Korea's top TV networks sue OpenAI for training ChatGPT with their news

South Korea's three major terrestrial broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, seeking an injunction to halt alleged copyright infringement and compensation for damages, according to the Korea Broadcasters Association on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT, the generative artificial intelligence service developed and commercially operated by OpenAI, was trained using the broadcasters' news content without authorization. In a press statement released Monday, the KBA sai

Feb. 23, 2026

Desert becomes backdrop for installation art

ALULA, Saudi Arabia – About a 90-minute flight from the Saudi capital Riyadh, AlUla, a desert oasis on the historic Incense Road that linked India and the Arabian Gulf to the Levant and Europe, harbors a grand ambition: to be the center of art and culture of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The stunning landscape is an artwork in and of itself: Vast desert is dotted by towering sandstone mountains, dramatic cliffs, strange rock formations and sweeping canyons that change colors through the day with

Feb. 23, 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

Korean musical 'The Last Man' to debut in London at Southwark Playhouse

Korean musical “The Last Man” will make its UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse’s Elephant venue in London from May 8 to June 6, according to its Korean production company Neo. The London debut follows the musical’s introduction to overseas audiences through showcases in New York and Taipei in recent years, as well as a licensed Chinese-language production in Shanghai in 2025. Originally premiered in Korea in 2021, "The Last Man," written by Kim Ji-shik and composed by Kwon Seung-yeon, is a one-p

Feb. 22, 2026

'Agents of Mystery' moves beyond studio in Season 2

Netflix Korea's mystery variety series is gearing up for a second season, expanding both its scale and creative ambition even as it continues to draw attention over alleged similarities to a popular Korean YouTube series. "Agents of Mystery" centers on six celebrity participants who work together to unravel a succession of mystery cases. This season's lineup features comedian Lee Yong-jin, singer John Park, actor Kim Do-hoon, Karina of aespa, Hye-ri of Girl's Day and dancer Gabi. The new season

Feb. 21, 2026

Trace BTS' history through these 7 tourist spots

With just a month to go until BTS takes the stage at Gwanghwamun Square, anticipation is building across Seoul. The performance — marking the group’s return to full-group activities after over three years — is drawing fans from around the world to the capital. Beyond the square itself, the city is dotted with places tied to BTS’ journey. From historic landmarks to meaningful fan spaces, here are seven stops that add an extra layer of meaning to any concert trip. Gyeongbokgung Jongno-gu, central

Feb. 21, 2026

From banchan shop to fine dining, Korean cuisine stretches across LA

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles has long been a second home to Korean food, but the spectrum is widening. From neighborhood tofu houses and tiny banchan specialists to modern tasting-menu destinations, Korean cuisine now occupies every tier of the city’s dining hierarchy. The shift is visible in The Los Angeles Times’ annual “101 Best Restaurants” list, where multiple Korean restaurants have earned spots. Baroo placed as high as No. 3, while Perilla ranked No. 18 — a sign that what was once niche is n

Feb. 21, 2026

Exhibition on Admiral Yi Sun-sin draws record crowds

More than 300,000 people have visited a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea devoted to the life and legacy of the revered naval commander Yi Sun-sin, the museum said this week -- a record for a show centered on Korean cultural heritage and history. As of Wednesday, the exhibition, titled “The Great Admiral Yi Sun-sin,” had drawn 305,142 visitors since opening on Nov. 28. Attendance has averaged more than 3,700 people a day, making it the museum’s most successful special exhibition

Feb. 20, 2026

Shin Hae-sun discusses Netflix's style-obsessed mystery 'The Art of Sarah'

“The Art of Sarah” has emerged as one of the more intriguing anomalies in the recent K-drama landscape. The mystery thriller has drawn strong viewership not only for its tautly constructed whodunit and high-caliber performances, but also for its fashion and beauty aesthetics, with Shin Hae-sun standing at the center of the cultural conversation. Korean online platforms have been flooded with posts dissecting the dresses, accessories and cosmetics worn by con artist Sarah Kim, the shape-shifting

Feb. 20, 2026

Korean box office hit has fans review-bombing a Joseon king's tomb

If you pull up the Naver Map listing for Gwangneung -- the royal tomb of King Sejo, seventh monarch of the Joseon Kingdom, nestled in the outskirts of Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province -- you'll find a torrent of one-star ratings and emotionally charged rebukes that have been piling up over the past few weeks. "How could you do that to your own nephew," one reads. "Burn in hell forever you psychopath," says another. The vibe is less travel review, more public score-settling. The scene at the grave of

Feb. 20, 2026

Korea’s DIY charm craze is booming — Even combs are getting makeovers

In Seoul’s bustling wholesale district, a new kind of makeover is drawing crowds — not for faces or wardrobes, but for mirrors, combs and even ballpoint pens. By midmorning, the accessory supply arcade on the fifth floor of Dongdaemun Shopping Complex in Jongno-gu is already packed. Inside narrow stalls, shoppers huddle over trays of pastel beads, cartoon charms and glittering trinkets, assembling what they call “bit-kku” (decorating combs) and “geo-kku” (decorating mirrors). From Hello Kitty an

Feb. 20, 2026

Where to watch Daeboreum lunar eclipse in Seoul

On March 3, as South Korea marks Jeongwol Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar year, skywatchers will witness a rare spectacle: a total lunar eclipse, in which the moon slips entirely into the Earth’s shadow. Often called a “blood moon,” the phenomenon occurs when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow and sunlight, filtered through the planet’s atmosphere, bends and scatters shorter blue wavelengths before reaching the moon. The remaining red and orange light casts the moon in copper and cr

Feb. 20, 2026

Josun Hotels & Resorts bets big on kimchi as 2025 sales surpass W54b

Josun Hotels & Resorts is doubling down on its kimchi business, aiming to grow annual sales of its premium packaged kimchi brand to 100 billion won ($75 million) by 2030 as demand rises at home and abroad. The hotel group said its kimchi division saw 54 billion won in annual sales in 2025, after maintaining double-digit growth for five consecutive years. From 2021 to 2025, the brand recorded an average annual growth rate of 23.8 percent, buoyed in part by a decline in home kimchi making since th

Feb. 20, 2026

Chekhov face-off: Shim Eun-kyung, Go Ah-sung lead rival ‘Uncle Vanya’ productions

Two Korean productions of Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” will begin in Seoul in May, setting up a stage showdown between two star-studded casts. The National Theater Company of Korea will present “Uncle Vanya” from May 22-31 at the National Theater of Korea, starring Jo Sung-ha and Shim Eun-kyoung. The LG Arts Center will mount “Uncle Vanya” from May 7-31 at its LG Signature Hall, with Lee Seo-jin and Go Ah-sung in the leading roles. For Shim, Lee and Go, this marks their debut on the Korean stag

Feb. 20, 2026

'Next Byeon Woo-seok' Lee Chae-min eyes Higashino adaptation post-breakout

Lee Chae-min, frequently dubbed Korea's "next Byeon Woo-seok," is lining up his next major project following his breakout turn opposite Girls' Generation's Lim Yoon-a in tvN's "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty." The actor is reportedly in talks to headline the Korean series adaptation of Keigo Higashino's "The Miracles of the Namiya General Store," one of the most widely read Japanese novels officially published in South Korea. "The project is not confirmed, but we are positively reviewing it," Lee's a

Feb. 20, 2026