Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Genesis Extends PGA Tour Genesis Invitational Title Sponsorship Through 2030 Genesis will remain the title sponsor of the PGA Tour tournament the Genesis Invitational through 2030. Genesis said it held a contract-signing ceremony on Feb. 17 (local time) at Riviera Country Club in California with the PGA Tour and the Tiger Woods Foundation, extending the title sponsorship through 2030. Attendees included PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp; Tiger Woods, whose foundation runs the event; Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun; Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon; Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz; North America chief Randy Parker; and Genesis head Lee Si-hyuk, among others. The Genesis Invitational traces its roots to the LA Open, founded in 1926, and marks 100 years of history this year. The PGA Tour event has been tied to milestones such as Jack Nicklaus’ pro debut and Woods’ first PGA Tour appearance. Genesis became title sponsor in 2017, when the tournament was known as the Genesis Open, and continued through its elevation to the Genesis Invitational in 2020. “PGA Tour is proud that Genesis has continued to support the Genesis Invitational, where the world’s best players compete,” Rolapp said. Woods said the partnership with Genesis “was an opportunity to find new ways to grow the tournament,” adding that he appreciated the company’s continued interest and support for both the event and the Tiger Woods Foundation. Chung said it was meaningful to expand the partnership with the PGA Tour, Woods and the Tiger Woods Foundation and to continue sponsoring the tournament through 2030. He called the century-old event a symbol of golf’s tradition and heritage and said it also reflects Genesis values of authenticity, respect and excellence. He added that the milestone would help partners carry on the tournament’s legacy and contribute to creating value for local communities and future generations beyond golf. Genesis has been expanding its global golf sponsorships, including a deal signed in May last year with the PGA Tour through 2030 as its first official automotive sponsor, and an extension in July last year of its title sponsorship of the Genesis Scottish Open through 2030. The 2026 Genesis Invitational, the first held after the renewal, will be played Feb. 19-22 (local time) at Riviera Country Club, which also marks its 100th anniversary this year. The total purse is $20 million; the winner will receive $3.5 million and a GV80 Coupe Black model. Genesis said it plans to display 18 vehicles at key locations such as the Genesis Lounge and Genesis Skybox, including the GV60 Magma model, the X Gran Equator concept, the Electrified GV70 model and the GV80 Coupe, to showcase its products to spectators and TV viewers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 09:36:00 -
South Korea’s Lee Hae-in sets season best in Olympic short program debut South Korean figure skater Lee Hae-in (Korea University) set a season-best score in the short program at her first Winter Olympics, saying she handled the moment despite nerves. Competing at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy on Feb. 18 (Korea time), Lee scored 70.07 points in the women’s singles short program, with 37.61 in technical elements (TES) and 32.46 in program components (PCS). She improved her previous season best of 67.06 by 3.01 points and secured a spot in the free skate. “Up until yesterday, I thought I wouldn’t be nervous, but that wasn’t the case,” Lee said. “Even while nervous, I focused more on the feeling of my feet on the ice. I don’t think I made any big mistakes, so I think I did well.” She said she was disappointed she could not fully show a transition she had practiced after her first triple combination jump because her blade caught in the ice on the landing. Lee said she was pleased to see the season-best mark. “I want to praise myself for trying to earn points on every element,” she said. “I was happy when the score came up and it was a season best.” Looking ahead to the free skate, Lee said she needs to pay closer attention to every element. “Since there were parts that felt lacking today, I’ll show everything I prepared in the free skate without leaving anything out,” she said, adding that while there are more elements to focus on and she expects to be nervous, she hopes to enjoy it more.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 07:39:00 -
