AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • Lotte Cinema Hosts Special Movie Screening for Children with Rare Diseases
    Lotte Cinema Hosts Special Movie Screening for Children with Rare Diseases Lotte Cinema and Mindullemaum organized a special movie screening for children with severe rare diseases and their families. On May 6, Lotte Cinema World Tower hosted a 'Spring Outing Screening' for these children and their families. The event aimed to provide a cultural experience for children who find it difficult to visit theaters due to long-term illnesses and to offer families a brief respite from caregiving duties.Excitement filled the venue as children visited the cinema for the first time or after a long absence. Lotte Cinema provided popcorn and drinks, and a Polaroid photo event took place at a 'Super Mario Galaxy' photo zone.Before the screening, video messages from family members, medical staff, and social workers who could not attend were shared. Children and their guardians watched these encouraging messages together, creating a meaningful moment.The featured film was the current box office hit, 'Super Mario Galaxy.' The children enjoyed the vibrant visuals and adventurous storyline, and after the screening, a recreational time with quizzes, games, and gift giveaways further enhanced the atmosphere.One guardian expressed, "Bringing my child to the cinema required a significant decision, but thanks to Lotte Cinema's thoughtful arrangements, we were able to create happy memories."Lee Soo-min, head of the Cinema Division at Lotte Culture Works, remarked, "It was impressive to see the children who usually struggle to visit theaters enjoying the film with bright smiles. We will continue to work towards creating an environment where marginalized groups can enjoy movies."Mindullemaum's representative, Son Yu-rin, added, "I hope the positive energy the children gain from the film helps them endure their treatment process."Finally, Lotte Culture Works stated, "For some, a familiar cinema can be a daunting space requiring courage and preparation for children and their families. We hope this experience leaves them with joyful memories, even if just for a moment."Looking ahead, Lotte Cinema plans to continue this initiative by launching collaborative merchandise with Mindullemaum in June, featuring characters based on artwork from children with severe rare diseases.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:40:08
  • ADOR Says Talks on NewJeans’ Minji Returning Are ‘Moving in a Positive Direction’
    ADOR Says Talks on NewJeans’ Minji Returning Are ‘Moving in a Positive Direction’ Speculation has grown that NewJeans member Minji could resume activities, and her agency, ADOR, said discussions are continuing “in a positive direction.” ADOR told this outlet on the 7th that it is “continuing internal discussions” regarding Minji’s future activities. The company said it cannot share details at this time, adding, “Please understand that talks are generally continuing in a positive direction.” Online, attention increased after reports said Minji made a surprise visit to a birthday-themed cafe organized by fans. Witnesses said she handed out handwritten letters and cookies to fans. Later, NewJeans’ official social media accounts posted several photos showing Minji making cookies with the message “HAPPY MINJI DAY,” and a celebratory image also appeared on the main screen of the group’s Weverse fan platform account. After ADOR marked her birthday through official channels, some fans predicted her return to activities could be near. NewJeans has been in a dispute with its agency. In November last year, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein returned to ADOR and have continued activities, but Minji’s status had not been finalized. Danielle left the group and has continued a legal dispute with ADOR. If Minji confirms her return through talks with the agency, it could speed up efforts to normalize the group’s activities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 14:57:17
  • Kang Dong-won, Uhm Tae-goo and Park Ji-hyun’s ‘Wild Thing’ Targets Summer Box Office
    Kang Dong-won, Uhm Tae-goo and Park Ji-hyun’s ‘Wild Thing’ Targets Summer Box Office "What on earth made you decide to do this?" The music video for “LOVE is,” an original song from the film “Wild Thing,” has stirred buzz online and off since its release. Actor Kang Dong-won, long known for his looks, appears performing flashy dance moves; Uhm Tae-goo, often described as introverted, delivers an unexpected rap; and Park Ji-hyun leads choreography at center. With Kang, Uhm, Park and Oh Jung-se embracing against-type roles, expectations are rising over whether “Wild Thing” can shake up the summer box office. A production presentation for “Wild Thing,” directed by Son Jae-gon, was held Tuesday morning at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Seoul’s Gwangjin district. Son and cast members Kang, Uhm, Park and Oh attended and discussed the project. “Wild Thing” follows “Triangle,” a three-member co-ed dance group