Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • K-wave at a high tide; ripples of dissent surface in ASEAN
    K-wave at a high tide; ripples of dissent surface in ASEAN SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - At a moment when the Korean Wave appears once again near its global crest — with artists climbing international charts and anticipation building ahead of BTS’s March 21 return at Gwanghwamun — a quieter, less comfortable current has begun to surface in one of Hallyu’s most enduring strongholds: Southeast Asia. On Monday, an X user posted a terse declaration of disillusionment. “I used to really like Korea. But what happened yesterday was too much. I’m no longer interested in this country. I even canceled my ticket and hotel for next month,” the user wrote, adding the hashtag #SEAbling. The post offered no elaboration or any ties to the upcoming BTS event. Attached was a stark image: a South Korean flag laid on the ground, stepped on by sneakers. The image traveled quickly. The word did, too. “SEAbling” — a portmanteau of “SEA” (Southeast Asia) and “sibling” — has surfaced across regional online communities in recent weeks, signaling solidarity among some Southeast Asian netizens who say they are pushing back against what they perceive as condescension or disrespect from Korean fans and internet users. In some corners, calls for boycotts of Korean brands and cultural content have followed. Whether this marks the beginning of a sustained backlash, however, remains an open question. The spark, according to regional media reports including Singapore’s The Straits Times, appears to have been an incident at a January 31 concert by South Korean band DAY6 in Kuala Lumpur. A Korean fan was stopped by venue staff for allegedly attempting to use a prohibited telephoto camera. Video of the confrontation circulated widely online. What began as a dispute over concert rules quickly escalated. Social media exchanges between Korean and Southeast Asian users grew heated. Some Korean users reportedly posted mocking comments about Southeast Asian fans’ appearance, culture and economic standing. In response, Southeast Asian users pointed to South Korea’s low birth rate, suicide statistics and cosmetic surgery culture. The exchange revealed less about the initial incident than about accumulated sensitivities. The question, then, is whether “SEAbling” reflects a passing digital flare-up — or a deeper undercurrent. Kim Hyung-jun, professor of cultural anthropology at Kangwon National University, cautions against viewing the controversy in isolation. “Before 2010, anti-Hallyu sentiment was not particularly visible,” he said. “But as Hallyu succeeded on a larger scale, it became inevitable that some would feel uncomfortable about its rise. Based on related data, roughly 20 percent may hold such sentiments.” The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey reported that 68.8 percent of respondents in major Southeast Asian markets held favorable views of Korean cultural content. The numbers suggest continued dominance rather than decline. Yet dominance carries its own tensions. Kim argues that those voicing dissatisfaction are not typically core Hallyu consumers. “They are often on the periphery, observing the phenomenon rather than actively participating in it,” he said. “But they are not marginal. In some countries, these voices are more visible among university-educated and white-collar professionals who interpret Hallyu through a nationalist lens.” In Indonesia, for example, Kim notes that some former enthusiasts have publicly distanced themselves from Korean culture, framing their disengagement almost as a personal reckoning. “They post reflections that resemble confessions,” he said. “Others respond in solidarity — almost like narratives of recovery. Compared to the past, such sentiments are expressed more clearly and confidently.” In this sense, the backlash may be less about music or television than about hierarchy — cultural, economic and symbolic. The hashtag “SEAbling” suggests a unified Southeast Asian front. Kim, however, doubts that the sentiment will evolve into a sustained regional movement. “In the past, such feelings remained largely within national boundaries,” he said. “Now, digital platforms allow sentiments that exist in varying degrees across Southeast Asia to appear simultaneous. That creates the impression of cross-border solidarity.” But a cohesive regional identity strong enough to sustain coordinated backlash remains, in his view, still forming — if at all. Historically, anti-Hallyu episodes have surfaced periodically in different countries, often fading as quickly as they appear. “For now, these emotions may reflect envy,” Kim added carefully. “But they should not be dismissed. Complacency would be a