Journalist

Yoo Na-hyun
  • JYP rookie boy band KickFlip drops fourth mini album
    JYP rookie boy band KickFlip drops fourth mini album SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -South Korean rookie boy group KickFlip, under JYP Entertainment, dropped its fourth mini album My First Kick on Monday, kicking off its second year since debut in January 2025. The group consists of seven members, but member Amaru did not participate in this comeback due to health reasons. The six members — Gyehoon, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju and Donghyeon — showcased the new tracks with high-energy performances. The title track, “Eye-Poppin’,” is a hyper-punk dance number that signals a bolder turn in the group’s sound, pairing punchy beats with a cheeky, no-holds-barred love confession. Since debuting with Flip it, Kick it!, KickFlip has steadily built momentum with releases including Kick Out, Flip Now! and My First Flip. The group notched its first terrestrial music show win, picked up multiple rookie awards and expanded its global reach with festival appearances such as Lollapalooza. "I want us to remain in people’s view, even if it means getting on their nerves," leader Kyehoon told reporters. "We don’t want to be tied to one style," member Donghwa said. "We want to keep trying new things and show different sides of ourselves." Centering on themes of love, uncertainty and new beginnings, the album captures the transition of the performers into their 20s. It extends a narrative established in earlier releases, which explored youth through family, school and personal freedom, now moving into romantic relationships. All members took part in writing the songs and producing the album, something that KickFlip has done since their debut early last year and which makes them distinctive among the newer acts. The album further develops the coming-of-age theme through songs such as "Twenty," which reflects the transition into adulthood, and "Scroll," which captures the uncertainty of one-sided love in a digital context. Musically, the group continues to build on a rock-based foundation while incorporating a broader mix of genres, reflecting an approach that balances continuity with experimentation. Earlier this year, KickFlip wrapped its first fan-con tour, 2026 KickFlip FAN-CON “From KickFlip, To WeFlip”, spanning 12 shows across five cities — a run that underscored its growing stage presence. My First Kick will be available on major streaming platforms at 6 p.m. Monday. The group will follow with a comeback show on Mnet M2 at 7 p.m. and a fan showcase at 8 p.m. 2026-04-06 15:51:05
  • Full bloom interrupted by a jealous spring rain
    Full bloom interrupted by a jealous spring rain SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -It has been only a week since cherry blossoms reached full bloom across Seoul, and already a jealous rain has cut the season cruelly short, scattering pink petals like confetti across the campus of Kyung Hee University in Dongdaemun District. Rain is expected to fall across most of South Korea on Monday before skies gradually clear in the afternoon. The precipitation, driven by rain clouds moving in from the Yellow Sea, began in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Chungcheong, North Jeolla and Jeju, and is forecast to spread nationwide through the morning before tapering off in most regions by the afternoon. Seoul is expected to receive about 5 millimeters of rain, while parts of Chungcheong and the southern regions could see 5 to 30 millimeters. In some areas, the rain may be mixed with yellow dust. Fine dust concentrations are also expected to worsen through the day, reaching “bad” levels at different times by region — from late morning through daytime in the Seoul metropolitan area, from daytime into evening in Chungcheong, and at night in southern parts of the country. 2026-04-06 13:29:16
  • Who says religion cant be cool? Buddhism expo
    Who says religion can't be cool? Buddhism expo SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) - Crowds poured into COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam District on Thursday as the Seoul International Buddhism Expo opened, with visitors lining up from the morning to enter one of the city’s most unconventional cultural events. Hosted by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the annual expo — running through April 5 — has been held since 2013 to showcase traditional Buddhist culture and its evolving industries. Inside, long lines quickly formed at booths that had gone viral on social media, with some areas restricting entry by the afternoon as visitor numbers surged. Young attendees moved from stall to stall, browsing Buddhist-themed goods, art and meditation programs, often treating the space less as a place of worship than as an immersive cultural experience. The shift reflects the rise of so-called “hip Buddhism,” a trend that blends spirituality with lifestyle and design. Organizers said about 200,000 people visited last year’s expo, with 77.6 percent from the MZ generation and more than half — 52.1 percent — identifying as having no religious affiliation. This year’s event, themed “The Play You Love: Form Is Emptiness, Emptiness Is Form,” features some 430 booths. Programs range from the Buddhist Cultural Industry Exhibition and Buddha Art Fair to Relax Week sessions and an International Meditation Competition, all centered on healing, mindfulness and contemporary interpretations of Buddhist practice. Amid the hum of conversation and camera shutters, the expo unfolded less like a traditional religious gathering and more like a festival of experience — where belief, curiosity and culture quietly intersect. 2026-04-02 17:45:18
