Journalist

김혜준
Candice Kim, Lim Jaeho
  • Samsung moves to develop in-house GPU for next-generation AI devices
    Samsung moves to develop in-house GPU for next-generation AI devices SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics plans to introduce its first fully in-house graphics processing unit (GPU) as part of a new Exynos application processor scheduled for release in 2027, marking a major step in the company’s efforts to strengthen control over on-device AI performance. According to industry sources on Thursday, Samsung’s System LSI division is developing a proprietary GPU architecture to be integrated into the tentatively named Exynos 2800. This would shift Samsung away from its long-running reliance on partner technologies such as AMD’s graphics architecture, which the company currently uses in its Exynos 2600 chip. The push reflects the growing centrality of GPUs in the AI era. GPUs handle parallel processing for graphics, video, gaming and neural-network operations, and serve as auxiliary accelerators to on-device NPUs. Optimizing GPU behavior for Samsung’s own software and hardware is seen as increasingly critical as devices adopt more advanced generative-AI features. Industry officials say the company’s U.S. semiconductor research organizations — including Samsung Austin Research Center and the Advanced Computing Lab — have recruited senior GPU engineers in recent years in preparation for full in-house development. Samsung has also sought to strengthen its design capabilities to compete with global GPU leaders such as Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Apple and Qualcomm. By internalizing GPU technology, Samsung aims to extend its AI ecosystem beyond smartphones to emerging form factors such as smart glasses, autonomous-vehicle infotainment systems and humanoid robotics. The in-house GPU is also expected to support the company’s longer-term ambitions in ASIC development, where customized chips are designed for external clients. A successful rollout would represent a milestone for Samsung’s System LSI business, bringing the unit closer to competing as a top-tier fabless player in advanced AI silicon design. 2025-12-26 10:29:25
  • K-fashion looks flat. The power shift is anything but.
    K-fashion looks flat. The power shift is anything but. Editor's Note: This is the fifth installment in AJP's 2026 outlook series on South Korea's key industries. SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - By the numbers, K-fashion is barely moving. Beneath the surface, however, control of the industry is shifting rapidly from department-store legacy brands to platform-born labels that now define how younger Koreans dress. Korea’s overall fashion market grew only about 2–3 percent in 2024 and is estimated to have expanded at a similar pace in 2025, according to the Samsung Fashion Institute. Yet that headline stagnation masks a sharp redistribution of growth toward online platforms and the brands they incubate. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry projects industry output will rebound to 52.2 trillion won in 2026, reversing an estimated 2.5 percent decline to 51.8 trillion won this year. Exports are expected to rise 2 percent to $9.96 billion next year after a 6.7 percent fall in 2025 — a recovery driven largely by platform-led expansion. At the center of that shift is Musinsa, which recorded gross merchandise volume of about 4.5 trillion won in 2024. Revenue surpassed 1.24 trillion won for the first time, and operating profit topped 100 billion won. Rival platforms are scaling quickly: Ably reached roughly 2.5 trillion won in GMV last year, while Zigzag nearly doubled transaction volume year on year and exceeded its full-year 2023 GMV in the first half of 2025 alone. Much of that growth is coming from brands born on — or propelled by — these platforms. Musinsa’s private label Musinsa Standard has become one of Korea’s best-selling basics brands, while labels such as thisisneverthat, LMC and Matin Kim now anchor online rankings and offline pop-ups alike. Matin Kim’s trajectory captures the shift. Launched online, the brand has expanded into department stores, select shops and overseas markets, targeting annual sales of around 200 billion won in 2025 as it pushes into Japan, China and the United States. Department stores, by contrast, are increasingly split. Imported luxury houses and global sportswear brands continue to post double-digit growth, but long-established Korean suit and casual labels remain stuck in stagnation or decline. “Department-store brands no longer feel distinctive,” said Lee Eun-hee, emeritus professor of consumer studies at Inha University. “The quality gap that once justified them has largely disappeared. Younger consumers now seek brands that express individuality rather than standardized offerings.” Social media has accelerated that shift. Korea’s 20s and 30s, raised in an SNS-saturated