Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • BTS comeback D-44: More than a show when Seoul pours its heart into the kings return
    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
  • Software tantrums shake Asian markets; Korean shares lose nearly 3%
    Software tantrums shake Asian markets; Korean shares lose nearly 3% SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Asian stocks tracked Wall Street lower early Thursday, as fears over disruption in the software industry from rapid advances in artificial intelligence triggered broad selling. The Nasdaq suffered its worst two-day rout since last April’s “tariff tantrums,” as investors retreated from software stocks following the release of a suite of industry-specific AI tools, including systems capable of reviewing legal contracts developed by Anthropic. Asian semiconductor shares took a header after Advanced Micro Devices reported earnings that fell short of elevated expectations for AI-driven growth. AMD shares plunged more than 17 percent. “The pullback reflects lingering concerns over AI-related earnings visibility,” said Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities. “Given their close linkage to U.S. tech shares, Korean stocks remain vulnerable to further downside.” In Seoul, both the benchmark KOSPI and the secondary KOSDAQ retreated more than 2 percent, as foreign investors took profits following months of strong gains. As of 11:05 a.m., the KOSPI had fallen 2.76 percent to 5,223.10, while the KOSDAQ dropped 2.56 percent to 1,120.00. The won weakened against the U.S. dollar, pressured by renewed dollar strength and continued yen weakness. The move followed comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirming support for a strong-dollar policy, while political uncertainty ahead of Japan’s snap election weighed on the yen. As a result, the won–dollar exchange rate rose above the 1,460 level in early trading, with the dollar gaining 1.20 won to 1,461.70. Foreign investors sold a net 2.3 trillion won on the main board and 2.1 trillion won on the KOSDAQ. Losses were broad-based across sectors, led by heavyweight technology stocks, while defense and shipbuilding shares also traded lower. Samsung Electronics fell 3.61 percent to 163,000 won, while chipmaker SK hynix dropped 3.67 percent to 867,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution edged up 0.12 percent to 403,000 won. Financial and biotech shares were mixed. Samsung Life Insurance rose 0.46 percent to 198,400 won, while Samsung Biologics slipped 0.68 percent to 1,747,000 won. Automakers also posted mixed moves, with Hyundai Motor down 0.79 percent at 500,000 won and Kia up 0.57 percent at 157,700 won. Defense and aerospace shares weakened, with Hanwha Aerospace retreating 5.89 percent to 1,246,000 won. Shipbuilders were also under pressure. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.06 percent to 571,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean slid 2.43 percent to 140,500 won after reporting weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, prompting near-term selling despite broker upgrades and positive long-term outlooks for LNG and special-purpose vessels. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was nearly flat, down 0.15 percent at 54,210.24, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.6 percent to 4,076.89 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.1 percent to 26,543.85. 2026-02-05 11:19:04
  • Korean markets enjoy solo record-setting run despite broad Asian retreat
    Korean markets enjoy solo record-setting run despite broad Asian retreat SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) – South Korean bourses on Wednesday remained unfazed by broad Asian retreat following overnight Wall Street fall on concerns over disruption in the software sector. The KOSPI pushed onto new territory of 5,300, up 0.8 percent at 5,331.98 as of 11:00 a.m. and the secondary KOSDAQ also up 0.8 percent at 1,153.36. Shares of Hyundai Motor and Kia rose in early trading as their U.S. units reported record sales results. Hyundai Motor’s U.S. subsidiary said it sold 55,624 vehicles in January, the highest January total on record. Kia’s U.S. unit likewise posted a monthly record, with sales of around 57,000 vehicles. Hyundai Motor was trading at 509,000 won, up 3.56 percent, from the previous session. Kia rose 1.43 percent, to 156,200 won in the early trade. Global markets turned cautious after U.S. stocks fell overnight, as concerns grew that advances in artificial intelligence could disrupt the traditional software industry. Tensions in the Middle East also added to investor unease after reports that the United States shot down an Iranian drone near a U.S. aircraft carrier. The Korean won added 0.90 to 1,450.1 versus the U.S. dollar. Individual and institutional investors purchased a net 180.2 billion won ($124 million) and 322.8 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors sold a net 555.2 billion won. Gains were spread across sectors, though technology and defense-related shares lagged. