Journalist
Ryu Yuna
Julia37@ajunews.com
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Korean shares outperform Asian peers, while Tokyo pauses SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) – South Korean shares gained upward traction as institutions renewed buying after a correction last week, outperforming China-related markets weighed down by latest data renewing stagflation concerns. China’s consumer inflation rose less than expected in January while the deflation in producer prices persisted, in a sign of continued deflationary pressure in the absence of stronger stimulus. The consumer price index rose 0.2% in January from a year earlier, China’s National Bureau of Statistics data showed on Wednesday. Japanese shares paused in their post-election rally as markets observed National Foundation Day. As of 11:10 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI added 0.87 percent to 5,348.78, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ advanced 0.64 percent to 1,122.33. The won benefited from broad U.S. dollar weakness, with the greenback slipping 3.30 won to 1,455.70. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics inched up 0.06 percent to 165,900 won, while chipmaker SK hynix dropped 1.26 percent to 865,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution edged down 0.13 percent to 390,000 won. Financial and biotech shares traded higher. Samsung Life Insurance rose 0.71 percent to 199,100 won, while Samsung Biologics gained 0.64 percent to 1,721,000 won. Automakers outperformed. Shares of Hyundai Motor climbed after Chief Executive Jose Muñoz confirmed major investment plans in Korea and North America, highlighting the company’s focus on electric vehicles and artificial intelligence. The improved investment outlook boosted investor confidence. Hyundai Motor jumped 3.43 percent to 497,000 won, while affiliate Kia advanced 3.23 percent to 157,700 won. Defense and aerospace shares weakened, with Hanwha Aerospace retreating 0.35 percent to 1,142,000 won. Shipbuilders showed mixed performance. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 1.12 percent to 540,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean slipped 0.31 percent to 130,500 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dipped 0.15 percent to 27,141.15, while China’s Shanghai Composite edged down 0.03 percent to 4,127.12 in morning trade. 2026-02-11 11:33:52 -
BTS Comeback D-38: "Royalty" built by a different kind of fan army SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - BTS’s global influence owes much to ARMY, a fan community that has shaped its identity around promoting dignity, civility, and mutual respect — and translating those values into coordinated digital action. From the beginning, ARMY’s devotion centered on music and performance. Over time, however, it evolved into something more durable: a digitally organized, transnational community capable of mobilizing across languages, platforms, and borders. What began as fandom has, in many cases, matured into a form of civic-minded participation. Since around 2017, as BTS expanded its global tours and sharpened its social messaging, informal networks of translators, regional coordinators, and content curators emerged. These structures were not centrally designed. They formed organically, shaped by shared norms and collective purpose. By the early 2020s, scholars and international media were no longer viewing ARMY merely as a cultural phenomenon. It was increasingly analyzed as a functioning digital ecosystem. When Hashtags Became a Public Square That transformation became visible in 2020, amid racial justice protests in the United States. K-pop fans, including BTS supporters, flooded extremist and anti-protest hashtags with fan content, effectively pushing hateful material out of public view. The tactic, known as “hashtag hijacking,” was analyzed by Australia’s Lowy Institute and reported by Al Jazeera as a form of decentralized digital activism. Participation was voluntary and informal. Yet the response was swift, coordinated, and sustained. It reflected years of accumulated experience in navigating online platforms, managing information flows, and maintaining internal discipline. In moments of social tension, ARMY demonstrated an ability to act collectively without centralized command — a hallmark of mature digital communities. A Network Mapped by Research Academic research has since documented how that coordination works. A 2024 peer-reviewed study published in Telematics and Informatics examined ARMY’s Twitter ecosystem and found a distributed structure organized around core information hubs, translation accounts, and amplification nodes. “The BTS ARMY network is sustained by a systematic structure of key players who voluntarily play distinct roles within the network, represented as subsystems of the VSM framework.” the authors note, highlighting how different accounts contribute to coordination and diffusion. The VSM (Viable System Model) refers to a framework used to describe how organizations sustain themselves through differentiated yet interconnected roles. In practice, this structure is reflected in how information flows across the network. Rather than functioning as a loose collection of fans, the network operates through layered channels that enable rapid cross-border communication. Messages originating in Seoul can be translated, contextualized, and circulated worldwide within minutes. The researchers described the system as decentralized, resilient, and highly adaptive — qualities more commonly associated with professional organizations than fan communities. 