mistake.” Hyun Si-nae, professor at the Institute for Korean Studies at Inha University, situates the controversy within a broader Asian context. “The term may be new, but discrimination toward Southeast Asians has long been an underlying issue,” she said. “What changed this time is that the issue was named — and amplified.” Hyun suggests the debate reveals anxieties over perceived cultural hierarchy within Asia itself. “In parts of Southeast Asia, there has historically been resentment toward larger regional powers, including China, over political and economic dominance,” she noted. “After the pandemic, the ‘Milk Tea Alliance’ demonstrated that online solidarity across borders is possible. What we are seeing now is not entirely unprecedented.” In her reading, “SEAbling” is less an anti-Korean crusade than a symptom of unresolved regional asymmetries — economic gaps, labor migration patterns, racial perceptions and the uneasy pride of rising cultural exporters. “At its core, this reflects a gap in mutual understanding,” she said. “Like many collective backlashes, its shape will continue to change.” The Korean Wave, by most measurable standards, remains formidable. Southeast Asia continues to be one of its most enthusiastic markets. BTS’s return alone underscores the scale of global anticipation. Whether “SEAbling” fades as another fleeting hashtag or signals a more sustained recalibration of regional sentiment will depend less on fandom than on something more enduring: how Korea navigates its growing cultural power — and how it listens when that power is questioned. 2026-02-27 17:31:06
  • Seoul and Tokyo take a breather and China-related markets muted
    Seoul and Tokyo take a breather and China-related markets muted SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) — A correction hit Seoul and Tokyo on Friday after this week’s record-setting rally, while Chinese and Hong Kong stocks remained mostly sidelined ahead of next week’s closely watched “Two Sessions,” China’s annual legislative and political advisory meetings. A tech-led pullback on Wall Street overnight weighed on Asian semiconductor shares, reversing part of the strong gains seen earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.03 percent to close at 49,499.20, while the S&P 500 fell 0.54 percent to 6,908.86 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.18 percent to 22,878.38. AI bellwether Nvidia slid more than 5 percent to $184.89 — its steepest single-day decline since April last year — despite posting earnings and revenue guidance that beat expectations. The move underscored investor unease over stretched valuations and concerns about AI’s broader impact across industries. Other semiconductor names followed lower. AMD fell 3.4 percent, TSMC declined 2.8 percent, Micron Technology lost 3.1 percent and Broadcom slipped 3.2 percent. The mood carried into Asia. In Seoul, Samsung Electronics fell 1.49 percent and SK hynix dropped 3.46 percent in morning trade, reversing part of the previous session’s roughly 7 percent surge in both stocks. The two chipmakers, key suppliers to Nvidia, had led Thursday’s rally. As of 10:59 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI declined 2.11 percent to 6,170.18, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.53 percent to 1,181.71. Foreign investors continued to trim positions, posting net sales of 3.5436 trillion won. Individual investors and institutions stepped in as buyers, net purchasing 3.1064 trillion won and 337.7 billion won, respectively. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar for the first time in three sessions, with the greenback rising 4.70 won to 1,437.20 won. In Tokyo, semiconductor-related shares also came under early pressure, adding to the downside. The Nikkei fell 0.84 percent to 58,260.38 in morning trading. Large-cap stocks outside semiconductors showed mixed performance. Hyundai Motor dropped 2.13 percent to 596,000 won and Kia lost 3.40 percent to 199,000 won. SK Square fell 5.60 percent, while Samsung Life Insurance declined 4.18 percent. In biotech and battery plays, Samsung Biologics slipped 0.54 percent and LG Energy Solution edged down 0.12 percent. Defense and shipbuilding names moved in the opposite direction, reflecting selective rotation. Hanwha Aerospace rose 1.76 percent, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries advanced 1.52 percent and Hanwha Ocean gained 1.00 percent. Entertainment shares rebounded after an extended decline, with HYBE up 0.51 percent, JYP Entertainment edging 0.14 percent higher and YG Entertainment surging 6.45 percent. On the KOSDAQ, Samchundang Pharm extended its rally, rising nearly 11 percent after announcing a 5.3 trillion won technology transfer deal for an oral obesity treatment. The stock, which hit the daily upper limit the previous day, climbed to a new 52-week high of 838,000 won. China-related stocks remained relatively muted ahead of the “Two Sessions,” scheduled from March 4 to around March 11. The meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference are expected to unveil China’s annual economic targets and outline the 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026–2030. Investors are watching for signals on growth support, fiscal stance and industrial strategy, particularly amid intensifying trade friction with the United States. Elsewhere in Asia, the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.10 percent to 4,150.96, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.57 percent. 