Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • BTS Comeback D-30: J-Hope, a messenger of hope through lyrics, rap, and giving
    BTS Comeback D-30: J-Hope, a messenger of hope through lyrics, rap, and giving *Editor’s Note — As BTS prepares to return as a full seven-member act with a new album set for March 20 and an open-stage performance at Gwanghwamun on March 21, following a near four-year hiatus for rotational military service, AJP revisits the group’s 13-year trajectory. This series reexamines BTS’s history, music, performance identity and enduring appeal. The fourth installment traces the roots and growth of J-Hope. SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - By the time BTS gathers again on stage this spring, the distance between where J-Hope began and where he now stands will be measured not only in chart rankings and stadium crowds, but also in quiet acts of continuity. J-Hope celebrated his 32nd birthday on Feb. 18 not with spectacle, but with another donation. Child welfare agency Green Umbrella announced that he had contributed 100 million won to support students at his alma mater. From 2019 to 2023, he provided scholarships to students at Gwangju International High School and Jeonnam Girls’ Commercial High School facing financial hardship — a pattern of giving that reflects his enduring ties to his hometown. With the latest contribution, he became the 14th member of the Green Noble Trinity Club, reserved for donors whose cumulative giving exceeds 1 billion won. His philanthropy extends beyond education. Proceeds from the “Human Hope: A Joopiter Special” auction, linked to his Human Made collaboration, were donated to animal welfare groups. The birthday boy separately contributed 200 million won to Asan Medical Center to support pediatric treatment, home medical care and psychological services for critically ill children. Such gestures have become a steady undercurrent in his public life. But they are, in many ways, an extension of the discipline and responsibility that have defined his career. From street dancer to center of gravity “I’m your HOPE, you’re my HOPE, I’m J-Hope.” Since BTS’s debut in 2013, the greeting has served as both signature and promise. Born Jeong Hoseok on Feb. 18, 1994, he joined Big Hit Entertainment in 2010 and debuted as the group’s main dancer and lead rapper. Before entering the idol system, he trained in popping at Joy Dance Academy in Gwangju and performed with the street crew Neuron under the nickname “Smile Hoya.” The street dancer never disappeared. His foundation in popping, wave techniques and freestyle remains visible in his stage work, lending BTS performances a sense of elasticity and rhythm that is difficult to replicate. Choreographer Son Sung-deuk and fellow members have repeatedly cited him as the group’s technical anchor — the performer who stabilizes timing, spacing and transitions when live stages become unpredictable. In a group built on precision, J-Hope has long functioned as its internal metronome. Building a solo identity His solo career unfolded alongside his group role, not in competition with it, but in dialogue. In 2018, his mixtape Hope World entered the Billboard 200, signaling that his appeal could stand independently. The following year, “Chicken Noodle Soup” revived a classic dance track for a new generation. With Jack In The Box in 2022, he pivoted sharply. The album replaced brightness with tension, playfulness with self-examination. Tracks such as “MORE” and “Arson” presented an artist willing to interrogate ambition, exhaustion and identity. In March 2023, “On the Street” returned to quieter ground, blending lo-fi hip-hop with reflections on his beginnings. His most commercially successful single to date, “Killin’ It Girl” featuring GloRilla, arrived in 2025, marking his strongest solo chart showing and reinforcing his growing international footprint. Projects such as HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1 in 2024 and “Sweet Dreams” in 2025 further expanded his stylistic range, reconnecting him with street dance while exploring R&B and melodic hip-hop. The pattern is consistent: experimentation anchored by craft. Service, return and continuity J-Hope completed his mandatory military service in June 2025 and formally resumed public activities soon afterward, rejoining a group preparing for its first full reunion in years. On stage, his defining elements remain intact — wave sequences, popping accents, controlled improvisation, and signature openings such as those in “MIC DROP.” Yet the performances now carry added weight: the assurance of an artist who has tested himself outside the group and returned with clearer intent. Within BTS, he continues to drive energy and cohesion. As a solo artist, he has built a catalog marked by steady growth rather than abrupt reinvention. And beyond music, his philanthropy has reinforced an image of responsibility that resonates quietly but persistently. In K-pop, optimism is often packaged as concept. For J-Hope, it has functioned more as practice. It appears in the discipline of rehearsal rooms, in the consistency of donations, in the willingness to take creative risks without abandoning fundamentals. It is visible in how he balances spectacle with substance, popularity with accountability. As BTS approaches its long-awaited return, J-Hope stands not as a symbol of nostalgia, but as evidence of maturation — an artist who has learned how to sustain momentum across changing eras. The greeting still opens performances. But after thirteen years, it sounds less like a slogan and more like a record of work done. The next installment will focus on RM. 2026-02-19 17:49:46
