Three K-pop acts included on this year's Global Artist Chart SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Three K-pop groups have made it onto this year's list of global recording artists, released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) on Tuesday. K-pop boy band Seventeen ranked third, followed by Stray Kids at fifth and ENHYPEN at 14th. The annual IFPI Global Artist Chart is "calculated according to an artist's or group's worldwide sales across streaming, download and physical music formats." Seventeen and Stray Kids ranked second and third on the chart last year, while ENHYPEN made their entry on the list for the first time this year. American singer Taylor Swift has claimed the top spot on the chart for the fifth straight time in a row. Being on the chart is often regarded as a testament to popularity, as it offers a snapshot of current trends in the global music scene. The latest inclusion of the three South Korean bands reflects the growing influence of K-pop, with the IFPI commenting that K-pop "continued to be the leading genre" in global album sales. 2025-02-19 17:18:12

Kim Jong-un visits mausoleum on father's birth anniversary SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a mausoleum to pay tribute to his late father on the anniversary of his birth, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Monday. His sister Yo-jong and other high-ranking officials accompanied him on his visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang where his father and grandfather's embalmed bodies lie in state. According to KCNA, Kim "expressed his solemn commitment to dedicating himself to the sacred struggle for the eternal prosperity of the country, the security of the people, and the promotion of their well-being." Kim junior has visited the mausoleum almost every year since his father, former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, died of heart failure in December 2011 at the age of 69. His latest visit came just about two months after he paid tribute in mid-December last year, marking the 13th anniversary of his father's death. 2025-02-17 10:25:45

Netflix's hit dating show to return for fifth season SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - Netflix's popular reality dating show "Single's Inferno" will return for a new season, according to the U.S. streaming giant. "Thanks to the immense interest from viewers, we decided to produce its fifth season. The next season will be even more exhilarating," Netflix said during a press event on Thursday. While the exact release date for the upcoming season has not been decided, the hit dating show has become the first South Korean Netflix series to be set for a fifth season. "Single's Inferno" features single men and women stranded on a remote island called "Inferno," where they get to know each other, hoping to find someone they can escape the island. Its previous season was ranked among Netflix's global top 10 charts for non-English shows immediately after its release in mid-January and has remained popular since. 2025-02-14 10:18:04

G-Dragon to embark on world tour with gig in Goyang next month SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - G-Dragon, a member of K-pop boy band Big Bang, will embark on a world tour with a concert here next month, the concert's organizer Coupang Play said on Wednesday. The concert, part of his tour, is slated for March 29 and 30 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, but specific details about his upcoming tour remain under wraps. Expectations are already building among his fans, as it will be his first solo concert since his world tour in 2017, when he drew over 650,000 fans worldwide. The rapper is expected to perform a repertoire of his latest songs such as "Power" and "Home Sweet Home," along with new tracks from his third full-length album "Übermensch" slated for release later this month. "Übermensch" means a person with superhuman abilities in German. He appeared to be inspired by a concept from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who developed the idea of individuals who transcend conventional morality and create their own values. Tickets for the concert will be available for booking through Coupang Play starting Feb. 26. 2025-02-12 15:12:12

South Korea wins first-ever gold medal in biathlon at Harbin Winter Asian Games SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea on Tuesday won gold in biathlon at this year's Winter Asian Games currently underway in Harbin, China. Ekaterina Avvakumova, a Russian-born biathlete who obtained South Korean citizenship in 2016, won the women's 7.5-km sprint event with a time of 22:45.40. Her victory marks the country's first-ever gold medal in biathlon at the quadrennial event. The previous best result was a silver-medal finish in the men's relay event at the 2003 Asiad in Aomori, Japan. China's Meng Fanqi, who finished with a time of 22:47.80, won silver, while Tang Jialin, also from China, took third place with a time of 23:01. Biathlon is a discipline that combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. Earlier, Avvakumova also competed in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in the alpine city of Gangwon Province here, finishing 16th in the women's 15-km event, which was the best Olympic result for a South Korean female biathlete. With the games halfway through before wrapping up this Friday, South Korea remains second in the overall gold-medal count with 12 gold, 11 silver, and 10 bronze medals, trailing behind host country China, which has secured 25 gold, 23 silver, and 19 bronze medals. 2025-02-11 15:15:28

Hollywood stars to visit Seoul for promotional events of Bong Joon-ho's upcoming film SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - A couple of Hollywood stars starring in director Bong Joon-ho's latest film will visit Seoul next week, according to its distributor Warner Bros. British actress Naomi Ackie, American actor Mark Ruffalo, and Korean-American actor Steven Yeun will meet fans, while participating in a slew of events to promote Bong's "Mickey 17," which is set for release here on the last day of this month. The sci-film is Bong's first movie in several years since his multi-Oscar-winning film "Parasite" in 2020. The film has also been invited for screening at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, which kicks off its 10-day run later this week. The adaptation of the 2022 novel by Edward Ashton tells the story of a cloned space explorer sent to an ice-covered planet. 2025-02-10 16:36:53

