Hot Stock: Robotics emerge as retail favorite as U.S. tariff risks weigh on chip heavyweights SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Shares of robotics and automation companies surged Monday as investor funds rotated out of semiconductor stocks and into so-called “physical AI” plays, amid renewed uncertainty over U.S. semiconductor trade policy. Hyundai Motor jumped 12.5 percent to 465,000 won ($315.3), while Doosan Robotics soared 20.13 percent to 108,600 won, sharply outperforming the broader market as sentiment toward chipmakers weakened on tariff concerns. The shift followed a fresh warning shot from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 25 percent tariff on certain AI semiconductor products manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and imported into the United States before being re-exported to third countries. The White House also signaled the possibility of broader, second-phase tariffs on semiconductors and derivative products as part of its push to expand domestic manufacturing. Against this backdrop, investors moved into sectors viewed as less directly exposed to trade frictions, including robotics, automation and next-generation mobility. Hyundai Motor’s rally briefly lifted the automaker past LG Energy Solution to become the third-largest company by market capitalization on the Korea Exchange. As of 10:50 a.m., the stock had touched an intraday high of 466,000 won, marking a fresh 52-week high and pushing its market cap above 94 trillion won. Robot-related shares posted broad gains. Doosan Robotics led the advance. On the KOSDQ, Hurim Robotics jumped 23.26 percent, Hyundai Movex rose 13.45 percent and Yuil Robotics gained 9.88 percent. Market participants attributed the rally to growing expectations that robotics could emerge as the next market-leading theme, filling the vacuum left by semiconductors, which had driven the market’s recent advance before stalling on renewed trade uncertainty. Although U.S. memory chipmaker Micron Technology hit a record high last week on news of insider buying, investor sentiment toward Korean chipmakers deteriorated after Washington renewed pressure on companies that do not expand manufacturing investment in the United States, including the possibility of punitive tariffs. Hyundai Motor Group drew particular attention after Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas, a core asset in the group’s robotics portfolio, received a major robotics award at CES earlier this month, raising confidence in robotics-led future mobility. The company has outlined plans to deploy Atlas robots at its Metaplant America facility in Georgia from 2028 and scale production to 30,000 units annually by 2030. “The focus of AI has shifted dramatically in just one year,” said Lee Seung-hoon, head of research at IBK Investment & Securities. “Comparing CES 2025 and CES 2026, AI has moved from generative technologies that answer questions to physical AI that sets goals, executes tasks and interacts with the real world. Hyundai Motor Group’s Atlas went beyond demonstrations, presenting a roadmap for mass production and real-world deployment in manufacturing, logistics and services.” Doosan Robotics’ sharp rise came without company-specific disclosures, underscoring that gains were driven largely by theme-based rotation rather than near-term earnings factors. The company specializes in collaborative robots for industrial and commercial use and is seen as a direct beneficiary of rising automation demand in North America and Europe. Market observers noted that the reshuffling of market-cap rankings reflects a broader transition in leadership themes. In 2021, NAVER occupied the No. 3 spot during the pandemic-driven digital boom. In 2022, LG Energy Solution surged on electric-vehicle battery demand, while SK hynix later reclaimed the No. 2 position on high-bandwidth memory optimism. 2026-01-19 12:11:55

KOSPI stretches rally to 11 sessions, with gains now eclipsing past cycles SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - South Korean stocks extended their historic advance on Friday, pushing the KOSPI up for an 11th consecutive session and underscoring a rally that has grown not only longer, but materially stronger than previous market upswings. The benchmark index rose 0.9 percent to close at 4,840.7, marking a 13.8 percent gain since Jan.2 as the market continued to notch new highs with near-daily regularity entering the new year. The KOSDAQ added 0.4 percent to 954.6, while the KOSPI 200 climbed 1.2 percent to 794.6. While the current run has yet to surpass the longest streak on record — 13 consecutive gains between Sept. 4 and 24, 2019 — the scale of the advance has already far exceeded it. The 2019 rally delivered a cumulative rise of about 6.9 percent, roughly half the magnitude of the present move, highlighting the unusually strong momentum underpinning this cycle. Liquidity indicators suggest the rally is not yet being driven by aggressive leverage. Customer deposits, a proxy for idle equity capital, stood at approximately 893 trillion won ($607.5 billion) in mid-January, up more than 8 trillion won since the start of the year. The continued buildup, even as prices rise, has been interpreted as evidence that additional buying capacity remains on the sidelines. At the same time, margin trading balances have increased only gradually, hovering near 283 trillion won, while equity fund assets expanded to roughly 2,240 trillion won. The pattern suggests that inflows are broadening into medium-term investment allocations, rather than being concentrated in short-term speculative trades. The dollar was held steadily around 1,471 won. Despite the elevated level, intraday volatility was limited, easing immediate concerns about disorderly capital