  • Déjà vu on housing as Seoul launches another real estate war
    Déjà vu on housing as Seoul launches another real estate war SEOUL, Feb 19 (AJP) - Seoul has once again taken a hard-line approach to real estate policy — deploying higher taxes, stricter lending caps and strong-worded warnings from the president. Yet instead of cooling the market, the measures have fueled another surge in housing prices and rents in the capital. Sound familiar? Koreans have witnessed this cycle under almost every progressive government over the past two decades. The pattern is repeated: authorities crack down on multi-home owners to suppress demand, while supply remains constrained and demand stays concentrated in Seoul. The result is the opposite of what policymakers intend. According to the Korea Real Estate Board (REB), the average sale price of apartments in Seoul rose about 9 percent in 2025, the steepest increase since 2006, when prices surged nearly 20 percent. Over the same period, Seoul’s price-to-income ratio (PIR) approached 14 based on median income. In practical terms, this means a household would need to save its entire income for more than 14 years — without spending a single won — to afford a home. Since PIR does not account for living expenses or widening income inequality, the actual burden is even heavier. Regulatory tightening, limited impact To rein in prices, the government has rolled out successive regulations. On June 27 last year, mortgage loans in major regulated areas were capped at 600 million won ($440,000), and buyers were required to move in within six months. On Oct. 15, Seoul and major cities in Gyeonggi Province, including Suwon, Anyang and Gunpo, were designated as land-use permit zones, extending mortgage restrictions even to non-regulated areas. Despite these interventions, prices have continued to climb. Supply shortage meets excessive liquidity Two essential conditions for stabilizing housing prices — expanding supply and absorbing excess liquidity — have remained unmet. According to the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), nationwide housing supply in 2025 fell to about 380,000 units, down 14.5 percent from the previous year. In Seoul, supply dropped nearly 20 percent to 41,566 units from 51,452 in 2024. While supply in 2025 was slightly higher than in 2023, the key difference was liquidity. In 2023, M2 money supply growth stood at just 3.89 percent. By 2025, it had surged to 8.5 percent, more than doubling in two years. Liquidity was being injected into the market at a much faster pace. History shows that housing booms have consistently coincided with rising M2 growth. In 2006, when prices jumped about 24 percent, M2 growth reached 8.3 percent. In 2021, when prices rose nearly 20 percent, it climbed to 11.7 percent. Similar regulatory regimes were in place at the time. Under former President Roh Moo-hyun, the government strengthened comprehensive real estate taxes and introduced the reconstruction excess profit restitution system. During the Moon Jae-in administration, speculative zones and tighter mortgage limits became the policy centerpiece. Abundant liquidity tends to push down interest rates and inflate asset prices. When strict regulations collide with shrinking supply, competition for remaining inventory intensifies, driving prices even higher. Liquidity debate After the Jan. 15 Monetary Policy Committee meeting, Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong argued that M2 growth excluding securities was only 4.74 percent in 2025, saying the money supply had not increased significantly. However, data suggests that a large portion of liquidity entered the housing market through stock gains. According to documents submitted to Rep. Kim Jong-yang’s office on Feb. 10, more than 2 trillion won in stock profits was used for home purchases in the second half of last year alone. This weakens the rationale for excluding securities from liquidity assessments. Need for liquidity management and tax reform Financial authorities acknowledge the importance of liquidity control. Explaining the rate freeze on Jan. 15, Rhee noted that “abundant liquidity acts as a driver for rising asset prices,” implicitly recognizing its role in real estate inflation. Experts also warn that tax policies can backfire. “Holding taxes can reinforce the perception of