K-pop idols are stepping beyond the stage to explore Korean language and culture through a three-part YouTube series produced by the King Sejong Institute Foundation in collaboration with SBS. The series features popular artists engaging with Korean language learners worldwide through competitions, proficiency assessments and special lessons. The second episode, set for release Saturday at 2 p.m., will feature Ricky of AND2BLE and Mǎ Jingxiang of CLOSE YOUR EYES competing against eight outstanding Korean language learners. The participants were selected from the winners of the 2026 King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking and Writing Contest, which attracted 3,715 applicants from 75 countries and 178 institutions. The episode will also reunite Ricky and Mǎ Jingxiang, who previously competed on the same team in an audition program in 2023. In November, boy group VERIVERY will become honorary Korean language teachers at the King Sejong Institute in Jakarta, Indonesia. The five members will conduct a special class using their own song lyrics, explaining their meanings and introducing useful

Seoul is turning its streets, riversides and parks into an open-air autumn gallery, with the city government selecting 110 foliage trails stretching a combined 167 kilometers for residents and visitors seeking fall colors without leaving the capital. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Friday that its 2026 selection features tree-lined streets, riverside paths, public parks and walking trails, with peak foliage expected from late October through early to mid-November. The routes feature a variety of trees, including ginkgo, zelkova, Yoshino cherry and metasequoia, offering different landscapes across the city. The government divided the 110 routes into four categories: 20 urban walking routes, 19 riverside trails, 28 park routes and 43 walking paths. Among the highlighted destinations are Samcheong-dong Street, Deoksu Palace Road and Itaewon-ro, while visitors seeking waterside scenery can follow trails along Jungnang Stream and Ui Stream. Seoul Forest and Haneul Park are among the recommended parks, while Walkerhill-ro and Hangeulbiseok-gil are highlighted for their walking route

A familiar face from American comic strips is getting a distinctly Korean makeover as Snoopy dons traditional clothing to welcome international visitors arriving during a 17-day tourism promotion campaign. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Visit Committee will jointly host the 2026 second-half Welcome Week from Friday through Nov. 15, offering foreign visitors travel information, special benefits and cultural experiences at five locations nationwide. The campaign coincides with the 2026 Korea Grand Festival and aims to improve travel convenience while encouraging international visitors to return to Korea. Welcome booths will operate at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 1 arrivals hall now through Nov. 15 and at Jeju International Airport's international arrivals hall from Saturday through Nov. 15. Visitors can receive tourism information in English, Japanese and Chinese, along with travel benefits and opportunities to participate in interactive events. This year's campaign features a collaboration with Snoopy Garden, a theme park in Jeju, bringing characters

As online gambling increasingly draws young people into its orbit, casino operator Paradise is putting its money behind a campaign urging teenagers to find a different kind of excitement — one built around their ambitions rather than bets. Paradise said Friday it had fully funded the production of a youth gambling prevention advertisement in partnership with the Korea Center on Gambling Problems, with the video set to debut on television and online platforms at the end of October. Titled “I play a different game,” the campaign carries a message encouraging teenagers to turn away from online gambling and pursue a wider world of opportunities, dreams and personal potential. The advertisement aims to communicate the risks of gambling in language and imagery tailored to younger audiences while raising public awareness of the issue. The initiative builds on a partnership established in September 2025, when Paradise and the Korea Center on Gambling Problems signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop gambling prevention content for teenagers and expand counseling services tai

Samsung Electronics and Korea Gas Safety Corp. have agreed to tighten safety controls at semiconductor facilities in Korea and overseas, seeking to prevent gas-related accidents and protect production continuity as the country's chip industry expands. The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday at Samsung's Pyeongtaek campus, focusing on strengthening gas safety infrastructure at facilities designated as nationally critical semiconductor sites. The agreement calls for closer technical cooperation to stabilize newly built facilities, including inspections of pipeline integrity and verification that gas installations meet safety requirements. Under the partnership, the organizations will conduct regular inspections of facilities and pipelines at new sites, provide training to develop specialized safety personnel and share technical information on gas safety. They also plan to jointly identify regulatory obstacles affecting semiconductor operations and explore ways to improve relevant rules. Another key element involves conducting joint special inspections of gas faci

