Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • WAIFF D-4: Seoul to host event for AI-driven films this week in lead up to Cannes
    WAIFF D-4: Seoul to host event for AI-driven films this week in lead up to Cannes SEOUL, March 2 (AJP) - Excitement has been building for an event as part of the annual World AI Film Festival (WAIFF), which is set to kick off in Seoul this week. As part of WAIFF's worldwide journey leading to Cannes in April, the two-day event is set to open at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul on Friday, following last month's stop in São Paulo and with upcoming events scheduled later this month in Kyoto, Japan, and Wuxi, China. The festival's stop in Seoul is no coincidence as South Korea has emerged as a leader in AI-driven content creation, blending technology with cinematic storytelling, making it a perfect venue for WAIFF's global expansion since its inaugural launch in Nice, France, last year. At the Seoul event, around 25 films are competing in six categories – "Best AI Short Film," "Best AI Youth Film," "Best AI Micro Series," "Best AI Advertisement," "Best AI Screenplay," and "Best AI Soundtrack," with prizes worth over 27 million won ($18,775). Nominees include young filmmakers and independent creators experimenting with AI-generated scripts and visual effects, as well as commercial studios integrating AI-assisted production techniques. A jury of about a dozen filmmakers, animation specialists, and industry professionals will be led by Son Seung-hyun, CEO and founder of Westworld, a leading South Korean visual effects (VFX) company. Each country's winners will then be invited to screen at Cannes for the Grand Finale at the Palais des Festivals, scheduled for April 21–22, vying against international competitors. The event is also expected to draw filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and industry insiders, serving not only as a competition through screenings and awards but also as a forum for discussions on AI ethics, copyright challenges, and the creative potential of generative technologies in cinema. Participants will be able to get a chance to connect with AI experts, directors, and industry professionals who are pioneering the integration of AI into filmmaking. With its combination of competition, discussion, and networking opportunities, the event would reinforce South Korea's emerging role as a hub for technological innovation in the creative industries. 2026-03-02 12:19:19
  • Hyundai Motor Group’s Boston Dynamics IPO Seen as Catalyst for Governance Overhaul
    Hyundai Motor Group’s Boston Dynamics IPO Seen as Catalyst for Governance Overhaul Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S. robotics unit, Boston Dynamics (BD), is moving closer to an initial public offering, drawing attention to whether the listing could help the conglomerate tackle a long-discussed governance overhaul. With Boston Dynamics’ value estimated at about 120 trillion to 150 trillion won, Chairman Euisun Chung could secure up to 30 trillion won if the IPO succeeds, market watchers said. That could help unwind circular shareholding links cited as a key obstacle, potentially improving management stability and boosting corporate value. Industry sources said Monday that Hyundai Motor Group has begun work to commercialize robotics and artificial intelligence and to prepare Boston Dynamics for an IPO. The group recently formed a business-planning task force dedicated to robotics and AI under Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon, and placed strategy investment and mergers-and-acquisitions specialists on the team, the sources said. The move is seen as an effort to consolidate robotics and AI capabilities across the group and shift them toward revenue-generating models. Boston Dynamics is also undergoing a transition toward an operating-company structure. After Chief Technology Officer Aaron Saunders stepped down last year, Chief Executive Officer Robert Playter, who led technology development for seven years, resigned last month. Industry observers expect the company to move from a research-and-development focus toward a profitability-driven system capable of mass production, accelerating IPO preparations. Hyundai Motor Group, led by Jang, has begun preparations for a Nasdaq listing in the United States in early 2027, according to industry views. The company is expected to complete a preliminary review filing and select underwriters in the first half of this year, proceed with the offering process in the second half, and seek a listing early next year. A global market research firm projects the global humanoid robot market will reach 9.6 million units a year by 2035. Considering the technology and mass-production timeline of Boston Dynamics’ flagship humanoid robot, Atlas, the firm estimates a roughly 16% share, or about 1.5 million units. Reflecting such projections, KB Securities estimates Boston Dynamics’ value at 128 trillion won, while Hanwha Investment & Securities puts it at 145.77 trillion won. With the financial industry estimating that an IPO could raise 120 trillion to 150 trillion won, Chung is expected to secure up to 30 trillion won. When Hyundai Motor