2026-02-27 11:32:18
  • Love in the grey zone; how K-dating shows captured the world
    Love in the grey zone; how K-dating shows captured the world SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) – The island is fictional, the sand sun-bleached, the contestants impossibly polished. There is no king or queen of the jungle. No one makes grand declarations of love. Instead, they wrestle — sometimes almost literally — for a cup of iced Americano or a coveted night at a luxury hotel called "Paradise." Five seasons in, Single's Inferno has barely altered its rules. Contestants remain immaculate, well-educated, courteous to a fault — and curiously restrained in courtship. What fuels the tension is not overt seduction, but hesitation. In Korean dating reality, love is rarely declared. It is inferred. And that inference — the delicious agony of not knowing — has become a global obsession. The Grammar of "Sseom" At the center of this cultural export is one untranslatable word: "sseom." Loosely rendered in English as "something," or perhaps "situationship," sseom describes the suspended moment before a relationship is defined. It is a shared awareness without confirmation — a mutual gravitational pull neither party names aloud. In Western dating shows, attraction often accelerates toward confession and coupling. In Korean formats, it lingers. The camera dwells on glances, silence, anonymous messages delivered at night. Emotional escalation is slow, almost ceremonial. "The real pleasure lies in inference," says Haerin Shin, professor of media and communication at Korea University. "Viewers decode glances, gestures and hidden intentions. Romance becomes a social puzzle." On Single's Inferno, contestants can send anonymous notes revealing their interest — but never openly discuss their feelings unless invited. That anonymity intensifies ambiguity. A simple text can alter alliances. A coffee invitation can ignite rivalry. It is civility weaponized. A Streaming Juggernaut The numbers underscore that this is not niche programming. According to Netflix's Global Top 10 data for February 16–22, 2026, Single's Inferno: Reunion ranked No. 7 among non-English TV shows worldwide, recording 1.5 million views and 5.5 million hours watched in a single week — its second consecutive week on the chart. Season 1 marked a milestone as the first Korean reality series to enter Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English TV). Season 2 stayed on the chart for four consecutive weeks, accumulating 65.08 million viewing hours during its Top 10 run. This is not a one-week curiosity spike. It is a repeatable global performance. Netflix's distribution model amplifies reach. Once a show enters the Global Top 10, it surfaces across territories, algorithmically recommended from São Paulo to Stockholm. Korean dating formats, once domestic experiments, now enjoy the same international exposure previously reserved for K-dramas and films. "Global distribution dynamics have been a major factor," Shin notes. "But what sustains viewership is the narrative style itself." Romance as Mystery Genre Korean dating shows occupy a curious middle ground between melodrama and detective fiction. Studio panelists observe in real time, offering commentary. Viewers join them — parsing eye contact, decoding who lingered beside whom at the fire pit, replaying ambiguous smiles. "It resembles a mystery genre," Shin explains. "Audiences test hypotheses about hidden emotions. They are participating, not just watching." Social media extends the experience. Fans create analysis threads, freeze-frame breakdowns, even behavioral charts mapping possible romantic trajectories. The show ends each week; the speculation does not. Unlike more explicit Western formats, Korean dating reality thrives on restraint. The "guilty pleasure" lies not in voyeuristic intimacy, but in suspense. In an era oversaturated with exposure, ambiguity feels radical. Love in an Age of Scarcity The global resonance of sseom also reflects shifting romantic realities. Across Korea, Europe, North America and