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New US envoy hails Korea alliance as 'one of the world's strongest'

INCHEON — Michelle Steel, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Korea, pledged to strengthen the alliance in line with U.S. President Donald Trump's vision in her first remarks after arriving in the country Thursday. "I look forward to working with the Republic of Korea to ensure that our ironclad alliance remains a linchpin of peace and security in the region," she told reporters shortly after landing at Incheon International Airport. Speaking in fluent Korean, Steel described herself as someone shaped by both countries. "I offer my respectful greetings to the Korean people. I was born in Seoul, but I stand here today representing the United States. Standing here again, a thousand mixed emotions cross my mind," she said. Switching to English, she framed the alliance in historical terms. "The United States and the Republic of Korea have stood together for more than 140 years. Our alliance was forged in war and secured by blood of those who stood shoulder to shoulder to defend freedom. It has been proven again and again through unwavering trust. Today it stands as one of the world's st

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PHOTOS Can it get any hotter?

A bear, exhausted by the heat, lies down to rest in the safari section of Daejeon O-World, Thursday, as a heat wave advisory remains in effect. Yonhap

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Sweltering heat wave to continue through next week

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What to know about Korea's life-threatening heat wave and how to stay safe

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Leveraged ETF fiasco weighs on Lee administration's economic team

When President Lee Jae Myung took office in June 2025, he promised to lift Korea's benchmark index to 5,000. Within a year, the KOSPI reached that target and kept surging to peak at 9,000, powered by a semiconductor boom and expectations of corporate governance reform. Barely a year into his presidency, the rally is unraveling. KOSPI has fallen back to around 5,000, this time amid an even more troubling development: extreme volatility. At the center of the volatility are single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The issue is weighing heavily on the Lee administration's financial team, and calls are growing for the resignations of top policymakers, as investors largely regard their countermeasures as makeshift and far from a fundamental solution. Introduced on May 27, the funds were intended in part to draw Korean retail investors away from leveraged products listed in Hong Kong and to ease pressure on the won-dollar exchange rate. However, the products have magnified gains and losses in some of the country's most heavily traded shares,

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EXPLAINER Why Korea's liberals see prosecutors as political enemy

The ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is pushing through a bill that would strip prosecutors of their investigative authority, seeking an end to years of bruising “prosecution reform” battles and what many in the party view as a politicized, uncontrollable power at the heart of the justice system. Under the new system, investigations and indictments would be split between new agencies, with one dedicated to investigations and the other to bringing charges and shepherding them through trial, effectively dismantling the Prosecutors’ Office's dual role, which was established in 1948. Distrust rooted in trauma Many outside observers find the governing party’s relentless campaign to weaken its own prosecutors puzzling, but for Korea’s liberals, the prosecution has come to embody a long history of politicized investigations. Much of that distrust is rooted in trauma: A probe targeting late former President Roh Moo-hyun, which played a role in his suicide in 2009, cemented an image of prosecutors as political hitmen. Subsequent investigations into key liberal figures, par

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Grammys defend new Asian pop category after BTS boycott

The U.S. Recording Academy has defended its creation of a new Asian pop category after K-pop supergroup BTS announced it will not compete at the upcoming Grammy Awards in an apparent protest against the move. Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, issued a statement on Wednesday (U.S. time) expressing sadness over the group's decision while respecting its choice. "I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision," he said in a statement posted on the Grammys' Instagram account. The academy's response came a day after the K-pop septet declined to submit their music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards slated for February 2027, voicing hope that music could be "heard and loved for what it is, rather than categorized by region or language." The band did not explicitly mention the reason for skipping the ceremony, but the move was widely seen as a protest against the creation of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category that critics say risks segregating non

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Samsung Electronics to break ground on 2nd fab in Taylor within this year

Samsung Electronics said Thursday it will break ground on the second foundry fab in Taylor, Texas, by the end of this year, citing growing global demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It also dismissed market concerns over a potential memory chip glut, saying the long lead time required to expand manufacturing capacity makes a sharp increase in supply before 2028 unlikely. Samsung Electronics shared its outlook on semiconductor business during its second-quarter earnings call on Thursday, during which it announced 89.5 trillion won ($62 billion) in record-breaking operating profit. The figure represents an 1,814 percent growth from a year earlier, and the revenue for the April-June period reached 171.5 trillion won, up 130 percent year-on-year. Both revenue and operating profit set new quarterly records, making Samsung Electronics the world’s most profitable company. The chip-making Device Solutions division alone posted 127.5 trillion won in sales, up 357 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit surged more than 220-fold to 89.2 trillion won. The record results we