25 Hours, $1 Million The network’s fundraising capacity became globally visible in June 2020. After BTS donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter, fans launched the #MatchAMillion campaign and raised a matching sum in roughly 25 hours. The effort mobilized tens of thousands of participants across multiple continents. The campaign was supported by One In An ARMY, a fan-led nonprofit group founded in 2018 that coordinates charitable projects in partnership with established organizations. “If not 24 hours than 100M in 25 hours. We did it for #MatchAMillion. We can do it for #BTS_Dynamite,” an international fan wrote on X in August 2020, referring to ARMY’s earlier #MatchAMillion campaign and encouraging other fans to work together to reach streaming goals. Media outlets including Reuters and VICE cited the group’s systematic approach to fan-driven philanthropy. The episode underscored that ARMY’s capacity for mobilization was not spontaneous. It reflected a culture of preparation, transparency, and accountability that had been built over years. From Global Campaigns to Local Communities ARMY’s engagement has also taken root at the community level. In 2022, a fan collective known as Adorable Wave (A-Wave) partnered with South Korea’s Happy Alliance to support children facing food insecurity. The initiative coincided with BTS’s ninth debut anniversary and was funded entirely through voluntary contributions. According to organizers, the project was designed as an ongoing program rather than a symbolic gesture. It demonstrated how digital coordination could translate into sustained offline support. “The emergency fundraising campaign for flood victims conducted by Hope Bridge and Adorable Wave has ended. The total amount raised, 920,800 won, was delivered to Hope Bridge on August 10,” according to Adorable Wave’s official Instagram post, with the donation certificate listing “BTS ARMY + Adorable Wave” as donors. Similar initiatives have since appeared in multiple countries, tailored to local social needs while remaining connected to the broader global network. Aligning with Institutions This evolution has been reinforced by BTS’s institutional partnerships. In 2017, the group launched the “LOVE MYSELF” campaign with UNICEF, promoting self-respect, mental well-being, and violence prevention among youth. The partnership was renewed in 2021. Fans amplified the initiative through donations, educational campaigns, and social media advocacy, aligning grassroots activity with an established international framework. “Choose respect. Choose support. Choose kindness. Proud to be an army.” An anonymous fan wrote under HYBE LABELS’ official video “BTS LOVE MYSELF Global Campaign.” Another non-Korean fan commented, “People have happy, sad and painful stories. We want to take those stories and make them into music.” On the official UNICEF YouTube channel, support extended beyond admiration to recognition of impact. “It's rare to find artists who genuinely care about their music's impact. BTS is that once in a lifetime group to push for change in a world that really needs it.” The comment drew more than 5,000 likes. One fan thanked BTS. "They save my life, their music heals me. Thank you UNICEF for share this important message with BTS.” The collaboration provided ARMY with both moral direction and practical channels for engagement, strengthening the link between fandom and public service. When Fandom Becomes Digital Power Taken together, these developments reveal a consistent pattern. ARMY functions as a decentralized system composed of curators, translators, organizers, and amplifiers. Information circulates through trusted nodes, reducing misinformation and maintaining internal coherence. Fandom may begin with emotional attachment. It endures through organization. Large-scale campaigns persist not because of constant enthusiasm, but because institutional memory has been established. Knowledge is passed on. Practices are refined. Standards are enforced informally but effectively. A BTS concert lasts only a few hours. ARMY’s collective efforts have stretched across nearly a decade — from the LOVE MYSELF campaign in 2017 to #MatchAMillion in 2020 and community outreach in subsequent years. What has emerged is not merely loyalty, but continuity. Today, ARMY stands as one of the most sophisticated fan ecosystems in global popular culture. It illustrates how digitally connected communities can coordinate, adapt, and sustain collective action without formal hierarchy. 2026-02-11 10:37:48 -
