Journalist
Joonha Yoo, and Yoo Na-hyun
joonhayoo94@ajupress.com
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BTS Comeback D-6: Police brace for massive crowds with heightened security SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - With less than a week left before K-pop juggernaut BTS' massive comeback concert, security at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul will be heightened, with over 6,500 officers mobilized as part of a set of safety measures, police said on Sunday. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, all available personnel will be deployed to the concert venue and surrounding areas to manage traffic, prevent crimes, and maintain safety, along with more than 5,400 pieces of security equipment. These measures come after a meeting last Friday between police, security managers of large buildings near the venue, and local government officials to discuss building access, rooftop closures, and other safety arrangements. As hundreds of thousands of people including foreign visitors are expected to pack the area this Saturday, police will manage crowds through about 31 gates to disperse them and use metal detectors to stop anyone carrying dangerous items from entering the venue. If crowds become too dense, these gates will be temporarily closed. Police will monitor the area in real time through CCTV and on-site inspections. They will also remain on alert for potential vehicle attacks or explosive threats. Visitors will be asked to cooperate with safety checks and are encouraged to carry minimal personal belongings to speed up entry. After the concert, authorities will help disperse crowds gradually to nearby subway stations and will also be prepared with evacuation plans. Police are also preparing for the possibility of concertgoers and other revelers moving to nearby tourist spots such as Itaewon and Seongsu-dong for post-concert gatherings. Traffic around Gwanghwamun will be restricted before and after the concert. The main thoroughfare in front of the statue of admiral Yi Sun-shin, the renowned South Korean naval hero of the Joseon Dynasty, will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Sunday, with emergency lanes remaining open for urgent vehicles. Details on traffic information and alternate routes can be obtained by calling 120 or other police hotlines. 2026-03-15 15:51:55 -
Trump calls on Korea, allies to send warship as Hormuz tensions rise SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - United States President Donald Trump said Saturday (local time) that countries affected by Iran’s attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz should send warships alongside the United States to help keep the key oil shipping route open. Writing on Truth Social, the social media platform Donald Trump launched after leaving the Oval Office in 2021, nations affected by the attempted closure of the waterway would be "sending war ships" alongside the U.S. to keep the strait open and safe. Trump specifically named China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain. "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and others that are affected by this artificial constraint will send ships to the area," Trump wrote. Trump also warned that despite heavy damage to Iran's military capability, the country could still threaten the waterway by launching drones, deploying mines or firing short-range missiles. "The United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline and continually shooting Iranian boats and ships out of the water," Trump wrote, adding that Washington would ensure the strait becomes "open, safe and free." The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil shipments. 2026-03-15 01:40:11 -
Asian stocks fall as oil nears $100 and tensions loom large in the second war week SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) — Asian stock markets ended lower Friday as oil prices climbed back toward the $100 mark and tensions in the Middle East continued to unsettle investors across the region with little sign of easing in the second week. The Strait of Hormuz remained severely disrupted, raising alarms about Asian economies relying heavily on crude imports from the Gulf. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude traded around $95 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude hovered near $100, keeping inflation risks firmly in focus. The cautious mood followed losses on Wall Street overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.6 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 1.5 percent and the Nasdaq Composite slid 1.8 percent as investors reacted to rising energy costs and prolonged geopolitical uncertainty. Technology shares led the decline. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 3.4 percent, reflecting concerns that escalating tensions in the Gulf could disrupt supply chains and global demand. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 slid 1.4 percent to 53,693, with exporters and technology stocks under pressure following weakness in U.S. equities. Chinese and Hong Kong markets also closed lower. