'Forgotten Island' is as fun and chaotic as any Filipino family reunion party

GMA Network - Sep 21, 2026

Here it becomes important to remember that "Forgotten Island" is created by members of the Filipino diaspora. And as such, "Forgotten Island" isn't just Filipino culture as we know it. It's Filipino culture filtered and told through the lens of the diaspora.

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Suzy's bold slicked-back look divides fans

Sep 21, 2026

Suzy's bold slicked-back look divides fans

Singer and actor Suzy, long known in South Korea for her soft, youthful image, has sparked divided reactions online after stepping out with a dramatically different slicked-back hairstyle. Suzy attended an event for a skin care brand in Seoul's Seongdong District on Friday, wearing a crisp white shirt paired with understated jewelry. But it was her hair that drew the most attention. Instead of the softer hairstyles she is usually seen with, Suzy wore her hair completely swept back from her face. The style fully exposed her facial contours and highlighted her small face and defined features. Suzy has been celebrated for her looks since early in her career and became widely known in Korea as the "nation's first love," a nickname that took hold following her appearance in the hit 2012 romance film "Architecture 101." Her latest transformation, however, prompted unusually mixed reactions online. "She looks beautiful no matter what she does," one commenter said. Others said, "She even pulls off slicked-back hair," "Everything suits her" and "I'm tired of even saying how pretty she is." Some, how

One in 5 international student deaths in Korea suicides, spurring mental health calls

Sep 21, 2026

One in 5 international student deaths in Korea suicides, spurring mental health calls

About 1 in 5 international students who died in Korea over the past six years took their own lives, fueling calls for stronger mental health support as their numbers in the country continue to grow. According to data the Ministry of Education submitted to Rep. Kim Moon-soo on Monday after surveying some 350 universities nationwide, 84 international students at Korean universities died between 2021 and this year. Accidents, including traffic accidents, caused the most deaths at 34 cases, followed by illness at 23, suicide at 15, undetermined causes at seven and other causes at five. The annual number of international student deaths was 12 in 2021, 16 in 2022, seven in 2023, 13 in 2024 and 21 in 2025, with 15 recorded so far this year. Suicides fell from four in 2021 to one in 2022, then dropped to zero in 2023 before rising to five in 2024, three in 2025 and two so far this year. International students often face difficulties adjusting to life in Korea, including language barriers, unfamiliar culture and academic stress. In 2024, the death of an African graduate student at Chonnam National

PM vows to make seamless preparations to launch Global AI Hub

Sep 21, 2026

PM vows to make seamless preparations to launch Global AI Hub

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Monday the government will make seamless preparations to realize the country's "Global AI Hub" initiative, including selecting the best location for the envisioned hub through fair and transparent procedures. In May, Korea unveiled its vision to launch the Global AI Hub in the country in an effort to bring together the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of global organizations to address challenges, such as disease control and climate change. The envisioned hub seeks to promote cross-border cooperation in the AI sector with nine global organizations and five multilateral development banks and is expected to serve as a platform to provide AI-based solutions to pending issues under the vision of "AI for All, AI to Solve Global Challenges." "The time has come for us to take action beyond declaration," Han said during the first meeting of the preparation committee. "The government will make seamless preparations to launch the Global AI Hub by swiftly establishing a dedicated support system and selecting the optimal location through fair and transpar

Korea's 2,000 years of art, creativity to go on view in London

Sep 21, 2026

Korea's 2,000 years of art, creativity to go on view in London

From ancient gilt-bronze ornaments to Nam June Paik’s video sculpture, a new British Museum exhibition will trace 2,000 years of Korean creativity through more than 180 works from Korea’s national collection. “Korea: 2,000 Years of Creativity” opens Oct. 1 at the British Museum’s Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery and runs through Jan. 31, 2027. Jointly organized by the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea and the British Museum, it is the final stop of an overseas tour built around works donated to the nation by the family of late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee in 2021. The exhibition follows presentations at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., and the Art Institute of Chicago. It brings together 164 objects from the National Museum of Korea and 15 modern and contemporary works from MMCA, alongside works in the British Museum collection. Arranged chronologically in four sections, the exhibition moves from early Iron Age archaeological objects and Buddhist art to Goryeo celadon, Joseon-era paintings a

TWICE's Nayeon goes from playful to elegant — which look suits her better?

Sep 21, 2026

TWICE's Nayeon goes from playful to elegant — which look suits her better?

TWICE's Nayeon showed just how dramatically styling can change an overall impression, stepping out in two contrasting minidress looks just eight days apart. On Sept. 10, Nayeon attended an event marking the launch of a new fragrance product in Seoul's Seongdong District, where she embraced a bright, playful look in a white strapless minidress. She paired the dress with light blue shoes and wore her hair tied up, with bangs across her forehead and softly waved strands framing her face. The combination highlighted the cheerful, youthful image for which the K-pop star is well known. Eight days later, however, Nayeon appeared with a noticeably different vibe. At a flagship store opening photocall at Loca Cheongdam in Seoul's Gangnam District on Friday, she opted for a brown halter-neck mini dress that created a more sophisticated look. The dress featured gathered detailing around the neckline and a fitted silhouette, while her long, straight hair and white heels added to the polished styling. Although both outfits were minidresses, the different colors, silhouettes and hairstyles created strik