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics fell 2.09 percent to 164,000 won. SK hynix down 2.32 percent to 886,000 won, while LG Energy Solution rose 2.05 percent to 399,000 won. Samsung Life Insurance gained 1.40 percent to 188,900 won, and Samsung Biologics advanced 0.23 percent to 1,753,000 won. Defense and aerospace shares traded lower, with Hanwha Aerospace down 0.08 percent at 1,298,000 won. Meanwhile, shipbuilders posted gains, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 0.52 percent to 585,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean advanced 1.06 percent to 142,900 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares were lower, with the Nikkei 225 Index falling 0.74 percent to 54,313.53. The China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1.90 percent to 4,065.84. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was trading down 0.045 percent to 26,822,64. 2026-02-04 11:21:05
  • BTS Comeback D-45: homecoming along the royal axis
    BTS Comeback D-45: homecoming along the royal axis SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - The comeback of BTS is set trace one of Seoul's most resonant historical lines: the so-called King's road, the ceremonial axis once reserved for Joseon-era monarchs. The route runs from Geunjeongmun through Heungnyemun to Gwanghwamun, culminating at the Weoldae, a stone platform where kings appeared before the public. Built in 1866, the Weoldae was dismantled during the colonial period and remained lost for more than a century before being restored in 2023. In the Joseon court, the axis symbolized sovereign authority and ritual order; today, it anchors one of Seoul’s most visible public spaces. By staging its return along this line, BTS frames its comeback as a modern reinterpretation of a royal entrance — not a reenactment, but a cultural echo that links contemporary pop spectacle with historical memory. According to Seoul city officials, BTS’s team is discussing plans to install the concert stage at the northern end of Gwanghwamun Square, directly facing the Weoldae in front of Gwanghwamun. The venue is expected to accommodate roughly 34,000 spectators, including about 17,000 main seats in front of the stage and another 17,000 side seats in adjacent areas. From parts of the audience, the performance will unfold against views of the Statue of King Sejong or the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, two figures central to Korea’s historical narrative. The concert will be free of charge, with tickets distributed through advance reservations on BTS’s fan platform, Weverse. Detailed booking information is expected to be announced at a later date. The venue itself sits along a straight north–south urban axis that defines central Seoul. Attendees entering via Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 1 will pass the Statue of King Sejong, a central landmark of Gwanghwamun Square, before reaching the stage area. To the east lies the Uijeongbu Historical Plaza, while the west is bordered by the Government Complex Seoul and the former Office of the Censor-General, situating the concert within the ceremonial and administrative heart of the Joseon era. BTS has also applied for permits to use and film major heritage sites around Gwanghwamun, including Gyeongbokgung Palace gates, the Gwanghwamun–Weoldae area, and Sungnyemun. Reporting indicates that the King’s Road route may be used as the concert’s opening sequence, with footage of the members’ procession shown through pre-recorded segments or partial live broadcast. Meanwhile, Netflix said it will exclusively livestream “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” to audiences in 190 countries, marking the first time the platform has live-streamed a single artist’s standalone concert on an exclusive, real-time basis. Netflix will co-produce and stage the Gwanghwamun Square performance alongside HYBE, with direction by Hamish Hamilton, known for helming multiple Super Bowl halftime shows since 2010. Following the concert, a documentary film, “BTS: The Return” will premiere on Netflix on March 27, chronicling the making of the group’s new album Arirang. Directed by Vietnamese filmmaker Bao Nguyen, the film traces BTS’s creative journey toward its first full-member release in three years and nine months, with both the live broadcast and documentary produced by Done and Dusted. 2026-02-04 10:45:11
  • BTS Comeback D-46: world tour map affirming global reach
