Latest news with #Korean-Japanese
Arab News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: Ramen Restaurant – authentic Japanese and Korean cuisine in Riyadh
This cozy spot in Riyadh Park is officially my new favorite ramen destination. Ramen Restaurant blends authentic Japanese and Korean cuisine with warm interiors and traditional seating that make you feel like you have stepped out of the mall and into a corner of Tokyo or Seoul. We kicked things off with a complimentary banchan, then moved on to the beef dumplings at SR44 ($11.73), which were tender and juicy with a crisp bite. The dakgalbi (SR82), a bubbling dish of cheesy rice cakes and chicken ribs, came packed with rich flavors and that perfect spicy kick. The kimchi jjigae (SR90) brought comfort in a bowl — hearty, warm, and loaded with kimchi, tofu, and beef. But the real standout? The special jjampong ramen (SR85) — a bold, seafood-rich broth with chewy noodles and just the right amount of heat. Every bite was layered, satisfying, and deeply flavorful. Yes, the prices are on the higher side, but the quality and authenticity of the food easily justify the cost. From flavor to presentation, every dish felt thoughtfully made. One downside, though, is that the establishment does not serve sushi — which might disappoint some diners expecting a full Japanese menu. Also, it can get a bit busy during peak hours, so service may slow down slightly. It is best to visit early or make a reservation if you are going with a group. Still, if you are looking for a genuine Korean-Japanese dining experience in Riyadh, this one is a must on your food bucket list. For more details, check the restaurant's Instagram @
Muscat Daily
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Disney+ confirms season 2 of 'A Shop for Killers'
Critically acclaimed Korean action-thriller to return with original cast Seoul, South Korea – Disney+ has officially greenlit a second season of its hit action-thriller A Shop for Killers , following widespread global acclaim for its debut. Production is now underway, with a premiere slated for 2026 and a cast lineup that blends returning favourites with new international talent. Upon release, the series received rave reviews. Media agencies, fans commended lead actors Lee Dong Wook and Kim Hye Jun for their 'suspenseful, intriguing' performances. Korean outlets echoed the praise, with many highlighting its 'gripping story and high-octane direction,' and likening the character to a 'Korean John Wick .' Lee Dong Wook returns as Jin Man, the enigmatic former mercenary and mastermind behind the secretive MurderHelp, with Kim Hye Jun reprising her role as Jian, his determined niece. The pair's dynamic chemistry was central to the first season and remains at the heart of the second. Several key cast members are set to reprise their roles including Jo Han Sun as Veil, the sinister Babylon mercenary. Geum Hannah will return as the fiercely skilled Min Hye with Lee Tae Young as Brother, the loyal MurderHelp manager. Fan favourite Kim Min as Phasin, Jin Man's old ally and Jian's Muay Thai mentor is also going to return for season 2. Season two introduces new characters tied to the shadowy Babylon organisation including Hyunri, the Korean-Japanese actress acclaimed for Tokyo Vice and Eye Love You , playing Q, the leader of Babylon's East Asia unit. Masaki Okada, known for Drive My Car , takes on the role of J, Q's younger brother and co-commander. Additionally, Jung Yun Ha ( Trunk , Netflix) joins the show as Kusanagi, head of Babylon's East Asia operations With MurderHelp and Babylon preparing for an explosive confrontation, fans can expect even higher stakes, deeper backstories, and a broader global setting. Season two promises to intensify the action while exploring new layers of the show's universe. As anticipation builds, A Shop for Killers looks set to continue its reign as one of Korean drama's most thrilling international exports.