BTS Comeback D-39: Affordable flight tips to arrive on time for the Gwanghwamun show *Editor’s Note: AJP will provide up-to-date travel information leading up to BTS’s Gwanghwamun live show on March 21, including flights, lodging, and where to go, see and eat to make the most of the Seoul experience. SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) — It is still not too late to book those tickets to fly into Seoul, for those who cannot wait for BTS’s tour stop in their home turf and arrive for the March 21 once-in-a-lifetime open-space comeback show in Gwanghwamun Square, regardless of how lucky they get with the free ticket opening on Feb. 23. And fans are far from alone. Search data point to a surge in interest in Seoul-bound flights ahead of the event, particularly from the United States, Indonesia and France, reflecting growing overseas travel demand tied to the group’s return. For long- and mid-haul travelers, a three-night stay remains the most popular option. U.S. routes: Balancing cost and time For fans traveling from the United States, budget-friendly options are still available. With Seoul 16 to 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles, a March 20 arrival allows time to adjust to jet lag before the evening performance. Searches across major booking platforms, including Skyscanner, Trip.com and Agoda, show a range of options for March 19 departures and March 23 returns. Both nonstop and connecting routes allow arrival in Seoul on March 20 or early March 21, leaving sufficient time ahead of the show. Hong Kong–routed itineraries remain relatively affordable, but some exceed 40 hours in total travel time. Mixed-carrier combinations offer alternatives in the low-20-hour range, providing a middle ground between price and overall journey length. For travelers prioritizing lower fares over shorter travel times, mainland China connections remain among the most affordable, though total duration varies depending on layover structure. Southeast Asia: Minimal jet lag, tight schedules Similar booking patterns are emerging across Southeast Asia. With only a one- to two-hour time difference between Jakarta and Seoul, Indonesian travelers face minimal jet lag compared with long-haul markets. However, arrivals on March 21 leave little buffer time, making careful schedule coordination important. Flights departing Jakarta on March 20 and returning March 23 remain available, with most routes involving one stop through regional hubs and overnight connections. Compared with routes from the United States or Europe, Southeast Asia itineraries offer relatively affordable round-trip fares while aligning closely with a March 20 arrival and March 23 departure schedule. Europe: Overnight stability, flexible options For travelers departing from Paris, Seoul is seven to eight hours ahead, and nonstop flights averaging around 12 hours provide a relatively stable overnight option. For the March 19–23 window, both nonstop and connecting itineraries remain available. While connecting routes extend overall travel time, they often offer noticeable cost savings. A March 19 departure still allows arrival in Seoul on March 20, providing a full day of buffer before the central Seoul performance. Getting into the city Beyond flight schedules, on-the-ground logistics are also part of travel planning. Incheon International Airport is located about one hour from central Seoul by Airport Railroad Express (AREX) or taxi. Late-afternoon arrivals on March 20 typically allow same-day hotel check-in without difficulty. Fans arriving late on March 21 may face tighter schedules, especially during peak evening traffic hours. Entry requirements International travelers are also advised to review entry rules before departure. U.S. and French passport holders may enter South Korea visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. While a K-ETA is normally required, the requirement is currently waived through 2026. Indonesian travelers generally need a short-term tourist visa and should apply in advance through a Korean embassy or designated visa center. Countdown to Gwanghwamun With just over a month to go, flight searches suggest that overseas fans are already mapping out their journeys to Seoul. As travel plans take shape, the road to Gwanghwamun is well underway for ARMY across continents ahead of BTS’s long-awaited open-air return. 2026-02-10 14:08:27 -
