Coupang Play launches exclusive Paramount+ service in Korea

Popular US subscription video-on-demand service Paramount+ is now available in Korea exclusively through Coupang Play. Via the Paramount+ Pass, Coupang Play provides access to the streamer’s full slate of programming. The add-on is priced at 3,300 won per month for Coupang Wow members and 4,900 won for nonmembers. The Coupang Wow membership is 7,890 won per month and includes perks such as Coupang’s ultrafast Rocket Delivery service and ad-free streaming on Coupang Play. The Paramount+ lineup br

Nov. 21, 2025

Three ways to prepare for cold weather

If you’re looking for a contemplative yet lively place to spend the weekend, head to the second Humanities and Culture Festival at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s theme centers on reconnecting in an age marked by isolation and competition. The festival’s signature “Gentle Conversations” event gathers renowned writers, filmmakers, doctors, psychologists and performers for intimate talks exploring empathy, everyday resilience and the ties that bind individuals and commu

Nov. 21, 2025

Festivals, sights across Korea

The K-Food Festival Knock-Knock is taking place at Sejongno Park near Gwanghwamun Square through Dec. 31. The event runs every Friday to Sunday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with free admission for all visitors. The festival highlights a wide range of Korean cuisine through an expanded lineup of 25 participating food trucks, increased from 15 last year. It also broadens its offerings to 15 categories of Korean dishes, providing both residents and international tourists with a broader selection of K-foo

Nov. 21, 2025

Packages and promotions

Park Hyatt Seoul launches year-end stay packages Park Hyatt Seoul is ushering in the holiday season with a year-end offer, the “Festive Stay Moment” room package. Starting at 750,000 won a night, the package includes a bottle of Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial End of Year Limited Edition with a gift box, a 300,000 won dining credit usable across hotel restaurants, late check out at 1 p.m., complimentary parking and valet service, and the hotel’s 20th-anniversary “Parker” toy. Guests booking a suite

Nov. 21, 2025

Movies in theaters this week

"Wicked: For Good" (US) Opened Nov. 19 Musical/Fantasy Directed by Jon M. Chu The second part of the Broadway musical adaptation follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) as they take opposite sides in Oz's political upheaval. "Kokuho" (Japan) Opened Nov. 19 Drama Directed by Lee Sang-il A son of a yakuza boss (Soya Kurokawa, later Ryo Yoshizawa) becomes apprentice to a famous kabuki master and rises through the world of traditional theater, battling his outsider status over dec

Nov. 21, 2025

K-culture could tap into wider potential through localization, Thai experts say

Korea Herald correspondent BANGKOK — Though K-culture has woven itself into the everyday lives of many Thai consumers, Thai media experts say stronger local adaptation could unlock a new wave of more distinctive and entertaining content. Thai beauty influencer Anna Sueangam-iam said K-beauty has introduced a more holistic understanding of skin care among local consumers, reshaping how Thai women perceive beauty overall. “Now, Thai women do not view makeup as mere external decoration. They place

Nov. 20, 2025

Singapore’s cocktail vanguard: Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove

SINGAPORE — Singapore today stands as one of the world’s most influential cocktail capitals. The 2025 edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars list cements what industry insiders have long known: The Lion City is home to some of the most innovative bartenders and boundary-pushing bar concepts anywhere. This year, two institutions — Jigger & Pony and Nutmeg & Clove — show why Singapore remains a global leader in craft cocktail culture. Jigger & Pony (No. 9) First opened in 2012 on Amoy Street, Jigger

Nov. 20, 2025

Shin Min-a, Kim Woo-bin to tie knot in December

Actors Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin are set to tie the knot this December, marking their marriage after 10 years of public dating. “Shin and Kim have promised to become lifelong partners, building on the deep trust they’ve developed over their long relationship," their agency AM Entertainment announced Thursday. “The wedding will take place privately on Dec. 20 in Seoul, attended by family, relatives and close friends," the statement said, adding, both will remain dedicated to acting.