Japan, marriage rates are falling and partnerships delayed. Economic pressure, social anxiety and digital isolation have reshaped dating norms. "In Korea, we speak of the 'N-po generation' — young people who feel compelled to give up dating, marriage or childbirth," Shin says. Similar patterns echo elsewhere: declining birth rates in Europe, adolescent social isolation in the United States, withdrawal phenomena such as hikikomori in Japan. Within that context, dating reality shows function as mediated participation. "For some viewers, these programs provide vicarious fulfillment," Shin notes. "They offer anticipation, jealousy, rejection and connection without personal risk." At the same time, they serve as observational spaces — informal tutorials on communication strategies and relational dynamics. In other words, they are not just escapism. They are social laboratories. Evolution on the Island Korean dating formats are also evolving alongside changing attitudes. Shows such as His Man spotlight same-sex relationships. Last Love explores later-life romance. Cross-cultural formats like My Korean Boyfriend broaden the lens further. The core structure — emotional inference, indirect confession, prolonged ambiguity — remains intact. But the cast has diversified, mirroring societal shifts. The success of Korean dating reality is not merely about being "less provocative" than Western counterparts. Nor is it solely the result of Netflix's algorithmic muscle. It lies in the tension of the grey zone. On a remote island where no one says "I love you," millions around the world are leaning closer to their screens — trying to read between the lines. 2026-02-26 17:50:11
  • KOSPI and Nikkei extend record rally on Nvidia guidance
    KOSPI and Nikkei extend record rally on Nvidia guidance SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - KOSPI and Nikkei extend record rally on Nvidia guidance South Korean and Japanese shares stayed on their record-setting path Thursday, lifted by rosy guidance from Nvidia, while China-linked markets remained subdued ahead of the annual policy-setting congress next week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened higher and briefly surpassed 59,000 for the first time in morning trade, marking a fresh record, before trimming gains to 58,863.20 around 11 a.m. The KOSPI also marched north, gaining nearly 2 percent in early trade to push above 6,200, just a day after landing on the 6,000 territory. Shares of Samsung Electronics jumped 4.91 percent to 213,500 won, while SK hynix added 1.57 percent to 1,036,000 won, helping propel the broader market higher. Han Ji-young of Kiwoom Securities said strong data center results and higher guidance from Nvidia indicate AI demand remains solid, suggesting a neutral-to-positive spillover effect on Korean chip stocks. Nvidia said its fiscal fourth-quarter revenue (November–January) rose 73 percent year on year to $68.13 billion, beating market expectations of around $66.2 billion and marking a record quarterly high. Chinese stocks traded mixed ahead of the National People’s Congress and the annual “Two Sessions” in early March, as expectations for additional policy support kept sentiment in check. While selective shares advanced, the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.13 percent to 4,141.74 as of 10:00 a.m. local time. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 0.077 percent. Seoul sentiment was further buoyed by the Bank of Korea decision to keep the base rate steady at 2.50 percent and upgrade this year’s growth outlook to 2.0 percent, implying the economy is normalizing toward its potential growth rate. The dollar fell 3.60 won to 1,423.9 amid a broad retreat in the greenback. Individual investors were net buyers of 1.2616 trillion won, while foreign and institutional investors were net sellers of 1.2784 trillion won and 54.7 billion won, respectively. Autos and non-chip stocks mixed Non-chip large-cap stocks showed mixed moves. Among auto shares, Hyundai Motor was flat at 572,000 won, while Kia rose 0.82 percent to 197,700 won. SK Square gained 1.08 percent to 654,000 won, whereas Samsung Life Insurance fell 4.47 percent to 235,000 won. In biotech and battery plays, Samsung Biologics rose 0.12 percent to 1,730,000 won, while LG Energy Solution lost 0.47 percent to 424,000 won. In defense and shipbuilding, Hanwha Aerospace fell 2.15 percent to 1,286,000 won. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries declined 1.52 percent and Hanwha Ocean slipped 1.34 percent. Entertainment shares extended losses amid heavy upfront investment and restructuring costs, with HYBE down 1.26 percent, JYP Entertainment losing 0.29 percent and YG Entertainment trading 2.21 percent lower. 2026-02-26 11:32:21
  • BTS Comeback D-24: What Is Your Love Song?