that once dominated the music scene but disbanded overnight after becoming entangled in an unexpected incident. Twenty years later, the group seizes a chance at a comeback and takes on a reckless challenge. The film pairs Son, whose credits include “The Villain on the Second Floor” and “Secret Zoo,” with About Film, the production company behind “Extreme Job.” Kang plays Triangle’s leader, Hyun-woo, described as a dance machine. “Comedy is my favorite genre,” Kang said. “When I read the script, it was really fun, and I thought it was a full-on comedy.” He added that he liked the “fully closed” ending and said the run-up to the finale and the four characters’ stories were “really fun.” Uhm, who plays the youngest member and rapper Sang-gu, also pointed to the script. He said meeting Son left a strong impression, and that Kang had already been cast as Hyun-woo, which became “the biggest reason” for his decision. Park, who plays center and main vocalist Do-mi, said she had long been a fan of Son. She said she enjoyed Son’s earlier film “The Villain on the Second Floor,” and wanted to portray Do-mi’s dual nature. Park said she had been eager to do comedy, and that imagining Kang as Hyun-woo and Uhm rapping sounded “so fun.” Oh joins as Triangle’s rival, Seong-gon, a ballad singer with a hard-luck story. Oh said the question of “Kang Dong-won dancing, Uhm Tae-goo rapping, and Park Ji-hyun doing idol-style performance” sparked curiosity and interest, adding that playing a ballad singer also appealed to him. He said he was eager to see how Son’s style would come through. Music for the film was led by composer Shim Eun-ji, who has worked with Twice, SHINee and IU. Son said the debut song “LOVE is” needed to evoke the mood of its era while still sounding good to today’s audiences. He said he asked for a track that would feel instantly appealing in a theater, and praised Shim’s work. The actors said they trained for five months in what they described as an “idol experience.” Uhm said he commuted to JYP’s headquarters for rap practice and tried to rehearse as often as possible, practicing whenever he had time for about five months. Kang said preparing for the film made him realize how demanding idol work is, adding that he came to respect it more while filming. Oh spoke about his song “I Like You.” He said he let out a dry laugh when he first received it, but found it highly addictive the more he listened, and came to see it as a sad song. He said he worked with the director to create hand motions that were more like ad-libs than choreography. Performance scenes designed to resemble a real concert are another highlight, Son said. He said the film’s crew worked with an actual concert production team to build the stage and raise its quality. Kang said the scenes felt like a real stage, joking that he worried the younger extras in front might not recognize him and wonder, “What’s that older guy doing up there?” Park praised her co-stars’ unexpected sides. She said she had known Uhm as an introvert, but that he became a different person on stage, practiced constantly and performed so well she felt the center position was being overshadowed. Park said she referenced 2000s-era girl groups Fin.K.L and S.E.S, adding that she was glad to take on both singing and dancing through the film. With “challenge” dance trends sweeping pop music, the Triangle track “LOVE is,” which has drawn attention on YouTube and elsewhere, is also drawing interest over whether it could catch on as a challenge. The actors said they would be grateful to anyone who participates. Kang added that while he would appreciate anyone taking part in the “LOVE is” challenge, the first group that came to mind was BTS. He said he would be “very grateful” if BTS joined, drawing laughter. In closing, Kang said he hoped audiences would enjoy the film, noting that everyone has a time when they shined and moments when they want to shine. Oh said the team worked hard to make it an exciting, warm and feel-good movie, and said he hoped it would be remembered that way. “Wild Thing” is scheduled to open in theaters June 3.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 12:27:16
  • BTS to Meet Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Ahead of Mexico City Concerts
    BTS to Meet Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Ahead of Mexico City Concerts BTS is set to meet Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum ahead of the group’s Mexico City concerts.  