Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • BTS Launches ARIRANG World Tour in Goyang, Set for 85 Shows in 34 Cities
    BTS Launches 'ARIRANG' World Tour in Goyang, Set for 85 Shows in 34 Cities BTS opens its new world tour, “ARIRANG,” on April 9 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province. According to agency BIGHIT MUSIC, the group will perform in Goyang on April 9, 11 and 12, then head to Japan, the United States, Germany, France, Canada, Peru, Chile, Thailand and other stops, meeting fans across 34 cities in 85 shows. The tour is built around stadiums and large domes and will feature a 360-degree open stage designed to deepen audience immersion. Demand has remained strong. Forty-six shows, including dates in Goyang and Tokyo as well as North America and Europe, have already sold out. Global concert promoter Live Nation said about 2.4 million tickets have been sold for the 41 North American and European shows alone. BTS is expected to perform songs from its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” along with earlier hits. The album has continued its run after topping the Billboard 200 main albums chart for a second straight week. Member Jimin wrote on the fan platform Weverse, urging fans to dress warmly and adding, “We’ll prepare hard.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 08:00:15
  • BTS’ Jung Kook Apologizes for Profanity During Live Broadcast
    BTS’ Jung Kook Apologizes for Profanity During Live Broadcast BTS member Jung Kook has apologized for his behavior during a recent live broadcast. In a message posted early April 8 on the fan platform Weverse, Jung Kook said, “I should apologize to ARMY about a recent live.” He added, “If I think about whether I did something seriously wrong, honestly I’m not sure. I’m not a public official, and these are things people in this industry all say.” He said he realized fans may have felt uncomfortable because he had not shown that side of himself before, adding, “I want to say I’m sorry to our ARMY who felt uncomfortable, and I’ll hold back.” Jung Kook also said he did not want to say much to “people who are busy criticizing everything,” adding, “Thank you for your interest.” In February, Jung Kook drew controversy after making an obscene hand gesture and using profanity toward an acquaintance during a live broadcast. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 07:57:15
  • OPINION: War without order and reason
    OPINION: War without order and reason The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its sixth week, with no clear end in sight. What began as a show of force has instead evolved into a grinding conflict, disrupting global energy flows, rattling markets and exposing the fragility of international order. Each morning, attention turns less to the battlefield than to Washington — to President Donald Trump’s shifting rhetoric, deadlines and threats. Policy, it seems, is being made in real time. This war should not have begun in the first place. It lacks a coherent rationale, let alone an exit strategy. Its origins appear tied as much to Israeli domestic politics and regional ambitions as to any immediate security necessity. For Trump, who once cast himself as a peacemaker and even a Nobel aspirant, the contradiction is stark. His presidency has instead coincided with the prolongation or expansion of conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza, Lebanon and now Iran. More troubling is the broader collapse of the postwar system. The institutions built after World War II to prevent large-scale violence — the United Nations, peacekeeping frameworks, even international courts — are increasingly sidelined. What remains is not a transition to a stable multipolar order, but a vacuum where power alone dictates outcomes. From Tehran, the war is framed differently. Iranian media call it “Trump’s war,” contrasting what they see as Iran’s historical continuity with what they portray as American impulsiveness. The comparison is not merely rhetorical. It reflects a deeper failure of understanding — a tendency in Washington to reduce a complex civilization into a strategic target. Yet Iran’s own system is far from blameless. Decades of economic mismanagement, political rigidity and concentration of power have left its society strained. Inflation has surged, real incomes have collapsed, and recent protests — spanning more than 100 cities — revealed a population under acute pressure. Many had hoped for reform or diplomatic relief. Instead, war has intervened. The human cost is mounting. Among the dead is Dr. Kamal Karaji, a veteran diplomat and architect of Iran’s nuclear negotiations, killed in an Israeli strike. He was not a symbol of confrontation, but of engagement — a figure who argued that Iran’s future lay in economic development, not nuclear armament. His death underscores a dangerous shift: the targeting of those who might have enabled diplomacy. That shift also deepens the central problem — trust. The United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement unilaterally. It launched strikes even as talks were underway. It issued ultimatums, then acted before deadlines expired. Under such conditions, negotiations become indistinguishable from coercion. Iran, for its part, is unlikely to capitulate. Its leadership structure is designed for