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Deeply rooted in Italian legacy, conductor Roberto Abbado set to balance symphonic and operatic repertoire
Korean National Symphony Orchestra’s new music director, Roberto Abbado, first encountered the orchestra in 2023, when he conducted Bellini’s "Norma" with the ensemble. Recalling the experience, the 71-year-old maestro described it as immediately positive, noting that when working with an orchestra, the first few seconds can be decisive. "Norma," he explained, is an intensely Italian opera, one in which the music depends on the flexibility of Bellini’s phrasing. “I was genuinely surprised by how
Jan. 8, 2026 -
Across 70 years and 170 films, Ahn Sung-ki charted history of Korean cinema
Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki, one of Korea’s most beloved actors and a moral anchor of its cinema, died Monday at the age of 74. He had been receiving treatment in an intensive care unit and was hospitalized in an unconscious state for six days after he collapsed at his home on Dec. 30. Over a career that spanned nearly seven decades, Ahn became known for his calm authority and remarkable range. He appeared in more than 170 films, a body of work that mirrored the evolution of modern Korean cinema i
Jan. 5, 2026 -
Ahn Sung-ki, revered actor who shaped Korean cinema, dies at 74
Ahn Sung-ki, one of South Korea’s most beloved and respected actors, died Monday. He was 74. Ahn had been receiving treatment in an intensive care unit, with his family at his side, according to officials. He had been hospitalized in an unconscious state for six days after collapsing on Dec. 30 while eating at his home. The actor had been living with blood cancer since 2019 and had recently been focusing on recovery while preparing to return to acting. Though declared to be in remission in 2020,
Jan. 5, 2026 -
Marketing expert behind Samsung 'Anycall' ad named new tourism agency head
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed Park Sung-hyeuck, a former vice president and corporate advisor of Cheil Worldwide, as the new president of the Korea Tourism Organization on Wednesday. Park’s appointment follows a monthslong leadership vacancy at the KTO after former KTO President Kim Jang-sil stepped down in January 2024 to run in the general elections. Park has no political background or prior involvement in the tourism industry. According to the ministry, Park, 57, will
Dec. 31, 2025 -
It all begins with the heart. Religious leaders' hopes for the year ahead
With the new year just around the corner, South Korea’s religious leaders sent New Year’s messages calling for harmony amid lingering social divisions. The Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, urged people to “set down the fire of anger and light the fire of wisdom and compassion, so that we may warm one another’s hearts in the year ahead,” in his New Year’s message released on Monday. The Jogye Order is the largest Buddhist sect in Korea. He added that confusion and con
Dec. 30, 2025 -
A comeback rooted in responsibility: Chung Myung-whun returns to KBS Symphony Orchestra
The KBS Symphony Orchestra, South Korea’s only broadcasting ensemble, will begin a new chapter under conductor Chung Myung-whun, an appointment that comes at a pivotal moment as the orchestra celebrates its 70th anniversary next year. The 72-year-old maestro will return as the orchestra’s 10th artistic director for a three-year term starting Jan. 1. It marks a return: Chung briefly served as the ensemble’s fifth artistic director in 1998. The KBS Symphony Orchestra also holds personal significan
Dec. 26, 2025 -
Foreign residents cast as active members of Korean society at International World in Korea event
International World in Korea hosted an awards and international exchange event in Seoul, honoring foreign residents for their contributions to local communities and highlighting their role as active members of Korean society. The event on Dec. 20 was attended by more than 150 Koreans and foreign residents from over 35 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Russia, the United States, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. IWIK
Dec. 26, 2025 -
'Pachinko' author joins NYC mayor's inaugural panel
Min Jin Lee, the Korean American author best known for the novel "Pachinko," has been appointed to the inaugural committee of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, according to his transition team. Mamdani’s mayoral transition office on Thursday released a list of 48 inaugural committee members, describing them as New Yorkers drawn from diverse fields and communities whose work reflects the city’s cultural and civic life. The committee will help host and advise on events surrounding Mamdani’
Dec. 26, 2025 -
Chung Myung-whun announced as KBS Symphony's music director
Maestro Chung Myung-whun will begin his new role as the music director of the KBS Symphony Orchestra from January, the orchestra announced Tuesday. For the next three years, Chung will lead the orchestra, which will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year. The news came 18 months after the orchestra said it was in the final stages of discussion with Chung. In the meantime, Chung has worked as the music director of Classic Busan. A new municipal office of Busan Metropolitan City, Classic Busan i
Dec. 23, 2025 -
‘Miracle baby’ born at 328 grams finally goes home
A baby girl who weighed just 328 grams at birth has recently gone home after months of intensive medical care, a Daegu hospital said Monday. Daegu Catholic University Hospital said the infant, Lee Yu-ju, was discharged last Friday after gaining the ability to breathe and be breastfed without medical assistance. She weighed about 4 kilograms a little over six months after birth, the hospital said. While her weight remains below the average for Korean infants of the same age, medical staff said sh
Dec. 22, 2025 -
Beyond comfort zones: How Korea shaped my identity, strengths and future
By Nurul Huda Faizah My life in Korea is always full of new experiences -- a daily immersion in K-culture, alongside which I continue to grow. This is my journey through K-culture. Coming to Korea from Malaysia through the Young Talent Development Program scholarship marked a transformative chapter in my life. Studying at Sejong University, I have never felt so lost, yet alive at the same time. Living away from home meant adapting to a completely new environment, language and culture, which push
Dec. 17, 2025 -
Pianist Lim Dong-hyek hospitalized after distressing social media post
Pianist Lim Dong-hyek was taken to the hospital on Monday hours after posting a message on social media that appeared to suggest an intent to harm himself, prompting a police response. Seoul Seocho Police reported receiving a report of concern for Lim's safety at approximately 8:30 a.m., according to Yonhap News Agency. Following the report, officers were sent to an address in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, where they found Lim and arranged for his transportation to a nearby medical facility. Lim
Dec. 16, 2025 -
Veteran actress Kim Ji-mi dies at 85
Veteran actress Kim Ji-mi, one of the most prolific stars in the country's film history, has died in the United States, film industry sources said Wednesday. She was 85. Born in 1940 in Daedeok, South Chungcheong Province, Kim made her screen debut in director Kim Ki-young's 1957 film "Twilight Train." She went on to build a remarkable career spanning more than four decades, appearing in about 700 films from the 1950s through the 1990s. The Federation of Korean Filmmakers said it will host a fil
Dec. 10, 2025 -
Veteran actor Yoon Il-bong dies at 91
Veteran actor Yoon Il-bong, a silver screen star of the 1960s-80s, died Monday at the age of 91, sources said. Yoon, the father of ballet dancer Yoon Hye-jin and father-in-law of actor Uhm Tae-woong, died earlier in the day, according to the sources. Yoon made his film debut in 1947 as a child actor in the musical "The Blue Hill" and took his first leading role in the romance "The Everlasting Love" (1955). He rose to fame as a romantic lead after starring in "The Confess" (1957) and "When Love i
Dec. 8, 2025 -
Cho Jin-woong quits acting after criticism over past juvenile crimes
Actor Cho Jin-woong announced through his agency Saturday that he will retire from acting, as criticism continues to deepen over past offenses he committed as a minor. In a message to media, he apologized for disappointing his fans and said that his decision is the right way to bear the responsibility for his past wrongdoing. The controversy erupted after a local media outlet reported on allegations that Cho had committed an offense in his teens and was tried as a juvenile delinquent. Cho has ac
Dec. 6, 2025