Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Hong Hyeong-pyo Solo Show 'DENSITY' Opens March 10 at MOMA K Gallery Seoul’s MOMA K Gallery in Gwanak District will present artist Hong Hyeong-pyo’s solo exhibition, “DENSITY; Time That Piled Up, Grew and Remained,” from March 10 through April 9. The show centers on how repeated time and labor accumulate on the canvas, featuring Hong’s “Gobongbap” and “Pumpkin” series. Hong builds up and presses down layers of paint in a repeated process, creating a distinctive texture and sense of weight. The approach emphasizes visible traces of time rather than quick completion. While the two series use different subjects, they share the same perspective. A heaping bowl of rice and a pumpkin grown from the ground are both outcomes shaped over a long period. Hong focuses less on what is depicted than on the time in which it existed. Admission is free. More information is available from the gallery. The gallery said, “Through this exhibition, visitors will have an opportunity to newly discover the weight of time accumulated in everyday objects we have passed by without noticing, and the rhythm of life condensed within it.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 13:45:15 -
WAIFF D-2: Seoul edition marks global expansion in 2026 SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival (WAIFF), which debuted in Nice, France on April 11, 2025, will expand globally in 2026, with Seoul emerging as one of its key host cities. Putting emphasis on collaboration between artificial intelligence and human creativity, WAIFF aims to bridge technology, industry and artistic expression. The 2026 circuit will move through China, Korea, Japan and Brazil before culminating in April at the WAIFF Cannes Edition in France. Select award-winning works from the Seoul edition will receive official invitations to screen in Cannes, placing Korean creators before an international audience of filmmakers and industry professionals. Eligibility and Submission Framework WAIFF Seoul 2026 was limited to Korean nationals and residents, excluding employees of WAIFF institutions, partner organizations and their family members. Nominees invited to official events must have no restrictions affecting their entry or stay in Korea, and participants under 19 were required to submit parental consent. Eligible works were required to have been completed after Oct. 1, 2024, with one entry permitted per category. The festival stipulated meaningful integration of artificial intelligence, requiring each project to employ at least three AI tools, including one image-generative system. Submissions were required to include a synopsis, poster and still images, a production journal, a director’s biography or CV, and the video. English subtitles were mandatory, and videos had to meet a minimum technical standard of Full HD resolution at 24 frames per second. Entries that failed to comply with the guidelines or were submitted after the deadline were deemed invalid. Once selected as nominees, works could not be withdrawn. Competition Structure The Seoul edition will feature four categories reflecting different storytelling formats. The AI Short Film section accepts works running between five to ten minutes, with a recommended 16:9 aspect ratio and a declared genre among animation, action, drama or fantasy. The AI Shorts Series category centers on vertical content. Participants must submit a 9:16 series comprising four to six episodes, each 15 to 60 seconds, delivered as a single file with clearly separated segments. The AI Advertisement category invites short-form commercials for fictional products or services, incorporating a product name, logo and narrative concept. The Youth AI Film category consists of participants under 24 as of Feb. 10, 2026, with entries required to run between five to ten minutes. Team submissions are permitted, provided a designated representative is appointed to hold authority over awards and prize matters. The organizers do not intervene in internal disputes among team members. Event Schedule WAIFF Seoul 2026 will kick off on March 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lotte Concert Hall, located on the 8th floor of Lotte World Mall in Seoul. Admission is free. The following day, March 7, the “WAIFF Seoul 2026: Creative Intelligence Forum” will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lotte Cinema World Tower Seoul. Tickets are priced at 89,000 won ($59.97). 2026-03-04 13:42:46 -
Kim Seon-tae’s New YouTube Channel Nears Chungju City’s ChungTV Subscriber Count Kim Seon-tae, who became widely known as “Chungju Man” while working as a public official, is seeing rapid growth for his newly launched YouTube channel and is closing in on the subscriber count of Chungju City’s official channel, “ChungTV.” News spread on March 3 that Kim opened the channel “Kim Seon-tae” on March 2, drawing attention online. As of the morning of March 3, it had not yet reached 10,000 subscribers. By about 1:20 p.m. on March 4, the channel had about 720,000 subscribers. Viewers are now watching to see whether Kim’s channel will overtake ChungTV, which has about 774,000 subscribers. ChungTV is a channel Kim planned and built himself. After news of his retirement, ChungTV’s subscriber count, which had topped 900,000, fell sharply. In a video posted the previous day, Kim said, “The fundamental reason I started thinking about leaving was that I’d done what I could,” adding, “1 million was the original goal, and I felt I’d done my duty.” He said, “In the end, I started YouTube because I wanted to try things freely,” adding, “This is the only thing I can do. I wanted to make more money.” Kim also said he is 40 and wanted to show what he can do before getting older. “Even if it doesn’t work out, I’m not the type to have regrets, so I want to establish myself as a YouTuber,” he said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 13:30:10 -