    BTS Comeback D-46: world tour map affirming global reach SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) - Nearly four years after stepping away as a full group for mandatory military service, BTS is returning with a touring footprint that underlines just how much ground it covered — and how much leverage it still holds — in the global live music economy. A yearlong world tour spanning 80-plus stadium shows in roughly 30 cities across five continents is taking shape, positioning BTS’s comeback as one of the largest live music undertakings in recent years. The opening statement will be characteristically symbolic: a kickoff performance in central Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area on March 31, set to stream live on Netflix — the platform’s first livestreamed concert originating from South Korea. The scale reinforces a long-standing narrative around BTS: that the group functions less as a touring act than as a global cultural asset. When CNN recently revisited “BTS in Numbers,” it highlighted how rare it is for artists to sustain tours of this magnitude. Historically, only a handful of legacy names — Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones — have pushed tours into triple-digit show counts over multiple years. BTS’s own benchmarks already place it in that company. Since debuting in 2013, the group has logged six No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, while its four-night stadium run in Los Angeles in 2021 generated $33.3 million from more than 200,000 tickets, then the highest-grossing Boxscore ever recorded by a non-English-language artist. At home, government estimates have pegged BTS’s economic contribution at $4.9 billion in 2019, cementing its status as a national soft-power asset. That demand was forged on the road. The “Love Yourself” World Tour (2018–2019) set an early global benchmark for non-English-language acts, grossing about $196.4 million across 42 shows and drawing an estimated 1.6 million fans worldwide, according to Billboard Boxscore. Sold-out stadium dates at venues such as London’s Wembley Stadium and Seoul’s Olympic Stadium signaled that BTS had crossed decisively into the top tier of global touring. The follow-up, “Permission to Dance On Stage” in 2022, was intentionally limited after pandemic disruptions but no less telling. A four-night run at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium attracted roughly 214,000 attendees, underscoring sustained demand even as the group prepared for enlistment. The upcoming 2026–2027 “Arirang” World Tour raises the bar again. Official schedules point to 82 shows across 34 cities in 23 countries, making it BTS’s most expansive itinerary to date. Early ticketing signals have been striking. In Mexico, local reports said as many as one million fans attempted to secure roughly 150,000 available seats, while rapid sellouts have been reported across parts of North America and Europe. Some industry reports have cited 41 major stadium dates selling out globally, with total ticket sales estimated at around 2.4 million, though final figures remain under review. HYBE said it is still in the process of aggregating ticket sales data and reviewing venue-level details, noting that assessments are ongoing to determine whether additional seats can be released at certain locations. The company added that it is still reviewing potential dates for stops in Japan and the Middle East, which have yet to be officially announced. Financial markets are watching closely. Analysts increasingly frame the tour not simply as entertainment, but as a large-scale global content business. Im Do-young of Daol Investment & Securities estimates that ticket revenue alone could reach 1.1 trillion to 1.2 trillion won, rising toward 1.5 trillion won when official merchandise sales are included, assuming the full schedule is completed. At that level, the tour would rank among the largest ever mounted by a single artist. At home, pricing will offer an early test of elasticity. BTS’s South Korea leg begins in April at Goyang Stadium, with tickets priced at 264,000 won for sound check, 220,000 won for General R, and 198,000 won for General S, according to Interpark. Positioned at the upper end of the stadium touring range, the shows will serve as a bellwether for how far premium pricing can stretch in a post-pandemic, post-inflation concert market. For the global live music industry, BTS’s return is more than a reunion tour. It is a stress test — of demand, pricing power and scale — unfolding in real time, with few modern precedents. 2026-02-03 17:06:59
  • Asian markets recover as Warsh shock fades, KOSPI surges above 5,100
