-
One name, three stars
‘Soo-hyun’ increases hallyu craze In Korea, “Soo-hyun” is a common name like John or William in the U.S. and U.K. Three figures sharing the very ordinary name are now playing a crucial role in lifting Korean entertainers’ international profile to an extraordinary level. They are actor Kim Soo-hyun, actress Kim…
Read More » -
East Asia
Foreigners embrace meaning of Dokdo
DOKDO —The field trip to Korea’s easternmost islets, Dokdo, can be challenging, to say the least. A trip starting in Seoul means traveling down to the port city of Donghae, Gangwon Province, taking a ferry to Ulleung Island in North Gyeongsang Province and then another two and half hours on…
Read More » -
Drama sets becoming ‘ghost towns’
The sensational drama series “My Love From the Star” is elevating “hallyu” or the Korean wave to new levels. It has created a positive overflow, particularly in the tourism sector as the locations where the drama was shot have become tourist hot spots. But how long will they continue to…
Read More » -
Jeju Island: a true traveler’s gem
This is an article written by a foreign student participating in the “Must-See Routes” program organized by the Visit Korea Committee. It is the final of three articles published in The Korea Times’ tourism section. — ED. The flight from Seoul to Jeju Island took no longer than an hour.…
Read More » -
East Asia
Korean games popular in China, Japan
Critics argue tough regulations curb growth potential K-pop’s rise is fast and furious, representing the country’s booming cultural industry. Yet this doesn’t mean K-pop is the most profitable export item among cultural products. Guess what the No.1 is? Computer games. According to the state-run Korea Finance Corporation, Korea’s games exports…
Read More » -
Buddhist monk leads return of royal seals
After learning that U.S. authorities had confiscated nine stolen Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) seals late last year, Buddhist monk Hye Moon started a campaign to get U.S. President Barack Obama to bring them to Korea. Many expressed skepticism, but he silenced doubters once and for all as Obama is expected to…
Read More » -
East Asia
Teen girls flock to EXO showcase
If the decibel level from a cheering crowd measures the popularity of a pop band, EXO tops them all. During the one-and-half hour showcase for the K-pop boy-band’s second mini-album, “EXO Comeback Show,” Tuesday night, the non-stop screams from swooning female teenage fans were literally deafening. Yet it was not…
Read More » -
Court rules men’s sex toys not obscene material
Men’s sex toys are not obscene material, a court said Wednesday, countering a previous top court ruling. The Cheongju District Court acquitted an adult products shop owner, 52, accused of displaying vagina-shaped masturbation devices in an appeals case. She was indicted for displaying 13 men’s sex toys in her shop.…
Read More » -
East Asia
Park to play in Asian Cup
Park Eun-seon, a footballer who has recently weathered a controversy over her gender, will represent Korea in next month’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) women’s Asian Cup. Park, 28, a forward for Seoul City Amazones in the WK-League, was among the 23 players Korea manager Yoon Deok-yeo picked for the tournament…
Read More » -
Culture
