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  Huons Biopharma Names Lee Jeong-hee as New CEO Huons Biopharma, a Huons Group company specializing in botulinum toxin, said April 14 it has appointed Lee Jeong-hee, an executive director, as its new CEO. Lee, born in 1976, earned an MBA from Aalto University in Finland. He has more than 23 years of experience in the dermatology and medical aesthetics market, working in marketing, sales and strategic planning at Ipsen Korea, Hanwha Pharma, Hugel, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Jetema and Chong Kun Dang Bio, among others. The company said April 14, 2026
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  Korea’s Traditional Soban Tables Get Modern Showcase at Milan Design Week Korea’s traditional soban, a small low table, will be presented in new forms at Milan Design Week, one of the world’s largest design events. The Seoul Design Foundation said Monday it will stage an international exhibition, “Seoul Life 2026 Milan: Heritage Reimagined, Soban,” from April 20 to May 10 at Italy’s ADI Design Museum. The project is hosted and organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Design Foundation, with cooperation from the ADI Design Museum. It aims to April 14, 2026
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  KB Kookmin Bank Tightens Oversight of Loan Process to Strengthen Consumer Protection KB Kookmin Bank said on the 14th it will strengthen internal management standards across the entire loan process to bolster financial consumer protection. The measures include monitoring using the Consumer Protection Quality Index (CPQI), tighter management of loans to vulnerable groups, and an overhaul of a pre-review checklist for consumer protection. Within this month, the bank will add key credit indicators to CPQI — including the status of new loans to older customers and first-time April 14, 2026
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  Gyeongbokgung to Host King Danjong-Themed Programs Tied to Royal Tomb Sites As the film 'The Man Who Lives With the King' draws audiences, visitors will be able to follow the traces of King Danjong and Queen Jeongsun through programs at major heritage sites including Gyeongbokgung, Jangneung, Sareung and Jongmyo. According to the Korea Heritage Service on the 14th, a special program will run at Gyeongbokgung's Saenggwabang from April 27 to May 3, three times a day for seven days. Each session lasts 70 minutes. The program, held 18 times in total, fea April 14, 2026
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  KakaoBank, Busan Bank sign MOU for joint lending to small businesses KakaoBank and Busan Bank are teaming up to boost regional economic activity and expand financial support. KakaoBank said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Busan Bank on April 13 at Busan Bank’s headquarters to pursue a joint lending program for small and midsize businesses. Under the agreement, the two lenders will work on launching joint loan products for small businesses and sole proprietors, expanding financing support and rolling out related financial services. They said April 14, 2026
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  China’s Biotech Pipeline Nears U.S. Share, Driving Big Pharma and Korean Partnerships China’s biotech sector is rapidly closing the gap with the United States, reshaping global collaboration in drug discovery, licensing and co-development. As China’s share of new drug candidates rises, global pharmaceutical giants such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer — along with major South Korean drugmakers — are stepping up partnerships with Chinese companies. McKinsey & Company said on the 13th that last year’s global share of new drug candidates was led by the United States at 33%, fol April 14, 2026
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  Korean-American former Rep. Michelle Steel tapped as US ambassador to South Korea SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) -Korean-American former California congresswoman Michelle Steel (Park Eunjoo in Korean) has been nominated as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to South Korea, the White House said Monday as President Donald Trump finally moves to fill the post that has remained vacant throughout much of his second term. The nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, was submitted to Congress as Washington seeks to restore a formal diplomatic channel in Se April 14, 2026
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  South Korea’s Self-Employed Debt Shifts to Nonbank Lenders, Raising Default Risks Debt held by South Korea’s self-employed is nearing a breaking point and is emerging as a broader financial risk as more borrowers are pushed out of banks and into higher-cost nonbank lenders. As bank lending standards tighten, delinquencies and business closures are rising in tandem, reinforcing a negative cycle. According to Korea Credit Data on April 13, outstanding loans to sole proprietors totaled 729.2 trillion won at the end of last year, up 13.2 trillion won from a year earlier (7 April 14, 2026
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  BIGBANG Brings Trot to Coachella, Kicking Off 20th Anniversary Activities Korean trot music made an unexpected appearance at Coachella, one of the United States’ best-known music festivals. BIGBANG appeared at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 12 (local time) in California. G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung performed an official set under the name BIGBANG, signaling the start of activities marking the group’s 20th anniversary. It was BIGBANG’s first official performance since its 2017 “Last Dance” tour, nine years ago. The group took the April 13, 2026
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  Kiss of Life dance challenge for new song draws sexualization backlash Girl group Kiss of Life has come under criticism over a dance challenge for its new song, with some viewers calling the choreography sexually suggestive. The group recently posted a choreography challenge video for its new track, ‘Who is she,’ on its official YouTube channel. In the clip, members face each other and perform a move that appears to mimic choking. The routine also includes both members thrusting their hips at the same time, drawing surprise and complaints online. April 13, 2026