Aju Press - Asia News Hub

Journalist

Joonha Yoo유준하

ReporterCOEX Sejong Center for the Performing Arts & Music, Culture, Entertainment, Automotive

Joonha Yoo is a bilingual journalist at AJU Press (AJP), covering music, culture, entertainment and Korea’s automotive industry.
Raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, he often writes from the scene, bringing firsthand detail to stories ranging
from BTS comeback concerts to unique cultural events that catch the world's eye. "I write from the scene, not from the sidelines."

Latest by Joonha Yoo

SK hynix edges out Samsung Elec as No. 1 as KOSPI hits new high SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - South Korea's Kospi closed at a fresh record on Monday, rising 62.1 points, or 0.7 percent, to 9,114.6, as SK hynix overtook Samsung Electronics in market capitalization on a common-share basis for the first time in 25 years and seven months. The index swung between an intraday low of 8,900.7 and a high of 9,253.0 before settling higher. Retail investors were net buyers of 2.12 trillion won, while institutions bought 330.6 billion won. Foreigners sold 2.54 trillion won. SK hynix jumped 5.6 percent to close at 2,919,000 won, lifting its market capitalization to 2,080 trillion won. That edged past Samsung Electronics' 2,067 trillion won on a common-share basis, ending Samsung's uninterrupted lead since November 2000. Samsung's preferred shares, worth roughly 179 trillion won, mean the broader Samsung Electronics capitalization remains larger. But on the common-share measure used for index weighting and benchmark positioning, SK Hynix moved ahead. Samsung Electronics slipped 0.14 percent to 353,500 won. The split reflected investors' growing preference for SK hynix, whose lead in high-bandwidth memory chips for AI servers has reshaped the market's view of Korea's two biggest chipmakers. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.6 percent to close at a record 72,353, lifted by the same AI semiconductor rally that drove gains in Seoul, as easing oil prices on progress in U.S.-Iran talks added to the region's relief. The Kospi opened lower and briefly fell below 8,901 before reversing in the afternoon. Sentiment improved as progress in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks eased oil-market pressure. Qatar and Pakistan said the two sides had agreed on a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days. Oil prices fell on the news, with Brent down 1.8 percent at $79.1 a barrel and WTI off 2.5 percent at $75.4. Lower oil prices eased concerns over imported inflation, reducing pressure on the Bank of Korea to hold rates higher for longer. LG Electronics was another standout, surging 7.6 percent to 227,500 won after reports that senior LG Group executives had traveled to Nvidia's headquarters in Santa Clara to discuss cooperation in AI and robotics. SK Square, whose value is closely tied to SK Hynix, rose 10.7 percent to 1,970,000 won. Among smaller semiconductor names, Aittec jumped 20.6 percent and Jeju Semiconductor gained 17.2 percent. Auto shares fell. Hyundai Motor dropped 5.2 percent to 581,000 won and Hyundai Mobis lost 7 percent to 569,000 won as investors weighed a government review of South Korea's revised trade union law. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said companies could be required to bargain with unions representing subcontracted workers if their working conditions are effectively controlled by the parent company. The clarification added pressure on Hyundai-related shares. The Kosdaq also closed higher, adding 1.8 points, or 0.19 percent, to 968.4. The index moved between an intraday low of 944.3 and a high of 979.6. Retail investors sold 463.2 billion won, while foreigners bought 311.5 billion won and institutions added 150.2 billion won. Yujin Tech surged 118 percent. Fadu rose 14.3 percent to 115,900 won and PSK gained 9.2 percent to 180,200 won, extending gains among smaller semiconductor names. Rainbow Robotics fell 2.9 percent to 573,000 won and Samchundang Pharmaceutical dropped 4.7 percent to 241,500 won. In China, the Shanghai Composite gained 1.7 percent to 4,159, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.5 percent to 23,815. The dollar held near 1,537 won, up 0.3 percent on the day. 2026-06-22 16:53:50
TWICE's Dahyun wins rising star award for first TV drama role SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - Dahyun of K-pop girl group TWICE won the Rising Star Award at the Global OTT Awards 2026 for her performance in JTBC's "Love Me," her first television drama, JYP Entertainment said Monday. Dahyun received the award Saturday at the Busan Cinema Center's outdoor theater in Busan, South Korea. The Global OTT Awards recognize streaming platforms, creators and productions across 14 competitive categories and five invitational categories. The Rising Star Award honors actors and entertainers who have delivered notable work over the past year. "Thank you very much for this meaningful award," Dahyun said. "'Love Me' was my first drama, and I was very nervous, but I was able to enjoy filming and see it through thanks to the director, my fellow cast members and everyone who worked on the production." She also thanked the drama's viewers and her fans for their support. Dahyun played Ji Hye-on in the drama, which ended its run in January. The role marked her television drama debut as she continued to build an acting career alongside her work with TWICE. She made her screen debut in "You Are the Apple of My Eye," released in February 2025, and appeared in her second film, "Run to You," that September. The award follows recognition from the Marie Claire Asia Star Awards in 2024, the Seoul International Film Awards in 2025 and the 29th Chunsa International Film Festival. TWICE will close out its "THIS IS FOR" world tour with three concerts at KSPO Dome in Seoul from July 10 to 12. The tour spans 81 shows across 44 locations worldwide. All three Seoul concerts have sold out. 2026-06-22 15:27:54
