Students from Hwawon Middle School in Haenam visited Daegu-Gyeongbuk English Village located in Chilgok-gun Daegu-Gyeongbuk English Village is a permanent English experiential learning complex and was opened and operated by Youngjin University in 2007 According to Youngjin University on the 22nd Hwawon Middle School principal Cho Byung-joon and 15 students left at 5:30 a.m on the 21st and drove 310km to the English village in about four hours Students participated in English experience programs related to real life "While we were considering whether our students on winter vacation could have special experience activities we came here even though it is far away because the Daegu-Gyeongbuk English Village is well equipped with facilities and programs that are rare in Korea." students divided into two groups and participated in six English experience classes touring experience rooms close to our lives I felt that I became very close to English in a short time," said Ko Min-jung a student who participated in the broadcasting station experience I would like to experience it longer next time if I have a chance." "As I participated in the program with native-speaking teachers who welcome me to the experiential class I was able to do my activities with ease," adding "I think I was able to break my vague fear and anxiety about English." Daegu-Gyeongbuk English Village is visited not only by Daegu-Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam-do for students to experience English 247 students visited Kyushu University in Japan more than 50 students from nine universities director of Daegu-Gyeongbuk English Village "As a result of our English village's excellent educational environment and Honam regions are visiting beyond the region and large-scale Japanese university students are also planning to experience it in March this year We will do our best to provide students with substantial operations and high-satisfaction services as a realistic English experience learning center." ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool North Korea is reportedly taking pre-orders for a newly launched smartphone called Hwawon but details are scarce and prospective customers can only order by phone The Hwawon smartphone was officially launched last month and can only be purchased via designated mobile service centers in Pyongyang according to a Daily NK report published on Thursday no actual Hwawon phones have been put on display in any service centres One source said that several service centers have hung up posters that instruct customers to call a number to ask about the Hwawon phone The posters give no information on price or service plans Little is also known about the phone itself two models were revealed last month – the Hwawon 301 and Hwawon 201 the main obvious difference being the size One source claims the small one is US$500 and the large one is US$750 Another source who called the pre-sales number and spoke to a salesperson claims that features for the phone include facial and iris recognition and faster data processing and connectivity The report also said it appears the Hwawon smartphone is being produced at a factory run by the Checom Technology Joint Venture Company which manufactures the Pyongyang smartphone series The secrecy over the details of the Hwawon phone and the pre-order arrangement seem designed to prevent information leaks about the phone and manage purchasers The Hwawon phone also arrives ahead of what looks like a move by North Korea to upgrade its mobile infrastructure. Last month, the country reportedly began importing second-hand equipment from Huawei to upgrade 3G base stations with newer gear Daily NK also reported on Thursday that the term “4G” was spotted in a smartphone ad in a video on North Korean propaganda website “Chosun Today” earlier this month suggesting that North Korea may be producing new handsets that can use 4G networks The phones are not on display shelves in Pyongyang and are even harder to find outside of the capital After unveiling a new smartphone called the “Hwawon” last month North Korea has been selling the product through phone-based orders Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons multiple sources inside North Korea told Daily NK Monday that while the Hwawon has been launched the phones are not on display shelves in Pyongyang and are even harder to find outside of the capital New smartphone models called the Hwawon 301 and Hwawon 201 were unveiled Oct 25 as part of Light Industry Development-2023 an event held at the light industry hall of the Three Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang But it appears that few of the models are