Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Chef Lim Seong-geun Says He Is Preparing to Open a Restaurant After DUI Controversy Chef Lim Seong-geun, who has faced controversy after details of multiple drunk-driving offenses became public, shared an update on his life. Lim wrote on social media on Thursday, "I’ve been wondering how you’ve been," adding, "I’m currently spending my time preparing to open a restaurant, which is my main line of work." He said that once preparations are finished, he will be ready to welcome visitors "without 부담" and serve "a warm meal" and food he has made with care. He ended the post by wishing people a happy Lunar New Year holiday and good health. Lim has halted all broadcast activities after reports revealed four drunk-driving incidents, as well as convictions for driving without a license and assault causing injury. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 14:36:00 -
Seollal in motion: More opt to travel, but tradition lives on SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - On a quiet winter morning, the scent of beef broth fills Korean homes. A carefully arranged table is set before elders. Children bow deeply, offering New Year’s greetings — “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo,” or “May you receive many blessings in the new year.” With a bowl of tteokguk, rice cake soup, another year of life officially begins. That is Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year. Observed on the first day of the lunar calendar, Seollal is one of the country’s most important traditional holidays. The official break typically runs for at least three days, during which families reunite to mark the beginning of the year. While often compared to Thanksgiving in the United States or Lunar New Year celebrations in China, Seollal is distinctive in its emphasis on ancestral rites performed within the home. On the morning of Seollal, many families hold charye, a memorial ritual honoring ancestors. Younger family members perform sebae, a formal bow to elders, who in return offer words of blessing and small cash gifts known as sebaetdon. These customs reinforce intergenerational respect and a sense of family continuity. At the center of the holiday meal is tteokguk. The white rice cake soup symbolizes renewal and purity, while its long, thin slices are traditionally associated with longevity. A common saying holds that one must eat tteokguk to “become a year older.” Although the clear-broth version is the most widely known, regional variations abound — from the oval-shaped rice cakes of Gaeseong-style soup to oyster-based versions in southeastern regions and dumpling-filled broths in Gangwon Province. After the rituals and meals, families often turn to traditional games. The most familiar is yutnori, a board game played by tossing four wooden sticks and moving tokens based on the result. Its simple rules allow children and grandparents alike to join in. In the past, Seollal also featured outdoor folk games such as jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), kite flying, spinning tops, tuho (throwing arrows into a container), and neolttwigi (a seesaw-like jumping game). In today’s urban neighborhoods, many of these activities are more commonly seen at cultural festivals or school programs. A Nation on the Move Seollal is also marked by one of the largest annual movements of people in South Korea. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, about 27.8 million trips are projected during the 2026 holiday period. While this is lower than the 32.07 million recorded in 2025, the decline largely reflects a shorter break — four days this year compared with six last year. On a daily basis, travel intensity is expected to rise, averaging 8.34 million people per day, up from 7.63 million the previous year. Highway traffic is forecast to peak at 6.15 million vehicles on Seollal itself, as travel compresses into a narrower time window. The concentration highlights how the structure of the holiday calendar shapes nationwide mobility patterns. At the same time, the meaning of Seollal has evolved. A recent survey found that 31.4 percent of respondents plan to travel during the holiday, with most choosing domestic destinations. While visiting one’s hometown was once the central obligation of the season, leisure travel is increasingly becoming part of the celebration. Smaller family sizes, changing work patterns and shifting social expectations have also altered how households observe the holiday. Some families shorten visits, rotate gatherings, or replace formal rituals with simpler meals. Yet even as formats change, certain symbols endure. The deep bow. The shared meal. The steaming bowl of tteokguk on a winter morning. These remain constant. 2026-02-13 14:34:19 -