Culture minister vows crackdown on BTS concert scalping; says Netflix stream was agency’s call Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young said March 4 that the government would step up efforts to prevent ticket scalping and price gouging tied to BTS’ planned “Gwanghwamun comeback” concert. Speaking at a full meeting of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, Choi responded to questions from Rep. Lee Gi-heon of the Democratic Party. Lee said hotel rooms near Gwanghwamun that had cost 250,000 won were being raised to 800,000 won, and that some operators were canceling existing reservations and reselling rooms at sharply higher prices. “Scalping is also an emergency,” he said. The BTS Gwanghwamun comeback concert is free, but scalpers have been selling access through practices such as transferring IDs and wristbands. Choi said authorities were “actively monitoring and cracking down,” but acknowledged limits. “We will work aggressively during the remaining period so there are no unfortunate incidents,” he said. Lawmakers also criticized Netflix’s exclusive live broadcast of the concert. Rep. Lim Oh-kyeong of the Democratic Party said it was contradictory to stress fostering domestic streaming platforms while a major national event’s rights went to a foreign company. Choi said the decision was made by the group’s agency after weighing various factors, and that it was difficult for the government to intervene. He added that domestic platforms appeared to face limitations in carrying the broadcast, and said he was concerned the ministry’s views were not more fully reflected. Separately, lawmakers urged stronger action against so-called “one-click publishing,” in which generative AI is used to produce thousands of e-books in a short time. Under the current legal deposit system, there are no standards to identify AI publications, no labeling requirement and no separate management framework. The ministry established a “Culture AI Policy Division” last March to oversee AI-related work. Rep. Kim Jae-won of the Rebuilding Korea Future Party said the government should define the institutional status of AI-generated works and create a comprehensive plan covering eligibility for public support programs and measures to address market distortion and overproduction. Choi said books “churned out by AI” should be excluded from legal deposit, and said the ministry was strengthening monitoring and pursuing institutional changes to create a legal basis. He said a comprehensive plan was needed so AI could be used to support growth in culture and the arts, and that the new dedicated unit would lead the work. In another exchange, lawmakers called on government officials to join efforts after President Lee Jae-myung put up for sale a home he had lived in for 29 years as part of a push to normalize the real estate market. Rep. Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party said Choi and his spouse owned an apartment in Anyang and a multi-family home in Pyeongchang, and that Choi’s mother and children held commercial and single-family properties. Min also said nine of the heads of 16 agencies under the ministry owned two or more properties, and urged a ministry-level review. Choi said all of the properties he owns are primary residences, adding that the ministry was reviewing the issue and that he agreed with the intent.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 11:51:18 -
BOK issues verbal intervention amid near-4% slide in won since war outbreak SEOUL, Mar 04 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) issued a verbal intervention Wednesday, pledging a “timely” response after the Korean won briefly touched crisis-era levels around 1,500 per U.S. dollar amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising oil concerns. The warning came after the dollar in the offshore market climbed above the 1,500-won mark overnight — the first time since March 2007 in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. BOK Governor Rhee Chang-yong postponed his departure for Thailand, where he was scheduled to attend an International Monetary Fund conference, and instead presided over an emergency meeting at the central bank. “Volatility in financial markets — including foreign exchange, interest rates and equities — may be inevitable depending on developments in the Middle East,” the bank said in a statement after the meeting. The BOK warned it would respond to “excessive movements” that diverge from economic fundamentals and work with the government to correct any “one-sided” market bias. Seeking to calm investors, the central bank said Korea’s financial system remains liquid and that key external risk indicators — including sovereign borrowing spreads and credit default swap (CDS) premiums — remain stable. As of Tuesday, the CDS premium stood at 25.555 basis points, up 0.53 percent from the previous day. Although the premium had declined for seven consecutive trading days since Feb. 23, it remained near the psychological stability threshold of 25 basis points. By comparison, during the global financial crisis CDS spreads fluctuated around 600 basis points. As of 11:11 a.m., the Korean won traded at 1,480.30 per dollar, marking a decline of nearly 3.9 percent from its Feb. 26 close before the weekend attacks on Iran. 2026-03-04 11:32:25 -
