Entertainment
Busan Secures ₩9.63 Trillion in National Funding for 2025 Projects
Busan, South Korea - Busan Mertropolitan City has secured ₩9.63 trillion in national funding for 2025, a significant boost of ₩400 billion (4.3%) from the previous year. This ambitious funding package empowers the city to embark on transformative projects designed to reshape its infrastructure, drive technological advancements, and amplify its cultural and economic profile. The scale of these initiatives illustrates Busan’s ambition to become a global powerhouse for logistics, innovation, and su
"APT.": Rosé and Bruno Mars Revive a Fading Korean Tradition
Who would have guessed that a simple childhood game, once popular in Korea’s sprawling apartment complexes, could inspire a global pop sensation? With their new hit "APT.", Rosé and Bruno Mars have managed to bring back the rhythm and nostalgia of the "Apartment Game", a game many Koreans remember fondly, but which has been fading from the cultural landscape. This playful track not only celebrates the fun of Korea’s social games but also bridges cultural boundaries with its modern pop energy.
Reviving Korea’s Forgotten Feminist Art in Jeongnyeon
Korean dramas have become powerful vehicles for reviving lost cultural traditions, and Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born brings to life the forgotten art of gukgeuk, an all-female theater form that thrived in the 1950s. Set in post-war Korea, the series not only tells the story of a young woman’s rise to stardom but also serves as a celebration of women’s resilience, talent, and resistance in the face of societal constraints. Through its music, characters, and storytelling, Jeongnyeon reintroduces a
Challenges and Insights from the 2024 Busan Biennale
The 2024 Busan Biennale, now in its 12th edition, ambitiously tackles the complexities of modern existence through the theme “Seeing in the Dark.” Running for 65 days across multiple iconic venues, including the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art and the historic Bank of Korea building, the Biennale explores spiritual and cultural realms, weaving together concepts such as pirate utopias and Buddhist monasticism. Co-directed by Vera Mey and Philippe Pirotte, the event aims to offer new perspectives
Han Kang's Nobel: Korean Poetry and the Power of Translation
In a groundbreaking moment for South Korean literature, Han Kang became the first Korean author to win the prestigious 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. The Nobel Committee recognized her for her “intense poetic prose” that not only reflects personal anguish but also confronts historical traumas that have shaped her nation’s identity. Han’s win signals a turning point, placing Korean literature firmly on the global literary map while drawing readers into the hauntingly beautiful and often brutal r
Exhuma: A Riveting Dive into the Heart of Korean Occult and Shamanism
In the world of cinema, where supernatural elements often blend with profound ideas, Exhuma, the latest film by director Jang Jae-hyun, stands out for its eerie depiction of Korean shamanistic rituals. Known for his mastery over the occult and supernatural genres, Jae-hyun takes the viewers on a thrilling ride into the heart of Korean occult practices. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hae-jin, and Lee Do-hyun. Exhuma is a worthy addition to the dire
South Korea's Entertainment Industry Demands Legal and Media Reform
In the wake of the tragic demise of the celebrated South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, a wave of profound grief and a fervent call for justice have swept through the nation’s cultural landscape. Notable figures from the world of cinema and music, including the internationally acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho, revered singer-composer Yoon Jong-shin, directors Lee Won-taek and Jang Hang-jun, along with actor Kim Ui-sung, have rallied in an unprecedented manner. Their collective voice echoes a demand f