  • Spring in full bloom across Seoul
    Spring in full bloom across Seoul SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) -Spring has burst into full bloom in Seoul, with magnolia, fosythia, and cherry blossoms painting the city in soft shades of white, yellow, and pink. Citizens enjoyed the mild weather at the former officers’ housing complex in Yongsan Park in Seoul’s Yongsan District on Wednesday, strolling along tree-lined paths and pausing beneath clusters of blossoms that have reached their peak. The site, once part of a U.S. military residential area, was returned to the South Korean government in 1986. It was later redeveloped by the former Korea National Housing Corporation and opened to the public in July 2020. Today, it serves as a transitional space where visitors can glimpse the evolving vision of Yongsan Park ahead of the full return of the Yongsan Garrison. Morning temperatures ranged from 2 to 9 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs climbed to between 14 and 21 degrees, hovering around or slightly above seasonal norms. The wide temperature gap — reaching up to 15 degrees in inland areas — added a crisp edge to otherwise gentle spring air. Still, the warmth of the afternoon drew crowds outdoors. Visitors walked, sat on benches, and lingered under blooming trees, taking in a brief but vivid moment of seasonal change as spring settled across the capital. 2026-04-02 17:10:37
  • From Ill do it later to doing now: why admin night catches on in Korea
    From "I'll do it later" to "doing now": why "admin night" catches on in Korea SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) - “No talking for the next two hours.” At a café in Seoul’s Gwanak District, participants briefly declare their goals using nicknames — then fall into silence. Laptops open, keyboards click, and each person dives into their own task. Among Gen Z, “admin night” is emerging as a new evening ritual — an alcohol-free alternative to after-work drinks, focused on getting things done. The appeal lies in being together without interaction. Participants say the subtle feeling of being watched helps them stay focused, and why? The purpose is simple from “I’ll do it later” to doing it now. A lighter form of connection, with fewer emotional demands — a quiet shift in how young people work, gather and unwind. 2026-04-02 10:27:14
  • Exhibition in Seoul brings forgotten pioneer of etching and painting into spotlight
    Exhibition in Seoul brings forgotten pioneer of etching and painting into spotlight SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - A retrospective exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of South Korea's late artist Kim Sang-yu opened in Seoul on Wednesday. The exhibition, which runs at the Seoul Museum of Art until Aug. 17, features more than 150 works along with Kim's historical records including personal belongings such as his painting tools, offering a comprehensive overview of his five-decade career in chronological order with six-different themes. Known for his unique etchings and calligraphy-inspired paintings, the artist is regarded as a pioneer of copperplate printing in South Korea, credited with expanding the boundaries of modern art. Beginning with experiments in abstract work in the 1960s, he developed a distinctive visual language across multiple media including woodcuts and oil paintings. Unlike many exhibitions that focus on "star" artists, this exhibition takes a meaningful approach by featuring an artist who was once celebrated but has since faded from public attention. The exhibition comes after Kim has recently regained public interest after K-pop juggernaut BTS' member RM revealed in 2022 that he had purchased one of Kim's works, bringing renewed attention to the artist. 2026-04-01 18:09:41
  • Golden homecoming for K-Pop Demon Hunters creators after Oscar win
    Golden homecoming for 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' creators after Oscar win SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) -Fresh off their Oscar triumph, the creators of Netflix’s animated hit K-Pop Demon Hunters returned to Seoul to a warm, almost cinematic homecoming. The press event, held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall, brought together director Maggie Kang, co-director Chris Appelhans, singer-songwriter EJAE and producers Lee Yoo-han, Kwak Joong-kyu and Nam Hee-dong — the team behind a film that has blurred the lines between K-pop spectacle and supernatural fantasy. On stage, the mood was part victory lap, part reflection. Clips from the film — neon-lit performances, shadowy demons and high-energy choreography — played behind the creators, echoing the hybrid world they built: one where K-pop idols double as guardians of humanity. The film has become one of Netflix’s standout global titles, drawing attention for its bold fusion of Korean pop culture and fantasy storytelling. That blend carried it through an award season sweep, culminating in wins for best animated feature and best original song at the 98th Academy Awards, alongside honors from the Annie Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes and Grammys. Speaking at the event, Appelhans said Korean identity would remain central in a potential sequel. “The Koreanness is the soul of the film,” he said. “We will expand the story based on that.” The filmmakers also credited global audiences for contributing to the film’s success. 2026-04-01 17:11:41