actually available for purchase “Service centers affiliated with the Mangyongdae and Central Ward tech companies have put up posters encouraging interested customers to inquire about the new smartphone over the phone without providing any details about sales or the service plan the [Hwawon] smartphone can only be purchased through designated mobile service centers,” a source in Pyongyang explained The lack of details and the requirement to inquire over the phone seem aimed at preventing leaks of information about the new product and carefully managing the list of purchasers “A few donju [wealthy entrepreneurs] and cadres have had people in Pyongyang buy [a Hwawon smartphone] for their personal use,” a source in North Pyongan Province said The Hwawon smartphone is reportedly selling for several hundred US dollars “There are large and small versions of the Hwawon smartphone The small one measures 14.5cm long and 7cm wide while the large one measures 16.5cm long and 7.5cm wide and the large one is priced at USD 750,” the Pyongyang source said North Korean companies have recently been employing the sales strategy of varying the size and storage capacity of items in the same product line the Mangyongdae IT Company has divided the Jindallae 6 smartphone into three subtypes (the 6 while the Jindallae 400 offers different memory and storage options These companies appear to be diversifying their lineup in an attempt to increase sales As for the features of the new Hwawon smartphone the source passed on the following description from the salesperson: “It has facial and iris recognition and represents a significant improvement in data processing and transmission capabilities.” “The Hwawon smartphone is being produced at a factory run by the Checom Technology Joint Venture Company,” the source said The Checom Technology Joint Venture Company is the manufacturer of the Pyongyang smartphone series That raises the possibility that the company which has not released a new product of its own recently is manufacturing the Hwawon smartphone on behalf of another company North Korea is thought to be manufacturing products that make use of fourth generation (4G) mobile technology The phrase “4G” was spotted in a smartphone advertisement displayed in a video on North Korean propaganda website “Chosun Today” on Nov While the exact name of the smartphone did not appear in the video it is possible that North Korea has begun selling smartphones that run on a 4G cellular network a product named “Chongsong 234” appeared on the same video A product called “Arirang 221” was also observed in a video that ran on Korean Central Television on Oct North Korea has kept developing and producing new smartphones despite international sanctions and the economic difficulties caused by COVID-19 Daily NK works with a network of sources who live inside North Korea, China and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous due to security concerns. More information about Daily NK’s reporting partner network and information gathering activities can be found on our FAQ page here Please direct any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net Read in Korean The old prisons are shedding their image of hate facilities and transforming themselves splendidly. Like the old Daegu prison, it is created as a youth space, and in some cases, it has been transformed into a local filial product by preserving the appearance of the prison. ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool, NAVER papago. Text description provided by the architects. Asia Culture Center is an international complex cultural public institution. It features Asian cultural exchange, collection and research of cultural resource, contents production, exhibition, performance, archive, distribution and so on. The designers took charge of lobby design of international conference room where home and abroad honored guests would visit frequently. © JaeYoon KIMThe client wanted this lobby to have Korean traditional identity because the guests come from all over the world. © JaeYoon KIMThe designers embodied the design in which tradition and modernity are in harmony through creative reinterpretation, rather than applying Korean traditional elements unconditionally. Floor Plan They put the important intangible cultural property crafts in the right place as well as modern crafts made in collaboration with artisans. © JaeYoon KIMLobby is an open space. Nevertheless, it is notable that this lobby feels snug owing to the layout like Hanok(Korean traditional house) with a courtyard.Seats are arranged as if they embraced the space. Entering lobby hall through metal gate motivated by brass, one