Deep in the rugged, forested mountains of Gangwon Province, the hollowed-out shafts of abandoned anthracite mines stand as quiet monuments to Korea’s industrial birth. During their mid-20th-century heyday, these bustling towns fueled the nation’s postwar economic miracle, powering domestic hearths and heavy manufacturing alike. But as Korea’s energy needs shifted toward oil and gas in the 1980s, the region entered a long, steep decline. While a handful of major mines remained operational into the 2020s, the last state-run mine officially closed its shafts in mid-2025 — leaving behind steep valleys marked by demographic collapse and crumbling local economies. Now, trade officials and local leaders are trying a new approach to revive these quiet valleys: connecting their remaining small businesses directly to overseas markets. Rather than relying solely on local tourism or government aid, a national trade showcase last week in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, brought small-town entrepreneurs face-to-face with international buyers. At the center of the event was a targeted exhibition flo

BABYMONSTER is trading its signature high-energy performances for a more intimate sound with “DESERVE,” a new digital single released Friday that showcases the K-pop group’s vocals and more mature musical direction. The pop ballad dropped at 1 p.m. Friday, blending lyrical synthesizer melodies and a retro atmosphere with heartfelt lyrics reflecting on past memories and wishing happiness for a former partner, according to the group’s agency, YG Entertainment. The song’s emotional intensity builds toward its chorus, highlighting the members’ expressive singing and marking a departure from the hip-hop and dance-driven tracks that have helped define their stage performances. The release comes about four months after the group’s June single, “SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA,” offering a different perspective on the seven-member act as it continues to broaden its musical range. Its accompanying music video draws on the song’s wistful mood, using cinematic visuals, interconnected character narratives and increasingly dramatic effects to heighten the emotional impact. In a statement ahead

Nongshim is bringing the flavors of Korea’s instant noodles to Japan’s fashion-conscious young consumers, joining forces with fashion platform Musinsa for a 17-day pop-up event in Osaka that pairs Korean food with fashion and beauty. The Korean food company is operating a Shin Ramyun brand booth at Musinsa Osaka Pop-up Store 2026 at VS in Umeda through Nov. 8. The collaboration aims to introduce Japanese shoppers drawn to Korean fashion to Korean food culture through hands-on experiences, with Umeda serving as a busy commercial district frequented by young consumers and international tourists. At the booth, visitors can sample freshly prepared Shin Ramyun Tomba, using an instant noodle cooker modeled on machines popular along Korea’s Han River, where people cook noodles on-site. Visitors who follow Nongshim Japan’s official Instagram account can try the dish, while those who complete a survey after tasting it can receive Shin Ramyun Rose, with additional branded merchandise available through a prize draw. Shin Ramyun Tomba combines spicy seasoning with a creamy flavor and has gain

Beauty of Joseon, Korean beauty brand known for its traditional ingredients and modern skin care, has expanded to 1,263 Boots stores across Britain, marking one of the largest retail footprints for a Korean beauty brand in Europe. The brand, owned by Goodai Global, entered Boots in June 2024 and has since expanded rapidly across the British health and beauty retailer’s network, according to a company announcement Friday. Beauty of Joseon also operates dedicated brand displays in 100 Boots stores, the largest such presence among Korean beauty brands at the retailer. The expansion comes as the brand continues to rank among Boots’ top-selling Korean beauty brands, reflecting growing demand for K-beauty products in physical retail stores beyond online channels. In April, Beauty of Joseon held the first solo pop-up by a Korean beauty brand at Boots, at the retailer’s store in Westfield Stratford in London. During the pop-up month, Beauty of Joseon ranked fifth among about 200 skin care brands sold at Boots and first among roughly 20 Korean beauty brands, according to company data. It also

A curator whose work explores the uneasy relationship between art, technology and society will lead the 14th Seoul Mediacity Biennale, bringing a critical examination of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological power to Seoul’s flagship international art event. Irini Papadimitriou, a curator and creative director specializing in contemporary art, new media and digital culture, has been appointed artistic director of the biennale, which is scheduled to open in August 2027, the Seoul Museum of Art said. Papadimitriou’s proposed theme, “Machines of Repair,” will examine how technology intersects with power, surveillance, resource extraction and social inequality, while exploring how technological systems might be redirected toward public benefit. The exhibition will bring together artworks and public programs that question the values underpinning technological progress and imagine alternatives to systems built around control and domination. Papadimitriou previously served as digital program manager at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, head of new media art development

Dogs dressed as Joseon-era night watchmen will take to Seoul’s historic streets Saturday, bringing an unusual twist to neighborhood safety patrols and offering visitors a new way to explore one of the capital’s increasingly popular alleyways. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will deploy 12 teams from its volunteer dog patrol program along a 1.1-kilometer route connecting Jongmyo Shrine’s outer gate, Seosulla Street and Yulgok-ro, beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 24. The approximately 70-minute patrol will recreate the rounds once conducted by "sunragun," guards who monitored streets during the Joseon Dynasty, with participating dogs wearing costumes inspired by the historical patrolmen. Accompanied by their owners, the dogs will inspect alleyways for potential safety hazards and inconveniences while promoting responsible pet-walking practices, including proper leash use and consideration for other pedestrians. Two professional dog trainers will join the event to provide safety guidance before departure and supervise the teams along the route. Seosulla Street runs alongside the western wal