ONLINEKOREANEWS.COM

Author: 남연재

  • Cooking, Time Travel, and Romance: “Tyrant’s Chef” Captivates Viewers

    The tvN weekend drama “Tyrant’s Chef”, starring YoonA, has set a new personal ratings record, continuing its upward momentum.

    Episode 8, aired on the 14th, recorded a metropolitan household average of 15.8% (peaking at 18.1%) and a nationwide household average of 15.4% (peaking at 17.4%), securing the No.1 spot across all channels in its time slot, according to Nielsen Korea.

    In the drama, YoonA plays Yeon Ji-Young, a chef who time-slips from the present day into the past, where she encounters the tyrant Lee Heon (played by Lee Chae-Min). Their romantic comedy storyline has heightened viewers’ immersion each week.

    Performing her cooking scenes without a stand-in, YoonA has been praised for her delicate expressions and steady acting, which enhance the believability of her character. As the series progresses, the romance and tension continue to build, boosting both popularity and ratings.

  • From Hot 100 to Billboard 200: KPOP DEMON HUNTERS OST Makes History

    The soundtrack of Netflix’s KPOP DEMON HUNTERS has reached No.1 on the Billboard 200, marking its first time topping the main album chart. Already a four-time No.1 on the Hot 100, the OST has now achieved the rare feat of sweeping both of Billboard’s main charts.

    The album earned 128,000 equivalent units, with streaming and digital downloads leading the way and physical sales jumping 56% from last week. Billboard attributed the success to the explosive popularity of nationwide sing-along screenings and multiple re-releases of the soundtrack. With a vinyl LP scheduled for October, the momentum is expected to continue.

    According to Billboard’s latest rankings, the OST overtook Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend. It debuted at No.8, held steady at No.2 for seven nonconsecutive weeks, and finally climbed to the top. This is the first OST to top the Billboard 200 since Encanto in 2022 and the only film soundtrack this year to rank in the top 10 of both the album and singles charts simultaneously.

  • Encore in Taipei, Spotlight in Hanoi: G-DRAGON Expands World Tour

    G-DRAGON has announced the 4th phase of his third world tour, [Übermensch].

    According to the newly released poster on the 12th, he will hold encore concerts in Taipei on November 1–2, followed by a performance in Hanoi, Vietnam, on November 8. The inclusion of the phrase “AND MORE” has fueled anticipation for further announcements.

    G-DRAGON previously made headlines in Taipei when he appeared on the front page of a leading local newspaper, while in Vietnam, fans and companies staged a massive “GD Shoutout” with daisy flowers. News of his return has reignited excitement across Taiwan and Vietnam.

    He has already completed successful shows in Korea, Japan, Australia, major Southeast Asian cities, as well as Newark, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles in the U.S. After his Paris concert on the 20th, he will head to Taipei and Hanoi, with more world tour stops to be revealed soon.

  • First Asian Language at the Colosseum: Korean Audio Guide Now Available

    The Colosseum, Rome’s iconic landmark, has introduced a Korean audio guide service.

    According to Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Colosseum has added Korean to its official guide app starting this month, following agreements with local authorities. Korean is the first Asian language included, joining Italian, English, Spanish, and Ukrainian as the fifth supported language. With over 12 million annual visitors, this service is expected to significantly improve accessibility for Korean tourists.

    The system automatically plays explanations when visitors approach relics, allowing them to better understand the history, structure, and features of Rome and the Colosseum. The change reflects the global shift from rented audio devices to app-based solutions.

    The app has been available for download since early September via the Korean accounts of Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.

  • Cutie Run 2025 Meets Busan: Olive Young Hosts Sanrio-Themed Pop-Up Store

    Olive Young, Korea’s leading health and beauty retailer, has opened its first pop-up store outside the capital region, choosing Busan as its next destination.

    The Sanrio X Olive Young Cutie Run RUN&GLOW pop-up stores will run until September 21 at Lotte Department Store’s Busan main branch and until September 28 at Trendpot by Olive Young Hongdae.

    The pop-up is tied to Cutie Run 2025 Seoul, taking place on September 20, and features a marathon-themed experience zone, limited-edition merchandise, and special promotions tailored for Busan.

    An Olive Young representative said, “We created spaces in various regions where customers can experience our brands and products more deeply, so more people can enjoy differentiated beauty experiences.”

  • Jazz Returns to the Heart of Seoul: Janus Club Celebrates Reopening in Gwanghwamun

    Korea’s iconic jazz club Janus is entering a new era in Gwanghwamun. After closing its Apgujeong location earlier this year, the club will reopen on September 15, marking its long-awaited return.

    To celebrate, an 8-day festival featuring Korea’s top musicians will take place. On September 20, the highlight “Grand Jam Day” will showcase the essence of jazz through improvisation.

