Latest news with #SeoulNationalUniversity
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Soprano Hwang Sumi offers self-curated 'Soundtrack' trilogy ― song, opera, cinema
Acclaimed soprano steps beyond stage to shape Lotte Concert Hall's signature matinee program, offering distinct musical experiences In the latter half of 2025, soprano Hwang Sumi will take the reins of Lotte Concert Hall's matinee series as both curator and performer. Titled 'Soundtrack,' the three-part concert series will showcase the artist's range across the classical, operatic and cinematic genres ― each installment exploring a different facet of the 39-year-old soprano's musical identity. For the internationally renowned soprano and respected educator, the project marks a meaningful expansion of her role. 'I've always appeared on stage solely as a performer. But for this series, I was also in charge of programming and casting, which was a big challenge,' Hwang said during a press conference Thursday at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul. 'Because the concerts are under my name, I feel a responsibility to give audiences a truly sincere and fulfilling performance.' The series opens on Sept. 18 with a program titled 'Song,' designed to be both sophisticated and approachable. The repertoire includes Clara Schumann's "Ich Stand in Dunklen Traumen" ("I Stand in Darkness"), Robert Schumann's "Widmung" ("Dedication") and Reynaldo Hahn's "Si Mes Vers Avaient Des Ailes" ("If My Verses Had Wings"). Hwang will be joined by tenor Kim Woo-kyung and pianist An Jong-do. On Oct. 16, the spotlight turns to "Opera." Hwang ― who gained early recognition in Europe before her 2014 Queen Elisabeth Competition win, and became the only East Asian soloist at Bonn Opera House ― will lead a concert version of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" ("So Do They All"), joined by a cast of fellow opera singers. The final concert, 'Cinema,' on Nov. 20, features musical actor Kai, a classically trained baritone. Hwang revealed that during her college years at Seoul National University, she once considered a path in musical theater and had even sought Kai's advice at the time. 'Many people think I only do traditional classical music, but with this matinee series, I want to show another side of myself. These days, especially in Korea, the lines between classical and nonclassical music are becoming increasingly blurred," she said. "As a performer, I have many things I want to explore on stage. But as an educator, I'm also aware that my choices can influence my students ― so I try to be selective about the stages I take.' Beyond her versatility, Hwang remains steadfast in her artistic principles. 'If a role doesn't suit my voice and abilities, I simply turn it down,' she said. "When I was in Europe, I was often asked to play Cio-Cio San in 'Madama Butterfly' ― likely because I'm Asian. It would have been a fast track to fame, but I turned down every offer because of the vocal and physical strain. I want to preserve my voice and perform for many years." All concerts begin at 11:30 AM and run for 70 minutes. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 45,000 won.
Digital Trends
5 days ago
- Science
- Digital Trends
New biodegradable fiber tech help with e-waste
What's happened? Researchers from Seoul National University, led by Professor Seung-Kyun Kang and Dr. Jae-Young Baehave developed a groundbreaking biodegradable fiber that could revolutionize textile electronics, tackling the growing e-waste problem. This eco-friendly material, detailed in a July 2025 study published in npj Flexible Electronics, degrades naturally without harming the environment, unlike traditional electronic textiles that contribute to landfill waste. The fibers, made from renewable polymers, maintain functionality for wearable tech while breaking down in soil or compost. This innovation comes from a collaborative team aiming to make sustainable electronics mainstream. This is important because: Electronic waste is a global crisis, with over 50 million metric tons generated annually, much of it non-recyclable textiles embedded with metals and plastics. These fibers offer a dual win: they enable advanced wearable tech—like health-monitoring fabrics—while reducing environmental harm. Unlike conventional e-textiles, which persist in landfills for centuries, these fibers decompose in months, aligning with circular economy goals. This could reshape industries, from fashion to healthcare. Recommended Videos Why I should care? If you wear smartwatches, fitness trackers or other wearables, this tech could make your next device greener without sacrificing performance. It's a step toward guilt-free tech consumption, reducing the toxic footprint of discarded wearables. Plus, it opens doors to comfy, sustainable smart clothing that monitors your health or connects to your phone—without clogging up the planet. Imagine a future where your T-shirt powers your gadgets and then composts when you're done. Ok, What's Next? The team is scaling up production, aiming for commercial use within five years. Challenges include ensuring durability matches traditional e-textiles and keeping costs competitive. Expect pilot projects in medical wearables and sustainable fashion soon. Meanwhile, researchers are exploring applications in soft robotics and IoT devices. Stay tuned for brands like Patagonia or Nike adopting this tech for eco-conscious gear. How long do they last? This seems to be the questions on everyone's mind. Studies point to a number of factors that can affect the lifespan of biodegradable electronics, from the impact of soil, real-world use cases like 'bending' and rubbing etc.
Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Ex-US diplomat alleging vote fraud in S. Korea barred from meeting Yoon Suk Yeol
A special counsel team looking into detained ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged insurrection blocked Morse Tan, former US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, from visiting Yoon's cell on the outskirts of Seoul on Wednesday. Tan is now embroiled in a controversy here for his claims about election rigging in South Korea and about incumbent liberal President Lee Jae Myung. With the special counsel team's measures effective starting Tuesday, Yoon has been barred from meeting anyone other than family or lawyers. He will remain behind bars until his indictment, assistant special counsel Park Ji-young told reporters Wednesday, indicating that Tan would not be an exception to the measures. Yoon is being detained at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, as he was rearrested last week while the special counsel probe into his Dec. 3, 2024, insurrection is underway. Park's statement was in response to an announcement by Yoon's legal team on Tuesday that Tan would visit the prison and meet Yoon for about 10 minutes Wednesday afternoon, upon Tan's request. Following the special counsel's briefing, Yoon's legal representatives admitted that the planned meeting of Yoon and Tan "fell through." Tan arrived in South Korea on Monday and was greeted by scores of Yoon's sympathizers at Incheon Airport. Tan's visit came at the invitation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government to deliver a speech at a forum on North Korean human rights on Tuesday. As controversy grew, the Seoul city government canceled his speech. He was also scheduled to deliver a special lecture at Seoul National University on Tuesday afternoon, in a session hosted by a far-right group. Seoul National University, however, disallowed the event to take place at a prearranged campus venue. Instead, the organizer moved the event outside near the campus' front gate. Tan, who served as the first Asian American ambassador-at-large in US history and was formerly dean of Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, Virginia, has claimed that elections in South Korea, including the recent presidential election in June, were being rigged due to China's influence. "What they could not completely win with bullets, they're using weapons like fake ballots," Tan said at the outdoor event near the Seoul National University campus Tuesday. "President Yoon saw the dangers from the Chinese Communist Party and from North Korea and the dangers of fraudulently stolen elections." Tan also repeated a baseless claim of President Lee Jae Myung having been involved in the sexual assault and murder of a young woman, which prevented him from completing his secondary education. The claim, originally made at a press event in June at the National Press Club in Washington, has been disproven in a South Korean court. In the same press event, Tan alleged that South Korea's National Election Commission attacked people who tried to raise questions about the possibility of election fraud.
Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Ex-US diplomat alleging vote fraud in S. Korea barred from meeting Yoon
A special counsel team looking into detained ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged insurrection blocked Morse Tan, former US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, from visiting Yoon's cell on the outskirts of Seoul on Wednesday. Tan is now embroiled in a controversy here for his claims about election rigging in South Korea and about incumbent liberal President Lee Jae Myung. With the special counsel team's measures effective starting Tuesday, Yoon has been barred from meeting anyone other than his family or lawyers. He will remain barred until his indictment, assistant special counsel Park Ji-young told reporters Wednesday, indicating that Tan would be no exception to the measures. Yoon is currently detained at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, as he was rearrested last week while the special counsel probe into his December 3 insurrection is underway. Park's statement was in response to an announcement by Yoon's legal team on Tuesday that Tan would visit the prison and meet Yoon for about 10 minutes Wednesday afternoon, upon Tan's request. Following the special counsel's briefing, Yoon's legal representatives admitted that the planned meeting of Yoon and Tan "fell through." Tan arrived in South Korea on Monday and was greeted by scores of Yoon's sympathizers at Incheon Airport. Tan's visit came at the invitation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government to deliver a speech at a forum on North Korean human rights on Tuesday. As controversy grew, the Seoul municipal government canceled his speech. He was also scheduled to deliver a special lecture at Seoul National University on Tuesday afternoon, in a session hosted by a far-right group. The Seoul National University, however, disallowed the event to take place at a prearranged campus venue. Instead, the organizer moved the event outside near the campus' front gate. Tan, who served as the first Asian-American ambassador at large in US history and was formerly a dean of Liberty University School of Law, has claimed that elections in South Korea, including the recent presidential election in June, were being rigged due to China's influence. "What they could not completely win with bullets, they're using weapons like fake ballots," Tan said at the outdoor event near the Seoul National University campus Tuesday. "President Yoon saw the dangers from the Chinese Communist Party and from North Korea and the dangers of fraudulently stolen elections." Tan also repeated a baseless claim about the incumbent President Lee being involved in the sexual assault and murder of a young woman, which prevented him from completing his secondary education. The claim, originally made at a press event in June at the National Press Club in Washington, has been disproven by a South Korean court. In the same press event, Tan alleged that South Korea's National Election Commission attacked people who tried to raise questions about the possibility of election fraud.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Top 10 study-abroad destinations for students worldwide
Seoul becomes the best city for students around the world, as per QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings. In a rapidly globalizing education landscape, choosing the right city to study in can be as important as picking the right university. The QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking offers a comprehensive look at urban destinations that offer students the best overall experience, balancing academic quality, career opportunities, affordability, student satisfaction, and lifestyle. This year, Seoul has claimed the top spot globally, signalling a shift in student preferences toward cities that offer both academic excellence and a high quality of life. While traditional education hubs like London and Tokyo remain strong contenders, cities across Europe and Australia continue to appeal with their unique cultural offerings, affordability, and openness to international students. Top 10 student destinations around the world The QS rankings analyse cities over various parameters including desirability, affordability, university rankings, student mix, and employer activity. Check scores of top 10 cities below: Rank City Overall Score Student View Student Mix Employer Activity Desirability Affordability University Rankings 1 Seoul 100.0 79.3 77.0 93.3 90.2 51.8 100.0 2 Tokyo 99.9 87.1 68.0 100.0 91.0 57.1 87.8 3 London 97.1 98.3 92.7 92.9 86.2 12.6 94.7 4 Munich 96.3 94.8 88.3 90.0 87.4 52.1 60.8 5 Melbourne 95.7 98.2 100.0 87.7 88.5 25.0 71.2 6 Sydney 94.7 96.5 98.7 87.1 92.0 20.7 70.6 =7 Berlin 93.3 100.0 77.6 85.5 84.2 53.7 57.9 =7 Paris 93.3 81.2 80.9 87.5 85.6 45.4 78.3 9 Zurich 91.5 94.4 92.4 85.8 88.7 25.3 63.4 10 Vienna 90.8 89.9 86.5 77.9 92.7 54.9 44.5 Here's a closer look at the top 10 cities where students around the world are most eager to live, study, and grow. 1. Seoul, South Korea Overall score: 100 Seoul's rise to the top is powered by its strong academic institutions, including Seoul National University and KAIST, and a booming innovation ecosystem. It offers a vibrant blend of modern tech infrastructure