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  BTS's V holds photo book exhibition SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - BTS member V is holding an exhibition to commemorate the release of his photo book from Jan. 20 to Feb. 1 at Frieze Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul. The exhibition, titled "V TYPE 非: ON-SITE IN SEOUL," features three-dimensional displays of photos from the book along with previously unreleased photos and videos available only at the venue. Meanwhile, V and BTS are set to make a comeback on March 20 with their fifth full-length album "ARIRANG." January 22, 2026
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  KOSPI flirts with 5,000 landmark despite grim GDP SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI has touched the 5,000 mark for the first time in its history to cause euphoria on Thursday when the country reported a grim economic data, showing the gross domestic product contracting 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter. The KOSPI closed 0.9 percent up at 4,952.53 after rising as high as 5,019.54. The main index has cracked a new four-digit momentum in just two months since passing the 4,000 mark. January 22, 2026
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  Busan's Gwabeop elementary school holds graduation event SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Gwabeop Elementary School in Sasang-gu, Busan, held its 44th and final graduation ceremony on Jan. 20. The event included a graduation for eight last graduates followed by a farewell ceremony, marking the end of the school's long history. According to the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, Gwabeop Elementary opened on March 5, 1982, with 28 classes and 1,261 students. Student enrollment declined sharply in recent years—6 new students in 202 January 21, 2026
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  Bupyeong fire station conducts winter water rescue training January 21, 2026
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  Most powerful cold wave of winter hits South Korea SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - An intense cold wave gripped the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday, coinciding with Daehan, the final of the 24 traditional lunar terms marking the peak of winter. Temperatures plummeted below minus 10 degrees Celsius across the greater Seoul area and Gangwon Province, prompting authorities to issue cold wave advisories for most of the country. In the capital, the morning wind chill factor plunged to a staggering minus 18 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest January 20, 2026
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  'Dancing, Dreaming, Enlightening' showcases Korean fashion art SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) The Seoul Museum of Craft Art is holding a special donation exhibition, "Dancing, Dreaming, Enlightening," showcasing the artistic world of Geum Key-sook, a pioneer of Korean fashion art, through March 15. The exhibition traces the creative journey of artist Geum Key-sook, who has built a unique domain of "fashion art" over 40 years by crossing boundaries between fashion and fine art, tradition and contemporary practice. Geum is recogni January 20, 2026
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  Snow sledding available along Seoul's Han River SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Kids and other visitors have been enjoying snow sledding at parks along the Han River, as the Seoul Metropolitan Government offers seasonal programs for winter sports fun. Facilities for the programs, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., are available at three location - Ttukseom, Jamwon, and Yeouido - for 6,000 Korean won (about US$4) and will remain open until mid-February. Visitors can enjoy sledding on slopes of varying heights as well as a low-level play ar January 19, 2026
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  Korean won drifts toward 1,480 on global dollar strength SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) -The Korean won edged back toward 1,480 per U.S. dollar, a level widely viewed as a government defense line, amid broad dollar strength fueled by rising U.S. tensions with the European Union over Greenland and escalating risks linked to Iran and Venezuela. January 19, 2026
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  Plum blossoms defy winter as Daehan approaches Gangwon, January 18 (AJP) -Ahead of Daehan, the coldest period in the traditional Korean calendar, plum trees are already beginning to burst into bloom at Naksansa Temple on Korea’s east coast. Daehan, meaning “great cold,” is the 24th and final solar term, falling around Jan. 20 on the Gregorian calendar and marking the depths of winter in the lunar year. It is traditionally associated with biting winds, frozen ground and the harshest conditions of the season. January 19, 2026
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  Thousands brave winter swim at Haeundae beach SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - About 2,000 people braved chilly winter weather to plunge into the icy waters of Haeundae Beach in Busan on Sunday for the southern port city's annual swimming festival. Under this year's "colorful" theme for the Haeundae Polar Bear Festival (HPBF), the beach was filled with swimmers in vibrant colors. Before plunging into the water, participants painted themselves with colorful powder symbolizing hope, love, and happiness. They splashe January 19, 2026