Moon jar, reimagined

Soft and milky in tone, its rounded and generous form quietly draws the eye. The moon jar, a representative Korean porcelain that first emerged during the Joseon era (1392–1910), continues to captivate artists and designers today as an enduring source of inspiration. Made by joining two hemispherical halves rather than shaping a single body at once, the traditional moon jar allows for subtle variations in form — a quality often associated with Korea’s aesthetic appreciation for natural imperfect

Feb. 28, 2026

[Book Review] Beyond real estate: 'Seoul Urban Architecture' decodes city's DNA

“Seoul Urban Architecture: Rising from the Crushing Bowl” By Kim Sung-hong Park Books Seoul and its architecture may feel familiar to those who have lived in the Korean capital, but conversations about the city often revolve around real estate — a dominant topic that has come to define Seoul in recent decades. Nonetheless the time has come to look back on how the city has taken shape, and how its architectural trajectory might be understood beyond the logic of property values. In “Seoul Urban Ar

Feb. 28, 2026

Girls' Generation's Tiffany, actor Byun Yo-han get married

Tiffany Young, a Korean American member of K-pop band Girls' Generation, married actor Byun Yo-han on Friday, Byun's agency said. The two legally registered their marriage "based on their deep trust and love for each other," and wedding plans are still in the making, TEAMHOPE said. "They are at the stage of carefully considering a simple wedding ceremony in the form of a church service where they share their gratitude with family members," the agency said. "As they start a new journey of life, t

Feb. 27, 2026

What drove South Korea’s record content exports in 2024?

South Korea’s cultural content industry posted record-high revenue and exports in 2024, with exports far exceeding imports to generate a sizable trade surplus, the government said Friday. Revenue in the domestic content industry surpassed 157 trillion won ($109 billion) in 2024, while exports topped $14 billion, both marking all-time highs, according to a report by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The survey covered businesses in 11 sectors of the content industry: publishing, comics

Feb. 27, 2026

Kakao Entertainment taps ex-Kakao Bank AI chief as co-CEO

Kakao Entertainment has nominated Ko Jung-hee, former head of the artificial intelligence group at Kakao Bank, as its new co-CEO, forming a leadership duo with current co-CEO Joseph Chang. Ko will be formally appointed following shareholder and board approval and is set to take office in late March. Current co-CEO Kweon Ki-su is to step down for personal reasons. The company said the leadership reshuffle is aimed at sharpening its global strategy centered on intellectual property across music, s

Feb. 27, 2026

Sneakers brand On's shoes to be ‘Sprayed in Korea’

Swiss sportswear brand On announced Thursday that it was operating a LightSpray robotic manufacturing facility in Busan, the company’s second such site, after opening its first in Zurich in July last year. At the center of the expansion is LightSpray, a proprietary technology that compresses what has traditionally been a roughly 200-step shoe upper production process into a single, fully automated system. Specially engineered robots spray a 1.5-kilometer filament onto a mold, forming an ultralig

Feb. 27, 2026

Renewed calligraphy space opens at National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea has reopened its calligraphy space, with the renovated galleries showcasing masterpieces of Korean calligraphy. The space will run both permanent and thematic exhibitions. The gallery, which opened on Thursday on the second floor, presents the thematic exhibition “Jeong Seon: Ah! Our Mountains and Rivers!” coinciding with the reopening of the space, showing 70 works including 10 designated treasures, created by Korean landscape painter Jeong Seon (1676-1759). The exh

Feb. 27, 2026

From hanok horizons to robot encounter: unique ways of greeting spring

With spring stepping into the city, this weekend calls for plans that feel both fresh and a little unexpected. For those craving calm, a serene cafe at the entrance of Eunpyeong Hanok Village offers coffee with panoramic views of hanok rooftops and Bukhansan in the distance. If you’re in the mood for something more futuristic, Dongdaemun Design Plaza is hosting the Seoul AI Festival 2026, where 17 humanoid robots will be on display from Saturday to Sunday. This weekend, you can get a glimpse of

Feb. 27, 2026

A city built for healing: Daejeon’s bid to welcome the Invictus Games

DAEJEON — “I didn’t want these venues to become places where an event simply comes and goes,” said Moon Hyun-kyu, director of rehabilitation sports at the Korea Disabled Veterans Association, as he looked across the spectator stands of Yongun International Swimming Pool on Wednesday. Gesturing toward the rows of tiered seating, Moon said organizers hope to fill as many as 3,000 seats with local residents during the Games. Standing beside him, Invictus Games Foundation Chief Executive Rob Owen wa

Feb. 25, 2026

Literature in Africa, films in Oceania: Hallyu strengths differ by country

K-pop remains the dominant driver of the Korean Wave, but Hallyu has expanded into a broader range of cultural content — including literature, fine dining and regional storytelling — a new government report showed Wednesday. According to the 2025 Global Hallyu Trend Analysis Report released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture Information Service, the scale of global engagement has reached unprecedented heights. By analyzing over 1.5 million data points across 30

Feb. 25, 2026

Royal throne hall at Changdeokgung to open for special viewing

The main throne hall of Changdeokgung -- one of the five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces in Seoul -- will open to visitors for a limited time next month. The Korea Heritage Service said it will operate a special viewing program from March 4 to 29, allowing visitors inside the royal hall, Injeongjeon, every Wednesday through Sunday. Designated a national treasure in 1985, Injeongjeon, meaning hall of benevolent governance, served as the stage for key royal ceremonies, including coronations, court

Feb. 25, 2026

Between near and far: 4 artists explore how distance shapes perception

Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul presents "Distancing," a group exhibition featuring works by four Asia-based artists that explore how distance shapes perception across image, material and time. Korean artist Lim No-sik continues drawing memories from his roots, whose father is a farmer in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. While he used to use sanding techniques, resulting canvas surface that feels like pottery, this time Lim used a different way, using oil pastels. Corporeal and botanical forms do not appear in s

Feb. 25, 2026

Fake K-beauty surges overseas as global popularity soars

As K-beauty’s global popularity continues to climb, counterfeit and copycat products targeting Korean cosmetics brands are spreading rapidly overseas, raising concerns over intellectual property violations and consumer safety. South Korea’s cosmetics exports surpassed $11.4 billion last year, ranking the country second worldwide. As brand recognition and consumer trust grow, so does the proliferation of so-called “dupes” seeking to capitalize on the K-beauty boom. The expansion of e-commerce and

Feb. 24, 2026

On the battlefield of sound, Jambinai stands alone

In the epics, battles unfold in waves of iron and fire: metal clashing, dust rising, a roar that shakes the ground. Imagine that ancient clash rendered entirely in sound. A Korean crossover band carving its own singular path invites audiences into that sonic terrain, into the heady rush of combat and its fierce exhilaration. What if a battle could be painted not with images but with distortion and breath, rhythm and silence, an epic not merely narrated but physically felt? On that battlefield of

Feb. 24, 2026

[K-Trendsetters] Kimhekim brings Korean heritage into focus with restrained, contemporary design

This interview series spotlights creative leaders behind Korea’s most influential brands, exploring how they are shaping the next chapter of fashion, beauty and lifestyle. – Ed. As Kimhekim approaches its 10th anniversary, designer Kim In-te is preparing for one of the house’s most significant seasons yet — a Milan presentation followed by a milestone show in Paris. Kim will first take part in Milan Fashion Week, scheduled from Tuesday to March 2, presenting his signature pieces at Antonioli, a

Feb. 23, 2026