and deep-rooted tradition, making it an exciting and culturally rich place to live. Students praise its safety, nightlife, and strong connectivity, while employers increasingly value Seoul-educated graduates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo While affordability is moderate, the city's academic reputation and student life easily make up for it. Notable strengths: University rankings (100), employer activity (93.3), desirability (90.2) 2. Tokyo, Japan Overall score: 99.9 Tokyo offers a perfect mix of futuristic innovation and centuries-old culture. Home to some of the world's top universities like the University of Tokyo, it remains a hub for engineering, science, and business studies. Students are drawn to Tokyo's efficient transport, clean environment, and unmatched safety. The city also scores highest for employer activity, reflecting the strength of its job market. Notable strengths: Employer activity (100), desirability (91), student view (87.1) 3. London, United Kingdom Overall score: 97.1 Long considered a global capital for higher education, London continues to draw students from across the world with its diversity and rich academic heritage. It is home to prestigious institutions like UCL, Imperial College London, and LSE, and offers access to internships, cultural landmarks, and a vibrant social scene. However, it drops from the top spot mainly due to its very low affordability, a concern for many students. Notable strengths: Student view (98.3), student mix (92.7), rankings (94.7) Weak point: Affordability (12.6) 4. Munich , Germany Overall score: 96.3 Munich offers a high-quality education experience at a fraction of the cost compared to many English-speaking cities. Germany's public universities are often tuition-free for international students, and the city's clean environment, safety, and startup scene make it especially appealing. With high student satisfaction and excellent career prospects, Munich combines efficiency with quality living. Notable strengths: Student view (94.8), affordability (52.1), employer activity (90) 5. Melbourne, Australia Overall score: 95.7 Often labeled Australia's cultural capital, Melbourne is known for its inclusive vibe, diverse student population, and strong universities like the University of Melbourne and Monash University. It ranks highest for student mix (100), reflecting its multiculturalism, and students praise the city's art, music, food, and green spaces. While affordability is a concern, the student experience is rated among the best globally. Notable strengths: Student view (98.2), student mix (100), desirability (88.5) 6. Sydney, Australia Overall score: 94.7 Sydney's appeal lies in its stunning beaches, outdoor lifestyle, and leading institutions like the University of Sydney and UNSW. It offers strong employment prospects and high desirability among international students. The city's global connections, startup scene, and focus on sustainability make it a favorite for students in tech, business, and media. Notable strengths: Student mix (98.7), student view (96.5), desirability (92) Weak point: Affordability (20.7) 7. Berlin, Germany (tie) Overall score: 93.3 Berlin is a favourite among budget-conscious students seeking high-quality education. Known for its free public universities, artistic energy, and progressive culture, it offers an unmatched urban experience at relatively low living costs. It scores a perfect 100 in student view, showing high satisfaction across the board. Notable strengths: Student view (100), affordability (53.7), employer activity (85.5) 7. Paris, France (tie) Overall score: 93.3 Paris offers a blend of elegance, history, and academic excellence. With institutions like Sorbonne University and Sciences Po, it remains one of Europe's top academic destinations. While living costs are moderate, Paris continues to appeal to students looking for a dynamic intellectual and cultural experience. Notable strengths: Desirability (85.6), rankings (78.3), student mix (80.9) 9. Zurich, Switzerland Overall score: 91.5 Zurich combines the efficiency of Swiss infrastructure with the prestige of universities like ETH Zurich. Though living costs are high, the city scores well on student satisfaction and quality of life. It's a great destination for students in STEM, business, and finance, thanks to its proximity to global firms and research hubs. Notable strengths: Student view (94.4), student mix (92.4), desirability (88.7) 10. Vienna, Austria Overall score: 90.8 Vienna rounds off the top 10 with an ideal combination of affordability, public safety, and academic reputation. It consistently ranks high in global quality-of-life indices and is known for its classical music heritage, student-friendly transport, and multilingual programs. Notable strengths: Desirability (92.7), affordability (54.9), student view (89.9) What do these cities have in common? The top 10 student destinations in the world have following things in common Diverse student populations and welcoming environments Strong university reputations and global employer networks A mix of affordable (Berlin, Vienna) and premium (London, Sydney) cities High student satisfaction, often shaped by culture, safety, and career support TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
