Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Shift Up’s ‘Goddess of Victory: Nikke’ tops Google Play revenue in South Korea and Japan after 3.5-year update Shift Up’s “Goddess of Victory: Nikke” has continued to post No. 1 revenue rankings on major app marketplaces at home and abroad with each major update, reinforcing its position as a long-running hit intellectual property, the company said. Shift Up said on the 27th that on the day of its 3.5-year anniversary update, the game ranked No. 1 in revenue on South Korea’s App Store and has since maintained the No. 1 revenue spot on Google Play in both South Korea and Japan. The company attributed the performance to content management built on story development accumulated over the service period, along with high-quality in-game content aligned with the update’s main “idol concept” theme. During the same period, Nikke stayed within the top 10 in revenue in Taiwan and continued steady results in other major markets globally, including North America. With each major update, Nikke has reclaimed top revenue rankings and has been positioned as a leading long-running South Korean subculture game IP. The title combines character collection with gun-shooting gameplay and has built a global fan base with polished content, an immersive story, and music. For the 3.5-year update, the game released an event story titled “STAR ANIS,” centered on the popular early character “Anis.” Additional content includes a 3D visual performance, a special animation and full voice dubbing, drawing strong user response. Shift Up director Yoo Hyeong-seok said, “As we have prepared the 3.5-year update for a long time, we are deeply grateful for users’ enthusiastic response,” adding, “We will continue working to showcase Nikke’s unique appeal.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:52:03 -
CU to Raise International Parcel Shipping Rates 7% as Fuel Surcharges Jump CU convenience stores will raise prices for their international parcel delivery service, citing a sharp rise in air fuel surcharges as global oil markets remain unsettled in the wake of the war between the United States and Iran. According to industry officials on the 27th, CU Post, which operates CU’s parcel service, will increase international shipping rates by about 7% starting May 1. A CU official said, “International parcel rates will rise from the first of next month due to higher fuel surcharges imposed by our partner express carrier as international oil prices climb.” CU’s partner carrier DHL has sharply increased its air fuel surcharge in recent months. The surcharge was 28.75% in early February but surged in April. It rose to 39% for April 1-12, then to 46% for April 13-19 and 47.75% for April 20-26. For April 27-May 3, it reached 48%. DHL plans to keep the surcharge high at 47% for May 4-10. That is an increase of nearly 20 percentage points in about three months. International parcel services at convenience stores have been popular with office workers who cannot visit post offices or courier branches during business hours, allowing customers to send items overseas at nearby stores 24 hours a day. The service has drawn strong demand from families of international students and overseas direct-to-consumer sellers. The rate hike is expected to increase the perceived logistics burden for consumers who need to ship goods abroad. Rival GS25 is also said to be carefully reviewing a possible increase. A GS25 official said, “It is true that discussions about a rate increase are taking place with our partner, but we have not received an official notice confirming anything yet.” An industry official said air express delivery is among the sectors most sensitive to oil-price swings, adding that freight-rate pressure across the logistics industry could persist for some time as oil-producing countries maintain production cuts and military tensions in the Middle East intensify, driving volatility in global crude prices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:51:17 -
Hanmi Semiconductor Chairman Kwak Dong-shin Buys $2.2 Million in Company Shares Hanmi Semiconductor said in a regulatory filing on the 27th that Chairman Kwak Dong-shin bought 3 billion won ($2.2 million) worth of the company’s shares with his personal funds, carrying out a share-purchase plan disclosed March 30. The purchase price was 315,407 won per share, for a total of 3 billion won. Since 2023, Kwak has bought a combined 56.5 billion won worth of Hanmi Semiconductor shares, raising his stake to 33.57%. The company said Kwak’s continued purchases reflect his confidence in the technology and growth prospects of its TC (thermocompression) bonders in the global market for high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, equipment. Hanmi Semiconductor said it is maintaining its lead in the global market for TC bonders used in HBM production, and is taking the lead in supplying its “TC Bonder 4” to global manufacturers this year as mass production of HBM4 ramps up. By the end of this year, the company plans to launch a “wide TC bonder” to support next-generation HBM production. It said the equipment is designed for next-generation HBM with a significantly expanded die area compared with existing HBM, aimed at meeting rising memory capacity and bandwidth needs tied to next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure demand. The company also said it plans to release a prototype of a “second-generation hybrid bonder” within this year, targeting the hybrid bonding market expected to see full-scale mass-production adoption in 2029. It said it will begin full operation of a “hybrid bonder factory” in the first half of next year as part of a strategy to secure an early lead in next-generation semiconductor packaging. “This share purchase is a strong expression of Chairman Kwak’s commitment to responsible management,” a Hanmi Semiconductor official said. “As a first mover in the global semiconductor equipment industry, we will achieve sustainable growth.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:49:34 -