    Asian markets recover as Warsh shock fades, KOSPI surges above 5,100 SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) -Asian markets recovered Tuesday, led by the Korean market erasing much of the previous session’s steep losses after a brief bout of panic triggered by the nomination of hawkish monetary policy advocate Kevin Warsh as the next U.S. Federal Reserve chair. The benchmark KOSPI surged 4.16 percent to move back above the 5,100 level, after briefly dipping below the 5,000 mark on Monday's slide of 5.26 percent . As of 10 a.m., the index was up 206.07 points at 5,156.74, prompting the activation of a buy-side sidecar. Gains were broad-based across sectors. Securities firms led the rally, jumping more than 9 percent, while electronics and electrical stocks climbed around 5 percent. Construction and financial shares rose over 4 percent, and distribution, machinery and equipment, telecommunications, and medical and precision instrument stocks advanced by roughly 3 percent. Heavyweights also traded firmly higher. SK Square gained 5.84 percent to 535,000 won, while Samsung Electronics and SK hynix each rose over 6 percent to 160,700 won, 898,000 won respectively. Samsung C&T climbed about 4.98 percent to 305,000 won, with Hanwha Aerospace and Doosan Enerbility up more than 4 percent to 1,285,000 won and 89,400 won each. Hanwha Ocean, KB Financial Group and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries posted gains of around 3 percent, trading at 139,500 won, 137,400 won and 574,000 won respectively. The rally extended to the auto sector, Hyundai Motor rose 1.67 percent to 486,000 won, Kia up 0.73 percent to 151,200 won. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ also advanced, rising 2.68 percent, or 29.45 points, to 1,127.81. Among large-cap stocks, Wonik IPS surged more than 12 percent to 114,500 won, while Rainbow Robotics jumped over 9.27 percent to 778,000 won. Samchundang Pharm rose around 13 percent to 527,000 won, Caregen gained 9.13 percent to 116,000 won and Medy-Tox affiliate Mezzion gained about 7.35 percent to percent 169.800 won. In the currency market, the won strengthened as the U.S. dollar slipped 6.1 won to 1,447.40 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares were trading higher, with the Nikkei 225 Index gaining 2.96 percent to 54,212.79. The China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.59 percent to 4,039.34. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was trading up 0.69 percent to 26,959,76. 2026-02-03 10:51:30
  • Grammys 2026: tantalizingly within reach — and quietly setting the stage for BTS return
    Grammys 2026: tantalizingly within reach — and quietly setting the stage for BTS' return SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - The door finally opened wider for K-pop at the Grammy Awards, but not quite wide enough to let it walk through with a haul of trophies. At the 68th ceremony, K-pop-linked artists and works appeared across multiple nominations, signaling growing institutional comfort with the genre. Yet when the night ended, the Grammys remained — as they have long been — tantalizingly within reach. The most symbolic breakthrough came not from a performance category, but from behind the scenes. “Golden,” an original song from Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, won Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking the first Grammy victory tied to a Korean-origin music production. Crucially, the award recognized songwriting and production, not chart power or stage presence — a rare acknowledgment of Korean creators’ craft rather than their commercial momentum. Major U.S. outlets took note. The New York Times framed the win as a corrective to K-pop’s long absence from Grammy history, while AP News underscored its status as the first Grammy win by a K-pop-linked project. If the trophies were scarce, the visibility was not. ROSÉ delivered a polished live debut with Bruno Mars, performing “APT.” — the first main-stage Grammy performance by a K-pop female soloist. Despite nominations across three major fields, the song ultimately went home without a win, a reminder of how unforgiving the top Grammy categories remain. Rookie girl group KATSEYE also made its Grammy stage debut as part of the Best New Artist showcase, performing “Gnarly.” Formed through a hybrid K-pop training system backed by HYBE and Geffen Records, the group was nominated for Best New Artist, an award that went to Olivia Dean. The media reaction reflected a shift in tone rather than triumphalism. Cosmopolitan highlighted ROSÉ’s appearance as a milestone for K-pop soloists, while Pitchfork pointed to the density of competition in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, where “APT.” and KATSEYE’s “Gabriela” faced off against mainstream heavyweights. The category ultimately went to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for “Defying Gravity” from Wicked — a result that underscored the category’s ceiling rather than K-pop’s shortcomings. Critics and fans largely agreed: the absence of trophies did little to dull the night’s