Group acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021, Chung invested about 240 billion won of personal funds to obtain a 20% stake. Hyundai Motor Group currently has three circular shareholding structures: “Hyundai Mobis → Hyundai Motor → Kia → Hyundai Mobis,” “Hyundai Mobis → Hyundai Motor → Hyundai Steel → Hyundai Mobis,” and “Hyundai Mobis → Hyundai Motor → Hyundai Glovis → Hyundai Mobis.” To resolve the circular structure, Chung would need to increase his stake in Hyundai Mobis, which sits at the top of the governance structure. Chung currently holds just 0.3% of Hyundai Mobis. The group also needs additional cash to cover taxes required when Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s stakes in affiliates are inherited or gifted. If Boston Dynamics lists successfully, industry observers said it could provide sufficient funds to unwind circular shareholding and finance inheritance and gift taxes, potentially speeding up succession-related work. “Boston Dynamics’ listing is central to Hyundai Motor Group’s long-standing task of governance restructuring,” an industry official said. “The more funding it secures through an IPO, the more options it will have.” 2026-03-02 11:51:08
  • Korea’s Top Battery Makers to Showcase AI, ESS and Robotics Tech at InterBattery 2026
    Korea’s Top Battery Makers to Showcase AI, ESS and Robotics Tech at InterBattery 2026 South Korea’s three major battery makers and key materials companies will take part in InterBattery 2026, the country’s largest battery and materials exhibition, to showcase battery technologies aimed at the AI era. With North American automakers scaling back electric-vehicle programs, the companies are looking to win early share in fast-growing markets such as energy storage systems, or ESS, and humanoid robots. According to the industry on the 2nd, the Korea Battery Industry Association will hold InterBattery 2026 from March 11 to 13 at COEX in Seoul. The exhibition theme is “Original Innovator, Creating the Future of Energy.” LG Energy Solution said it plans to highlight efforts to expand growth drivers beyond EVs into ESS, robotics and other industries, positioning itself as an “original innovator” that leads future energy tailored to customer needs. The company said its booth will be organized into five zones, starting with a “hero zone” on battery history and future vision, followed by sections on energy infrastructure, mobility, robotics and drones, and future technologies. LG Energy Solution plans to unveil ESS solutions optimized for power grids, along with a next-generation rack system for JP6 UPS using lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, for AI data centers, and a battery backup unit, or BBU, solution using high-output cylindrical batteries. It will also present examples of finished products in robotics and drones that use its batteries. SK On, which the article said won more than 50% of volumes in a second ESS central procurement market worth about 1 trillion won, will also use the exhibition to broaden its business into ESS and robotics and speed up portfolio expansion. SK On will introduce a high-energy-density LFP pouch battery for ESS, aligning with rising demand for large-capacity cells as the global ESS market seeks lower component costs and higher output. The company said it is conducting R&D to raise LFP battery energy density from 350 to 450Wh/L to about 500Wh/L. It will also show robotics applications, including a Hyundai Wia logistics robot — an autonomous mobile robot, or AMR — equipped with a high-nickel NCM battery. The robot is used at industrial sites, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, for logistics automation. SK On said its booth will be divided into three areas: Leading Tech, Future Tech and Core Tech. The Leading Tech area will feature an “R&D studio” where visitors can experience battery design and manufacturing processes. The Future Tech area will display immersion cooling technology being jointly developed with SK Enmove, along with ultra-fast charging technology that the company said can charge a battery from 10% to 80% in seven minutes. Samsung SDI will participate under the slogan “AI thinks, Battery enables,” presenting a vision it describes as “AI’s imagination, made real by batteries.” The company said the centerpiece of its display will be ultra-high-output, high-quality battery technology for data centers, a key infrastructure for the AI era. Samsung SDI plans to exhibit battery solutions for uninterruptible power supplies, or UPS, and battery backup units, or BBU, emphasizing the role of ultra-high-output batteries in supporting “zero power gaps” for AI data centers. It will also display “Samsung Battery Box,” an integrated battery solution for ESS that emphasizes environmental considerations and safety. Samsung SDI said it will introduce its all-solid-state battery technology, which it described as the heart of physical AI. The company said it plans to expand applications for its all-solid-state batteries — under development with mass production targeted for the second half of 2027 — to a range of physical AI uses, including humanoids, mobile robots and industrial robots. POSCO