environment, increasingly avoid looking ordinary — pushing them toward platform-based labels that signal visible differentiation. Survey data show younger shoppers now treat platforms such as Musinsa, Ably and Zigzag as their default destination for everyday clothing, using department stores mainly for luxury or special occasions. Domestic department-store brands are often associated with parents’ or office seniors’ wardrobes, while global SPA chains like Zara and H&M are viewed as complements rather than trendsetters. Zigzag’s internal data also reflect the platform-driven shift. Searches for key fashion categories such as puff cardigans (+202 percent), one-piece dresses (+524 percent) and flare pants (+105 percent) surged this year. “While Zigzag serves a wide age range, the surge in activity among users in their 20s and 30s has been especially noticeable this year,” a Zigzag representative said. For the new generation of K-fashion brands, department stores are no longer the end goal. Labels that built their audiences online now negotiate from a position of strength, using pop-ups, limited collaborations and direct-to-consumer channels to retain control over pricing and brand identity. Some bypass domestic wholesale altogether, moving directly into overseas select shops and online marketplaces. Legacy brands face mounting pressure. Analysts say rigid seasonal cycles, heavy wholesale structures and conservative design languages make it difficult to compete with platforms that can test dozens of micro-trends weekly and scale winners almost instantly. With the overall market growing only in the low single digits — and fashion imports estimated at $19.17 billion this year and $19.44 billion next year — the implication is clear. Every point of growth captured by platform-born brands is coming at someone else’s expense. For now, that cost is being borne by the legacy domestic labels that once defined the department-store floor. 2025-12-24 17:47:02
  • Samsung contains brief smoke incident at Hwaseong plant; no injuries, no production impact
    Samsung contains brief smoke incident at Hwaseong plant; no injuries, no production impact SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - A brief smoke incident was quickly contained at Samsung Electronics’ Hwaseong plant on Wednesday, with no injuries or impact on production, the company said. Local fire authorities received a report at 10:01 a.m. that smoke was detected in a research building, caused by carbonization in a pump unit. Samsung’s onsite emergency team extinguished the source within about 10 minutes before firefighters arrived. Around 120 employees evacuated in accordance with safety guidance, while fire crews deployed more than 30 vehicles and 80 personnel to conduct ventilation as a precaution. Samsung officials said the smoke originated from carbonization inside a pump unit, but the issue was contained immediately. The company noted that operations were unaffected and no injuries occurred. 2025-12-24 15:19:58
  • Lee Jae-yong reviews next-generation chip technologies at Samsung R&D and manufacturing hubs
    Lee Jae-yong reviews next-generation chip technologies at Samsung R&D and manufacturing hubs SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited the company's Giheung and Hwaseong semiconductor campuses on Monday to review research progress and manufacturing readiness for upcoming memory and system semiconductor technologies. Lee toured the NRD-K complex in Giheung, Samsung's advanced R&D hub dedicated to next-generation memory, foundry and system semiconductor development. The facility focuses on overcoming scaling limits in cutting-edge process nodes and strengthening design capabilities for future chip architectures, according to the company. He later visited the Hwaseong campus to examine the rollout of manufacturing automation systems incorporating digital-twin and robotics technologies, as well as ongoing applications of AI in production processes. During the visit, Lee held discussions with senior semiconductor executives, including Jun Young-hyun, head of the DS division, and CTO Song Jae-hyuk, on global market trends and the company's mid- to long-term strategy. Lee also met engineers involved in commercializing Samsung's latest products—including HBM, D1c-class DRAM and V10-generation NAND—to hear feedback on development, manufacturing and quality challenges. "We must restore our fundamental technological competitiveness through bold innovation and investment," Lee said during the visit. 2025-12-22 21:15:00
  • Samsung HBM4 scores well with Nvidia, unnerving memory end users amid tight supply
