Thailand's 'Festival of Lights' in Seoul

The Korea Times - Sep 21, 2026

Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat, sixth from left, poses with participants during the first Loy Krathong Myeongdong with Hana Bank event in Seoul, Saturday. The cultural gathering, celebrating Thailand's traditional festival of lights, was held to promote Thai culture and showcased performances, cuisine, music and tourism. Courtesy of Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul

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Favorite K-drama scenes become real-life vacation spots

Favorite K-drama scenes become real-life vacation spots

Long after the final credits roll, the emotional pull of a beloved television show can leave viewers yearning to step into its world. A new exhibition in the heart of Seoul is turning that impulse into a blueprint for exploration, inviting fans to translate their screen time into real-world adventures across Korea. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has partnered with production studio Studio Dragon to host an interactive showcase called Scenes to Destinations. Open through Nov. 19 at HiKR Ground — the KTO's multistory tourism innovation hall in downtown Seoul known for its immersive tech and K-content zones — the exhibition aims to convert international fandom into actual foot traffic by mapping famous television moments directly onto physical geography. The event features iconic dialogue, original soundtracks, props and location guides from over 40 hit series, including global phenomena like "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God," "Crash Landing on You," "Mr. Sunshine," "Hotel Del Luna," "Vincenzo," "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," "Queen of Tears" and "The Tyrant’s Chef." Rather than se

Girl group Fin.K.L to resume full-group activities after 21 years

Girl group Fin.K.L to resume full-group activities after 21 years

Fin.K.L, one of the late 1990s' most influential K-pop acts, is set to resume full-group activities for the first time in 21 years, the group's agency said Monday. Gemstone E&M announced that all four original members — Lee Hyo-ri, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin and Sung Yu-ri — have reunited under the Fin.K.L name and that preparations are underway for group activities. "This time, it is a new start for activities as Fin.K.L beyond a one-off reunion," the agency said in a news release. The quartet last performed together as a full group in 2005 with the digital single "Forever Fin.K.L." Although the members briefly reunited in 2019 for the JTBC variety show "Camping Club," releasing a new song tied to the show, that effort was viewed as a project linked to the program rather than a resumption of full group activities. Debuting in 1998, Fin.K.L helped define the early K-pop girl group era with hits including "Blue Rain," "To My Boyfriend" and "Eternal Love."

NMIXX rides grand prize triumph into dynamic new era with 'Strange Muse'

NMIXX rides grand prize triumph into dynamic new era with 'Strange Muse'

Coming off their first-ever grand prize at a major music awards ceremony, K-pop girl group NMIXX is poised to turn the global music stage into its personal canvas with the release of its sixth EP, “Strange Muse,” arriving Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. The six-member group enters this next chapter backed by undeniable momentum, capitalizing on the career milestone with an atmospheric, dreamy comeback tailored for the autumn season. JYP Entertainment said Monday that the six-track mini album marks an artistic leap forward for the ensemble. Beyond its anticipated lead single, “Birthday Wish” and energetic group tracks like “Kerosene” and “RudE TaLK,” the project represents a milestone for NMIXX: its first album to feature dedicated subunit songs. Vocal standouts Lily and Haewon team up for the haunting “Sing to the Moon,” Sullyoon and Bae join forces on “Hot ’n Unbothered,” while Jiwoo and Kyujin deliver the high-octane track “WHIP.” More than just a showcase of dynamic pairing, “Strange Muse” places creative authority directly into the hands of the performers themselv

PM vows to make seamless preparations to launch Global AI Hub

PM vows to make seamless preparations to launch Global AI Hub

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Monday the government will make seamless preparations to realize the country's "Global AI Hub" initiative, including selecting the best location for the envisioned hub through fair and transparent procedures. In May, Korea unveiled its vision to launch the Global AI Hub in the country in an effort to bring together the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of global organizations to address challenges, such as disease control and climate change. The envisioned hub seeks to promote cross-border cooperation in the AI sector with nine global organizations and five multilateral development banks and is expected to serve as a platform to provide AI-based solutions to pending issues under the vision of "AI for All, AI to Solve Global Challenges." "The time has come for us to take action beyond declaration," Han said during the first meeting of the preparation committee. "The government will make seamless preparations to launch the Global AI Hub by swiftly establishing a dedicated support system and selecting the optimal location through fair and transpar

N. Korea urges timely rice harvest to meet economic targets

N. Korea urges timely rice harvest to meet economic targets

North Korea on Monday urged its people to complete the rice harvest at the right time as part of a broader push to meet targets under its five-year national economic plan. The Rodong Sinmun, the country's most widely read state newspaper, devoted its front page to articles and a commentary on the harvest. Describing the agriculture industry as "the first sector that shows the results of the year's business," the paper said a successful harvest would "inspire the people with confidence and optimism and reinvigorate the nation's economy." "There is no task more important or urgent than the fall harvest," it said, urging people to throw themselves into the effort. The paper also struck an upbeat note on this year's harvest, crediting growing mechanization in the field. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the country's new five-year economic plan during a key party congress in February, stressing agricultural mechanization to increase crop output.

Seongbuk District hosts Latin American Festival

Seongbuk District hosts Latin American Festival

The 13th Latin American Festival was held with the participation of 15 Central and South American countries' embassies on Saturday at the Baram Madang plaza area of Seongbuk District Office in northeastern Seoul. Launched in 2011 and marking its 13th edition this year, the festival was organized by Seongbuk District Office. About 22 booths offered sales and hands-on experiences, inviting visitors to enjoy Latin American foods such as arepas, empanadas, tacos and pupusas — as well as traditional hats, musical instruments, accessories and local specialties. A variety of cultural performances, including traditional Mexican Jalisco dance, Argentine tango, Ecuadorian traditional and popular music, Salvadoran traditional dance, Peruvian Latin music and Colombian traditional dance also provided entertainment during the festival. Angie Shakira Martinez Tejera, ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Korea, said the event offered an opportunity to introduce different sides of her country. The embassy brought her country's music, dance, food, crafts and baseball culture to Seoul as part of the

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University of Seoul, George Washington University launch graduate credit-transfer partnership

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Kookmin University partners with German research institutes, Volkswagen Group Korea foundation

Kookmin University partners with German research institutes, Volkswagen Group Korea foundation

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Presidential chief of staff offers to resign over bungled Cabinet nominations

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K-pop's 'bone-thin ideal' leaves idols traumatized, hospitalized

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