Journalist
Kang Min-seon
mingtung@ajunews.com
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Korean Heritage Campaign Brings Performances, Media Art to Times Square South Korea’s Korea Heritage Service and its affiliated National Heritage Promotion Agency, working with the Korean Cultural Center New York, opened a promotional event for the “Visit Korean Heritage” campaign in New York on Feb. 11 (local time) under the title “Korea on Stage in New York.” Organizers themed the program “Golden Blessings: Discovering Korean Cultural Heritage,” launching it in Times Square with heritage videos on major screens and a special performance. The event also features media art, traditional arts performances and a temple-food experience to promote the value of South Korea’s national heritage. Since Feb. 9, advertising videos highlighting South Korea’s national heritage have been running on Times Square’s large electronic billboards. The videos feature national heritage sites, traditional crafts and court dance, presenting what organizers described as the roots of today’s globally popular K-culture. At 3 p.m. Feb. 11 in Times Square, the Chumnuri Korean Traditional Dance Company (KTDOC) and the National Heritage Promotion Agency’s arts troupe staged a roughly 30-minute special performance, “Wishes in Motion Times Square.” The program included performances with the modeumbuk drum, the sogo drum dance and the Jindo bukchum drum dance. Afterward, hat-shaped promotional items were handed out and quickly ran out. An opening ceremony followed at 7 p.m. at the Korean Cultural Center New York, attended by about 250 people, including Korea Heritage Service Administrator Heo Min, National Heritage Promotion Agency Director Lee Gui Young, Korean Cultural Center New York Director Kim Cheon Su, South Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations, Cha Ji Hoon, and Lee Sang Ho, acting consul general in New York, along with local arts and culture figures. At the ceremony, Heo presented Kevin Woo — who played the lead vocalist of “Saja Boys” in the film “K-pop Demon Hunters” — with a “Visit Korean Heritage Passport,” which organizers said symbolized an invitation to visit South Korea and experience K-heritage firsthand. Guests also exchanged Lunar New Year greetings for Seollal. In opening remarks, Heo said it was meaningful to introduce South Korea’s national heritage in New York, calling it a center of global culture. He said the event would help show that K-culture’s popularity is rooted in the depth and beauty of Korean heritage built over thousands of years. With the launch, performances and hands-on programs promoting Korean heritage also began. Starting Feb. 12, traditional arts performances by the agency’s arts troupe and a temple-food class with Venerable Jeong Kwan, a master of temple cuisine, drew more than 1,700 applicants as soon as reservations opened. A “Visit Korean Heritage Passport” produced for the event also proved popular. Participants who collected stamps after visiting experiences on each floor received K-heritage goods such as a saekdong key ring and a gat key ring. Participants said they wanted to visit South Korea with the passport after experiencing the programs. More information is available on the official Visit Korean Heritage campaign website and the Korean Cultural Center New York website. The Korea Heritage Service and the National Heritage Promotion Agency said they plan to expand programs following “Korea on Stage in New York” to promote the value of South Korea’s national heritage worldwide and strengthen it as a signature cultural content.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 10:06:00 -
Korea Habitat Holds Forum on Sustainable, Housing-Led Urban Regeneration International housing welfare nonprofit Korea Habitat and the Korean Society of Urban Regeneration held a forum on Feb. 11 at the University of Seoul’s 100th Anniversary Memorial Hall in Seoul, focusing on sustainable, housing-centered urban regeneration through cooperation among the private sector, government and academia and through corporate social responsibility. Organizers said the event was designed to seek sustainable models for regenerating housing-vulnerable areas as South Korea faces structural challenges including low growth, population decline and regional depopulation. Experts in housing welfare, urban regeneration and CSR, along with corporate, academic and civic participants, discussed strategies that combine corporate social contributions with public-sector and academic expertise. The program, which began at 2 p.m., featured presentations followed by a panel discussion, sharing on-the-ground case studies and policy proposals. In the first session, Lee Eun Kyung, a manager at Korea Habitat, presented the “Sustainable Society” program (formerly the Urban Innovation School) under the theme “Sustainable Society operating cases: Revitalizing communities through private-public-academic cooperation.” She said Korea Habitat has operated an urban regeneration model since 2020 that links local government regeneration projects, corporate social contributions and curricula at 17 universities, with residents and young people working together to improve neighborhood environments. Citing outcomes such as resident-run village restaurants and cafes and the creation of rentable spaces by improving vacant homes, Lee said, “Sustainable urban regeneration where residents and young people grow together is possible when the