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  • Korean Pop Art on Display in Hong Kong: Kitsch & Pop Exhibition

    The Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art, will host the exhibition “Kitsch & Pop: The Present of Korean Pop Art” from October 2 to November 22.

    The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), as part of the “Touring K-Arts” project, which travels from Shanghai to Hong Kong.

    Its aim is to re-examine Korean pop art—relatively undervalued amid the global spread of K-pop and K-culture—within the context of contemporary art, while also introducing Korean culture through visual arts connected to music, fashion, film, and cuisine.

    The exhibition revolves around two key themes: “Individualized Pop” (Korean pop art contextualized within mass consumption, globalism, and postmodernism of the 2000s) and “Cool-Kitsch” (the creative sensibility of young artists in the age of the internet, SNS, and AI). It will showcase both new works by emerging artists active since the 2010s and pieces from the early-to-mid 2000s.

    The director of the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong stated, “This is a meaningful opportunity to showcase the experimental and creative spirit of Korean contemporary art at Hong Kong, a crossroads of international culture,” adding that the exhibition is expected to spark the global expansion of Korean pop art.

  • Amaru on Hiatus, KickFlip Continues Promotions as Six

    Boy group KickFlip held a press showcase on Sept. 22 to celebrate the release of their 3rd mini album, “My First Flip.”

    This comeback marks their first promotion as a six-member group after member Amaru announced a hiatus due to health reasons just before the album release. Member Donghyun shared, “It’s unfortunate that Amaru cannot join us, but we’re waiting for his recovery and will do our best to fill the gap together.”

    The new album captures the excitement of first love with a playful touch. Its title track, “The First Song I’ve Ever Sung,” is a pop-punk-inspired dance track combining synth sounds with guitar riffs, narrating the thrilling moment of confession. The album also includes seven tracks in total, such as “Band-Aid,” “Singularity,” “Again, Here,” “Gas On It,” “404: Not Found,” and “It’s a Secret I Had a Nightmare.” All members participated in writing and composing every track.

    Released today (Sept. 22) at 6 p.m. KST, My First Flip will be followed by KickFlip’s Mnet M2 comeback show and showcase. Fans can look forward to discovering the group’s deeper musical colors and growth through this album.

  • G-Dragon’s ‘818 BLOOM’Pre-Sales Begin Worldwide on September 21

    MTRI Inc. mengumumkan bahwa “818 BLOOM,” hasil kolaborasi antara OXFORD dan PEACEMINUSONE, akan mulai dibuka untuk pre-order global melalui AliExpress pada 21 September pukul 10.00 KST, bertepatan dengan Hari Perdamaian Internasional.

    Produk ini dirancang langsung dengan partisipasi ikon K-pop G-Dragon. Pre-order akan dimulai pada 21 September pukul 10.00 di Korea dan Jepang, 20 September pukul 18.00 di Los Angeles, dan 20 September pukul 21.00 di New York.

    Platform e-commerce “818 BLOOM” melalui AliExpress dirancang khusus untuk memberikan kesempatan pembelian yang adil bagi konsumen di seluruh dunia. Dengan layanan multibahasa di situs global resmi, penggemar di berbagai negara termasuk Prancis dan Spanyol dapat dengan mudah mengakses dan membeli produk tersebut, sehingga meningkatkan aksesibilitas global.

  • YUQI Celebrates Her 1st Single ‘Motivation’ with Seoul Pop-Up Event

    YUQI from (G)I-DLE is celebrating the release of her first single with a special pop-up event.

    The YUQI 1st Single [Motivation] POP-UP will be held from September 19 to 28 at Samhwa Building in Seongsu, Seoul, designed as a fairy-tale space featuring YUQI’s official character GIGI.

    Fans can explore a wide range of merchandise inspired by the single Motivation — including postcards, photo cards, image pickets, and photo frame keyrings — along with GIGI-themed dolls, keychains, and bag accessories. A special photo zone will also be available for visitors.

    The pop-up will expand globally for international fans, opening in major cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Nanjing from September 19, followed by Hong Kong on September 22 and Taipei on September 25.

  • From Shopping Mall to Urban Playground: Seoul’s Dopamine Station Boom

    Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul has transformed from a simple shopping venue into a must-visit “hot place” for Gen Z and international tourists.