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.9 percent to 4,090.2, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.9 percent. Taiwan’s TAIEX slipped 0.5 percent. Malaysia was among the few regional markets to avoid the broader decline. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI fell 1.7 percent to close at 5,487.24 after swinging sharply during the session. The index briefly dropped to an intraday low of 5,392.52 before trimming some losses later in the day. Investor flows showed a clear divergence. Foreign investors sold 1.46 trillion won ($980 million) worth of KOSPI shares and institutions offloaded 1.03 trillion won, while retail investors stepped in aggressively, purchasing a net 2.45 trillion won and helping cushion the decline. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged up 0.4 percent to 1,152.96 after recovering from early losses. Institutions were net buyers of 275.6 billion won, while foreign and retail investors sold 108.2 billion won and 131.2 billion won, respectively. Trading activity remained heavy as investors repositioned portfolios amid global uncertainty. Turnover reached 22.97 trillion won ($15.4 billion) on the KOSPI and 14.25 trillion won on the KOSDAQ. South Korean equities have swung sharply in recent sessions as investors reacted to developments in the Middle East and rapid moves in energy markets. The KOSPI plunged 6 percent Monday to 5,251.87 as geopolitical tensions rattled markets, before rebounding to 5,532.59 Tuesday and climbing further to 5,609.95 on Wednesday. Among Seoul heavyweights, Samsung Electronics fell 2.34 percent to 183,500 won and SK hynix declined 2.2 percent to 910,000 won, reflecting weakness in global semiconductor shares. Battery maker LG Energy Solution dropped 3.9 percent to 369,000 won, while automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia slipped 0.8 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Samsung Biologics also fell about 2 percent, adding pressure on the index. Internet platform operator Naver bucked the broader market trend, rising 0.5 percent to 223,000 won. Energy markets remained a key driver of sentiment. West Texas Intermediate crude rose from around $81 per barrel at the start of the week to about $96.7 by Friday, after briefly spiking as high as $115.4 during intraday trading. Brent crude climbed from roughly $85.1 to about $101, touching a weekly peak of $117. The surge revived concerns about inflation and potential disruptions to global supply chains, particularly for energy-importing economies across Asia. The Korean won weakened to 1,496.5 per dollar Friday, revisiting levels last seen in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. The U.S. dollar index rose from 99.17 to 99.89, underscoring stronger demand for safe-haven assets. 2026-03-13 17:30:11 -
BTS Comeback D-8: Downtown Seoul turns into a city-scale stage SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) — Towering buildings along Gwanghwamun are wrapped in giant BTS banners and purple-lit billboards as downtown Seoul gears up for the group’s long-awaited comeback concert next week. Across the historic boulevard, the capital is already shifting into concert mode. Restaurants are fielding bulk reservations, retailers are expanding merchandise displays and convenience stores are stacking drinks and ready-to-eat meals as fans begin arriving from across Korea and overseas. With just days remaining before the performance scheduled for March 21, authorities expect as many as 260,000 people could gather across the historic district, turning the heart of the Korean capital into a massive open-air concert venue. While the concert itself will accommodate about 22,000 ticket holders, far larger crowds are expected to fill nearby streets stretching from Gwanghwamun Square toward City Hall, where giant outdoor screens will livestream the performance. Police plan to deploy about 4,800 officers across the area to manage crowds as authorities coordinate traffic control and safety measures ahead of the anticipated influx of visitors. The concert follows the release of BTS’s fifth full-length album Arirang on March 20, marking the group’s return as a full lineup after nearly four years. Businesses prepare for the crowds For businesses near the historic plaza, preparations began days before the concert. Restaurants around Gwanghwamun say demand has surged as fans begin arriving in Seoul ahead of the event. “We’ve been receiving a large number of group orders ahead of the free BTS comeback concert,” said the owner of a restaurant near the square. “At this point, we’re even considering closing the store to the public on the day and focusing solely on fulfilling those orders.” Convenience stores are also bracing for increased demand. “Myeongdong has always been crowded, so it’s hard to say whether the concert alone has brought more people,” said the owner of a GS convenience store in the district. “But we plan to increase orders of ready-to-eat meals and drinks starting Thursday evening.” The owner added that sales of convenience meals have recently been rising and