Go Young-wook says he would consider becoming Japanese AV actor

Go Young-wook, a former member of the coed K-pop group Roo'Ra, said he would consider working as an adult video actor in Japan, citing difficulties finding work in South Korea. The 50-year-old wrote on his X account Sunday that he had once hoped to live an enjoyable life while making people laugh, but believed it would be difficult to find employment here. "I think I once read that Japan is facing a shortage of male adult video actors," Go wrote, adding that he would consider pursuing the work "

2026-07-14 14:10:46:00

Coffee for just $1.33? S. Korea to revamp contract structures of highway service plazas

South Korea plans to overhaul the way highway service plazas are operated, replacing the current multilayered contracting system with direct agreements in a move expected to lower food and beverage prices. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Thursday that a new public management company will make direct contracts with vendors from next year, removing intermediary operators that charge high commissions. Currently, service plaza operators take an average 33 percent to a maximum

2026-07-13 14:11:24:00

From Hansung to Monami, retail investors rally behind beloved brands amid delisting fears

Monami, the South Korean stationery maker known for its iconic 153 ballpoint pen, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of public support after fears that it could be delisted from the country's main stock market sent its shares soaring, pledging to repay that trust with higher-quality products. In a handwritten letter posted on the company's website, CEO Song Jae-hwa thanked customers and investors for standing by the company during what he described as an uncertain period. "Seeing the wave of

2026-07-12 13:47:55:00

Foreign Language Newspapers Association marks 11th anniversary

The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea celebrated its 11th anniversary Thursday at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, where leading figures from politics and business gathered to underline the importance of foreign-language media in the modern era. The FNA, established in 2015, comprises four foreign-language outlets in Korea: The Korea Herald, The Korea Times, The Korea JoongAng Daily and Chinese-language Aju Daily. FNA President Yang Kyu-hyun, also CEO of Aju Daily, said, "If you g

2026-07-09 15:03:03:00

Warming seas bring jellyfish, sharks closer to Korea's beaches

As Korea enters the height of summer, warming seas are bringing an unwelcome visitor to its coasts: jellyfish. Marine experts say rising water temperatures are driving a sharp increase in venomous jellyfish, posing growing risks not only to beachgoers but also to fishermen and coastal industries. The greatest concern is Nomura's jellyfish, one of the world's largest jellyfish species that usually originates off the coast of China and drifts into Korean waters on ocean currents. It can grow up to

2026-07-07 14:10:06:00

New free observatory opens at Seoul City Hall

A new free lookout spot has opened at Seoul City Hall, offering unobstructed views of some of the capital's best-known landmarks, including Deoksugung, Jeong-dong and Gwanghwamun Square. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday that the Sky Observatory, spanning the eighth and ninth floors on the west side of the main City Hall building, opened Monday. The observatory offers south-facing views of the Deoksugung and the adjacent Jeong-dong neighborhood, while the north side overlooks Gwanghw

2026-07-06 13:55:53:00

Free cold water in Itaewon buffers summer heat

A social media post about a vending machine in Itaewon that offers free water has gone viral, especially with temperatures in Seoul on the rise. A post on X in Japanese showed a picture of a vending machine in Itaewon that gave out free bottles of cold water, with the poster saying she felt revived under the scorching heat. The post quickly gained attention, recording over 5 million views within two days as of Friday. The vending machine at the center of attention was reportedly at Yongsan-gu Sa

2026-07-04 16:00:00:00

More people are visiting Seoul's royal palaces, but fewer are paying

Admissions revenue from Seoul’s historic grand palaces declined last year, even as visitor numbers increased, due to more tourists entering for free, according to a Friday report by the local daily Hankyoreh. According to data from the Korea Heritage Service, combined ticket revenue from Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung, as well as Jongmyo Shrine, declined for the first time in five years. The number of visitors to the five royal heritage sites rose from about 13.1 mi

2026-07-03 15:24:32:00

Will the next Messi be a robot?

While the world's eyes are on Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup, another soccer tournament unfolds in Incheon — with robot players. RoboCup 2026 kicked off Thursday in Incheon's Songdo Convensia, showcasing a wide range of artificial intelligence robots capable of performing complicated tasks such as soccer and household chores. Often referred to as the "World Cup of Robotics," RoboCup has been held annually since its first event in Nagoya, Japan, in 1997. Thousands of competitors bring robots

2026-07-03 14:40:24:00

US-bound parcel costs surge up to 32% after Korea Post rate hike

Korea Post raised rates for parcels bound for the United States, one of its most frequently used destinations, as part of a broader increase in express and domestic mail charges on Wednesday. The price for a 0.5 kilogram Express Mail Service shipment to the US rose 32.2 percent, from 29,500 won ($18.96) to 39,000 won. For a 30 kg parcel, the rate increased 7 percent to 650,000 won. Rates for other major destinations also increased. The price of a 1 kg shipment to Japan rose 9.6 percent, while ra

2026-07-01 17:31:54:00