Seoul has turned an underused underground subway concourse into a recreational hub where outdoor runners can change clothes and store gear before hitting nearby riverside trails, while park golf enthusiasts can play indoors regardless of the weather. The facility — the ninth in a municipal network curiously named "Fun Stations" — opened Friday on basement level 1 of Shinmokdong Station on Line 9, offering direct access to the adjacent Anyangcheon stream running paths. The facility, located near exits 1 and 2 on the station's basement level, features a 213-square-meter runner support area and a 228-square-meter indoor park golf center equipped with six screen-based hitting bays. The runner facilities include three changing rooms for men and women each, along with 14 lockers in each section, and are available free of charge. Lockers cost 3,000 won ($2.10) for four hours, while vending machines offer running essentials such as shower wipes and energy gels. The runner support area operates from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., covering subway service hours. The indoor park golf center operates from 8

Dongwon Industries, Korea’s leading seafood conglomerate, has deployed a state-of-the-art 2,000-ton fishing vessel equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and aerial drones to track tuna schools and enhance crew safety in the South Pacific. The company held a launch ceremony for the Danuri at Dadae Port in Busan Thursday afternoon, with about 200 people attending, including Oceans and Fisheries Minister Hwang Jong-woo, Dongwon Group Chairman Kim Nam-jung and Dongwon Industries CEO Park Sang-jin. Built with an investment of more than 50 billion won ($35 million), the vessel brings advanced technology to nearly every stage of tuna fishing, from locating schools to preserving the catch. Danuri carries two drones designed specifically for fish detection, capable of taking off and landing automatically while the vessel is moving and flying at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. Footage captured by the drones is analyzed in real time by AI systems in the vessel's control room, while three-dimensional sonar and radar help crews identify fish schools and improve fishing efficiency. The

A new children’s library in central Seoul is pairing English books with artificial intelligence (AI), interactive exhibits and cultural activities in an effort to make language learning feel less like a lesson and more like an adventure. Yongsan District said Thursday that Dongbinggo English Library for Children opened Wednesday on the first floor of Onnuri Youth Center in Dongbinggo Neighborhood Park, offering children a dedicated space for reading, language development and hands-on learning. The 389.74-square-meter facility includes a children’s reading room, program rooms and a waiting area for parents, along with a digital aquarium and interactive content designed to extend children’s experiences beyond the pages of books. About 80 people, including Yongsan District Mayor Kim Gyeong-dae and local residents, attended the opening ceremony, which featured a project briefing, congratulatory remarks, unveiling of the library sign and a tour of the facility. The library offers English-language books, along with programs tailored to different reading levels and activities intended to

Visitors to Changyeong Palace can now explore its royal history through their smartphones, with a new audio guide offering stories of the historic site in multiple languages and making its cultural heritage more accessible. The Changyeong Palace Management Office, part of the Korea Heritage Service’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, launched the service Thursday in partnership with Shinhan Bank, a corporate supporter of cultural heritage preservation. Visitors can access the guide by scanning QR codes on information boards at Honghwamun, the palace’s main gate, and at major points along the grounds. The codes connect users to Shinhan Bank’s Beautiful Shinhan website, where audio commentary is available in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese, alongside sign-language videos for visitors with hearing disabilities. The service combines basic explanations of the palace’s history and architecture with dramatized accounts of historical events, offering visitors a more engaging way to understand the site. Professional voice actors, along with actors Kim Young-min and Kim Hyun-joo, lend t

A two-day celebration of Seoul’s traditional markets drew about 50,000 visitors and generated 110 million won ($82,000) in sales, offering merchants a rare chance to reach new customers and showcasing how neighborhood commerce can become a destination for food, culture and nightlife. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that the 2026 Seoul Market Fair, held Saturday and Sunday around Cheonggye Plaza, marked the return of its signature traditional market expo after a seven-year hiatus. The festival brought together 38 businesses from traditional markets and neighborhood shopping districts across the city, including Namdaemun Market in Jung District and Baengnyeon Market in Gangbuk District, alongside emerging commercial areas such as Syarosu-gil in Gwanak District and Hoegirang-gil in Dongdaemun District. Organizers divided the event into daytime and evening programs, inviting visitors to shop for local specialties during the day before returning for street food, live music and nighttime performances beside Cheonggyecheon. Stalls offered everything from tteokbokki, grilled ch