Starbucks Korea closes early for a crash course in democracy history SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) -Contemporary South Korean history spanning the country's democracy movements from the 1960s to the 1980s has become mandatory study material across Starbucks Korea's more than 2,000 outlets, as well as for the C-suite of retail giant Shinsegae, including Chairman Chung Yong-jin, following last month's "Tank Day" controversy. Chung and executives from companies under Shinsegae's E-Mart division will watch a two-hour recorded lecture Wednesday as the group moves to prevent similar marketing failures from recurring. The training follows widespread criticism over a Starbucks Korea promotion timed to May 18, the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The campaign promoted tumblers branded as "tanks" and referred to the event as "Tank Day." The promotion immediately triggered public outrage because tanks and military forces were deployed during the military crackdown on demonstrators in Gwangju, leaving hundreds dead or injured. Starbucks Korea subsequently withdrew the campaign and issued a public apology, while Shinsegae dismissed the head of the coffee chain's Korean operator. The video was recorded on June 17, when Oh Je-yeon, a history professor at Sungkyunkwan University, and Gu Jeong-woo, a sociology professor at the same university, delivered lectures at Shinsegae Namsan in Seoul. Oh discussed four defining moments in South Korea's democratic history: the April 19 Revolution of 1960, the Busan-Masan pro-democracy protests of 1979, the Gwangju uprising of 1980 and the June Democratic Struggle of 1987. He said distorting or denying those events undermines South Korea's national identity and urged companies to ground their decisions in an accurate understanding of history and universal values such as human rights and peace. Gu examined past marketing controversies involving companies in South Korea and overseas. He cited a culture of speed, pressure to generate revenue, weak approval procedures and homogeneous decision-making teams as recurring factors behind such failures. Decisions made from a narrow internal perspective, he added, often go unchallenged. Gu welcomed Starbucks Korea's introduction of a social-sensitivity checklist but cautioned that it must be reviewed continuously. "Society keeps changing," Gu said. "The checklist must also continue to evolve." Starbucks Korea closed most of its more than 2,000 stores early Monday for mandatory employee training, marking its first nationwide early closure since entering South Korea in 1999. Wednesday's session, however, will be reserved for executives from the E-Mart division overseen by Chung. Executives from the department store-led Shinsegae division, headed by Chairwoman Chung Yoo-kyung, are not expected to attend. Shinsegae said it would also investigate how the promotion passed internal review procedures, disclose the findings and overhaul how its affiliates vet marketing content going forward. A possible visit by Chung to Gwangju has yet to be decided. The group previously said he could visit the city or issue an additional public statement at an appropriate time. 2026-06-22 14:35:49
Hearts2Hearts to release second EP 'Lemon Tang' SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts will release its second EP, “Lemon Tang,” at 6 p.m. Monday, its agency SM Entertainment said. The release comes about eight months after the group’s first EP, “FOCUS,” which came out in October last year. The new EP contains six tracks, including the title track of the same name and “RUDE!,” a single released in February. “Lemon Tang” is a dance-pop track with a bright, energetic sound. Its title combines “lemon” with “tang,” a word used to describe a sharp taste. A music video for the song will be released at the same time on the SMTOWN YouTube channel. Filmed in Okinawa, Japan, it follows the members on a school trip as they come across an accident involving a lemon truck and follow lemons scattered along the road to different locations. Physical copies of the EP will also go on sale Monday. 2026-06-22 10:54:27
Drawing the hairline: Korea debates insuring hair loss SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) -Going bald is personal matter, except in South Korea. It is quickly turning into a political and social hot potato. The South Korean government is weighing whether to extend National Health Insurance coverage to androgenetic alopecia, the common hereditary form of hair loss often associated locally with M-shaped hairlines. What had been thought as one of the most extreme populist campaign promises from liberal candidate Lee Jae Myung in his first presidential bid in 2022 by claiming hair loss causes not only financial but psychological stress for young people is rapidly taking shape as his administration enters its second year in office amid waning popularity. After taking office, Lee pushed the issue forward, telling a Ministry of Health and Welfare briefing late last year that hair loss was no longer merely a cosmetic concern but "a matter of survival" affecting quality of life and social opportunity. The Health Ministry plans to hold a public forum in July, with around 200 members of