On May 6 (local time), Sheinbaum said at her regular morning news conference, known as the “Mañanera,” that BTS will visit the presidential offices. She said the balcony will be opened so the group can greet citizens gathered in the plaza. Sheinbaum praised the group’s music, saying it “always delivers a message of friendship and peace, and love.” Sheinbaum had earlier welcomed confirmation of BTS’ Mexico City shows in January, calling it a “historic moment.” Government-level attention has continued. In February, Sheinbaum drew notice after disclosing a reply she said she received from President Lee Jae-myung regarding a request for additional BTS performances. Lee expressed thanks for Mexicans’ affection for Korean culture and said he hoped cultural ties between the two countries would continue. Demand has been reflected in ticket sales. The three shows scheduled for May 7 and May 9-10 at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City sold out shortly after tickets went on sale. The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce estimated the concerts will generate about $107.5 million (about 155.7 billion won) in economic ripple effects. Spotify data ranks Mexico City as the city that listens to BTS the most worldwide. The local reception has coincided with the group’s performance on global charts. On the latest Billboard charts released May 5 (dated May 9), “SWIM,” the title track from the group’s fifth full-length album “ARIRANG,” ranked No. 2 on both Global (Excl. U.S.) and the Global 200. BTS has remained in the top three on those charts for six straight weeks. The album’s broader showing has also held steady. All 13 vocal tracks — excluding the bell sound of the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok — have stayed on both global charts for six weeks. “ARIRANG” ranked No. 5 on the Billboard 200, while “SWIM” was No. 32 on the Hot 100. “Pied Piper,” performed recently at the group’s Tampa show, re-entered the World Digital Song Sales chart at No. 9, underscoring the spillover effect of live performances. BTS is scheduled to begin its Mexico City run on May 7. The sold-out shows and the planned meeting with Sheinbaum have focused attention on the group’s cultural reach.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 08:51:15
  • Park Ji-hoon to Star in TVING’s ‘The Legendary Cook Soldier,’ Premiering May 11
    Park Ji-hoon to Star in TVING’s ‘The Legendary Cook Soldier,’ Premiering May 11 Actor Park Ji-hoon, who joined the ranks of so-called “10 million actors” after drawing 16.8 million moviegoers with the film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King,’ is taking on a new role — this time with a wok in hand. A production presentation for TVING’s original series ‘The Legendary Cook Soldier’ (written by Choi Ryong, directed by Jo Nam-hyung) was held Tuesday afternoon at the Pullman Ambassador Seoul East Pole in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Director Jo and cast members Park, Yoon Kyung-ho, Lee Hong-nae and Lee Sang-yi attended. Based on a popular web novel and webtoon of the same name, the drama follows private Kang Sung-jae (Park), who wears an apron instead of ammunition belts and pushes through the hardships of military life through cooking, eventually becoming a “legendary cook soldier.” Jo said the key difference from the original is how food will be portrayed on screen. “If there’s a big difference from the webtoon, it’s the vivid expression of taste,” he said, adding that the dishes will look “far more appetizing than in drawings” and stimulate viewers’ senses. The series has drawn attention as Park’s next project after ‘The Man Who Lives With the King.’ Park said he tries not to dwell on expectations. “I always think I can’t be loved all the time,” Park said. “My motto is to do my best in each moment. I think it’s my duty to do my best at what I’m given.” Asked about pressure from the “10 million actor” label, he said, “I’m not the type to feel burdened. I thought more about what I could express in the work and what kind of energy I could share with senior actors. I think I was nervous, but I didn’t feel pressure.” Jo said he saw Kang’s potential in Park while watching the actor’s previous work ‘Weak Hero,’ pointing to the strength in Park’s eyes. “Like many people, I got to know Ji-hoon after watching ‘Weak Hero,’” Jo said. “His eyes were really good. Sung-jae starts off unfamiliar and awkward, but inside he’s resolute and moves clearly toward his goals. I cast him because I thought he could express that well.” Park said the new series lets him step away from the heavier tone of his earlier work and try comedy. “I think my strength is an ambiguity that moves back and forth between Kang Sung-jae and Park Ji-hoon even within comedy,” he said. “It’s not just about being funny — I think the point is being cute while still making people laugh.” Co-star Yoon praised Park’s transformation, focusing again on his eyes. “When I first saw him at a meeting, I fell into his eyes,” Yoon said. “They’re incredible — to the point I thought there wasn’t another male actor with eyes like that. Watching ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ and other works, I felt everything is contained in his eyes. In this series, the appealing part is the helpless, unsure look that’s unique to a new recruit. You can look forward to a mischievous charm that’s different from his previous work.” Another point of interest is that Park, who has not served in the military, plays a private. The production team said it wanted the fresh awkwardness of an actor without firsthand experience. “I think the director wanted new reactions