Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung introduce Netflix rom-com Can This Love Be Translated?
    Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung introduce Netflix rom-com 'Can This Love Be Translated?' SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The Hong sisters - Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran -, the popular writing duo behind fantasy hit series such as "Hotel Del Luna" are returning with a straight romantic comedy, teaming up with actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung for Netflix’s upcoming series “Can This Love Be Translated?” Anticipation is building over whether the series, which explores romance through the gap between language and emotion, will resonate with global audiences and revive the lackluster performance of K-drama on Netflix. A production presentation for the series was held Tuesday morning at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in Seoul. Director Yoo Young-eun attended the event alongside Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, sharing insights into the project. "Can This Love Be Translated?” follows Ju Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter who is assigned to work for Cha Mu-hee, a global top star with an unpredictable charm. The Hong sisters, known for blending fantasy with emotional depth in “Alchemy of Souls” and “Hotel Del Luna,” return to the romantic comedy genre with Yoo, the director of “The Red Sleeve,” at the helm. “The biggest appeal was doing a pure romantic comedy with the Hong sisters’ writing,” Director Yoo Young-eun said. “I was fascinated by the emotional dilemmas that arise from the profession of interpretation — words you have to convey even when you don’t want to, and moments when you wish someone else’s words could become your own.” Yoo added that the story begins with the premise that people use different “languages” and styles of expression when it comes to love. Ho-jin speaks in a direct, straight-line manner, while Mu-hee tends to express her emotions in a roundabout way. Their repeated misunderstandings, she said, will form a key point of empathy and humor for viewers. Kim Seon-ho plays Ho-jin, an interpreter fluent in Italian, English, Japanese, Chinese and French. “He works with multiple languages, but he’s clumsy when it comes to expressing his own feelings,” Kim said. “Because I had to deliver the dialogue accurately while carrying the character’s emotions, I spent about four months before filming practicing both language and emotional expression.” The director described Ho-jin as a “neat and understated” character, noting that delicate emotional acting was essential. “It’s a role that carries the added burden of language, but I knew I could trust Kim Seon-ho,” she said, calling him an irreplaceable choice capable of handling both romance and comedy. Go Youn-jung portrays Cha Mu-hee, an actor who becomes a global top star overnight. “Mu-hee doesn’t hide her emotions — she expresses them transparently,” Go said. “I felt that making the lines ambiguous would weaken the character’s appeal, so I tried to stay faithful to the script. That alone was enough to make Mu-hee a fun and layered character.” The director also praised Go Youn-jung’s casting, saying her sense of purity and toughness aligned well with the role. She described Mu-hee as a character requiring significant movement and action, adding that viewers would discover a new side of Go by the end of the series. The production filmed on location in several countries, including South Korea, Japan, Canada and Italy. The director explained that each setting was designed to function as a character reflecting emotional shifts within the story. “Japan represents the freshness of their first meeting, Canada captures the more dramatic moments as emotions deepen, and Italy was placed with the balance of the latter half of the story in mind,” Yoo said. Kim spoke highly of his on-screen chemistry with Go, noting that her dynamic portrayal naturally drew out his reactions. “She’s very quick to absorb her scene partner’s lines, and I learned a lot from her on set,” he said. The director echoed the sentiment, saying she was confident the two shared “the best” chemistry. Moreover, the director revealed that each episode will feature different cameo appearances. To make Mu-hee’s status as a global star feel more realistic, familiar faces will appear throughout the series, adding fresh moments to each episode. “Love is a universal emotion, and we placed it against landscapes from different countries,” Yoo said. “I hope it becomes a story people can relate to, even if the language is different.” She added that she hoped the series would deliver positive energy for the new year, likening it to the aurora she witnessed while filming. Go asked viewers to watch the series with a warm, fairy-tale-like perspective. Kim described the production as feeling like a gift, adding that he was happy to pass that gift on to audiences. “Can This Love Be Translated?” will be released worldwide on Netflix at 5 p.m. on Jan. 16. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily and edited by AJP. 2026-01-13 13:23:37
  • Japans snap election prospects lift Nikkei, boosting Asian markets