AI rally, election boost lift Asian stocks led by Japan SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Asian stocks extended gains Tuesday, led by Japan, as investor sentiment improved on a powerful mix of artificial intelligence enthusiasm and political clarity following a landslide election victory for the country’s ruling camp. Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed more than 2 percent as uncertainty eased after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decisive win strengthened confidence in her “Strong Japan” economic agenda. Heavyweight technology and semiconductor stocks, including SoftBank Group and Tokyo Electron, drove the advance. South Korean shares also opened higher, tracking overnight gains in U.S. AI-related stocks. A rally in artificial intelligence names on Wall Street lifted local chipmakers and tech shares, with SK hynix rising more than 1 percent in early trade. Sentiment was further supported by news of a meeting between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Shares linked to Hyundai Motor Group gained after its robotics unit, Boston Dynamics, released a demonstration video of its humanoid robot “Atlas,” fueling expectations for production innovation and long-term growth in robotics. Hyundai Motor rose 1.57 percent to 485,000 won, while Hyundai AutoEver jumped 6.71 percent. Hyundai Glovis and Hyundai Mobis gained 0.82 percent and 0.23 percent, respectively. The benchmark KOSPI added 0.42 percent to 5,320.52, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.90 percent to 1,117.58 as of 11:10 a.m. in Seoul. Investor flows were mixed. Individual investors sold a net 561.4 billion won ($385 million), while foreign and institutional investors bought a net 2.87 trillion won and 2.33 trillion won, respectively. The won consolidated on broad dollar weakness, with the greenback trading 2.20 won lower at 1,457.30. Among blue chips, Samsung Electronics edged up 0.03 percent to 166,450 won, while LG Energy Solution fell 1.39 percent to 389,000 won. Financial and biotech shares outperformed. Samsung Life Insurance gained 2.59 percent to 198,000 won, and Samsung Biologics rose 0.35 percent to 1.7 million won. Defense and aerospace stocks underperformed, with Hanwha Aerospace sliding 6.04 percent to 1,121,000 won. Shipbuilders also came under pressure. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.41 percent to 527,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean declined 1.58 percent to 131,100 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.88 percent to 27,263.95, and China’s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.04 percent to 4,124.66 in morning trade. 2026-02-10 11:33:46 -
BTS Comeback D-40: Seoul readies an army to protect ARMY on concert day SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) -South Korea’s elite counterterrorism units are preparing for a mission unlike any other this spring: protecting not a summit, not a visiting head of state, but the global fan base of BTS. On March 21, Gwanghwamun Square — framed by royal palaces and glass towers — will host the group’s first full-member comeback concert in nearly four years. Police expect up to 260,000 people to converge on the historic plaza for what is already being billed online as “a royal return” and “the concert of the century", live-streamed worldwide through Netflix. Separate from the worldwide tour, ticketing for the first-ever comeback show has been split to accommodate both the general public and dedicated fans, with free general-admission seats available on a first-come, first-served basis via Nol Ticket at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23. Official fan club members can enter a global raffle through Weverse tied to purchases of the group’s fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.” Detailed booking instructions will be released on Feb. 20, with raffle guidelines due on Feb. 10. Expecting an exceptional turnout for the unprecedented event, Seoul’s police force is mobilizing at near-national-event level, with bomb squads, special forces, cybercrime units and crowd-control commanders deployed across downtown. It is deploying security infrastructure usually reserved for major diplomatic summits for K-pop. With attendance projections rivaling major political rallies, police have divided the area into four layers: core, hot, warm and cold zones, further subdivided into 15 sections. Each zone will be overseen by a senior commander. Special assault teams will be stationed nearby. Explosive-detection units will sweep the venue. Thirteen rapid-response crime squads from nine precincts will be on standby. The free outdoor show, titled “THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,” is being designed as more than a performance. It is emerging as a hybrid of concert, civic ceremony and global media event — staged at Gwanghwamun Square, with Gyeongbokgung Palace as its backdrop. Rather than returning through a stadium tour, BTS has chosen the symbolic heart of Seoul — where royal