Future M will also participate, showcasing next-generation cathode and anode materials. The company said it will highlight materials solutions tailored to the needs of devices such as autonomous-driving EVs, ESS and humanoid robots. Its display will include development status and road maps for next-generation materials, including ultra-high-nickel cathodes with nickel content raised to more than 95% to improve driving range and stability for autonomous-driving EVs; LFP cathodes used in ESS and entry-level EVs for lower cost and long life; and materials for all-solid-state batteries and silicon anodes, which the company said are drawing attention as potential game changers for next-generation industries such as robotics due to high energy density. An industry official said the exhibition is expected to show how the battery industry is expanding from an EV-centered focus to future industries including AI infrastructure and robotics. “At various booths, visitors will be able to see battery technologies applied to future industries firsthand,” the official said. 2026-03-02 10:39:17
  • Seoul braces for fallout as Trump vows to continue military action against Iran
    Seoul braces for fallout as Trump vows to continue military action against Iran SEOUL, March 2 (AJP) - South Korea is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East after U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday vowed to continue what he calls a "righteous mission" against Iran until "all objectives are achieved." In a six-minute video clip posted to his social media platform Truth Social, he said, "We grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives." The comment comes after a surprise joint airstrike by the U.S. and Israel last Saturday that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ending his 36-year iron rule. Justifying the military action, Trump also said, "An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American." Trump then warned, "Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is likely to be more. But we'll do everything possible where that won't be the case." He added, "Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing." He also hinted that further strikes on Iran could last about a month in an interview with the British media. "It's always been about a four-week process, so - as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less," he said. Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf states in retaliation and vowed further retaliatory attacks on the U.S. and its regional allies, sending shockwaves through global markets. The escalation has also raised concerns in Seoul over energy security, regional stability, and the future of its alliance with Washington. South Korea is particularly vulnerable to instability in the Persian Gulf, as it imports a large share of its crude oil from the region, roughly 70 percent of its supplies, with nearly all of it passing through the strategic chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz. A broader regional conflict could also affect South Korean firms operating in Gulf states, many of which hold long‑standing contracts in energy and development projects. Provided a prolonged military confrontation in the already volatile region continues, it could disrupt maritime traffic and push oil prices sharply higher. Analysts warn that even short‑term supply interruptions could add inflationary pressure to the export‑driven country, which is already grappling with uncertain global demand. Iran's interim leadership has signaled that it will continue defending the country against U.S. and Israeli actions. Trump also vowed to avenge U.S. deaths, even as he indicated in separate interviews that he remains open to potential talks with Iran's interim leadership. "America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization," he said. These developments raise the prospect of a drawn-out confrontation, putting Seoul on high alert. Government authorities are keeping a close eye on North Korea as well, given Pyongyang's historical alignment with Iran in opposing U.S. foreign policy. Calling it a "war of aggression" and a "shameless rogue act," North Korea slammed the U.S. and Israel, just a day after their series of strikes against Iran, without mentioning Tehran's retaliatory attacks or the death of Khamenei. "Such acts of aggression cannot be justified by any means and can never be tolerated under any circumstances," a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Pundits speculated that the airstrike poured cold water on the recent atmosphere of possible talks between the U.S. and North Korea ahead of Trump's planned trip to China later this month, likely prompting Pyongyang to further bolster its nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, the United Nations condemned both the U.S.-led airstrike on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks. In a statement following an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, Secretary-General António Guterres said, "We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security. Military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world." "There is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations," the U.N. chief added. 2026-03-02 10:27:46