South Korea’s Kim Jin-su 13th, Seok Young-jin 19th in Olympic two-man bobsled South Korea’s men’s two-man bobsled teams led by Kim Jin-su and Seok Young-jin finished outside the top 10 at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Pilot Kim Jin-su and brakeman Kim Hyeong-geun, both of Gangwon Provincial Office, placed 13th with a four-run total of 3 minutes, 43.60 seconds at the Cortina Sliding Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Kim’s sled was 12th among 26 teams after the first two runs in 1:51.69, but slipped a spot after a 55.90 in Run 3. The team posted 56.01 in the final run to finish 13th. Kim had been fifth-fastest in Run 1 at 55.53. Seok Young-jin, also of Gangwon Provincial Office, and brakeman Chae Byeong-do of Catholic Kwandong University finished 19th in 3:44.61. Both teams will also compete in the men’s four-man event Feb. 21-22. Kim’s crew will add Lee Geon-woo and Kim Seon-uk of the Gangwon Federation, while Seok’s team will be joined by Lee Do-yoon of Korea National Sport University and Jeon Su-hyeon of the Gangwon Federation. Germany swept the men’s two-man medals again, as it did at the 2022 Beijing Games. Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer won gold in 3:39.70. Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schueller took silver in 3:41.04, and Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller won bronze in 3:41.52. Friedrich, who won this event at Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022, fell short in his bid for a third straight two-man title and will try for gold again in the four-man race.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 07:18:00 -
BTS’ J-Hope: Main Dancer Who Built a Distinct Solo Career With BTS set to return as a group in March, anticipation is building worldwide. The comeback news, carried by Arirang, along with plans for a world tour, is prompting immediate reactions beyond the music industry, including in tourism and broader local economies. BTS is seen as both a force with global economic impact and a symbolic name that elevates South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is profiling the seven members in a “BTS Member Spotlight” series. <Editor’s note> J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, serves as BTS’ main dancer as well as a sub-rapper and sub-vocalist. Onstage, he is known for driving the rhythm early and anchoring the choreography. Choreographers and fellow members have cited him as the group’s top dancer. Since his trainee days, he has helped lead the members’ dance practice and is known for mastering difficult moves quickly, a responsibility that remains central to the group’s performances. Though he started as a dancer, his growth as a rapper has also stood out. He learned rap after joining the company and has shown clear progress with each album. Early tracks such as “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” from “DARK & WILD” and “BTS Cypher pt.1” from “O!RUL8,2?” captured a rougher energy, while “Moving” from “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt.1” showed a smoother tone and flow. His rap is marked by wide shifts in pitch and a distinctive flow, heard in songs including “Save ME,” “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” and “BTS Cypher 4.” His presence is also felt in vocal parts. His solo track “MAMA,” included on the second full-length album “WINGS,” foregrounded his personal story in a confession to his mother. He has delivered standout moments in songs such as “AWAKE” and “Whalien 52.” RM has praised him, saying he has “an excellent sense for creating popular melodies,” a line often cited to describe J-Hope’s musical instincts. J-Hope began moving as a creator relatively early. In December 2015, he released his first track, “1 VERSE,” signaling the start of more personal work. He followed with his first mixtape, “Hope World,” in March 2018. Its title track, “Daydream,” highlighted his bright energy and color, marking a shift from performer to an artist shaping his own world. That expansion continued with “Chicken Noodle Soup,” released in September 2019. The song borrowed the original chorus and drew attention through a collaboration with Becky G, gaining mainstream traction as a TikTok challenge spread. In 2022, he released his first official solo album, “Jack In The Box,” presenting a darker inner world and personal 고민 at the forefront. In March 2023, he released “on the street,” a warmer, lo-fi hip-hop track built around hope and comfort. Using the street as a motif, it looked back on his beginnings and the time since, with J-Hope participating in writing and composing to set the direction. The song reached No. 1 on iTunes in multiple regions and entered the U.K. Official Singles Chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, underscoring his presence as a solo artist. On Spotify, it has continued to accumulate streams over time. In 2024, he broadened the “street” theme again with the special album “HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1,” tied to a documentary project. In March 2025, he released “Sweet Dreams,” an R&B-leaning love song centered on a dreamy sound and soft vocal lines, described as a signal of full-scale solo activity after his discharge. Later that March, “MONA LISA” paired hip-hop R&B with a more relaxed