Gyeonggi's Gwangju readies for population of half a million
Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, located less than 40 kilometers from Seoul and within commuting distance to Pangyo’s tech cluster, is rapidly emerging as a popular destination for those seeking both proximity to their workplaces and a more relaxed, residential environment. The city’s population, which was just 324,000 in 2015, surpassed 400,000 for the first time in 2022 and exceeded 412,600 as of June 2025, according to city data. During the same period, the number of foreign residents also rose fr
July 15, 2025 - 13:16:36
‘Golden time to invest’: Shinhan FDI unit targets global investors
While South Korea faces headwinds from heightened uncertainty in the trade environment, Shinhan FDI partners, a specialized unit dedicated to providing support for foreign direct investment here, sees opportunities in challenges that lie ahead. “Now is the golden time to invest in Korea,” said Jenny Hong, one member of the global investment support team of Shinhan FDI partners. Distinct from other forms of cross-border investment ― such as purchasing stocks and bonds ― foreign direct investment
July 14, 2025 - 15:25:13
Tragic couple of 'Squid Game' Season 3: interview
One of the emotional high points in "Squid Game" Season 3 unfolds with the birth of a baby amid the deadly competition, as contestants find themselves torn between protecting the child or exploiting the situation for their own survival. At the center of this harrowing storyline is the tragic couple Myung-gi, portrayed by Im Si-wan, and Jun-hee, played by Jo Yu-ri. Set against the brutal backdrop where participants risk everything for the 45.6 billion won ($33 million) prize, the couple faces a t
July 10, 2025 - 11:31:54
Close Your Eyes returns with playful new album 'Snowy Summer'
Rising boy band Close Your Eyes is back with a new album just three months after its debut, bringing a refreshing mix of summer heat and winter chill with a playful twist. The band's second EP “Snowy Summer” dropped Wednesday, featuring four tracks, including the double main tracks “Snowy Summer” and “Paint Candy.” While its debut song “All My Poetry” leaned into a soft, lyrical charm, this release adds a splash of mischievous energy and youthful confidence. “‘Paint Candy’ is a total shift from
July 9, 2025 - 16:20:48
Fixing Korea’s boards key to driving value: ACGA secretary general
South Korean companies must strengthen board independence and deepen investor engagement to boost market valuations, according to Amar Gill, secretary general of the Asian Corporate Governance Association. “The issue in Korea is that independent directors are not empowered,” Gill said in a recent interview with The Korea Herald. ACGA is Asia’s largest nonprofit body devoted to corporate governance, with 114 members worldwide, including heavyweight investors and companies. “In Korea, the manageme
July 9, 2025 - 14:57:19
Sohn Min-soo, Lim Yunchan on sharing the stage
Celebrated pianists Sohn Min-soo and Lim Yunchan will share the stage next week in a rare four-hand concert in Seoul, presenting works by Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Strauss. Ahead of their performance in Seoul -- and at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland later this month -- they shared their thoughts in writing about preparing for the concerts, the meaning of playing together, and what a duo performance reveals that solo stages cannot. For Sohn, 49, a respected educator and laureate of the Honens
July 8, 2025 - 12:00:00
Artist as anthropologist
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Artist Jun So-jung had arrived in Abu Dhabi late the previous night from Antwerp, Belgium, her flight delayed by Israel’s attack on Iran earlier that day. She was in Antwerp for the opening of a group exhibition at M HKA, Museum of Contemporary Art Belgium where her video work “Syncope” (2023) is being shown. In Abu Dhabi, she participated in a public program held as part of “Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits,” a Seoul Museum of Art and Abu Dhabi Music & A
July 7, 2025 - 17:12:27
Parataxis commits to Korea as bitcoin treasury frontier