property as a premium asset, while high transaction taxes discourage selling,” said a real estate research institute official, adding that taxes ultimately become part of a home’s price tag. Supply is key — but no quick fix The most effective long-term solution remains boosting supply. On Jan. 29, the government announced plans to prioritize 60,000 units in Seoul and surrounding areas. Yet few expect immediate relief. “Construction will not begin until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest, so it will take time for supply to reach the market,” said Lee Chang-moo, a professor at Hanyang University. “These measures should be viewed from a mid- to long-term perspective.” A similar lag occurred under the Roh administration, when new towns such as Pangyo, Dongtan and Gwanggyo were planned. Although roughly 300,000 units were announced, large-scale move-ins did not begin until 2009, after Roh left office. Experts say today’s policies should be judged in the same way — not by short-term price movements, but by whether they ultimately correct the structural imbalance between supply, liquidity and demand. 2026-02-19 17:49:09
  • Naver Pay payment outage resolved after 3.5 hours; cause under review
    Naver Pay payment outage resolved after 3.5 hours; cause under review Naver Pay said its payment service was restored about 3 hours and 30 minutes after an outage disrupted transactions. The company said it does not believe the problem was caused by an external factor such as hacking, but added that it is still investigating the exact cause. Naver Pay said an error occurred in its payment system at about 12 p.m. on the 19th and that it completed an emergency restoration at about 3:30 p.m. The outage temporarily halted services including checking and using points for payment on order forms, viewing payment and event history, using points and money for in-person payments, and Pay Money Card payments. A Naver Pay official said the disruption was not believed to be linked to external intrusion or hacking and was presumed to have stemmed from an internal issue, adding that the company was still confirming the circumstances behind the incident.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 17:36:00
  • Lingering chill gives way to spring
    Lingering chill gives way to spring SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Morning temperatures still remained low across most parts of the country on Thursday, which marks "Woosoo" on the lunar calendar, a seasonal term that literally means the time when snow melts and turns to rain. Despite the lingering winter chill, the first harbingers of spring have begun to appear on the southern resort island of Jeju, with canola flowers coming into bloom. The sweeping fields of canola in Seogwipo are heralding the arrival of spring. 2026-02-19 17:35:34
  • KOSPIs star winners show why Seoul market shines in the AI transition
    KOSPI's star winners show why Seoul market shines in the AI transition SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) — South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI has emerged as the world’s best-performing major equity index so far in 2026, extending a record-breaking rally and decisively shaking off the long-standing “Korea discount.” The index has more than doubled since the end of 2024, rising nearly 34 percent this year alone after a 75.6 percent surge in 2025. No other major global benchmark has matched its year-to-date performance, reflecting a structural re-rating of Korean equities rather than a temporary rebound. Market analysts say the rally is being driven by Korea’s growing role at the core of the global artificial intelligence supply chain — from memory chips powering hyperscale data centers to power and grid equipment needed to support soaring electricity demand. With the index advancing steadily toward the symbolic 6,000 level, most major winners are concentrated in sectors benefiting from the AI investment cycle. Power equipment leads the rally Among the standout performers is HD Hyundai Electric, whose shares have surged about 5,300 percent over the past five years. The rally has been fueled by a global supercycle in power infrastructure, driven by massive investment in transmission networks and substations to support data centers and electrification. Last year, the company posted revenue of 4.08 trillion won, up 22.8 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit jumped 48.8 percent to 995.3 billion won. Yoo Jae-sun, an analyst at Hana Securities, said the company’s product mix is strengthening earnings. “High-margin power distribution products centered on ultra-high-voltage equipment are being added to the portfolio, which should make a meaningful contribution to profits,” Yoo said. Overseas markets have been the main growth engine. North American revenue rose 29.7 percent last year to account for 47 percent of total sales, while European revenue climbed 38.3 percent to exceed 10 percent. Shares have gained more than 13 percent over the past month and were trading up 2 percent at 968,000 won on Thursday afternoon. Semiconductors ride the AI supercycle Chipmakers are also benefiting from sustained global demand for AI hardware. