Journalist
Joonha Yoo, and Yoo Na-hyun
joonhayoo94@ajupress.com
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BTS kicks off first world tour in 7 years amid chart-topping comeback halo SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - K-pop supergroup BTS will launch its “BTS World Tour Arirang” in Goyang on Friday, opening an 85-show run across 34 cities through 2027 in its first global tour in seven years as the group extends its comeback momentum across global charts and digital platforms. The group will hold three concerts at Goyang Stadium on April 9, 11 and 12, marking the opening leg of the world tour. The April 11 show will also be broadcast through a live-viewing event in about 3,800 theaters across some 80 countries and regions, expanding the audience well beyond the venue. The schedule has also been broadened to include additional Latin American stops, including Lima, Santiago and Buenos Aires. The tour will mark the group’s first full-member visits to Colombia, Peru and Argentina, while also setting milestones as the first Korean act to perform at major venues such as Estadio El Campín in Bogotá and Estadio Nacional in Santiago. Demand has already been evident in ticket sales, with dozens of shows across Goyang, Tokyo, North America and Europe sold out. Live Nation said BTS has sold about 2.4 million tickets for 41 performances in North America and Europe alone. As of 1:40 p.m. (0440 GMT), shares of HYBE were trading at 260,500 won, up 1.6 percent. Activity surrounding the Goyang concerts has extended well beyond the stadium. Images of BTS-wrapped buses have circulated online, while rehearsal and soundcheck footage from the venue has spread widely across social media, reflecting the scale of anticipation ahead of the opening shows. Online platforms have also seen a rapid spread of user-generated content, including travel tips, venue guidance and concert-related information, highlighting highly coordinated fan participation both on-site and online. The tour follows the group’s March comeback with its fifth studio album Arirang, which has continued to perform strongly on major charts. The album remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second consecutive week, marking the first time a K-pop act has posted back-to-back weeks atop the chart. It recorded 187,000 units in its second week, including 114,000 in pure album sales, 65,000 streaming-equivalent units and 8,000 track-equivalent units, according to Billboard. On the singles chart, “SWIM” ranked No. 2 on the latest Billboard Hot 100 while retaining the top spot in digital song sales for a second straight week. Beyond the charts, BTS has continued to roll out content tied to the album. A documentary, BTS: THE RETURN, released on Netflix on March 27, follows the production of Arirang and the members’ creative journey behind the project. The group has also sustained engagement through a staggered release strategy, spacing out new content instead of concentrating attention around a single promotional window. The music video for “SWIM,” released on March 20, has drawn more than 92.1 million views and reached No. 3 on YouTube’s trending chart. An official performance video followed on March 25, topping 22.9 million views and ranking No. 5 on the same chart. On April 2, the “BTS 2.0” video surpassed 34.1 million views and climbed to No. 2 on YouTube’s music trending chart. Most recently, the music video for “Hooligan,” released on April 8, drew more than 4.9 million views within hours. The sequential rollout highlights a strategy designed to sustain visibility and audience engagement over time. Such phased promotion has become increasingly common among major entertainment companies as they seek to extend comeback cycles and maintain momentum ahead of world tours and major international award events. The Goyang concerts will serve as the opening chapter of what is shaping up to be the largest global tour yet by a K-pop act. 2026-04-08 13:59:23 -
Asian stocks edge up as markets brace for Trump's Iran deadline SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - Asian equities ended mostly higher Tuesday, though gains were limited as investors held back ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s self-imposed nighttime deadline for Iran. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI rose 0.82 percent to 5,494.78 after swinging between gains and losses through the session. The rebound was helped by renewed foreign buying following Samsung Electronics’ blockbuster first-quarter earnings, which placed it among the world’s four most profitable tech companies alongside Apple, Nvidia and Microsoft. Still, hopes for a diplomatic off-ramp faded as Iran showed no sign of yielding despite Trump’s sharpest warning yet, threatening to strike power plants and bridges unless Tehran complies by 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. Reports of Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure added to concerns over broader regional escalation and possible energy supply disruptions. Oil prices climbed on those fears. Brent crude rose 1.37 percent and West Texas Intermediate gained 2.3 percent, while the CBOE Volatility Index rose to 24.17, underscoring growing market unease. Foreign investors led late-session buying in Seoul, purchasing a net 406.9 billion won ($270.4 million) worth of shares. Institutions and retail investors were net sellers, offloading 414.1 billion won and 342.6 billion won, respectively. The shift in flows helped the KOSPI recover from earlier weakness. Among major stocks, Samsung Electronics gained 1.8 percent to 196,500 won, while SK hynix climbed 3.4 percent to 916,000 won on continued strength in memory-chip prices. Defense shares also advanced, with Hanwha Aerospace jumping 6 percent amid rising geopolitical tensions. Battery makers were mixed. LG Energy Solution fell 1 percent to 408,500 won after posting a preliminary operating loss of 207.8 billion won, while other secondary battery stocks were comparatively resilient. Automakers edged lower, with Kia slipping 0.5 percent. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 1.02 percent, reversing early gains as retail and institutional investors turned into heavy sellers. Biotech shares dragged on sentiment, with Sam Chun Dang Pharm plunging 16 percent. Global semiconductor sentiment remained firm, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rising 1.2 percent to 7,916.1, reflecting continued optimism over AI-driven chip demand. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended little changed at 53,429.56, while China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.2 percent to 3,886.19. Hong Kong markets remained closed for an extended Easter holiday. The won traded at around 1,504.5 per dollar. 2026-04-07 17:36:32 -