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InterviewGymnast Chloe Cho eyes LA Olympics under Korean flag

DAEJEON — Chloe Cho calls gymnastics “a blessing.” It is how she discovered her strength, processed grief and, most importantly, found her way back to her father’s country. Now, the 20-year-old is quietly working toward a singular goal: to represent Korea at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Growing up Korean American in California Born in 2006 to a Korean father and American mother, Cho grew up just north of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita, California, in a household where Korean food, language and family rituals were woven into everyday life, even if she did not speak the language fluently. Her Korean name is Ji-yoon, a name her grandmother chose for her, meaning wisdom and grace. “My upbringing just felt normal to me,” she said during an interview with The Korea Times. “My mom is American, my dad was born in Korea but moved to Hawaii when he was 9, then to L.A. where my parents met.” She recalled weekends at her grandmother’s house: “We would eat, take a nap, then we’d watch K-drama or play go-stop (a Korean card game) for an hour.” Korean was the language in the back

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Ex-Korea football body chief, ex-nat'l team coach deny allegations of irregularities

Former Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu and former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo apologized Thursday for Korea's disappointing group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but firmly denied allegations of favoritism and procedural irregularities that have marred Korean football. Appearing before the National Assembly's Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, the two acknowledged responsibility for failing to meet public expectations while defending their actions against a series of accusations surrounding the KFA's management and the national team's coaching appointment. The hearing was convened following public backlash over the KFA's governance after Korea's group-stage elimination from this year's World Cup, despite greater opportunities to advance following the tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams. "Having done my utmost for the development of Korean football during my tenure, I nevertheless sincerely apologize for the controversies and the disappointing World Cup result," Chung said in his opening statement. He served four terms as KFA preside

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Lee Kang-in tops Atletico jersey sales even before debut: Spanish media

The early commercial response to Lee Kang-in's transfer recalls the surge in interest that followed his move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2023. Madrid is already feeling the intense focus on the Korean midfielder following his time in Paris. Lee joined Spanish club Atletico Madrid on Saturday and reportedly moved to the top of the club's jersey sales list, underscoring his immediate commercial appeal. Lee is reportedly in Korea fulfilling alternative military service obligations stemming from the exemption he earned after winning gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, but fan interest is already building in Madrid. Spanish sports daily Marca reported the sales figures. The newspaper reported on Thursday that Lee's signing had already made a major commercial impact before he made an appearance for Atletico. Forward Julian Alvarez did not generate this level of early merchandise demand, with the strong response expected to boost the club's commercial revenue. The hype extends beyond Korea to the United States. The intense interest was evident in Korea at the time of the transfer announc

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Samsung SDI posts earnings surprise, returns to profit after 7 quarters

Samsung SDI delivered a major earnings surprise in the second quarter, returning to operating profit for the first time in seven quarters as surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) data center batteries drove a faster-than-expected turnaround. LG Energy Solution also swung to an operating profit in the second quarter, underscoring the growing importance of energy storage systems (ESS) as rising power demand and massive investment in AI infrastructure offset sluggish demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Samsung SDI said Thursday that it posted an operating profit of 203.8 billion won ($140 million) in the April-June period, reversing an operating loss of 290.2 billion won a year earlier. The result significantly exceeded market expectations, with analysts predicting the company would remain in the red until the second half of the year. Revenue rose 18.5 percent year-on-year to 3.77 trillion won, while net profit reached 471.6 billion won, up 740.5 percent from the previous quarter. Its cumulative operating profit reached 48.2 billion won in the first half, putting the company ahea

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President highlights Chile as Korea's 1st FTA partner during Santiago visit

President Lee Jae Myung underscored Chile's significance as Korea's first-ever free trade agreement (FTA) partner, saying the South American nation recognized Korea's potential long before it gained global prominence. Speaking at a dinner meeting with members of the Korean community in Santiago Wednesday (local time), the president's remarks came during his three-nation South America tour this week, which also includes Brazil and Argentina. Lee is seeking to expand trade and investment with Mercosur, a South American trade bloc, by capitalizing on the complementary nature of the two economies — Mercosur in agriculture, food production, energy and critical minerals, and Korea in advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, shipbuilding and batteries. "Chile was not only the first Latin American country to recognize the Republic of Korea in 1949, a year after our government was established, but also Korea's first FTA partner," Lee said. The bilateral FTA took effect in April 2004, years before Korea's FTAs with major trading partners such as the United States, which entered into force i