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index remains near record territory, reinforcing confidence in the sector. Son Ik-jun of Heungkuk Securities expects the upcycle to persist. “The supply shortage of DRAM and NAND is likely to continue through 2027,” Son said. “Combined operating profit at major memory makers could reach 36.2 trillion won in 2026 and 46.9 trillion won in 2027.” Against this backdrop, Samsung Electronics has climbed sharply over the past year, rising from around 50,000 won to above 170,000 won as AI-driven chip demand accelerates. The rebound has been supported by rising DRAM and NAND prices since late 2024, improving margins and a turnaround in quarterly earnings. The stock was up 4.25 percent at 188,900 won on Thursday. Nomura Securities recently raised its target price for Samsung to 290,000 won, citing signs that the company is regaining leadership in the memory market. SK hynix has also advanced, supported by strong demand for high-bandwidth memory used in Nvidia’s AI accelerators. Shares rose 1.99 percent to 897,500 won. Over five years, SK hynix has gained 561.6 percent, while Samsung is up 115.2 percent, reflecting the memory supercycle and the rapid expansion of AI-related workloads. Long-term winners broaden Five-year performance data point to a broader multi-year upcycle across Korean industries. As of Feb. 13, 2026, Isu Petasys led long-term gainers with a 3,379 percent rise, followed by Hyosung Heavy Industries (2,645 percent) and Hanwha Aerospace (2,464 percent). HD Hyundai Marine Engine and Doosan Enerbility also delivered strong gains of 2,308 percent and 696 percent, respectively. Isu Petasys has benefited from rising demand for high-layer printed circuit boards used in AI servers, high-performance computing systems and advanced networking equipment. Brokerages including Meritz and SK Securities have raised target prices, citing its growing role in advanced packaging and TPU-related supply chains. Strong performance has not been limited to technology. Industrial and defense-related names have also outperformed amid shifting geopolitical and security conditions. Hanwha Ocean has risen 379 percent over five years, supported by rising global defense spending and stronger shipbuilding demand. Shipbuilding, aerospace and heavy machinery firms have benefited from expanding export orders and government-backed investment programs linked to security and energy infrastructure. Analysts say the KOSPI’s strong showing reflects more than cyclical recovery. After years of underperformance due to governance concerns, geopolitical risk and weak valuations, Korea’s equity market is undergoing a structural re-rating as global investors reassess its position in the AI-driven economy. Korean companies now occupy critical positions in memory chips, advanced components, power equipment and industrial systems — industries that form the backbone of the AI ecosystem. As global investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to accelerate, Korea’s equity market is adjusting in parallel. Market participants say the rally increasingly reflects long-term competitiveness rather than short-term speculation, positioning the KOSPI as a leading global benchmark in the AI era. 2026-02-19 17:16:26
  • Hanwha Ocean Signs Canada Shipyard, College Deals to Expand Naval, Workforce Ties
    Hanwha Ocean Signs Canada Shipyard, College Deals to Expand Naval, Workforce Ties Hanwha Ocean said it has set up a cooperation framework with Canada’s Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College to help strengthen Canada’s shipbuilding competitiveness and train skilled workers. The company said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Ontario Shipyards in Toronto on Feb. 18 for strategic cooperation. It also signed a three-way strategic cooperation letter of intent with Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College. Canadian members of Parliament Aslam Rana, Chris Bittle, John Paul Danko and Shima Akan attended the event, the company said, welcoming closer shipbuilding and naval-industry cooperation between Canada and South Korea. Under the MOU, Hanwha Ocean will provide Ontario Shipyards with ship design and engineering advice, production planning and process management support, help building quality-control systems, and advanced processes based on smart-shipyard technology. Hanwha Ocean said the goal is to gradually rebuild Ontario’s large-vessel construction capability and support Canada’s long-term naval industrial base. The companies said they will pursue cooperation with an eye on future Canadian Navy projects, including the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. Hanwha Ocean said it will provide technical support starting in the preparation stage, including design work, for ships