    Founded in 1978 by the late legendary jazz vocalist Park Sung-yeon, Janus has been a symbolic space in Korean jazz history. Despite challenging beginnings, it grew into the root of Korean jazz, hosting both domestic and international stars.

    The area surrounding Janus—Deoksugung Stonewall Road, Jeongdong-gil, and the Anglican Cathedral of Seoul—offers rich cultural charm. For international visitors, a night at Janus means not just enjoying a performance but also experiencing Korean history, emotions, and the vibrant nightlife of Seoul.

  • Apple Freezes Prices, Samsung Surges Ahead: Who Will Win Korea’s Fall Smartphone War?

    This fall, Korea’s smartphone market is set for a direct clash between its two giants: Samsung and Apple.

    Apple will launch its iPhone 17 series on September 19, boosting performance while freezing prices to stay competitive. Its ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air is positioned against Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, unveiled in May.

    The iPhone 17 offers 256GB base storage, an improved front camera, a 6.3-inch display, and fast charging (50% in 20 minutes). However, critics argue its AI upgrades fall short of expectations. Meanwhile, Samsung has leveraged its price freeze strategy and aggressive promotions, pushing Galaxy S25 sales in Korea past 3 million units.

    Key battlegrounds are thickness, camera quality, and AI features. At just 5.6mm, the iPhone 17 Air is slimmer than the Galaxy S25 Edge, but consumer reviews and social media suggest Galaxy’s generative editing tools outshine Apple Intelligence. Apple has responded by adding real-time translation and “Visual Intelligence” to enhance user experience.

    The market is now watching closely as the two brands go head-to-head, with slim design and AI at the heart of the fight.

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  • BTS Fans Rejoice: McDonald’s Happy Meal Adds Collectible TinyTAN Figures

    McDonald’s announced on September 11 the launch of limited-edition Happy Meal toys featuring BTS’s beloved characters TinyTAN.

    The TinyTAN lineup consists of all seven BTS members in adorable form. The mini figures, totaling 14, come in two versions: the Playback Edition, recreating outfits from the 2021 “The BTS Meal” campaign, and the Encore Edition, featuring costumes with the McDonald’s logo.

    Each Happy Meal includes one figure, and customers can directly choose which one they want. The Playback Edition launches first on September 11, followed by the Encore Edition on October 2. Sales will end early if stock runs out at individual locations.

    A McDonald’s spokesperson commented, “The Happy Meal has always been a symbol of McDonald’s, bringing small joys across generations. Alongside the TinyTAN mini figures, we will continue to deliver fun and happiness through our Happy Meals and toys.”

  • Korea Endures Historic Heatwave: Emergency HQ Operates for Longest Period Ever

    Korea’s Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ) has been in operation for 46 consecutive days as of September 8, marking the longest run since heatwaves were classified as disasters in 2019.

    The CDSCHQ was activated on July 25 when the government raised the heatwave alert to “Severe.” The previous longest activation lasted 29 days in 2023, but this year’s record is still ongoing as the alert has not yet been lifted.

    The headquarters is mobilized when more than 40% of forecasted land areas are expected to experience heat indexes above 35°C for three consecutive days.

    This summer, Korea recorded 29.5 official heatwave days—4.8 days more than last year. Between May 15 and September 6, 4,370 people suffered heat-related illnesses and 29 deaths were reported, underscoring the severity of the situation.

    Officials urged citizens to avoid outdoor activities during the day and stay hydrated, especially as heatwave warnings remain in effect in some southern regions.

  • Inside Olive Young’s Mega Sale: What Shoppers Really Want in K-Beauty

    CJ Olive Young’s “Olive Young Sale” (Aug. 29–Sept. 4) revealed that ingredient-focused beauty and pack cleansers are emerging as new highlights compared to last year.

    In skincare, the spread of the “slow-aging” trend boosted searches for PDRN (+695%), peptides (+72%), and niacinamide/zinc (each +65%), showing a firm shift toward ingredient-centered routines.

    In the cleansing category, searches for pack cleansers skyrocketed by 1,700%, with brands like Arencia, Ffory, Hanyul, and Whipped leading the charts.

    In sun care, diverse formats such as sun gels, sun serums, and sun ampoules gained traction, with functional products combining UV protection and skincare standing out.

    In makeup, Olive Young’s limited-edition sets performed strongly, while consumer preferences for blush shifted from powder to liquid formulas.Meanwhile, scalp and body care also saw growth in ingredient-driven items such as ampoules, serums, and functional lotions.

    Olive Young stated that it will continue to lead the market by promoting K-beauty and K-wellness trends while discovering new emerging brands.