that come through when someone who hasn’t served acts it,” Park said. “They seemed to like how everything feels awkward and how he wonders what to do and whether he should just stand still. I’m actually a military fan, so I knew some things, but while filming I newly felt, ‘So this is the atmosphere — this is how life would be.’” By contrast, Lee Hong-nae and Lee Sang-yi, both of whom have served, joked about how closely they match their roles. Lee Hong-nae, who said he likes the military enough to have taken the Air Force Academy exam, put his “sync rate” at 80% and said he tried to show a character closely tied to him “just because it’s a military drama.” Lee Sang-yi, who said he served in a police unit’s promotional team, said, “I didn’t serve as an Army soldier — I served as auxiliary police and spent two years dancing, singing and doing magic. My sync rate is 0%.” Lee Sang-yi said he began as a special appearance but ended up joining promotional events as his filming days increased. “I started because they said it would end quickly, but the number of shoots kept increasing,” he said. “I grew more attached to the character and ended up staying until the end. I came to today’s production presentation because I want to go on ‘Pinggyego’ and chat.” In closing remarks, Yoon said viewers will get to see “the ‘Dan-jong oppa’ from ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ become a private,” and urged audiences to look forward to the series. Park said filming began in sweaty heat and wrapped as the weather turned cold. “We practiced closely and filmed happily during that time,” he said. “I hope our good energy is delivered well to viewers.” TVING’s original series ‘The Legendary Cook Soldier’ premieres at 8:40 p.m. on May 11 on TVING and tvN. It will air every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. thereafter.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 15:16:21
  • Foreign Films Lead Korea Box Office Over May Holiday as Super Mario Galaxy Tops Charts
    Foreign Films Lead Korea Box Office Over May Holiday as 'Super Mario Galaxy' Tops Charts Foreign films clearly dominated South Korea’s theaters over the May holiday. From May 3 to 5, “Super Mario Galaxy” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” ranked No. 1 and No. 2 at the box office, while the long-running Korean film “Salmokji” followed at No. 3. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, “Super Mario Galaxy” led the box office for May 3-5, drawing 283,287 moviegoers. Its cumulative audience reached 1,110,698. After passing 1 million admissions on its seventh day in theaters, it continued to gain momentum through the Children’s Day holiday period, attracting family audiences. “Super Mario Galaxy” follows brothers Mario and Luigi, who grow from Brooklyn plumbers into heroes who save the world. In this installment, they rescue Yoshi, who gets lost while on a mission in the Sand Kingdom, and set off on a new adventure. Analysts said its appeal as a family-friendly animated film fit well with May’s focus on family outings. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” placed second, with 124,693 admissions over the same period and a cumulative total of 959,139. The film centers on Miranda, editor-in-chief of the legendary fashion magazine Runway, Andy, who returns as a planning editor after 20 years, and Emily, now a luxury brand executive, as they reunite and compete for influence in the fashion world amid a changed media landscape. The reunion of Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway after 20 years helped drive audience interest. In third place, Korean horror film “Salmokji” drew 108,222 moviegoers from May 3 to 5, bringing its cumulative audience to 2,836,231. Released April 8, it has sustained a long run, holding its ground even as foreign titles led the holiday box office. “Salmokji” depicts what happens after a mysterious figure appears on a road-view image and a film crew heads to a reservoir for reshoots, only to encounter something in the dark, deep water. Directed by Lee Sang-min, it stars Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won, Kim Jun-han, Kim Young-sung, Oh Dong-min, Yoon Jae-chan and Jang Da-a. The film has exceeded its break-even point on the strength of immersive scares and word of mouth, and continued to draw audiences through the holiday. “Project Hail Mary” ranked fourth, with 30,811 admissions over May 3-5 and a cumulative total of 2,706,646. Since opening March 18, it has remained near the top on word of mouth. Demand for premium-format screenings and repeat viewings helped it surpass 2.7 million admissions during the holiday period. The holiday box office showed distinct audience splits, from families to women in their 20s and 30s. “Super Mario Galaxy” benefited from broad family appeal, while “The Devil Wears Prada 2” rode the strength of a familiar franchise. “Salmokji” continued to draw steady crowds through its long run and word of mouth. Observers are watching whether the trend through the end of the holiday will shape the broader box-office landscape for May.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 13:36:15
