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'Veiled Musician' expands globally with SBS, Spotify
The audition program "Veiled Musician," which selects top singers based solely on their voices, is expanding into a global project in partnership with Korean broadcaster SBS. "Veiled Musician" is a blind audition program where participants sing from behind a curtain, concealing their face, age and all other identifying details. The competition focuses purely on vocal talent and musicality. The series launched in 2018 under the title "Blind Musician" through Naver TV and YouTube. In 2023, the sho
May 9, 2025 -
Korean faith leaders look to Pope Leo XIV’s message of peace as hope for still-divided peninsula
Following the election of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, 69, as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Korean religious leaders across denominations have extended messages of congratulations and reflection on Friday. Their responses highlight shared hopes for social renewal, interfaith cooperation amid profound global challenges and a lasting peace — both in the world and on the Korean Peninsula. Archbishop Chung Soon-taick, head of the Archdiocese of Seoul, called the new po
May 9, 2025 -
Kazuha of Le Sserafim named Lululemon’s brand ambassador
Lululemon, a global athletic apparel retailer, named Kazuha of Le Sserafim its new brand ambassador. “Kazuha, ... lives like movement is the strongest way to express herself. From professional ballet to K-pop superstardom, she's constantly evolving as an artist and pushing herself to unlock what’s possible,” a recent post on Lululemon's Instagram account read. Kazuha, a Japanese member of Le Sserafim born in 2003, had spent most of her life as a professional dancer before training to become a K-
May 9, 2025 -
National Maritime Museum hosts weeklong film event celebrating the sea
The Korea Tourism Organization, the National Maritime Museum and the Korea International Ocean Film Festival are hosting the 2025 Museum Night Ocean Film Week from May 17-25. The 2025 Museum Night Ocean Film Week, held for the first time to promote tourism in Busan, South Gyeongsang Province, offers a unique opportunity to watch films, including full-length, short and animated films related to the theme of the ocean, at the National Maritime Museum in Busan. There will be special talk sessions w
May 9, 2025 -
'Reborn Rich' confirmed for Season 2
"Reborn Rich," the series that swept awards and achieved global popularity for its adrenaline-filled narrative of a man seeking revenge after being reborn into the chaebol dynasty that wronged him, is officially returning for a second season. Season 2 is poised to expand its scope with a storyline designed for a global audience. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the upcoming season will stretch beyond the world of Koran conglomerates, introducing new characters and an expanded univ
May 9, 2025 -
New Pope Leo XIV likely to visit Korea in 2027
Following tradition, it is highly likely that newly elected Pope Leo XIV will visit South Korea with Seoul confirmed as the host city for World Youth Day 2027. The visit may also rekindle hopes for a historic papal trip to North Korea — something that remained unfulfilled under Pope Francis. On May 8, the Vatican’s conclave elected Pope Leo XIV, an American-born prelate with experience in Latin America and a background in missionary work. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he is 69 years old. If Pope
May 9, 2025 -
Tom Cruise brings 'Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning' to Korea
"I enjoy the pressures of making movies. I enjoy the responsibility," Tom Cruise told reporters at a press conference for "Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning" held Thursday at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul. The 61-year-old superstar's visit marks his 12th trip to Korea, cementing his status as the most frequent Hollywood visitor to the country. Cruise arrived in Seoul Wednesday on a private jet, greeting fans at Gimpo Airport for about 20 minutes. Later, he was spotted in Seoul's Gon
May 8, 2025 -
Korean-born German philosopher Han Byung-chul recognized in Spain for advancing humanities, social thought
**headline for online: Korean-born German philosopher Han Byung-chul recognized in Spain for advancing humanities, social thought Korean-born German philosopher and essayist Han Byung-chul has been named the recipient of Spain's 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities, the award committee announced Thursday. The Princess of Asturias Awards recognize “the scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out at an international level by individuals, in
May 8, 2025 -
'Tastefully Yours' to bring in classic K-drama romance, Tom-and-Jerry dynamics
Genie TV's upcoming drama, "Tastefully Yours," starring veteran Korean actors Go Min-si and Kang Ha-neul is set to channel a playful dynamic reminiscent of Tom and Jerry through the lens of a modern-day romantic comedy. The 10-part series follows Beom-woo (Kang Ha-neul), a chaebol scion determined to secure his inheritance by acquiring small restaurants. His strategic spree leads him to cross paths with Mo Yeon-joo (Go Min-si), a fiercely independent chef who runs a one-table restaurant and refu
May 8, 2025 -
Changdeokgung garden opens for morning strolls
A chance to experience the garden of Changdeokgung in the quiet calm of morning will be available from May 15-18. The Joseon-era (1392-1910) palace, one of five royal palaces in Seoul, will open at 7:30 a.m. for four days, allowing visitors to explore its naturally landscaped garden for 90 minutes before general admission begins. Tickets will go on sale from 2 p.m. Monday for 10,000 won per person via the booking website Interpark. Each session is limited to 25 adults on a first-come, first-serv
May 8, 2025 -
Han Kang documentary clinches top honors at WorldFest-Houston
A documentary on Nobel laureate Han Kang won top honors at the 58th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, the film's producer EBS, a public broadcaster, announced Thursday. The WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival is a prestigious annual event that celebrates and showcases independent films from around the globe. Alongside the New York Television Festival and the Banff World Media Festival, it is recognized as one of North America’s three major media festivals. “Han Kang Chroni
May 8, 2025 -
Japanese woman who kissed BTS’ Jin without consent referred to prosecutors
A Japanese woman accused of unexpectedly kissing K-pop group BTS’ member Jin at a fan-hugging event in June 2024 was transferred to prosecution, according to police. The Songpa Police Station said Thursday that it transferred the case to the prosecution on charges of sexual harassment in a public space. The transfer comes a little after two months since the police booked the suspect on Feb. 27. The Japanese woman in her 50s is accused of kissing the K-pop star during a “free hug event” attended
May 8, 2025 -
Restoring cultural heritage destroyed by wildfires to cost 48.8b won
The restoration of government-designated cultural heritage sites damaged by the wildfires that ravaged across southeastern South Korea in March is expected to cost about 48.8 billion won ($34.9 million), the Korea Heritage Service said Thursday. A joint investigation conducted by the agency and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety confirmed 36 instances of damage to cultural assets. Among these, 13 items and structures were state-designated national treasures, heritage sites or state-recogniz
May 8, 2025 -
Late Kim Sae-ron's family lodges complaint against Kim Soo-hyun over child welfare violations
The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against actor Kim Soo-hyun, accusing him of violating the Child Welfare Act and making false accusations. Bu Ji-seok, the family's legal representative, discussed this latest legal action during a press conference in Seoul earlier in the day, reiterating the late actress's previous claims that she had been romantically involved with the actor starting when she was in her second yea
May 7, 2025 -
Tom Cruise visits Seoul to promote new 'Mission: Impossible' film
Hollywood star Tom Cruise returned to South Korea on Wednesday, marking his first visit in two years -- this time to promote the latest installment in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. Cruise arrived at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul aboard his private jet around 4:20 p.m. He was greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic fans, some chanting his name and waving posters featuring scenes from his blockbuster films, including the "Mission: Impossible" and "Top Gun" series. Wearing a
May 7, 2025