• 
  Netflix’s ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Wins Oscar for Best Animated Feature Netflix’s animated film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ won an Oscar on Sunday night, taking the Academy Award for best animated feature at the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The film beat fellow nominees ‘Arco,’ ‘Elio,’ ‘Little Amelie’ and ‘Zootopia 2.’ Director Maggie Kang thanked fans and said, “I’m sorry it took so long to make a movie with a protagonist who looks like me.” She added, “The next generation won’t have to long for movies like t March 16, 2026
• 
  Hanwha Tech and Life Units Expand AI-Driven Synergies, Pursue New Businesses Hanwha Group’s Tech and Life Solutions units, which are pursuing a corporate split, are stepping up efforts to develop new business models by creating synergies across divisions. The group aims to improve customer convenience, strengthen competitiveness across businesses and secure new revenue by opening new markets. The push is expected to gain momentum as the management drive of Kim Dong-seon, vice president of Hanwha Galleria and Hanwha Vision, combines with artificial intelligence acr March 16, 2026
• 
  Autonomous A2Z, Busan Bus Operators Sign Deal to Advance Self-Driving Transit Autonomous A2Z, a South Korean autonomous-driving company, said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Busan Metropolitan City Bus Transport Business Association on March 13 for “mutually beneficial cooperation to innovate public transportation based on autonomous driving.” The company said the agreement is aimed at combining advanced autonomous-driving technology with existing public transit operating experience to improve Busan’s autonomous public transportation services and bu March 16, 2026
• 
  KATECH Named Korea’s Accredited Testing Body for Low-Speed Autonomous Driving Korea Automobile Technology Institute said Sunday it has built a nationally accredited testing system to verify the safety and performance of low-speed autonomous driving systems in South Korea. KATECH’s Cooperative Driving Automation Research Center said it received approval from the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme to expand its scope of accreditation based on the KS X ISO 22737 international standard. ISO 22737 sets out performance evaluation standards for low-speed autonomous dri March 16, 2026
• 
  Oscar Winners to Be Decided as 'Sinners' Faces 'One Battle After Another' in Top Races The 98th Academy Awards will be held at 7 p.m. local time Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. This year’s ceremony has drawn added attention as films with strong Korean elements landed nominations in major categories alongside traditional Hollywood contenders. One of the most closely watched titles is Netflix’s animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” nominated for best animated feature and best original song. The film has already won major prizes at the Golden Globes and t March 16, 2026
• 
  Song Il-gook Shares Update on Triplets, Says Daehan Is Taller Than Him Actor Song Il-gook has shared an update on his triplets, Daehan, Minguk and Manse. On the 15th, Song posted photos on Instagram, writing, "Flower Boys Triplets 6. Thank you to the fans who wished Daehan, Minguk and Manse a happy birthday." He added, "Since it was their birthday, they allowed me to post travel photos from a trip we took during this winter break with their grandmother." Song also wrote, "Daehan is now taller than I am. For reference, I'm 185 cm ..." and said, "They're all March 16, 2026
• 
  Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area buzzes ahead of BTS comeback show, with up to 260,000 expected SEOUL — With BTS set to perform “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul is already seeing a surge of activity ahead of the show. The Gwanghwamun area has been crowded with multinational fans who have traveled to South Korea for the concert. Many can be seen wearing purple items associated with BTS’ fan club, ARMY, or carrying official merchandise. Fans have also gathered at large outdoor screens downtown to watch BTS videos and take commem March 16, 2026
• 
  Police, Seoul and Culture Ministry Roll Out Heavy Security for BTS Gwanghwamun Comeback Live Police, the Seoul city government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are preparing what they described as an unusually high-intensity joint safety operation for “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang (ARIRANG),” set for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Organizers expect 22,000 audience members and as many as 260,000 people to gather that day, prompting authorities to mobilize broad anti-terror measures, including deploying police special forces, and to tighten on-site controls. March 16, 2026
• 
  Leeum, Ho-Am Exhibitions Put the Focus Back on the Human Hand “Before it even touches Adam’s finger.” From “The Story of Art” (Yekyung), p. 310. Michelangelo (1475-1564) captured the split second before God’s and Adam’s index fingers meet to suggest the moment of creation. In the Sistine Chapel ceiling fresco “The Creation of Adam,” an all-powerful God reaches toward the first man, as if passing on a “spark of life” through a fingertip. Art historian E.H. Gombrich wrote in “The Story of Art” that the painting’s way of making God’s omnipotence vi March 16, 2026
• 
  Automakers Rework EV Plans as Demand Cools, Hybrids Regain Focus Global automakers are revising their strategies as growth in the electric-vehicle market slows. U.S. and Japanese carmakers are increasingly dialing back the pace of EV investment and shifting more attention to hybrids. According to the industry on the 15th, Japan’s Honda has decided to temporarily suspend its next-generation EV platform strategy, the “Honda 0 Series.” Development has also effectively halted on the flagship sedan “Saloon,” slated for release next year, and the Acura RSX sp March 15, 2026