Journalist
Lee Hugh
=
-
TWS VR Concert Film 'Rush Road' Tops 40,000 Viewers in Korea K-pop group TWS has wrapped up its first VR concert film, “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD,” after a successful run in South Korea. The film surpassed 40,000 cumulative viewers and posted an average seat occupancy rate of 81%. The results came despite a limited release in a single theater, outperforming previous VR concert titles and setting a notable mark in the K-pop VR concert market. “Rush Road” sold out repeatedly from its opening week, prompting extended screenings and multiple repeat viewings that sustained demand. After tickets went on sale, individual showings quickly sold out, and the title rose to No. 1 on the Megabox box office. It maintained steady occupancy through the end of its run. The company credited the performance in part to the members’ hands-on involvement. From early production, the group contributed ideas on performance structure and camera direction to improve the final product. They also met audiences in person at stage greetings held shortly after release and continued fan engagement through the Weverse community. Audience feedback was also strong, with favorable reviews posted on Megabox and on social media. The film drew not only the group’s fan base, known as “42,” but also a sizable share of general moviegoers and fans of other artists, suggesting VR concerts can serve as an entry point beyond core fandom. The film opens at a rock festival setting and moves through locations including a rooftop and an aurora-themed space, aiming to heighten immersion. It also features close-range performances designed for VR viewing. After ending its domestic run, “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD” is continuing with sequential screenings in major cities overseas. 2026-04-13 09:51:15 -
Korean Picture Books Target Global Market at Bologna Children’s Book Fair The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Publishing Industry Promotion Agency said Sunday they will take part in the 63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair, running April 13-16 at BolognaFiere in Italy, to step up efforts to expand the global market for Korean children’s publishing content. Korea will operate a 352-square-meter area centered on an export consultation zone and an author promotion zone, aiming to showcase the strength of Korean picture books and children’s literature and deliver tangible export results. In the export consultation zone, organizers will focus on one-on-one business meetings between Korean and overseas publishers. A total of 39 Korean publishers, including Changbi Publishers, Sakyejul Publishing and Dasan Books, will run individual booths. A professional agency will also handle export consultations for 100 titles submitted on behalf of 27 companies that cannot attend in person. Last year, 40 Korean publishers joined the consultation zone and held 556 export meetings. Organizers said they will support talks by arranging pre-scheduled meetings with overseas buyers, providing professional interpreters and producing an English directory introducing participating companies’ books. A “Networking Day” is set for April 14 to promote exchanges among publishing professionals. After the fair, displayed books will be donated to King Sejong Institutes and local universities to broaden access to Korean publishing content. The author promotion zone will highlight Korea’s creative range in children’s publishing by exhibiting representative works and original illustrations from 15 Korean authors. A total of 109 books, including key titles by 10 authors attending the fair, will be displayed. Organizers will run 16 author programs to introduce the writers’ work in greater depth. A special lecture will feature author Lee Geum-yi, a finalist in the writing category for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award, often described as the “Nobel Prize of children’s literature.” Organizers will also host book talks and a special exhibition centered on works that won the BolognaRagazzi Award in March, aiming to underscore the international standing of Korean children’s publishing. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 09:36:16 -
NongHyup Bank Joins K-Content Loan Interest Support, Completing Six-Bank Network The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency said Monday they signed a business agreement with NongHyup Bank on April 10 to expand an interest-subsidy program for cultural content companies, together with the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Korea Technology Finance Corp. Under the “content company interest-subsidy support” program, the government covers up to 2.5 percentage points of loan interest for small and midsize content firms that struggle to raise production funding. The agreement allows companies to secure financing more smoothly by using an “agreement guarantee” issued by the guarantee institutions and receiving interest support. The five participating organizations said they will cooperate for the next three years, each using its own expertise. The culture ministry will provide policy funding, and KOCCA will form a consultative body among the partners and oversee the program’s overall implementation. The Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Korea Technology Finance Corp. will issue dedicated agreement guarantees for content companies. NongHyup Bank will provide loans to eligible firms at rates 2.5 percentage points below standard rates. The program targets small and midsize cultural content companies that receive the agreement guarantee, and the funds are to be used for K-content production and distribution. The ministry and KOCCA said the deal completes a nationwide content-finance support network with participation from the country’s six major commercial banks. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 09:30:14 -
