Nobel Prize sparks policies aimed at revitalizing publishing industry

In the wake of Han Kang’s Nobel Prize in literature win, new policies and laws are being discussed to foster future literary talents like Han. Culture Minister Yu In-chon said that next year’s budget for the publishing sector has been restored to its 2022 level, adding that it increased by approximately 3 billion won ($2.2 million) compared to this year. Speaking at the 38th annual Book Day ceremony on Friday, Yu called Han’s achievement “an unparalleled honor both person

BooksOct. 14, 2024

Han Kang’s Nobel Prize opens new horizons for Korean literature

Han Kang's Nobel Prize win Thursday brought the recognition Koreans have long sought: For decades Koreans have been fixated on the question of when Korea would win a Nobel Prize in literature. As novelist Kim Young-ha noted in his message of congratulations, the question of whether the Korean language, once threatened with extinction during the Japanese colonial era, could find its rightful place in world literature has haunted the collective consciousness of Koreans since liberation. The w

BooksOct. 13, 2024

Han Kang drives readers to bookstores both online and offline

Major bookstores in Korea are experiencing a surge in sales of all of Han Kang's works following the announcement of her Nobel Prize in literature. On Friday day morning at Kyobo Bookstore in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul, people had lined up in front of the branch before it opened. Shortly after business began at 9:30 a.m., Han’s books were already sold out, and the special display set up to commemorate the award from the day before was empty. By around 10:30 a.m. that day, the shelves had

BooksOct. 11, 2024

NewJeans’ Hanni to attend National Assembly audit as witness

Hanni, a member of the K-pop group NewJeans, said she will attend the upcoming National Assembly audit regarding workplace bullying and ostracism as a reference witness. The audit will take place Oct. 15. Hanni, on Wednesday, shared her decision on the fan communication app "Phoning," saying, "I will attend the audit alone. I’m doing this for myself, the NewJeans members and our fans." "Neither my manager nor the company (Ador) knows yet, but after much thought, I

K-popOct. 10, 2024

[KH explains] Will CATL’s Korean push reshape battery alliance with Hyundai, Kia?

China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery maker for electric vehicles, is reportedly seeking a bigger footing in Korea, the home turf of its archrivals LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On, and a crucial client, Hyundai Motor Group. According to industry sources, the Chinese company is reviewing setting up its Korean unit by upgrading the current office in Seoul that has been operational since 2011. The specific nature of the new operations has not yet been disclosed -- whether

MobilityOct. 9, 2024

Who is pollster roiling politics with claims of government string-pulling?

Allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee interfered with the ruling party's candidate nominations ahead of April's legislative general election are stirring up the political landscape in South Korea -- and at the center of it all is a pollster who claims he "advised" President Yoon Suk Yeol. Myeong Tae-gyun became the center of attention after online media outlet Tomato News reported that he had connections with the presidential couple, and played a role in the ruling People

PoliticsOct. 8, 2024

'Culinary Class Wars' producers deny trying to spice up results

Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" is indisputably one of the hottest shows in Korea right now. The 12-episode series features 100 participants divided into two teams: the white team of star chefs and the black team of lesser-known cooks and local restaurant owners. The contestants face various elimination challenges judged by popular restaurateur Paik Jong-won and Korea’s only Michelin three-star chef, Ahn Sung-jae. Since the first episode was released on Sept. 17, the show ha

TelevisionOct. 7, 2024

Market uncertain on Korea's October rate cut despite slowed inflation

Despite clear signs of slowing inflation, market sentiment remains mixed regarding whether South Korea's central bank will follow the US Federal Reserve to pivot toward lowering rates this month. Statistics Korea reported that the consumer price index — a key measure of inflation — rose 1.6 percent on-year in September, down from 2 percent in August, marking the lowest level since February 2021, when it recorded a 1.4 percent increase. The last time the index fell below the 2 pe

EconomyOct. 4, 2024

1,430 minors investigated for drug offenses from 2018 to 2023: police

Around 1,430 minors, aged 14 to 18, were investigated by police for drug offenses, including possession, consumption, and distribution, between 2018 and 2023, according to data from the Korean National Police Agency. The report, released by Rep. Kang Min-kuk of the ruling People Power Party on Friday, highlighted the growing concern over youth involvement in drug crimes during this period. By year, the numbers rose each year, from 56 in 2018, to 201 in 2022. This steady increase was followed by

Social AffairsOct. 4, 2024

Pianist Lim Yunchan double winner at Gramophone Awards

South Korean pianist Lim Yunchan won the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, becoming the first Korean pianist to receive the prestigious award. The 20-year-old pianist won the piano category with his album "Chopin: Etudes" and also received the young artist of the year award. Established in 1977, the Gramophone Classical Music Award is one of the most significant accolades in the classical recording industry. Another album by Lim, "Yunchan Lim -- Liszt: Transc