    Its 3rd-floor “Dopamine Station,” featuring over 200 gacha (capsule toy) machines, generates monthly sales of 300–400 million KRW, drawing up to 30,000 daily visitors during peak vacation seasons. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, it recently ranked second among Seoul’s top attractions, solidifying its reputation as a K-culture landmark.

    Branded as an “urban playground,” Dopamine Station houses unique shops such as the Nintendo Store, Crayon Shin-chan and Cardcaptor Sakura goods stores, rare plant shops, and mechanical keyboard pop-ups. Visitors can also enjoy the Kirby crane event, Nexon’s first game café, U.S. burger chain Five Guys, and a K-food restaurant inspired by Korean street food, making it equally appealing to international guests.

    Its strong SNS buzz has amplified its popularity, with official account views up 80% year-on-year and 70% of visitors in their 20s and 30s. No longer just a mall, it has become a cultural, gaming, and culinary experience space unique to Korea — and is set to continue rising as a global K-lifestyle destination.

  • IVE’s Liz and 8seconds Unveil a Fairytale-Inspired FW Collection

    Samsung C&T’s casual brand 8seconds has joined hands with IVE member Liz to launch its Fall/Winter (FW) season collaboration.

    By featuring Liz—a Gen Z fashion icon—as its model, 8seconds aims to boost brand recognition and expand its customer base to women in their 20s and 30s.

    The first unveiled content also presented collaboration pieces with designer MINJUKIM, a global fashion creator celebrated for winning the H&M Design Award, finishing as runner-up in the LVMH Young Designer Prize, and winning Netflix’s Next in Fashion.

    Inspired by a rose garden, the collection fuses fairytale romance with casual sensibilities. It incorporates cross-stitch, wave pleats, and sheer fabrics to create a unique mood. Key pieces include cropped jackets, balloon skirts, floral tulle dresses, graphic T-shirts, embroidered cardigans, and ruffle shirts.

    8seconds shared its anticipation, stating, “Liz’s mysterious charm combined with MINJUKIM’s distinctive sensibility will create a new synergy this season.”

  • BIGBANG Returns for 20th Anniversary with Coachella 2026 Performance

    BIGBANG is set to make a spectacular comeback as their first step into their 20th anniversary year, taking the stage at the world’s biggest music festival, Coachella 2026.

    According to the official lineup announced on the 16th (local time), BIGBANG will perform on April 12 and 19 at Coachella’s main stage in Indio, California, presenting a global performance that encapsulates their two-decade musical journey.

    This comeback goes beyond a simple stage return—it is seen as a symbolic message from one of K-pop’s most iconic groups to the global music market. With G-DRAGON, Taeyang, and Daesung reuniting under the name BIGBANG, the moment is expected to reaffirm K-pop’s cultural influence. Sharing the lineup with global stars such as Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and Karol G, BIGBANG’s presence will stand out even more.

    Marking their 20th anniversary with a Coachella comeback, BIGBANG’s performance is anticipated to open a new chapter in K-pop history. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting not only this stage but also the group’s upcoming anniversary projects and future activities.

  • From Cosmos Waves to Pink Muhly Mist: Autumn Magic at Dangnam-ri Island

    Dangnam-ri Island in Yeoju has transformed into a floral wonderland, blanketed with vibrant cosmos and dreamy pink muhly, signaling the peak of autumn.

    Located just about an hour’s drive from Seoul, the island floats on the Namhan River and currently showcases the Seoul metro area’s largest autumn garden. With no entrance or parking fees, it’s an accessible and inviting escape.

    Visitors are first greeted by vast fields of pink muhly, resembling a pink haze against the river backdrop — an instant photo hotspot. Venturing deeper, a breathtaking 1.16 million㎡ sea of cosmos awaits, offering the sensation of being completely immersed in blossoms. Pathways allow for strolls and photography without harming the flowers, while traditional huts and zelkova trees add a uniquely Korean scenic charm.

    Though open year-round for free, the island has little shade, making mornings or late afternoons the best times to visit. On weekends, parking can get crowded, so using the spacious inner parking lots is recommended. While Seoul’s Haneul Park displays the city’s orderly autumn, Dangnam-ri Island provides a more expansive, lyrical autumn in nature.

  • 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.

  • 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.”