Showing 1 - 10 of 32
The Squid Game K-shock
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/10/2021
» When I saw the K-pop sensations BTS taking centre stage at the United Nations headquarters in New York ahead of the General Assembly last month, I was surprised by the cheerful mood of the world-renowned boy band from Asia.
Support Boy's Love and expand our soft power
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 15/11/2021
» Whenever Korean music, TV dramas and films become a global phenomenon, especially gaining popularity among American audiences, Thai people usually talk about Korean soft power strategies and what we should do to accomplish what they have done.
South Korean fans head overseas to catch first BTS concert since the pandemic
Life, Published on 29/11/2021
» When K-Pop sensation BTS announced that their first in-person concerts since the start of the pandemic would be in the United States, Kim Ji-eun immediately booked a flight and hotel, praying that Covid rules would let her attend all four shows.
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
Riding the South Korean wave
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 28/12/2021
» Looking back on the year in music, the global phenomenon BTS helped propel the fan base expansion of K-pop groups into the United States. BTS, the seven-member boy band, continues to break recording history and open new frontiers for Asian artists. In March, IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, named BTS as its Global Recording Artist of the Year 2020. The septet won over Taylor Swift, Drake, The Weeknd and Billie Eilish, who ranked second to fifth place respectively. The boy band was the first Asian artist to win the IFPT Global Recording Artist of the Year Award.
Lessons from Korea on soft power
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 28/03/2022
» South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae recently bagged the Best Actor title at the 27th Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles earlier this month. This makes him the first Korean actor to take home the Best Actor accolade in the Drama Series category. Lee is known internationally for his lead role in the nine-episode survival drama Squid Game.
Central Embassy celebrates Isan culture
Life, Published on 14/04/2022
» Central Embassy is celebrating the uniqueness of the Northeast during "A Sense Of Thai 2022: Summer Vibrance", which portrays the beauty of Isan nature and culture through vibrant decorations throughout the shopping mall until Sunday.
Making change via K-Pop and Thai-Y
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 04/05/2022
» K-Pop and artistic ripples through films and other forms of entertainment from South Korea have been conquering the world in recent years, as part of soft power and smart power.
Masks no longer compulsory
News, Mongkol Bangprapa, Published on 25/06/2022
» The government has lifted its face mask mandate and advised vulnerable groups and those who suspect they may be infected to still use them for the sake of personal and public health.
Bangkok reimagined
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/09/2022
» You may already have heard of Bangkok being compared to Blade Runner made real, given our neon signs, skyscrapers, dingy alleys, huge billboards, elevated motorways and busy roads. Flaws and all, Bangkok has inspired many artists to reimagine it in their own way, shining a different light on our beloved capital city. Its unique aesthetic has captured the imagination of many artists and filmmakers, and Guru has compiled a few noteworthy reimaginations of Bangkok for your entertainment.