  • Tom Kim Finishes 59th at PGA Tour Cognizant Classic; Nico Echavarria Wins
    Tom Kim Finishes 59th at PGA Tour Cognizant Classic; Nico Echavarria Wins Tom Kim finished 59th at the PGA Tour Cognizant Classic, a $9.6 million event. Playing the final round Sunday (Korean time) at PGA National’s Champion Course (par 71) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Kim shot a 2-under 69 with four birdies and two bogeys. He closed at 1-under 283 and placed 59th among the 67 players who made the cut. Kim was the only South Korean in the field to advance to the weekend. Kim slipped down the leaderboard after a third-round 72, then moved up slightly with an under-par finish but remained in the lower tier. He has now made the cut in six straight events this season. His best result was a tie for 34th at last month’s Genesis Invitational. Nico Echavarria of Colombia won at 17-under 267, finishing two shots ahead of Taylor Moore, Austin Smotherman (both United States) and Shane Lowry of Ireland, who tied for second. Echavarria, who earned his first PGA Tour victory at the Puerto Rico Open in March 2023, collected his third career title, his first since the Zozo Championship in October 2024. He earned $1,728,000 in prize money (about 2.5 billion won). Brooks Koepka of the United States, who left LIV Golf and returned to the PGA Tour this year, tied for ninth at 10-under 274.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-02 10:24:00
  • Jungkook’s ‘Seven’ Reenters Billboard Global 200, Extends Record 133 Weeks
    Jungkook’s ‘Seven’ Reenters Billboard Global 200, Extends Record 133 Weeks BTS member Jungkook’s solo single “Seven” has returned to the U.S. Billboard charts, extending what Billboard described as a record-setting run for an Asian act. According to Billboard’s latest charts dated Feb. 28, “Seven,” Jungkook’s first solo single, reentered the Global 200 at No. 192. The song has now spent 133 weeks on the chart, Billboard said, marking the first and longest such run for an Asian group or solo artist. On the Global Excl. U.S. chart, “Seven” ranked No. 103 to log a 136th consecutive week, setting what the report called an unmatched record for an Asian solo artist. The song also placed on Billboard Korea’s charts, ranking No. 70 on the Korea Hot 100 and No. 8 on Global K-Songs. On the Global K-Songs chart, Jungkook had three solo tracks listed at the same time: “Standing Next to You” at No. 43, “3D” at No. 62 and “Seven.” Billboard previously reported that “Seven,” “3D” and “Standing Next to You” each reached No. 1 on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. It said Jungkook became the first solo artist worldwide to have three or more songs top both charts simultaneously within a single year. On Spotify, “Seven” has remained on the Weekly Top Songs Global chart for 136 weeks, the longest run for an Asian solo artist, according to the report. The song has surpassed 2.8 billion cumulative streams, it said, making it the first track by an Asian artist — and the first among songs released in 2023 — to reach that mark. “Seven” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s main singles chart, the Hot 100, and stayed on the chart for 15 consecutive weeks, the report said. 2026-03-02 10:21:17
  • Hyundai Motor Group, Veterans Ministry to Renovate Korean War Memorial Sites in the Philippines
    Hyundai Motor Group, Veterans Ministry to Renovate Korean War Memorial Sites in the Philippines Hyundai Motor Group said it will work with South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to repair and improve two Korean War remembrance sites in Manila: the Korean War memorial monument at the Philippines’ National Shrine of Heroes and the Philippine Korean War Memorial Hall. The Philippines was the first Asian country and the third in the world to send troops to the Korean War, and it marks the 77th anniversary this year of establishing diplomatic relations with South Korea, the company said. The two sites were built to honor the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea, or PEFTOK — five combat battalions totaling 7,420 troops — and their families, it said. The monument at the National Shrine of Heroes was built in 1967 to express gratitude for veterans’ sacrifice and service. It was renovated in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of Korea-Philippines diplomatic ties under the ministry, then known as the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Hyundai Motor Group said it will now refurbish the site in cooperation with the ministry. The monument is a triangular pillar about 7 meters (23 feet) tall. At the top are the United Nations emblem and the national flags of South Korea and the Philippines. Below are the names of all 112 PEFTOK members who were killed in action, the company said. Hyundai Motor Group said it will begin work this month, repairing cracks and discoloration, replacing marble on nearby steps and flooring, and installing an information sign and a symbolic sculpture to make the site easier for veterans’ families and visitors to find. The group also plans repairs at