Lee Soo-man’s A2O Entertainment launches ‘Zalpha’ K-pop audition in Seoul A2O Entertainment Korea, founded by producer Lee Soo-man, said Tuesday it will hold its first official event, the “A2O Zalpha Audition.” The audition is drawing attention because it is Lee’s first project in South Korea that he will plan and oversee since a noncompete restriction in the domestic K-pop market was lifted. When Lee sold his SM Entertainment stake to HYBE in 2023, he agreed not to produce albums in South Korea for three years. That agreement was lifted last month, allowing March 24, 2026

BTS Comeback Show in Seoul Spurs Economic Boost, Debate Over Public Space Controls BTS’ return is no longer just entertainment news. The group’s comeback show held March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square was treated as a citywide event, not a brief item on the arts page. The Seoul Metropolitan Government activated a separate safety plan that included phased entry, traffic controls and even a plan for subway trains to pass through without stopping, anticipating the possibility that more than 260,000 people could gather. Newspapers also printed BTS special editions. One group March 24, 2026

‘Salmokji’ aims to deliver immersive K-horror with water ghost tale A mysterious figure captured on a road-view image and a dark, deep reservoir form the backbone of the new Korean horror film “Salmokji,” which aims to turn a familiar “water ghost” legend into a modern, immersive scare. A press screening and news conference for “Salmokji,” directed by Lee Sang-min, was held Tuesday afternoon at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. Lee attended with cast members Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won, Kim Jun-han, Kim Young-sung, Oh Dong-min, Yoon Jae-chan and Jang Da-a March 24, 2026

Kim Hyo-joo jumps to No. 4 in women’s golf world ranking after Founders Cup win Kim Hyo-joo, the Fortinet Founders Cup champion on the LPGA Tour, climbed to No. 4 in the women’s world golf ranking after earning her eighth career victory. In the rankings released March 24 (Korean time), Kim rose four spots from No. 8 last week to No. 4, matching her career-high position for the first time since March 2015. Kim opened her season with a solo third-place finish at the LPGA Tour’s Honda Thailand, then captured her first win of the season in her third start at the Founders March 24, 2026

Celltrion Expansion, HLB Tissue Bank License, Aribio Alzheimer’s Trial Update and More Celltrion to expand new drug-substance production in Songdo, investing 1.2 trillion won Celltrion said March 24 it will secure additional manufacturing capacity, including a major expansion at its headquarters campus in Songdo, Incheon, with investment exceeding 1 trillion won. The company said the plan is intended to meet rising global demand for biopharmaceuticals and strengthen manufacturing competitiveness. The investment will be carried out in phases from this year through 2030 and March 24, 2026

New Book Warns Digital Tech and AI Are Eroding Cognitive Independence Digital technology is quietly encroaching on the human brain, a new book argues, citing neuroscience data. In an era dominated by artificial intelligence and algorithms, the authors say people are trading convenience for the loss of control over their own thinking. BookLab recently published “Lending My Brain — Neuroscience to Reclaim the Sovereignty of Thought in the AI Era.” The book examines how reliance on search changes memory formation, how short-form content reshapes attention syst March 24, 2026

Deposit-Backed Loans Rise at South Korea’s Top Banks as Stock Leverage Persists 'Borrowing to invest' remains strong. Even as uncertainty persists after the Middle East situation, borrowing is rising not only through unsecured credit loans but also through loans backed by deposits. With tough government rules slowing growth in mortgage lending, leveraged stock investing is emerging as a new variable in managing household debt, analysts say. According to the financial sector on the 24th, the outstanding balance of deposit-backed loans at the five major banks — March 24, 2026

NH NongHyup Financial Adopts Five-Day Vehicle Rotation to Save Energy NH NongHyup Financial Group said on the 24th it has immediately introduced a groupwide five-day vehicle rotation system as the government raised its resource security alert due to the prolonged war in the Middle East. With uncertainty growing over energy supplies as Middle East conditions deteriorate, the government raised the resource security alert for crude oil to the “caution” level as of 3 p.m. on the 18th. Starting at midnight on the 25th, the public sector will begin a five-day pas March 24, 2026

Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong previews works from Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 galleries The Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong said it will present a group exhibition of Korean contemporary art, “From Korea to Hong Kong: Expanding Horizons,” from March 24 through May 30. The show, tied to “Art Basel Hong Kong 2026,” was organized in cooperation with 11 leading South Korean galleries participating in the fair. It brings together works by 11 artists spanning generations and genres. Participating artists are Lee Manna (Sun Gallery), Michael Joo (Kukje Gallery), Kim Jae-yon March 24, 2026

Hana Financial to Move Headquarters to Incheon’s Cheongna in September; Hanwha Life Extends Outside Director Terms Hana Financial Group said it will relocate its group headquarters to Cheongna, Incheon, in September and secured funding for tax-free dividends, a move expected to strengthen shareholder returns. Hanwha Life Insurance, meanwhile, extended the term of outside directors from two years to three to bolster board expertise. Hana Financial on Monday approved at its annual shareholders meeting a proposal to reduce its capital reserve by 7.4 trillion won to enable tax-free dividends. The decisi March 24, 2026