Time now for our weekly Arts and Culture segment.
That means we have our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin in the studio!
Welcome.
Great to be here.
What do you have for us today?
As it’s the first Arts and Culture of the year, I’ve prepared a preview of some of the major pop culture events to look forward to in 2025.
Let’s first take a look.
If you’re curious about some of the K-culture events and content coming up this year, this is your guide.
Starting with K-pop, several big names will be back in the spotlight.
The long wait for BTS fans is almost over.
“With all members set to complete their military service by June, I think BTS-related topics will once again be heavily in the spotlight this year.”
And BLACKPINK is ready to be “in your area” once again.
YG Entertainment’s Chief Producer Yang Hyun-suk confirmed last July that new music and a world tour are on the way.
Meanwhile, a new generation of stars is ready to shine.
Three of the “Big Four” K-pop agencies: JYP, SM, and YG are planning to debut new groups this year.
JYP will kick things off with the debut of its seven-member boy group, Kickflip, this month.
SM is gearing up to introduce its first girl group in five years, following aespa, while YG will also unveil its new group which Chief Producer Yang calls the “NEXT MONSTER.”
Turning to cinema, two of Korea’s most celebrated directors are making their much-anticipated returns.
“Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Mickey 17,’ which explores the world of cloned humans, and Park Chan-wook’s latest film, ‘No Other Choice’ are in the lineup.
There’s excitement about how these works from master directors will shape and inspire new cultural trends.”
Bong’s sci-fi film “Mickey 17,” starring Robert Pattinson and Steven Yeun, will hit North American theaters on March 7th, with its Korean release earlier that month.
Meanwhile, Park’s new thriller “No Other Choice,” featuring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, is keeping its release date under wraps.
Streaming platforms are also ready for some major releases.
“Squid Game” fans won’t have to wait long for the next installment.
Following the recent release of Season 2, the Netflix original will conclude with its third and final season as early as this summer.
“I shot this season two and three at the same time continuously as I’m now working on the post (production) of season three. It’s almost done. We’re working on the music and CGI right now.”
The streaming giant is also bringing back another favorite.
Its 2024 hit “Culinary Class Wars” will return with a second season in the latter half of the year, promising more intense and thrilling cooking competitions.
From music to film and streaming, that was your 2025 culture preview.
It certainly looks like 2025 will be an exciting year for K-culture.
Yoo-jin, are there any other events we should keep an eye on this year?
Absolutely.
Korean literature has been drawing great attention globally, following author Han Kang winning the Nobel Prize in Literature last year.
Many are waiting for Han’s latest novel, which she mentioned during her press conference with the Korean media last month during Nobel Week in Stockholm.
Han said she’ll start working on the last part of her “snow trilogy” once she returns to Korea.
While it’s unclear when Han will release this book, another Korean novelist, Hwang Sok-yong will treat us to his new novel this year.
It will be his first since “Mater 2-10” in 2020, which was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize last year.
In classical music, Lim Yun-chan, who made history last year as the first Korean pianist to win the Gramophone Award, will be the artist-in-residence at the 2025 Tongyeong International Music Festival this March.
Another star pianist, Cho Seong-jin, is planning a nationwide tour from June to July.
Both will also perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Cho in February and Lim in April.
And as our culture correspondent, what kind of year do you hope 2025 will be for culture?
One of the experts I spoke with said something that really resonated with me, so I’d like to share it.
Last year was a year of uncertainty; politically, economically, and socially, not just in Korea but around the world.
In times like these, culture has the power to bring people together, fostering unity and empathy.
I hope that in 2025, Korean culture can play this meaningful role on the global stage, contributing to understanding and connection in the international community.
I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you, Yoo-jin, for your report today, and we look forward to many more Arts and Culture segments throughout the year.
Thank you.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279601
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