that more foreign visitors appear to be arriving in Seoul ahead of the concert. Major retailers are also adjusting operations to accommodate the influx of visitors. The two Musinsa outlets in Myeongdong — the shopping district in downtown Seoul about a 15-minute walk from Gwanghwamun — have expanded merchandise and staffing in anticipation of a surge in foreign shoppers. “We’re filling staff with foreign speakers and realigning shelves with items popular with foreigners. Our focus is entirely on Myeongdong outlets for next week,” said Kim Jae-eun, a spokesperson for the country’s popular street and online fashion platform. Convenience stores expand services for foreign visitors Convenience store operators are also ramping up preparations as the event draws closer. CU, one of South Korea’s largest convenience store chains operated by BGF Retail, said it will significantly increase inventory at stores near the concert venue, with some locations preparing stock levels more than 100 times higher than usual for key items such as beverages, snacks and ready-to-eat meals. The company said stores closest to Gwanghwamun will focus on rapid restocking and additional staffing to manage the surge of customers expected during the concert. Meanwhile, stores located in major tourist districts such as Myeongdong and Hongdae are preparing targeted displays featuring products popular among foreign visitors. Items frequently purchased by overseas tourists — including banana-flavored milk, spicy instant noodles and fruit-based highball drinks — will be highlighted in dedicated product sections. CU has also expanded services aimed at international customers. Some stores now offer AI-powered translation services capable of assisting customers in more than 30 languages, while self-checkout kiosks allow shoppers to complete purchases using English, Japanese or Chinese interfaces. In tourist-heavy areas such as Myeongdong, the company has also introduced currency-exchange kiosks that allow visitors to convert foreign currencies including U.S. dollars, euros, yen and yuan into Korean won. The preparations reflect a growing number of international visitors traveling to Seoul for major cultural events such as the upcoming BTS concert. Fans traveling across continents The concert is drawing fans from around the world, many of whom have traveled long distances to attend the performance in Seoul. “I came from the United States mainly to see BTS perform,” said Joanna Zhao, who traveled to Korea with her fiancé. “I’ve been a fan for years but never had the chance to attend a concert before.” Zhao said she plans to stay in Korea for two weeks after the concert, including a visit to Busan, the hometown of BTS member Jungkook. “I love the ocean, and I know there are many BTS-related photo spots in Busan,” she said. Her fiancé, Kevin Liu, said the scale of the event was both exciting and somewhat intimidating. “I’m a bit nervous about how many people will gather in such a tight space,” said Liu, a software engineer visiting from the United States. “But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to attend such a global event.” Fans from other parts of Asia are also making the trip. “Listening to BTS in Korea just feels different,” said Takuya Yamamoto, who traveled from Sendai, Japan. “The atmosphere here makes their performances more powerful.” Preparing for a city-scale gathering Local fans say they expect the event to transform the normally historic and political center of Seoul into a massive gathering of music fans. “Concert days in Seoul are always extremely crowded, so I’m a little concerned about how things will work on the day,” said Kim Beom-jin, a fan from Gyeonggi Province who plans to attend the performance with friends. Authorities say preparations are underway to ensure the event proceeds safely despite the unprecedented scale. Government officials have emphasized crowd-control planning and emergency response measures ahead of the concert as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather in central Seoul. For now, however, signs of the coming surge are already visible across the city center. 2026-03-13 16:22:07 -
Asian stocks weaken as oil prices climb toward $100 amid Hormuz attacks SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) — Asian stock markets ended mostly lower Thursday as oil prices surged toward the $100 mark following renewed attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, heightening concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies. Crude prices climbed sharply after a series of attacks on commercial vessels near the strategic waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 4.8 percent to $91.5 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude gained 5.2 percent to $96.8. Geopolitical tensions have intensified after multiple tanker attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and escalating military confrontation between Iran and the United States. Iran has effectively restricted maritime traffic in the area since Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli missile strikes, raising fears of prolonged disruption to global energy flows. The International Energy Agency said Wednesday that its member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels from strategic petroleum reserves — the largest coordinated drawdown in the agency’s history — in an effort to stabilize global markets. The move, however, did little to calm investor sentiment. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI fell 0.5 percent to close at 5,583.25 after swinging between 5,629.07 and 5,527.47 during the session. Foreign investors continued heavy selling, offloading 2.36 trillion won ($1.5 billion) worth of shares. Individual investors purchased 2.23 trillion won while institutions bought 53.9 billion won. Large-cap semiconductor stocks weighed on the index. Samsung Electronics fell 1.1 percent to 187,900 won, while SK hynix declined 2.6 percent to 930,000 won. Automakers showed mixed performance. Hyundai Motor dropped 1.7 percent to 521,000 won, while Kia rose 3.1 percent to 167,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution gained 3.9 percent to 384,000 won, while Samsung Biologics fell 1.9 percent to 1,625,000 won. Defense-related stocks advanced amid rising geopolitical tensions. Hanwha Aerospace climbed 3.9 percent to 1,465,000 won, while LIG Nex1 added 1.8 percent to 755,000 won. Nuclear-related shares also strengthened, with Doosan Enerbility rising 2.5 percent to 103,500 won. Shares of OrbiTech surged 29.9 percent to 8,160 won after the company announced a contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power related to radioactive concrete waste treatment. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ outperformed the main board, rising 1 percent to close at 1,148.4 after touching an intraday high of 1,150.65. Retail and institutional investors led buying on the secondary market, purchasing 507.4 billion won and 252.4 billion won worth of shares respectively, while foreigners sold a net 688.1 billion won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 percent to 54,453 while the broader TOPIX index dropped 1.3 percent to 3,649.9. Taiwan’s TAIEX declined 1.6 percent to 33,581.9. Mainland Chinese markets were relatively stable, with the Shanghai Composite Index slipping just 0.1 percent to 4,129.1. The Korean won weakened, with the dollar rising to 1,481.6 won. 2026-03-12 17:21:36 -
BTS Comeback D-9 — Spotify sets Han River cruise for immersive "SWIMSIDE" fan event SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - As BTS counts down to the release of its comeback album ARIRANG, Spotify is taking the anticipation off the screen and onto the Han River. The streaming platform is launching “SWIMSIDE,” an immersive fan campaign built around BTS’s upcoming title track “SWIM,” which is set for release with the album on March 20 at 1 p.m. KST. At the heart of the campaign is the “Spotify × BTS SWIMSIDE Cruise,” a themed evening program that will run on the Han River from March 27 to 29, departing from Yeouido Hangang Park. The cruise will operate three times each evening between 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., offering selected fans interactive experiences and exclusive content tied to the comeback. Fans can apply for the event from March 12 to 19, with winners to be announced on March 23, according to Spotify. The campaign also includes an in-app feature titled “Decoding ARIRANG,” designed as a countdown experience leading up to the album release. The project underscores Spotify’s wider effort to turn fandom into something more participatory than streaming alone. Beyond playlists and plays, the platform has increasingly leaned into artist-centered experiences through features such as Wrapped, Canvas and exclusive fan content. Few artists suit that strategy better than BTS, whose global fandom remains one of the most powerful in pop music. The group currently has 25.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 82.9 million followers on the platform. Its 2020 megahit “Dynamite” remains BTS’s most-streamed song there, with more than 2.22 billion plays. Other tracks that have crossed the billion-stream mark include “My Universe,” “Butter,” “Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey)” and “Fake Love.” The members’ solo reach is formidable as well. Jung Kook leads with 15.3 million monthly listeners, powered by “Seven (feat. Latto),” which has surpassed 2.82 billion streams. J-Hope follows with 11.9 million, while Jimin has 5.5 million, Jin 4.2 million, V 3.9 million, Agust D 3.1 million, RM 2.6 million and Suga 1.6 million. Beyond its streaming pull, ARIRANG is drawing attention for its unusually expansive production roster. The 14-track album brings together longtime BTS collaborator PDogg with a wide range of international names, including Ryan Tedder, Diplo, Mike WiLL Made-It, Flume, JPEGMafia, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala and Teezo Touchdown. Tedder, the OneRepublic frontman and hitmaker behind songs for artists including Beyoncé and Adele, is credited on several tracks, among them the lead single “SWIM.” Diplo appears on five tracks — “Body to Body,” “FYA,” “Like Animals,” “One More Night” and “Into the Sun.” Mike WiLL Made-It contributed to “Aliens” and “2.0,” while Flume and JPEGMafia teamed up on “FYA.” Kevin Parker is credited on “Merry Go Round.” The album title itself adds another layer of intrigue. “Arirang,” one of Korea’s best-known traditional folk songs, has endured across generations in regional forms such as Jeongseon, Miryang and Jindo Arirang. As a musical emblem of Korean identity and collective memory, the title hints that the album may blend heritage with BTS’s global pop language. ARIRANG will mark BTS’s first major group project since the 2022 anthology album Proof. 2026-03-12 15:13:01 -
