Latest news with #GyeongbokgungPalace
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Fans Celebrate ‘Squid Game' Finale with Seoul Parade
Thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the final "Squid Game" season, ending a global Netflix hit that is seen as a symbol of South Korea's cultural clout. The third and final season was released Friday, concluding the series that sees desperate people compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games for a massive cash prize. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he had "poured everything" into the series, which launched nearly four years ago. "So while it's sentimental to see it end," he said, "there's also a sense of relief". Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents. They were followed by others carrying oversize toys from one of the games featured in the series, along with the show's flag. Park Sang-gyu, a fan who stayed up all night watching the final season, said the dystopian drama was "ultimately a story about people". "As you watch, you realize it's not just about the games -- it reflects many aspects of real life." The walls of the Seoul Metropolitan Library were lit up with key scenes, including Young-hee -- the giant motion-sensing animatronic doll featured in one of its brutal games. Lee Byung-hun, who played the masked Front Man overseeing the competition, said the show had become "something of a cultural phenomenon". "One that has drawn one of the boldest lines in the history of Korean content," he said. The first two seasons of the series are among Netflix's most-watched shows, and in 2022, Hwang and the show's leading actor, Lee Jung-jae, became the first Asian men to win Emmy Awards. The final season follows its hero Gi-hun, played by Lee, as he returns to the ultra-violent games to dismantle them from within after surviving the first round. Along with filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 thriller "Parasite" and K-pop sensation BTS, "Squid Game" is considered one of the most powerful examples of South Korea's rise as a global cultural force.
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Up and Away: Here's where Bengalureans are travelling this Summer
With summer vacations in full swing, Bengalureans are ready to pack up and travel. Among Indian travellers, Thailand and Bhutan remain ever-popular, Singapore and Hong Kong are the places to be for luxury splurging, and Japan and Korea are newer on the list. According to travel influencer Nicky Parmar, young people's love for unique but 'instagrammable' experiences is leading to seeking lesser-known destinations. 'Instead of just touristy places, people are looking for experiences – local festivals, adventures – with longer stays,' she says. Sharing her experience in Vietnam she adds, 'Nihn Bihn [a river valley] is not visited by international tourists often. Similarly, Phong Nha National Park offers a stunning view of landscapes and caves. Also, Mui Ne, known for its dunes and sunrise is just amazing!' Trendy Travel - Japan and Korea Mahipal Singh, who runs Sonana Travel, has noticed increased interest in travelling to South Korea, partly due to interest in K-culture. 'Because of the language barrier and difference in food, it's mainly Gen Z that's interested in going to Korea. They want to see something new,' he says. K-drama fans may particularly be interested in Jeju Island, a popular filming spot featured in dramas like Goblin and When Life Gives You Tangerines; he adds, 'On the mainland, Busan has beautiful beaches and is good for shopping. In Seoul, there's the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace and Seoul Tower.' With Japan Airlines introducing a free domestic air travel scheme, visitors' interest in Japan has surged. Shreya Choubey, an influencer, who makes travel content with partner Daksh Tripathi shares an off-the-radar spot. 'Miyajima Island near Hiroshima can be reached through cable car. The entire island is surrounded by the sea of Japan and is a secluded, non-commercial, and spiritual place. There are also deer roaming all over the island, around shrines' she notes.