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President highlights Chile as Korea's 1st FTA partner during Santiago visit thumbnail

KT fined $37.4 mil. over data leak via illegal base stations

Korea's privacy watchdog said Thursday it has fined wireless carrier KT Corp. 53.9 billion won ($37.4 million) over a major data breach that affected more than 16,000 users. The Personal Information Protection Commission also ordered KT to take corrective measures over the breach into the company's wireless network through unauthorized mobile base stations. The breach, first reported by the company in September, affected phone numbers and mobile device identification numbers of 16,647 users, according to the regulator. Malicious actors then used the information to carry out unauthorized transactions, leading to losses of 240 million won in total for 368 victims. The watchdog said the hackers went unnoticed while they accessed KT's wireless network between Oct. 8, 2024, and Sept. 5, 2025, adding the company only realized the breach had occurred after a user complaint. The hackers had gained access to the network by building illegal base stations using authentication certificates extracted from base stations KT had lost. The regulator ordered the company to strengthen security measures for i

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Slow living, spicy flavors in Chengdu resonate with Korean travelers

CHENGDU, China — For a growing number of Koreans, Chengdu is less a dot on a map than a promise: That fans of Sichuan hotpot and mala already obsessed back home can come here to sweat over pepper-slick dishes one day, then rediscover the forgotten pleasure of doing absolutely nothing by simply sitting under a park-side tree. China’s fourth-largest metropolitan area, home to more than 21 million residents, has long been known domestically as a “land of abundance” — a basin ringed by mountains, blessed with fertile soil and, more recently, branded as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Chengdu has emerged as Koreans’ next favorite Chinese getaway not only because it’s cheaper, but because it offers exactly what many feel is missing in their busy lives: intensely flavorful food and spaces to slow down. On the plate: 24 flavors, penchant for spices Chengdu has a popular saying about the region’s love of heat: “Sichuan people are afraid food won’t be spicy enough.” In everyday life, dishes are not just hot; they are engineered to make the body sweat and cool down in Sichuan’s

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Jogye Order to offer discounted temple stays for foreigners next month

"Temple stays," overnight cultural programs at Buddhist temples, will be offered at a discounted rate for foreign visitors and residents next month, organizers said Thursday, as part of efforts to promote traditional Buddhist culture amid a rebound in tourism. The program will run throughout September at 19 temples nationwide, with participants able to book a one-night stay for 30,000 won ($20.8), according to the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, which operates under the Jogye Order, the country's largest Buddhist sect. Regular temple stay rates for adults range from 70,000 won to 100,000 won per night. Participating sites include Seoul's Jogye and Hwagye temples, Naksan and Woljeong temples in Gangwon Province, Tongdo and Haein temples in South Gyeongsang Province, Seonun Temple in North Jeolla Province, and Magok Temple in South Chungcheong Province. Reservations will open on the official English website for temple stays (eng.templestay.com) from 1 p.m. on Aug. 12 on a first-come, first-served basis, the organizers said.

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Military to inspect front-line Army corps after post found operating without live ammunition

The military plans to inspect front-line Army corps based around Seoul and in border areas after one of the units was found to have been conducting guard duties without live ammunition loaded, officials said Thursday. Criticism is growing after the 1st Corps, responsible for the western front, has instructed its soldiers to use unloaded K6 heavy machine guns while on guard duty and to leave live ammunition next to the firearms. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which oversees all operations along the border with North Korea, has said it was not aware that the unit had altered its policy and that it will thoroughly address the matter. The Chosun Ilbo daily reported Thursday that the same corps has also used unloaded K4 automatic grenade launchers, a 40-millimeter heavy firearm designed to attack enemy troops and light armored vehicles at ranges of up to 1,500 m. The corps commander reportedly issued the directive at his own discretion, apparently to prevent accidental discharges, as such incidents involving loaded machine guns often occurred at front-line posts. The Army's Ground Operations

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Battleships, bubbles and beats: Seoul's coolest summer splash is back