'A Man Living With the King' Tops Box Office Ahead of Holiday; 'Humint' No. 2 "A Man Living With the King," which drew 1 million moviegoers in its first five days, has climbed to No. 1 at the box office. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, the film drew 83,919 viewers on Wednesday, bringing its cumulative total to 1,365,906 and putting it atop the overall box office. It also led all films in advance ticket sales and is holding a 97% score on CGV’s Golden Egg Index. Set in 1457 in Cheongnyeongpo, the film follows a village chief who volunteers to live in exile to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile after being driven from the throne. The movie is drawing attention as the first South Korean film to bring a little-known story about King Danjong to the screen. Ryu Seung-wan’s "Humint" ranked No. 2 over the same period, with 81,189 admissions and a cumulative total of 212,817. The title refers to intelligence work using human networks — in other words, informants. Set in Vladivostok, where secrets and truths alike are buried in an icy sea, the film centers on people with different aims who collide. It stars Jo In Sung, Park Jeong Min, Shin Se Kyung and Park Hae Joon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 14:24:00 -
South Korean lawmaker to host forum on adding handball to Sports Toto betting program Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Cho Kye Won, a member of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, will host a forum on adding handball to Sports Toto and pursuing sport-specific reforms at 10 a.m. on the 24th at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, Room 1. The forum is intended to explore government-level institutional support to help handball — once a standout at the Olympics and other international competitions — and other less-popular sports regain competitiveness and build a self-sustaining ecosystem. Organizers plan to focus on adding handball as a new event to Sports Toto (the sports promotion lottery), aiming to boost public interest and diversify funding that has largely depended on government budgets and corporate sponsorships. The discussion will also examine ways to develop the sport into an industry, similar to baseball and soccer. The event is co-hosted by Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Chairman Kim Kyo Heung, committee secretary Lim Oh Kyung, and lawmakers Min Hyung Bae, Park Soo Hyun and Yang Moon Seok, along with Education Committee lawmaker Kim Moon Soo. Cho is scheduled to deliver congratulatory remarks on securing the survival and public role of less-popular sports. Lim will lead discussions on policy and institutional reforms centered on the realities of the sports field. Presentations will cover “Korean handball’s past and present” and “self-help efforts in the handball community, including the H League.” Professor Kim Dae Hee of Pukyong National University is set to propose a development model for less-popular sports that combines corporate investment with government policy support, under the theme “A Korean-style sustainable sports model and the government’s role.” “Even though handball has produced the best results among Olympic ball sports, it has long faced the limits of being a less-popular sport, so it needs to be included in Sports Toto to secure stable funding and broaden its base,” Cho said. “We must build a structure that allows handball to move beyond simply maintaining the status quo and to become industrially self-reliant and grow sustainably.” Lim said handball “has history and commercial appeal, is a major Olympic sport, and as a team sport best fits the fair and transparent operation of the sports promotion lottery,” adding that its inclusion in Sports Toto should be actively reviewed. The forum is expected to draw Democratic Party lawmakers on the committee, officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, as well as representatives from the Korea Handball Association and the Korea Handball Federation, coaches and athletes. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 14:21:00 -
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Pays Up to 12 Million Won in Bonuses to Partner Firms HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it has paid what it described as the shipbuilding industry’s largest performance bonuses to its in-house partner firms. The company said Friday it paid up to 12 million won per person, including a 500,000-won holiday travel stipend, to workers at those partner firms. HD Hyundai Heavy said it expanded this year’s bonus program to share management results and narrow gaps with partner firms. The total payout exceeds 200 billion won. The company said it has continued bonus support for partner firms even during periods of weak industry conditions. It also said it is the only shipbuilder to provide holiday travel stipends to partner-firm employees and to offer free meals. It added that it runs other benefits programs for those workers, including education support. “Partner firms are companions who build shipbuilding competitiveness with us,” a company official said. “We will continue to expand practical, mutually beneficial measures that can be felt on the ground.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 14:12:51 -