continuity, with layers of succession and a political culture that frames loss as martyrdom. Even as senior figures are eliminated, replacements step in. The system bends, but does not break. The result is a conflict with no natural off-ramp. There are, in theory, areas for compromise — limits on nuclear development, calibrated missile constraints, managed access through the Strait of Hormuz. But these require a minimum level of credibility. Without it, even reasonable proposals become nonstarters. What is at stake now extends beyond Iran. It is the question of whether rules still matter in international relations — or whether the world is entering an era where power is exercised without constraint and justified after the fact. If cities like Rome or Vienna were subjected to similar bombardment, the global response would be immediate and unified. That it is not, in this case, speaks volumes. This is no longer just a regional war. It is a test of whether the idea of order itself still holds. *The author is a professor emeritus at the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Hanyang University. About the author ▷Hankuk University of Foreign Studies ▷Ph.D. in history, Istanbul University, Turkey ▷Emeritus professor, Department of Cultural Anthropology, Hanyang University ▷Secretary-general, Korea-Türkiye Friendship Association ▷Academic committee member (South Korea representative), Central Asian Studies Institute (UNESCO-IICAS) ▷Chair professor, Sungkonghoe University ▷Director, Institute of Islamic Culture Research ▷About 90 books published in South Korea and abroad 2026-04-09 07:24:57
  • Global Biosimilar Rules Ease, but Market Seen Consolidating Around Established Leaders
    Global Biosimilar Rules Ease, but Market Seen Consolidating Around Established Leaders Easing regulations for biosimilars is lowering barriers to entry, but competition is expected to tighten around established leaders rather than shift to newcomers, industry watchers say. As of April 8, major regulators including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency are revising standards to simplify biosimilar approvals, according to industry officials. The aim is to reduce the burden of large Phase 3 trials used to prove equivalence to original drugs and to rely more on analytical data such as pharmacokinetics (PK). Industry estimates put the impact at about a 25% cut in overall clinical costs and a development timeline shortened by one to two years. South Korea is moving in the same direction. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has already shortened review times for new biologics and biosimilars to 295 days from 406 days and plans to reduce them further to 240 days. Even so, lower regulatory hurdles are not expected to change who leads the market. Developing a biosimilar remains a high-difficulty business that can require up to $300 million per product and take more than five years. Regulatory easing may encourage more companies to try entering, but few have the production facilities, quality control systems and global approval experience needed at the same time. As entry becomes easier, the advantages of incumbent players may stand out more, the industry says. Jung Yi-su, an analyst at IBK Investment & Securities, said Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis are likely to be key beneficiaries in South Korea. He said Celltrion is moving quickly to revise Phase 3 trial plans in line with the regulatory changes, making it more likely to reflect the benefits of streamlined trials sooner. External conditions are also favorable for Celltrion, the report said. A policy for "2027 Medicare Advantage" issued by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services includes higher insurer burdens and higher patient out-of-pocket costs. That could increase preference for biosimilars over high-priced drugs. If costs tied to intravenous (IV) administration are reflected, demand could also rise for subcutaneous (SC) formulations that patients can self-administer. Celltrion's "Zymfentra" was cited as a direct beneficiary. Celltrion plans to expand its biosimilar portfolio to 41 products by 2038 from 11 now. Key pipeline candidates include autoimmune disease treatments "CT-P53" and "CT-P55" and cancer treatment "CT-P51," all in Phase 3 trials. Samsung Bioepis is viewed as ahead in developing its Keytruda biosimilar, "SB27." It completed global clinical patient enrollment earlier than competitors, raising its chances of securing an early position, the report said. U.S. biosimilar market analysis cited in the report says first movers can generate, on average, 27% higher sales than later entrants. Keytruda patents are set to expire in the United States in 2028 and in Europe in 2031. Because clinician trust is critical, products that enter first may be able to expand share based on prescribing experience, the report said. Samsung Bioepis has already expanded its global footprint, commercializing 11 biosimilars in more than 40 countries, including the psoriasis treatment "Pyzchiva" and the paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treatment "Epyscli." It is developing biosimilars for seven additional blockbuster drugs nearing patent expiry and plans to expand to 20 products by 2030. Industry officials said the regulatory shift could reshape the competitive landscape, not just expand the market. "As the clinical burden falls, more companies will try to enter the biosimilar market, but the market itself will be reorganized around existing leaders with experience and infrastructure," one industry official said. 2026-04-08 19:03:43