the public invited to participate. Any proposal would ultimately require approval from the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee before coverage could be expanded. For many people outside South Korea, the idea may sound puzzling. Public insurance coverage for male-pattern baldness remains highly unusual among developed healthcare systems. But the debate is ultimately less about hair than about what Korea considers a public disadvantage in one of the world's most competitive societies. At its core, the country is wrestling with a broader question facing advanced economies everywhere: should universal healthcare merely prevent disease and death, or should it also protect quality of life and social opportunity? If adopted, South Korea could become one of the first major economies to formally recognize appearance itself as a factor of social inequality. One in Five Hair loss in South Korea is more common than it appears, and for a looks-conscious society, the market is enormous. A Gallup Korea survey conducted in November 2025 found that 21 percent of Korean adults said they were currently experiencing hair loss symptoms, roughly the same figure as in 2013 and 2019. Among men, the figure was 27 percent; among women, 15 percent. Industry and medical associations estimate the total population experiencing hair loss, including those who have not sought clinical treatment, at around 10 million, or roughly one in five Koreans. According to data obtained by a National Assembly lawmaker from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients formally diagnosed with hair loss last year totaled 237,009 — a far smaller figure than the roughly 10 million estimate above, which includes people who have not sought clinical treatment. Of those formally diagnosed, 175,493 were diagnosed with alopecia areata, an immune-related form of hair loss that already qualifies for insurance coverage. Patients in their 20s and 30s accounted for 86,515 of all hair loss diagnoses last year, or 36.5 percent of the total. That makes them the largest demographic group — and the population the government is considering as a first priority if coverage is expanded. The demographics are politically significant. Hair loss disproportionately affects younger adults at a time when they are already navigating soaring housing costs, fierce job competition and delayed marriage. In South Korea, where appearance is widely acknowledged to influence hiring outcomes and social perceptions, baldness increasingly occupies a gray zone between cosmetic concern and social disadvantage. That partly explains why a once-ridiculed campaign promise has evolved into a serious policy discussion. What the drugs are — and how people get them Among the best-known treatments for hair loss are finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride works by blocking an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink. It was originally developed for benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, and was later approved in a lower dose for male-pattern baldness. Minoxidil is a topical treatment applied directly to the scalp. Neither is currently covered by South Korea's National Health Insurance when prescribed for hair loss. But the price gap between insured and uninsured uses has created a gray zone. Finasteride is also prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and when used for that condition it qualifies for insurance coverage, making it significantly cheaper than when prescribed for hair loss. The prostate version usually comes in 5mg tablets rather than the 1mg dose used for hair loss, meaning patients who obtain it this way must cut the pills themselves. Online communities dedicated to hair loss in Korea contain numerous accounts of users seeking cheaper finasteride prescriptions through prostate-related diagnoses. Health authorities and medical groups have warned against the practice, saying prescriptions made under unrelated diagnosis codes may violate medical law. The Korean Urological Association has flagged the trend as a public health concern, warning that long-term use without proper medical evaluation carries risks including erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm count and motility, and potential exposure hazards from pill-splitting. Finasteride powder can be harmful to pregnant women and children through skin contact. The phenomenon also illustrates a familiar problem in healthcare economics: when a treatment is perceived as essential but excluded from insurance coverage, patients often find workarounds. In effect, the market creates its own unofficial subsidy system. The human dimension Jo Ye-ji, 27, a nurse who has worked at a dermatology clinic in Seoul's Wirye area for five years, said hair loss brings in a steady stream of patients. "It's not cheap," she said. Seo Ji-hyun, 29, an office worker from Incheon, knows the feeling well. Every morning, she said, she showers, dries her hair and tries to style it — only to feel her confidence fade when she sees the thinning. "If my hair looks empty, I feel like I'm less of myself," she said. "But I can't wear a hat to work." A hair transplant is financially out of reach. Medication feels complicated. Seo said she has read that finasteride can affect hormone levels, must be taken at fixed times and should not be handled by women of childbearing age. "There are so many rules," she said. "It looked difficult." Still, she said she plans to start treatment. The prospect of insurance coverage has given her some hope, though not without reservation. "I'm not sure it's right to put hair loss ahead of serious