    Samsung HBM4 scores well with Nvidia, unnerving memory end users amid tight supply SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is poised to share next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) orders for Nvidia’s upcoming Rubin artificial-intelligence accelerator with SK hynix, after earning strong evaluations in final sample testing by Nvidia, people familiar with the matter said. Samsung is said to have received one of the most favorable assessments in early system-in-package (SiP) validation for its HBM4, marking a sharp turnaround from earlier hurdles in supplying HBM3 to Nvidia. The results position Samsung as a credible second supplier alongside SK hynix, the pioneer of AI-optimized HBM. According to industry sources, Samsung’s HBM4 performance gains stem from its use of a next-generation base die built on the D1c process node, compared with the D1b nodes used by rivals, as well as its in-house 4-nanometer logic technology. “There are speed requirements the product must meet, and ours is performing well,” a Samsung official said. “Using the D1c base die gives us stronger characteristics, and our 4-nanometer process further enhances performance when integrated.” Samsung acknowledged that expanding HBM production inevitably competes with conventional DRAM wafer capacity, but said recent investments should help cushion the impact. “HBM does take up a substantial amount of DRAM capacity,” the spokesperson said. “But we have expanded overall capacity significantly over the past two years — nearly doubling it — so the impact should be smaller than the market fears.” HBM relies on three-dimensional stacking, with multiple memory dies placed vertically and connected through through-silicon vias (TSVs). The architecture allows memory to sit closer to CPUs and GPUs via interposers, sharply reducing latency while improving bandwidth and power efficiency. Conventional DDR memory, by contrast, uses a two-dimensional layout in which chips are arranged side-by-side. As hyperscale data-center investment accelerates, South Korea’s newest fabs are increasingly being dedicated to HBM production, heightening supply concerns across the broader memory market. Device makers — from automakers to PC manufacturers — have begun stockpiling mainstream DRAM amid fears of shortages. “The effect is already visible,” said Yangpaeng Kim, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. “DDR5 fixed-transaction prices have risen roughly fivefold from a year earlier, and this appears closely linked to capacity shifts toward HBM. Price volatility is likely to remain elevated.” Spot prices for standard DRAM have climbed more than 60 percent over the past six months and are expected to reach $500 in the first quarter of 2026 — double the level of a year earlier — according to market researcher TrendForce. Ahn Ki-hyeon, executive director at the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, said HBM demand is likely to continue exerting upward pressure on mainstream memory. “Demand-side momentum remains strong, giving DRAM prices a high likelihood of moving higher,” he said. While SK hynix retains a technological edge in stacking — including advanced 16-high TSV architectures — Samsung’s improving SiP-level stability, spanning thermal management, power behavior and GPU-package signal integrity, is seen as a meaningful step toward potential qualification for Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform. With memory prices expected to rise into early 2026, the balance between HBM expansion and conventional DRAM supply is emerging as a critical industry fault line. Whether Samsung can scale HBM4 production while preserving adequate capacity for DDR5 and LPDDR is likely to shape pricing, supply stability and competitiveness across the next cycle of AI infrastructure and consumer electronics. 2025-12-22 18:04:43
  • Musinsa opens first overseas multi-brand store in Shanghais Anfu Road
    Musinsa opens first overseas multi-brand store in Shanghai's Anfu Road SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - South Korean fashion platform Musinsa has opened its first overseas multi-brand store in Shanghai on Friday, marking a strategic push to expand its offline presence in China’s rapidly shifting fashion retail market. The new store, located on Anfu Road — one of Shanghai’s most influential fashion districts — brings together 59 brands across three floors, including 44 Korean designer and accessory labels and a selection of Chinese and global sports brands. The company says the space is designed to act as a hub connecting Korean independent brands with young Chinese consumers, reflecting Musinsa’s broader plan to accelerate overseas expansion. Anfu Road, often compared to Seoul’s Seongsu-dong, is known for its concentration of flagship stores and high-end boutiques, making it a focal point for trend-conscious shoppers and influencers. Musinsa said the district’s mix of heritage buildings and modern retail aligns with its strategy to position Korean designer brands within culturally resonant urban locations. The Shanghai store features themed zones to help customers navigate products more intuitively. The first floor will run rotating pop-up