Korea Herald
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Ajeo-chic? How middle-age became cool in the eyes of Korean youth
Korean term 'ajeossi' reborn as middle-aged men redefine 'cool' with unfiltered authenticity, mature personalities Yoo Jae-hoon, 30, vividly remembers the first time he was called an "ajeossi." "I was at a cafe when a little girl, maybe 4 or 5 years old, accidentally spilled her juice on my pants. Her mother turned to her and said, 'Say sorry to ajeossi.' I was still in my 20s, and I was so shocked to be called ajeossi that I barely even noticed the juice," Yoo recalled. Typically used for middle-aged men, often married with children, the Korean term carries a connotation of being outdated and uncool — essentially the opposite of an eligible bachelor. But that perception of ajeossi may soon be challenged by a new wave of "cool" ajeossi gaining a following. Enter Choo Sung-hoon, a 49-year-old Korean-Japanese fighter and TV personality who is making waves on YouTube. His channel, launched about three months ago, doesn't attempt to showcase the fierce fighter he once was. Instead, his profile photo features him in a pink spa headband, and his channel description proudly states, "I am ajossi" — the Korean title is intentionally misspelled. It now boasts over a million subscribers and counting. His content is unpolished — he eats snacks from convenience stores, shows off his round chubby belly. His videos consistently go viral, dominating YouTube's trending lists. In one video, he visits a small restaurant in Japan. Soon after, Korean tourists flock to the spot, and on his next visit, the owner has added a special menu item named after him in gratitude for the promotion. The video that truly catapulted him to viral fame — garnering over 9.3 million views —was titled 'Choo Sung-hoon Living in a Rented Room in SHIHO's House.' Rather than tidying up for the camera, Choo let viewers see his home as it is: messy. 'He revealed his house without even cleaning up a little bit. It felt like he was just like, 'Oh? I have to film a YouTube video? Should I just do it at home?' and then did it,' read a comment with over 11,000 likes. "This video will soon hit 10 million views. That means 1 in 5 people in Korea have visited Choo Sung-hoon's house," another commenter said. Fans told The Korea Herald that his casual, unpretentious demeanor is precisely what makes his channel special. 'I always saw Choo Sung-hoon as a well-trained athlete, the dad of Sarang (Choo's daughter). But on YouTube, he's just an ajeossi — laid-back and a little chaotic. It's hilarious and makes him feel more relatable,' said Min Hye-won, 34. 'I only knew him as a fighter from 'Physical: 100', but on his YouTube channel, he's so down-to-earth and funny. He really feels like the ajeossi next door,' said Lee Eun-sun, 28. And Choo isn't the only one exuding that 'ajeossi next door' appeal. Last year, another YouTuber in his 40s, Chimchakman, surprised many with his pop-up event at Shinsegae Department Store. The event featured exclusive merchandise and a life-sized recreation of his streaming room, drawing fans eager to immerse themselves in his world. The demand was undeniable. All 20,000 pre-booked tickets for the pop-up sold out almost instantly. Each day, fans waited up to 12 hours for on-site reservations. According to a Shinsegae department store official, the pop-up attracted a broad demographic-- 10 percent were teenagers, 70 percent were in their 20s and 30s, and 20 percent were over 40. A temporary Instagram account created just for the event even surpassed 24,000 followers. Shinsegae spokesperson Do Young-gwang explained that Chimchakman's pop-up event was successful because of his devoted fan base — comparing the enthusiasm to Pokémon. 'We printed 40,000 photo cards in the initial batch, and they completely sold out. Usually, such high demand for photo cards is reserved for Pokemon or sports stars, but Chimchakman's fandom made it possible,' he said. Much like Choo, Chimchakman's appeal lies in his unfiltered, unscripted personality. 'I like how he just says whatever comes to mind,' said Shim Seo-yeon, 35. 'He doesn't try to please people.' Park Ju-young, 29, added, 'I started watching him in 2019. He's witty, but beyond that, he offers really interesting insights into social issues. Also, as a former webtoon artist, his imagination and perspective make you see things differently.' Song Ji-hoon, 27, said, 'Lotteria (a fast-food chain) offered to sponsor his video after he ate a lot of their food on a livestream, but he turned it down. Chimchakman said he enjoys being able to speak honestly about what he eats. Not many influencers would reject a deal like that.' Pop culture critic Kim Hern-sik agreed that the image of ajeossi is changing among younger generations. 'In the past, if someone was labeled an ajeossi, they were automatically considered uncool,' said Kim. 'But young people, particularly those in their teens and 20s, don't seem to think that way anymore.' Kim pointed to a key factor driving the appeal of middle-aged YouTubers is their approachable, unpretentious demeanor. 'Take someone like Choo Sung-hoon, for example. Despite his image as a fighter, he has an unexpectedly human and pure side. That makes him more appealing to fans,' he said. He also noted that Korean society lacks mentors, and middle-aged YouTubers are filling that gap.