    BTS Comeback D-24: What Is Your Love Song? SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - “What is your love song?” The question flashes on screens from Seoul to New York’s Times Square. It makes you pause. It sends you back — to a first confession, a quiet heartbreak, a family memory, even a hard-earned sense of self. A song can seal emotion inside three minutes and return it intact years later. Few artists understand that power better than BTS. K-pop amplifies emotion through collective empathy. A message delivered on stage rarely ends there; it is reinterpreted, shared and woven into personal stories. In 2018, BTS’s Love Yourself series shifted the genre’s emotional axis. Instead of centering romance, it foregrounded identity. In “Epiphany,” the line — “I’m the one I should love” — reframed love as self-recognition. That message arrived at a time of relentless comparison. On social media, curated success and filtered perfection have become the standard. For many young people, visibility is confused with worth. In that environment, affirmation carries weight. The question is not whether music heals — but how far its influence reaches. Data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service show that depression among Koreans in their 20s rose sharply in recent years, with the total number of patients surpassing 1.1 million in 2024. Anxiety cases followed a similar trajectory. At the same time, research increasingly shows that lyrics shape emotional states. A 2024 study analyzing streaming histories found that listeners at higher risk of depression gravitated toward low-positivity, low-energy themes. If negative messages reinforce mood, the reverse may also hold true. Lee Hae-woo, a psychiatry professor at Kangwon National University, describes media messages as “contagious.” Just as harmful coverage can trigger the “Werther effect,” repeated exposure to resilience-focused narratives can produce the “Papageno effect,” encouraging coping rather than despair. Positive language, she notes, can support cognitive reframing — a core principle of cognitive behavioral therapy. Music is not medicine. But it can be an emotional buffer. A 2025 meta-analysis published in Psychology of Music reviewed 82 studies and found that song lyrics have measurable psychological effects, strongly influencing emotional responses and moderately shaping attitudes and behavior. Lyrics function as cultural narratives; they influence how listeners interpret themselves and the world. Within BTS’s fandom, ARMY, “Love Yourself” evolved from a slogan into lived language. Fans describe turning to the message during periods of low self-esteem, sometimes alongside professional treatment. Such testimonies are not clinical evidence. But they reveal how music can become part of a recovery narrative — not replacing therapy, but reinforcing self-worth. In a culture saturated with “healing” content, self-love can itself become performative. Yet BTS’s framing remains direct and durable. It does not promise transformation. It invites reflection. So what is your love song? It may not be about romance at all. It may be about the moment you chose to see yourself differently. Music cannot cure. But it can create a pause — a space where recognition replaces comparison. And sometimes, that pause is enough to begin. 2026-02-25 17:37:52
  • Asian markets advance; KOSPI leapfrogs above 6,000
    Asian markets advance; KOSPI leapfrogs above 6,000 SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) — Asian markets opened higher on Wednesday on expectations that U.S. tariff measures would be applied more selectively following a landmark Supreme Court ruling, but their gains were eclipsed by the KOSPI’s staggering rally. Seoul’s main-board index surged past the 6,000-point mark at the opening bell, lifted by heavyweight technology shares as concerns over artificial intelligence-related disruptions eased. As of 11:10 a.m., the KOSPI was up 2.06 percent at 6,092, extending gains to more than 14.3 percent this month and over 42 percent so far this year, according to data from the Financial Supervisory Service. Shares of Samsung Electronics rose 1.75 percent to a record 203,500 won, while SK hynix added 2.59 percent to 1,031,000 won, helping propel the broader market higher. The advance followed a rebound on Wall Street, driven by fresh developments in artificial intelligence that helped ease concerns over disruption in the software sector. Meta Platforms said it would deploy a large volume of graphics processing units from Advanced Micro Devices to expand its AI data centers, boosting sentiment toward high-bandwidth memory suppliers such as SK hynix and Samsung Electronics. Investor confidence was further supported by expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady in March. Meanwhile, the Cboe Volatility Index, often referred to as Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” declined, signaling reduced market anxiety. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 0.26 percent to 1,168.06. The won strengthened as AI-related concerns eased and optimism over U.S.-Iran nuclear talks reduced risk-off sentiment, with the dollar slipping 1.60 won to 1,440.90. Individual investors were net buyers of 922.9 billion won ($640 million), while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 651.9 billion won and 329.8 billion won, respectively. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, foreign investors have remained net sellers this year, unloading about 13.8 trillion won in February and roughly 17.3 trillion won over the first two months, suggesting the rally has been largely driven by domestic capital. Autos and non-chip stocks mixed Non-chip large-cap stocks showed mixed moves. Auto shares rallied after Hyundai Motor Group announced plans to invest 10 trillion won over the next five years in the Saemangeum region, focusing on data centers and robotics production facilities. Markets viewed the move as signaling a strategic shift toward physical AI and advanced manufacturing. Hyundai Motor jumped 9.73 percent, while Kia surged 13.56 percent to 197,800 won. SK Square rose 3.08 percent to 636,000 won, and Samsung Life Insurance gained 2.23 percent to 229,000 won. Samsung Biologics slipped 0.06 percent to 1,722,000 won, while LG Energy Solution climbed 0.73 percent to 415,500 won. In defense and aerospace, Hanwha Aerospace fell 2.34 percent to 1,212,000 won. Shipbuilders also retreated, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries down 0.34 percent and Hanwha Ocean slipping 0.42 percent. Entertainment shares extended losses amid heavy upfront investment and restructuring costs, with HYBE, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment all trading lower. Asia mostly higher Elsewhere in Asia, markets traded mostly higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 1.35 percent to 58,097.01, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.22 percent. Chinese stocks also extended gains on expectations that recent U.S. tariff revisions could work in China’s favor. The optimism followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. Although a new 15 percent global tariff was introduced, China is expected to face a relatively lower effective rate. Goldman Sachs estimates the changes could reduce the average U.S. tariff on Chinese goods by about five percentage points. Meanwhile, the People’s Bank of China kept its benchmark loan prime rates unchanged for a ninth consecutive month, with the one-year rate at 3.0 percent and the five-year rate at 3.5 percent. As of Wednesday morning, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.29 percent to 4,129.48. 2026-02-25 11:43:21
  • Chips, KOSPI on fire as institutions bet on more upside
    Chips, KOSPI on fire as institutions bet on more upside SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) — Asian markets traded mostly higher Tuesday, with the exception of Hong Kong, as investors digested the rollout of a blanket 10 percent U.S. import levy that replaced earlier, steeper tariffs under former President Donald Trump following a Supreme Court ruling last week. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI roared higher, pushed by chip titans Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which hit fresh milestones of 200,000 won and 1 million won, respectively. Samsung rose 3.63 percent to close at 200,000 won, while SK hynix climbed 5.68 percent to 1,005,000 won, as analysts cited strengthening fundamentals in the memory sector. Park Jun-young of Hanwha Investment & Securities said stronger pricing leverage for next-generation HBM4 chips, backed by robust capacity, is expected to drive Samsung’s earnings growth. He set a new target price of 260,000 won. Han Dong-hee of SK Securities said memory demand is becoming structurally linked to the AI investment cycle, improving earnings visibility for SK hynix. He added that a potential U.S. ADR listing could highlight the stock’s undervaluation, raising his target to 1.6 million won. The chip-led rally pushed the KOSPI above the 5,900 mark to finish at 5,969.64, up 2.11 percent and edging closer to the symbolic 6,000 level — less than a month after breaking through 5,000. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 1.13 percent to 1,165.00. The won strengthened amid cautious risk sentiment over U.S. trade policy, with the dollar falling 2.30 won to 1,143.70. Institutional investors drove the rally, net buying 2.38 trillion won ($2.08 billion) worth of shares. Individual and foreign investors sold a net 2.29 trillion won and 196 billion won, respectively. Non-chip large-cap stocks showed mixed moves. SK Square jumped 6.38 percent to 617,000 won, while Samsung Life Insurance fell 3.45 percent to 224,000 won. Samsung Biologics edged up 0.35 percent to 1,723,000 won, and LG Energy Solution rose 4.17 percent to 412,500 won. In defense and aerospace, Hanwha Aerospace added 0.40 percent to 1,241,000 won. Shipbuilders retreated, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries down 1.81 percent and Hanwha Ocean falling 2.79 percent. Auto shares were modestly higher. Hyundai Motor rose 0.19 percent, while Kia advanced 0.75 percent. Entertainment shares remained sidelined despite BTS’s announcement of a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square next month, reflecting heavy concentration in AI-driven large caps. HYBE slipped 0.62 percent, JYP Entertainment fell 0.85 percent, while YG Entertainment gained 0.68 percent. Analysts said major artist comebacks are now largely priced in, limiting their impact as stock catalysts. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.87 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.93 percent. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.85 percent after the central bank kept its loan prime rates unchanged for a ninth straight month. China’s Ministry of Commerce said it added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to its export control list, banning exports of dual-use items with immediate effect — a move that added fresh geopolitical uncertainty and could cap further gains in mainland markets. 2026-02-24 16:41:23
  • Koreas consumer confidence strongest in 3 mo Feb on buoyant stocks and exports