concepts, beginning with “Musinsa Closet,” highlighting six Korean labels that have gained traction among Chinese shoppers. The second floor focuses on Musinsa’s curated brand coordination displays, while the third floor includes a “K-pop Zone,” featuring items worn by South Korean idol groups — a nod to local demand for celebrity-driven fashion cues. The store also incorporates design elements referencing Musinsa’s retail identity, including an artwork wall illustrating its flagship locations in Seoul and dedicated zones for sneakers and headwear. Musinsa said the Shanghai opening is intended to strengthen its position as a bridge between Korean designers and the Chinese market, adding that additional localized retail strategies are being explored for other major Chinese cities. 2025-12-19 17:01:22
  • How Koreas young-40s are redefining the premium phone market
    How Korea's "young-40s" are redefining the premium phone market SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Koreans in their 40s have long been seen as digitally fluent, image-conscious and economically confident — hip moms and dads who keep pace with trends and AI tools alike. Lately, however, they have come under a new kind of mockery: for trying too hard to look young. At the center of the joke — and the shift — is the smartphone. More specifically, the iPhone, increasingly embraced as a symbol of youthfulness. What began as online “young-forties” memes poking fun at flashy, colorful iPhones has evolved into a tangible realignment in South Korea’s most competitive consumer-electronics market. The stigma has become strong enough to trigger a generational crossover: younger users are gravitating toward Samsung’s Galaxy lineup, while consumers in their 40s and above are moving into Apple’s ecosystem. Survey data point to a clear divergence. Among men in their 20s, Galaxy usage rose to 56 percent this year, overtaking iPhone at 43 percent — the widest gap in three years — according to Gallup Korea. By contrast, iPhone usage among men in their 40s jumped to 35 percent, up 16 percentage points from a year earlier, as Galaxy’s share slid into the low-60 percent range. Behavioral data reinforce the trend. Naver Data Lab shows that men in their 40s now account for the largest share of searches for flagship models such as the iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra and Samsung’s Z Fold 7, reflecting both higher purchasing power and a growing preference for premium, attention-grabbing devices. The popularity of the iPhone’s cosmic-orange colorway among 40-somethings has fueled online memes branding it the “uncle phone,” an irony that has only accelerated the shift among younger users seeking to avoid the association. “I’ve always used Galaxy for work efficiency and considered myself a loyal customer,” said Kim Dong-won, a Seoul resident who recently turned 40. “But these days, my friends and I are seriously debating whether to buy the new iPhone 17 because of its trendy look. At this age, it feels like phone design is the one thing we haven’t prioritized.” Consumer experts say the phenomenon reflects a deeper identity shift. “Koreans in their 40s increasingly want to live with a younger, trend-driven mindset,” said Lee Eun-hee, emeritus professor of consumer studies at Inha University. “There is a strong desire to signal that sensibility to others — to show that they are keeping up with contemporary culture.” Younger cohorts, meanwhile, are moving in the opposite direction. Despite the iPhone’s long-standing status as a symbol of youth among Millennials and Gen Z, Samsung’s foldable lineup — particularly the Z Flip 7 — is gaining traction. Samsung data show that users aged 10 to 30 accounted for roughly half of preorders for recent foldable devices, marking the first time that demographic has reached that level since the company introduced foldables in 2019. Perceptions of innovation are also playing a role. In a survey of 1,200 smartphone users aged 19 to 49 conducted by Embrain TrendMonitor, 70.2 percent said Apple’s innovation “feels weaker than before,” while 65.7 percent said Galaxy designs now look “more refined” than in previous generations. The crossover has narrowed what was once a clear aesthetic divide between the two brands. Workplace behavior and payments convenience add another layer. Although Galaxy has traditionally held an edge in work-related features such as call recording and file flexibility, iPhone adoption among white-collar workers rose to a record 35 percent this year, helped by expanded Apple Pay support and carrier-enabled call-recording apps. Even politics appears to mirror the demographic realignment. Gallup data show that progressive respondents display higher iPhone usage, while conservative respondents favor Galaxy — a gap that widened last year. Online political communities have amplified the dynamic, turning device choice into another form of social signaling. “The shift among Koreans in their 40s is closely tied to identity expression,” said Lee Soo-joon, professor of business at Sejong University. “Apple hasn’t introduced foldables or fundamentally new form factors, yet this group is gravitating toward the iPhone, often choosing standout colors like orange. For many, it’s a form of small self-gratification — a way to express personality at a time when bigger lifestyle upgrades, such as housing, feel financially out of reach.” For now, the cross-generational pendulum is swinging in opposite directions. And in South Korea’s hyper-competitive smartphone market, the device people carry is becoming yet another marker of age, identity and social belonging. 2025-12-19 15:27:14