processions once passed, presidents give speeches, and protesters gather. According to officials and industry sources, organizers are considering a ceremonial entrance that traces the palace’s historic axis — beginning inside the royal compound and moving outward into public space — effectively transforming centuries-old protocol into modern stagecraft. Event organizer and BTS agency HYBE has pledged to deploy more than 3,500 private security staff, but authorities have warned that more may be required under Korea’s “beneficiary pays” safety principle. Large-scale gatherings in Korea have become politically and socially sensitive since the 2022 Itaewon tragedy. Crowd management is now treated as a matter of institutional credibility. For BTS’s return, there will be no margin for error, said Park Jeong-bo, Seoul Metropolitan Police agency chief during a briefing Monday. The police vowed to watch over online threats and ticketing fraud in real time. 2026-02-09 13:27:01 -
Nikkei tests new highs after sweeping Takaichi win, Seoul recoups last week's rout SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) — Asian markets joined the celebration of a landslide victory by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a rare vote of confidence just three months after taking office, reinforcing expectations for a stimulus-focused economic agenda and a tougher stance toward China. Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, won 354 of the 465 seats in the lower house, giving the ruling bloc a more than two-thirds majority. The result allows the government to override the upper house and push through key legislation. The LDP alone secured 316 seats, its largest majority on record. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 5.18 percent to 57,065.25, setting a new record high following the decisive victory. Global tech shares also supported sentiment. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s response to concerns over excessive artificial intelligence infrastructure spending lifted the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index more than 5 percent overnight, feeding optimism across chip-heavy Asian markets. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 4.5 percent to 5,316.22 by 11:10 a.m. in Seoul, recovering sharply from last week’s selloff. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ added 3.3 percent to 1,115.56. With gains of 21 percent for the KOSPI and 17 percent for the KOSDAQ as of last week, South Korea’s stock market now ranks among the world’s eight largest by valuation. Both local and foreign brokerages see room for further advances, with some projecting a 12-month target of 7,500 for the KOSPI. Individual investors were net sellers of 1.46 trillion won ($995 million), while foreign and institutional investors bought a net 330.9 billion won and 1.09 trillion won, respectively. The return of foreign inflows supported the won, with the dollar slipping 1.30 won to 1,464.20 won. All of the top 10 stocks by market capitalization on the KOSPI traded higher. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix advanced 5.36 percent and 5.60 percent to 167,100 won and 886,000 won, respectively, leading gains in the semiconductor sector. LG Energy Solution rose 1.82 percent to 392,000 won. Financial and biotech shares also strengthened. Samsung Life Insurance gained 5.64 percent to 194,700 won, while Samsung Biologics added 2.40 percent to 1,708,000 won. Automakers joined the advance, with Hyundai Motor rising 3.10 percent to 482,000 won and Kia up 1.38 percent at 154,000 won. Defense and aerospace shares extended gains, with Hanwha Aerospace up 3.90 percent to 1,227,000 won. Shipbuilders also benefited from the broader upswing. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 2.97 percent to 555,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean gained 2.68 percent to 134,100 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.29 percent to 26,903.20, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.82 percent to 4,099.01 in morning trade. 2026-02-09 11:23:51 -
BTS Comeback D-43: How songs come to reshape Korea's global image SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - When a government survey on South Korea’s global image is released each year, the top name rarely changes. Once again, BTS ranked first in the “2025 National Image Survey of Korea” released late last month by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ranking itself is familiar. What is changing is what it represents. Jungkook placed sixth overall — the highest among solo artists — while online reactions framed the results less as news than as confirmation. On X, fans repeated the phrase “national treasure.” Facebook fan pages described the outcome as long-overdue recognition. The responses suggest that BTS’s influence has moved beyond novelty. It now operates as part of South