S. Korean researchers develop smart OLED patch to accelerate wound healing speed SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - A research team in South Korea has developed a wearable electronic patch that can speed up the skin wound-healing process by about 200 percent using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), compared to conventional wound treatment methods. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said Monday that a joint research group led by Professor Choi Kyung-cheol successfully created the self-regulating platform that uses light to control the release of medicine onto a skin wound. The project included researchers from the Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET) and Chungbuk National University. Traditional wound care often relies on ointments or light therapy, but it can be difficult to maintain the correct dosage. Too much medication can cause side effects, while light therapy, known as photobiomodulation (PBM), loses its effectiveness if the light intensity is not properly balanced. The new patch solves those problems by using light to create reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. These molecules act as a biological switch that tells the patch when to release medication. As the light intensity changes, the amount of medicine released adjusts automatically to match the wound's needs. The device is designed as a thin, flexible patch that sticks directly to the skin, even on curved areas of the body. It operates at a steady temperature of about 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 degrees Fahrenheit), which eliminates the risk of low-temperature burns during long-term use. Testing showed the patch can function reliably for more than 400 hours. During animal trials, wounds treated with the smart patch showed a 67 percent recovery rate after 14 days. In comparison, a control group that used conventional techniques showed only a 35 percent recovery rate. The researchers found that the patch not only accelerated the healing process but also helped skin grow back with a healthy barrier of protective proteins. The patch delivers a specialized extract from Centella asiatica, a plant often called tiger grass, which is a common ingredient in skin repair treatments. By combining the regenerative power of 630-nanometer red light with precise drug delivery, the system ensures the medicine is only used when necessary. "This research moves beyond simply applying light therapy to using light as a tool to control the treatment itself," Professor Choi Kyung-cheol said. The team plans to expand the technology into an intelligent platform that can react to a patient's specific condition to treat various diseases and injuries. Ph.D. candidate Yeon Hye-jeong served as the lead author of the study, which was featured as the cover story for the March issue of the journal Materials Horizons. The project was supported by KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung, KICET President Yoon Jong-seok, and Acting President Park Yu-sik of Chungbuk National University. (Reference Information) Journal/Source: Materials Horizons Title: A self-regulating wearable OLED patch for accelerated wound healing via photobiomodulation-triggered drug delivery Link/DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH02129D 2026-04-13 09:28:16 -
Lee set to hold first summit in decades with Polish leader to boost defense cooperation SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold talks with Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday. The first meeting between the two leaders also marks the first visit by a Polish leader in 27 years and Tusk's first trip to a non-European country since taking office in December 2023. Tusk, who arrived in South Korea on Sunday for a two-day visit at Lee's invitation, is scheduled to hold talks with Lee, followed by expanded discussions with key officials, a joint press statement, and an official luncheon. During the meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss their strategic partnership across a range of areas including growing cooperation in the defense industry. In December last year, the two countries signed an additional contract worth 5.6 trillion Korean won (about US$3.73 billion) for Chunmoo, South Korea's homegrown multiple rocket launch system (MLRS) developed by Hanwha Aerospace. Lee and Tusk are also expected to address pressing global challenges including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, given Poland's role as a key member of both the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 2026-04-13 09:05:01 -
Hana Bank, Tmoney Mobility to Support Taxi Operators With Tailored Financing Hana Bank said April 13 it has signed a business agreement with Tmoney Mobility to provide financial support for taxi operators. The partnership aims to develop tailored financial service models for taxi operators and improve their access to financing. Hana Bank plans to launch specialized financial products to help taxi operators run their businesses more steadily and to strengthen links with Tmoney Mobility’s taxi-operator platform, “Taxi Today.” The two companies also plan to identify new business models using Hana Bank’s financial data and Tmoney Mobility’s driving data. They will also work together on financial education support and marketing strategies, including online and offline promotions. “We signed this agreement to improve taxi operators’ access to financing and to provide tangible benefits through tailored financial services,” said Seo Yu-seok, executive vice president of Hana Bank’s Corporate Group. “Based on the data held by both companies, we will support taxi operators’ growth and strengthen cooperation for shared prosperity.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 09:00:00 -
