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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
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  Union Berlin Names Marie-Louise Eta as Interim Coach, First Woman to Lead a Top 5 Men’s League Club Germany’s Union Berlin, the club of South Korea international Jeong Woo-yeong, has appointed a woman to lead a men’s first team in Europe’s top five leagues for the first time. The Berlin club said on the 12th (Korean time) it named coach Marie-Louise Eta interim head coach to replace Steffen Baumgart, who was fired after poor results. Eta is the first woman to take charge of a senior men’s first team across the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie April 13, 2026
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  Na Hong-jin’s Cannes Competition Film ‘Hope’ Lands NEON for North American Release Na Hong-jin’s new film “Hope” (HOPE), invited to compete at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, has secured a North American release through a partnership with U.S. distributor NEON. Founded in 2017, NEON has handled North American distribution for high-profile international titles, including multiple Palme d’Or winners at Cannes and an Academy Award best picture winner. NEON has brought a run of Cannes Palme d’Or winners to North American audiences since 2019, including Bong Joon-ho’s “Paras April 13, 2026
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  Mortgage Rates Near 7% While Deposit Rates Stay in 2% Range, Widening Bank Spreads Mortgage loan rates have pushed toward 7% while deposit rates remain stuck in the 2% to 3% range, widening the gap between what banks charge borrowers and what they pay savers. With loan rates jumping amid the Middle East situation, borrowers’ interest burdens are rising. According to the financial sector on the 13th, fixed-rate (five-year) mortgage rates at the five major commercial banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — stood at 4.16% to 6.76% a year, with the top en April 13, 2026