power of government, voices from the field and professional knowledge come together.” Park Jung Eun, a research fellow, said, “Cities must thrive for companies to thrive, and companies must thrive for cities to thrive,” and called for a “Collective Impact” collaboration platform that sets shared tasks with local governments, public institutions and civil society and shares results. Park introduced domestic and international examples that connect private-sector creativity and execution to solving local problems, saying quality of life and local economies can improve at the same time. Kim Young Ha, a center director, said regeneration should go beyond building hub facilities and instead design operating models and leadership structures together. Kim cited youth-participation models including the Ibagu Platform, where young people from outside the area settled and built a startup ecosystem; the Namseon Center, where local youth joined a village enterprise to strengthen revenue models; and the Muan Mokpo National University Portfolio Club, based on short-term participation by college students. In the second session’s panel discussion, Kim Hang Jip, honorary chairman of the Korean Society of Urban Regeneration and a professor at Gwangju University, moderated a conversation on “Sustainable development directions for housing-centered urban regeneration.” Panelists were Kim Su Min, CEO of Localstitch; Na Hae Moon, head of the Jeju Urban Regeneration Center; Choi Jeong Hwa, a professional at POSCO E&C; and Yang Se Young, a student at Hanyang University. Korea Habitat Secretary-General Lee Gwang Hoe said the forum brought together nonprofit field experience, corporate social contributions, public policy and urban planning research, and young people’s experimentation and entrepreneurship to discuss ways to revitalize both housing and cities. “Housing is the starting point of urban regeneration and a social safety net,” Lee said. “We will continue to identify and expand models that connect private-public-academic cooperation and corporate CSR to long-term housing improvements and regional regeneration.” Organizers said the forum was free and open to anyone, including related institutions, businesspeople, experts and interested members of the public. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 09:39:00 -
Arte Museum to Launch Moon Rabbit-Themed Special Exhibition Featuring Dara Immersive media art exhibition venue Arte Museum will open a moon rabbit-themed “Moon Rabbit Special Exhibition” starting Feb. 13. The limited-season event weaves the story of Dara (DARA), a moon rabbit character, into the museum’s signature media art works. Major exhibition areas at all locations — including Jeju, Yeosu, Gangneung and Busan — will be redesigned to match the moon rabbit narrative. This season’s featured character, Dara, is described as being born from people’s affectionate calls, with a backstory that its ears grew longer to better hear people’s wishes. To mark the event, Arte Museum will install large Dara-themed sculptures at the entrance, in the lobby and throughout key exhibition zones. In the “STAR” work, carrot-shaped lighting will be added to represent “stars the moon rabbit eats,” bringing a warmer tone to the piece. In “FLOWER,” visitors can see Dara playing with butterflies, and other major works, including “JUNGLE,” will be updated with special moon rabbit-themed versions. Visitors can interact with Dara throughout the venue and take photos at seasonal photo zones available only during this event. To celebrate the season opening, Arte Museum will also run participation events with prizes. A membership event for visitors will award prizes by drawing, including premium hotel stay vouchers and department store gift certificates. Additional events will be held on Arte Museum’s social media channels and on-site, with prizes ranging from department store gift certificates to Arte Museum limited-edition goods and gifticons for participants who leave comments, write wishes or share verification photos. The “Moon Rabbit Special Exhibition” will run at all locations through June, the museum said. Lee Sang Jin, Arte Museum’s vice president and creative director, said the special exhibition is a seasonal limited project that “adds the narrative of the moon rabbit ‘Dara’ on top of the visual beauty of Arte Museum works, newly varying the emotions and atmosphere of the space.” He added, “I hope visitors will discover and follow traces of the moon rabbit throughout the space and take time to reflect on their own precious wishes.” More information on the exhibition and events is available on Arte Museum’s official website. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 09:03:00 -