outflows. Sector-wise, non-ferrous metal stocks led gains, driven by expectations that U.S. investment in mineral refining could accelerate supply-chain restructuring and elevate the strategic importance of the sector. Korea Zinc jumped 10.2 percent to 1,585,000 won after reports that the company is considering building a large-scale smelting facility in Tennessee, potentially with U.S. policy backing. Market participants noted that such a move could strengthen the company’s long-term position in graphite, zinc and rare-metal supply. Among individual names, NamSun Aluminum Preferred surged 30 percent to 18,210 won. Large-cap stocks posted mixed results. Samsung Electronics rose 3.6 percent to 148,900 won after hitting an intraday record, while SK hynix added 1.0 percent to 756,000 won. Doosan Enerbility advanced 6.5 percent to 95,300 won, while Hyundai Motor slipped 2.0 percent to 414,000 won. Elsewhere in the region, sentiment was more subdued. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.3 percent to 53,936.2, while China’s Shanghai Composite edged down 0.3 percent to 4,101.9. 2026-01-16 17:47:28

Seoul market hits new high despite rate pause as regional peers falter SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - Korean stocks surged to fresh highs on Thursday, extending a 10-session winning streak, even as most other Asian markets finished mixed amid cautious regional sentiment. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI jumped 1.58 percent to close at 4,797.6, edging closer to the symbolic 5,000-point mark. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 1.0 percent to 951.2. The rally was led by heavyweight technology and auto shares. Samsung Electronics climbed 2.6 percent to 143,900 won, closing at a new record high, while SK hynix rose 1.0 percent to 749,000 won, providing solid support to the broader market. Hyundai Motor advanced 2.6 percent to 422,000 won, extending its recent upward momentum. The advance came despite a hawkish undertone from monetary authorities. The Bank of Korea unanimously voted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at its first policy meeting of the year, extending a pause in place since May last year and signaling an effective end to the latest easing cycle. The Korean won weakened, with the dollar rising 4.1 won to 1,470.6. Chipmakers benefited from renewed optimism over the global semiconductor cycle after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported record-breaking fourth-quarter results, offsetting concerns sparked by overnight weakness in U.S. technology stocks. Industrial, robotics and defense-related shares also outperformed on stock-specific catalysts. POSCO DX surged 29.9 percent to 38,650 won after POSCO Group announced plans to expand industrial robot deployment at manufacturing sites in cooperation with Japan’s Yaskawa Electric. Hanwha Systems jumped 9.4 percent to 96,500 won, while Korea Zinc rose 11.5 percent to 1,438,000 won after the company said Chairman Choi Yoon-bum will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss global critical-minerals supply chains. By contrast, internet heavyweight Naver slid 4.6 percent to 247,500 won after its affiliate Naver Cloud failed to pass the first round of screening to select South Korea’s indigenous artificial intelligence model. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.4 percent to 54,110.5 as investors locked in profits following recent gains. China’s Shanghai Composite edged down 0.3 percent to 4,112.6, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.2 percent to 26,950.5. 2026-01-15 17:58:18

As China exports its surplus, Korea, Germany and Japan pay the industrial price SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) -China logged a record $1.19 trillion trade surplus in 2025, underscoring the resilience of its export engine despite renewed U.S. tariff pressure — and sharpening competitive strain on other manufacturing economies from South Korea to Germany and Japan. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, the surplus expanded by roughly 20 percent from 2024, even as exports to the United States fell by about 20 percent following tougher tariffs, indicating that the gains came largely from other markets. Overall dollar-denominated exports still rose 5.5 percent year on year, accelerating toward the end of the year as shipments were redirected abroad. Export growth picked up to 6.6 percent in December, from 5.9 percent in November, while imports rose 5.7 percent, signaling that global demand for Chinese goods remained firm despite uneven domestic conditions. Pivot away from the U.S. — and into third markets China’s record surplus was sustained by a sharp geographical pivot. Exports to Southeast Asia rose 13 percent, shipments to the European Union climbed 8.4 percent, and exports to Africa surged 26 percent, as manufacturers redirected supply chains toward faster-growing regions. Persistent producer-price deflation at home, combined with strong demand tied to artificial-intelligence investment, has kept Chinese goods highly competitive on price — intensifying head-to-head competition in third markets rather than expanding overall demand. Korea: solid exports, but losing relative ground For South Korea, where exports account for roughly 37 percent of GDP, China’s expanding footprint is reshaping competitive dynamics rather than collapsing trade outright. Korea’s exports rose 3.8 percent in 2025 to a record $709.7 billion, surpassing the $700 billion mark for the first time and delivering a $78 billion trade surplus, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Semiconductor shipments surged 22.2 percent, driven by AI-related demand, while automobiles and shipbuilding also posted record values. Yet in relative terms, Korea is