  • Tree-planting events begin nationwide ahead of Arbor Day
    Tree-planting events begin nationwide ahead of Arbor Day Gyeonggi, March 31 (AJP) - A tree-planting event took place at a park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday, about a week ahead of Arbor Day. The spring day, which falls on April 5 and marks the 81st anniversary this year, has been observed since 1946 to raise awareness of the importance of trees and forest resources, encouraging tree planting to restore devastated forests and create a more pleasant living environment. Although Arbor Day is no longer observed as a public holiday, having once been designated as such in 1949, central and provincial governments hold various events nationwide each year to highlight the value of forests and support efforts to tackle climate change. 2026-03-31 17:27:06
  • S. Korea braces for rain as spring temperature swings disrupt peninsula
    S. Korea braces for rain as spring temperature swings disrupt peninsula SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - Morning air across the Korean Peninsula remained crisp Monday even as the state weather administration warned that a significant frontal system will bring heavy rain and volatile conditions through Tuesday. While Seoul and inland regions recorded morning lows as low as 4 degrees Celsius, daytime highs are expected to surge to 22 degrees, creating a 15-degree thermal gap that officials say poses a legitimate risk to public health and agricultural stability. The disruption marks a sharp transition from the dry, clear conditions of recent days, with clouds expected to thicken by the evening as a weather system strikes Jeju Island and the southern coast with the greatest intensity. The southern resort island of Jeju sits in the direct path of the most severe rainfall, with projections reaching 80 mm across the province and more than 120 mm in high-altitude mountainous regions. Further north, Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces are bracing for 20 to 50 mm of rain, though coastal hubs including Busan and Ulsan could see totals exceeding 60 mm. Beyond the immediate precipitation, the primary concern for the interior remains the persistence of massive temperature fluctuations. Officials advised the public to take specific precautions to protect their health, noting that such 15-degree swings are particularly taxing on the respiratory system. 2026-03-30 17:37:32
  • Damien Hirsts first Seoul solo draws crowds in awe
    Damien Hirst's first Seoul solo draws crowds in awe SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - Damien Hirst (b. 1965) is one of the most influential — and controversial — figures in contemporary art. He rose to prominence in the late 1980s as a leading member of the Young British Artists (YBAs), a group known for pushing boundaries with shock, spectacle and conceptual rigor. His works grappling with death and mortality drew strong public interest in Seoul as visitors filled the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul on a weekday afternoon, where the exhibition “Damien Hirst: Truth Is Not Absolute, Everything Is Possible” is on view. The exhibition, held at MMCA Seoul, feartures around 50 works spanning more than four decades. It is Hirst’s first solo exhibition in Asia and runs from March 20 to June 28. The show traces the artist’s practice from early experimental works to recent paintings. Major series on display include the Natural History series, featuring animals preserved in formaldehyde, spot paintings composed of repeated dots, and installations resembling medicine cabinets. Works such as a shark suspended in formaldehyde, rows of pharmaceutical objects and canvases filled with colored dots explore themes of life and death, desire and consumption. Inside the gallery, visitors are seen engaging with the works in different ways. Some pause to observe the artworks closely, while others take photographs. The coexistence of viewing and recording has become a common sight. This pattern has been observed in recent exhibitions as well. A similar scene appeared during last year’s exhibition of Ron Mueck, which attracted more than 530,000 visitors. Visitors are increasingly choosing their own pace and method of engagement. MMCA has also expanded its “Culture Day” program. Starting in April, MMCA Seoul and Deoksugung will offer free admission every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. While Hirst’s works continue to address themes of mortality and contemporary society, audiences are engaging with them in varied ways. Some spend time contemplating the works, while others capture them as images. The exhibition reflects a broader shift in museum-going. Visitors from different generations and nationalities share the same space, each experiencing the exhibition differently. The show not only presents Hirst’s works, but also reveals how audiences interact with art today. 2026-03-30 15:32:28