can meet a bell of the temple Beopjusa of Joseon Dynasty made by a holder of Jucheoljang(intangible cultural property about casting). © JaeYoon KIMAnyone can ring the bell. Acoustic element enables spatial experience to be plentiful.The lobby’s center which presents the feeling in the courtyard of Hanok, is created to hold various cultural events situationally. © JaeYoon KIMA corridor at the right of the lobby is unbeatable for having a break with tea between conferences. People can enjoy Korean traditional crafts without burdens because they are placed on the table in the shape of showcase. © JaeYoon KIMAt a little deeper side of the lobby, there is a lounge evoking restrained atmosphere. Sofa and table have luxurious materiality and heaviness. © JaeYoon KIMThe table made by the designer reminds of a painting in India ink which invites seers to contemplate. Oriental floor lamp motivated by a fan also shows Korean traditionality with more modern sensibility. © JaeYoon KIMA fan artwork covering one wall harmonizes fluidly with the snug light filtering through Hanji(Korean traditional paper made from mulberry tree). There are many elements to lead to Korean and Oriental world shadow seen through the pattern of traditional window and ceiling recalling the memory to look at the figure reflected on the tranquil pond silently. This space is certainly traditional. Anyone who lives in this age can travel back in time and experience the antique attraction. it can be said that unexcessive metaphorical design is modern.In this respect it is wonderful that the designers tune the gap of time between tradition and modern harmoniously.Asia Culture Center has a space where Korean traditionality can be experienced in a new way You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Exterior of Sotheby’s Seoul Office Building in Nannam-dong International auction house Sotheby’s announced September 4 that it will open a new space in Seoul later this month to mark its 50th anniversary in Asia the space will occupy 150 square-meters inside the Hannam Hwawon Building and will host exhibitions managing director of Sotheby’s in South Korea has expressed her enthusiasm toward a permanent space in the capital: “It is very exciting for Sotheby’s to be part of this dynamic setting to connect with both established and young collectors on the ground.” The move will likely entice the next generation of emerging collectors in South Korea known collectively as “MZ” (millennial and Gen Z) younger entrepreneurs have increased their presence in Sotheby’s global sales with three-quarters of buyers from South Korea being new to the company.  Despite the new location not opening in time for Frieze Seoul Sotheby’s will present a joint exhibition of works by British artist Banksy and the late American artist Keith Haring at Paradise Art Space from 5 September.  Alex Yiu is ArtAsiaPacific’s associate editor.  Subscribe to ArtAsiaPacific’s free weekly newsletter with all the latest news, reviews, and perspectives, directly to your inbox each Monday.  info@aapmag.com This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world 2025 at 4:57 AM EDTBookmarkSaveTakeaways NEWWildfires ravaging South Korea over the past week have killed at least 24 people making it the country’s worst forest fire disaster in about three decades as firefighters struggled to contain multiple blazes that have broken out in the country’s south Fires that started in the southern county of Sancheong on Friday have spread to at least five other regions in southern Gyeongsang province burning more than 17,000 hectares of land and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Wednesday Korea.net hosts networking event for Honorary Reporters Accord with Japan to protect both nations' people abroad A bilateral agreement with Japan will bolster cooperation in protecting the nationals of both nations abroad Click here to read more about the latest summit between leaders of both countries Talks with NZ seek to upgrade ties to strategic partnership Korea and New Zealand have agreed to advance talks on elevating the bilateral Partnership for the 21st Century concluded Korea and New Zealand have agreed to advance talks on elevating the bilateral Partnership for the 21st Century concluded in 2006 to a comprehensive strategic partnership Mixed boccia pair to face Hong Kong for Paralympic gold the Jeong-Kang pair will face in the final Hong Kong in mixed pair BC3 boccia 🌕 S-Tier food for Chuseok 🌕 | K-Cuisine Relay | Ep.28 Galbijjim & Samsaeknamul “Reading is so sexy!” — Headlined by The Guardian (UK)　| Balance Talk | Ep Korean German architect in Seoul seeks to innovate Hanok Grassroots