  • Review: ‘Sinners: Sinners’ and the Oscars’ Spotlight on the Blues
    Review: ‘Sinners: Sinners’ and the Oscars’ Spotlight on the Blues The Academy Awards may be the world’s most-watched film prizes, but they are still, as some put it, a largely local show. I paid little attention this year — until I heard that the film “Sinners: Sinners” (hereafter “Sinners”) had landed a record 16 nominations. Most people expected “One Battle After Another” to dominate. So why did the less-known “Sinners” suddenly stand out? In South Korea, the gap was stark. “One Battle After Another,” boosted by Leonardo DiCaprio, drew more than 500,000 viewers. Before its re-release, “Sinners” drew fewer than 80,000. Yet “Sinners” was a major hit at home: North American box office accounted for about 76% of its worldwide gross (source: IMDb). Even so, it was striking to see a film by Black filmmakers and starring Black actors — centered on blues music from an era of discrimination — become the most-nominated film in Oscars history. In the end, “Sinners” won four trophies out of 16 nominations, while most major awards went as expected to “One Battle After Another.” The nominations were a surprise, but the film did not overturn Hollywood’s usual order. The ceremony ended with relatively little controversy. Still, “Sinners” merits a second look, particularly at a time when, as President Donald Trump issues ultimatums to the world, the United States’ standing appears to be slipping by the day. My view is that the Academy’s attention to “Sinners,” after “One Battle After Another,” reflected a sense of urgency in trying to lift the image of an American empire whose prestige has fallen sharply. Part of the film’s appeal in the United States, I believe, is that while it tells a Black story, it also captures — in vivid sound and image — something foundational about the country itself, prompting even Americans to reconsider what they may not have fully recognized about their own roots. “Sinners” is a period piece set during the height of Jim Crow segregation laws. It layers music heavily into the story and eventually folds in occult elements, making for a complex plot. But its core is unmistakable: the blues. For decades, the United States held the “world’s police” image, even in blockbuster fantasies where it shoulders the mission of global stability and peace. In reality, the country’s most decisive global impact has been cultural — especially popular culture. For years, U.S. content has dominated music and film charts worldwide. And at the root of that cultural force sits Black blues music. “Sinners” treats the blues with reverence. In the film, a gifted blues player named Sammy takes the stage on the day twin brothers Smoke and Stack — who return home after running with gangs elsewhere — open a bar. Sammy performs his original song, “I Lied to You.” The sequence that follows was powerful enough to quicken the pulse of an ordinary viewer like me, sitting in the corner of an almost empty theater in South Korea. As Sammy sings and plays in 1932, the film collapses time: one person plays an electronic guitar; another DJs, then raps; others break-dance and twerk. At one point, as hip-hop unfolds, someone beside it performs Peking opera, a traditional Chinese musical theater form. The film presents the blues as a vast, almost sacred force — one that blurs the line between life and death and gathers past, present and future into a single moment. The greatness it assigns to the blues is rendered with unusual clarity in the “I Lied to You” sequence. What did American audiences feel watching it? Did they sense their country’s reach in a visceral way? The Academy, moved by that pull, nominated “Sinners” in 16 categories, granting it the distinction of the most nominations in Oscars history. That is where I see the cultural world’s urgency to restore the stature of an empire. For reasons that are not entirely clear, that effort ended with four wins out of 16. It may have been too much to expect that the blues — music born of resistance — could by itself rescue the future of a declining empire. The question now is what Americans will look to next for renewal — and whether that answer lies not outside the country, but within it.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 19:03:20
  • Stars of The Devil Wears Prada arrive in Seoul to promote sequel
    Stars of 'The Devil Wears Prada' arrive in Seoul to promote sequel SEOUL, April 8 (AJP) - Hollywood stars Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway attended a red carpet event to meet South Korean fans in central Seoul on Wednesday, just weeks ahead of the release of their upcoming film. Their visit to Seoul comes as the sequel to their 2006 hit "The Devil Wears Prada" is scheduled for release on April 29. The sequel reunites the original cast in new roles, as they face new challenges and evolving careers in the fashion industry. It remains to be seen whether the much-anticipated global hit, arriving nearly two decades later, will captivate South Korean moviegoers. 2026-04-08 17:52:12