    Japan's snap election prospects lift Nikkei, boosting Asian markets SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Asian stock markets opened higher on Tuesday, led by a surge in Japan's Nikkei 225 amid speculations of a snap election in Tokyo. The vote is expected to strengthen Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's expansionary fiscal policies, boosting investor sentiment across the region. The Japanese index jumped about 3.4 percent to around 53,720 in early morning trade, buoyed by gains in exporters and technology shares. The rally helped lift broader Asian markets, as investors continued to favor stocks related to robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other technologies even after this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wrapped up last week. In Seoul, the KOSPI opened higher, hitting a fresh all-time high of 4,666 shortly after trading began, up about 0.9 percent from the previous session, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped roughly 0.1 percent to around 949.1. Among blue-chip stocks, Samsung Electronics rose about 0.5 percent to around 139,500 won, while LG Energy Solution gained roughly 0.8 percent to about 382,000 won. Shares of automakers were among the top performers, with Hyundai Motor surging approximately 7.6 percent to around 395,000 won, extending its rally for three consecutive days after unveiling its physical AI and autonomous driving at the CES. Defense-related shares also remained strong, with Hanwha Aerospace rising about 1.7 percent to around 1,233,000 won. Lotte Innovate also moved higher after unveiling plans to integrate its proprietary "i.MEMBER" AI platform into humanoid robots developed by China's Unitree, also showcased at the CES. But the South Korean won weakened against the greenback, trading at around 1,472 per dollar. Elsewhere in Asia, most markets remained higher, with some mixed results in early trading, while China's Shanghai Composite slipped about 0.6 percent to around 4,141 as investors took profits following the recent rally. 2026-01-13 11:21:58
  • Korea Zinc to form joint venture with US firm to produce rare earths
    Korea Zinc to form joint venture with US firm to produce rare earths SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Korea Zinc said Tuesday it has signed a strategic partnership with U.S.-based Alta Resource Technologies to produce rare earths. The partnership focuses on recycling and refining end-of-life permanent magnets into high-purity rare-earth oxides, materials used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and defense systems, Korea Zinc said in a press release. Under the agreement, the two companies will establish a joint venture in the United States and build production facilities at an existing site operated by a U.S. subsidiary of Korea Zinc. The joint venture aims to begin commercial operations in 2027. The initial phase of the project is designed to process and produce about 100 tons a year of high-purity rare-earth oxides, with plans to expand capacity in stages. Targeted products include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium oxides, which are key inputs for high-performance permanent magnets. The deal reflects growing concerns over economic security and supply-chain concentration. More than 90 percent of global rare-earth refining capacity is currently located in China, a dominance that has left manufacturers vulnerable to export controls, production disruptions and volatile prices. Korea Zinc said the goal is to establish a stable supply of rare-earth oxides for customers in South Korea and the United States, supporting industries such as electric-vehicle motors, renewable energy equipment and defense technologies. Korea Zinc is currently pursuing plans to build an integrated smelter in the United States to meet rapidly rising demand for critical minerals. Alta Resource Technologies has developed advanced biochemical separation technology for rare earths and recently completed a Series A fundraising round. Through the partnership with Korea Zinc, the company plans to scale a U.S.-based business model focused on producing rare-earth oxides from secondary resources available domestically, according to Korea Zinc. Choi Yun Beom, chairman of Korea Zinc, said the partnership marks “an important milestone” as the strategic value of rare earths continues to rise. He said the company aims to supply rare-earth materials reliably to advanced-technology firms in South Korea and the United States while positioning itself as a trusted supply-chain partner. 2026-01-13 10:47:09
  • Chinese copycat of Olive Young raises concerns over South Korean brands reputation