Where else in the world can you dodge water cannon blasts, slide down a 20-foot inflatable chute and tour a decommissioned 1,900-ton naval frigate all in the same afternoon? This Saturday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is hosting the second annual Seoul Battleship Water Picnic, turning Mangwon Hangang Park into a massive, wet-and-wild summer playground. Running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the single-day extravaganza offers an unbeatable deal for locals and travelers alike: a full day of aquatic madness and naval history for just 1,000 won ($0.75). Designed for all ages, the festival splits its splash zones into age-appropriate pools and slides, keeping toddlers, grade schoolers and brave adults in their own fun zones. Safety guards will be stationed throughout the grounds, ensuring parents can kick back while kids tackle the towering 4-meter and 6-meter water slides, fountain tunnels, water cannons and spinning water-roller tubes. The highlight of the afternoon hits at 2:30 p.m. with the high-stakes Seoul Battleship vs. Chamsuri Water Gun Showdown. Armed with personal water pistols, opp

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Lee Chang-dong becomes first Korean to win TIFF Ebert Director Award

Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong has become the first Korean director to win the TIFF Ebert Director Award, a lifetime achievement honor presented at the Toronto International Film Festival. Netflix said Thursday that Lee will receive the prize at the festival's annual Tribute Awards ceremony on Sept. 13, recognizing his original vision and cinematic innovation in a career spanning nearly three decades. The award, named after the late U.S. film critic Roger Ebert, has previously gone to Mexican director Guillermo del Toro; British filmmakers Mike Leigh and Sam Mendes; American director Spike Lee; Canadian director Denis Villeneuve; and Chinese director Chloe Zhao. The recognition comes as "Possible Love," Lee's first feature in eight years following the critically acclaimed "Burning" (2018), is set to make its North American premiere at the festival, which runs from Sept. 10-20. Starring Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong, the Netflix-backed film centers on the intertwined lives of two married couples — a laid-off worker and his wife and an affluent documentary filmma

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'Teach You a Lesson' in real life? Gyeonggi's plan to run new teacher protection unit

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education is moving to turn the hit Netflix drama “Teach You a Lesson” into something closer to real life — but without the violence. The office said Wednesday that it has launched a task force dedicated to building a new teacher protection system that aims to support teachers from the moment a malicious complaint arises until a case is resolved. More than 1,800 people applied for the part-time positions designed to protect the rights of teachers — far exceeding the recruitment target of 50. “We see this as a reflection of how much public concern over teacher rights has increased,” a senior official working on that initiative told The Korea Times. “Compared with the past, nationwide awareness that teacher authority must be protected has apparently risen, and the number of applicants embodies that will.” The unexpectedly strong response has led the office to consider doubling the first intake to around 100 officers, and possibly higher, according to officials. After interviews, those selected will work as “teacher rights protection offic

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'Once' star Glen Hansard dies in crash in Ireland

January 2015 was legendary singer-songwriter Glen Hansard’s last trip to Seoul. It was a memorable one filled with tears of joy as Korean people flocked to see the “Once” star. Hansard called out “Bo-go-si-peo-yo, I missed you” in broken Korean to a full house in the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts 11 years ago. Now after his sad passing in a motorcycle accident in Dublin in the early hours of Wednesday, it's our turn to say “we’ll miss you.” The Oscar-winning songwriter died aged 56 in a motorcycle crash near Chapelizod in Dublin, Ireland. "With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard. Glen's family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss," ATC Management said in a statement. Born in Ballymun, Dublin, on April 21, 1970, Hansard left school at the age of 13 without much prospects. He said he turned his life around by teaching himself how to play guitar and write songs, while listening to his idols, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. He went from busking on the streets of his hometown of Dublin to success with his band The Fr

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'Once' star Glen Hansard dies in crash in Ireland thumbnail

'Spider-Man 4' draws over 680,000 moviegoers on opening day, tops Korean box office

The latest Spider-Man film drew more than 680,000 moviegoers in Korea on its opening day to claim the top spot at the box office, data showed Thursday, setting a new high for any release this year. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," the fourth installment starring Tom Holland, attracted about 688,000 viewers Wednesday, accounting for 83.2 percent of all ticket sales, according to the data from the Korean Film Council. The figure surpassed the opening-day attendances of Na Hong-jin's sci-fi thriller "Hope" with 333,000 and Yeon Sang-ho's zombie thriller "Colony" with 199,000, both released earlier this year, according to Sony Pictures, the local distributor of the Spider-Man film. It also exceeded the first-day results of previous entries in the franchise: "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017) with 540,000, "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019) with 670,000 and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021) with 630,000. The new film follows an adult Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he confronts new threats while grappling with having been forgotten by everyone who knows him, including his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), and b