Korea Online Newspaper Association Names Winners of 3rd Digital Journalism Innovation Awards The Korea Online Newspaper Association, led by President Park Hak Yong, announced Wednesday that it has selected three winners for its third Digital Journalism Innovation Awards. The grand prize in the digital content category went to The Dong-A Ilbo’s “Omission: Is Your Apartment Safe?” The award recognizes 10 people: reporters Gu Teuk Gyo, Kim Su Hyeon, Lee Mun Su, Ju Hyeon U and Wi Eun Ji; developers Lim Sang A and Lim Hui Rae; creative director Jeong Si Eun; photographer Hong Jin Hwan; and PD Kim Ji Hui. In the digital service and business category, the grand prize was shared by Seoul Economic Daily’s “AI LINK” and Maeil Business Newspaper’s affiliate Maekyung AX’s “AI HUB.” The “AI LINK” team includes Woo Seung Ho, Kang Do Won, Mun Yeong Gwang and Seong Ye Hyeon of the Future Strategy Department. The “AI HUB” team includes Yoo Yeong Hun and Shin Hye Ji of the AI Data Department; Lee Dong U and Chu Gyo Yun of the Development Department; and Park Eun Ju, Lee Seong Yeon, Shin Myeong Hwa and Min Ji Hye of the DM Strategy Planning Department. Why the digital content winner was selected The judging committee said “Omission: Is Your Apartment Safe?” was a seven-month investigative project that sought to verify a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announcement by directly examining 21 apartment complexes nationwide and finding missing rebar at nine sites. The committee cited its use of digital tools to deepen understanding, including a 3D interactive presentation of rebar structures and a collapse simulation to scientifically assess risk, along with documentary video that showed the reporting process. Why the digital service·business winners were selected The committee said Seoul Economic Daily’s “AI LINK” converted the entire newsroom to an AI-based system and built a cycle spanning production, personalization, video and global expansion, demonstrating sustainability through revenue generation and overseas growth. It said Maekyung AX’s “AI HUB” — including AI explainers, “stock stories” embedded in articles and “My Morning Briefing” — was recognized for offering a new journalism experience while providing services meant to help readers in daily life. Overall comments from judges Judge Yoo Hong Sik, a professor at Chung-Ang University, said, “Each year, more entries are combining digital technology and journalism to expand the reader experience, raising expectations.” He added, “This year’s content entries showed the evolution of digital journalism, and the service and business entries pointed to the industry’s future direction through innovations such as platform building, revenue-model experiments and global expansion.” Each category’s grand prize includes a plaque and 5 million won in prize money. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 25 at the 19th-floor news conference room of the Korea Press Center in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 15:15:00 -
Singer Kim Ho Joong Loses Lawsuit Against 180 Alleged Anti-Fans Singer Kim Ho Joong, who is serving a prison sentence over a drunk-driving hit-and-run case, has lost a damages lawsuit he filed against 180 alleged anti-fans seeking about 700 million won. The Seoul Central District Court ruled at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the case Kim brought against Kang, identified only by the surname, and 179 others. Kim filed the lawsuit in June 2021, seeking 764 million won in damages from the 180 people over negative posts about him online. They were reported to have raised issues related to his military service. Kim was indicted after prosecutors said he crashed into a taxi while driving after drinking in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul’s Gangnam District, in May 2024, then fled and had his manager make a false confession. The court sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in prison after finding him guilty of charges including dangerous driving causing injury and fleeing after causing injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. He is serving his sentence at Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, and is scheduled to be released in November.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 16:03:00 -
Fantagio Says Cha Eun-woo’s Family Not Tied to Eel Restaurant Amid Tax Evasion Allegations ASTRO member Cha Eun-woo has been linked to allegations of 20 billion won in tax evasion, and attention has turned to an eel restaurant previously operated by his mother. Fantagio said Tuesday that the currently operating “Eojeoyeon Cheongdam” is “a completely separate corporation” from “Eojeoyeon Charcoal-Grilled Eel” on Ganghwa Island. The agency said Eojeoyeon Cheongdam is run by Fantagio M, a wholly owned Fantagio subsidiary, and “has no connection to Cha Eun-woo’s family.” Earlier, Cha’s parents operated Eojeoyeon Charcoal-Grilled Eel in Ganghwa, Incheon. A corporation set up by his mother, identified only as Choi, listed the restaurant as its address, but the National Tax Service viewed it as a paper company that did not provide actual services to Cha. The Ganghwa restaurant closed late last year, but Fantagio took over the name and reopened the business as Eojeoyeon Cheongdam. Some have speculated the move was tied to the tax-evasion allegations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 11:12:00 -
