[New in Town] America-themed bakery ‘What A Bread’ fulfills all your carb needs

Just as if you had walked into a local bakery somewhere in rural America, “What A Bread” (WAB), a newly opened bakery in a bustling food alley next to Yongsan Station, is where you can enjoy a creative variety of baked goods. The last few years have seen Korean bakeries grow more creative than ever, with genre-bending techniques and innovative flavor combinations. WAB, which perfectly fits into the category of bakeries that offer good pastries, has the freshest and the most filling

FoodAug. 17, 2024

[Weekender] Discover Seoul's serene retreats: From libraries to hanok

As South Korea is experiencing its hottest summer on record, finding refuge from the heat has never been more important. Fortunately, Seoul offers several serene spots where you can escape the sun's intensity and immerse yourself — all without spending a dime. Whether you’re looking to relax with a book or simply enjoy the green August scenery, these four spaces in Seoul provide the perfect combination of natural beauty and cool shade. Cheongun Literature Library: Hidden han

weekenderAug. 17, 2024

[What to stream] Murder mysteries to whisk you away

Escape the relentless heat by plunging into a weekend of expertly crafted murder mystery films that will sweep you away to chilling crime scenes and the intricate minds of master detectives. Dim the lights and get ready for a cinematic adventure where time slips away, and the only thing that matters is uncovering the truth buried beneath a web of deception. "Se7en" on Netflix Helmed by American auteur David Fincher, "Se7en" tells the tale of two detectives Somerset (played

weekenderAug. 17, 2024

Poetic voices of resistance from Korea's darkest times

Eight poignant lines, penned by Yoon Dong-ju, one of Korea's most beloved poets, in November 1941, may be one of the most famous in all of Korean poetry: Until I breathe my last breath I wish to face my sky without shame. Even the wind blowing on leaves Has left me restless. With a heart singing hymns to the stars I shall love all that must die; And I shall walk diligently Upon the path assigned to me. Tonight again, the stars are blown by the wind The untitled poem, widely recognized a

BooksAug. 17, 2024

[LLG] AI a tool, not a threat, says 31-year-old AI filmmaker

How might AI alter filmmaking? Young South Korean filmmaker Kwon Han-sl has shown the impact could be massive. The 31-year-old spent five days last summer working with over six AI tools to create a three-minute horror film. It was a personal experiment in which he handled every aspect himself, from writing the screenplay to using AI tools and producing the entire film. But the result ended up better than he thought. “One More Pumpkin” garnered international acclaim, winning both th

Hashtag KoreaAug. 17, 2024

Seoul, Busan set records for consecutive tropical nights

South Korea's two largest cities of Seoul and Busan have shattered records for the longest streaks of tropical nights as a relentless heat wave grips the nation. Seoul experienced its 27 consecutive tropical night, with the lowest temperature of 27.2 degrees Celsius recorded between Friday night and early Saturday morning, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. This extended the record for the longest number of tropical nights in a row since modern meteorological observations

Social AffairsAug. 17, 2024

S. Korea to enhance mpox surveillance following WHO emergency alert

Following the World Health Organization's declaration of mpox outbreaks in Africa as a global health emergency, South Korean authorities have decided to ramp up quarantine and surveillance measures. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced the decision after a meeting with medical and academic experts Friday to discuss the potential of mpox entering the country and response strategies. KDCA officials and experts determined that the current domestic mpox situation remains ma

Social AffairsAug. 17, 2024

N. Korea's Kim attends demonstration class for children from flood-hit region

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended a demonstration class for children from flood-hit regions, state media reported Saturday, as part of a series of efforts to emphasize his concern for the victims of recent heavy downpours. Kim visited the school located at their accommodation in Pyongyang on Friday, which had been prepared for victims from flood-affected areas in the North Phyongan, Jagang, and Ryanggang provinces, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Heavy rains in late July

North KoreaAug. 17, 2024

Interpark Commerce seeks debt restructuring following TMON, WeMakePrice

Interpark Commerce filed for a debt restructuring program with the Seoul Bankruptcy Court on Friday, following in the footsteps of two sister e-commerce giants amid a liquidity crisis. The company's request for an autonomous restructuring support (ARS) program came 18 days after TMON and WeMakePrice filed for the same program to negotiate with creditors for rescheduling overdue payments. With Friday's decision, all three Korean e-commerce companies under Qoo10 are now subject to the co

Social AffairsAug. 16, 2024

Health authorities to supply treatments for 260,000 COVID-19 patients

Health authorities said Friday they plan to supply treatments for 260,000 COVID-19 patients, as the nation saw a surge in cases due to a summer wave. "We have started contacting global pharmaceutical companies after recognizing that treatments are being used more widely than before, and the supply will start this week," Park Ji-young, a senior official from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), said. The KDCA added that it will have treatments available nationwide by

