-
Customized 3D-printed shoe affordable thanks to AI
“This is my idea. Can you bring me a different take to it?” That’s the kind of question Reebok co-founder Joe Foster says designers will increasingly ask artificial intelligence as the technology reshapes the future of fashion and footwear. In a new venture with entrepreneur Ben Weiss, Foster is backing Syntilay, a brand that just launched what it calls the world’s first commercially available AI-designed shoe— a futuristic-looking lifestyle slide, priced at $149.99 and custom-fitted using a sma
April 19, 2025 -
Imagine reuniting with your husband in heaven, but you are 80, he is 30
What if you reunite with your husband in the afterlife -- only to realize you’re in your 80s, and he in his 30s? JTBC’s upcoming 12-part drama "Heavenly Ever After" will explore this emotionally rich premise. The narrative centers on Hae-sook (Kim Hye-ja), who ascends to heaven retaining her age of 80. There, she encounters her late husband, Nak-joon (Son Suk-ku), who appears in the prime of his life -- his 30s. What unfolds is a thought-provoking romance that questions and transcends earthly ob
April 18, 2025 -
Court upholds ruling against artist’s family over ‘fake’ painting
An appeals court upheld a ruling against the family of the late artist Chun Kyung-ja, who had sought damages from the state for declaring authentic a museum-held painting that Chun had disavowed as a fake. The Seoul Central District Court said Friday that Kim Jeong-hee, the complainant — a daughter of the late artist — did not present sufficient evidence to reverse an independent assessment secured by prosecutors in an earlier case, which found that the painting “Beautiful Woman” was by Chun. Ki
April 18, 2025 -
Why actor Park Jeong-min became a publisher and put audiobook first
Actor Park Jeong-min has introduced a new initiative as the head of his publishing company Muze, aiming to make literature more accessible to readers with visual impairments. The project, titled the “Listening Novel Project,” launched with the release of Kim Keum-hee’s new full-length novel "First Summer, Wanju" as an audiobook. Departing from the conventional practice of releasing print editions first, the audiobook version was completed and distributed ahead of the print release. On April 4, c
April 18, 2025 -
Two ‘Hedda Gabler’ productions in May: Lee Hye-young, Lee Young-ae star in separate stage revivals
This spring, theatergoers will witness a rare theatrical coincidence: two productions of "Hedda Gabler," both starring major stars, are opening just one day apart. The National Theater Company of Korea will revive "Hedda Gabler" at Myeongdong Theater for the first time in 13 years, beginning May 8. The play was a critical and commercial success when it premiered in Korea in 2012, with Lee Hye-young’s portrayal of the title role earning her best actress honors at both the 5th Korea Theater Awards
April 18, 2025 -
South Korea to help preserve Machu Picchu
South Korea will assist Peru with the preservation of Machu Picchu, an Inca-era stone citadel nestled in the Andes mountain range in the south of the South American country. The latest official development assistance project will start in 2026, with the Korea Heritage Service currently seeking interagency agreement as required by law before initiation. The state-run agency has been providing ODA to mainly countries in Asia, such as Laos and Cambodia, later expanding to Uzbekistan in 2020 and Egy
April 18, 2025 -
Director Joung Yu-mi's 'Glasses' invited to Cannes Film Festival
Director Joung Yu-mi’s short animated film “Glasses” has been invited to compete in the short film category at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, making it the only South Korean work selected for this year’s prestigious event so far. “Glasses” will be showcased in the Critics’ Week short film competition, a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to highlighting emerging voices in global cinema. The 15-minute animation follows Yu-jin, who, after breaking her glasses, visits an opticia
April 18, 2025 -
Campaign to monitor Korean travel destinations ahead of APEC summit
A 100-member team of South Korean nationals and other citizens has been launched by the state-run Korea Tourism Organization to improve travel in the country. The team is tasked with visiting multiple travel destinations nationwide and come up with suggestions to make each experience better. Gathering complaints and feedback from those who have already made visits will be part of the mission. The team started work this week, stopping at Gyeongju, the city in North Gyeongsang Province hosting thi
April 18, 2025 -
Jongmyo procession reservations to open Friday
Online reservations for a Joseon-era (1392-1910) ancestral rite ceremony combining royal music and dance at Jongmyo shrine in central Seoul on May 4 are scheduled to open Friday. Jongmyo Daeje, the ritual, began as a royal procession to honor Joseon kings and queens. It was held five times annually before being discontinued under Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule. Korea revived the practice in 1969, having since held it every year in early May. In 2001, UNESCO added the ritual to its list of intangi
April 17, 2025 -
Religious leaders urge solidarity ahead of Easter Sunday
Religious leaders in South Korea called for solidarity ahead of Easter Sunday to confront the unprecedented challenge posed by Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 declaration of martial law that led to the former president's ouster. Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick said solidarity is slowly taking root in the face of deepening political confusion that has yet to be resolved. “What we need most now is hope and conviction, one that transcends this darkness,” Chung said in a statement. The National Counc
April 17, 2025 -
Coldplay thrills 'No. 1 audience' with music, light and messages of love
British rock band Coldplay kicked off the Korean leg of its “Music of the Spheres” tour with a vibrant show at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium in Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday. This marks the band’s second visit to Korea since 2017 and its largest-ever show in the country. With 50,000 audience per concert over six days, the band is set to perform for a total of 300,000 fans. For two and a half hours, the concert, part of the band's on-going eighth world tour, unfolded in four themed sect
April 17, 2025 -
Han Kang to publish first book since Nobel Prize win
South Korean writer Han Kang is set to release her first new book since receiving the Nobel Prize in literature. The essay collection, titled "Light and Thread," will be published later this month, available in bookstores starting April 24, according to publisher Moonji Publishing. The book takes its title from Han’s Nobel lecture, which she delivered at the Swedish Academy in Stockholm last Dec. 7. Spanning 172 pages, the collection includes around 10 essays and poems, including this Nobel lect
April 17, 2025 -
Han Kang to release first book since Nobel win
South Korean author Han Kang will publish her first book since receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature last December, her publisher said Thursday. The essay collection, titled "Light and Thread," will be released next Thursday by Moonji Publishing Co. It marks the ninth volume in the publisher's ongoing essay series and shares its title with Han's Nobel lecture, delivered in Stockholm, ahead of the award ceremony. The book will feature about 10 pieces, comprising Han's Nobel lecture, previously
April 17, 2025 -
Korea Craft Week 2025 to kick off May 16
South Korea's largest annual local craft festival is returning bigger than ever next month. The Korea Craft and Design Foundation and the Culture Ministry said Thursday that the eighth annual Korea Craft Week 2025 will take place May 16-25 nationwide, with three counties and 12 provinces hosting major craft events and programs for visitors. In its eighth edition, this year's fair will run under the theme, "Living Together, Craft Together," to connect people through craft and bring happiness to e
April 16, 2025 -
Ron Mueck's hyperrealist sculptures evoke fear, compassion
Australian artist Ron Mueck’s handmade sculptures of humans are stunningly realistic. One features a mother carrying her baby in a sling almost completely hidden by her large overcoat as she carries bags of groceries -- a scene you might encounter on any street. The artist titled the sculpture “Woman with Shopping.” Mueck’s first major exhibition in South Korea opened Friday at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, where 24 of the artist’s selected sculptures and documentary
April 16, 2025