South Korea’s capital market is poised for a major innovation. US digital asset hedge fund Parataxis plans to launch the nation’s first bitcoin treasury platform — a corporate strategy where companies hold bitcoin as part of their treasury, treating it like cash or bonds. While this strategy has gained traction among some US firms betting on crypto’s long-term value, it remains controversial due to bitcoin’s volatility and unclear regulations. Parataxis is entering the market by acquiring Kosdaq
July 6, 2025 - 15:23:36
Director breaks down Saja Boys' soul-stealing performance of 'Your Idol'
With traditional gat, glowing eyes and a lethal dose of K-pop attitude, the performance of Saja Boys’ soul-stealing “Your Idol” in Netflix’s breakout hit "Kpop Demon Hunters" is the moment that keeps both hypnotized audiences and viewers obsessed, just like the lyrics say. From the candy-colored energy of “Soda Pop” to a dramatic turn into sleek, jet-black silhouettes, the fictional boy band’s transformation reveals their true selves in full demon form. The villain anthem’s music video has racke
July 4, 2025 - 17:43:11
Lee Jung-jae breaks down Gi-hun’s journey and the line that left fans hanging
Lee Jung-jae’s journey with "Squid Game" has come to a close, delivering a finale befitting a hero. The veteran actor, who made history by becoming the first Asian to win a Primetime Emmy with the global Netflix sensation, expressed a bittersweet farewell as the series wrapped its third season, released on June 27. Rather than mourning the end of the show, Lee reflected on parting ways with the cast and crew. “The shoot lasted a long time, and during the process, the actors and staff built a lot
July 3, 2025 - 17:38:37
Heo Ga-young didn’t expect to get on course —then she won at Cannes
When Heo Ga-young applied to the Korean Academy of Film Arts with a bare-bones seven-minute film about sweet and sour pork, she figured she'd blown it. The school was Korea's most prestigious film program, the kind of place where industry veterans compete for spots alongside wannabe auteurs hoping to follow alumni like Bong Joon-ho. Her portfolio consisted of two amateur actors arguing over the ubiquitous Korean-Chinese dish — specifically, whether to pour the sauce on top or dip each piece. Tot
July 3, 2025 - 15:07:38
‘Lithuania is ready to be Korea’s fastest gateway to Europe’
Lithuania is intensifying its efforts to deepen economic ties with South Korea, positioning itself both as a gateway to European markets and as a partner in advanced industries ranging from high-tech innovation to clean energy. In an exclusive interview with The Korea Herald, Lithuanian Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation Marius Stasiukaitis outlined a strategic vision for bilateral cooperation focused on innovation-driven industries and streamlined investment processes. “Korea and Lithuania
July 2, 2025 - 15:03:52
Andreas Fronk: The 'tough-guy' foreigner who made Korea home
When Andreas Fronk tells you he’s died many times, he’s not exaggerating. From "Carter" to "Vincenzo" to "Hunt" and even "Moving," the German actor has built a career in Korean film and drama playing mercenaries, CIA agents and gangsters who rarely see the end credits. But that tough-guy image is only part of the story. Behind the stoic on-screen villain is a thoughtful artist who’s spent nearly two decades understanding Korean culture, mastering martial arts and navigating the unique challenges
July 2, 2025 - 10:04:25
Kard makes a fierce return with 'Drift'
Kard, one of the few coed K-pop groups, returned Tuesday with its signature style: bold and intense. The four-member group, consisting of J. Seph, BM, Somin and Jiwoo, debuted in July 2017, carving out a niche as a coed group, with its intense, charismatic music and performances. The group’s previous album “Where To Now? (Part.1: Yellow Light)” briefly paused Kard’s signature boldness and presented easy-listening reggae pop. The new mini album “Drift” and its main track “Touch” mark a return to
July 2, 2025 - 07:00:00
Saudi Vision 2030’s smart city has S. Korea at its heart: NMDC CEO
Saudi Arabia’s capital is undergoing a massive urban transformation aimed at reshaping not only Riyadh, but the entire Middle East -- and the kingdom wants South Korea to be part of the initiative, according to the head of the state-owned developer leading the project. New Murabba Development Co., wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, was established to build the world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative. Micha
July 1, 2025 - 15:10:59