Over 1,300 overseas Koreans to gather in Songdo for World Korean Week

Sep 21, 2026

Over 1,300 overseas Koreans to gather in Songdo for World Korean Week

More than 1,300 members of the Korean diaspora are set to converge in Incheon’s Songdo district next week for a five-day program bringing together political, business, cultural and community events. The Overseas Koreans Agency said Monday that World Korean Week will begin Sunday and run through Oct. 1 at Songdo Convensia, ahead of Oct. 5 World Korean Day. The program links the World Korean Association Leaders Conference, World Korean Business Convention, Future Leaders’ Conference and Korean Festival in one week. Participants include Korean community leaders and professionals working in business, culture, science and education, with organizers seeking to connect generations and industries while creating opportunities for dialogue with residents in Korea. The World Korean Association Leaders Conference will open Sunday and run through Tuesday, bringing community leaders from around the world together to discuss regional issues and share operating practices. For the first time, a private-sector steering committee representing the overseas Korean community will oversee planning and opera

University of Seoul, George Washington University launch graduate credit-transfer partnership

Sep 21, 2026

University of Seoul, George Washington University launch graduate credit-transfer partnership

The University of Seoul has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with George Washington University (GWU) to establish an academic and credit-transfer partnership for students seeking admission to graduate business programs. The University of Seoul said the MOU was signed by the two institutions at George Washington University on Sept. 15 as part of efforts to strengthen academic cooperation. The agreement will enable University of Seoul students to apply for GWU’s Preferred International Partnership program for international graduate students through academic and curricular collaboration between the two universities. Under the partnership, eligible University of Seoul students can take graduate-level courses at the university before enrolling in a graduate program at GWU. If they earn a grade of B or higher in those courses, up to six credits can be transferred toward their GWU graduate program. Students who enter a GWU graduate program through the credit-transfer arrangement can complete their master’s program at GWU and receive a degree upon fulfilling all graduation requireme

3 military officers injured in unidentified explosion during operation at DMZ: JCS

Sep 21, 2026

3 military officers injured in unidentified explosion during operation at DMZ: JCS

Three military officers were injured Monday in an unidentified explosion during a search operation at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday. The explosion occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the western section of the DMZ earlier in the day, according to the JCS. The military did not specify, but the accident is suspected to be a land mine explosion. The two injured officers were transported to a hospital via an emergency helicopter, the JCS said.

Kookmin University partners with German research institutes, Volkswagen Group Korea foundation

Sep 21, 2026

Kookmin University partners with German research institutes, Volkswagen Group Korea foundation

Kookmin University has joined forces with German research institutes and a Volkswagen Group Korea-affiliated nonprofit organization to nurture global talent in future automotive software, the university said. On Sept. 3, Kookmin University, together with Ajou University, Inha University and Chungbuk National University, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Niedersachsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik (NFF) and the Institute of Automotive Engineering (IAE), both affiliated with TU Braunschweig, Germany’s oldest technical university, to launch the Automotive Future Talent Fostering Program. The Volkswagen Group WE: Foundation was also a signatory to the MOU. The signing ceremony was attended by Kookmin University President Jeong Seung-ryul; Till Scheer, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group Korea and chairman of the Volkswagen Group WE: Foundation; and Roman Henze, director of the IAE. The partnership aims to cultivate future mobility talent with international research experience and interdisciplinary practical skills. The initiative comes amid rapid changes across t

Presidential chief of staff offers to resign over bungled Cabinet nominations

Sep 21, 2026

Presidential chief of staff offers to resign over bungled Cabinet nominations

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik offered to resign, Monday, taking responsibility for a string of bungled Cabinet nominations that has fueled criticism of President Lee Jae Myung’s personnel vetting system. Kang conveyed his intention to step down to Lee earlier in the day, senior presidential secretary for public relations Sung Ki-hong said during a briefing. The presidential office did not immediately say whether Lee had accepted the resignation. Kang chairs Cheong Wa Dae’s personnel committee and oversees the selection and screening of minister-level officials. His offer to step down is widely seen as a response to the successive withdrawals of gender equality minister nominee Yong Hye-in and justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won.

INSPIRE to host inaugural Sunset Wine & Beer Festival

Sep 21, 2026

INSPIRE to host inaugural Sunset Wine & Beer Festival

INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon will host its inaugural Sunset Wine & Beer Festival on Oct. 9 and 10, transforming the venue into a lively autumn haven for foodies, culture seekers and families. Running from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days at the outdoor grounds of Brasserie 1783, the event is designed to highlight the resort’s expanding culinary portfolio while offering a premium seasonal getaway. The festival seamlessly brings together international beverage selections, signature restaurant offerings and live entertainment. The festival grounds will be divided into three core zones — Wine, Beer and Food — blending gourmet dining, live music, and interactive activities into a complete weekend escape. In the Wine Zone, 10 domestic importers will feature approximately 260 labels originating from 11 countries. Participating booths will offer tastings of six to 10 varieties, spanning champagnes, sparkling options, whites and reds, as well as low- and non-alcoholic choices. The Beer Zone will feature 20 varieties across international, domestic classic and craft labels, including sel

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