Social AffairsAug. 16, 2024

NSC discusses ways to beef up cybersecurity for defense contractors

The presidential National Security Council (NSC) held a meeting Friday to discuss measures to enhance cybersecurity for defense contractors to address concerns about hacking attacks targeting military technology. Shin Yong-seok, the presidential secretary for cybersecurity, led the meeting with officials from the state-run arms procurement agency, the spy agency, the police and the Defense Counterintelligence Command, following recent reports of alleged hacking attempts on local defense companie

PoliticsAug. 16, 2024

Badminton star An Se-young urges for more flexibility in support practices

Olympic badminton champion An Se-young broke her long silence Friday, clarifying her recent criticism of the national badminton federation. The 22-year-old gold medalist sparked controversy when she lashed out at her national team and the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) for their poor handling of her knee injury, and for outdated and inefficient operations, among other things, soon after winning the women's singles event at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 5. But she had not commented further o

Social AffairsAug. 16, 2024

Arte Museum Busan features media art unique to port city

BUSAN – Arte Museum, an immersive media art museum operated by design company d’strict, has unveiled a new media art exhibition centered on nature in Busan, South Korea’s largest port city. The exhibition, which opened in July in the museum’s new 5,600-square-meter space in Yeongdo-gu, is a permanent display with some works being updated annually. The museum is the eighth and largest Arte Museum to date. The show features a series of captivating media artworks, with 16

Arts & DesignAug. 16, 2024

K-pop idols are under intense ethical scrutiny

K-pop idols are more than just entertainers; they are cultural icons, often seen as the embodiment of South Korean values and pride. This unique role subjects them to intense scrutiny, with every action and word closely watched by fans and the public. Incidents involving popular K-pop singers Yeonjun of Tomorrow X Together and Felix of Stray Kids on Korea's National Liberation Day on Thursday illustrate these high expectations. Yeonjun faced criticism after he posted photos on Instagram tak

K-popAug. 16, 2024

Jeonju City helps visitors chill at iconic hanok village

The Hanok Village in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, has a cool if unexpected addition for the summer: ice. According to a city official, large ice blocks -- each measuring 1.2 meter in height, 0.6 meter in length, and 0.25 meter in width -- will be displayed at 20 popular travel spots within the hanok village, including Taejo-ro, Hyanggyo-gil, Eunhaeng-ro and more. The ice is one of several measures introduced by the city government to help tourists cope with the ongoing heat wave and enjoy the

TravelAug. 16, 2024

Pension reform plan to benefit military, mothers

South Korea's pension reform plan will include a proposal to increase benefits for those who served in the military and women who give birth. Aiming to ease the pension burden on young adults, as most military service members and women who give birth are in their 20s and 30s, the presidential office and the government have ramped up measures to credit those who contribute to the community. The government also has decided to apply the “maternity credit,” which is granted from the

Social AffairsAug. 16, 2024

[Photo News] Wando's Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach entertains vacationers with diverse programs

Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach, a popular coastal getaway known for its 4-kilometer stretch of silver sand on Wando, South Jeolla Province, is set to captivate visitors with stunning sand art from August to mid-October. Created by three local sand artists, including Choi Ji-hun, these sand sculptures provide new photo opportunities for holidaymakers enjoying the sea and for those who prefer a leisurely barefoot stroll along the shoreline. Travelers can also enjoy free water sports activities at the b

TravelAug. 16, 2024

South Korea anticipates North Korea’s response to Yoon’s ‘Unification Doctrine’: minister

South Korean Minister of Unification Kim Yung-ho on Friday said he believes North Korea will be responsive to the doctrine on the Korean Peninsula unification announced by President Yoon Suk Yeol the day before. “I believe that North Korea will carefully consider our proposal,” the minister told a news briefing held at the Government Complex in Seoul. The “Aug. 15 Unification Doctrine,” unveiled by the president during his Liberation Day remarks, entails reunifying Korea

PoliticsAug. 16, 2024

Fila Holdings continues growth in Q2, boosted by US golf unit Acushnet

South Korean sports apparel firm Fila Holdings reported a jump in second-quarter profits, driven by robust performance from its golf equipment subsidiary and strong brand momentum abroad. According to its recent earnings report Friday, its revenue rose 2.5 percent year-on-year to 1.18 trillion won ($887 million) in the April-June period. Its operating profit surged 52.4 percent to 140.15 billion won. Its US subsidiary, Acushnet, in particular, reported 937.77 billion won in sales, driving up the

IndustryAug. 16, 2024

Ex-President Moon's bank accounts probed over son-in-law's hiring

  Prosecutors are reportedly investigating the bank accounts of former President Moon Jae-in and his wife in connection with allegations that his son-in-law received an unfair advantage in being hired by an airline company. According to legal sources Friday, the Jeonju District Prosecutor's Criminal Division 3 recently executed a search warrant to trace the financial accounts of former President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook. This comes about four years after a complaint was filed

PoliticsAug. 16, 2024