In June 2026, BTS set off another global wave with a new world tour. The energy in the arenas went beyond screaming and applause. Then came Arirang, the Korean folk song, sung back by fans from around the world. In that moment, a traditional melody …
Spain's bullfighting has long been remembered as an old tradition. Yet the same scene now raises harder ethical questions. Tourism and cultural heritage still carry real weight. So do animal rights and respect for life. This column looks at the…
Wynton Marsalis appeared on the LG Arts Center stage in Seoul in March 2026. He is a trumpet master in his sixties and his tone felt unchanged. His playing showed a clear commitment to jazz tradition and an artist’s pride. This visit sparked conver…
BTS' fifth studio album Arirang has become the centerpiece of a monthlong city festival in Seoul. From March 20 to April 19, neighborhoods from Gwanghwamun to Namsan and the Han River will host performances, installations, and hands-on experienc…
BTS will release their fifth full-length album, ARIRANG, on March 20, 2026. It is the group's first full studio album in about three years and nine months as a seven-member unit, marking their return to the global music stage. The title direct…
Horses, and especially white horses, recur as images in Korean popular music. From the Japanese colonial period to the present, horses often stand for hope and moving forward. Lyrics that mention a white horse or a carriage create stories of homecom…
A K-Pop girl group that hunts demons has captured global attention. Since its Netflix release, K-Pop Demon Hunters has been noted for blending pop music with traditional culture. Traditional Korean motifs and the ritual world of the shaman (a Korean…
2026 is a Bingwu year, traditionally called the "Red Horse Year." It pairs fire energy with the symbol of the horse, signaling movement and drive. History and folk belief give this year mixed meanings—both promise and warning. Individuals …
The same melodies return every winter. Familiarity brings comfort, but it also exposes a gap in new creation. Platforms and listening habits make it hard for new holiday songs to break in. This column looks at the causes and the contested issues in …
Netflix's animated feature 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' sparked international controversy after its 2025 release. The film pairs K‑POP performance with ritual (ceremonial) elements to form a new kind of narrative. Director Maggie Kang was repor…
The fusion of K-culture and survival TV opens a new channel for cultural export. Different traditions and contemporary practices meet and clash on competitive stages. Global viewers get entertainment and a form of cultural learning at the same time.…