Sixty percent of surveyed Koreans prefer attending movies or cultural events in person, and they spend an average of 187,000 won ($127) per month on leisure activities, according to a recent survey. The study, conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, surveyed Korean nationals’ attendance at cultural and arts events. It found that 63 percent of respondents engage in these activities in nonvirtual formats. The rate of in-person attendance at cultural events has steadily increased

Higher wages are the top priority for Korean employees in the new year, according to a report by Embrain Public. The survey, which polled 1,000 salaried employees over the age of 19, was commissioned by Workplace Gapjil 119, a group of labor experts and lawyers focused on protecting employees’ rights and eliminating workplace abuse. The report reveals that 77.7 percent of respondents prioritized higher pay, followed by 25.8 percent who desired less intense work or reduced work hours. Additionall

South Korea’s capital city, Seoul, has ranked sixth on the Global Power City Index, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The annual ranking, compiled by Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation, evaluates 48 major global cities based on six categories: Economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environment and accessibility. The evaluation uses 26 criteria and 70 indicators to determine each city’s overall competitiveness. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon had initially aimed t

Son Heung-min has been recognized as one of the world’s top left wingers and will continue his journey with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League for another year. Soccer media outlet Score90 released its rankings of the top five players worldwide for each position on Jan. 1, placing Son fifth in his primary position as a left winger. He ranked behind Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) in the top spot, followed in order by Raphinha (FC Barcelona), Luis Diaz (Liverpool) and Nico Williams (At

The proportion of unmarried individuals in their 40s grew 6.7 times for men and 5.7 times for women in 2020 compared to 20 years earlier, a government report showed, underscoring the trend of marrying later or not at all, which some blame for South Korea’s ultralow birth rate. The growing trend is attributed to people marrying later and a rise in lifelong singlehood, according to the annual social report by Statistics Korea. The report offers insights into the status of Korean society and key tr

The passing of former US President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29, at the age of 100, has sparked reflection on his legacy in diplomacy and humanitarian work. While widely celebrated for his efforts after leaving office, Carter’s presidency faced significant challenges, earning him an average approval rating of 45.5 percent. This ranks the second-lowest among post-World War II presidents, just above Harry Truman’s 45.4 percent. Donald Trump recorded the lowest first-term average at 41.1 percent. In sta

The number of influenza patients is rapidly increasing, particularly among adolescents, marking the largest outbreak since 2016. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the influenza-like illness, or ILI, rate — a measure of suspected flu patients among 1,000 outpatients at 300 sample monitoring medical institutions nationwide — surged to 73.9 between Dec. 22 and 28 last year. The figure reflects a dramatic 136 percent rise from the previous week’s rate of 31.3 per 1,000 pe

The year 2025 is recognized as the Year of the Blue Snake in the Chinese zodiac. Each year, one of the 12 zodiac animals is paired with an element from the Chinese Five Elements theory (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). For 2025, the associated element is wood, which is traditionally linked to the color blue. This connection is why 2025 is referred to as the Year of the Blue Snake.

On Dec. 14 at 4 p.m., during the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, women from different age groups made the most prominent presence at rallies in Yeouido and Gwanghwamun, according to living population statistics analyzed by Yonhap News Agency. The Seoul Metropolitan Government's living population statistics, developed in collaboration with KT, utilize public big data and telecommunications data to estimate the number of people in specific areas of Seoul at particul

The four-character idiom “Doryangbalho”, meaning "the rampant abuse of power and influence," was chosen as the idiom of the year. College professors highlighted their concerns, criticizing the misuse of authority for personal gain instead of serving the public good. According to a nationwide survey conducted by The Kyosu Sinmun from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2 among 1,086 professors, “Doryangbalho” received 41.4 percent of the votes (450), reflecting both past and curre