    Korea's consumer confidence strongest in 3 mo Feb on buoyant stocks and exports SEOUL, Feb. 24 (AJP) — South Korea’s consumer confidence rose to its strongest level in three months in February, buoyed by a robust stock market and resilient exports, central bank data showed Tuesday. According to the Bank of Korea, the composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI) stood at 112.1 in February, up from 110.8 in January and 109.8 in December. A reading above 100 indicates that optimism outweighs pessimism compared with the long-term average. The index measuring perceptions of current economic conditions rose 5 points to 95, while the six-month outlook climbed 4 points to 102, indicating that more consumers expect overall conditions to improve. Employment sentiment also strengthened, with the subindex for job prospects edging up 2 points to 93. Sentiment on prices and housing inflation stabilized. One-year inflation expectations remained unchanged at 2.6 percent, while expectations for interest rates ticked up 1 point to 105. The current living standards index held steady at 96, while the outlook index rose 1 point to 101. The prospective household income index remained at 103, and the expected household spending index was unchanged at 111. Overall, improved assessments of macroeconomic conditions offset stable household income expectations, keeping consumer sentiment firmly in optimistic territory above its long-term average. The prospective interest rates index has risen steadily since November, climbing from 98 to 105 over four months, as higher bond yields and persistent global rate uncertainty led consumers to expect borrowing costs to remain elevated for longer. Perceptions of household savings and debt showed mixed signals. The current household savings CSI rose 1 point to 100, and the savings outlook CSI increased 1 point to 102. In contrast, the current household debt CSI remained unchanged at 99, while the debt outlook CSI edged down 1 point to 96. Expectations for prices and asset values shifted modestly. The overall price level outlook CSI slipped 1 point to 147. The housing price outlook CSI fell sharply by 16 points to 108. The wage outlook CSI was unchanged at 123. Inflation expectations remained broadly stable. Perceived inflation over the past year stood at 2.9 percent, unchanged from January. Expected inflation for the next year held at 2.6 percent, while three-year and five-year ahead expectations were both unchanged at 2.5 percent. Despite a moderation in headline inflation, higher prices for processed foods and seafood helped keep inflation expectations steady. In terms of distribution, the 2–3 percent range accounted for the largest share of responses for one-year ahead inflation expectations at 29.7 percent. The same range was also most cited for three-year ahead expectations at 29.8 percent and five-year ahead expectations at 28.2 percent. Overall, inflation expectations remained anchored, housing price expectations cooled significantly, and household savings sentiment improved slightly, while debt outlook perceptions softened. However, households continued to cite agricultural products and utilities as the main drivers of expected price increases over the next year. 2026-02-24 11:25:46
  • Faith in the feed: virtual pastors and monks court young Koreans
    Faith in the feed: virtual pastors and monks court young Koreans SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) — “I have to go prepare for Sunday service now, so we’ll wrap up today’s stream here. Thank you for watching.” With that, a 2D avatar known as “Pastor Kim” waves goodbye. The chat window erupts in emojis, hearts and rapid-fire comments. Viewers type “Amen,” “LOL” and “See you next time” in the same breath. Welcome to South Korea’s newest religious frontier: virtual YouTube. Far from pulpits and pews, young clergy members are turning to avatars, livestreams and gaming culture to reach a generation that has largely drifted away from organized religion. “Praise Jesus. Please take good care of us. Namu Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara,” Pastor Kim says in a closing line, blending Christian and Buddhist expressions in a playful sign-off. The message is clear: faith, rebranded for the algorithm age. Over the past year, virtual religious creators have quietly built online followings. One of the earliest was “Illegal Monk,” who began streaming in July last year on Naver’s CHZZK and YouTube. Presenting himself as a monk born in 1994 from the fictional “Uimon Temple of Chizik Mountain,” he mixes Buddhist teachings with internet humor. His debut broadcast drew attention when he performed Cheondojae — a traditional Buddhist ritual for the dead — for the fictional “Saja Boys,” characters inspired by Korea’s grim reapers in the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. His channel now has about 65,000 subscribers. In November 2025 came “Pastor Kim,” followed in January this year by “Father Leon,” a Catholic VTuber. They represent different faiths, but share a common mission: speaking to young people in the language of K-pop, webtoons, games and livestream culture. “I keep saying I should go to church but never do — so it’s a miracle that Father shows up in my algorithm,” one follower wrote. Their digital outreach reflects a deeper problem. According to Hankook Research, 51 percent of respondents in its January–November 2025 survey said they had no religion. Only 20 percent identified as Protestant, 16 percent as Buddhist and 11 percent as Catholic. Among those aged 18 to 29, nearly 69 percent said they had no religion. Long-term data from Gallup Korea shows the shift clearly. In 2004, about 45 percent of Koreans in their 