  • SK hynix wins Intel certification for 256GB DDR5 server DRAM module
    SK hynix wins Intel certification for 256GB DDR5 server DRAM module SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - SK hynix said on Thursday it has obtained Intel Data Center certification for its 256GB DDR5 registered dual in-line memory module (RDIMM), becoming the first supplier to validate a 32Gb-based high-capacity DDR5 module on Intel’s latest Xeon 6 server platform. The module is built on the company’s fifth-generation 10-nanometer-class (1b) 32Gb DRAM and is designed for data center servers that require higher memory density as artificial intelligence workloads expand. Certification testing was conducted at Intel’s Advanced Data Center Development Laboratory in the United States, the company said. SK hynix said the 256GB DDR5 module delivers about 16 percent higher AI inference performance compared with server configurations using 128GB memory based on 32Gb chips, while reducing power consumption by up to 18 percent versus its previous 256GB products built on 16Gb DRAM. The certification comes as demand grows for higher-capacity server memory to support increasingly complex AI models and data-intensive workloads, prompting memory suppliers to accelerate the transition toward higher-density DRAM architectures. 2025-12-18 17:20:49
  • Samsung tests LPDDR-based server memory as AI data centers seek lower power alternatives
    Samsung tests LPDDR-based server memory as AI data centers seek lower power alternatives SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is testing a new LPDDR-based server memory module as artificial intelligence data centers increasingly prioritize power efficiency over raw performance, signaling a potential shift in how memory is deployed in next-generation AI infrastructure. The company said it has begun sampling its second-generation SOCAMM (Small Outline Compression Attached Memory Module), a server memory module built on low-power LPDDR technology, to global customers. The move comes as operators of AI servers grapple with rising electricity costs and thermal constraints driven by GPU-intensive workloads. SOCAMM2 is designed to address those pressures by bringing mobile-class low-power memory into the server environment — a domain long dominated by RDIMM-based DRAM. Samsung said the module delivers more than twice the bandwidth of earlier LPDDR-based solutions while cutting power consumption by over 55 percent compared with conventional server memory configurations. The product is not positioned as a replacement for RDIMM, which remains the industry standard for general-purpose servers. Instead, SOCAMM2 targets specific AI workloads, particularly inference-oriented systems where power efficiency and heat management increasingly outweigh peak compute performance. According to Samsung, the Korean tech giant is working with Nvidia to validate SOCAMM2 in AI server platforms, reflecting broader efforts to optimize memory architectures for GPU-driven systems. Nvidia did not disclose details of the collaboration, but Samsung said the two companies are jointly evaluating performance and compatibility. The development highlights a growing reassessment of memory design in AI data centers. While DRAM capacity and speed have historically been the primary focus, power consumption is emerging as a critical bottleneck as AI deployments scale. Samsung added that discussions are under way to standardize SOCAMM through JEDEC, the industry body that defines memory specifications. Standardization would be a key step toward broader adoption, allowing system makers and cloud providers to integrate the module beyond limited pilot deployments. Analysts at TrendForce and Omdia have noted that while LPDDR-based server memory offers clear efficiency gains, its adoption will hinge on compatibility with existing server architectures and performance trade-offs at scale. For Samsung, the move underscores an effort to expand its memory portfolio beyond conventional DRAM and HBM products as AI infrastructure evolves. Whether SOCAMM2 becomes a niche solution or a wider industry option will hinge on customer uptake and standardization progress in the coming quarters. 2025-12-18 16:10:52