Chang Han-na to lead Seoul Arts Center in first for musician, woman SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -Child prodigy-turned cellist-conductor Chang Han-na has been named president of the Seoul Arts Center to become the first musician — and the first woman — to lead South Korea's premier performing arts venue since its founding, the culture ministry said Monday. Her appointment comes as part of a broader reshuffle of leadership across Korea’s flagship arts institutions, signaling a push to bring more practitioner-led vision to the country’s cultural infrastructure. Chang, 44, is expected to begin her three-year term around April 24, pending scheduling for her formal appointment. A globally recognized musician, she rose to prominence at age 11 after winning the top prize at the Rostropovich International Cello Competition in 1994, launching an international career that included performances with leading orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra. Since shifting her focus to conducting in 2007, Chang has led major orchestras across Europe and North America, building an extensive international network and repertoire. She previously served as music director of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and currently holds roles including principal guest conductor of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra and visiting professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said Chang’s global experience and leadership position her to steer the Seoul Arts Center at a time when Korean culture is expanding its international reach. “Chang Han-na brings deep understanding and insight into the performing arts, built on decades of experience and global networks,” the minister said, expressing expectations that she will present a new artistic vision and lead the institution’s next phase of growth. The appointment is also seen as a symbolic shift toward greater diversity in leadership at major cultural institutions. Alongside Chang’s appointment, the ministry named soprano Park Hye-jin as head and artistic director of the National Opera Company of Korea and pianist Yoo Mee-jung as chief executive of the National Symphony Orchestra, with both beginning three-year terms on Monday. Park, a seasoned soprano and former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Opera, has built her career performing leading roles in productions such as La Bohème, Carmen and Turandot, while also bridging performance and education through academic work. Yoo, a pianist and longtime professor at Dankook University, has maintained an active career in performance and music education, and is expected to strengthen the orchestra’s operational performance and international standing. The latest appointments collectively point to a policy direction that emphasizes artistic leadership grounded in field experience, as Korea seeks to elevate the global competitiveness of its performing arts sector. 2026-04-06 14:58:40 -
BTS becomes first K-pop act with multiweek No. 1 on Billboard 200 SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -BTS’ fifth studio album "ARIRANG" remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second consecutive week, which is the first time a K-pop act defended No. 1 beyond one week. According to a chart preview released Saturday (local time), the album held off new releases including "BULLY" by Kanye West, which debuted at No. 2, and "HADES" by Melanie Martinez at No. 3. The Billboard 200 ranks albums based on a composite metric of album units. It combines physical and digital sales, streaming equivalent albums (SEA), and track equivalent albums (TEA). The chart performance followed the release of the group’s "2.0" music video. The video, released four days ago, has drawn 27.74 million views on YouTube as of April 6. A behind-the-scenes clip uploaded 14 hours ago has reached 1.74 million views. On the Spotify Daily Global Chart, BTS placed four tracks within the top 20. "SWIM" remained at No. 1 with 7,716,554 streams. "Body to Body" ranked No. 7 with 3,754,874 streams. "2.0" followed at No. 13 with 3,360,525 streams, while "Hooligan" placed No. 16 with 3,133,948 streams. 2026-04-06 11:02:54 -
Korean stocks rebound as Hormuz risks recede, foreign inflows return SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - Asian markets swung mostly higher Friday as governments from the Middle East to Europe scramble to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The benchmark KOSPI led gains, closing up 2.7 percent at 5,377.3, as foreign and institutional investors returned to net buying. The won strengthened to 1,507.9 per dollar. The move followed reports that Iran is working with Oman on a maritime protocol to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that handles roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day. The development eased immediate concerns over prolonged supply disruptions, though tensions remain elevated. Foreign investors bought a net 808.5 billion won ($536 million) of stocks, while institutions added 723.8 billion won. Retail investors sold 2.09 trillion won, indicating profit-taking into the rebound. Energy-linked sectors led the rally. Equipment and services