the Philippine Korean War Memorial Hall, about 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) from the monument. Built in 2012, it includes a museum and library that display and store records and historical materials from the war. The company said it will replace furnishings and carry out a full building repair, and will also review whether additional remodeling is needed to increase use of the facility. Hyundai Motor Group said it will use the Philippines project as a starting point to work with the ministry on broader reviews of environmental improvements at Korean War memorial sites in other countries that sent troops. It also said it plans to cooperate on preserving and managing overseas sites tied to Korea’s independence movement, checking conditions at both types of locations and considering ways to build content and revitalize spaces using the group’s capabilities. “Preserving Korean War memorial sites and independence movement historic sites is a way to pass historical value to future generations,” a Hyundai Motor Group official said. “We will work with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to honor the noble spirit of overseas veterans and independence activists.” Separately, the group said it is running a range of community-focused programs in the Philippines. They include “Hyundai Wheels on the Go!” to support disaster victims by providing vehicles and supplies to help civil society respond directly to emergencies. It also cited the “Hope in a Bag Project,” which provides daily necessities to youths in vulnerable groups and to students in disaster-affected areas, and the “Hyundai Accelerate Program,” which offers technical training to youths seeking jobs in the auto industry. The group said it also supports vulnerable youths through the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation. Philippine daily Philstar was quoted as saying Hyundai Motor Group’s community programs in the country provide practical and effective help in disaster-hit areas.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-02 09:51:19
  • Hyundai Launches EV Promotion After Ioniq 9 Wins 2026 Car of the Year Triple Crown
    Hyundai Launches EV Promotion After Ioniq 9 Wins 2026 Car of the Year Triple Crown Hyundai Motor Co. said Sunday it will run a series of special EV promotions starting in March to mark the Ioniq 9’s “2026 Car of the Year” triple crown. In South Korea, the three major “Car of the Year” awards are presented separately by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association, the Korea Automobile Expert Journalists Association and JoongAng Ilbo. Each group’s jury evaluates factors including price, performance and innovative technology to select what it considers the best vehicle each year. Under the promotion, customers who sign contracts in March and take delivery by April will receive a 1 million won discount on Hyundai passenger EVs, including the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Ioniq 9 and Kona Electric. Small electric commercial vehicles, including the Porter Electric and the ST1 (excluding the chassis cab), will receive a 500,000 won discount. Hyundai will also hold an online customer event from March 1 to 15, offering daily vehicle discount coupons worth up to 10.4 million won. Customers can participate through a roulette event on Hyundai’s official website. Prizes include a 3 million won discount coupon for one winner per day, a 1 million won coupon for five winners per day, and a 100,000 won coupon for 24 winners per day. The coupons do not apply to buses, medium and large trucks, commercial vehicles or the Casper model. Hyundai said customers using its “Hyundai EV Burden Down Promotion” will receive additional benefits through a vehicle-care “STRESS-FREE” package. The program is a 36-month installment plan that allows customers to defer returning the vehicle, and it offers a 2.8% interest rate as of March, the company said. Customers who take delivery of an Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 or Kona Electric in March through the program will receive three years of benefits, including body-care service covering up to 1.2 million won for repair and parts replacement (up to three total claims, once per area) and support for auto insurance deductibles (up to three claims, capped at 500,000 won per claim). Hyundai is also offering a “repeat purchase customer program” for existing EV finance customers. For customers currently using a Hyundai passenger EV or the Nexo through Hyundai Capital’s installment financing, rent or lease, Hyundai said it will offer a 2.3% interest rate — 0.5 percentage points lower — if they repurchase an eligible vehicle on installment using the “Hyundai EV Burden Down” program and take delivery in March. Customers who take delivery in March through the “Hyundai EV Rent/Lease Promotion” will receive a monthly payment discount equal to about 10% of the vehicle price, the company said. “The Ioniq 9’s Car of the Year triple crown shows that experts have validated Hyundai’s electrification technology,” a Hyundai official said. “We prepared a range of benefits so more customers can experience the value of EVs.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-02 09:36:19