  • Samsung Bioepis Expands AI Training; Seoul St. Mary’s Rolls Out Smart Nursing Tools
    Samsung Bioepis Expands AI Training; Seoul St. Mary’s Rolls Out Smart Nursing Tools Samsung Bioepis moves to boost employees’ AI skills Samsung Bioepis said April 8 it has launched artificial intelligence training for all employees to strengthen global competitiveness in the AI era. The company said the program is aimed at maximizing workplace efficiency and marks its first companywide AI training effort. Samsung Bioepis built a dedicated training space, the “AI Academy,” at its headquarters in Songdo, Incheon, to allow employees to study year-round. Through July, employees will complete at least seven hours of AI theory and hands-on training at the in-house facility, including use of the latest generative AI, job-specific AI model design and work automation initiatives. The company said it also plans to form a task force led by its AI unit to develop customized “AI agents” for each division and team. Medytox names actor Lee Min-jung as ambassador for fat-reduction probiotic LactiPLAN Medytox said April 8 it has selected actor Lee Min-jung as the official ambassador for LactiPLAN, a probiotic marketed for reducing body fat. The company said it chose Lee because her energetic and trustworthy image aligns with LactiPLAN’s brand identity, which emphasizes a scientifically designed approach to healthy dieting. Medytox said it will release TV and outdoor ads featuring Lee in stages. It also plans a digital campaign across its official YouTube, Instagram and Facebook channels built around the message, “A healthy diet starts with a plan.” Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital expands smart nursing services with AI and mobile tools The Catholic University of Korea’s Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital said April 8 it has declared 2026 “the first year of nursing innovation led by AI” and will apply a range of smart nursing services in clinical settings. The hospital said the project focuses on accelerating digital transformation in nursing to improve efficiency, record accuracy and the patient experience. Its nursing department has operated an AI-based voice electronic nursing record system, known as Voice ENR, across all wards since February. The hospital said it built the infrastructure in phases over about 11 months while running on-site tests. With testing completed, the hospital said it has finalized a package that includes dedicated devices with Voice ENR and pin microphones designed for voice recognition that block surrounding noise. It said one device is issued to each ward nurse, enabling immediate recording and review at the bedside. The hospital also said it has set up an operating model that uses devices and tablet PCs depending on the task. For work that requires frequent movement — such as medication administration, transfusions and tests — nurses use the more portable Voice ENR device. For tasks that require visual checks and detailed input — such as admission counseling and rounds — they use tablet PCs. Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital said it will continue linking additional systems so the approach can serve as a core tool for nursing work. Jaseng Hospital reports study on Yukgongdan’s protective effects on hippocampal nerve cells A research team led by Kim Hyun-sung at the Spine and Joint Research Institute of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine has identified Yukgongdan’s protective effects on hippocampal nerve cells and its mechanism of action, the hospital said April 8. The findings were published in the SCI(E)-indexed international journal Biology (IF=3.5). The hospital said scientific research explaining how Yukgongdan acts on hippocampal nerve cells has been limited. The team isolated nerve cells from rats and used high-resolution imaging to track changes after administering Yukgongdan, identifying its effects and mechanism. The study found Yukgongdan increased survival of damaged hippocampal nerve cells and reduced cell death. The protective effect was stable under both short-term (three-day) immature culture conditions and long-term (15-day) mature culture conditions, the hospital said. It also reported that Yukgongdan suppressed tau protein modification, cited as a key cause of dementia, and reduced accumulation of amyloid-beta protein, which can cause toxicity between cells. The hospital said ERK levels, associated with excessive stress responses that can accelerate brain damage, decreased after Yukgongdan intake, while expression of the Nrf2 protein, which plays a key role in antioxidant defense, recovered. CHA Fertility Center reports pregnancies using CAPA-IVM with immature eggs CHA University’s CHA Fertility Center said April 8 it has confirmed successive pregnancy successes at Jamsil CHA Hospital and Ilsan CHA Hospital using CAPA-IVM, a hormone-injection-free approach, for patients who have difficulty creating embryos through standard in vitro fertilization. CAPA-IVM is a form of in vitro maturation treatment using immature eggs. At Jamsil CHA Hospital, the center applied CAPA-IVM to a 32-year-old patient identified as A who had difficulty conceiving naturally due to polycystic ovary syndrome. After improving the uterine environment through a hysteroscopic procedure, the patient underwent frozen embryo transfer (T-ET) in January 2025, became pregnant and delivered a healthy baby boy in September that year. At Ilsan CHA Hospital, the center said it confirmed its first pregnancy success after using CAPA-IVM for a patient who did not respond to hormone treatment and had difficulty obtaining mature eggs. The hospital said the results are significant because pregnancy outcomes were confirmed through CAPA-IVM in patient groups where existing infertility treatment had been difficult, including patients with PCOS and those who could not secure mature eggs despite repeated hormone stimulation treatments.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 17:45:16
