Which celebrities stopped by the Seoul book fair?

The 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, the country's largest book festival, wrapped up its five-day run at Coex in southern Seoul on Sunday. Organizers estimate that around 150,000 people attended this year's fair, a turnout comparable to last year's. Long queues were a common sight throughout the exhibition halls as crowds flocked to popular publishing booths in search of limited-edition books and merchandise. Last year, actor Park Jung-min drew massive crowds after appearing as the head of hi

2026-06-29 17:17:46:00

Can humans fall in love with AI?

When the sci-fi romance "Her" was released in 2013, the idea of falling in love with a gentle, caring AI operating system still belonged comfortably to the realm of science fiction. Thirteen years later, what once seemed like a far-fetched premise no longer feels quite so fictional. As people spend more time with AI, virtual companions seem increasingly responsive —listening, remembering and offering comfort in ways that can sometimes feel more empathetic than humans. Relationships once imagined

2026-06-28 11:16:06:00

Korea is proof that light still exists, French novelist says

For bestselling French novelist Bernard Werber, artificial intelligence is already yesterday's question. Speaking at a press conference Thursday during the Seoul International Book Fair, where France is the guest of honor, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Werber said that humanity has always lived through technological upheaval. "AI has become such a major topic that it has generated enormous fear," the 64-year-old writer said. "But every scientific dis

2026-06-26 16:49:24:00

These teachers are here to teach a different lesson

More than 80 dancers move through a series of shifting formations in a dance challenge video set to Taeyang's latest song, "Live Fast Die Slow." They step briskly across the floor, roll their shoulders to the beat and break into bursts of headbanging. As the group closes into a circle, one dancer drops to the floor for a headspin. The video has drawn more than 420,000 views in two weeks. Taeyang himself liked the clip and shared it on social media. It sounds like a professional dance crew. In fa

2026-06-26 09:00:00:00

Through sand, slime, fog and light, Jalet and Nawa test limits of human body

The word "planet" traces its roots to the ancient Greek "planetes," meaning wanderer. To ancient astronomers, planets appeared as wandering lights drifting across the night sky. This image of perpetual wandering through unfamiliar landscapes, uncertain futures and forces beyond one's control became the starting point for Belgian choreographer Damien Jalet and Japanese visual artist Kohei Nawa's "Planet [Wanderer]" (2021), one of the defining works of their decadelong artistic partnership. This w

2026-06-23 13:56:37:00

'Whale' author worries society is losing its empathy

When Cheon Myeong-kwan was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2023 for "Whale," judges praised the novel as "a magical and grotesque epic," highlighting its whirlwind narrative in which reality and fantasy, past and present, intertwine. His latest novel "Accordion" takes a different path. "When I wrote 'Whale,' I didn't know exactly what I was writing," Cheon said at a press conference last week. "I let my imagination run free without trying to control it. This time, I did the opp

2026-06-21 14:33:40:00

5 things to look out for at Seoul Book Fair

This year’s Seoul International Book Fair is shaping up to be another bustling edition, with online tickets selling out ahead of its June 24 opening. At peak times, online queues reportedly reached nearly 30,000 people. The fair runs June 24-28 at Coex in Seoul and brings together about 530 publishers, literary organizations and agencies from 18 countries, including South Korea. In the international exhibition hall, around 180 publishers and organizations from 17 countries, including France, Ger

2026-06-20 16:00:00:00

Joseon-era street dance gets a hip makeover

The dancers begin with the familiar rhythms and movements of Korean mask dance, swaying their shoulders in the playful spirit of traditional talchum. They bow low, toss their heads and stare into the distance. The eyes behind the masks are never seen, yet their invisible gaze feels all the more penetrating. Then the atmosphere shifts. As the pounding beat of the geomungo, a traditional Korean zither, blends with electronic dance music, the dancers reappear wearing LED masks. With each sharp turn

2026-06-19 07:30:00:00

Ballet star Jeon Min-chul returns to Korean stage in 'Swan Lake'

Mariinsky Ballet first soloist Jeon Min-chul will return to the Korean stage this summer as a guest principal with Universal Ballet. The 21-year-old ballet sensation will perform the role of Prince Siegfried in "Swan Lake," which runs at the Seoul Arts Center from Aug. 14 to 23. The guest appearance carries added significance as Universal Ballet's production follows the Mariinsky Ballet's choreographic tradition. Jeon will be partnered by Universal Ballet principal Hong Hyang-gee, who will dance

2026-06-17 17:47:41:00

Korean-born Danish adoptee turns silence into language

In one scene from "The Interpreter," a Danish Korean adoptee sits with an interpreter and her birth family. As questions and answers pass around the table, Korean reaches her only as silence — an absence she can hear but not understand. The interpreter and I look at each other and smile. My father says ______? My interpreter says, "He asks if you're still writing." I say, "Tell him yes, I am." My interpreter says ______. My father says ______. My interpreter says, "He hopes you'll become a famou

2026-06-17 14:02:45:00