Miyeon, NOWZ set to perform at fashion-themed festival in Tokyo SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Miyeon of K-pop girl group i-dle and rookie boy band NOWZ will perform at Japan's "Tokyo Girls Collection," the island country's largest fashion-themed festival, according to their agency Cube Entertainment. Miyeon, along with five-member boy band NOWZ consisting of Hyunbin, Yoon, Yeonwoo, Jinhyuk, and Siyun will appear at the festival, which celebrates its 42nd year, scheduled for Thursday at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. The festival, often abbreviated as TGC, is a biannual fashion event that has been running since 2005. The event blends runway shows highlighting Japanese street fashion with live performances by popular artists including NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, FIFTY FIFTY, TWICE, BLACKPINK and Tomorrow X Together. Miyeon, who debuted in 2018 as a member of K-pop girl group i-dle, released her second mini album "MY, Lover" in November 2025 and has built recognition through appearances at global festival stages including Dream Concert Abu Dhabi 2025. The group recently kicked off their fourth world tour starting with concerts in Seoul. Debuted in 2024, NOWZ recently released their Japanese debut EP and have been active in Japan. They are expected to energize the festival with their signature high-energy performance. 2026-03-11 18:00:38 -
BTS Comeback D-10 South Korea flags 1,800 resale listings for BTS concerts SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Korea’s culture ministry said Wednesday it had referred four suspected ticket-scalping cases involving 105 BTS concert tickets to police after identifying more than 1,800 resale listings online. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it found 1,868 online posts offering BTS concert tickets for resale, including duplicate listings, while monitoring major Korean secondhand trading platforms such as Joonggonara, Ticketbay, Karrot Market and Bunjang. Authorities said the suspected scalping cases involved sellers who allegedly secured multiple tickets for the same show and attempted to resell them at steep premiums. The listings were linked to BTS’s comeback performance scheduled for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul and BTS' world tour set to take place in Goyang from April 9 to 12. Officials said resold tickets are unlikely to grant entry because strict identity verification procedures will be enforced at the events. According to organizers, the Gwanghwamun concert will use a mobile QR code system that blocks screenshots and prevents codes from being reused once scanned. Attendees will also undergo identity verification with designated identification and receive non-transferable wristbands upon entry. Random identity checks will continue inside the venue, and anyone found using a transferred ticket will be removed immediately, authorities said. The ministry warned that ticket resale posts and related scams could surge around 8 p.m (1100 GMT). Thursday when an additional round of ticket sales for the Gwanghwamun concert is scheduled to open. Korea has recently tightened regulations to combat ticket scalping. Amendments for the Performance Act and the National Sports Promotion Act, promulgated on Feb. 27 and set to take effect Aug. 28, will prohibit illegal ticket resale regardless of whether automated purchasing programs, or macros, were used. The revised laws will also allow authorities to impose surcharges of up to 50 times the resale amount and introduce reporting reward systems for illegal ticket sales. The ministry launched a public-private task force on March 5 to strengthen cooperation with ticket vendors and online trading platforms in tackling ticket scalping. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said scalping disrupts the fair distribution of tickets and exploits fans’ enthusiasm for popular culture. “Starting with this investigation request, we will continue firm and consistent measures until ticket scalping is eradicated and a fair ticketing culture is established,” Choi said. He also warned fans against purchasing resale tickets, noting that strict identity checks make ticket transfers virtually impossible and could expose buyers to fraud if sellers disappear after the transaction. 2026-03-11 17:48:36 -