  • Samchundang Pharm Faces Growing Doubts Over Block Deal, S-Pass Tech and Patent Rights
    Samchundang Pharm Faces Growing Doubts Over Block Deal, S-Pass Tech and Patent Rights Negative issues surrounding Samchundang Pharm have continued to spread, including controversy over a planned block deal by its controlling shareholder and questions about the substance of its technology and the structure of related agreements. The company moved quickly to contain the fallout, withdrawing the block-deal plan and outlining the competitiveness of its oral formulation platform, S-Pass, and its global partnership structure. But investors have said the company has not provided enough indicators or data to resolve doubts, including a lack of disclosed evidence supporting its core technology. With a dispute now also emerging over patent ownership, industry officials warn the issue could extend beyond one company and undermine confidence in South Korea’s broader pharmaceutical sector. According to the industry on April 8, Samchundang Pharm — once the top company by market capitalization on the KOSDAQ — is facing allegations of stock manipulation and criticism that the scope of patents tied to the S-Pass platform is unclear. Questions have grown as the company has not sufficiently disclosed pharmacokinetic, or PK, data, which is commonly viewed as a key benchmark for demonstrating drug effects. A separate dispute has also surfaced over ownership of a key patent. A media outlet reported the previous day that Summit Biotech, a Taiwanese company, filed the patent application for S-Pass, Samchundang Pharm’s drug-delivery platform. The report also argued it was unusual for an overseas company with no equity relationship to hold a core-technology patent. Samchundang Pharm rejected that claim, saying that while it does not hold an equity stake in Summit Biotech, ownership “belongs entirely” to Samchundang Pharm based on a comprehensive research-services contract under which it paid all research and development costs. As the controversy deepens, the pharmaceutical and biotech industry has increasingly viewed the situation as more than a single-company risk. In recent years, technology-export deals and platform-based companies have surged, and industry officials say there have been repeated cases of firms seeking to secure market trust without releasing core data. A pharmaceutical company official cited past cases, saying Alteogen — once No. 1 on the KOSDAQ — previously saw its share price plunge when its technology-export scale fell short of market expectations, and SillaJen was once pushed to the brink of delisting after a Phase 3 liver cancer trial failed. The official said the domestic market is vulnerable to confidence shocks that can quickly freeze investment sentiment across the sector. Some have also pointed to spillover into sector funds. As of April 7, the TIGER KOSDAQ150 Biotech exchange-traded fund posted a roughly 15% loss over the past week, fueling concerns that sentiment toward the domestic biotech industry is already weakening. Samchundang Pharm shares extended their slide. According to the Korea Exchange, the stock closed at 485,000 won on the day, down 6.55% from 519,000 won the previous session. A so-called “imperial stock” that had been eyeing the 1.2 million won level as of late last month has fallen to less than half that level in a short period.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 17:33:55
  • FX intervention joins as the truce in Middle East provides relief in Korean market
    FX intervention joins as the truce in Middle East provides relief in Korean market SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - The relief over bombardment in the Gulf brought long-awaited relief to the South Korean won and bonds, and the truce amplified Seoul’s intervention campaign, according to traders. The won closed at 1,470.6 per dollar, returning below the 1,500 level for the first time in 12 trading days. The 33.6 won gain marked the steepest daily move in about three months, since a 33.8 won jump on Dec. 24 last year amid heavy intervention. The conditional ceasefire triggered a sell-off in the safe-haven dollar while boosting demand for the won and Korean equities. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) fell nearly one point to 98.7, nearing its lowest level in 12 sessions. Foreign investors abruptly reversed course after offloading 36 trillion won in KOSPI shares in March alone. They net bought 2.4 trillion won ($1.63 billion) worth of stocks on Wednesday, far surpassing the previous daily record of 800 billion won set on April 3. The figure marks the second-largest daily net purchase of the year, following 2.9 trillion won on Feb. 12. The bond market also staged a sharp rally. The yield on the benchmark three-year government bond fell 13.6 basis points to 3.315 percent, while the 10-year yield dropped 12.6 basis points to 3.628 percent. Both yields fell below the 3.4 percent and 3.7 percent levels for the first time in a week, echoing the rally seen on April 1 when South Korea’s inclusion in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) began in earnest. Analysts say the “WGBI effect,” which had been diluted by the war, is now resurfacing. “The inclusion in the WGBI is estimated to bring in about $60 billion, or up to 90 trillion won, in capital inflows,” said Yoon Yeo-sam, a researcher at Meritz Securities. “We are seeing increased international trading not only in three- and 10-year treasuries but also in long-term bonds with maturities of 20 years or more, as well as corporate bonds.” Authorities are also maintaining efforts to curb volatility. According to the Bank of Korea, the nation’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $4.4 billion from December to March as authorities deployed dollars to support the won. South Korea’s reserve ranking slipped from ninth to 12th in February and is expected to fall further in March. The Ministry of Economy and Finance held talks with major global investment banks on Tuesday to assess the impact of the Hormuz blockade and pledged continued intervention if volatility persists. Meanwhile, financial authorities are focused on maintaining confidence in the credit market. At an emergency task force meeting Wednesday, officials said South Korea’s credit spreads remain stable. The spread on AA- rated corporate bonds widened by just 6 basis points, from 59.6 at end-February to 65.6 as of April 7 — a limited increase compared with the 28 basis-point spike within a month during the 2022 “Legoland” municipal bond crisis. 2026-04-08 17:30:56
  • Masters tees off April 9 as Rory McIlroy seeks rare repeat at Augusta
    Masters tees off April 9 as Rory McIlroy seeks rare repeat at Augusta The Masters Tournament, the first men’s major of the season, opens April 9 (local time), bringing the world’s top players to Augusta National to chase the green jacket. The 90th edition will be played over four days at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, a par-72 course. Started in 1934, the Masters is the only one of golf’s four majors held at the same venue every year. The field is smaller than other majors because it is invitation-only rather than qualifying-based. This year’s field includes 91 players. The main storyline is whether defending champion McIlroy of Northern Ireland can repeat. He won last year to become the sixth man in golf history to complete the career Grand Slam by capturing all four majors. If he wins again, he would become the first back-to-back Masters champion since Tiger Woods won in 2001 and 2002, 24 years ago. McIlroy’s recent form has been uneven. After tying for second at the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational in February, he withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with back pain and tied for 46th at The Players Championship. In the PGA Tour’s Masters power rankings released April 7 (Korean time), he was seventh. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is widely viewed as the strongest threat to McIlroy’s title defense. The 2022 and 2024 champion is chasing a third Masters title, extending his run of winning in even-numbered years. But his recent results have been modest. He won the American Express in January for his 20th career victory, then finished outside the top 20 in his last two starts. He is 12th in the power rankings. With both leading contenders showing some uncertainty, other players are being discussed as potential winners. Matt Fitzpatrick, who rose to No. 1 in the power rankings after winning the Valspar Championship and finishing runner-up at The Players Championship, is among them, along with Ludvig Aberg of Sweden and Xander Schauffele. Jon Rahm of Spain and Bryson DeChambeau of the United States, who play on LIV Golf, are also seen as capable of reshaping the tournament. The PGA Tour said on its website, “Two favorites arrive at the Masters with big question marks — McIlroy about health, Scheffler about form,” adding that as doubts grow, “a deep group of challengers” has made this year’s Masters “more unpredictable than ever.” South Korea will be represented by Si Woo Kim and Im Sung-jae. Kim, playing his ninth Masters, is ranked 28th in the world, the highest among South Koreans. His best Masters finish is a tie for 12th in 2021. “Over the past two or three years, I’ve played steady golf,” he said. “I think my game has improved, and I have more confidence and enjoyment now.” Im is in the field for a seventh straight year. He finished second at the Masters in 2020. “The Masters is a tournament I’ve dreamed of since I was young,” he said. “Finishing second in 2020, my first time playing, had a big impact on my confidence.” This year’s total purse will be announced during the third round. Last year’s purse was a record $21 million (about 31.7 billion won). As in past years, the stretch known as Amen Corner — holes 11 through 13 — is expected to be a key turning point in deciding the champion. 2026-04-08 17:30:00