vibe and performance, carrying a message about each person’s uniqueness rather than outward beauty. In June, “Killin’ It Girl” pushed a more direct hip-hop track and stronger performance. He took part in the production of these releases as well, reinforcing his identity as a solo artist. Onstage, J-Hope remains a dancer who holds the group’s center. He is especially strong in choreography that demands technique, including “technical wave” and popping, and he also stands out in freestyle. His past experience as a street dancer still shows in his performances. His opening freestyle in stages such as “MIC DROP” is often cited as a signature moment. Known for bright energy and a diligent approach, J-Hope is an artist who helps lift the group’s mood while shaping both performance and music. Within BTS, he has long been the one to raise the temperature of the stage first. His solo work has shown that role extends beyond the group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 06:03:00 -
Lee Hae-in, Shin Jia Advance to Women’s Free Skate at 2026 Milan Olympics Lee Hae-in of Korea University and Shin Jia of Sewha Girls’ High School both qualified for the free skate in the women’s singles at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. Lee scored 70.07 points in the short program at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 18 Korean time, earning 37.61 in technical elements (TES) and 32.46 in program components (PCS). It was her season-best short-program score, and she stood second in the interim standings after 17 skaters across three groups had performed. Skating to Christopher Tin’s “Siren,” Lee opened with a clean triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, then landed a double Axel and a triple flip. She received level 4 on the flying camel spin, sit spin, change-foot combination spin and step sequence. Shin totaled 65.66 points (TES 35.79, PCS 30.87) to advance. Skating to Chopin’s “Nocturne,” she fell on her triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination. She later completed a double Axel and a triple flip, and earned level 4 on the flying camel spin, change-foot combination spin and step sequence. Her final layback spin was graded level 3. A total of 29 skaters competed in the women’s short program, with the top 24 advancing to the free skate, scheduled for Feb. 20.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 05:54:00 -
Albania’s Lara Colturi, Once ‘in the Womb’ at Turin Games, Races at Milan-Cortina Some athletes have experienced both the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, returning to the same stage 20 years later. Among them are American ski star Lindsey Vonn and Italian short-track standout Arianna Fontana. Another athlete has an unusual link to both Games: Albanian alpine skier Lara Colturi. Born in November 2006, Colturi was already at the Turin Olympics — in her mother’s womb. Her mother, Daniela Ceccarelli, competed for Italy in alpine skiing at the time. Colturi raced in the women’s giant slalom on Feb. 15 (Korean time) at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, clocking 1 minute, 3.97 seconds to finish in a tie for fourth. She narrowly missed the medals. In an interview with the Olympic Channel, Colturi said, “Except for the Olympics I attended while in my mother’s belly, this is my first Olympics,” adding, “Until now I lived as Ceccarelli’s daughter, but now I feel like I’ve truly become an Olympian.” She added, “I want a better result in slalom,” and said she hopes to “make new history as Albania’s first Winter Olympic medalist.” Ceccarelli won gold in the women’s super-G at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. At the 2006 Turin Games, she competed despite being pregnant and dealing with a knee injury. Colturi switched her sporting nationality to Albania to train in a more independent environment. Coached by her mother, she made her International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) World Cup debut in 2022 at age 15 and is now competing on the Olympic stage.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 04:33:00 -
Korea Sports Council Holds Lunar New Year ‘Korea Day’ Event in Milan The Korea Sports Council held a Lunar New Year “Korea Day” event in Milan, Italy, where the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics are being staged. The council said it ran a hands-on program Feb. 17 (local time) at Korea House set up at Villa Necchi Campiglio, introducing Korean holiday traditions to local residents and Koreans living in the area. The event included traditional folk games such as jegichagi, along with a K-pop cover dance performance and a stage by the Jeonbuk State Gugak Center. Participants also shared tteokguk, a rice-cake soup commonly eaten for the holiday. About 100 people attended, including Kim Jun-gu, South Korea’s ambassador to Italy; Choi Tae-ho, consul general in Milan; and Noh Hee-young, head of the Korea House support team.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 02:15:00 -