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'Spider-Man 4' draws over 680,000 moviegoers on opening day, tops Korean box office thumbnail

Editor's Pick

Why saunas are suddenly cool among young Koreans

Why saunas are suddenly cool among young Koreans

At 2 p.m. on July 21, the clientele at the charcoal-fired jjimjilbang, a Korean bathhouse and sauna complex in Seoul's Seodaemun District, looked a little different from the normal visitors. Of the 36 visitors relaxing in the bathhouse's standard-issue lounge clothing, 21 were young adults in their 20s and 30s. Kim Geum-sook, 68, a snack bar employee who has worked at the facility for 16 years, said, "It is the first time so many young people have visited like this." She added that the influx is breathing new life into an industry battered by closures during the pandemic. From private rooms to social gatherings Long associated with middle-aged and older customers, saunas are shedding their dated image. Young adults are recasting them as a prime location for trendy wellness rituals, driving a cultural revival that has turned traditional bathhouses into fashionable social spaces. This shift is especially visible online, where a new class of sauna influencers posts reviews and documents their trips to saunas Korea and neighboring Japan. Dedicated accessories, including personalized sauna ha

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Life in Korea

Seoul turns city landmarks into open-air movie theaters for summer nights

Seoul turns city landmarks into open-air movie theaters for summer nights

Seoul is transforming the walls of a landmark performing arts center and the underside of a bridge over the Han River into free outdoor movie theaters, betting that unusual venues will draw residents into the city's growing nighttime cultural scene. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that it will host two outdoor cinema programs using its media art exhibition platforms at Gwanghwamun and Nodeul Island. The first event, "Sejong Courtyard Cinema," is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. at Atelier Gwanghwa, where the exterior wall of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will serve as a giant movie screen. The featured film will be the family animation "Little Amelie." The city said 60 people, including 50 selected through advance registration and 10 admitted on-site, will be able to watch the film while relaxing on beanbag chairs and enjoying light refreshments. Social media events, satisfaction surveys and prize drawings will also be held during the evening. The second program, "Riverside Mosquito Net Cinema," will be held Aug. 15 and 16 beneath Hangang Bridge at Atelier Nodeul on N

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New express bus promises faster ride from downtown Seoul to Everland

New express bus promises faster ride from downtown Seoul to Everland

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Crackdown targets unruly behavior along Cheonggye Stream

Crackdown targets unruly behavior along Cheonggye Stream

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Lifestyle

Seoul claims 4 spots on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, Zest retains No. 2 ranking

Korea continues to prove its strong presence in the regional cocktail scene, with four local spots enshrined on the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 list. The annual ranking, announced Tuesday night during a ceremony held in Macau, features the top drinking spots across 22 Asian cities. Zest retained its position, coming in second, while Hope & Sesame in Guangzhou took the number 1 spot. This achievement highlights the steady growth of Korea's bar industry. Zest was named the best bar in Korea for the third consecutive year. Located in Cheongdam-dong in southern Seoul, it continues to draw international acclaim for its zero-waste philosophy, eco-conscious operations and deep commitment to sourcing seasonal local ingredients. Joining Zest on the list were three other prominent venues representing diverse styles. Alice, located in Seoul's Gangnam district and known for its unique atmosphere, took 13th place. Bar Cham, set inside a restored hanok in Jongno District in Seoul, placed 33rd for its focus on locally produced spirits and traditional Korean ingredients. Meanwhile, fashion-inspired newcomer

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Seoul claims 4 spots on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026, Zest retains No. 2 ranking
Korean scholars rebut claims Changdeok Palace is 'Chinese-style'

Korean scholars rebut claims Changdeok Palace is 'Chinese-style'

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Korean seaweed soup powers Amal Clooney's morning routine

Korean seaweed soup powers Amal Clooney's morning routine

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Five summer teas that can help with weight control and keep you cool