South Korea vows swift action to prevent drone incursions into North Korea SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - South Korea on Friday vowed to take "immediate action" to prevent a recurrence of drone incursions into North Korea. "We will immediately implement measures to prevent similar cases from happening again," Unification Ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho said in a regular press briefing. The remarks came several hours later in response to a request earlier in the day by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The ministry seems to interpret Kim's statement as a positive sign, as Yoon highlighted the North's emphasis on joint efforts to reduce tensions and prevent accidental incidents on the Korean Peninsula. Stressing that the government has consistently pursued peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas, Yoon said Seoul has repeatedly affirmed three principles under the current Lee Jae Myung administration: recognizing and respecting each other's system, refraining from any hostile acts, and not seeking reunification by absorption. The spokesperson added that the government is thoroughly investigating a recent drone incident to determine what happened, calling it a serious matter that contradicts those principles. 2026-02-13 14:09:05 -
ChungjuMan’s Kim Seon-tae Posts Farewell Video After Submitting Resignation Kim Seon-tae, the Chungju City Hall official known as “ChungjuMan,” offered a final goodbye as a public servant after submitting his resignation. Chungju’s official YouTube channel, “ChungTV,” uploaded a video titled “Final Greeting” on Thursday. In it, Kim said, “Hello, I’m Kim Seon-tae. After 10 years in public service and seven years living as ChungjuMan, I’m here to say goodbye.” He reportedly submitted his resignation to the personnel department the previous day. Kim added that his “small success” came thanks to subscribers’ support. He also thanked Chungju residents who cheered him on and colleagues at Chungju City Hall who “always showed consideration.” “The seven years I spent with you were the happiest time of my life,” he said, asking viewers to continue to love Chungju. “Until now, this was ChungjuMan,” he said, closing the video. Kim became the face of ChungTV, helping grow the channel to 970,000 subscribers. In 2023, he drew attention after being promoted to Grade 6 just seven years after joining public service. A Grade 6 promotion is widely known to take about 15 years on average.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 14:09:00 -
JTBC faces backlash after historic Korean Olympic snow-sport gold airs on cable channel South Korea won its first Olympic gold medal in a snow event, but many viewers in the country could not watch the decisive run because JTBC aired it on a cable sports channel rather than its main network. Choi Ga-on won the women’s halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park, scoring 90.25 on her third run to take gold. The result drew added attention because she beat Chloe Kim, her idol, who scored 88.00 while seeking a third straight Olympic gold. The gold-medal moment was shown on JTBC Golf & Sports, not JTBC’s main channel. JTBC carried Choi’s first final run live, then switched to short track speedskating airing at the same time. Choi had crashed hard on her first run, catching the lip of the slope on her landing after the second jump, raising fears of a serious injury and making her medal chances appear slim. Short track is one of South Korea’s strongest Olympic sports, and that day Lim Jong-eon won bronze in the men’s 1,000 meters. It was also the day Choi Min-jeong, described as a “queen,” competed in the women’s 500 meters. With JTBC having paid heavily for broadcast rights, the network appeared to prioritize events with expected medal chances. Online, viewers voiced disappointment that the main broadcast carried only a “breaking news” caption about Choi’s gold. Many who stayed with the main channel focused on short track and were left wondering how Choi recovered from her first-run fall to win. Some critics called it a downside of exclusive broadcast deals. JTBC holds exclusive rights to the 2026-2032 Summer and Winter Olympics and the 2026-2030 World Cup. Viewers without paid cable TV or internet TV subscriptions may have limited access to events. The debate is expected to continue, with arguments over viewers’ access versus the winner-take-all nature of major rights deals. Critics say exclusive broadcasts have reduced public interest in mega sports events, while supporters say exclusivity is the point of paying for the rights. The government is also weighing a response. Kim Jong-cheol, chair of the Korea Communications Commission, told a National Assembly briefing on Feb. 10 that under current law there is very limited legal basis to force negotiations over broadcast rights between networks, and that the government is preparing legal revisions to address the issue. Attention is now on what measures may follow and how JTBC will respond. 2026-02-13 13:48:00 -