  • BTS’ ‘SWIM’ Holds Top 3 on Billboard Global Charts for Sixth Week
    BTS’ ‘SWIM’ Holds Top 3 on Billboard Global Charts for Sixth Week BTS extended its run near the top of Billboard’s global charts, keeping a top-three position for a sixth straight week. According to Billboard’s latest rankings released May 5 for the May 9 charts, “SWIM,” the title track from the group’s fifth full-length album “ARIRANG,” ranked No. 2 on both the Global (Excl. U.S.) and Global 200 charts. On the Global 200, it rose one spot from the previous week. The momentum has not been limited to the title track. Thirteen vocal tracks from the album — excluding the track featuring the bell sound of the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok — have remained on both global charts for six weeks, indicating continued listening across the full release. On Billboard’s main charts, “ARIRANG” placed No. 5 on the Billboard 200, staying in the top tier for six consecutive weeks. The album previously became the first by a Korean artist to rank No. 1 for three straight weeks. “SWIM” also held at No. 32 on the Hot 100 for a sixth week. The album and single posted steady results across other rankings. “ARIRANG” ranked No. 4 on Top Album Sales, No. 11 on Top Streaming Albums and No. 5 on Vinyl Albums. “SWIM” placed No. 16 on Digital Song Sales and No. 19 on Adult Contemporary, and also ranked No. 12 on Pop Airplay, No. 14 on Adult Pop Airplay and No. 24 on Radio Songs. The group’s current tour has also boosted interest in older material. “Pied Piper,” a 2017 track performed on the North American tour, re-entered the World Digital Song Sales chart at No. 9. BTS began its “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN NORTH AMERICA” on April 25 in Tampa and is playing 31 shows across 12 cities. The group met about 100,000 concertgoers on May 2-3 at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso and is set to continue the tour from May 7 at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. Catalog interest has remained strong as well. The choreography version of the 2020 “Dynamite” music video recently surpassed 300 million views on YouTube, with the main video and related clips continuing to draw views. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 09:06:17
  • Cravity’s Seongmin Makes Strawberry Mousse Bungeoppang as Fan Gift, Inspired by Anime
    Cravity’s Seongmin Makes Strawberry Mousse Bungeoppang as Fan Gift, Inspired by Anime Cravity member Seongmin put his affection for fans into dessert, preparing a handmade “fan gift in return” that included strawberry mousse bungeoppang and sweets cards modeled on an anime. A roundtable interview marking the release of Cravity’s eighth mini album, “ReDeFINE,” was held on the 23rd at Starship Entertainment’s headquarters in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. Seongmin drew attention by handing reporters strawberry mousse bungeoppang he made himself. He said it was also an item he prepared for fans during the group’s current promotions. “Since the last promotions, I’ve been giving fans things I made myself, like cookies,” Seongmin said. “I’ve been choosing items I can make by hand. For this time, I was thinking about what would be good, and I wanted to try making a special dessert inspired by an anime I like. A friend connected me with the owner of a bakery.” He said he often bakes bread and cookies, and that the concept came from the anime “Yumeiro Patissiere.” “I wanted to recreate the strawberry mousse cake that appears in the show,” he said. “The owner and I worked together from planning to production, and after several steps we ended up making it in the shape of bungeoppang.” The gift also included a detail meant for fans to enjoy together: Seongmin produced sweets cards that appear in “Yumeiro Patissiere.” In the series, the cards serve as a kind of report compiling recipes made by humans and fairies and presented to a queen. Seongmin said he wanted to bring those settings into his fan gift to add a different kind of fun. “Fans often come to the site at dawn, especially for pre-recordings, and sometimes they arrive without having eaten,” he said. “So I wanted to give them something they could snack on. It’s fine to prepare things through a company, but I wanted to give something that went through my hands, so I’ve kept doing it. I enjoy it a lot, too.” Seongmin said this was not his first time preparing handmade gifts. “During ‘Lemonade Fever’ promotions, I prepared lemon cookies,” he said. “At first I planned to bake about 200, but more fans came, so I hurriedly made 400. Since the pop-up keyword was the five senses, I tried to prepare it so fans could feel all five. I remember it because they liked it so much,” he said, laughing. Cravity has held various events, including free pop-ups, to build memories with fans. Seongmin has also expanded his own way of connecting with fans through handmade gifts. Cravity released its eighth mini album, “ReDeFINE,” on the 29th and is promoting it. The album portrays the group’s process of redefining itself after moving through fear, longing and growth. The title track, “AWAKE,” says what feels like an ending can become another beginning.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 00:03:22
