With all the hype surrounding the K-pop industry, how much does it actually earn? The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute sought to answer this question with data, which revealed that the K-pop industry raked in nearly $900 million from overseas last year. In 2023, the estimated overseas sales of K-pop amounted to 1.24 trillion won ($893 million), exceeding 1 trillion won for the first time, according to the government-run organization's report on Wednesday. Compared to the previous year, K

The music of the late Park Bo-ram will be re-released at the request of her family and colleagues, on her 10th debut anniversary. Xanadu Entertainment, Park's agency, announced it is re-releasing popular tracks by Park, including "As Time Goes," on Aug. 7, her debut date. Park performed "As Time Goes" during the finals of the 2010 Mnet audition program "Superstar K2" which was broadcast live. It was also the last song she recorded while preparing for her 10th-a

'The Butterfly on the Bund 1939' opens at Daehagno theater

The Korea Heritage Service will expand the tomb of Lee Dong-nyeong, a historic site in central Seoul that the government says needs a makeover to show proper respect for the Korean independence fighter. Lee’s family has long requested the expansion of the site at Hyochang Park in Yongsan-gu where Lee’s comrades are also buried. They argue the former independence activist deserves more space, given his role in the Korean Provisional Government in its fight against Japan’s 1910-4

On the stage of the S Theater at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, two actors stand on a simple stage set. Their conversation in Persian may sound unfamiliar to many here but as the play evolves, the premiere of “Blind Runner,” by Iranian playwright and director Amir Reza Koohestani, captivates the audience with unconventional directing techniques, such as using a live camera feed on a screen, and actors running through the stage. Although “Blind Runner” was

Discover true self through nature at Romyzian Garden When life feels dull and everyday routines become tiring and noisy, Romyzian Garden may offer a place of peace and comfort through nature. Located on the serene slopes of Garisan, a mountain in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, the unique garden is a 100,000 square meter sanctuary for healing and reflection. Romyzian Garden was lovingly created by a husband (Zian) for his wife (Romy), taking ten years to complete. Every tree and stone in the garden

A pile of cattle bones presumed to date back to the Joseon era (1392-1910) has been discovered at an area near Jongmyo -- a special shrine for the deceased kings and queens of Joseon -- in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, according to a research institute Wednesday. A Han Ul Research Institute of Cultural Heritage official explained that this is not the first time that the organization has found cattle bones within Hanyangdoseong -- also known as the Seoul City Wall -- area, but that the bones found in

The Korea National Symphony Orchestra is broadening its reach by sending young members of the Korea National Symphony Orchestra to perform in innovative spaces. KNSO's new quartet consisting of violinists Kim Jeong, Kim A-hyun, violist Yoon Jee-hyun and cellist Choi Jung-woo took the stage Saturday at Concino Concrete, a popular place for listening to vinyl music in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The quartet, still unnamed, performed Czech composer Bedrich Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 i

"K-story & Comics in America" will hold its first public interactive event in the US this month. "K-story & Comics in America" is an annual business-to-business event organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to help Korean content companies export their works to the overseas market. This year's "K-story & Comics in America" will feature the first-ever business-to-consumer event, inviting the publ

Chinese baritone Li Zihao, 22, was announced as the overall winner of the inaugural Sumi Jo International Singing Competition, launched by renowned South Korean soprano Sumi Jo. Out of the 500 participants aged 18-32, 24 vocalists advanced to the main competition that took place for a week at the Chateau de la Ferte-Imbault in France's Loire Valley. The winners announced Saturday also included Romanian tenor George Ionut Virban, 29, and Korean tenor Lee Ki-up, 31. First place awards a prize

Since his debut at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1993, renowned bass singer Youn Kwang-chul has performed over 150 times at the Bayreuth Festival and been awarded the title of "Kammersanger,” which is given to distinguished singers of opera and classical music in German-speaking countries. Even with a mountain of achievements and awards, the past 30 years as a bass singer feel like the blink of an eye, Youn told reporters during an interview last week. “Thirty years was just three

As this Seoul orchestra gathered in the practice room for a rehearsal, something unusual about the instruments became apparent -- all but one of them was a cello. The Dodo Cello Orchestra, composed of amateur players ranging from their 20s to their 60s, was founded in 2013 by professional cellist Park Song-yi, who wanted to create a bigger "playground" for her students. “Playing the cello is not an easy choice to make. A cellist, for example, has certain limits when playing in an

Overseas tourists, who acquire Korea Travel Card, will be able to easily spot and make reservations at Korean hospitals via Reserve with Google starting from July. Korea Travel Card is a transport and payment card for foreign visitors accepted at almost 5 million locations nationwide. According to Redtable, the provider of this inbound traveler-friendly card, international patients can review Korean hospital ratings, photos, videos and look up and other detailed profiles of the medical facilitie

Tune in this weekend to witness some of the most imaginative pieces of content available — short animated films. Utilizing the creative liberty afforded by fewer restrictions compared to feature-length films, these series of short animations will not only captivate you with its artistic innovation but also deeply impact you with profound, heartfelt and thought-provoking messages. “Love, Death & Robots” on Netflix Since its debut in 2019, "Love, Death & Robots,&qu

The former medical quarter of Changdoekgung will be open to the public from July 17 to August 18, offering traditional summertime drinks in what the Korea Heritage Service believes could boost tours to one of the four main Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces in Seoul. At the quarter called “yakbang,” or pharmacy in Korean, visitors will be given small cups of two drinks “jehotang,” made with Korean medicinal herbs, and the “omija” tea prepared with magnolia berries