six-story building in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, which was erected in 1995, where she has runs the Dongnam Inn. "I
March 20, 2025 -
Pastor urges embracing differences as impeachment ruling nears
The church always has to reflect the defining spirit of an era, and empowering people to embrace differences is the zeitgeist Protestant churches should seek now, according to the Rev. Kim Sang-keun. Kim, 86, is a prominent church elder who leads an ad hoc committee helping promote better politics at the National Council of Churches in Korea. It is one of the four largest church alliances in the country and is known for backing progressive causes. The NCCK launched the committee in October. On D
March 12, 2025 -
From training to the podium: Seoul Philharmonic fosters future maestros
A special concert took place Feb. 28 at Lotte Concert Hall with not one, but three conductors leading the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. On the podium were Park Keun-tae, Song Min-gyu and Harris Han Andersen, the three conductors selected by orchestra members from the eight participants of the inaugural SPO Conducting Fellowship, which also included Kim Ri-ra, Kim Jun-young, Kim Hyo-eun, Shin Ju-ya and Choi Jae-hyuck. The eight conductors participating in the five-day fellowship program were chos
March 10, 2025 -
Architect Hong Tae-sun, composer of space
Hong compares architecture to music in CICI lecture at Eygptian ambassador's residence Some who have explored different fields in their career know how to create synergy by combining them together. Architect Hong Tae-sun is one such person, integrating music into his architectural practice. Hong, director of architecture firm YKH Associates, loves to play piano in his studio while reminiscing about how he badly wanted to be a pianist before he went to college. Hong, who ultimately became an arch
Feb. 26, 2025 -
Kim A-young’s AI-inspired art earns 2025 LG Guggenheim Award
Media artist Kim A-young has been named the recipient of the 2025 LG Guggenheim Award, making her the first Korean artist to receive the honor. The award is part of the LG Guggenheim Art & Technology Initiative, a five-year partnership between LG and the Guggenheim Museum that celebrates artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Each year, the award honors one outstanding artist, recognizing their contributions to expanding the boundaries of digital art. Past recipients include
Feb. 25, 2025