Author: Seoul Reporter

Freestyle skier Eileen Gu ignites controversy with comments blurring national loyalties, prompting fierce criticism from American fans who label her a traitor despite her dominance in recent competitions. Provocative Interview Sparks Outrage In a recent interview, Gu stated that individuals living in the United States identify as Americans, while those in China see themselves as Chinese. The remarks, intended to highlight growing investment in China’s freestyle skiing from U.S. supporters, instead fueled backlash. Gu, who earned glory for China at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has long navigated tensions between her dual heritage. She previously turned down a spot on…

Communities across Korea buzz with messages like ‘I’ll do good deeds today—I just donated to the temple box.’ A 30-something employee at a major corporation shares how they donated to causes such as pizza deliveries, quilts, and aid supplies after a performance review. ‘It made me feel truly happy and rewarded,’ the employee notes. Rising Popularity Among MZ Generation The employee adds, ‘Even when our university president urged more donations, time constraints limited us, but it wasn’t about the money—it was the satisfaction of giving.’ This sentiment resonates strongly with workers in their 20s and 30s, public servants, and full-time…

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, the 30-year-old Norwegian cross-country skiing star, captured his third gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by dominating the men’s 10km individual start freestyle race.Record-Breaking PerformanceOn February 13, Klæbo crossed the finish line at the Tesero stadium in Italy with a time of 20 minutes, 36.2 seconds, shattering the previous Olympic record in the event. This marked his first victory in this discipline, despite prior participations in World Cups and World Championships.Prior to this Olympics, Klæbo had tied the all-time Winter Olympics record with eight career gold medals. His perfect record continues, having swept all…

Singer Son Dam-bi has joyfully announced the arrival of her first child, a baby boy, just 11 months after tying the knot with actor Lee Kyu-hyuk.Exciting YouTube RevealIn a heartwarming YouTube video on her channel ‘Dambi Son’ titled ‘Daddy’s Favorite Baby?! Baby’s Cuteness Goes Live,’ Son Dam-bi shared intimate details of the newborn. The couple welcomed their son via cesarean section, marking a new chapter in their lives.Proud Parents Share EmotionsSon Dam-bi revealed that the baby, affectionately called Hae-i, is already charming everyone with his outgoing personality. ‘He received confirmation as a second-generation actor,’ she said. ‘It’s even better, so…

The People Power Party’s Ethics Committee imposes a one-year suspension of party membership on lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin, who also serves as Seoul Metropolitan Party Committee Chairman. Party members label the move a ‘Communist-style purge,’ igniting widespread internal criticism.Bae’s Allies Reject the PunishmentKim Mi-ae, head of Busan Haeundae District and former presidential candidate, condemns the decision. ‘Imposing such a heavy penalty on the Seoul City Party Chairman, a close aide, defies logic,’ she states. Kim adds that public sentiment remains steady despite the uproar, with some viewing it as appropriate while others express disappointment.Kim emphasizes, ‘Even famous figures speaking out won’t…

In a tense 2025-2026 Korean Basketball League matchup, Anyang Jeonggwanjang faced off against Suwon KT on February 13 at the Anyang Jeonggwanjang Arena.Current Standings Heat Up the RivalryAnyang Jeonggwanjang holds a strong tied second-place position with 25 wins and 14 losses. Suwon KT occupies fifth place, balancing at 20 wins and 20 losses, making this afternoon game a critical battle for playoff positioning.Dramatic 4th Quarter MomentDuring the fourth quarter, KT guard Kim Sun-hyeong showed clear frustration on her face while struggling with defensive assignments. Her distressed expression highlighted the high stakes as KT fought to close the gap.

Kangnam launches an entertaining rest area stamp rally during the Lunar New Year rush, turning a simple lost golf club recovery into viral comedy gold. Rest Area Stamp Rally Hits 13 Stops Kangnam tackles a nationwide challenge, collecting stamps from 13 rest areas amid heavy holiday traffic. A standout moment unfolds when he discovers a misplaced golf club and tracks down its owner for a heartfelt return. “Originally, it seemed like a major issue, so I planned to sort it out myself since the owner appeared upset,” Kangnam explains. “I held off and contacted them directly.” First Stop: Hanadream Rest…

Actor Bae In-hyuk captivates audiences with his heartfelt portrayal in the tvN Wednesday-Thursday drama Give Me the Universe. The series follows a high school heartthrob and a bookish girl who reunite after 20 years, sparking romance at the world’s center. Episode Highlights: Tender Reunion and Jealous Sparks In the January 12 episode, Tae-hyung (Bae In-hyuk) and Hyeon-jin (No Jeong-eui) share an intimate moment, piecing together their shared past. Tae-hyung embraces Hyeon-jin, seeing beyond her adult facade to the girl he once knew. He playfully teases her over a youthful drunken confession and her mood swings without alcohol. Despite the banter,…

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a one-year contract with utility player Kiké Hernández worth $4.5 million (approximately 6.4 billion KRW), bolstering their roster for another World Series run.Strategic Roster MoveDodgers cleared a spot on their 40-man roster by placing right-handed reliever Evan Phillips, who was arbitration-eligible at his maximum value, on the 60-day injured list. This opened the door for Hernández, a 33-year-old veteran known for his postseason prowess.Hernández expressed enthusiasm about joining the Dodgers’ championship pursuit. In a social media post, he stated, “Even just hearing about a three-game losing streak isn’t good!” highlighting his aversion to…

Not long ago, a candid conversation with a close actor friend prompted deep self-reflection. This performer, at the forefront of industry shifts, confided that discussing personal matters with trusted peers sparked genuine insight. “These conversations feel real,” the actor shared. “I experience those moments at home too.”Embracing Vulnerability in Personal StoriesAfter a brief pause, the actor’s direct words struck a chord, resonating deeply. “Exactly, I relate to that,” came the instinctive response. In today’s storytelling landscape, narratives often explore themes like family conflicts, stubborn clashes, romantic self-centeredness, and anxious downtime. Yet, the actor highlighted profound empathy as the strongest reaction…