Kang Gye-yeol, 102, Featured in ‘My Love, Don’t Cross That River,’ Dies Kang Gye-yeol, who appeared in the documentary film “My Love, Don’t Cross That River,” has died. She was 102. Director Jin Mo-young announced her death on social media on the 10th. Jin said he visited Kang on March 31 to say goodbye. Though her memory had faded, she recognized the group, greeted them and offered kind words, he said. “Even when I first met her in September 2012, she was like a young girl,” Jin wrote, mourning her death after she lived past 100. Released in 2014, “My April 11, 2026

‘A Man Living With the King’ Becomes South Korea’s No. 2 All-Time Box Office Hit The film ‘A Man Living With the King’ has risen to No. 2 on South Korea’s all-time box office list. On its 67th day in theaters, it reached a cumulative 16,283,970 admissions on Friday, surpassing the final total of ‘Extreme Job’ (16,266,641). The only domestic release with more viewers is ‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents,’ which drew about 17.61 million. Showbox and the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network said the movie has sustained a long run since opening Feb. 4. After t April 11, 2026

YouTuber Kwak Tube Addresses Postpartum Care Center Sponsorship Involving Civil Servant Wife Travel YouTuber and TV personality Kwak Jun-bin, known as Kwak Tube, said his wife received a sponsored room upgrade and some services at a postpartum care center despite her status as a civil servant, prompting debate over whether it could violate South Korea’s anti-graft law. Kwak posted a lengthy statement on his YouTube channel on April 10. “As a public official’s family member, I deeply realize I should have acted more cautiously,” he wrote, acknowledging that after his wife gave April 10, 2026

National Theater Company, LG Arts Center to Stage Rival Takes on Chekhov’s 'Uncle Vanya' in May Two big-stage productions will put different faces on Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” this May, as the National Theater Company of Korea and LG Arts Center mount new versions with overlapping runs. According to the theater community on April 10, the National Theater Company of Korea will stage “Vanya Ajjae,” while LG Arts Center will present “Uncle Vanya.” The source text is the same, but the titles signal different points of view. Both productions will play in theaters with more than 1, April 10, 2026

KB Kookmin Bank Expands Mobile Rate-Reduction Requests for Sole Proprietors KB Kookmin Bank said Thursday it will expand the scope of its non-face-to-face service for sole proprietors seeking lower loan rates, aiming to reduce interest burdens and improve access. Under South Korea’s “right to request an interest rate reduction,” borrowers can ask a financial company to cut their rate when their credit profile improves, such as through employment, higher income or better credit. With the change, sole proprietor customers can apply and check results through KB Co April 10, 2026

Seo Seung-man Named CEO of National Jeongdong Theater The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Seo Seung-man was appointed CEO of the National Jeongdong Theater foundation, effective April 10. His term is three years. Seo is a performing arts and content planner with experience in broadcasting, stage production and theater operations, the ministry said. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theater, film and visual media at Kookmin University and a doctorate in public administration. His past roles include head of the theate April 10, 2026

Korean Banks Shift Small-Business Lending to Sales-Based Credit Scores South Korean banks are moving to expand financing for small business owners by adopting credit-scoring models that factor in nonfinancial data such as sales and local market conditions. The shift aims to improve access to credit by moving beyond assessments centered on collateral and past borrowing history and by weighing growth potential. Major lenders including KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank are taking part in a pilot program for the Financial Services Commission’s Small Bu April 10, 2026

Child Prodigy Baek Kang-hyeon Says He Left Science High School After Bullying Baek Kang-hyeon, who drew attention after appearing on SBS’ “Gifted Discovery Team” as a toddler who could solve equations at 41 months old, has shared an update on his life in a recent broadcast. On the April 9 episode of SBS’ “Gifted Discovery Team Infinity,” Baek, now 12, appeared and spoke about his recent experiences. He became a national talking point after entering a science high school at age 10, but left after five months. He also recently applied to the University of Oxford in April 10, 2026

Shinhwa’s Jun Jin and wife Ryu I-seo say they have started IVF Shinhwa member Jun Jin and his wife, Ryu I-seo, said they have begun in vitro fertilization treatment. A video titled “Jun Jin♥Ryu I-seo plans for baby No. 2.. How far along are we? (Preparing for pregnancy in earnest)” was posted Thursday on Ryu’s YouTube channel, “My Love Ryu I-seo.” In the video, the couple visited a fertility clinic for tests. A specialist told Ryu that her ovarian function was “rarely good for her age group” and said her basic health indicators were all within the no April 10, 2026

BIO KOREA 2026 to Bring Together 270 Companies for Global Deals and Investment South Korea’s largest biohealth industry convention, BIO KOREA 2026, is set to open in eight days, with organizers and participants expecting expanded cooperation and investment opportunities among global companies. Co-hosted by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute and North Chungcheong Province, the event will run April 28-30 at COEX in Seoul. Now in its 21st year, BIO KOREA has moved beyond a trade show to position itself as a business platform for the global biotech industr April 10, 2026