Ontario Shipyards will begin building this year. Hanwha Ocean also said it will work with Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College to establish a “shipbuilding workforce training hub” at the shipyard. The company said the hub will be tied to the shipyard’s 10- to 15-year expansion and modernization plan and will train key skilled workers in areas including welding, fabrication, marine machinery, electrical work, robotics and nondestructive testing. The three organizations said they plan to move forward in stages, including building an integrated training campus at Ontario Shipyards, developing industry-led advanced training programs, setting up a workforce development system aligned with production and expansion plans, and jointly identifying applied research projects using technologies such as virtual reality, robotics and digital twins. Shaun Padulo, CEO of Ontario Shipyards, said the shipyard is playing a leading role in rebuilding large-ship construction capability in Ontario. “Through our partnership with Hanwha Ocean, we will accelerate the rebuilding of shipbuilding capacity, the creation of high-quality jobs, and the strengthening of the marine and defense industrial base in Ontario and Canada,” he said. Kim Hee-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Ocean, said the two agreements “are about the future of Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards” and will deepen friendship between Canada and South Korea. He said the company will “firmly build the foundation” for the successful execution of Canadian Navy projects, including the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 16:51:00
  • Olympic Halfpipe Gold Medalist Choi Ga-on Diagnosed With Three Fractures
    Olympic Halfpipe Gold Medalist Choi Ga-on Diagnosed With Three Fractures Choi Ga-on of Sewha High School, who won South Korea’s first Olympic gold medal in snow sports, has been diagnosed with three fractures. Choi posted a hospital exam photo on Instagram on Feb. 19 (Korea time) with the words “3 fractures.” The results appear to show fractures in three places. Choi won gold in the women’s snowboard halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, scoring 90.25 at Livigno Snow Park in Italy early on Feb. 13. She was injured on her first run, catching an edge on the lip of the slope during a landing after her second jump and taking a hard fall. She stayed down for an extended time, prompting medical staff to enter. On her second run, she slipped again and did not score. She rallied on her third run to complete a comeback, beating Chloe Kim of the United States, who had led through two runs with 88.00. After winning gold, Choi said, “I tried to move my foot by putting strength from my toes,” adding, “I’m glad I was able to come down and compete again.” Choi said upon returning to South Korea through Incheon International Airport on Feb. 16 that her knee had improved significantly, but she later disclosed the exam results on Instagram, writing that she had “three fractures.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 16:33:00
  • Korean president flags plan to move HMM to Busan soon
    Korean president flags plan to move HMM to Busan "soon" SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) -The proposed relocation of South Korea’s flagship shipping line HMM to Busan has returned to the spotlight after President Lee Jae Myung reiterated his commitment to the plan despite continued employee opposition. Lee wrote on social media platform X on Thursday that HMM would relocate to Busan “soon,” following the establishment of a maritime court and a state-backed investment corporation focused on Southeast Asian shipping routes. The move forms part of his broader pledge to turn the country’s second-largest city into a regional maritime hub. He also reposted an earlier roadmap by former oceans minister Chung Jae-woo, who is widely rumored to be preparing a run for the Busan mayoral race in June. Relocating HMM’s headquarters from Yeouido in western Seoul to Busan was one of Lee’s major campaign pledges. Although HMM is publicly traded, it remains heavily influenced by the state after receiving government support during the prolonged shipping downturn in the late 2010s. As of Thursday, government-affiliated entities controlled about 77 percent of its shares, including 35.42 percent held by Korea Development Bank, 35.08 percent by Korea Ocean Business Corporation, and 6.51 percent by the National Pension Service. HMM was effectively nationalized in 2016 after its former rival Hanjin Shipping collapsed and entered court receivership. The company returned to profitability in 2020, and privatization efforts began in 2023, but have yet to yield results. Given the government’s dominant stake, industry observers say the relocation could be pushed through if formally raised at a shareholders’ meeting. HMM’s articles of incorporation currently designate Seoul as its headquarters. Any relocation would require a revision approved by