diseases," she said. "There are so many critical illnesses out there. That hair loss would get coverage before them — I'm not sure that sits right." Her ambivalence captures the national debate itself. Few dispute that hair loss carries psychological consequences. The disagreement lies in whether that burden rises to the level of a public responsibility. How the ministry's position shifted Health Minister Jung Eun-kyung initially opposed expanding coverage for common hair loss, arguing that it "does not threaten life or health" and that cosmetic concerns have traditionally fallen outside the scope of National Health Insurance benefits. After repeated calls from President Lee, however, the ministry shifted toward reviewing the proposal. The government is considering prioritizing people aged 20 to 34 as initial beneficiaries, citing the social and psychological consequences of hair loss for young people entering the job market. In many countries, hair loss remains firmly categorized as a cosmetic issue. In Korea, however, the boundary is blurrier. Numerous studies have shown that physical appearance can influence hiring decisions, salary levels and perceptions of competence. That has allowed supporters to frame hair loss not as vanity but as a form of structural disadvantage. The Lee administration is effectively asking whether appearance-related inequality deserves the same policy attention once reserved for traditional economic inequalities. Not everyone in that age group is convinced. Rep. Cheon Ha-ram of the New Reform Party questioned why coverage would target only those aged 20 to 34. "Younger generations value fiscal sustainability and policy principles more than populist benefits," he said. In a separate but already-decided move — distinct from the androgenetic alopecia debate above — the government has taken a first step on a different form of hair loss. Starting July 1, South Korea's National Health Insurance will begin covering Olumiant, the brand name for baricitinib, for adults with severe alopecia areata who have not responded to prior treatments including steroids or cyclosporine for at least three months. Until now, patients taking the drug out of pocket paid around 600,000 won per month for the recommended daily dose of 4mg. Under the new coverage, that figure will drop to roughly half, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The distinction matters. Androgenetic alopecia, the subject of the current controversy, is hereditary and hormone-related, while alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease already recognized as medically necessary in severe cases. The opposition The pushback has been broad. The Korean Medical Association urged the government to prioritize coverage for cancer and other serious illnesses, expressing concern over characterizing hair loss as a matter of life and death for young people. The fiscal argument has been equally pointed. "Beginning in 2026, the National Health Insurance system is projected to run annual deficits exceeding 4 trillion won," one opposition lawmaker said. "Resources are limited. Every billion won spent on hair loss medication is money that cannot be spent on patients suffering from rare and severe diseases." Patient advocacy groups have joined the criticism. Kim Sung-ju, head of the Korea Severe Disease Federation, said it was "putting the cart before the horse" to support hair-loss treatment while delaying coverage for life-threatening conditions on grounds of insufficient funds. The controversy illustrates a dilemma confronting welfare states around the world. As societies grow wealthier, citizens increasingly expect governments not only to save lives but also to improve well-being. Yet resources remain finite. Every expansion of coverage creates a trade-off. Every billion won spent on hair-loss medication is a billion won unavailable for cancer treatments, rare diseases or elderly care in one of the world's fastest-aging societies. The numbers behind those warnings are striking. Government projections show reserve funds, which stood at a record 30.2 trillion won last year, could be depleted by 2033 as the population ages and healthcare spending rises. The National Assembly Budget Office projects the insurance fund will fall into deficit this year, with accumulated reserves exhausted by 2029. If coverage is extended to androgenetic alopecia, the additional annual cost is estimated at between 100 billion and 700 billion won, depending on uptake. Critics argue those figures could rise substantially once millions of previously untreated patients enter the system. Kim Jae-yeon, legal director at the Korean Medical Association, argued that the accelerated timetable reflects political calculation as much as health policy. "This is not a policy born from objective suitability or long-term fiscal sustainability," Kim wrote. "It is an attempt to appease young voters." The Korean Dermatological Association has proposed that if coverage is eventually extended, it should be limited to patients meeting agreed-upon severity thresholds and require diagnosis by dermatologists. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it would hold a public forum in July before making any decision, adding that both medical necessity and cost-effectiveness would be considered. Korea has built one of the world's most comprehensive public healthcare systems. But universal systems are never static; they are constantly renegotiating what society collectively agrees to insure. If hereditary hair loss qualifies because it affects confidence and opportunity, other questions inevitably follow. Would severe obesity qualify? Chronic insomnia? Fertility preservation? Other conditions that may not threaten life but profoundly shape quality of life? The answer will determine more than who pays for finasteride. It will reveal how South Korea defines health in the 21st century. 2026-06-19 17:50:18
