Chang Han-na, president and CEO of Seoul Arts Center Korea, has disclosed ownership of a rare cello valued at 1.37 billion won ($940,000), according to a government asset filing released Friday. Her cello was reportedly made by celebrated Italian luthier Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in 1757. It was purchased and presented to Chang in 1995 by South Korean corporate sponsors and arts patrons after her victory at the Rostropovich International Cello Competition at age 11. The instrument, together w

Chinese actress Tang Wei, the wife of South Korean film director Kim Tae-yong, has given birth to the couple's second child, a baby boy, according to local reports quoting her aide on Thursday. The person close to Tang confirmed that the actor recently delivered a son, Yonhap reported. Tang, 47, announced the birth herself a day earlier on social media, sharing a photo of the family of four holding hands. It was not known when she actually delivered the child. In the post, she quoted her 10-year

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee on Thursday adopted a decision urging Japan to better present the history of the Sado Gold Mine, saying Tokyo has yet to fully honor its commitment to reflect the wartime mobilization of Korean laborers at the site. The decision, adopted without amendment or debate during the committee's 48th session in Busan, calls on Japan to further develop its interpretation and exhibition strategy to ensure it reflects the site's "whole history," including the forced mobili

BTS is set to perform at the first official halftime show in FIFA World Cup final history, taking the stage during the championship match between Spain and Argentina. The World Cup final kicks off at 4 a.m. Korea time on Monday, with BTS expected to perform during halftime at around 5 a.m. The 11-minute show will feature BTS alongside Madonna, Justin Bieber and Shakira in what FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called "the biggest halftime show in the world." The production, curated by Coldplay

Actors Lee Jong-suk and IU have ended their relationship after four years of dating publicly, their agencies confirmed Friday. Representatives for both stars said the couple recently decided to part ways and remain on good terms as colleagues. Lee and IU first met in 2012 while serving as co-hosts of SBS's music program "Inkigayo." After nearly a decade of friendship, they confirmed their romantic relationship in late 2022. The couple's increasingly demanding schedules left them with less time t

Director Christopher Nolan will visit South Korea for the first time next month to promote his latest film, "The Odyssey," Universal Pictures said Monday. Nolan will arrive in Seoul on Aug. 3 alongside cast members Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. The visit marks Nolan's first trip to South Korea. In a handwritten letter released through Universal Pictures, Nolan thanked Korean audiences for their longstanding support. "I'm deeply grateful for the support and love you've shown for my films. I'm e

Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character Rumi in Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," tied the knot last week. Vogue reported Tuesday that the Korean American actress married Christopher Lee, a surgeon, on Saturday in Florence, Italy. The couple incorporated Korean wedding traditions into the ceremony, wearing hanbok, traditional Korean attire and holding a "pyebaek," a post-wedding rite in which newlyweds pay respects to their families. Cho is best known for her roles in the television

Busan was awash in BTS fever on Friday, on the eve of the group’s 13th debut anniversary, as fans from all over the world gathered, and themed displays — including a blimp and buses wrapped with members' pictures — marked the opening of the group's two-day concert. Ahead of BTS' two-day "Arirang" world tour stop at Busan Asiad Main Stadium, the group said it was "very happy" to reunite with its fans, known collectively as Army, in Korea. "We are so happy to be able to enjoy this special day with

Girls' Generation's Choi Soo-young and actor Jung Kyung-ho have ended their relationship after 14 years together, their agencies confirmed Tuesday. A representative of Jung's agency said the actor and Choi had recently broken up, but declined to provide further details, citing privacy concerns. Choi's agency also confirmed the split, saying the two have decided to remain on good terms as colleagues. Local media reports said the couple's busy schedules gradually created distance in the relationsh

It was nearly 30 degrees Celsius in Seoul on the first day of Jensen Huang’s Seoul visit, but he sported his signature black leather jacket despite the sweltering weather. The fashion item quickly drew attention and dominated conversations online. On major South Korean online shopping platforms, products modeled after Huang’s look began appearing under keywords such as “Jensen Huang jacket.” Online posts cataloging the brands and prices of leather jackets Huang has worn over the years also gaine

Korean celebrities joined voters across the country in casting their ballots Wednesday in South Korea's local elections and parliamentary by-elections, while encouraging fans to vote through social media. Among them was Jin of BTS, who visited a polling station in Seoul's Hannam-dong after briefly returning to Korea from the group's world tour in support of its new album "Arirang." Broadcaster Jang Young-ran and actors So Yoo-jin and Yoon Jong-hoon also shared voting photos and urged fans to par

스타벅스 미국 본사가 5·18 광주민주화운동 기념일과 맞물린 스타벅스코리아의 프로모션 논란에 대해 공식 사과했다. 스타벅스 본사는 19일 오전 (한국시간) 미국 본사 명의로 코리아헤럴드에 전달한 입장문에서 “의도하지 않았더라도 결코 발생해서는 안 되는 일이었다”며 “희생자와 유가족, 그리고 한국 민주화에 기여한 모든 분들에게 깊은 상처와 모욕감을 드린 점을 무겁게 받아들이고 있다”고 밝혔다. 이어 “스타벅스코리아는 즉시 해당 캠페인을 중단했으며, 경영진 책임 조치도 이뤄졌다”며 “현재 철저한 조사가 진행 중이며, 내부 통제와 검수 기준, 전사 교육을 강화해 유사 사례가 재발하지 않도록 하겠다”고 덧붙였다. 또 “광주 시민들과 이번 비극으로 영향을 받은 모든 분들, 고객과 지역사회에 진심으로 사과드린다”고 밝혔다. 이번 논란은 스타벅스코리아가 지난 15일부터 26일까지 진행한 텀블러 프로모션에서 비롯됐다. 스타벅스코리아는 ‘탱크 텀블러’ 홍보 과정에서 '5.18 탱크 데이’란 이름의

Starbucks issued an apology Tuesday over a promotional event by its South Korean unit that coincided with the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, calling it an “unacceptable marketing incident.” The coffee chain held a promotion for its Tank Tumblers, with the date appearing alongside phrases such as “Tank Day” and “Bang on the Desk.” The May 18 movement ended in a massacre by the South Korean military. “We are deeply sorry for an unacceptable marketing incident in Korea

The return of BTS on Friday comes at a moment when K-pop’s global reach is firmly established — and still growing. On Saturday, the seven-member group will reunite onstage for the first time in nearly four years. The concert, set in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, is expected to draw about 260,000 fans from around the world, a testament to the group’s enduring pull even after years away. BTS’ military hiatus did little to slow K-pop’s momentum. Acts like Stray Kids and NewJeans have continu

Authorities in Seoul are preparing extensive security and traffic measures ahead of the BTS comeback concert set for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square. It’s the first time since the 2002 and 2006 World Cups that more than 200,000 people are expected to gather for a cultural event held in the Gwanghwamun area. Here’s what visitors should know. Entry Seoul plans to block off the Gwanghwamun area with fences and set up 31 designated gates to control entry and exit like a stadium. This means access to