An exhibition designed to help people see Seoul not just as it is but as what it could become has earned international design recognition, with more than 1 million visitors passing through its doors in less than nine months. My Friend Seoul Pavilion, an interactive exhibition space introducing the capital’s current landscape, future vision and urban policies, received a Gold rating in the exhibition category of FRAME Awards 2026, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday. The pavilion opened Feb. 5 and had attracted about 1 million visitors by the end of October, reflecting strong public interest in its presentation of the city’s development plans and ambitions. Organized by FRAME, a Dutch magazine specializing in interior design, the awards recognize work across 31 categories spanning architecture, interiors and exhibitions. The Seoul pavilion was among six finalists for Exhibition of the Year before receiving its Gold rating in the final judging announced Oct. 22. City officials said the recognition highlights how exhibition design and digital content can make complex urban po

Krafton Chairman Chang Byung-gyu urged aspiring entrepreneurs to venture beyond familiar territory, arguing that breakthroughs often begin when people abandon comfortable paths and embrace uncertainty. Chang delivered the keynote address, titled “Expanding Into Infinity,” at the 2026 Chung Ju-yung Startup Competition Demo Day on Wednesday at Coex in southern Seoul, where he discussed how personal choices, persistence and lessons from past ventures can open new avenues for growth. Hosted by the Asan Nanum Foundation, the competition marked its 15th edition this year under the theme “Infinite,” inspired by the late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung’s belief that human potential is limitless. Chang opened by reflecting on the paradox of finite human lives and the impulse to contemplate infinity, recalling how preparing remarks for the groundbreaking ceremony of Krafton’s headquarters in Seongsu-dong led him to consider how ideas and beliefs embedded in buildings can outlast both individuals and companies. He described giving up as one way to discover new possibilities, recount

Overseas Koreans living abroad can now easily apply for the reissuance of their military discharge certificates at Korean diplomatic missions, including embassies and consulates, without appointing a proxy in Korea. The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) and the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) announced Thursday that the expanded consular service takes effect immediately. Previously, diplomatic missions provided military service certificates, but lacked a system to issue replacement discharge certificates. Consequently, Koreans residing overseas who lost or damaged their certificates had to designate a representative back home to handle the application process, causing significant inconvenience. To honor veterans and streamline administrative support, the MMA issues wallet-sized, card-style discharge certificates in both Korean and English. Under the new arrangement, the MMA updated the relevant legal framework and established an integrated network with the OKA’s Consular Services 24 system. Overseas Koreans can now submit reissuance requests directly at local diplomatic missions, wh

Korea’s traditional rhythms, masked dances and epic storytelling are heading to European stages next month in a three-country tour designed to bring the energy of its intangible cultural heritage to international audiences. The National Intangible Heritage Center, under the Korea Heritage Service, said Thursday that “K-Intangible Heritage Festival: Pungjang Korea” would stage performances in Budapest on Wednesday, Podgorica on Nov. 8 and Ankara on Nov. 13. More than 20 performers, including practitioners of nationally recognized intangible heritage and contemporary artists, will combine traditional music, dance and theatrical performance in a production making its European debut. The tour is intended to raise the international profile of Korean cultural heritage while introducing audiences unfamiliar with its traditional arts to the exuberance and communal spirit at the heart of these performances. The program unfolds across four scenes, opening with “Mungut,” a ritual that launches the performance, followed by “Saemgut,” which invokes life and well-being. “Jisinbapgi” d

From global K-pop stars to rock pioneers and beloved television personalities, Korea is honoring generations of entertainers whose work has helped shape its popular culture, with BLACKPINK and the late singer Shin Hae-chul among this year’s recipients of the country’s highest government awards for the arts. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency, will hold the 17th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul, Thursday, recognizing 36 individuals and groups for their contributions to the industry. Ten recipients will receive cultural medals, while seven individuals or groups will receive presidential commendations, eight will receive prime ministerial commendations and 11 will receive commendations from the culture minister. Shin, who helped popularize Korean rock through his experimental music and his band N.EX.T, will receive the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, one of the country’s major cultural honors. The legendary rocker died unexpectedly in 2014 at age 46 due to medical