World Cup 26: Korea's World Cup ritual finds a new home SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - Gwanghwamun Square may remain South Korea's spiritual home of World Cup cheering, but on a sweltering Friday morning with temperatures already topping 32 degrees Celsius, many fans chose a different way to experience the national team's second World Cup outing. Some took the day off. Others watched discreetly from office desks. Families gathered at movie theaters, friends met over daylight beers, and football fans headed to Seongsu and Gangnam, where pop-up culture has become Seoul's new gathering language. South Korea ultimately fell 1-0 to Meico, backed by a roaring home crowd in Guadalajara and aided by an avoidable mistake that proved decisive. Yet for millions glued to televisions and smartphones, every shot, every block and every near miss produced a familiar national soundtrack of sighs, groans and collective cheers. The World Cup, once synonymous with millions flooding Gwanghwamun in red shirts, has quietly evolved into something more dispersed — and perhaps more intimate. Instead of a single giant rally, Friday resembled thousands of smaller gatherings spread across the country. That shift was perhaps most visible in Seongsu. Long known as Seoul's answer to Brooklyn and a mecca for fashion and beauty pop-ups, Seongsu briefly turned into a football district as supporters gathered at Play Place in Ttukseom Hangang Park. The venue, which previously hosted green markets and Children's Day festivals, was transformed into a World Cup cheering space. "We wanted people to experience Seoul's two strongest cultural symbols together: the Han River and football," said Kim Kyung-min of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Hangang Headquarters. Kim said the location was deliberately chosen for its proximity to Seongsu, where brands and pop-up stores have created a destination culture of their own. Public spaces have also become more accessible, he added. "High-quality cultural infrastructure that people once had to pay a lot for is increasingly being offered for free or at very low prices. Combined with social media, these experiences spread very quickly." Industry observers say the trend reflects a broader shift in how younger Koreans consume leisure. "Younger generations no longer simply consume spaces created by large corporations," said Lee Ho-gyu, chief executive of S Factory, a cultural space operator in Seongsu. "They want to occupy spaces themselves and give them meaning through the content they choose." The experience of isolation during the pandemic also changed consumer behavior, he said. "People now crave raw energy and emotional solidarity that can only be felt in person." For many Seoul residents as well as foreign visitors, Seongsu has become an obvious answer to a simple question: where should we meet? "It was already a place full of pop-ups, restaurants and people, so it feels effortless," said Jung Yoo-seok, 29. "When friends come from outside Seoul, this is where I bring them. It shows the version of Seoul they expect to see." Kim Geon, 28, said the neighborhood's popularity has created its own self-reinforcing logic. "When my friends and I decided to take a day off for the World Cup, we didn't even ask where to watch it," he said. "We just assumed there would be something happening in Seongsu." Elsewhere, brands have adapted the World Cup experience to fit weekday mornings. Near Gangnam Station, around 100 supporters gathered at a temporary Cass FIFA World Cup Fan Basecamp, an invitation-only viewing event offering beers, popcorn and cheering kits. Inside, attendees received both regular and alcohol-free beers, reflecting another subtle shift in Korean World Cup culture. For decades, football and late-night drinking were inseparable. But a 10 a.m. kickoff forced the ritual to evolve. "Because the match is in the morning, drinking felt uncomfortable," said Park Ji-hyun, 31, a graduate student from Seoul. "The alcohol-free option let us enjoy the atmosphere without feeling guilty." Outside a pub after the final whistle, Mexican and Korean fans lingered over drinks in the midday heat. "Viva Mexico, but Korea and Mexico, we are like brothers," said Gloria Ramirez, a 37-year-old traveler from Mexico. "The result is not going to change anything about the way we think of Korea." South Korea's World Cup is not over. The team remains second in Group A and will face South Africa in its final group match next week. But Friday suggested something larger than football itself. The giant red ocean at Gwanghwamun has not disappeared. It has simply fragmented into thousands of smaller islands of support. A World Cup is no longer just a sporting event. It is another reason for people to gather, occupy a space and turn an ordinary Friday into a shared experience. *AJP reporters Han Jun-gu, Yoo Na-hyun, and Ryu Yuna contributed to this article. 2026-06-19 16:08:07
