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K-Pop Star IU Gifts Garbage Bags to Neighbors Amid Concert Venue Controversy

K-Pop Star IU Gifts Garbage Bags to Neighbors Amid Concert Venue Controversy

SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – In a unique display of consideration for her upcoming concert’s impact on the local community, popular South Korean singer IU has gifted garbage bags to residents living near Seoul World Cup Stadium, where she is set to perform this weekend. On September 19, a post titled “IU’s Thoughtfulness” appeared on [...]

Three Korean Series Enter Netflix’s Non-English Top 10 in the First Half of the Year

Three Korean Series Enter Netflix’s Non-English Top 10 in the First Half of the Year

SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – Three Korean shows made it into Netflix’s top 10 Non-English content chart in the first half of the year, the global streaming service said Friday. According to its Engagement Report from January to June, the Korean TV shows “Queen of Tears,” “Parasyte: The Grey” and “My Demon” garnered 29 [...]

Naver Webtoon Valued at Nearly 3.7 Trillion Won Ahead of Nasdaq Debut

Naver Webtoon Valued at Nearly 3.7 Trillion Won Ahead of Nasdaq Debut

SEOUL, Jun. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – As Naver Webtoon prepares for its Nasdaq listing, the company has set its initial public offering (IPO) price, catapulting its valuation to around 3.7 trillion won. This development marks a significant milestone for the digital comics industry, challenging the long-held notion that “webtoons can’t make money.” Webtoon Entertainment, the North [...]

Global Fans Converge on Seoul to Celebrate BTS Anniversary

Global Fans Converge on Seoul to Celebrate BTS Anniversary

SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Despite sweltering temperatures Thursday, the area around the Seoul Sports Complex in southern Seoul transformed into a vibrant sea of purple, as fans gathered to celebrate the 11th anniversary of K-pop megastar BTS. Hours before the 2024 Festa — an annual event hosted by BTS’ agency, BigHit Music — [...]

Oxford University Shines a Spotlight on Korean Literature

Oxford University Shines a Spotlight on Korean Literature

SEOUL & LONDON, Jun. 6 (Korea Bizwire) –Korean literature is stepping into the global literary scene as Oxford University launches an annual festival to celebrate the works of prominent Korean authors and introduce them to European audiences. The Korean Literature Festival, organized by Cho Ji-eun, a professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Oxford, [...]

Allegations of Discriminatory Behavior Surface at Cannes Film Festival as K-pop Star Yoona Gets Blocked on Red Carpet

Allegations of Discriminatory Behavior Surface at Cannes Film Festival as K-pop Star Yoona Gets Blocked on Red Carpet

PARIS/SEOUL, May 28 (Korea Bizwire) – The K-pop singer and actress Yoona, who attended the Cannes Film Festival this month, has become embroiled in allegations of discriminatory behavior by a female security guard monitoring the red carpet. On May 19, Yoona, formerly of the hugely popular K-pop group Girls’ Generation, drew the spotlight at the 77th [...]

High-Stakes Legal Battle Over NewJeans Manager Pits Fans Against K-Pop Giant Hybe

High-Stakes Legal Battle Over NewJeans Manager Pits Fans Against K-Pop Giant Hybe

SEOUL, May 25 (Korea Bizwire) – As a court decision looms that could determine the fate of Min Hee-jin, the founder of the ADOR record label and the former manager of NewJeans, a fierce legal battle is unfolding between Min and her critics at Hybe, the K-pop juggernaut. According to K-pop industry insiders, 10,000 members of [...]

Tears of Joy for American Girl’s Viral Reaction to Korean Instant Noodles

Tears of Joy for American Girl’s Viral Reaction to Korean Instant Noodles

SEOUL, May 16 (Korea Bizwire) – A young American girl’s emotional unboxing of a birthday gift containing Samyang Foods’ wildly popular Buldak Carbonara Ramen went viral last month, amassing over 100 million views across social media platforms like TikTok. After momentarily losing her words upon revealing the pink packaging of the spicy South Korean instant noodles, [...]

K-Pop Stars Lend Voices to Artifacts at British Museum’s Korean Galleries

K-Pop Stars Lend Voices to Artifacts at British Museum’s Korean Galleries

SEOUL, May 15 (Korea Bizwire) – Visitors to the British Museum’s Korean galleries can now hear a decidedly contemporary soundtrack as they view ancient treasures: audio explanations by the members of NewJeans, one of South Korea’s biggest K-pop girl group. The group’s agency, ADOR, said on May 14 that the quintet had volunteered to record descriptions, [...]