Korea’s cultural infrastructure — stable, predictable and deeply embedded. The broader survey found that Korean cultural content — including K-pop, dramas and films — remains the strongest factor shaping foreigners’ views of South Korea. For many overseas audiences, entertainment has become the country’s primary point of entry. External studies reinforce the pattern. The Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange reported in its 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey that regular exposure to Korean content increases favorability toward Korea and strengthens interest in visiting. The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute found similar links between cultural consumption, trust in Korean brands and purchasing behavior. In practical terms, liking Korean music increasingly leads to choosing Korean destinations, products and platforms. One of the clearest signs of that shift appears in language learning. In 2024, The New York Times reported that Duolingo recorded a 22 percent year-on-year rise in Korean learners in the United States. Many learners cite BTS as their starting point. Fans often say they began studying Korean to follow livestreams or understand lyrics without subtitles. Over time, that curiosity expanded to dramas, interviews and historical content. Interest, in many cases, moves from consumption to participation. In 2021, BTS’s Korean-language address at the United Nations General Assembly symbolized that shift — presenting Korean not as a niche cultural language, but as a global medium. For long-time fans, the transformation has unfolded gradually. Some describe pride in “growing up” alongside the group, watching both BTS and Korean culture gain confidence on the global stage. Others say the group’s discipline and longevity became a personal source of motivation. As the 2026 comeback approaches, those reflections are resurfacing online, with fans revisiting past milestones and tracing how their own engagement has evolved. At the 2025 APEC CEO Summit, RM noted that a decade earlier, few would have expected Korean-language songs to command worldwide attention — a reminder of how quickly the landscape has shifted. The cultural ecosystem surrounding BTS now extends well beyond pop. Hwang Eun-soon, director of the Cheongju National Museum, has said the institution plans to develop exhibitions that connect traditional metal culture with contemporary perspectives — reflecting a wider effort to reinterpret heritage for new audiences. BTS’s decision to incorporate “Arirang” into their comeback fits this trajectory. Tradition is not presented as a museum piece, but as material that can circulate through modern platforms. National image rarely changes overnight. It is shaped through repetition, familiarity and trust. The annual survey, where BTS continues to rank first, captures that accumulation. What began as global curiosity has matured into routine engagement — visible in language classrooms, tourism data and consumer habits. As March 21 approaches, BTS’s return highlights not just another comeback, but a cultural system that has learned how to sustain influence over time — quietly, consistently and at scale. 2026-02-06 17:15:14 -
Regional winner becomes this week's biggest loser due to foreign selloff SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Markets across Asia flashed red Friday following a broad Wall Street pullback, with hitherto regional winner Korean stocks hardest hit by a global institutional selling spree. Losses in AI and big-tech shares on Nasdaq loomed over the KOSPI amid a decisive position shift by domestic and foreign institutions this week, setting off the second sell-side sidecar this week. Traders said the correction was inevitable after an almost nonstop rally this year until this week, while retailers jumped on the opportunity to join the stock-boom bandwagon, helping to defend the hard-won 5,000 mark for the KOSPI and 1,000 for the KOSDAQ. The selloff reflected profit-taking after recent sharp gains, compounded by overnight weakness in U.S. markets. Investor sentiment deteriorated further as concerns resurfaced over the profitability outlook for AI-related big-tech companies. As of 10:54 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI was 2.65 percent lower at 5,024.75 and the secondary KOSDAQ retreated 2.61 percent to 1,079.45. Individual and institutional investors bought a net 1.519 trillion won ($1.03 billion) and 17.1 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors sold a net 1.5763 trillion won. The won came under pressure as the U.S. dollar strengthened amid global risk aversion. The dollar shot up above 1,470 in early trading on heavy foreign equity selling, but eased to 1,480.40, up 0.60 won from the previous session. Foreign selloff mostly targeted the biggest winners. Samsung Electronics fell 2.57 percent to 155,200 won and SK hynix dropped 2.97 percent to 817,000 won earlier in the session. Battery maker LG Energy Solution also edged down 3.54 percent to 381,000 won. Financial and biotech shares also remained under pressure. Samsung Life Insurance slipped 4.02 percent to 184,000 won, and Samsung Biologics fell 2.76 percent to 1,653,000 won. Automakers extended the slide, with Hyundai Motor down 4.61 percent at 466,000 won and Kia dropped 2.56 percent at 152,200 won. Defense and aerospace shares weakened further, with Hanwha Aerospace retreating 6.19 percent to 1,151,000 won. Shipbuilders joined the broad downturn. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 4.36 percent to 526,000 won, and Hanwha Ocean slid 4.72 percent to 129,200 won. The Hang Seng Index retreated 1.57 percent to 26,463.87 soon after opening, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.87 percent to 4,040.30, reflecting U.S. and regional losses. The impact was milder for Japan’s Nikkei 225, which lost 0.3 percent to 53,677.22. 2026-02-06 11:19:32 -
KOSPI takes 4% hit for third session in a row, second sidecar activated in a week SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) – The downward spiral continued on the Seoul bourse Friday, with the main and secondary indices sliding more than 4 percent in early trading, triggering a sell-side sidecar for the second time this week. The Korea Exchange said a sell-side sidecar was activated on the main KOSPI board at 9:06 a.m. local time. The measure temporarily suspends program selling for five minutes to help contain excessive price swings. A sell-side sidecar is triggered when KOSPI 200 futures fall more than 5 percent from the previous session and remain at that level for at least one minute. The time-off was also triggered on Monday due to the KOSPI's fall of more than 5 percent. The week snapped an extraordinary rally for the Korean market this year in a roller-coaster ride toward new heights. The KOSPI had gained 25 percent so far this year as of its fresh peak on Tuesday at 5,371.1. It lost around 12 percent over the following three sessions. The deep correction was triggered by a panicky selloff in software and technology stocks on Wall Street. As of 9:40 a.m., the KOSPI was 3.62 percent lower at 4,976.64 and the KOSDAQ down 3.3 percent at 1,071.67. The heavy foreign-led equity selling spree uplifted the U.S. dollar by 3.90 won to 1,472.90. 2026-02-06 09:43:59 -
BTS comeback D-44: More than a show when Seoul pours its heart into the king's return SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - A royal comeback. A literal red carpet for the monarchs of K-pop. A “concert of the century.” These are some of the phrases circulating ahead of BTS’s long-awaited return in March — a national-scale production that brings together state support, cultural symbolism, and the global reach of Netflix. The show, already being hailed as the cultural event of the year, is shaping up as a culmination of South Korea’s most powerful contemporary assets: K-pop, cutting-edge technology, digital platforms, ultrafast connectivity, and a hyper-connected fan culture — all staged against an iconic landscape where traditional heritage meets a forest of modern towers. On March 21, Gwanghwamun Square will become the focal point of this convergence, as BTS returns as a full group for a live event titled “THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG.” More than a concert, the performance is designed as a national narrative moment — blending history, pop culture, and collective emotion. Rejecting conventional stadiums and indoor arenas, the seven-member group has chosen the symbolic heart of the capital for its first group concert in three years and nine months. Framed by Gyeongbokgung Palace and its legendary main gate, Gwanghwamun, the venue is inseparable from Korea’s political and cultural identity. For fans, the choice signals an experience meant to be lived and remembered, not merely streamed. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and event organizers, the group is considering a dramatic entrance through all three palace gates during the 8 p.m. performance — a sequence that would transform centuries-old royal protocol into contemporary stagecraft. Under the plan, the members would begin at Geunjeongmun, the gate leading to the palace’s inner court where state affairs were once conducted. They would proceed through Heungnyemun, a transitional threshold between royal and civic space, before emerging through the fully opened gates of Gwanghwamun. From there, they would cross the Woldae, a ceremonial stone platform historically reserved for royal processions and official proclamations, toward the main stage. The route follows the palace’s historic ceremonial corridor — the path once taken by kings as they moved from secluded authority into public view. In Joseon-era terms, it marked the extension of royal power into civic