K-Pop's Global Success Faces Infrastructure Challenges in South Korea Fans of BTS, the group with the largest global fandom, waited 75 minutes for the concert to start in Busan on June 12. Hybe, the group's management company, later apologized for the confusion at the venue, including issues with fan gift distribution and delays in merchandise collection. However, fans expressed that their discomfort was not solely due to the wait time. A fan from Malaysia remarked, "No one knew why we were waiting or how much longer it would be. We could only hear sounds from behind the venue and had to rely on rumors among fans to understand the situation." This fan had also attended the 2022 Busan concert. "Back then, the flow was unclear, and I stood for nearly nine hours. The overall management was chaotic. BTS is known for starting on time, so this was particularly surprising. The biggest issue was communication." He compared the experience to a concert in Singapore, stating, "Even at large events, the entire process from entry to exit is very systematic." Two months earlier, on April 9, the same tour kicked off at the Goyang Sports Complex north of Seoul, where fans had to endure heavy rain during the outdoor event. These incidents highlight a broader issue facing K-Pop, rather than being solely a BTS problem. While K-Pop has become a massive industry globally, does South Korea's concert infrastructure keep pace with this growth? K-Pop Thrives, But Venues Lag Behind The Jamsil Olympic Stadium, a primary venue for large-scale concerts in Seoul, began renovations in 2023 and is not expected to reopen until December 2026. The Seoul World Cup Stadium, one of the few venues that can accommodate over 60,000 people in the metropolitan area, has limited concert bookings due to concerns about turf damage. Another major option, the Gocheok Sky Dome, is difficult to use during the professional baseball season from spring to fall. As a result, concert organizers are competing for dates at limited alternative venues, such as the 15,000-seat KSPO Dome and the Incheon Inspire Arena. The issue of venue shortages predates the closure of the Jamsil Olympic Stadium. South Korean popular music began to gain national recognition in the late 1990s after decades of censorship, but investments in large-scale concert infrastructure came much later than the industry's commercial growth. Seoul faces challenges with limited land and high property prices. The construction of large concert venues often encounters obstacles such as construction costs, administrative procedures, and project delays. The Seoul Arena, which is being developed in Dobong District, was first discussed around 2015 and is now aiming for a May 2027 opening. Japan's Infrastructure Outshines South Korea's Japan presents a different model. Venues like Tokyo Dome, Kyocera Dome in Osaka, and similar large concert halls in Nagoya and Fukuoka provide a relatively clear "dome tour" circuit for touring artists. Many of these venues are integrated into regional infrastructure designed to accommodate large audiences. Tokyo Dome City is a mixed-use entertainment area centered around the concert venue, featuring hotels, restaurants, shopping facilities, and subway access. This structure allows concerts to extend beyond isolated stadium events into a comprehensive urban consumer experience. While Japanese concerts also face issues such as congestion, merchandise lines, and rising hotel prices, the surrounding infrastructure helps disperse audience flow and provides spaces for fans to stay, move, and spend before and after events. A fan from abroad cited Singapore as a benchmark, stating, "I think Singapore manages concerts the best, with the entire process from entry to exit being very systematically organized." China has a large physical capacity, but access to K-Pop remains uncertain. The Beijing National Stadium can accommodate about 80,000 people, while the Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena holds around 18,000. However, since the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea in 2016, there have been very few instances of major K-Pop artists holding large concerts in mainland China. In September of last year, the Dream Concert scheduled to take place in Hainan was indefinitely postponed just days before the event. Similarly, a concert by Kep1er in Fuzhou was canceled that same month. While there are signs of K-Pop performances resuming in Hong Kong, the mainland Chinese market remains uncertain. Concert Venues Are Essential Industry Infrastructure The South Korean popular music concert market recorded its largest size ever last year. Despite some large venues in Seoul being closed for renovations, limited concert availability, or already booked, ticket sales increased by 29%, reaching approximately $730 million. Event organizers who have handled Asian tour schedules for international artists like Oasis and Mariah Carey believe that the shortage of concert venues in South Korea is linked to the cancellations of Madonna and Adele's concerts in the 2010s. The fact that Taylor Swift's 2024 Asia tour includes Tokyo but not Seoul is also mentioned in this context. When fans travel abroad to see performances that skip South Korea, spending on accommodation, food, transportation, and merchandise flows to other countries. Conversely, when large concerts are held in South Korea, that spending benefits the local economy. Kim Hee-jung, 62, who runs a convenience store near the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, has observed this trend since BTS held their 'Yet to Come in Busan' concert at the same venue in October 2022. Kim stated, "When BTS makes a comeback or holds a major concert, related collaborative products come in, and those products definitely help sales. If many people come to Busan, it can only be good for the city." Plans Abound, But Venues Are Still Lacking Choi Hwi-young, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated in a briefing last December that the government plans to enhance the sound and lighting of regional sports facilities for use as concert venues. In the coming years, they aim to utilize the Seoul Arena and Goyang Arena, with a long-term goal of developing a large dedicated dome. Minister Choi emphasized the need for a 50,000-seat dome stadium, explaining that it should not be a temporary conversion of sports facilities but rather a space designed from the outset for both sports and concerts. However, the Seoul Arena has been in development for nearly a decade without opening. The CJ Live City project in Goyang has also stalled since construction was halted in 2023. The Jamsil Indoor Stadium is set to be demolished in July 2026, and the nearby student gymnasium is expected to be torn down a year later, which may exacerbate the shortage of concert venues in the short term.