NewJeans change name to NJZ amid dispute with agency SEOUL, February 7 (AJP) - K-pop girl group NewJeans on Friday unveiled their new name as they are about to start their independent activities. On a post on social media, the quintet shared that their new name is NJZ and that they will perform at a concert in Hong Kong, which is part of "ComplexCon," a cultural festival scheduled to be held in the city from March 21 to 23. Their brand-new name was coined after they accepted proposals from fans late last month, although details about the selection criteria have not been disclosed. The change of their name came after they abruptly announced the termination of their contract with their agency ADOR, under entertainment behemoth HYBE, in November last year, citing a breach of obligations and negligence. The decision was made shortly after Vietnamese-Australian member Hannie revealed an incident of being ostracized at the agency as well as the forced ouster of their producer Min Hee-jin from her position as CEO of ADOR. Despite their independent move, ADOR, which insists the contract remains valid and cannot be unilaterally terminated, filed a lawsuit against them, claiming that their independent activities including ad endorsement deals, TV appearances, and others breached the terms of their contract. It remains to be seen whether they will keep their new name amid the dispute with their agency. 2025-02-07 17:05:58

INTERVIEW: Turkish envoy highlights robust ties with Seoul, seeks further cooperation SEOUL, February 6 (AJP) - Trade between South Korea and Türkiye remained robust, even at the height of the global disruptions and challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, reflecting their strong bilateral relations. Currently, trade volume between the two countries stands at approximately US$11 billion, with Türkiye exporting goods worth US$886 million to South Korea and importing $5.65 billion. "Unlike the global decline in trade volume, exchanges between the two countries rather grew, with a broader range of goods making their way into the market," said Türkiye's Ambassador to South Korea Salih Murat Tamer in an exclusive interview with AJP at the embassy in Seoul on Wednesday. Türkiye's exports to South Korea increased to $1.05 billion the following year, despite a slight decline in imports, bringing the total trade volume to around $6.66 billion. Tamer stressed that these figures clearly show the "resilience in trade" between the two countries. He also emphasized that the bilateral relationship between Seoul and Ankara would remain unwavering, even amidst global crises and unrest. "What is important in the relationship between the two countries is that we remain unaffected by external and internal changes," he said. "We have maintained strong ties through all kinds of struggles and challenges," Tamer added. Referring to South Korea as a brother country, Tamer said the two countries have shared a very close and unique relationship throughout the vortex of history. Both countries, stemming from migratory Turks and Korean tribes of the Central Asian steppes, share linguistic and cultural similarities, despite being geographically thousands of miles apart. The biliteral relationship was further strengthened by the deployment of Turkish soldiers to South Korea as part of the United Nations forces during the Korean War (1950-53). The camaraderie and friendship built since then have laid the foundation for a strong diplomatic and cultural bond between the two countries, fostering mutual respect and cooperation. But Türkiye is ready to enhance further cooperation, according to Tamer. The defense sector like drones, for example, is an area that could mutually benefit both countries. Türkiye has emerged as a global leader in drone technology, with its domestically produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the Bayraktar TB2 and the Anka, playing a pivotal role in modern warfare and defense strategies. South Korea has also been ramping up efforts to strengthen its anti-drone defense system to counter the increasing threats of UAVs in modern warfare, particularly from North Korea. As South Korea invests in advanced radar systems, jamming technologies, and counter-drone weaponry, the potential for mutual collaboration in the field is "highly beneficial" to both sides, Tamer said. Türkiye's expertise in UAV development and South Korea's progress in electronic warfare and defense systems could work in tandem, creating a synergy for joint research and technological exchanges that would enhance defense capabilities and strengthen strategic ties. "The South Korean military is apparently very keen on these drone projects," Tamer said. "Let's see what happens," he added. In addition, Türkiye has been actively pursuing the development of its second nuclear power plant in Sinop, located on the Black Sea coast, and has been in discussions with South Korea as a potential partner for this major project, which aims to provide a stable supply of low-carbon electricity. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) participated in a preliminary bid for the project in January last year, with plans to construct four APR-1400 reactors, known as Generation III pressurized water reactors, in the northern region of the country. They have the capacity to generate 1,400 megawatts of electricity, boasting enhanced safety features and economic efficiency from their predecessors. KEPCO's bid demonstrates South Korea's proven expertise in nuclear technology, following the successful completion of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates, where four APR-1,400 reactors were delivered on time and within budget. Tamer also stressed that the two countries can complement each other by leveraging each other's key strengths through their mutual partnership. "One thing about South Koreans is their attention to detail, always meticulously checking every aspect..... This is where the Turkish mindset comes in handy. If you hesitate too long, you could miss your chances. Sometimes it's about seizing the moment. Turkish people are more inclined to move forward. These two different approaches complement each other perfectly," he explained. Tamer also said that his country is ready to open its doors to mid-sized firms. As a regional hub for global trade, its strategic location between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East makes it an ideal gateway for South Korean companies to explore new markets. Türkiye's skilled workforce would be helpful for them, particularly in sectors like electronics, automotive parts, renewable energy, and defense technology. In return, Türkiye would acquire South Korea's advanced manufacturing know-how and access to top-tier products. These mutual exchanges not only strengthen the broader diplomatic relationship between the two countries but also pave the way for deeper cooperation in trade, technology, and industrial development. He also highlighted South Korea's soft power, citing the global popularity of K-pop and the widespread appeal of its products, spanning food, cosmetics, and more. "While the country's technological prowess offers much to learn from, I believe its soft power is even more impressive," Tamer praised. Wrapping up the interview, he spoke about the current political turmoil here, mentioning a similar incident in his home country in 2016 when an attempted coup failed and democracy prevailed. "I'm sure the South Korean people will get through this crisis soon, and let's continue working together on our path forward," Tamer said. 2025-02-06 13:54:22