group seeks to clean up trash from Jeju waters Polish capital hosts Korean cultural event at Breakfast Market Hanbok-clad children play traditional games President Yoon attends opening of Cyber Summit Korea Descendants of Korean War veterans attend event in Incheon Multicultural families attend Chuseok event Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol on the 79th Liberation Day Keynote Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol at the NATO Public Forum K-pop management innovation changes global music industry Korea-French friendship to drive future partnership Denmark's digital strategy to preserve global democracy 10th workshop of European Association for Korean Language Education (EAKLE) PNP launches TOP COP special class to enhance tourist safety K-Culture Extravaganza Lights Up Jozi: Korean Cultural Centre Unveils ‘Travelling Korea’ Korean Restaurant to open soon in Abuja-Envoy Jusung Gabriel Park & Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds Actors Kim Jae-hwa and Kim Hye-hwa won the supporting actor award in the miniseries Human/Fantasy category at the "2024 SBS Acting Awards." the "2024 SBS Acting Awards" was held at SBS Prism Tower in Sangam-dong who appeared in "Judge from Hell," won the supporting actor award in the miniseries Human/Fantasy category but it was nice to be able to play a character with a twist I think I can repay my parents who haven't told me to stop acting since I was 17 years old when I was a high school student," he said "I thought about congratulating my sister a lot when she received the award but thank you for giving me such a big award I was able to finish it well until the end because you entrusted me with a wonderful role and kindly guided me when I was wandering the "2024 SBS Acting Awards" is a place to settle SBS dramas that were aired this year including "Detective X," "Resurrection of Seven People," "Connection," "Good Partner," "Judge from Hell," and "Fiery Death II." Ahn Bo-hyun and Kim Nam-gil were listed as the grand nominees This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page All Headlines North Korea Sports Top News Most Viewed Korean Newspaper Headlines Today in Korean History Yonhap News Summary Editorials from Korean Dailies 28 (Yonhap) -- A prison in the southeastern city of Daegu was relocated for the first time in 52 years Tuesday with heavily armed police guiding some 2,200 inmates to a newly built facility 18 kilometers away The Daegu Correctional Institution moved from its current location in Hwawon-myeon to the new facility in Habin-myeon after residents complained the prison was hindering local development by taking up space in the urban area of the town the inmates were transported in some 30 buses to the new prison amid heavy security The police deployed some 300 personnel armed with stun guns and handguns loaded with live ammunition to prevent the convicts from breaking loose during the relocation the creator of the notorious "nth room" chatrooms on Telegram who received a 34-year prison term in 2021 who was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2020 for murdering a part-time worker at an internet cafe in Seoul The Ministry of Justice transfers some 2,200 prisoners of the Daegu Correctional Institution via bus to the new facility including an emergency shelter for employees and is equipped with a cutting-edge electronic security system The previous prison facility had an execution chamber That left only three prisons or detention centers with execution chambers in South Korea: the Seoul Detention Center the Busan Detention Center and the Daejeon Correctional Institution The newly built prison in Habin-myeon in the southeastern city of Daegu where some 2,200 inmates were relocated on Nov All News National Economy/Finance Biz Culture/K-pop Images Videos Korean Newspaper Headlines Korea in Brief Useful Links Weather Advertise with Yonhap News Agency wife of clone-turned-rapper and DJ Koo Jun-yeop (56) and Chinese stars also paid tribute to the deceased Hong Kong actor Yoo Deok-hwa (Lew Dehua) also said on social media "I remember talented actress Bobby Shih (Seo Hee-won's English name) who touched many hearts Popular Taiwanese actor Wu Zhongxuan (Oh Joong-heon) sent a message saying "I hope she has a good trip." Zhu Xiaoten (Ju Hyo-cheon) who appeared with Xu Xiyuan in the drama "Yuseong Hwawon," couldn't hide his bewilderment by posting who played the male lead Taomings in "Boys Over Flowers," said through his agency who appeared with Seo Hee-won in the drama "Yuseong Hwawon," expressed his sorrow "It's a sudden drop in the dry sky," and Lin Zhi-ling expressed his condolences Seo Hee-won recently passed