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-19 08:04:00
World Cup 26: Mokoena penalty earns South Africa draw against Czechia SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to earn South Africa a 1-1 draw against Czechia in a Group A match at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday, denying the Czechs a win they had looked capable of holding for most of the game. Czechia took the lead in the sixth minute through Michal Sadílek and protected the lead for more than 75 minutes before a handball by substitute Pavel Šulc inside the area handed South Africa a way back into the match. Mokoena drove his spot kick low into the corner to level the score and keep South Africa's tournament hopes alive. It was a bitter result for Czechia, which had made five changes from the side beaten 2-1 by South Korea and looked capable of managing the match after its early goal. Miroslav Koubek's side found early success through a compact defensive shape and direct attacks led by Patrik Schick and Adam Hložek, but its inability to add a second goal left the door open. South Africa, managed by Hugo Broos, moved away from the five-man defensive shape used in its opening loss to Mexico and played with greater presence in midfield. Iqraam Rayners led the attack, while Mokoena and Jayden Adams gave South Africa a stronger platform in central areas. The change gave South Africa more possession, but not enough cutting edge. For long stretches, the team moved the ball without seriously testing Czech goalkeeper Matěj Kovář, and Czechia appeared on course to claim the three points it badly needed. The match turned in the 83rd minute, when the ball struck Šulc's arm inside the penalty area and referee Tori Penso pointed to the spot. Mokoena stepped up and finished calmly, rescuing a point for South Africa. The goal came with a cost. Mokoena had been booked in the 32nd minute, his second yellow card of the tournament, ruling him out of South Africa's final group match against South Korea. For a side already short on attacking sharpness, losing its most influential midfielder is a significant blow. Both teams now sit on one point after two matches. Czechia will likely need to beat Mexico in its final group fixture to keep any realistic hope of advancing. South Africa faces a similar task against South Korea, but will have to do it without Mokoena. The draw also sharpened the stakes for South Korea and Mexico, who both entered their second Group A match on three points. South Korea faces Mexico later Thursday in Guadalajara, Friday morning at 10 a.m. in South Korea (0100 GMT). A win would move South Korea to six points and secure its place in the round of 32, regardless of the final matchday results. For South Korea, the Atlanta result did not settle qualification. But it made the route clearer: a win over Mexico would send South Korea into the round of 32. 2026-06-19 05:39:14
Europe and Korea seek scale-up partnership at NextRise 2026 SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - South Korean and European startups explored ways to scale up together as both sides seek complementary roles in a rapidly changing technology landscape at the opening of NextRise 2026 in Seoul. The two-day event at COEX, co-hosted by the Korea International Trade Association, Korea Development Bank, Korea Venture Business Association and Korea Venture Capital Association, is one of Asia's largest startup fairs. This year's program spans artificial intelligence, big data, fintech, biotechnology, energy, defense, robotics and quantum computing. The event drew speakers from major global technology, investment and innovation organizations, including OpenAI, Google Cloud, NVIDIA, Perplexity, Anthropic, MIT, 500 Global and the European Innovation Council. For Korea's startup ecosystem, the gathering is more than an exhibition. It is where domestic startups seek overseas partners, foreign startups court Korean corporations and investors, and policymakers test new models of cross-border technology cooperation. One session highlighted a growing convergence between Europe and South Korea. Titled "Europe & Korea: Deep Tech Leaders Connect – Meet the European Innovation Council's Leading Deep Tech Scaleups," the discussion focused on cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology and climate technologies. The session came a week after the EU-Republic of Korea Summit in Brussels, where both sides pledged to support the international expansion and collaboration of deep-tech startups. "We want to work together to support the international expansion and collaboration of EU and Korean deep-tech startups," said Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to South Korea. Astuto said Europe and Korea should view each other not as competitors but as partners with complementary