    Chinese copycat of Olive Young raises concerns over South Korean brands' reputation SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - As retail giant CJ's health and beauty chain has become a popular destination for foreign tourists visiting Seoul, a copycat brand has emerged in China, raising concerns about potential damage to the reputation of South Korean beauty products. According to industry watchers on Tuesday, a beauty store called "Only Young," reminiscent of Olive Young, has opened in Changsha, the vibrant capital of China's Hunan Province, and has been expanding its outlets in recent years. while advertising free delivery across the country. The Chinese copycat goes beyond mere concept, replicating everything from the name and logo to the store layout itself. Nearly everything, from its shopping bags to its store design, strikingly resembles Olive Young's signature colors and style, raising concerns that foreign shoppers might mistake it for the genuine South Korean retailer. The Chinese knockoff brand also runs a channel on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, posting promotional featuring K-pop music and advertising free delivery across the country. The channel has accumulated around 230,000 likes, suggesting it has gained considerable traction in China over the past two years. Experts say the case appears to be "intentional copying" aimed at deliberately confusing consumers, rather than merely being a similar brand. The development comes after Olive Young, which operated offline outlets in Shanghai from 2010 to 2013, exited the Chinese market amid declining sales caused by an unofficial boycott of South Korean products and services in protest of the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries here in 2016. An industry worker pointed to the case of dollar store Daiso to raise concerns about the emergence of Chinese copycat brands. "Like Daiso's Chinese copycat Mumuso, the Chinese copycat of Olive Young may also attempt to expand into overseas markets," he said. "Consumers who buy products there believing they are South Korean could tarnish the retailer's global image, affecting its long-term growth." "As South Korean brands gain popularity overseas, cases of Chinese companies riding the Korean Wave and copying brands appear to be on the rise," said Seo Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University. "Now it is time to more actively protect intellectual property rights at the government level, along with strategies to prevent repeat cases," he added. 2026-01-13 10:36:10
  • South Korea joins US-led talks on critical minerals
    South Korea joins US-led talks on critical minerals SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Koo Yun-cheol, joined counterparts in Washington on Monday for talks aimed at strengthening cooperation on critical minerals, the ministry said Tuesday. Participants at the meeting of finance ministers agreed on the need for swift action to address risks in the supply of minerals essential to advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defense industries. U.S. officials urged countries to move beyond statements of intent and commit to concrete investment, emphasizing a strategy of “de-risking” rather than decoupling from existing supply chains, the ministry said. Washington also proposed deeper coordination among allied and partner economies to improve supply-chain resilience. In an open session, Koo highlighted South Korean companies’ strengths in critical-minerals processing and argued that global value chains should be reinforced by linking countries’ comparative advantages. He also stressed the growing importance of recycling critical minerals as a means of restoring supply stability and called for the creation of a forum that would allow companies to pursue cooperation centered on specific projects. Resource-rich countries, including Canada and Australia, expressed strong interest in technology cooperation with South Korea, particularly in refining and recycling, as part of efforts to build more resilient critical-minerals supply chains, the ministry said. 2026-01-13 10:10:29
  • SK hynix expands AI chip capacity with new $14 billion plant in Cheongju
    SK hynix expands AI chip capacity with new $14 billion plant in Cheongju SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - SK hynix will invest about 19 trillion won ($14 billion) to build a new advanced semiconductor packaging plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, in a move to meet surging global demand for high-bandwidth memory. The South Korean chipmaker said Tuesday that the investment will bolster its next-generation memory competitiveness, particularly in HBM, a critical component for AI data centers, while aligning with the government’s push for more balanced regional development. In a statement posted on its newsroom website, SK hynix said it selected Cheongju after reviewing multiple locations, citing the importance of close links between front-end chipmaking and back-end packaging and testing. Accessibility, logistics efficiency and operational stability were key considerations, the company said. The new facility, known as P&T7, will handle the packaging and testing of chips produced in front-end fabs, completing them as final products. While front-end processes form circuits on silicon wafers, back-end operations cut, package and verify the chips. Advanced packaging has taken on growing importance as it directly affects performance and power efficiency in AI-focused memory products such as HBM. With the project, SK hynix will operate advanced packaging bases in three locations: Icheon and Cheongju in South Korea, and West Lafayette, Indiana. The P&T7 plant will be built on a 230,000-square-meter site within the Cheongju Technopolis industrial complex. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, with completion targeted for the end of 2027. The company said the Cheongju campus will form an integrated semiconductor cluster spanning NAND flash and DRAM production through advanced packaging. SK hynix already operates several NAND fabs in the area, including M11, M12 and M15, along with a back-end facility, P&T3. It is also building its next-generation DRAM line, M15X, following a separate 20 trillion won investment decision last year. SK hynix said M15X opened its cleanroom ahead of schedule in October and is currently installing equipment as it prepares for early operations. The company plans to link front-end and back-end production more tightly, with P&T7 expected to play a central role in converting DRAM produced at M15X into HBM. Market researchers forecast the global HBM market will expand at an annual rate of more than 30 percent through 2030, driven by intensifying competition among technology companies to scale AI computing infrastructure. SK hynix also framed the investment as part of a broader effort to strengthen South Korea’s industrial base amid ongoing debate over the concentration of corporate investment in the Seoul metropolitan area. “The Cheongju P&T7 investment reflects a decision to build a foundation for competitiveness across the industrial ecosystem and regional coexistence, beyond short-term cost considerations,” the company said. 2026-01-13 10:00:53
  • Esports gears up for biggest year with major global events
    Esports gears up for biggest year with major global events SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The booming esports industry is poised for its biggest year yet, fueled by its recognition as an official discipline at major global sporting events and international tournaments. Major events are scheduled throughout the year including the quadrennial Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan in September, the annual Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in July and the inaugural Esports Nations Cup, also in Riyadh, in November. The upcoming Asian Games will be the major highlight, as e-sports returns with 11 events, up from seven, following its official debut at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where South Korea proved itself an e-sports powerhouse by winning four medals including two gold, one silver, and one bronze. Several Japanese games including "Gran Turismo 7" will be featured to reflect the host country, while Krafton's "Battlegrounds Mobile" has been selected again. But Nexon's "FC Online" will be replaced by Konami's "eFootball." Meanwhile, the Esports World Cup in the oil-rich country, which drew great attention last year with a total prize money of $70 million, is expected to be even bigger this year, with the number of events expanding to 24. The Esports Nations Cup, a country-based tournament in which players compete under their national flags, will be held every two years, with the inaugural event taking place in Riyadh. 2026-01-13 09:17:40
  • Korea Exchange to extend stock trading hours to 12 starting in June
    Korea Exchange to extend stock trading hours to 12 starting in June SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - The Korea Exchange plans to introduce premarket and after-hours trading starting in June, extending daily stock trading to 12 hours to keep pace with global moves toward near–round-the-clock markets. The exchange currently operates from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beginning in June, it aims to double that window. Exchange officials said the move is intended to broaden investor access in line with international standards, referring to long-term ambitions for the benchmark index. Major overseas exchanges are moving in a similar direction. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are pursuing 24-hour trading in the second half of this year, while regulators in the U.K. and Hong Kong are reviewing extended hours. Competitive pressure has also intensified at home following the rapid growth of NextTrade, an alternative trading system launched in March last year. NextTrade operates a premarket session from 8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. and an after-hours market from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Trading on alternative platforms accounted for about 12 percent of total market volume in the previous session, the exchange said. To differentiate itself, the Korea Exchange is considering opening a premarket as early as 7 a.m. A trading day running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. would mirror NextTrade’s schedule but could put the exchange at a disadvantage on transaction fees. If the earlier opening is adopted, South Korea’s equity market could operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m The exchange said it plans to solicit feedback from member firms as early as this week before finalizing the schedule. Beyond equities, the exchange plans to extend derivatives trading hours to 24 hours a day by the end of 2027, from the current 19 hours, which would make it the first market in Asia to offer round-the-clock derivatives trading. It also plans to shorten the stock settlement cycle to T+1 from T+2, following trends in advanced markets. The United States and Canada completed the shift to T+1 in May 2024, and the U.K. and Europe are expected to follow around October 2027. 2026-01-13 09:00:43
  • South Korea to chair global renewable energy agency