CultureOct. 3, 2024

Ministry confirms irregularities in national soccer coach hiring

The South Korean soccer association violated multiple regulations in hiring the current and former national team coaches, the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism confirmed Wednesday. The ministry, however, said that it remained unclear whether the violations would invalidate the contract of Hong Myung-bo, the current coach who replaced Juergen Klinsmann. "The Korea Football Association had said that all regulations were met in hiring the national team coach, but the probe revealed inap

SoccerOct. 2, 2024

81-year-old model awarded ‘best dressed’ in Miss Universe Korea

An 81-year-old contestant was chosen as the best dressed in this year’s Miss Universe Korea competition on Monday, after reaching the finals as the oldest contestant in the competition. Choi Soon-hwa, who turned 81 this month, fell short of the ultimate crown in the event in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. But her admirable efforts won her the consolation prize of “best dressed” in the contest. Han Ariel, 22, a fashion school student, took the top prize and will represent the count

PeopleOct. 1, 2024

Psy's touch or new trend in music? P Nation’s solo stars lose their shine

Many K-pop chart-toppers who joined Psy’s P Nation in recent years are struggling to replicate the success they once enjoyed. Music critics point to Psy’s involvement in his artists’ music production and the current trend in music which shows a decline in the popularity of solo dance singers. P Nation, a small entertainment agency founded by Psy after he left YG Entertainment in 2018, quickly gained attention largely due to the "Gangnam Style" singer's global f

K-popSept. 30, 2024

Immigration policy must go beyond labor supply: experts

South Korea needs to shift its perspective on immigration beyond merely viewing immigrants as a solution to labor supply issues, experts said at a forum in Seoul last week. Emphasizing that any successful immigration policy must account for cultural, social and legal integration, Moon Jae-wan, president of the Korea Migration Law Association, said that overlooking the wider contributions of immigrants was a flawed approach. "In a rapidly changing global landscape, we must recognize immigr

Social AffairsSept. 29, 2024

Thousands rally in Seoul to call for Yoon's resignation

Thousands of people gathered in the capital city of Seoul to call for Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation on Saturday, as a coalition of left-wing groups blamed the president for tensions on the Korean Peninsula and economic strains. According to police, about 5,000 people are estimated to have flocked to Sejongdaero at 3 p.m. near Namdaemun in central Seoul to protest Yoon's leadership, as the conservative president's five-year term is now about halfway through. The coalition estimated t

PoliticsSept. 28, 2024

Who's lying? Hybe vs. Min conflict continues to intensify

The conflict between Hybe and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin continues to intensify, with both parties clashing over another round of allegations. A day after Ador rejected NewJeans' request to reinstate Min as CEO on Wednesday, a local media outlet released an exclusive interview with Min. In the interview, Min revealed that Hybe had offered her money in May on the condition that she leave the company. “After winning the injunction against the extraordinary shareholders' meeting in

K-popSept. 27, 2024

North Korea unveiling uranium enrichment site a US election-conscious move: NIS

South Korea’s spy agency considers North Korea publicizing leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to a previously undeclared uranium enrichment facility earlier this month to be a “US election-conscious move,” Rep. Lee Seong-kweon of the National Assembly intelligence committee said Thursday. “Kim’s visits to facilities related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program are rarely ever disclosed this way. The spy agency said the US presidential election was likely the

PoliticsSept. 26, 2024

2025 Trend Forecast: Small details, new happiness trend amid sluggish economy

After completing his annual bestselling series “Trend Korea” for the upcoming year, Seoul National University professor Kim Rando lamented that "grandeur has disappeared." Next year, Kim explained, will mark a shift from the grand to the details, with an emphasis on paying attention to small details and subtle differences. Now in its 17th year, the "Trend Korea" series forecasts consumer trends for the upcoming year through 10 key predictions, with allusion to the

BooksSept. 25, 2024

KFA Chair denies unfair hiring of national coach

Korea Football Association chief Chung Mong-gyu on Tuesday denied any attempts to plot a “scheme or cover up the truth,” in the hiring of men’s national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo, which has been under suspicion of irregularities. He was summoned to testify before the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee on the allegations that the KFA hired the 55-year-old star football player-turned-coach in July as the head coach of the men’s squ

PoliticsSept. 24, 2024

What will Yoon, Han talk about at dinner?

President Yoon Suk Yeol and ruling People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon are scheduled to hold a dinner meeting Tuesday, as several impending issues, such as the country's deepening medical crisis, loom over their heads. Besides Yoon and Han, the dinner will be attended by 14 officials from the ruling party leadership and the presidential office. Han recently requested a separate, private one-on-one meeting between him and Yoon on the sidelines of the dinner meeting, but the presidential o

PoliticsSept. 23, 2024