  • South Korea’s Top 5 Banks Seen Cutting Household Loans by About 4 Billion Won in February
    South Korea’s Top 5 Banks Seen Cutting Household Loans by About 4 Billion Won in February Household loan balances at South Korea’s major banks are expected to fall for a third straight month, as tough government lending rules and rising interest rates squeeze liquidity. The shift is cooling real estate-related borrowing and reshaping money flows across asset markets. Still, concerns persist that funds blocked from property loans could move into stocks, reviving debt-funded investing. As of Feb. 26, household loan balances at the five largest banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — totaled 765.4257 trillion won, according to the financial sector on Sunday. That was down 387.4 billion won from the end of January (765.8131 trillion won). With one business day left and month-end swings typically large, the February decline is expected to be about 400 billion won. The five banks’ household loan balances had appeared to rebound in November, rising 1.5125 trillion won, but turned lower in December, falling 456.3 billion won. The drop widened in January to 1.8650 trillion won. If balances fall again in February, it would mark the first three-month decline since last year. The market increasingly views the government’s strict household debt stance — including last year’s June 27 and Sept. 7 measures — as taking full effect. Banks have also kept lending standards tight in line with regulators. Some analysts cautioned it remains unclear whether the decline reflects structural deleveraging or mainly supply constraints from regulation. Higher borrowing costs are also dampening demand. Deposit banks’ mortgage rates stood at 4.29% in January, the highest level in 1 year and 2 months since November 2024 (4.30%). With interest burdens rising, borrowers are delaying new loans. Real estate-related lending continues to weaken. Mortgage loans fell 1.4836 trillion won in January, switching to a month-on-month decline for the first time in 1 year and 10 months since March 2024. In February, they are expected to slip about 50 billion won from the end of January. Jeonse loans, which have declined for six straight months, are also expected to fall by more than 200 billion won in February. Unsecured credit loans, which saw more repayments due to early-year bonuses and Lunar New Year payments, also moved into decline in February. Through Feb. 26, credit loan balances at the five banks were down 250.1 billion won from the end of January. Asset-market volatility remains a key variable. With the Kospi extending its rally and topping 6,300 for the first time, some observers say investment demand using credit loans could pick up again. Optimism has spread in parts of the securities industry, with some projecting a Kospi target as high as 8,000. A banking industry official said fear of missing out is building as the market heats up. “For now, loans are being restrained by rate burdens and regulation, but if stock-market overheating continues, we cannot rule out an increase in credit loans,” the official said. 2026-03-02 06:03:00
  • SF9’s Yoo Tae-yang wraps solo fan meeting ahead of military enlistment
    SF9’s Yoo Tae-yang wraps solo fan meeting ahead of military enlistment SF9 member Yoo Tae-yang spent a day with fans at a solo fan meeting held ahead of his military enlistment. Yoo held two sessions of his fan meeting, titled “The Room: Together,” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Grand Auditorium of Sungshin Women’s University’s Woonjung Green Campus. The event was held on his birthday, days before his scheduled enlistment on March 3. He opened by singing “Reality,” from the soundtrack of the film “La Boum.” After the song, Yoo smiled at fans and said he chose the opening number because he wanted to convey his feelings through the lyrics. Built around a “ROOM” theme, the fan meeting featured segments including “Play ROOM,” where he revealed fans’ votes for his “Top 4” cover songs they wanted to hear again and performed all four. He also played a telepathy-style balance game, took on multiple dance challenges and interacted closely with the audience. In the “FANTASY ROOM” segment, fans held a birthday celebration with songs and letters. Yoo posed for photos using various items and gestures. The show, backed by a live band, was staged in a mini-concert format. Yoo performed band-arranged versions of SF9’s “Melodrama” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” and also sang cover songs and an unreleased self-composed track. During the second session, SF9 members Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon and Hwiyoung appeared as special guests. They performed together and shared lighthearted talk. Near the end, Yoo told fans, “I won’t forget the memories in this room today. I think I’ll miss it. Thank you for spending my birthday with me and for letting me make good memories with you.” The fan meeting ran about 120 minutes. After an encore, Yoo held a “hi-bye” send-off, greeting fans one by one before leaving. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-01 16:30:20