away on the morning of the 2nd due to pneumonia caused by the flu while traveling to Japan with her family It is known that he has had cold and asthma symptoms since his departure from Japan on the 29th of last month Seo Hee-won's best friend Jia Yong-ji said on social media that her husband Koo Joon-yeop said a sweet goodbye with a deep kiss and our hearts were all broken by his crying so I look forward to seeing you again," he said The body of the deceased will be transported and laid to rest in Taiwan after cremation in Japan and is reportedly discussing whether to go through a separate funeral procedure in Taiwan also posted a tribute to the sad news of the late Seo Hee-won's death I always remember the first time I saw you always brightening the world with kindness," and added "I remember the innocent smile that danced in your eyes I hope you go to heaven and become a happy fairy," he wrote Seo Hee-won attended the 2004 Chan Cup Charity Touring Car Race and revealed a bright smile Fan Bingbing and Seo Hee-won worked together in the 2010 film Future Police X Taiwan Central News Agency (CNA) and others reported that Seo Hee-won died of pneumonia complications while traveling to Japan The sudden news led to a wave of remembrance in the Chinese entertainment industry "I pray for the rest of the deceased by expressing my sorrow to the bereaved family," and popular Taiwanese actor Oh Joong-heon sent a message "I hope she forgets about the world and rests in peace without worries." Joo Hyo-cheon who appeared with Seo Hee-won in the drama "Yuseong Hwawon," delivered a message of condolence with a praying hand-shaped emoji with the words "Sudden Sky." The bereaved family has completed the cremation process in Japan is scheduled to enter Taiwan on the 6th with his wife's remains It is known that group clone member Koo Jun-yeop visits the cemetery every day after his wife Taiwan's top star Baek Bingbing told Taiwanese media ET Today on the 16th that he heard from the late Seo Hee-won's mother "Seo Hee-won's mother told me that she was really impressed by Koo Jun-yeop's visit to Seo Hee-won Cemetery in Geumbosan Koo Joon-yeop and Seo Hee-je also said they were not able to get rid of their heart wounds." "My mother Seo Hee-won asked me how to get out of this pain," he said "I also cried for 20 years after losing my daughter." He added was kidnapped and killed by gunmen on her way to school in April 1997 The late Seo Hee-won died of the flu during a trip to Japan with her family in February She debuted as a singer with her younger sister Seo Hee-je in the group SOS and made her face known in Korea in 2001 as Sanchai the heroine of the Taiwanese version of "Yuseong Hwawon," "Boys Over Flowers." The late Seo Hee-won and Koo Joon-yeop have received a lot of support for their 20-year movie-like love story Seo Hee-won later married Wang Xiaofei and had one son and one daughter The late Seo Hee-won and Koo Jun-yeop reunited in 2022 and became a couple he was saddened by his bereavement ahead of the third anniversary of his marriage Koo Jun-yeop said on social media at the time "Now I am passing through a time of pain that seems to break my intestines in indescribable sadness and pain I don't have the strength to say anything and I don't want to say anything," he said local media have reported that Koo Joon-yeop lost 12kg due to deep sadness after leaving his wife is drawing attention as a "child-friendly city." Dalseong-gun has the lowest average age among the nine basic organizations in Daegu with an average age of 39.3 Analysts say that the government is making a new breakthrough for low-births as it has released a series of childcare measures and private education cost reduction policies for young couples by utilizing such regional characteristics According to the National Statistical Office on the 23rd 1,700 babies were born in Dalseong-gun last year ranking first among 82 county-level local governments nationwide The total fertility rate in Dalseong-gun (a child born by one woman of childbearing age is expected to give birth throughout her life) was 1.03 ranking first among local governments with more than 1,000 births Dalseong-gun's attention to private education cost reduction policy focuses on 'English education' Dalseong-gun has been promoting a project to assign English teachers to daycare centers for the first time in the country since last year has benefited more than 4,200 children from 172 daycare centers English teachers are dispatched to daycare centers twice a week to provide professional English classes for infants and toddlers aged 2 or older but it is focused on interesting learning in connection with play and