Five summer teas that can help with weight control and keep you cool

2 MIN READ
Pianist Yunchan Lim continues 'Mozart pilgrimage' with music for 2 pianos

Pianist Yunchan Lim continues 'Mozart pilgrimage' with music for 2 pianos

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K-Culture

After Asian pop category launch, BTS says it won't submit music to Grammys

K-pop juggernaut BTS announced Wednesday that it will not submit its music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, set for February, in a move widely interpreted as a protest against the Recording Academy's new Asian pop category. "We have decided not to submit our music to the Grammys this year," the group said in a statement shared through the Instagram Stories of all seven members. "We hope music can be heard and loved as music itself, rather than being divided by region or language." The septet also thanked its official fandom ARMY and supporters worldwide. The decision comes despite a banner year for the group. Its fifth studio album "ARIRANG," released in March, topped the Billboard 200 with 641,000 units, the biggest week for a group album in more than a decade, while lead single "SWIM" debuted atop the Hot 100. The announcement follows the academy's introduction in June of Best Asian Pop Music Performance, one of five categories added for the upcoming ceremony. Critics have called the category a form of segregation that sidelines Asian acts from major awards. BTS earned thre

1 MIN READ
After Asian pop category launch, BTS says it won't submit music to Grammys
BTS' 'Idol' music video tops 1.4 bil. YouTube views

BTS' 'Idol' music video tops 1.4 bil. YouTube views

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TXT to hold immersive exhibition marking 7th anniversary

TXT to hold immersive exhibition marking 7th anniversary

1 MIN READ
Can K-pop convince fans to travel to Korea every year?

Can K-pop convince fans to travel to Korea every year?

4 MIN READ
'Teach You a Lesson' enters Netflix's all-time top 10 chart for non-English shows

'Teach You a Lesson' enters Netflix's all-time top 10 chart for non-English shows

1 MIN READ

Celebrities

Teenage star of 'Agent Kim Reactivated' working at takoyaki shop

After a high-profile debut in “Agent Kim Reactivated,” making takoyaki was what one actor chose to do after the drama came to an end. Seo Su-min, 19, launched her acting career with “Agent Kim Reactivated.” In the drama, she played Kim Min-ji, the daughter of the protagonist, Manager Kim. During a recent appearance on the YouTube channel “1ma2c,” the young actor described what her life had been like since filming wrapped. Much of it involved working part-time at a takoyaki shop. “Sitting around doing nothing just doesn’t work for me, even after filming has ended and everything is going well. I thought I should be doing something, so I decided to get a part-time job,” Seo said. Few customers expected to find the actor working at the shop, and Seo gave them little reason to believe it was really her. “I tried not to stand out by covering my face, so people just assumed I resembled the person they had seen on TV. Some were even talking about the drama while I was standing right next to them.” Seo had not even told the shop owner who she was, leaving the owner completely

1 MIN READ
Teenage star of 'Agent Kim Reactivated' working at takoyaki shop
BTS' Jimin's World Cup final halftime shirt fetches $110,000 at US charity auction

BTS' Jimin's World Cup final halftime shirt fetches $110,000 at US charity auction

2 MIN READ
'Nation's little sister' Moon Geun-young announces surprise marriage

'Nation's little sister' Moon Geun-young announces surprise marriage

1 MIN READ
TWICE's Jihyo hints at difficult decision as JYP contract renewal talks continue

TWICE's Jihyo hints at difficult decision as JYP contract renewal talks continue

1 MIN READ
ZEROBASEONE's Matthew Seok drives 40 mil. views in Seoul's new tourism push

ZEROBASEONE's Matthew Seok drives 40 mil. views in Seoul's new tourism push

2 MIN READ

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Opinion

온 국민을 위해 온 마음을 다해 국민 곁에 건강 ON - 국민건강보험

Top 10 Stories

  1. Korea's sidecar system faces test as triggers hit record high

  2. New US envoy hails Korea alliance as 'one of the world's strongest'

  3. Leveraged ETF fiasco weighs on Lee administration's economic team

  4. Crackdown targets unruly behavior along Cheonggye Stream

  5. InterviewGymnast Chloe Cho eyes LA Olympics under Korean flag

  6. Sweltering heat wave to continue through next week

  7. EXPLAINER Why Korea's liberals see prosecutors as political enemy

  8. SK Group chief purchases shares of SK hynix for 1st time

  9. Samsung Electronics to break ground on 2nd fab in Taylor within this year

  10. Ex-Korea football body chief, ex-nat'l team coach deny allegations of irregularities

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