significance. Two K-pop acts appearing in core Grammy contexts in the same year marked a clean break from the past. This was no longer about a singular breakthrough or novelty moment, but about sustained presence — a recalibration of how K-pop fits into the Grammy ecosystem. Much of that recalibration traces back to BTS. Through repeated nominations and high-profile standalone performances in the early 2020s, the group redefined how non-English-language artists could occupy the Grammy main stage. While a major Grammy win has so far eluded them, their groundwork made space for artists like ROSÉ, KATSEYE and Korean-produced content to be taken seriously within the institution. That context matters as BTS prepares a full-scale return in March. The group’s comeback tour — spanning 34 regions and more than 80 shows — has already sold out stadiums worldwide, with roughly 2.4 million tickets snapped up across 41 venues. Additional dates are being added amid explosive demand, drawing attention well beyond the music industry. Seen this way, the 2026 Grammys were less a verdict than a positioning exercise. The trophies remain just out of reach, but closer than ever. By the time BTS winds down its Arirang album tour and the next Grammy night arrives, the distance may no longer feel teasing — but measured in inches rather than miles. 2026-02-02 16:37:55
  • Hawkish Fed expectations weigh on markets, drag Korean shares lower
    Hawkish Fed expectations weigh on markets, drag Korean shares lower SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) – Asian stocks fell broadly after U.S. President Donald Trump nominated former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, prompting investors to scale back expectations for further interest-rate cuts. Warsh is widely viewed as an inflation hawk, and his nomination triggered a shift in rate expectations that rippled through financial markets. South Korean equities opened lower, U.S. stock futures weakened, gold and silver prices fell sharply, and the U.S. dollar strengthened. The dollar traded at 1,459.00 won, up 7.00 won from the previous session. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index stood at 5,157.36 as of 10:24 a.m., down 1.27 percent, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 1.19 percent to 1,135.87. Stocks slid at the open as foreign investors stepped up selling amid a sharp rise in the won-dollar exchange rate. Losses narrowed later as individual investors moved in to buy on dips. Individual investors purchased a net 1.4755 trillion won worth of shares in early trading, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 1.5 trillion won and 44.7 billion won, respectively. Most heavyweight stocks traded lower. Samsung Electronics fell 1.18 percent to 158,600 won, while chipmaker SK hynix dropped 2.86 percent to 26,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution slipped 0.25 percent to 397,000 won. Financial and biotech shares also weakened, with Samsung Life Insurance down 1.33 percent to 185,800 won and Samsung Biologics losing 0.34 percent to 1,739,000 won. Automakers bucked the broader decline. Hyundai Motor rose 0.40 percent to 502,000 won, while Kia gained 1.51 percent to 154,900 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also edged higher, with Hanwha Aerospace up 0.08 percent at 1,301,000 won. Shipbuilders traded mixed. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 0.52 percent to 572,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean climbed 1.73 percent to 140,900 won. 2026-02-02 10:45:49
  • SK hynix marches toward historic milestone in otherwise lackluster Asian market
    SK hynix marches toward historic milestone in otherwise lackluster Asian market SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) — SK hynix continued its relentless advance Friday, propelled by frenzied retail buying toward the symbolic 1-million-won milestone, even as broader Asian markets struggled for direction. The chipmaker's surge briefly lifted Korea's benchmark KOSPI above the 5,300 level earlier in the session, though the index later pared gains to finish nearly flat at 5,224.36. The junior KOSDAQ retreated 1.29 percent to 1,149.44, taking a breather after a stunning run earlier this week. The won weakened to 1,441 per dollar as the greenback strengthened globally. The move followed reports that former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh is emerging as a leading candidate to become the next Fed chair, a development that pushed U.S. Treasury yields higher and added pressure on emerging-market currencies. Heavy retail buying offset selling by foreign investors and institutions. Individual investors snapped up a net 2.30 trillion won worth of shares, while foreigners and institutions sold a net 1.97 trillion won and 424.7 billion won, respectively. Market