  • Korean Films Win Top Honors at Italy’s Udine Far East Film Festival
    Korean Films Win Top Honors at Italy’s Udine Far East Film Festival Korean films “Seoul at Night” and “My Name Is” won awards at Italy’s Udine Far East Film Festival (FEFF), Europe’s largest Asian film festival. Both works drew attention for confronting painful chapters of modern Korean history and earning support from audiences and critics. At the 28th FEFF, which ended on May 2 (local time), the MBC-produced documentary film “Seoul at Night,” directed by Kim Jong-woo, Kim Shin-wan and Jo Cheol-young, received the Black Dragon Audience Award, selected by critics and the media. The award is given by festival officials to only one film; this year it was shared with the Japanese film “Fujiko.” “Seoul at Night” also won the Silver Mulberry Audience Award, which corresponds to second place in the general audience vote, and received a jury special mention for the White Mulberry Award for new directors, making it a triple winner. The film covers the tense situation at the National Assembly immediately after the declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. It was the first documentary to enter the festival’s competition section and went on to take major honors. It previously won the Bill Nemtin Award at Hot Docs in Toronto, North America’s largest documentary film festival, which recognizes works credited with spurring social change. Director Jeong Ji-young’s new film “My Name Is” won an Audience Mulberry Award, drawing a strong response from local viewers. The film directly addresses the Jeju April 3 incident, a tragedy in modern Korean history, and was praised for building emotional resonance across language and cultural barriers. Executive Director Sabrina Baracetti said the film “kept a balanced tone based on real events and drew empathy from audiences worldwide,” and also praised the performances of actors Yeom Hye-ran and Shin Woo-bin. In the competition section, six Korean films were invited, including “Seoul at Night” and “My Name Is,” as well as Jang Hang-jun’s “The Man Who Lives With the King,” Kim Tae-yong’s “Number One,” Kim Do-young’s “If We,” and Yoon Ga-eun’s “Owner of the World.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 16:09:21
  • Aju News Corp. Chairman Kwak Young-gil Wins Korea University Alumni Award
    Aju News Corp. Chairman Kwak Young-gil Wins Korea University Alumni Award Kwak Young-gil, chairman of Aju News Corp., received Korea University’s “Proud Korea University Alumni Award” in recognition of raising the honor of his alma mater and contributing to social development. Korea University, led by President Kim Dong-won, presented the award to Kwak (English Language and Literature, class of ’74) during its 121st anniversary ceremony and anniversary events held May 5 morning at the Inchon Memorial Hall in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Also honored were Samyang International Chairman Heo Kwang-soo (Business, ’65) and Ace Bed CEO Ahn Sung-ho (Geology, ’87). The university said Kwak has “always looked at the world with a clear and upright eye” and devoted himself to delivering the truth, calling his work “a true guide” for society. It also cited his pioneering spirit, strong support for his alma mater and commitment to nurturing younger generations. In his remarks, Kwak said he learned not just language but a “humanities mindset” after entering the English department “without even knowing the difference between ‘camp’ and ‘English.’” He added, “For me, English literature was a ‘door to spirituality’ beyond language.” Kwak said that over the past five years he studied humanity’s classics and artificial intelligence and concluded that the essence of spirituality connects to the university’s motto of “freedom, justice and truth.” He said he reached the view that altruism — “public good first, private interest later” — is the door to spirituality. Calling spirituality a key driver in the AI era, Kwak said, “Ten years ago I thought about ‘human-centered AI,’ but now we must pursue ‘spirit-centered AI.’” He added, “If spirituality cannot govern AI, humans will inevitably be ruled by technology.” As a manager leading a global news media organization, Kwak said his company is using a multilingual news system to promote the global rise of “K-series,” including K-defense. He added, “If South Korea was once the ‘light of the East,’ now Korea University must become the ‘light of humanity’ in the AI era,” and said he hopes his efforts will help advance his alma mater. The event also honored K-Net Investment Partners CEO Kim Dae-young (Public Administration, ’81) and Eugene Investment & Securities CEO Yoo Chang-soo (Sociology, ’81) with the “Community Service and Development Merit Award.” 2026-05-05 13:39:14