Korean stocks rise on chip gains as Taiwan leads Asian rally SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Asian stocks were mostly higher Wednesday, with Taiwan leading regional gains as semiconductor shares rallied across the region, while Korean equities advanced on institutional buying and corporate shareholder-return announcements. Taiwan’s benchmark TAIEX surged 4.1 percent to 34,114.2, marking the strongest performance among major Asian markets. The rally was driven by chipmaker TSMC, which climbed 4.86 percent to 1,940 TWD ($ 61.1) in active trading as global semiconductor stocks extended gains following a technology-led rebound on Wall Street. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 1.4 percent to 5,609.95, after briefly climbing to an intraday high of 5,746.36 before paring gains late in the session. Institutional investors bought 781.4 billion won ($532 million) worth of shares, while individual investors sold 508.1 billion won and foreign investors offloaded 255.6 billion won. Technology shares supported the market, with Samsung Electronics rising 1.12 percent to 190,000 won and SK hynix gaining 1.81 percent to 955,000 won. Among other heavyweight stocks, Samsung Biologics jumped 4.1 percent to 1,657,000 won, while Hyundai Motor advanced 1 percent to 530,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution added 0.7 percent to 369,500 won, and internet platform giant Naver rose 0.7 percent to 222,000 won. Investor sentiment toward Korean equities was also buoyed by shareholder-return announcements after Samsung Electronics and SK Group unveiled large-scale treasury share cancellations. However, gains faded toward the close as investors grew cautious ahead of the quarterly derivatives expiration known as “quadruple witching day” and the release of the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) later in the day. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.1 percent to close at 1,136.83. Individual investors purchased 254.3 billion won, while foreign investors around 81.2 billion won and institutions offloaded 126.7 billion won. Meanwhile, several telecom equipment makers surged on the secondary board, defying the broader decline in the KOSDAQ market. Shares of Daehan Optical Communication jumped 29.95 percent, while HFR, Solid, Inno Instrument and KMW all hit the daily upper limit. The rally came amid expectations of stronger global investment in telecommunications infrastructure, as demand for high-speed networks grows alongside the expansion of AI and robotics technologies. Moreover, U.S. pressuring to curb the use of Chinese telecom equipment could benefit Korean suppliers with strong export exposure. In other parts of Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.4 percent to 55,025.37, while the broader TOPIX gained 0.9 percent to 3,698.9, supported by technology and auto shares. Automaker Toyota climbed 1.1 percent, while electronics giant Sony added 1.3 percent. Mainland Chinese markets posted modest gains. The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.3 percent to 4,133.71, while the CSI 300 rose 0.6 percent to 4,704.5, as investors remained cautious amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.6 percent to 8,743.5, while India’s Nifty 50 slipped 1.1 percent in afternoon trading. Global risk sentiment remained fragile despite the regional rebound. Brent crude climbed to $89.56 a barrel, while WTI crude rose to $85.4, reflecting continued concerns over potential supply disruptions tied to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. In currency markets, the Korean won traded at around 1,469.4 per dollar, slightly firmer on the day. The Japanese yen hovered near 158.1 per dollar, while the Chinese yuan stood at about 6.87 per dollar. Meanwhile, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield stood at 4.143 percent, while the dollar index slipped slightly to 98.8. Wall Street futures pointed modestly higher during Asian trading, with S&P 500 futures up 0.2 percent and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.1 percent. In Seoul, shipbuilding stocks rallied on expectations that longer energy transport routes could boost demand for LNG carriers and oil tankers amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Hanwha Ocean surged 7.4 percent, while Samsung Heavy Industries gained about 3 percent and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries also moved higher. 2026-03-11 17:47:34 -