attention remained firmly on SK hynix, which continued to outperform on strong AI-related demand. The shares extended gains into afternoon trading, buoyed by rising interest from global retail investors and a target-price upgrade from Citigroup. Citing expectations of sharp increases in DRAM and NAND prices, Citi raised its target price to 1.4 million won. Despite intermittent profit-taking, strength in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and sustained AI-driven demand underpinned additional buying, sending the stock up 5.57 percent to close at 909,000 won. Gains, however, were largely confined to SK hynix. Most heavyweight stocks retreated, with Samsung Electronics edging down 0.12 percent to 160,500 won. Samsung Biologics slid 1.75 percent to 1,745,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance fell 1.93 percent to 188,300 won, and LG Energy Solution dropped 4.44 percent to 398,000 won. In the defense and aerospace sector, Hanwha Aerospace closed unchanged at 1,300,000 won. Shipbuilding stocks weakened, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 2.21 percent to 575,000 won and Hanwha Ocean down 2.40 percent to 138,500 won. Auto shares extended declines as tariff-related cost concerns continued to weigh on the sector. Hyundai Motor tumbled 5.30 percent to 500,000 won, while affiliate Kia slipped 1.48 percent to 152,600 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 dipped 0.10 percent to 53,322.85 amid unease over potential shifts in U.S. monetary-policy leadership. China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.96 percent to 4,117.95. 2026-01-30 17:23:04
  • BTS Comeback D-50: How Koreas folk songs and heritage turned cool—and global
    BTS Comeback D-50: How Korea's folk songs and heritage turned cool—and global SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) — BTS has long stood for K-pop stardom, polished choreography and messages of resilience and love. But as the group matures, its center of gravity is shifting. The world’s most influential idol group is digging deeper into its Korean roots—and the global audience is following along. In the countdown to their long-awaited comeback, every move by the seven members is read as a cultural signal. Where they go, what they reference, even what they casually post now carries symbolic weight. RM’s recent visit to the National Folk Museum of Korea is a case in point—one quiet stop that set off a ripple effect far beyond museum walls. Interest in Korea’s traditional music and folk culture has been building steadily, fueled by BTS’s creative choices around comeback themes, song titles and locations. The museum itself leaned into that momentum. On Jan. 23, it announced a series of hands-on programs tied to a special exhibition on the cultural history of horses, running Jan. 24–25 and Feb. 7–8. The programs go well beyond passive viewing. Visitors can experience live performances of the Mongolian morin khuur (horse-head fiddle), make badges once used by secret royal inspectors of the Joseon dynasty, and practice calligraphy using brushes made from horsehair. In total, six interactive programs invite audiences to touch, hear and participate in history rather than simply observe it. To extend the experience online, the museum is also giving away a 2026 horse-themed calendar to the first 200 visitors who post photos of their visit on social media through Jan. 31—another nod to how heritage now travels through digital platforms. Attention surged after RM’s visit, drawing younger audiences who might not otherwise have stepped into a folk museum. The episode underscores a broader shift: when K-pop icons engage with traditional culture, museums stop feeling distant or static. Heritage becomes something you encounter, share and remix in everyday life. That same dynamic is at work in BTS’s decision to title its upcoming full-length album Arirang. The choice is more than nostalgic symbolism. It signals that Korea’s most iconic folk song—one shaped by migration, separation and endurance—is ready to speak in the language of global pop. The Guardian described the move as a cultural statement that places Korean tradition squarely on the world stage. Just as Arirang has been sung, adapted and reinterpreted across generations, Korea’s museums and cultural institutions are reactivating tradition through contemporary lenses. Rather than freezing the past behind glass, they are turning it into living content—experienced through performance, participation and platforms. As BTS’s comeback nears, tradition itself appears to be entering a new phase: preserved, reimagined and consumed globally. What began as a folk song or a museum visit now travels effortlessly across borders, proving that heritage, when given the right rhythm, can be as dynamic—and as global—as pop itself. 2026-01-30 15:26:15