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· Carl Samson
BTS’s J-Hope completes mandatory military service
J-Hope has completed his mandatory military service, now entering what he describes as the “third chapter” of his life. Discharged after 18 months on Thursday, J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support he received from fans and…
· Ryan General
Japan’s Kenshi Yonezu to perform in US for the 1st time
Japanese singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu is embarking on his first-ever global tour, “Kenshi Yonezu 2025 Tour / Junk,” with dates in the US, South Korea and Europe. The tour kicks off in Seoul with two shows at Inspire Arena in March 2025, followed by performances in London and…
· Bryan Ke
This traditional Korean dish is now winning over foreigners in South Korea
Gukbap, a traditional pork rice soup, is gaining popularity among foreigners in South Korea. Restaurants in Seoul’s tourist hotspots have reportedly seen a surge in customers lining up to try gukbap since the COVID-19 pandemic. To accommodate the influx, many establishments have…
· Ryan General
81-year-old model loses Miss Universe Korea crown to 22-year-old
Choi Soon-hwa, 81, defied age norms and became a symbol of empowerment after competing in the Miss Universe Korea pageant on Sept. 30. Miss Universe lifted its age restriction this year, opening the door for greater diversity and representation. A former hospital care worker,…
· Bryan Ke
Ramen hacks trend boosts British company’s ramen sales
U.K. online grocer Ocado has reportedly seen a surge in ramen sales on its website. Experts are attributing this rise to a TikTok trend that has users sharing creative ways to enhance their instant noodle meals. The numbers: Ocado, headquartered in Hatfield, England, found…
· Ryan General
South Korea offers incentives to dog meat farmers ahead of ban
South Korea announced a plan on Thursday that would provide subsidies and incentives to dog meat farmers and related businesses ahead of a nationwide ban on dog meat consumption set in early 2027. The move aims to facilitate a smooth transition away from the controversial…
· Ryan General
Kids in South Korea are growing taller: study
A recent study by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) found that South Korean children and teenagers have experienced significant growth and accelerated maturation over the past decade. The study, which measured 1,118 individuals between 7 and 19 years old,…
· Ryan General
Here are Asia’s bets to win the 2025 Oscar for best international feature film
Several Asian countries have announced their official submissions for the best international feature film category at the 2025 Academy Awards ahead of the Oct. 2 submission deadline. From heartfelt dramas to historical narratives, the selected films showcase the continent’s…
· Michelle De Pacina
Investigation revealing corruption in Korean adoptions sparks global reassessment
An investigation by the Associated Press and Frontline has uncovered that Western governments facilitated and encouraged the adoption of South Korean children for many years even amid evidence that adoption agencies were competing fiercely for children, pressuring birth mothers…
· Michelle De Pacina
Philadelphia divided over proposed memorial to honor WWII Korean comfort women
At a hearing on Monday, advocates and opponents debated a proposed statue in Philadelphia to honor Korean “comfort women” abused by the Japanese army during World War II. The bronze memorial depicts a sorrowful young woman seated on a chair, intended to highlight the plight of…
· Ryan General
Japan named the 2nd best country in the world
Japan has climbed from sixth place last year to the second spot in the 2024 Best Countries index due to its sweeping reforms following the COVID-19 pandemic. The index, compiled by the U.S. News & World Report in collaboration with the Wharton School, evaluates countries across…
· Ryan General
Dog strollers outsell baby strollers in South Korea amid birth rate crisis
Sales of pet strollers reportedly surpassed those for babies in recent years in South Korea. This trend, which comes as the country faces declining birth rates, underscores a broader shift in consumer behavior, with pet-related products seeing increased demand while baby product…
· Carl Samson
Climate change poses grave threat to South Korea’s kimchi
Kimchi, South Korea’s national dish, is facing serious shortage challenges as rising temperatures threaten the production of key ingredient napa cabbage. The shrinking supply of the vegetable has already led to soaring prices, putting both farmers and the kimchi industry under…
· Ryan General
South Korean schools embroiled in deepfake porn crisis
A deepfake porn crisis has gripped South Korea, with perpetrators using artificial intelligence technology to fabricate sexually explicit images of students, often targeting minors. Telegram chat rooms, some with thousands of members, have become hubs for sharing and creating…
· Ryan General
Viral Olympic Korean sharpshooter stuns in debut fashion photoshoot
South Korean Olympic silver medalist Kim Ye-ji recently captivated fans with her debut fashion photoshoot for W Korea magazine. The sharpshooter, who gained viral fame for her beauty and calm demeanor during competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcased her distinctive…
· Ryan General
Almost 40,000 ‘lonely deaths’ reported in Japan in 1st half of 2024
Nearly 40,000 elderly individuals in Japan were found dead alone in their homes during the first half of 2024, the country’s National Police Agency reported on Aug. 28. The data showed that in roughly 10% of these cases (3,936), over a month passed before the bodies were…
· Michelle De Pacina
P-pop superstars Bini, SB19 receive Voices of Asia Award at Billboard Korea
Billboard on Tuesday celebrated the launch of Billboard Korea with a grand event at the Yeong Bin Gwan Hall of The Shilla Seoul, honoring K-pop pioneers and global artists. At the Billboard K POWER 100 event, P-pop groups Bini and SB19 received the Voices of Asia Award for their…
· Carl Samson
NCT’s Taeil exits group amid ‘sexual crime’ case
NCT member Taeil has left the K-pop boy group after being “accused in a criminal case in relation to a sexual crime,” his agency SM Entertainment announced on Wednesday. The decision was made following discussions between the label and the 30-year-old idol, who is reportedly…
· Bryan Ke
K-pop stars under fire for attending Ye’s South Korea listening party
Several K-pop stars, including Aespa’s Giselle and Winter, NewJeans’ Minji, Danielle and Hanni, as well as 2NE1’s CL and Minzy, are under fire after being spotted at Ye’s (formerly known as Kanye West) and Ty Dolla Sign’s “Vultures Listening Experience” at Goyang Stadium in…
· Michelle De Pacina
Bini is not just P-pop — they’re a new vision of Filipino womanhood [interview]
Historically, the Tagalog term “binibini” was used as a respectful and formal way of addressing a young woman. Often with the connotation of being a maiden of grace, elegance and modesty, one could say a “binibini” was “very demure, very mindful.” However, in recent years, the…