20s said they were religious. Today, that figure has fallen to the low 20 percent range. Religion, once a major social anchor, is losing ground among younger generations. “Korea is becoming polarized in belief,” said Jung Jong-hyun, a sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan University. “Those who are religious tend to be very active, while those without religion are largely indifferent. This divide is growing.” At stake, he added, is institutional survival. Behind the animated characters are real religious figures. Illegal Monk is an ordained monk of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Father Leon belongs to the Catholic virtual creator group “Holy Live.” Pastor Kim is an ordained minister of the Korea Nazarene Church. All keep their personal identities private, but operate within their respective institutions. They also share a surprising degree of collaboration. When Father Leon introduced his new character design, he joked, “Some of you might recognize the illustration style. The same artist worked on Illegal Monk. I guess that makes us brothers. VTubers are bringing religious unity.” Indeed, Illegal Monk and Father Leon share an illustrator and have appeared together in joint livestreams. Different traditions, same digital universe. Their content follows familiar online formulas. They read chat messages in real time. They joke with viewers. They reference memes and games. They react to trending videos. In between, they insert short sermons, prayers or reflections. Religion is no longer delivered in long lectures. It comes in clips, comments and casual conversation. Illegal Monk says he wants to make Buddhism feel less intimidating. Father Leon aims to lower psychological barriers to church. Pastor Kim believes the Gospel must go where young people already gather — including online subcultures. Instead of asking youth to return to institutions, they are meeting them on their phones. 2026-02-23 17:41:27
  • KOSPI unfazed in record-setting solo rally despite U.S. tariff flip-flop
    KOSPI unfazed in record-setting solo rally despite U.S. tariff flip-flop SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) — Korean stocks extended their record-setting rally on Monday, showing little sign of disruption from renewed U.S. tariff uncertainty as the benchmark index moved closer to the 5,900 mark while several major Asian markets remained closed. The main KOSPI briefly tested 5,900, extending its roughly 40 percent advance in the first two months of the year. As of 10:54 a.m., the index was up 1.17 percent at 5,875.12. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 1.16 percent to 1,167.41. The Korean won strengthened amid a broad retreat of the U.S. dollar, reflecting growing uncertainty over Washington’s trade policy. The dollar was down 4.40 won at 1,143.60. Investor sentiment remained resilient despite renewed tariff pressure from Washington. President Donald Trump said he would raise a blanket U.S. import tariff to 15 percent after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down much of his second-term tariff regime last week. The administration has since relied on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows temporary tariffs of up to 15 percent for balance-of-payments purposes. For Korea, which runs persistent trade surpluses with the United States, the move suggests that Washington’s tariff policy is entering a new legal phase rather than winding down, keeping external uncertainty elevated. Investor flows were mixed. Individual investors bought a net 423.9 billion won ($320 million), while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 382.1 billion won and 69.9 billion won, respectively. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix rose 2.68 percent and 2.42 percent to 195,200 won and 972,000 won, respectively. LG Energy Solution fell 0.87 percent to 398,000 won. Samsung Electronics gained after reports that it reclaimed the No. 1 position in the global DRAM market in the fourth quarter. Optimism over artificial intelligence investment also supported chipmakers. Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, recently warned that while AI demand could push SK hynix’s operating profit beyond $100 billion, the sector also faces unprecedented volatility. Speaking at the Trans-Pacific Dialogue 2026 in Washington last week, Chey said AI is reshaping global industrial structures, creating extraordinary opportunities alongside rising uncertainty. Elsewhere, nuclear and defense shares were mixed. Doosan Enerbility climbed 0.68 percent, while Hanwha Aerospace fell 0.97 percent. Financial stocks led gains after a third amendment to the Commercial Act passed the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Samsung Life Insurance rose 4.34 percent, while DB Insurance, Heungkuk Fire & Marine Insurance and Lotte Insurance posted strong gains. In biotech, Samsung Biologics advanced 0.46 percent. Automakers also outperformed. Hyundai Motor rose about 3.93 percent to around 529,000 won on reports of a multi-trillion-won investment plan in Saemangeum, with Kia gaining 1.28 percent. Shipbuilders showed mixed performance, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries edging up and Hanwha Ocean declining. Construction shares drew attention as Hyundai Engineering & Construction jumped 6.08 percent on expectations of U.S. nuclear reactor investment decisions between 2026 and 2029. In the region, Japanese equity markets were closed for the Emperor’s Birthday holiday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.46 percent, while China’s Shanghai market is set to resume trading on Tuesday. 2026-02-23 11:24:50