  • Samsung seen emerging winner in premium smartphones as memory costs surge
    Samsung seen emerging winner in premium smartphones as memory costs surge SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Soaring memory prices — spilling over from DRAM into NAND flash that powers smartphones — are forcing device makers to respond with specification downgrades or price hikes. Samsung Electronics, however, with its full-cycle smartphone capabilities spanning memory, application processors, displays and handsets, may hold the strongest edge, particularly in the premium segment. Memory prices are projected to climb sharply again in the first quarter of 2026, pressuring smartphone and notebook brands to either raise prices or cut specifications, according to market tracker TrendForce. As memory accounts for a growing share of device bills of materials, the upcycle is already translating into concrete changes in pricing strategies and product configurations across the industry. What was once a theoretical cost risk is becoming a market reality. Manufacturers are adjusting launch prices, trimming memory options or shortening product lifecycles to cope with rising component costs. The question is whether any player can respond differently — and whether Samsung’s in-house NAND supply gives it that flexibility. TrendForce estimates that memory components, including DRAM and NAND flash, will take up a significantly larger share of smartphone BOM costs in early 2026 as prices remain elevated. Even Apple, known for its pricing power, is expected to reassess pricing strategies for new models and scale back discounts on older ones as memory costs rise, the firm said. Memory is among the most cost-sensitive components in a flagship smartphone. Teardown analyses by Counterpoint Research and TechInsights show that DRAM and NAND together account for roughly 18 to 23 percent of a premium device’s BOM, placing memory alongside application processors and displays as one of the largest cost categories. Within that slice, NAND plays an outsized role. Storage typically represents more than half of total memory costs, and its impact escalates rapidly as manufacturers push higher-capacity models. Moving from 128GB to 512GB can multiply NAND costs three- to four-fold, making storage configuration a critical lever for margins and pricing. This is where Samsung’s structure stands apart. Unlike most smartphone makers, Samsung sources the majority of its NAND internally, with its semiconductor-focused Device Solutions division supplying advanced UFS storage directly to its Mobile eXperience business. That vertical integration allows Samsung to adjust internal transfer pricing, potentially cushioning its smartphone unit from the full force of market-level NAND price increases. “The advantage lies primarily in supply stability,” said Yangpaeng Kim, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. “Because Samsung produces its own NAND, it can stabilize its supply chain through internal transactions,” Kim said. “Even at the same price level, securing components internally provides a meaningful advantage. Supply stability alone can be a significant edge.” Apple, by contrast, relies entirely on external suppliers for NAND, including Samsung Electronics, Kioxia and SK hynix. While long-term contracts and large-scale procurement help smooth volatility, Apple remains directly exposed to higher contract prices when NAND costs rise, analysts say. This has reinforced Apple’s reliance on storage tiering — keeping base models at lower capacities while charging steep premiums for upgrades. TrendForce noted that cutting specifications or delaying upgrades has become an essential cost-control tool for device makers. Among Android brands targeting the mid- to low-end segments, where memory capacity is a key selling point, rising costs are already prompting price increases and revisions to existing product lineups. The broader cost environment is adding to the strain. A weak won is pushing up the price of imported components, while costs for high-end application processors and advanced OLED displays continue to rise. Industry sources say the pace of cost inflation is too rapid for device makers to absorb indefinitely. Whether Samsung’s structural advantage translates into sustained pricing power remains an open question. Internal sourcing can soften the initial shock, but it does not eliminate cost pressure — it redistributes it within the group. The coming pricing cycle will test whether Samsung can preserve storage specifications or price points longer than rivals, or whether it, too, will be forced into the same trade-offs now spreading across the industry. Some in the industry speculate that Samsung is carefully controlling the rollout of the world’s first trifold smartphones following initial bookings in December, reflecting the high production costs involved. 2025-12-17 15:28:07