Korea Artists Welfare Foundation Unveils 2026 Plan to Expand Safety Net for Artists The Korea Artists Welfare Foundation, an affiliate of South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced its 2026 business plan focused on strengthening artists’ professional status and the social safety net around their work. The foundation set industrial accident prevention and expanded access to social insurance as key priorities, aiming to better support artists facing risks and instability in the field. National pension support expanded to include artists enrolled in industrial accident insurance In 2026, the foundation will broaden eligibility for its National Pension premium support program, which covers 50% of premiums paid by freelance artists who enroll as local (voluntary) subscribers. The expanded coverage will include artists who are enrolled in industrial accident insurance, with the goal of bringing more artists into the retirement income system. “Yesul-ro” program expansion includes full industrial accident insurance premium support The foundation will also expand its “Yesul-ro” program, which promotes collaboration between artists and companies or institutions to improve job stability and spread the artistic and social value of their work. For participating artists, it will fully cover industrial accident insurance premiums (Grade 1) during the program period to reduce the burden of accidents and risks tied to artistic activity. Artists whose careers were interrupted by childbirth, parenting or illness will receive preferential treatment in calls for collaboration and regional projects. The foundation will also link career assessments, consulting and tailored training to support their return to work and continued activity. Jeonse loan cap raised to support housing stability Financial support for housing will expand under the foundation’s living stability loan program. The cap for jeonse deposit loans will rise to 120 million won from 100 million won, with an interest rate of 1.95%, reflecting higher housing costs. This low-interest loan program targets freelance artists who have difficulty using mainstream financial services. In addition to jeonse deposits, it offers living stability loans at a 2.5% interest rate for medical expenses, parental caregiving costs, funeral expenses and wedding funds. Rights protection education expanded with new video courses To promote fairness and gender equality in the arts, the foundation will add new video courses to its artists’ rights protection education program, including “Practical responses to arts contracts through case studies” and “Gender sensitivity education for the performing arts.” By expanding remote learning, it will provide essential information on contracts, copyright, prevention of sexual harassment and sexual violence, and the Artists’ Rights Guarantee Act without limits of time or place. It will continue operating existing rights protection services, including the “Artists’ Ombudsman,” legal counseling and consulting, reporting and counseling for sexual harassment and sexual violence, reporting and counseling for written contract violations, and support for electronic contract services. Programs aim to reduce gaps in artistic activity The foundation’s “Art Activity Preparation Fund” program, which provides 3 million won per person so artists do not stop working for non-art-related reasons such as financial hardship, will support about 18,000 people this year. It will also run life-cycle welfare programs, including a savings account program to help young artists build assets, childcare support with weekend and nighttime care, psychological counseling for mental health, and an “Artist Pass” offering discounts for performances, exhibitions and daily life. Artists Welfare Fund to launch The foundation said this year marks a turning point in building a more tailored welfare system to support artists’ lives and working conditions, including the launch of an “Artists Welfare Fund” to provide stable backing for mutual aid products and other welfare services. It plans to revise related rules in the first half of the year and prepare detailed programs, including mutual aid products, then roll out products in stages starting in the second half. “So artists can be fully guaranteed their basic rights as professionals” The foundation said schedules and details for its 2026 program announcements are available through a program guide on its website and through program videos on its YouTube channel. The videos provide sign language and caption interpretation to improve access to information. Foundation CEO Jeong Yong Uk said the 2026 plan focuses on ensuring artists “can be fully guaranteed their basic rights as professionals within the social security system.” He said the foundation will strengthen the safety net centered on social insurance such as industrial accident insurance and the National Pension, and will build a more comprehensive welfare base through the launch of the Artists Welfare Fund to support artists’ lives and artistic activity. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 13:36:00 -