strengths. "Europe is at the cutting edge in several sectors of research," he said. "Korea is particularly strong in transforming research into industrial output and scaling innovation." The panel also featured Manuel Mendigutia, senior adviser and global business lead at the European Innovation Council, and Naia Jang, chief executive of Korean startup accelerator Groove Round. Mendigutia introduced the EIC as the European Union's flagship deep-tech investment program, which supports breakthrough technologies from laboratory research to commercialization through a combination of grants and equity investments. The EIC brought 10 portfolio companies to NextRise 2026 as part of its global expansion efforts, seeking partnerships with Korean corporations, investors and institutions. For European startups, speakers said, Korea represents more than a sales destination. Its large conglomerates, fast-moving consumers and industrial base make it an attractive testing ground for commercializing advanced technologies. Jang said Korea's speed remains one of its biggest advantages. "The Korean market is very fast at accepting new technology," she said. "Even if there is really good technology, if there is no market to accept it and bring it into industrial sites, the technology will remain technology itself." At the same time, she said Korean startups are increasingly compelled to look abroad because of the domestic market's limitations. "Korean startups honestly don't have a choice anymore," Jang said. "We have to go to the global market because the Korean market has limitations." Europe remains an attractive destination, she said, but practical barriers persist. "We like Europe, and we like going to Europe," she said. "But for business, we don't have a lot of practical information. We don't have a lot of experience working together." Jang said events such as NextRise can help close that gap by directly connecting entrepreneurs, investors, corporations and public institutions. She also noted that Korean companies have become increasingly open to foreign startups. "We don't care about the nationality of startups," she said. "As long as we can communicate well and the technology is good, Korean companies and institutions are very welcoming." Astuto said future cooperation should extend beyond startups themselves and include investors, corporations, universities, research institutes and governments. "Innovation rarely happens in isolation," he said. The session reflected a broader shift underway at global startup fairs. They are no longer simply venues to showcase new products. Increasingly, they have become platforms where countries compete to build long-term technology alliances. For Europe, Korea offers speed, industrial execution and a receptive market. For Korean startups, Europe offers research depth, market diversity and global networks. The challenge now is turning those conversations into commercial partnerships once the conference lights go out. 2026-06-18 17:40:10
Korean Wave's expanding global impact highlighted in Paris SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Government officials and industry leaders gathered this week in France to discuss the global popularity of South Korean films and dramas, American streaming giant Netflix said on Thursday. The gathering, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, took place at the Palais des Congrès de Paris on Tuesday as part of an event marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France. Their discussions focused on how South Korean films, TV series and other content are fueling global interest in tourism, food, beauty and other lifestyle sectors. The event also brought together about 100 Korean companies and retailers, with exhibition spaces dedicated to six themes showcasing collaborations and partnerships in tourism, consumer goods, beauty and other sectors. In a session titled "From Screen to Lifestyle," Choi Seung-hyun, vice president of Netflix's Seoul office, said the platform has become a primary way for international viewers to discover South Korean content, adding that more than 80 percent of Netflix subscribers worldwide have watched at least one series. She also said a survey conducted by Netflix last year across eight countries found that 83 percent of regular viewers of South Korean series in France chose Netflix as their main viewing platform. Kim Hyung-suk, head of instant noodle giant Nongshim's Europe office, said the popularity of Korean dramas, which often feature scenes of people eating instant noodles and other foods, has helped boost interest in South Korean cuisine there. Nongshim's sales in Europe rose 46 percent in the first half from a year earlier, according to Kim. Jung Sun-hwa, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's office in Paris, said South Korean beauty shops, restaurants and supermarkets are now attracting more locals there rather than primarily serving South Korean residents and students. She also said locations and food featured in films and dramas are increasingly becoming reasons for French people to consider traveling to Seoul. Park In-nam, a senior official at the Korea Creative Content Agency, said the country's content exports reached a record US$14.08 billion in 2024, with the agency aiming to expand into markets in Europe and North America beyond Asia. Netflix said it will continue its partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency through their joint training program for aspiring directors, production workers and other professionals, which has already produced about 2,200 graduates over the past two years. 2026-06-18 11:12:53