New York Times
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
He Spent the Pandemic in a Coma. Can He Rebuild His Life?
Nearly half a decade after the W.H.O. declared Covid-19 a pandemic, I've found that recalling the contagion's early days is a struggle. Instead of blurring together, the memories have fractured into a dangerous mound of shards I'd prefer to leave undisturbed. So how invigorating it was to read Jinwoo Chong's wise and poignant sophomore novel, 'I Leave It Up to You,' which features a protagonist who has no memories of Covid's first two years at all. The book is a welcome twist on the quickly established (and frequently disappointing) 'pandemic novel' subgenre. The story follows Jack Jr., a 30-year-old who wakes up in a hospital bed in late 2021. He's confused: The last he remembers it was October 2019. Also, why is his attending nurse, Emil, wearing a surgical mask and a plastic shield over his face? Even more pressing: Why does Jack Jr. have so many tubes shoved inside his body? Where is his fiancé? What has happened to Jack Jr. and, more important, his life? Those answers will come later. Once released, he returns to his family's home in Fort Lee, N.J. It's an unexpected arrangement — Jack Jr. has spent the past decade estranged from his parents. Though his departure left plenty of open wounds, he is welcomed into his old life almost as if no time has passed at all, easily slotting back into the family's routines and returning to work at Joja, the Korean-Japanese restaurant opened by his father. Jack Jr. must now contend with his past — both the family he left as well as the world-altering years he missed entirely — and begin recalculating what his future could be. Chong, who is a sales planner for The New York Times, writes mouthwatering descriptions of food, and his peeks behind the curtain at the gargantuan amount of work that goes into running a restaurant will give readers a new respect for their favorite neighborhood spot. But the novel's most memorable pleasures lie outside the kitchen. It is, for example, Jack Jr.'s reconnection with his 16-year-old nephew, Juno, and his courtship with Emil where 'I Leave It Up to You' finds its firmest footing and most unexpected charms and laughs. Juno and Jack Jr. have a fascinating and frequently uproarious dynamic: Here's a gay uncle who's been asleep for two years and a teenage nephew who came of age during the pandemic. Their memories of each other are woefully half-formed but filled with an easy, if clumsy, kind of love. And then there's Emil. He's a white man who's never had sushi embarking on a relationship with a Korean man who works in a sushi restaurant. And he's suffering the inverse of Jack Jr.'s tragedy: Jack Jr. was asleep for two years, but Emil, haunted by his time caring for and losing Covid patients, finds rest almost impossible. Despite the awkwardness of their hospital room meet-drab (something his family accepts with perhaps a little too much ease), their relationship flourishes. Their story line felt like a gift to the reader; finally we can see something lovely emerge from such a dire time. That sense of comfort is characteristic of Chong's writing throughout the book. Even when there are dramatic turns — like the return of Ren, the Chekhov's Fiancé of Jack Jr.'s past life — he keeps the story at a gentle simmer. Modern life, especially since the pandemic, feels like a cascade of increasingly miserable tragedies. 'I Leave It Up to You' is about finding — or rediscovering — the people who make the hardships worth enduring. More than once exhausted characters say, 'We are all just trying to stay alive.' Among their heaviest burdens are their memories of the past, but how lucky they are to wake up each morning with the chance to forge a new future.