Lotte Department Store is set to open a sprawling retail space in Busan that brings anime, gaming, character merchandise and collectible figures together in one place. The department store’s Busan Main location will open Fandom Space on Friday on its basement first floor, spanning 1,785 square meters and carrying the slogan “Where Fandoms Come Alive.” The new zone brings together merchandise and experiences that have traditionally been scattered across specialty stores, aiming to give fans a place to shop, connect and celebrate their interests. The decision to launch the first location in Busan rather than Seoul reflects the growing appeal of the Seomyeon shopping district among younger consumers, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, according to the company. Sales to customers in those age groups at the Busan branch rose about 15 percent from January through September compared with the same period last year, the retailer said. The location also stands to benefit from Busan’s expanding international tourism market, with the city attracting 3.43 million foreign visitors through

Seoul Design Week attracted 670,000 visitors over 12 days, turning the city into a sprawling showcase for design and consumer culture while drawing international attention ahead of Seoul’s hosting of the 2027 World Design Congress. Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Design Foundation, the festival ran from Oct. 14 to 25, bringing together 871 companies and brands, 370 designers and 353 university students. This year’s edition expanded beyond Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) to 150 design destinations across five areas of Seoul, including Seongsu, Yeonhui, Seochon and Apgujeong, giving visitors opportunities to explore design in studios, exhibitions and everyday spaces. The DDP Design Fair, co-hosted with lifestyle commerce platform 29CM, drew 35,000 visitors over five days, with more than 80 brands presenting products under the theme “A market full of personal tastes.” The event connected consumers with emerging and established designers, offering participating brands opportunities to gauge customer reactions and explore new sales channels. International par

K-pop boy group 1VERSE will release its first mini album and embark on its second world tour in 2027, opening a new chapter for the group as it seeks to reach audiences across more continents. Korean music label Singing Beetle announced the plans, Wednesday, saying the projects would mark the end of the group’s “SHATTERED” era. The mini album will feature songs self-produced by the members, according to the label, which did not disclose the release date, album title or track list. The upcoming tour will expand beyond North America and Europe, where the group performed during its first world tour, although the label has not yet identified the additional regions it plans to visit. The group’s next chapter has been made possible in part by a crowdfunding project powered by 5TARZ, its fandom, with support from fans around the world, the announcement said. Tour dates, ticket details and additional information will be released through 1VERSE’s official social media channels, the label said. 1VERSE, pronounced “universe,” is preparing to build on its first international tour with a

Nearly one in four visitors to a Seoul-branded pop-up store at Seoul Forest were foreign tourists, driving total attendance past 42,000 over three months as municipal authorities work to capitalize on the city's global profile through official merchandise. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that 42,738 people visited The Seoul My Soul Lounge from July 31 to Tuesday during the 2026 Seoul International Garden Show. Foreign visitors numbered 10,272, accounting for 24 percent of the total, according to the city. Set up on a lawn at Seoul Forest, the lounge combined garden displays with merchandise and food products designed to showcase Seoul’s identity, expanding on the city’s existing Seoul My Soul promotional spaces. The venue featured four sections dedicated to Seoul-themed merchandise, food, the city's brand and retail products. Among the biggest draws for international visitors were edible items, including red bean bread made by Koryodang Bakery and snacks from Pungsimdang, both developed through partnerships between the city and private companies. Merchandise featuring

The number of foreign residents living in Korea rose for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 to reach a record high of 2.66 million, driven largely by a sharp increase in international students, government data showed Wednesday. According to the 2025 Foreign Resident Status report released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, foreign residents totaled 2,662,967 as of Nov. 1 last year. The figure represents a 3.1 percent increase, or 79,341 people, from 2,583,626 a year earlier, based on census data compiled by the National Data Agency. Foreign residents now account for 5.1 percent of Korea’s total population of 51,817,499 — the highest proportion on record. The ministry defines foreign residents as individuals residing in the country for more than 90 days who hold foreign nationality, have acquired Korean citizenship or were born in Korea to foreign-national or naturalized parents. By category, non-Korean nationals grew 3.2 percent to 2,109,057, while naturalized citizens increased 4.4 percent to 256,491. Korean-born children of foreign residents edged up 0.7 percent to 297,4