Asian markets tank; Seoul plunges more than 8% as won hovers near crisis-era levels SEOUL, March 04 (AJP) - Asian markets tumbled Wednesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East rattled investors, with Seoul stocks plunging more than 8 percent and the Korean won sliding to near crisis-era levels. A pledge by the United States to provide security escorts and insurance guarantees for tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz did little to reassure investors. Markets across the region remain highly sensitive to the waterway, through which a large share of Middle Eastern oil exports must pass. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ both plunged more than 8 percent. In just two sessions since the outbreak of war, the KOSPI has lost more than 15 percent, triggering the sidecar trading curb for two consecutive days. Overnight, U.S. equities also closed lower as geopolitical risks in the Middle East continued to weigh on sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.83 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined 0.94 percent and 1.02 percent, respectively. Investor anxiety intensified after Iran moved to block the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices sharply higher for a second straight day and raising fresh concerns over global inflation. On the Seoul bourse, individual and institutional investors were net buyers of 539.6 billion won ($364.6 million) and 403.3 billion won, respectively, while foreigners offloaded a net 996.1 billion won worth of shares. Major sectors — including chips, autos, batteries and biopharmaceuticals — fell sharply. Refinery stocks, which had surged a day earlier on expectations of higher refining margins, also retreated. SK Innovation dropped 9.55 percent to 118,400 won, while GS Holdings fell 4.40 percent to 67,400 won. Defense stocks showed mixed performance amid lingering geopolitical demand. Hanwha Aerospace slid 9.15 percent to 1,301,000 won and Hyundai Rotem fell more than 10 percent to 222,000 won. LIG Nex1 bucked the trend, rising 10.89 percent to 733,000 won on expectations of stronger demand for its Cheongung-II air defense system, while Hanwha Systems gained 3.41 percent to 151,700 won. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics fell 2.56 percent to 190,100 won and SK Hynix declined 2.88 percent to 912,000 won. Hyundai Motor dropped 4.12 percent to 570,500 won, while affiliate Kia slid 4.99 percent to 173,200 won. LG Energy Solution declined 3.94 percent to 377,500 won and Samsung Biologics retreated 3.93 percent to 1,615,000 won. Financial stocks also moved lower. KB Financial Group fell 4.63 percent to 146,400 won, Shinhan Financial Group slipped 4.65 percent and Mirae Asset Securities declined 5.56 percent to 62,900 won. Entertainment stocks traded mixed, with HYBE down 4.73 percent and JYP Entertainment falling 5.22 percent, while YG Entertainment edged up 1.18 percent. The Korean won opened 12.9 won weaker at 1,479.0 per dollar and briefly climbed to 1,482.20 before easing to 1,471.0 after the Bank of Korea said it would closely monitor excessive volatility and respond if necessary in coordination with the government. The currency later weakened again to around 1,481.90 as of 10:43 a.m. 2026-03-04 11:32:17 -
Trump assures US Navy will step in to protect tankers in Strait of Hormuz SEOUL, March 4 (AJP) - The U.S. Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz "if necessary," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, amid growing concerns that the ongoing Middle East conflict could disrupt oil shipments through the strategically vital waterway. "If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible," Trump wrote on his own social media platform Truth Social. "No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD." The remarks come as last Saturday's U.S.‑led airstrikes against Iran under the military operation dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" entered their fourth day, intensifying fears of major disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one‑fifth of the world's oil supply. He also wrote, "Effective IMMEDIATELY, I have ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the Financial Security of ALL Maritime Trade, especially Energy, traveling through the Gulf. This will be available to all Shipping Lines." Trump also said at the White House earlier in the day that he expects oil prices to fall once the military operation against Iran ends, reassuring reporters who were concerned about current market volatility. "If we have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe, lower than even before," he said. Meanwhile, Iran International, a Persian‑language outlet based in London, reported that Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei's second-eldest son Mojtaba Khamenei has been tapped as his successor. 2026-03-04 11:08:06 -
SBS Leads Ratings for Two WBC Tune-Up Broadcasts SBS’ broadcasts of World Baseball Classic tune-up games topped ratings again, reinforcing the network’s long-running reputation for baseball coverage. The broadcast of the March 3 game against Orix drew a peak household rating of 1.3% despite airing in a weekday daytime slot. SBS also ranked No. 1 in the advertiser-coveted 20-49 demographic rating and in total viewers, leading rival networks by nearly twofold (Nielsen Korea, Seoul metropolitan area). Much of the attention centered on analyst Lee Dae-ho’s candid, detailed commentary. “I will meet Noh Si-hwan in person. If I can help the team even a little,” Lee said on air. From the booth, Lee addressed Noh’s recent hitting struggles with advice that went beyond mechanics. As Noh appeared to have trouble with timing during the game, the broadcast revisited Noh’s earlier remark that he had “found the feel.” Lee responded by reflecting on his own career. “Baseball is really hard. In fact, I played 22 years as a pro, and until I retired I never once said, ‘I found the feel,’” Lee said. The comment framed even elite performance as a constant challenge and sought to ease the pressure on the younger hitter. After fellow analyst Lee Soon-cheol asked him to encourage Noh, Lee said he would speak with him directly, offering support ahead of the tournament proper. While Noh was quiet at the plate, Kim Do-young powered the lineup with home runs on consecutive days. After Kim hit a three-run homer in the top of the second inning, Lee said, “It looks like he hits better than I did in my prime. It’s impressive he can drive a mistake pitch like that.” Lee also shared his own experience while offering encouragement during home runs by Ahn Hyun-min and Shea Whitcomb. When discussion turned to pitching decisions and the strike zone, Lee drew on his experience as a high school pitcher. “Pitchers are stubborn, but umpires are stubborn, too. You have to learn to use that quickly,” he said, offering a practical point for younger players preparing for the main event. South Korea’s national team is set to open the tournament against the Czech Republic on March 5. SBS said it will cover the WBC from Japan starting tomorrow, with analysts Lee Dae-ho and Lee Soon-cheol and play-by-play announcer Jung Woo-young.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 11:06:00 -
Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young says talks underway to protect Olympic viewing rights Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young said Tuesday that his ministry is discussing institutional measures with the Korea Communications and Media Commission amid controversy over the public being deprived of access to watch the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Choi made the remarks during a briefing to the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, responding to questions from Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Kye-won. Cho warned that disputes over Olympic broadcast rights could restrict the public’s ability to watch. He said the Milan Olympics opening ceremony drew just a 1.8% rating, calling it a bleak result and attributing it to the absence of terrestrial broadcasting. Cho added that JTBC has secured exclusive rights to broadcast the Olympics from 2026 to 2032 and the World Cup through 2030. With a single channel holding the rights, he said, the public lost chances to cheer, citing cases in which athlete Choi Ga-on’s effort was reduced to a single line of on-screen text. Some countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, regulate major international sports events such as the Olympics to prevent pay-TV broadcasters from monopolizing rights and to protect public access. Choi said JTBC’s coverage falls under the commission’s rules on universal access, but acknowledged there were limits to nationwide viewing. “This has made us keenly aware of the seriousness,” he said, adding that discussions are underway with the Korea Communications and Media Commission on institutional safeguards. Lawmakers also raised concerns that Hallyu-related tourism is concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area. Of the top 10 concerts by ticket sales in 2024, nine were held in the capital region, with the exception of Psy’s “Summer Swag” show in Busan. The imbalance has fueled calls to develop mid- to large-scale multipurpose arenas outside the capital region. Choi said the ministry is preparing to launch feasibility studies for such arenas outside the Seoul area to speed up the expansion of regional performance infrastructure. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 10:54:17 -
Korea Music Performers Association Sees More Actors Join as OST Rights Gain Focus K-content is expanding its global reach, and the definition of a “music performer” is widening with it. What was long seen as the domain of singers now increasingly includes actors who sing on screen in dramas and films, especially as original soundtracks and film music are consumed worldwide through OTT services and streaming platforms. As songs from dramas and movies travel across borders, the work and rights of actors who perform those songs are drawing new attention. What was once treated as a directing device or fan service is increasingly viewed as standalone music content, and more actors are recognizing themselves as performers as well as actors. The shift is reflected in new members joining the Korea Music Performers Association, led by Chairman Lee Jung-hyun. Actor Shin Hyun-joon recently joined after releasing the album with Jung Joon-ho. He also drew attention last year when he sang the OST with fans at a fan meeting in Peru. Actor Byun Woo-seok, who played top star Ryu Sun-jae in tvN’s 2024 hit drama and sang the OST himself, has also become a member. Since last year, actors including Choo Young-woo, Lee Sun-bin, Jung Hae-in, Kim Min-seok and Cynthia have joined after performing songs in dramas and films. Industry officials say the trend reflects an evolving K-content business structure in which “performance” released through official recordings is increasingly treated as a specialized field and a right that deserves protection, regardless of how central music is to an actor’s career. “K-dramas and films’ global success is also raising the value and impact of OSTs,” said Kim Seung-min, the association’s executive director. “An actor’s song is no longer a simple add-on. It is independent content and an area of rights that must be protected. The recent expansion of our membership spectrum clearly shows this change.” Actors who join can receive neighboring-rights royalties and broadcast compensation for OSTs, insert songs and theme music they performed. Tracking and claiming usage across broadcasters, streaming services, IPTV and overseas platforms is, in practice, nearly impossible for individuals. The association manages domestic and international usage on performers’ behalf and handles rights administration. The association also pursues retroactive payments for past uses that occurred before membership, through negotiations with businesses, providing tangible benefits even to actors who participated in OSTs for works aired long ago. It also cites as a strength its 36 years of negotiating experience at home and abroad, which it uses to collect additional neighboring-rights royalties that individual performers may struggle to claim. Music-use revenue generated on YouTube, global OTT services and overseas streaming platforms is managed through reciprocal agreements with foreign performers’ organizations, the association said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 10:27:24