Min Hee-jin Teases Feb. 5 Announcement as OK Records Launches Amid NewJeans Dispute Min Hee-jin, who was removed as CEO amid a management dispute with HYBE, has signaled an independent move tied to her recently established entertainment agency, OK. On Feb. 3, Min posted a photo on social media with the message, “20260205 10AM Coming soon.” The image shows a satin shirt bearing the OK Records logo. It also includes the label’s website and social media addresses. Visitors to the website see an animation in which images shaped like eyes, a nose and a mouth change as a whistling sound plays. Min-produced group NewJeans held an emergency news conference on Nov. 28, 2024, saying their demands for corrective action were not accepted and declaring they would leave ADOR. The members said their exclusive contracts would be terminated as of 12 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2024. They later prepared to promote independently under the new name “NJZ,” but the plan fell through. During the dispute, the members compared ADOR to “a dad who committed domestic violence” and HYBE to “a school bully,” underscoring the rift. A court later granted an injunction to preserve the agency’s status and bar advertising contracts, halting the group’s independent activities. Min established a new corporate entity, OK, on Oct. 16 last year and completed formal registration, making her independent path clear. OK Records later posted a nonpublic audition notice in December and began work on producing an idol group; Min has also said she plans to produce a boy band. Since then, members Haerin and Hyein returned to ADOR first, and Hanni also decided to work with ADOR. Minji is in talks with ADOR, but Danielle’s exclusive contract has been terminated. ADOR says Danielle’s mother is a key helper in suspected tampering involving Min. Earlier this month, ADOR filed a lawsuit seeking a total of 43.1 billion won in penalties and damages against Min, Danielle and Danielle’s family. Min has denied the “NewJeans tampering” allegations that sparked the legal fight. At a news conference on Jan. 28, Min’s side claimed a family member of one of the NewJeans members was involved in the suspected tampering and said Min bears no responsibility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 08:54:00 -
Chef Lim Seong-geun Denies Restaurant Opening Was Canceled After Sale Banner Photo Chef Lim Seong-geun, who appeared on Netflix original series including 'Culinary Class Wars 2,' has denied reports that he canceled plans to open a restaurant after it emerged he has six prior convictions, including for drunk driving. OSEN reported Tuesday, citing a person close to Lim, that the restaurant is still scheduled to open in March. The person said a banner reading "For Sale" seen in a widely shared photo was for a neighboring lot, not Lim's restaurant property. Photos circulating on online communities showed the banner hanging on a building near Simhaksan in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where Lim had previously said he planned to open a restaurant. Some commenters questioned whether the opening had been delayed or canceled. Lim rose to prominence after winning tvN's 'Korean Food Battle 3' in 2015. Last month, he said on a YouTube channel that he had three drunk-driving convictions, but it was later confirmed he had four. He was punished for drunk driving in 1999, 2009, 2017 and 2020. The report said Lim was sentenced in 1998 for violating the Road Traffic Act to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined 300,000 won, and was punished again for drunk driving the following year. An assault conviction also surfaced, and he halted his broadcast activities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-03 15:24:00 -
Veteran Actor Park Geun Hyung Reflects on Colleagues’ Deaths in KBS Interview Veteran actor Park Geun Hyung spoke about fellow actors who have recently died. On Tuesday’s KBS 1TV talk show “Morning Yard,” Park appeared as a guest. Park said it was his first time on the program in 10 years. He recalled previously greeting viewers on the show while appearing in the play “Father” with the late Yoon So Jung. After Park added that he had also appeared on the show when Lee Geum Hee and Lee Sang Byeok were hosts, presenter Um Ji In said, “This winter, we said goodbye to many teachers we loved. That’s why your presence feels so significant.” Park replied, “Now that they’ve all gone, it feels like my turn may be coming,” adding that the empty seats left behind make it seem as though he has stepped into their place. “I should work even harder for those who have passed,” he said. Meanwhile, “The Dresser,” starring Park and Oh Man Seok, is set in a provincial town in Britain during World War II and follows a theater troupe preparing a production of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” The play runs through March 1 at the National Theater of Korea’s Daloreum Theater.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-03 14:42:00 -
Lee's approval rating inches up to 61% SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has inched up to 61 percent, up 2 percentage points from two weeks ago, a fresh poll showed on Thursday. Some 29 percent of respondents disapproved of Lee's performance, down 3 percentage points. But Lee gained support across the country overall except in the traditional conservative stronghold of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, where his approval rating stood at 49 percent. This was attributed to more respondents shifting to a favorable view. In particular, among people in their 20s and younger, opponents outnumbered supporters two weeks ago, with 48 percent versus 31 percent, but the figures have now reversed, with 41 percent in favor versus 32 percent opposed. The ruling Democratic Party (DP) garnered 39 percent of support, down 2 percentage points, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) edged up slightly to 23 percent, up 3 percentage points. The minor Reform Party and Rebuilding Korea Party each earned 3 percent of support. The joint poll, conducted fortnightly by Embrain Public, Kstat Research, Korea Research International, and Hankook Research, surveyed about 1,005 people aged 18 and older earlier this week. 2026-01-08 15:43:05