BTS Comeback D-10: Heritage souvenirs await fans at Gwanghwamun SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) — It is no surprise that BTS is weaving Korean history into its latest project: the group’s comeback album is titled “Arirang,” and its return performance will be staged at Gwanghwamun, the historic gateway to Seoul. For fans traveling from around the world, the group is also ensuring the souvenirs tied to the event reflect the cultural legacy of the Gwanghwamun setting. Ahead of next week’s comeback, BTS’ agency is preparing a special pop-up event in Seoul featuring items inspired by the Bell of King Seongdeok, one of Korea’s most celebrated historical artifacts. The merchandise collection draws on decorative motifs from the ancient bronze bell and reinterprets them in contemporary fashion items, creating a meeting point between centuries-old Korean craftsmanship and the global reach of K-pop. The event, titled “BTS POP-UP: ARIRANG,” will run from March 20 to April 12 at two locations — the Heritage building of Shinsegae Department Store in Jung-gu and HYBE headquarters in Yongsan. The pop-up will open at 1 p.m. on March 20, with regular hours from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 8:30 p.m. on weekends, organizers said. Fans visiting the spaces will find items such as shoulder bags, card holders, hairpins, clips and layered skirts, all incorporating patterns derived from the historic bell. Created in 771 during the Unified Silla period, the Bell of King Seongdeok stands more than three meters tall and is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of ancient Korean bronze casting. Its intricate lotus and cloud motifs remain symbols of traditional craftsmanship. By translating those designs into contemporary merchandise, the project aims to introduce elements of Korean cultural heritage to BTS’ global fan base. The pop-up will also feature official merchandise connected to the album, including hoodies, ball caps, T-shirts and the group’s signature light stick. Official goods will first be available through an online presale on Weverse Shop beginning Thursday at 11 a.m., followed by general online sales starting March 20 at 2 p.m. Sales will take place both at the pop-up locations and online. The project builds on BTS’ earlier partnership with the National Museum Foundation of Korea, known as the “Dalmajung” cultural series, which brought the group’s branding together with traditional Korean artifacts. Products in that series were released under MU:DS, a cultural goods brand created by the foundation. The name combines “museum” and “goods,” referring to items inspired by artifacts held in Korean museum collections. Interest in museum-inspired merchandise surged after BTS member RM, known for his interest in art and history, shared a miniature Pensive Bodhisattva statue on social media, drawing attention to cultural goods based on Korean heritage. The category has since grown rapidly. MU:DS recorded 413 billion won ($309 million) in sales in 2025, nearly doubling from 212 billion won in 2024. Earlier Dalmajung releases drew inspiration from national treasures including the Pensive Bodhisattva statue, Goryeo celadon and Joseon white porcelain, incorporating traditional motifs into modern accessories and lifestyle goods. Some pieces quickly became collectibles. According to fans and online store listings, a gold ring inspired by traditional patterns sold out on Weverse Shop on the day of its release, while several other accessories soon became difficult to obtain. Kim Eun-seo, a Seoul-based office worker who visited the National Museum of Korea during the Dalmajung launch in October 2024, recalled the crowds. “There were so many people at the museum that day,” Kim said. “Many visitors came to see the collaboration items, and popular products like the ring and key chains sold out quickly.” She said the appeal lay in how traditional aesthetics were subtly incorporated into modern designs. “The patterns weren’t overly bold,” Kim said. “They blended traditional motifs naturally, so the designs felt both modern and rooted in Korean culture.” Partnerships between cultural institutions and K-pop artists are increasingly being used to introduce Korean heritage to younger audiences and international visitors. The National Museum of Korea recently partnered with BLACKPINK, illuminating the museum’s exterior in pink to coincide with the group’s album release. The event also included a listening zone inside the museum where visitors could hear tracks from the album along with multilingual audio guides recorded by the members introducing several artifacts in the museum’s collection. The National Museum of Korea attracts more than five million visitors annually, ranking among the world’s most visited museums. Yet foreign visitors still account for only about 1.7 percent of attendance. For many institutions, K-pop provides a powerful gateway to global audiences. Countdown to Gwanghwamun BTS will release its 14-track album “Arirang” on March 20, marking the group’s first full-group comeback in three years. The album has already generated strong global interest, surpassing four million presaves on Spotify and topping the platform’s Countdown Charts Global for seven consecutive weeks. The group is also scheduled to hold a free comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21 — an event expected to draw more than 26,000 fans and turn the historic downtown district into a global K-pop stage. Cultural critic Jung Deok-hyun said such projects show how K-pop can amplify Korea’s cultural identity internationally. “We are moving from the era of K-content to the era of K-culture,” Jung said. “When globally recognized K-pop artists engage with institutions like the National Museum of Korea, it becomes a powerful way to introduce Korean culture to international audiences.” 2026-03-11 14:42:49