a two-thirds majority of attending shareholders at a general meeting. With government-related institutions holding nearly 70 percent of shares, approval would be likely if the agenda is submitted. According to investment banking sources, there are no clear signs yet that the board plans to place a charter revision on the agenda for the March shareholders’ meeting. However, an extraordinary board meeting could still be convened in late February or early March to do so. HMM’s land-based labor union has strongly opposed any relocation without prior consultation, warning of possible collective action. The union argues that moving the headquarters ahead of local elections, without sufficient review of operational efficiency and employee impact, would be unreasonable. About 800 employees currently work at the Yeouido headquarters. With amendments to labor laws scheduled to take effect in March, the possibility of large-scale strikes remains. Supporters argue that relocating HMM would strengthen Busan’s role as a maritime cluster and improve policy coordination among shipping firms, ports and regulators. Busan Port handled 22.95 million TEUs in 2023, ranking sixth globally. Critics counter that Seoul’s financial infrastructure and talent pool are essential for attracting high-value cargo and managing global networks. They point out that Maersk, the world’s second-largest shipping company, is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark’s political and financial center. As of the end of last year, more than 1,000 of HMM’s 1,824 employees were based in Seoul, mainly in management, sales and accounting. Shares of HMM ended Thursday up 5.83 percent at 22,700 won. 2026-02-19 16:32:42
  • Impeached ex-president sentenced to life behind bars
    Impeached ex-president sentenced to life behind bars SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday on charges of insurrection and abuse of power over his botched martial law debacle in 2024. In a nationally televised trial, the Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, lighter than the death penalty prosecutors had sought at Yoon's final hearing last month. The court found Yoon guilty of resorting to declare martial law, which it deemed an act of insurrection in violation of the Constitution, ruling that his actions "fundamentally undermined the core values of democracy" and were "highly blameworthy." The court also pointed out that Yoon had sought to cripple the National Assembly by mobilizing police and military troops, severely damaging political neutrality, while South Korea's international credibility took a sharp hit, leaving society deeply divided. The court also cited the enormous social costs of the fallout, from a new presidential election to large-scale investigations and trials, saying the full extent of the damage could not be calculated. The court said a heavy sentence was unavoidable for Yoon, given that he had taken the lead in orchestrating the debacle and shown no remorse. However it considered some mitigating factors that the bid was short-lived, poorly executed, and that he had no prior criminal record. Yoon was ousted from the presidency on April 4 last year after the Constitutional Court of Korea unanimously upheld his impeachment. Yoon was already sentenced to five years in prison last month in a separate trial for one of several charges related to the debacle. Thursday's trial was held in the same courtroom where former strongman Chun Doo-hwan stood trial in 1996 after being convicted of treason. The putschist was sentenced to death but was pardoned the following year. Chun seized power in a military coup in 1979 and ruled with an iron fist from 1980 until he stepped down in 1987 amid mass pro-democracy demonstrations. He died in November 2021 after suffering from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his involvement in the debacle, while four other former military and police officials received sentences ranging from three to 18 years. 2026-02-19 16:30:53
  • BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Tops Spotify Countdown Charts Global for Fifth Straight Week
    BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Tops Spotify Countdown Charts Global for Fifth Straight Week BTS’ fifth full-length album, ‘ARIRANG,’ ranked No. 1 on Spotify’s ‘Countdown Charts Global’ for the Feb. 18 chart, extending its run at the top to five straight weeks. The album first reached No. 1 on the Jan. 21 chart and has held the spot since. The chart tracks pre-save totals for albums and singles, a metric widely used to gauge global listener anticipation ahead of release. ‘ARIRANG’ has surpassed 3.45 million pre-saves on Spotify, drawing attention to how it will perform after it is released. BTS will release ‘ARIRANG’ at 1 p.m. on March 20. The next day, the group will hold ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG’ around Gwanghwamun Square, with the performance livestreamed on Netflix. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 16:16:02