South Korea women fall 7-5 to top-ranked Switzerland in Olympic curling round-robin South Korea’s women’s curling team lost 7-5 to world No. 1 Switzerland in Olympic round-robin play, tightening the race for a spot in the semifinals. World No. 3 South Korea — skip Kim Eun-ji, third Kim Min-ji, second Seol Ye-ji, lead Seol Ye-eun and alternate Kim Su-ji — fell in its seventh round-robin game at the Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb. 18 (Korea time). South Korea dropped into a tie for fourth at 4-3 with Canada. Sweden led at 6-1, followed by Switzerland and the United States at 5-2. South Korea had been tied for second a day earlier. The teams were even early after South Korea scored first in the opening end, but Switzerland seized momentum with three points in the second. The match stayed close through the middle ends as the teams traded single points. Switzerland pulled away in the ninth with a double takeout that produced two points. South Korea tried to set up a big final end but could not score enough in the 10th to complete the comeback. In women’s curling, 10 teams play a round-robin, with the top four advancing to the semifinals and a medal-round bracket. South Korea next faces Sweden on Feb. 18 and then Canada on Feb. 19.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 01:39:00 -
Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final With Yoo Seung-eun Postponed to Feb. 18 at Milan Olympics The women’s snowboard slopestyle final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics was postponed for a day because of heavy snow. The organizing committee said on Feb. 17 (local time) that worsening weather forced it to delay the final, now set for Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m. local time (10:30 p.m. in South Korea). The event had been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 17 at Livigno Snow Park, but heavy snowfall in the Alps prompted a change. The organizers and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation said snow made it difficult to maintain visibility and speed, complicating safe operations. The men’s slopestyle final, originally set for 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, was moved up to 11:20 a.m., followed by the women’s final. South Korea’s Yoo Seung-eun of Seongbok High School will compete in the women’s final after placing third in qualifying with 76.8 points. Yoo earlier won bronze in women’s big air, becoming the first South Korean woman to medal in Olympic snowboarding. She will try to win a second medal in slopestyle. Slopestyle is judged on difficulty and execution as riders navigate a course featuring rails, jumps and other obstacles. In nearby Aerial Moguls Park, freestyle skiing aerials qualifying for both men and women was also postponed because of heavy snow. The women’s event is scheduled for Feb. 18, and the men’s for Feb. 19, with qualifying and finals to be held on the same day for each.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 01:02:59 -
Eileen Gu Wins Big Air Silver for Fifth Career Olympic Medal Eileen Gu of China, one of the biggest stars heading into the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, added a milestone even without gold: She became the first woman in freestyle skiing to win five career Olympic medals. Gu scored 179 points to take silver in the women’s freestyle skiing big air final at Livigno Snow Park in Italy on Feb. 17 (Korean time). Canada’s Megan Oldham won gold with 180.75. “I’m really proud to have won five medals. It feels special,” Gu said afterward. Gu was the inaugural Olympic champion in women’s big air when the event debuted at the 2022 Beijing Games, but she fell short of a second straight title this time. After winning two golds and a silver in Beijing, she has two silvers so far at this Olympics with two of three events completed. Born to an American father and a Chinese mother, Gu competes for China and is known as the highest-earning athlete in the field over the past year. Forbes estimated her annual income at $23 million. The final was delayed by more than an hour because of heavy snow. In the last practice run, Gu hit her head hard enough to break her helmet. “I’m glad the competition was delayed. I had time to calm down while icing my head,” she said. “If it hadn’t been postponed, I don’t think I would have gotten this kind of result.” With the silver, Gu now has two golds and three silvers in her Olympic career. That ties Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury for the most Olympic medals in freestyle skiing and gives Gu the outright women’s record. Gu will compete in the halfpipe starting Feb. 20, seeking another medal and aiming for a second straight Olympic title in that event after Beijing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 00:54:00