Search
south-korea
Articles
· Michelle De Pacina
American father pleads with Korean authorities for return of kidnapped son
Dr. Jay Sung, a father from King County, Washington, is demanding the South Korean government do more to return his allegedly abducted son. The alleged abduction: Sung, 43, filed a missing person report in Redmond after his ex-wife, Min Jung Cho, allegedly abducted their…
· Ryan General
South Korea to introduce ‘Hallyu visa’ for K-pop and K-drama fans
South Korea has unveiled plans to introduce a new visa catering specifically to fans of South Korean culture. About the Hallyu visa: South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the launch of the Hallyu visa, a unique initiative aimed at attracting…
· Carl Samson
NewJeans, Ive lead South Korea’s Melon year-end chart
Melon, South Korea’s top music platform, has released its 2023 year-end chart with NewJeans and Ive leading the top 10 spots. A win for girl groups: Songs performed by girl groups command Melon’s year-end top 50 chart. NewJeans dominates the top 10 with four entries, with…
· Ryan General
North Korea declares it will no longer seek reunification with South Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that he will no longer seek reunification with South Korea, announcing plans to bolster its military arsenal in 2024. Military agenda unveiled: In a recent speech concluding five days of ruling party meetings, Kim outlined North…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun dies at age 48
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” has died at age 48. Cause of death: Lee was found dead in Seoul on Wednesday, according to the Yonhap News Agency. Police found his body next to charcoal briquettes inside a parked car in…
· Carl Samson
Japan mulls creating ‘Asian version’ of the Grammys by 2025
Japan is reportedly planning to create an “Asian version” of the Grammy Awards. Goals: The news comes from Japan’s Cultural Affairs Agency, which aims to launch the event as early as 2025. The awards show will recognize Asian artists but also help Japanese ones break into the…
· Carl Samson
BTS docuseries makes its streaming debut
A new documentary series that spotlights BTS’s journey to global K-pop superstardom landed on Disney Plus this week. What it’s about: The eight-episode series, titled “BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star,” follows the group’s humble beginnings to their meteoric rise as “pop icons of…
· Michelle De Pacina
BTS’ RM shares first photo update since military enlistment
BTS’ RM posted an Instagram update post-military enlistment, prompting an outpouring of love and anticipation from his fans on social media. RM’s post: On Dec. 11, a photo of RM in casual attire was shared on the artist’s film account. The image shows the 29-year-old in a gray…
· Michelle De Pacina
S. Korean students sue after 8-hour college admission exam ended 90 seconds early
A group of high school students in Seoul is suing the government after a teacher ended their crucial eight-hour college admission exam 90 seconds early. What they are saying: The lawsuit, filed by at least 39 students on Tuesday, alleges that the teacher’s early bell ringing…
· Ryan General
Video: Korean vlogger harassed by stranger while filming in Indian streets
“I have to run from here… They really like to hug,” she remarks as she walks away
· Bryan Ke
NewJeans to be 1st K-pop girl group to perform on ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’
ABC and Dick Clark Productions announced Wednesday that K-pop group NewJeans will be performing two of their songs on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” on Dec. 31. About their appearance: The five-member group — consisting of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin…
· Carl Samson
She survived the Vietnam War. Now she’s won ‘Squid Game’
Of 456 competitors, one stood out to win the largest prize on reality TV history. Mai Whelan, 55, better known as Player 287, emerged victorious in the inaugural season of “Squid Game: The Challenge,” a reality competition based on the hit South Korean Netflix series. After more…
· Ryan General
SF Giants secure S. Korean baseball star Jung Hoo Lee with $113 million deal
With a remarkable .340 batting average, 65 home runs, 69 stolen bases, and a disciplined approach at the plate, Lee’s prowess earned him the KBO MVP in 2022 and Rookie of the Year in 2017
· Bryan Ke
Louis Vuitton taps K-pop boy group Riize as new ambassadors
SM Entertainment rookie boy group Riize have been named ambassadors for fashion label Louis Vuitton this week. Breaking the news: Louis Vuitton announced Riize members Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee and Anton as its latest house ambassadors in an Instagram post…
· Ryan General
South Korean dog meat farmers protest proposed ban
“If I have to close down, with the financial condition I’m in, there really is no answer to what I can do,”
· Bryan Ke
Georgia gets its first-ever Asian American mayor
John Park, a longtime councilmember in Brookhaven, Georgia, made history on Tuesday by becoming the state’s first-ever Asian American mayor. Victory: Park defeated Lauren Kiefer for mayor in Brookhaven, securing 59% of the vote – a total of 3,564 votes – on Tuesday night, as per…
· Michelle De Pacina
Watch: BTS members get on their knees to beg fans not to come to military enlistment location
BTS members RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook hosted a Weverse live session ahead of their upcoming military enlistment to officially say goodbye to their fans for the meantime. BTS’s final request: During the live, the members requested their fans, known as ARMYs, to refrain from…
· Ryan General
S. Korean lawmaker proposes imposing fines on video game hackers
Critics of the proposal suggest that other pressing issues, like juvenile crime and drunk driving, should take precedence
· Ryan General
North Korea claims its spy satellite captured images of White House, Pentagon
“Remember when you got that toy you always wanted at Xmas and were so excited you wanted to tell everyone about it?”
· Bryan Ke
Babymonster drops teaser for debut MV ‘Batter Up’, renames one member
YG Entertainment on Thursday dropped a teaser from Babymonster’s debut music video, “Batter Up,” after announcing a stage name change for one member. High hopes: The teaser highlights 29 seconds from “Batter Up,” the group’s highly anticipated debut track. Since its posting, the…