life. In today’s setting, it reimagines that procession as a shared cultural ritual between artists and the public. As stage design and choreography take shape, the comeback increasingly resembles a carefully composed civic spectacle rather than a conventional concert. Geography becomes part of the performance, and architecture part of the narrative. The movement of seven performers through these symbolic spaces is already being read as an act of cultural storytelling. Even before the first note is played, the idea has ignited the public imagination. What began as logistical planning has evolved into a collective anticipation — a sense that this return represents not only a reunion of artists and fans, but a moment when modern pop culture aligns seamlessly with historical memory. That expectation has spilled rapidly onto social media, where fans at home and abroad are reacting to both the scale of the production and its symbolism. For many, the March event is no longer just a concert. It is being framed as a national showcase — a declaration of how Korea’s past, present, and digital future can converge on one stage. Fans were quick to respond on X (formerly Twitter). One South Korean fan wrote: "Wow… to think BTS's comeback performance will happen here. I don't even know how the cameras will capture the full view, but just imagining this scene already makes me feel emotional…" Other domestic reactions echoed the massive scale of the event, with some comparing it to national milestones like the 2002 World Cup. Comments such as "This feels like the biggest Gwanghwamun event since the 2002 World Cup" appeared alongside relatable remarks like, "I work near Gwanghwamun—please let me go home early that day." International fans viewed the announcement as a major cultural milestone. One fan shared a post on X: "#BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21st. As the FIRST EVER solo concert by a singer at this venue, BTS is poised to create ANOTHER milestone in cultural history." On Reddit's r/kpopthoughts, the discussion centered on the production value and the "return" narrative. One user wrote: "They are going to devour this. BTS are incredible live performers, the show is set at a historic landmark, and Hamish Hamilton is directing it. With media already expecting around 200,000 attendees—and an album documentary following a week later—this feels like a powerful return." Another international fan pointed to reports that BTS may enter by walking the traditional royal path once used by kings, describing it as the group's symbolic "return of the kings." That idea resonated with others commenting on Arirang TV's coverage. One fan wrote, "I think you are spot on with the 'Return of the Kings' idea… If anyone can meld past and present together, it is them." Another added that the plan would be "a cinematic masterpiece" that connects directly to "the spirit of Arirang—honoring endurance and history." As anticipation grows, so do concerns about crowd safety. Under a news clip posted by Channel A on YouTube, comments urged authorities to prepare for far more than the estimated 200,000 attendees. One suggestion to plan for "up to one million people" drew hundreds of likes, while others warned against repeating past crowd-related tragedies in the city. What turns the Gwanghwamun concert into a truly global event is its reach beyond the square. The performance will be livestreamed worldwide via Netflix, an unusual move for a K-pop comeback. Under a video posted by YTN, viewers reacted with excitement, with some joking about servers crashing and predicting a surge in new subscriptions. A documentary following the album's creation is set to be released shortly after the concert, positioning the Gwanghwamun stage as the opening scene of a longer narrative. Even the technical details of this era are evolving. On Thursday, Weverse announced the release of the BTS Official Light Stick Version 4, the first major upgrade in nearly six years. Featuring enhanced synchronization and a redesigned app, the new version is intended to deepen audience participation throughout the upcoming ARIRANG world tour. The announcement sparked another wave of digital reactions. On X and other platforms, fans expressed excitement, "OMG, new light stick?" and "Finally, a new version for this era," while others looked ahead to how the upgraded synchronization could shape the atmosphere of the outdoor stage at Gwanghwamun. For many, the new light stick is more than merchandise; it is a signal that this comeback is being built with a long-term vision. When the lights turn on at Gwanghwamun, some fans will be standing in the square while others watch from living rooms around the world, yet all will be sharing the same moment. It is a convergence of place, memory, and fandom. Long after the music fades, the echo of the night at Gwanghwamun will likely remain. 2026-02-05 16:51:59