Bang Min-su, better known as C.A.P. from his days in boy band Teen Top, met Democratic Party of Korea youth policy researcher Seo Min-seon last year, when she approached him with an idea to form Korea’s first labor union for K-pop idols. The 33-year-old former idol had already spoken publicly about labor and human rights issues in the K-pop industry. In September 2024, he testified at a National Assembly forum on the labor rights of child and teenage K-pop artists, raising concerns about unpaid

Dressed in the signature red, black and white of Korea's "Red Devils" soccer supporters, BTS took the stage at the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday as featured performers in the tournament's first-ever halftime show. Held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the final between Spain and Argentina, BTS' 11-minute performance was part of an extended interval introduced for this year's championship match. Following an orchestral rendition of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" conducted by Gusta

When 45-year-old Bang Kyeong-hwan's son clinched first place among fourth graders at a national swimming competition last year representing his school, he found the accomplishment deserving of recognition. What his son was rewarded with at school, however, was a private, low-key ceremony between himself and his teacher. There was no classroom applause or cheers for the champion, although Bang thought he deserved it. "For kids growing up, there should be a culture of cheering for a classmate's su

Shin Hyun-song, tapped to lead the Bank of Korea, is one of the country's most internationally prominent monetary policymakers and is widely seen as an economist with a hawkish bent. Born in Daegu in 1959, Shin received most of his education in Britain. After graduating from Emanuel School in London, he earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in economics from Oxford University, where he later taught until 2000. He went on to teach at the London School of Economics and Princeton Univers

Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki, one of Korea’s most beloved actors and a moral anchor of its cinema, died Monday at the age of 74. He had been receiving treatment in an intensive care unit and was hospitalized in an unconscious state for six days after he collapsed at his home on Dec. 30. Over a career that spanned nearly seven decades, Ahn became known for his calm authority and remarkable range. He appeared in more than 170 films, a body of work that mirrored the evolution of modern Korean cinema i

As global consumers increasingly prioritize affordability in personal tech, South Korean electronics giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are stepping up their game in the wireless earbuds market, aiming to undercut Apple’s longstanding dominance with value-driven alternatives. Wireless earbuds priced below 200,000 won ($142) are typically categorized as mid- to low-end offerings. While Apple’s AirPods continue to symbolize the high-end segment, competitors such as Xiaomi, Samsung and n

Han Hak-ja, leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, better known as the Unification Church, was taken into custody after a Seoul court approved her arrest early Tuesday morning. The 82-year-old appeared in public for the last time before her arrest when she exited the court building without answering any questions at approximately 7 p.m., Monday, five hours after she attended her warrant hearing. The court found it necessary to detain Han, citing concerns over evidence t

Busan won its bid to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in 2026, marking South Korea's first time as host since the annual meeting was established in 1977. The announcement was made during the 47th committee meeting in Paris on Tuesday. The annual meeting is the largest annual international event on the cultural heritage calendar. Next year, it is expected to take place July 19-29 at the Bexco Convention Center, although a final decision will come after further discussions, ac

"Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream in Ulsan," newly designated as UNESCO World Heritage, will have a buffer from rising water levels during heavy rain from as early as 2029, when three gates at the spillway of Sayeon Dam are completed. The petroglyphs that show evidence of prehistoric marine fishing in East Asia were designated as UNESCO World Heritage at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, Saturday. “It is estimated that the gate will be completed between lat

In response to a question about achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung offered an unconventional metaphor — comparing inter-Korean relations to a troubled marriage in need of counseling. Addressing reporters Thursday at his first press conference to mark his 30th day in office, Lee recalled his time as a lawyer handling divorces. He shared that some couples reconsidered splitting up after he encouraged them to see the situation from each other’s perspective