    South Korea to chair global renewable energy agency SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - South Korea has been selected to chair the next General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency, a role that will place Seoul at the center of global discussions on the expansion of clean energy. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that South Korea was designated as chair at IRENA’s 16th Assembly, held Jan. 11–12 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The chairmanship runs for one year. Founded in 2011, IRENA promotes the development and broader adoption of renewable energy worldwide. The organization has 171 members, including the European Union. Its annual Assembly is the agency’s highest decision-making body. South Korea has served on IRENA’s council since the organization’s early years, but this marks the first time the country has been appointed to lead the Assembly. As chair in 2027, South Korea will preside over Assembly meetings, help shape the agenda and work to foster cooperation among member states to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy. The government said it expects the role to bolster international coordination around its policy priorities, including a renewables-led energy transition and broader efforts toward decarbonization and green growth. Lee Won-ju, director general for energy transition policy at the climate ministry, said the appointment reflects international confidence in South Korea’s clean-energy strategy. “By successfully hosting the next Assembly, we will enhance South Korea’s standing in global clean-energy governance and produce tangible outcomes in international cooperation, including securing overseas projects,” he said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-13 08:41:50
  • OPINION: Seoul needs a balance act between China and Japan with a practical approach
    OPINION: Seoul needs a balance act between China and Japan with a practical approach President Lee Jae Myung is heading to Japan Tuesday for a two-day summit, a week after a state visit to China. His rapid back-and-forth diplomacy reflects intensifying friction between China and Japan, which has escalated since November after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested possible armed intervention “in a Taiwan contingency.” As the dispute grows, both countries are courting Seoul. During Lee’s China trip, Beijing rolled out a high-profile welcome, and state media repeatedly highlighted South Korea-China cooperation. Japan, too, has appeared eager to avoid provoking Seoul. Ahead of Lee’s China visit, the Nikkei published a column urging Takaichi not to stir tensions with South Korea over Dokdo. Both sides have also leaned on history and symbolism. China emphasized the shared anti-Japanese struggle in the colonial era. Japan chose Nara Prefecture — Takaichi’s home region and a historic hub of exchanges between Baekje and Japan — as the venue for a summit, appealing to sentiment as well as strategy. The key for South Korea, however, is strict pragmatism. China and Japan can shift quickly, and both hold leverage that could hit South Korean industry. China has already used rare earths — a card that helped it withstand U.S. tariff pressure — and Japan, a leader in materials and components, has its own tools, including photoresist, a key semiconductor material. South Korea has previously faced difficulties when such pressure was applied. China’s export controls on dual-use items are aimed at Japan, but South Korea could be caught in the fallout because of tightly linked supply chains: Chinese raw materials → Japanese processed materials → South Korean finished products. During Lee’s visit, China announced dual-use export controls targeting Japan and signaled possible sanctions even on third countries involved. Japan also poses risks. The Takaichi government’s rightward shift and security buildup could raise tensions in Northeast Asia and increase the likelihood that Tokyo will press South Korea for “security participation.” If Seoul loses its footing amid the courtship, it risks becoming not a mediator in China-Japan tensions but a proxy battleground bearing the costs of their rivalry — on top of already being squeezed by U.S.-China competition. The international order under the second Trump administration is driven less by ideology than by national interest and practical gain. On Tuesday as Lee heads to Japan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China for the first time in eight years. The two countries, which clashed in recent years over issues including human rights and Huawei, are now exploring cooperation in response to the Trump administration’s “America First” approach. South Korea’s interests in managing China and Japan are clear. With China, it should restore an economic partnership while continuing “de-risking” to reduce supply-chain dependence. With Japan, it should strengthen security and supply-chain coordination while holding firm principles on historical and territorial issues. That requires focusing on practical cooperation in future industries such as semiconductors, AI and energy — taking neighbors’ outstretched hands while coolly watching where their hidden blades may point. *The author is the deputy head of international economy team at Aju Business Daily 2026-01-13 07:56:10