daycare center events The biggest advantage of this project is the reduction of private education costs parents provided English classes by paying special English activity fees but Dalseong-gun directly took charge of the project providing about 700 million won per year to daycare centers to ease the financial burden on parents Dalseong-gun is also supporting the operation of native English classes at schools by investing 470 million won in project costs for 52 elementary it is possible to take classes by talented native speakers at schools in areas that are somewhat far from the city center Dalseong-gun also supports non-face-to-face English education and high school students and out-of-school youth who have addresses in Dalseong-gun or are attending schools in their jurisdiction can apply for one-on-one video English classes with native speakers through the Dalseong-gun "Native Language Video English Learning Center." With the support of Dalseong-gun you can take classes at a lower price than the market Dalseong-gun is also fully implementing three 24-hour daycare centers 365 days a year starting this month to minimize the burden of childcare for infants and toddlers The 24-hour daycare centers that have been operated are Dalseong-gun Parenting Support Center (based in Hyeonpung-eup) Dreamteo Daycare Center (based in Hwawon-eup) and Happy Eye Daycare Center (based in Dasa-eup) parents who need childcare can leave their children at any time of need It is a customized childcare service centered on consumers in the event of various types of work or urgent reasons "We will continue to develop careful and diverse care policies and childcare services to create conditions for county residents to have and raise children comfortably." Life&Culture Joseon paintings under spotlight “Yeonsodapcheong” (Outing of the Youth) by Shin Yun-bok at Gansong Museum of Art (Gansong Museum of Art) Gansong museums showcase collections of court and genre paintings from Joseon Samsung Museum of Art in Hannam-dong and Gansong Art Museum in Seongbuk-dong both representative private museums in Seoul It is a rare chance to see important works from the period including otherwise hard-to-see national treasures Leeum brought together 110 paintings by “hwawon,” or court painters of the Joseon Dynasty It showcases works by master painters like Kim Hong-do Shin Yun-bok and Kim Deuk-sin who are well-known among the Korean public Affiliated with the Bureau of Painting at the time the court painters produced paintings of royal processions royal portraits and ornamental paintings for the palace and illustrations for royal documents they created private portraits and landscape paintings as well “Hwawon played an active part in Joseon Dynasty art field as can be guessed from how scholars say that half of the period’s paintings are by Kim Hong-do They were creators of new genres and leaders of artistic trends,” said Cho Ji-yun Following the long wall installed at the entrance of the museum to recreate the palace mood visitors will have to choose which section to browse first ― “The Court Painter’s Brush: Forming Royal Authority” or “The Court Painter’s Brush: Painting Joseon.” “Gunseondo (Immortals)” by Kim Hong-do at Leeum The artists’ privately commissioned works can be found in the ground floor gallery Paintings of more various themes compared to the first section are on show such as Jang Seung-eop’s “Yumyodo (Playing Cats),” Kim Hong-do’s landscape painting “Samgongbulhwando (The Nature Better than the Official Ranks)” and “Gunseondo (Immortals),” which is designated as National Treasure No In an effort to attract visitors who are more familiar with provocative contemporary art Leeum installed high-tech digital devices to aid viewers to take a closer look at the paintings and discover details of the fingernail-sized officials participating in the long processions one can discover that each subject has different facial expressions and attitudes ― some dozing off and some daydreaming Gansong brings out Joseon Dynasty genre paintings and portraits from its treasure trove for its fall exhibition one of the two occasions during the year when the private museum is open to the public Noting how Joseon paintings began to shake off some Chinese influence and develop its own trends technique and colors since the development of neo-Confucianism by Joseon scholar Yi I the museum is exhibiting 100 portrait and genre paintings by 52 artists that show such movement Jeong Seon’s “Oechomundap (Fisherman and Woodcutter in Conversation)” featuring a wood cutter carrying an A-frame is a good example Cho Young-seok depicted the lives of peasant women working in their shabby