Nov. 20, 2025

Moments to remember at Blue Dragon Film Awards

The 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards at KBS Hall on Wednesday night delivered more than just trophies. Between Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" sweeping seven categories, the ceremony produced a string of spontaneous detours from the official program that had social media lighting up long after the broadcast ended. Call it the power-couple moment that rewrote Blue Dragon history. The night's most talked-about milestone came when Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin became the first married couple to sweep both

Nov. 20, 2025

[Exclusive] CJ ENM uses AI-generated product-placement ads — without any discretion

South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM has been using artificial intelligence to embed product-placement ads across its TV lineup in recent years — without disclosing to viewers that the insertions were AI-assisted, according to industry sources. As conventional product placement can disrupt the visual flow of dramas and unscripted shows, the company has increasingly turned to virtual product placement, the sources said. The technology identifies optimal moments for branded items and uses AI to

Nov. 20, 2025

Thailand pushes 'creative economy' for next wave of growth

Korea Herald correspondent BANGKOK — Thailand is turning to cultural and digital industries — spanning fashion, design, film, music and software — as new growth engines beyond traditional industrial sectors. Together, they form the country’s “creative economy,” which Thailand is working to transform into a technology- and intellectual property-driven growth model. According to Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council, the country’s creative economy now stands at $44.5 billion

Nov. 20, 2025

[단독] '피지컬: 100 스웨덴,' 2026년 촬영 앞두고 캐스팅 오픈

"피지컬: 100 스웨덴"이 공식적으로 제작에 돌입했다. 넷플릭스 측은 총 100명의 스웨덴 참가자가 우승을 놓고 경쟁하게 될 것이라고 밝혔다. 현재 온라인 참가자 모집이 진행중이며 지원서 가이드라인에 따르면 직업 제한 없이 엘리트 선수, 군인, 무용수, 소방관 등 폭넓은 직군의 지원자를 받고 있다. 지원서에 따르면 "피지컬: 스웨덴"의 촬영은 2026년 5월 스웨덴에서 약 2~3주간 진행될 예정이며, 우승 상금은 100만 스웨덴 크로나다. 지원서는 자기소개를 비롯해 트레이닝 기간, 개인적인 사연, 성장 및 발전 과정, 경쟁 성향 등을 묻는 문항들로 구성돼 있다. 또한 지원자 사진, 운동 영상, 자기소개 영상을 각각 업로드해야 한다. 넷플릭스는 "피지컬" 시리즈의 글로벌 인기에 힘이어 "피지컬: 100 USA"와 "피지컬: 100 이탈리아" 제작도 확정했다. 미국판은 2026년 촬영을 시작할 예정, 이탈리아판은 현재 촬영이 진행 중이다. Netflix has officially c

Nov. 20, 2025

[Exclusive] 'Physical 100: Sweden' opens casting for 2026 shoot

Netflix has officially confirmed that “Physical 100: Sweden” is underway. The streamer said 100 contestants will compete for the top prize, with casting now open through shortaudition.com/Projekt-00. Producers are seeking a wide range of participants — including elite athletes, military personnel, dancers, firefighters, and fitness enthusiasts — with no profession-based restrictions. According to the application materials, filming is scheduled to take place over two to three weeks in Sweden in M

Nov. 20, 2025

'No Other Choice' claims top honors at Blue Dragon Film Awards

Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" claimed best picture at the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards on Wednesday night, leading the ceremony with seven wins -- including best director and best actress honors -- at South Korea's premier film awards held at KBS Hall in Yeouido. The Venice-premiered satirical thriller, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, dominated major categories after entering with a field-leading 12 nominations. Park secured his fourth best director trophy -- making him the only film

Nov. 19, 2025

Kim Hyang-gi returns to painful ground

The year Kim Hyang-gi turned 12, she chose to take a break. Her parents had been saying it for years: You can quit acting anytime you want. She had been working since before kindergarten — a bakery commercial at 3 alongside Jung Woo-sung, her feature film debut at 6, steady work after that. By fifth grade, the decision seemed overdue; it was time to be a normal kid. "I loved hanging out with my friends," she tells reporters at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on Tuesday, putting herself back in

Nov. 19, 2025