Banobagi Expands Offline Reach With Musinsa Mega Store Seongsu Debut K-derma cosmetics brand Banobagi has entered Musinsa Mega Store Seongsu, expanding its offline distribution channels. Banobagi said it is showcasing key skincare products and its mask pack lineup at the Musinsa Beauty store on the second floor of Musinsa Mega Store Seongsu, which opened April 24 in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The move extends a brand experience built largely online into an in-person setting. Seongsu is a major retail area packed with fashion and beauty pop-ups and flagship stores, drawing both local shoppers and foreign tourists. Banobagi said it plans to strengthen consumer touchpoints through product trials. Musinsa Mega Store Seongsu is a large complex combining fashion, beauty and food and beverage. The Musinsa Beauty shop on the second floor is Musinsa’s first permanent offline beauty store, designed to let shoppers compare and try products from multiple brands in one place. Banobagi said it will highlight products organized around specific skin concerns, including its PDRN line for skin elasticity and anti-aging care, the Milk Thistle Repair line focused on soothing sensitive skin, and the Alpha Radiance line with enhanced brightening features. The brand is also offering its signature mask packs, including the “Vita Genic Jelly Mask” series, which it said has surpassed 100 million units in cumulative global sales. Banobagi said the in-store lineup is intended to help customers compare products and choose based on their skin condition and concerns. During the opening period, Banobagi said it will run discounts and on-site promotions. It will also take part in Musinsa-run beauty trial events with a “Vita Genic Jelly Ampoule Kit” and plans interactive content for visitors. Ban Jae-yong, Banobagi’s CEO, said the company has been expanding consumer contact through various offline channels and that the Musinsa store debut will be another step in broadening the brand experience. He said Banobagi plans to keep strengthening its product lineup and promotions to reach a wider customer base. Banobagi said it will use the Musinsa Mega Store Seongsu entry to further expand offline, experience-based retail channels and continue strengthening consumer engagement centered on functional skincare and mask packs.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:48:46 -
SK hynix Hits Fresh Intraday Record Above 1.28 Million Won; Samsung Electronics Rises SK hynix extended its rally Monday, setting another intraday all-time high as investors bet on rising demand for high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, used in artificial intelligence chips. As of 9:41 a.m., SK hynix shares were up 62,000 won, or 5.07%, at 1,284,000 won. Its market capitalization grew to about 915 trillion won, underscoring its expanding influence in South Korea’s stock market. The stock touched 1,288,000 won earlier in the session, a fresh record. Analysts attributed the gains to expectations that HBM demand will climb as investment in AI servers increases. With global big tech companies led by Nvidia continuing to spend on AI infrastructure, SK hynix’s competitiveness in the HBM market has come into sharper focus, they said. Samsung Electronics also rose, gaining 3,000 won, or 1.37%, to 222,500 won. The move was seen as reflecting strength in semiconductor shares in the last session of New York trading last week. In local time on April 24, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 4.32%. The rally was driven by expectations for stronger central processing unit demand as AI adoption spreads, and by Intel’s first-quarter results beating market expectations, according to analysts. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:48:15 -
Actress Ji Ye-eun Says She Dated Dancer Bada After 2 1/2 Months of ‘Talking’ Actress Ji Ye-eun has shared details about her relationship with dancer Bada, including the nickname they use for each other. On the April 26 episode of SBS’ “Running Man,” the cast visited Yeosu. During the show, Yang Se-chan asked how long she and Bada had been in the “talking” stage. Ji said it lasted “about two and a half months.” She added that even after they started dating, they did not hold hands for three weeks. “He asked first, ‘Can I hold your hand?’” she said. Ji Seok-jin said he had practiced dancing with Bada and Ji but did not realize there was romance. He said that after practice he put Ji in a taxi, but she later came back to meet Bada. Ji said she told him to leave first, but he kept saying he could go later, joking that he cluelessly interrupted their date. Ji also said the couple’s nickname for each other is “jagi,” a Korean term of endearment, adding, “We say ‘I love you’ every day.” Ji’s agency, CP Entertainment, said on April 13 that Ji and Bada, who had been colleagues, were seeing each other with good feelings. Bada’s agency, ARA, also said the two were maintaining a good relationship while caring for each other. The two are both born in 1994 and were entertainment-industry colleagues before growing closer through a shared religion, according to the report. Ji debuted in the 2017 web drama “How To” and has drawn attention through variety shows including the “SNL Korea” series and “Running Man.” Bada is the leader of the dance crew We Dem Boyz and rose to prominence after finishing runner-up on Mnet’s 2022 “Street Man Fighter.” 2026-04-27 09:42:21 -
BMW Korea Says BMW M FEST 2026 Draws About 10,000 Visitors in Incheon BMW Korea said April 27 that BMW M FEST 2026, its high-performance car festival that opened April 23, ended with about 10,000 visitors. The four-day event on Yeongjong Island in Incheon was open to BMW M owners and anyone interested in the BMW M brand. Attendance was about double last year’s level, the company said. Interest was strong even before the festival began. All time slots for the driving programs sold out within 30 minutes of online reservations opening, BMW Korea said. A total of 35 BMW M models were displayed, including vehicles currently sold in South Korea. The festival also featured a 40th anniversary exhibit for the BMW M3 and showcased the BMW XM Label KITH Edition, produced in collaboration with luxury lifestyle brand Kith, the company said. Dedicated areas were set up for BMW Motorrad M motorcycles, M Performance parts and lifestyle products, highlighting the M brand’s design and identity. The festival ran ride-along driving experiences in BMW M models driven by professional drivers, allowing visitors to feel the vehicles’ performance and handling. Programs included the M Taxi, Convertible Taxi, Exclusive Taxi, Gymkhana Taxi, Drift Taxi and Off-Road Taxi, giving attendees a chance to experience BMW M driving capabilities firsthand. Evening concerts closed out the festival. On April 25, BIBI, No Brain and Crying Nut performed. On April 26, Jaurim and Dynamic Duo took the stage, BMW Korea said. BMW Korea said it also offers M-focused services beyond the festival, including the GEN M Privilege membership program and the M Performance Garage service network. 2026-04-27 09:41:34 -
Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Russia After Returning to Pakistan Amid Stalled Talks Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Russia after making a return trip to Pakistan shortly after visiting Oman, as negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war remain stalled. Iranian media said the flurry of travel and calls reflects efforts to align negotiating terms and secure support from regional partners. According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Araghchi on April 26 (local time) met in Oman with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, then immediately returned to Islamabad to meet Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, and other officials. Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency said the visit was aimed at using Pakistan, described as a mediator, to convey Iran’s demands for ending the war. Araghchi presented key agenda items to Pakistani officials, including a new legal framework for the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for war damage, guarantees against renewed attacks by the parties to the conflict, and lifting a maritime blockade on Iran. An Iranian official said the ongoing discussions are focused on conditions to end the recent military conflict and are “not related at all” to the nuclear issue. After Pakistan, Araghchi is expected to head to Moscow, the final stop on his trip. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed he plans to hold high-level talks there. Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, told ISNA news agency that Araghchi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 27. Jalali said Araghchi will hold in-depth talks with senior Russian officials on the status of the ceasefire and the ongoing negotiations, as well as recent shifts in the regional situation. In a post on X, Jalali said Araghchi would meet Putin as part of what he called continued “diplomatic jihad” to advance Iran’s national interests amid external threats. He said Araghchi is expected to outline Iran’s negotiating goals and plans and seek Russian support. Iran has also expanded diplomatic contacts with neighboring and other countries. Iranian state media reported that Araghchi held a series of calls on April 25-26 with the foreign ministers of Egypt, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and met Oman’s ruler the same day. The outreach comes as the United States and Iran have not finalized a schedule for a second round of talks, leaving negotiations in a deadlock, according to the report. CNN reported that Araghchi discussed “diplomacy and a ceasefire” and “recent regional developments” with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. In his call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Araghchi said European countries have an important role to play in sustaining a ceasefire. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told Araghchi that Qatar is ready to continue playing an active role in mediation and promoting dialogue to end the war. Iranian media also reported that Araghchi briefed Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Iran’s diplomatic efforts to end the war and ease tensions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:40:43 -
Koyote’s Shinji Fiancé Moonwon Draws Backlash Over Comments on Taking Manual Jobs Comments by Moonwon, who is set to marry Koyote member Shinji in May, have again sparked criticism online. Moonwon and Shinji appeared on the KBS2 program “New Release Pyeonstorang,” aired on April 24, and talked about the backlash that followed their marriage announcement. Moonwon said he was “very surprised” by online opposition, adding that it was “the first time” he had experienced something like it. Shinji said Moonwon had previously done a lot of singing-related work, including performances and wedding songs, but that after the controversy “all the work was cut off.” Moonwon said he started working at a logistics center and cleaning stairwells while looking for what he could do, adding that he “wanted to be of help.” Some online commenters reacted negatively to the remarks, calling them disrespectful to people who make a living in those jobs and questioning why the couple framed the work that way. One commenter wrote, “Are you looking down on certain jobs? Saying ‘all the work was cut off’ and then mentioning logistics and cleaning like that feels off,” adding, “Most people live off that kind of work.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:39:59 -
KB Kookmin Bank to Offer Free AI Cognitive Screening for Senior Customers KB Kookmin Bank said it will provide a free artificial intelligence-based cognitive screening service for senior customers as it strengthens expertise in senior-focused wealth management. The bank said on the 27th it will offer the AI cognitive test service, called AlzWIN, in partnership with dementia diagnostics company Sevenpointone. AlzWIN is an AI-based tool developed by Sevenpointone to measure cognitive ability. It can estimate brain health age and brain energy levels through about one minute of speech. The service is part of the bank’s KB Golden Life nonfinancial offerings. It will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to 1,000 customers age 55 and older who visit branches nationwide for inheritance-related consultations, including dementia trusts or will-substitute trusts. A KB Kookmin Bank official said the benefit is intended to help senior customers manage not only financial assets but also health and overall retirement planning. The official said the bank will continue to roll out services as a long-term partner for customers in retirement. Separately, the bank said it operates 18 KB Golden Life Centers nationwide to expand its senior business. On the 24th, it provided dementia-partner training to center heads and Golden Life division staff and received dementia-partner certificates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:36:47