Horror Film 'Salmokji' Tops Box Office in Opening Weekend, Nears Break-Even Film "Salmokji" led the box office in its opening weekend, extending its strong run. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office database on April 13, "Salmokji" drew 536,452 moviegoers from April 10-12 to rank No. 1 for the weekend. The result put it ahead of competing releases "Project Hail Mary" and "The Man Who Lives With the King." Its opening-weekend total was the biggest for a horror film since "Metamorphosis" drew 571,901 in 2019, and it far exceeded the 305,151 posted by "The Medium" in its first weekend in 2021. The film also gained momentum on its third day in theaters, April 10, when it attracted 111,766 viewers, topping its opening-day figure of 89,913. Weekend attendance continued to climb. The break-even point is about 800,000 admissions, and the film is expected to pass that mark soon. "Salmokji" is a horror film in which an unidentified figure appears on a road-view image, and a film crew heading to a reservoir for a reshoot encounters something in the dark, deep water. Lee Sang-min directed. The cast includes Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won and Kim Jun-han. 2026-04-13 08:36:20 -
Rory McIlroy Repeats at Masters, First Back-to-Back Champion Since Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland successfully defended his title at the Masters Tournament, becoming the first back-to-back winner in 24 years since Tiger Woods of the United States. McIlroy shot a 1-under 71 in the final round Sunday (Korean time) at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, with five birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey on the par-72 course. He finished at 12-under 276, edging Scottie Scheffler of the United States (11-under 277) by one stroke to claim the green jacket. The winner’s prize was $4.5 million (about 6.6 billion won). The victory made McIlroy the fourth player to defend a Masters title, joining Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966), Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Woods (2001-2002). McIlroy also led from the opening round through the finish for a wire-to-wire win. It was the first wire-to-wire Masters champion since Dustin Johnson in 2020. The win was McIlroy’s first of the season and the 30th of his PGA Tour career. The result followed recent health concerns. After tying for second at the Genesis Invitational in February, McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational because of back pain. He then tied for 46th at The Players Championship. At Augusta National, he showed a different level of form, combining accurate shots and putting to stay atop the leaderboard from the first day and hold on through the final round for a second straight Masters title. 2026-04-13 08:24:00 -
BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ tops Billboard 200 for third straight week, a K-pop first 그룹 방탄소년단(BTS)의 정규 5집 '아리랑(ARIRANG)'이 K팝 사상 처음으로 미국 빌보드 메인 앨범 차트에서 3주 연속 1위를 기록했다. Billboard said in a chart preview article on April 12 (local time) that BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” remained No. 1 on the main albums chart, the Billboard 200, for a third straight week. The group held off Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem” and Kanye West’s “BULLY.” It is the first time a K-pop act has led the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks. Among groups, it is the biggest run since Mumford & Sons’ “Babel,” which logged five nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 in 2012-2013. It is also the first album since Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” last year to debut at No. 1 and stay there for three straight weeks. For the latest tracking period, “ARIRANG” posted 124,000 equivalent album units, Billboard said. That total included 71,000 in album sales, 50,000 in streaming equivalent albums (SEA) and 3,000 in track equivalent albums (TEA). Driven by strong physical sales, it also ranked No. 1 for a third week on the Top Album Sales chart. “ARIRANG,” described as reflecting the group’s identity, contains 14 tracks, including the title song “SWIM.” “SWIM,” which ranked No. 2 on Billboard’s main singles chart, the Hot 100, last week, is expected to remain near the top this week, according to the report. BTS also held “BTS World Tour ARIRANG in Goyang” from April 9 to 12 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, south of Seoul. The three-day run drew about 132,000 fans, marking the group’s first solo tour in about four years since 2022’s “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 07:45:16 -
Super Junior’s Kim Hee-chul Says He’s Driving Again After 20 Years Super Junior member Kim Hee-chul has explained why he got back behind the wheel for the first time in 20 years. On an SBS episode of "My Little Old Boy" that aired on the 12th, entertainers Tak Jae-hoon and Heo Kyung-hwan appeared as driving instructors for Kim. Kim said he stopped driving after undergoing major surgery following a traffic accident, adding that it has been 20 years since he last drove. He said he decided to learn again because he wants to drive a future child to kindergarten or school. "Later, I’m going to name our baby Rua. If Kim Rua comes along, I want to take the baby to kindergarten or school," he said. Kim was in a 2006 traffic accident and underwent major surgery after fracturing his thigh and ankle, with seven metal pins inserted. He was later reported to have been assessed as having a level 4 physical disability.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 07:24:14