kitchens in “Chongayeohaeng (Travel to a Rural House),” and Shin Han-pyeong expressed motherly love in “Jamoyuka (Mother Feeding Her Baby).” A notable point about the show at Gangson is that Shin Yun-bok’s famed painting “Miindo (Portrait of a Beauty)” is being shown to the public for the first time in three years Samsung Museum of Art’s exhibition runs through Jan call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org Gansong Art Museum’s exhibition runs through Oct By Park Min-young (claire@heraldm.com) Lee Jae-myung leads in hypothetical three-way race with Han Duck-soo the presidential candidate of South Korea’s main liberal Democratic Party holds a lead in a potential three-way race for the country’s next election 15% of Korean wage workers have flexible work schedules: data Azerbaijan urges Korean firms to invest in Alat FEZ UAE seeks Korean partnerships in water management 'Smile at me': Cancer-fighting senior influencer inspires with strength Netflix's 'The Devil’s Plan' returns with star-packed season 2 Seoul to host inaugural 'MyK Festa' in June Yoo Seung-ho returns to stage as Brutus in reimagining of 'Julius Caesar' [Photo News] Korea gears up to celebrate Buddha's birthday Respect wanes: Teaching no longer highly coveted job in S Costco’s steep membership hike tests loyalty of Korean shoppers South Koreans get creative with Parents’ Day gifts While the sad news that top Taiwanese actor Seo Hee-won (48) who is the wife of male duo clone Koo Jun-yeop (55) died of pneumonia during a trip to Japan has been reported memorials for her ex-husband and colleagues are continuing including the Taiwan Central News Agency (CNA) reported on the 3rd that Seo Hee-won died of the flu accompanied by pneumonia during a family trip to Japan "My sister sadly left us with flu and pneumonia," adding "I was grateful to be able to take care of each other and accompany each other as sisters in this life." I will always thank you and miss you a second-generation Chinese conglomerate businessman changed her SNS profile picture to black with condolences popular Taiwanese actor Oh Joong-heon (Wu Zhongxuan) paid tribute "I hope she has a good trip." Joo Hyo-cheon (Ju Xiaoten) who appeared with the deceased in the drama "Yuseong Hwawon," expressed his shock by posting "A sudden attack on the dry sky." Chinese actor Hu Bing posted "You were forever Sanchai and our little princess." a Japanese netizen drew attention by posting on his Facebook page on the night of the 2nd that a famous Taiwanese star has passed away and an official announcement will be made later the news of Seo Hee-won's death was reported through Taiwanese media who is famous as the heroine of Taiwan's version of "Boys Over Flowers," was loved by Koreans as well as "Koo Jun-yeop's Wife." Koo Joon-yeop and Seo Hee-won met in 1998 and dated each other for a year before moving away due to each other's affairs After Seo Hee-won married and divorced Wang So-bi Koo Joon-yeop contacted Seo Hee-won again after more than 20 years and reunited like a movie The two got married in 2022 and finally had a couple's relationship At least 24 people have been killed as devastating wildfires destroy much of South Korea The wildfires are breaking out in the southeast region of the country many of the victims of the wildfire are elderly More than 23,000 people have evacuated their homes though tragically a few dozen people were unable to make it out and died There are dozens more injured with many in critical condition.  The wildfire is being described by local authorities as "unprecedented." SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 25: A view of wildfire spreading across the city as the fire continues to spread to the other cities due to strong winds on March 25 (Photo by Hwawon Lee/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu/Getty Images US Military helicopters have been deployed to help with the situation From the report: The fires started in Sancheong county on Friday and later spread to Uiseong county they spread to the neighbouring counties of Gyeongbuk the national fire agency raised the crisis to the highest fire response level a firefighting helicopter crashed in the mountains of Uiseong Thousands of firefighters and about 5,000 military personnel have been deployed to contain the flames as well as helicopters from the US military stationed in Korea The wildfires have been described by local residents as something out of the "apocalypse." South Korea is currently experiencing drier than normal conditions which is surely contributing to the national tragedy Our thoughts are with the friends and family members of the victims during this difficult time.