firms surged 12.35 percent, shipbuilders rose 6.6 percent and trading companies gained 6.7 percent, reflecting continued positioning around energy security and logistics risks. Semiconductors also drove gains. Samsung Electronics climbed 4.4 percent to 186,200 won, while SK hynix advanced 5.5 percent to 876,000 won, tracking steady U.S. tech performance. By contrast, rate-sensitive heavyweights lagged. LG Energy Solution fell 1.5 percent to 398,500 won and Samsung Biologics declined 2.0 percent to 1,554,000 won, pointing to lingering caution. The KOSDAQ rose 0.7 percent to 1,063.8, giving up part of its earlier gains after hitting an intraday high of 1,083.24. Foreign and institutional investors sold a combined 413.8 billion won, while retail investors bought 406.0 billion won, signaling weaker conviction in smaller, growth-oriented stocks. In currency markets, the won gained 0.34 percent against the dollar, while the dollar index edged down 0.07 percent to 99.95. The VIX fell 2.7 percent to 23.9, indicating easing near-term volatility. Still, oil prices held above $110 per barrel, suggesting that risks tied to Hormuz are not fully priced out. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.3 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1.0 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.7 percent. 2026-04-03 17:31:54 -
BTS '2.0' MV channels Oldboy noir as cinematic callbacks spark global buzz SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - A few Korean films have left a deeper imprint on global cinema than Oldboy (2003), the brutal, operatic noir that propelled director Park Chan-wook onto the world stage — with a Cannes Grand Prix and admiration from filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino. Its side-scrolling corridor fight, shot in a single take, has since become one of the most imitated sequences in modern cinema. Now, that visual language has found an unlikely new interpreter: BTS. The music video for “2.0,” from the group’s comeback album Arirang, has surged across global platforms, drawing immediate attention for its striking parallels to Park’s signature style. Released Tuesday via Hybe Labels’ YouTube channel, the video surpassed 16 million views within 24 hours and topped YouTube’s trending music chart. The album’s title track “Swim” posted around 30 million views on its first day. The video opens with RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, Jungkook and V stepping into a stylized past — retro hair, vintage tailoring, mustaches and beards — before moving into a dimly lit corridor staged for confrontation. What follows is a clear visual homage. In Oldboy, Choi Min-sik’s protagonist battles waves of attackers in a claustrophobic hallway, captured in a lateral tracking shot that has since become iconic. BTS mirrors the composition: the members advance in formation as the camera glides sideways, flanked by opponents, blending choreography with cinematic tension. The sequence adopts a one-take structure, placing multiple figures within a compressed horizontal frame. Everyday objects — from newspapers to back scratchers — are used as props, injecting a note of absurdity into an otherwise controlled, high-stakes setting, a tonal contrast long associated with Park’s direction. The references extend further. Later scenes unfold in an office setting closely resembling a key location from the film, while visible newspaper headlines — including “Brand New 2.0 Launch” and “Hidden Code Discovered” — fold the narrative back into the track’s thematic frame. Released in 2003, Oldboy drew more than 3 million viewers in South Korea and went on to win the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. Its corridor sequence, staged in a confined space and executed in a lateral one-take composition, remains one of the most recognizable images in Korean noir. Online, the parallels have not gone unnoticed. Social media users have circulated side-by-side comparisons, with one post on X reading, “This is literally the Oldboy hallway scene but BTS version,” while another described it as “not an ‘Old’ boy — brand new Oldboy,” underscoring how viewers are decoding the visual references in real time. The track itself debuted at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, adding commercial weight to the artistic conversation. More broadly, the video reflects a shift in K-pop production, where music videos increasingly draw on established cinematic language — particularly from Korean film — to construct globally legible narratives beyond performance-driven formats. In a separate development, BTS also announced a new single, “Come Over,” set for release as part of a deluxe vinyl edition of Arirang, extending the group’s promotional cycle following their return after nearly four years. 2026-04-03 17:31:44 -
BTS to drop 'Come Over' on 'Arirang' deluxe vinyl SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - BTS will release a new single, "Come Over," as part of a deluxe vinyl edition of its fifth studio album "Arirang," its agency BigHit Music said Friday. The deluxe LP will include all 14 tracks from the original album along with the new song, bringing the total to 15. The track will be available exclusively on the deluxe vinyl edition. Suga participated in producing the track, while RM and J-Hope are credited as songwriters. According to the agency, Come Over blends elements of stadium anthem and pop and is dedicated to the group’s fandom, ARMY. BTS is set to kick off its "BTS World Tour Arirang" in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on April 9, with the tour scheduled to continue in major cities worldwide through 2027. 2026-04-03 11:14:51 -