BTS Comeback D-36: From $15 dorms to mid-range stays, Itaewon has all for fans SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) — Five-star hotels offering bird’s-eye views of Gwanghwamun are already fully booked for the March 21–22 weekend, when BTS is set to stage its long-awaited comeback concerts. No-vacancy signs now stretch to mid-tier and budget hotels in Myeongdong and Jongno, while prices continue to climb. On major booking platforms, some three-star properties within walking distance of Gwanghwamun are charging nearly triple their usual rates. For fans traveling from outside the capital — and from abroad — AJP advises looking a few subway stops beyond central Seoul, toward Itaewon, where a wider range of affordable and mid-priced accommodations remains available. “Booking inquiries have increased significantly in recent weeks, but we are not planning to raise our room rates,” said the owner of A One Hotel Itaewon, located about a three-minute walk from Itaewon Station. Owner Heo Seong-jin said the hotel recently completed renovations but chose to keep prices stable. About 70 percent of his guests are international travelers, reflecting the area’s long-standing global profile. “Even if guests don’t speak Korean, we can communicate comfortably in English,” Heo said. “The stay may last only a few days, but the trust we build is meant to last much longer.” With thousands of BTS fans expected, the hotel has reinforced hygiene and service standards ahead of the peak period. Pricing approaches differ even within the same neighborhood. Near Exit 1 of Itaewon Station, Hamilton Hotel Seoul remains one of the district’s best-known landmarks. Opened in the 1970s, it has long benefited from direct access to Subway Line 6. A staff member said international guests account for the majority of visitors and that room rates were adjusted modestly for the concert period. “Usually we have around 60 rooms available, but only about 15 remain for those dates,” he said. “Looking at the booking pace, we can really feel the BTS effect.” While larger properties have moved prices in line with demand, many small and mid-sized operators have opted for stability over short-term gains, preserving long-term customer relationships. The result is a patchwork market in which pricing reflects each operator’s strategy as much as supply and demand. From $15 Beds to Mid-Range Comfort One of Itaewon’s main advantages is its unusually wide price spectrum. At Seoul Cube Itaewon, a six-bed mixed dormitory for March 21–23 is currently listed at about $15 per night (around $16 including taxes and fees), with free Wi-Fi and cancellation. Mid-range dormitory options are also available. G Guesthouse Itaewon, near Exit 4 of Itaewon Station, is offering a women-only four-bed dormitory for about 89,000 won ($67) per night, including breakfast. Availability, however, is tightening rapidly. At Sounds Inn Itaewon, near Noksapyeong Station, only one room remained for March 19 as of this week. “Foreign guests began booking from mid-March,” a manager said. “We’re offering rooms at around 60,000 won per night.” The operator is also preparing to open a new branch near Gwanghwamun in early March to accommodate rising demand. For fans traveling in pairs or small groups, many two- to four-person rooms in Itaewon offer further cost savings through shared stays. Location Still Matters Beyond price, accessibility remains a decisive factor. Connected by Subway Line 6, Itaewon provides relatively direct access to central Seoul. Gwanghwamun can be reached in about 20 minutes, including transfers — a manageable commute even late at night. For international visitors unfamiliar with Seoul’s transport system, this balance between distance and convenience helps reduce post-concert fatigue and logistical stress. Extending the Stay Itaewon also allows fans to extend their experience beyond the concert itself. Its proximity to Namsan, home to N Seoul Tower, offers panoramic views of the city. Nearby Han River parks provide popular settings for late-night walks and informal gatherings. Meanwhile, Gyeongnidan-gil and surrounding streets, where many cafes and restaurants stay open late, allow visitors to continue exploring after the show. From Itaewon Station, riverside districts such as Banpo and Ichon can be reached in about 10 to 15 minutes by public transit or taxi. AJP Tip: With availability tightening and prices still rising, fans planning to attend the March concerts are advised to: • Book early, especially for budget and mid-range options • Consider shared rooms to reduce per-person costs • Prioritize access to Subway Line 6 for smoother travel • Check cancellation policies as demand fluctuates 2026-02-13 13:18:36