NCT WISH to release first studio album 'Ode to Love' on April 20 SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) -K-pop boy band "NCT WISH" will release its first studio album "Ode to Love" on April 20, marking a key milestone for the rookie act as it continues to build its presence in the global market, its agency SM Entertainment said Thursday. NCT WISH, a six-member boy group consisting of Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo and Sakuya, debuted in 2023 under SM Entertainment. The group has been recognized for its refreshing, youth-driven concept and performance-focused identity, with tracks such as "Wish," "Songbird," and "Steady." The group kicked off its comeback rollout by unveiling a schedule video titled “WISH Upon A Dream” at midnight through its official social media channels. The video features illustrated visuals reflecting the group’s signature kitsch and playful aesthetic, alongside a timeline of upcoming promotional content. According to the agency, teaser materials will begin rolling out on April 6, including concept images, a promotional website titled "Ode Diary," a music video for the track "Sticky," and teaser content for the title track, "Ode to Love." The 10-track album is set for release at 6 p.m. (0900 GMT) on April 20 across major music platforms, with a physical version also scheduled for the same day. Pre-orders are currently available through online and offline music retailers. 2026-04-02 15:20:55 -
Peru honors Samuel Chung for contributions to Korea–Peru ties SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) - The Peruvian government has awarded Samuel Chung, president of the Korea Culture Association, the Order of Merit at the Comendador level in recognition of his contributions to strengthening ties between South Korea and Peru. The decoration was presented Wednesday by Peruvian Ambassador to Korea H.E. Paul Duclos at his residence in Seoul, on behalf of the president of Peru. The award coincided with the inaugural “Korea–Peru Friendship Day,” established by the Peruvian Congress in 2025 to commemorate diplomatic relations between the two countries, first forged on April 1, 1963. Chung has long been engaged in promoting cultural exchanges between Korea and Peru, working closely with the Peruvian Embassy in Seoul on a range of bilateral programs. His activities have included events linked to the 2024 APEC summit in Peru and celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, including a reception for the Peruvian naval training ship B.A.P. Unión. Ambassador Duclos praised Chung’s sustained efforts, saying he has “served as a bridge between the two countries over many years,” helping to boost interest in Korean culture among younger generations in Peru. Choi Joon-ho, director-general for Latin American affairs at South Korea’s foreign ministry, also congratulated Chung, expressing hope that bilateral cooperation would continue to expand. “This honor does not belong to me alone, but to everyone who has worked to promote cultural diplomacy between Korea and Peru,” Chung said. “I will continue to support exchanges that deepen mutual understanding.” Established in 1950, the Order of Merit is awarded to individuals — civilian or military, domestic or foreign — who have made distinguished contributions to the nation or demonstrated excellence in fields such as the arts, science, industry and commerce. 2026-04-02 15:20:47 -
Korea leads broad Asian fall on disappointment at Trump address SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) - Asian stocks fell Thursday, led by energy-dependent South Korea, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s much-hyped address failed to deliver clarity on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, leaving markets with more uncertainty than relief. Trump, speaking in a nationally televised address at 10 a.m. Korea time, said the conflict could continue for “two to three more weeks,” while offering no clear commitment to restoring access to the key shipping route. The remarks, coupled with continued military rhetoric, reinforced concerns over prolonged disruption to global energy supply. The benchmark KOSPI dropped 3.96 percent to 5,261.78 as of 11:20 a.m., sharply reversing from the previous day’s rally as sentiment turned risk-off. Institutional investors provided limited support, purchasing a net 341.8 billion won ($226 million), while retail and foreign investors sold 303.8 billion won and 159.0 billion won, respectively, signaling a broad pullback. Large-cap stocks declined across the board. Samsung Electronics fell 4.8 percent to 180,600 won, while SK hynix dropped 4.3 percent to 855,000 won. Hyundai Motor lost 3.9 percent to 469,000 won, and Kia slipped 1.2 percent to 153,400 won. LG Energy Solution edged down 0.3 percent. In contrast, defense and aerospace-related shares advanced, reflecting heightened geopolitical tensions and renewed interest in strategic industries. Hanwha Aerospace rose 6.9 percent to 1,425,000 won, supported by expectations of increased defense demand and strengthening momentum in the space sector. The gains were further underpinned by optimism over NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission and reports that SpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, reinforcing long-term growth expectations in aerospace. The KOSDAQ also fell, declining 3.3 percent to 1,079.8, with losses accelerating shortly after the start of Trump’s address at 10:02 a.m. Selling pressure on the secondary board was led by institutions and foreign investors, which offloaded 182.2 billion won and 73.6 billion won, respectively, while retail investors bought 290.6 billion won, indicating a divergence in risk appetite. The Korean won also erased most of the previous day’s gains, weakening to 1,520 per dollar as foreign outflows persisted. Oil prices surged, with Brent crude rising 4.7 percent to $105.8 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate gaining 3.9 percent to $104.1, underscoring persistent supply concerns tied to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Across Asia, major indices also traded lower. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.8 percent, and China’s Shanghai Composite edged down 0.1 percent, reflecting a broader shift toward risk aversion. 2026-04-02 11:35:10