losing ground. While China’s exports grew more than twice as fast, Korea’s export growth remained modest, pushing the country down to eighth in global export rankings, from sixth a year earlier. Korean firms face narrowing margins in semiconductors, batteries, steel and industrial machinery, as price-based competition with Chinese suppliers intensifies across ASEAN, India and the Middle East. “China’s expanding export footprint is reshaping competitive dynamics in third markets, where Korean and Chinese firms increasingly overlap,” said Heo Seul-bi, an analyst at the Korea International Trade Association. “As Chinese shipments shift toward ASEAN, India and Africa amid higher U.S. tariffs, head-to-head competition has become more pronounced, particularly in price-sensitive sectors such as steel and basic industrial materials.” Germany: widening imbalance at Europe’s industrial core The pressure is even more visible in Germany, Europe’s manufacturing anchor. In September 2025, Germany exported €6.77 billion ($7.4 billion) to China while importing €15.8 billion, resulting in a monthly trade deficit of €9.06 billion. Compared with a year earlier, German exports to China edged down 1.3 percent, while imports surged 8.68 percent, highlighting the accelerating asymmetry in bilateral trade flows. Rising imports of Chinese machinery, automobiles and data-processing equipment have weighed on factory orders and industrial output, which remain below pre-pandemic levels. Japan: shifting balance inside the supply chain Japan faces a different, but equally revealing, adjustment. In October 2025, China exported $13.0 billion to Japan while importing $14.4 billion, leaving China with a $1.35 billion bilateral trade deficit. China’s exports to Japan fell 5.7 percent year on year, driven by steep declines in shipments of telephones, railway cargo containers and ships. At the same time, imports from Japan jumped 5.9 percent, led by a more than 70 percent surge in integrated circuits, alongside automobiles and industrial materials such as scrap copper. The data point to Japan’s continued strength in high-end components, but also underline its growing exposure to competition from China in finished manufacturing goods. China’s surplus reflects domestic imbalance — exported abroad Economists warn that China’s surplus is not merely a sign of export strength, but also of domestic imbalance. Heavy investment in machinery and equipment — increasingly led by state-owned enterprises — has expanded production capacity, while household consumption has lagged amid weak confidence, falling property values and precautionary saving. With deflationary pressures at home, surplus output has flowed abroad. U.S. tariffs have diverted, rather than stopped, Chinese exports — shifting adjustment costs onto other economies. “Unlike the U.S., which continues to absorb imports amid strong growth, many advanced economies are struggling,” one trade economist said. “Chinese exports are landing in markets where manufacturers are already under strain.” Fragmentation risks grow Governments are beginning to respond. French President Emmanuel Macron has raised trade imbalances directly with Beijing, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that Europe risks becoming a dumping ground for Chinese goods. Mexico has raised tariffs on Chinese imports, and other countries are weighing similar measures. China continues to frame itself as a defender of free trade. But analysts argue that relying on the rest of the world to absorb domestic imbalances risks accelerating trade fragmentation, especially as geopolitical blocs harden. For South Korea, Germany and Japan, the challenge is not a collapse in exports, but relative erosion — competing against a China that is exporting its surplus, its deflation and its industrial overcapacity into the same global markets. 2026-01-15 17:26:30

EXO, BTS, BIGBANG and BLACKPINK set to reclaim the real K-pop stage in 2026 SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) -After a year when a Netflix-born fictional idol group soaked up global buzz, K-pop’s original hitmakers are ready to retake the spotlight in 2026 — not through novelty, but through craft, catalog and command. EXO, BTS, BIGBANG and BLACKPINK — each more than a decade into their careers — are lining up comebacks or group activities that point back to what made K-pop a global force in the first place: precision rhythm, unmistakable stage presence and intellectual property built to endure. EXO: the blueprint for performance-driven K-pop EXO opens the 2026 calendar with its eighth full-length album REVERXE, set for release on Jan. 19 — the group’s first full comeback in over two years. All nine tracks will drop simultaneously, followed by a showcase at Kyung Hee University’s Peace Hall in Seoul. The return leans into EXO’s defining strength: scale. The pre-release track “Back It Up,” first unveiled at the MMA 2025 awards in December, arrived with a 40-dancer stage setup — a reminder of the group’s reputation for turning studio tracks into arena-ready spectacles. Their MMA setlist — spanning “Monster,” “Growl,” “Love Shot” and “The Eve” — didn’t just energize longtime EXO-Ls. It sparked fresh interest among younger artists and new listeners, with clips circulating widely across social platforms. A decade on, EXO’s stage-first identity is still recruiting new fans. BTS: a full-team return, nearly four years in the making BTS returns as a complete seven-member group on March 20 with its fifth studio album, nearly four years after its last group release. The 14-track record is expected to reflect the musical evolution forged during an extended solo era. The group’s staying power is already measurable. According to Melon, BTS’ 2017 track “Spring Day” has appeared on the platform’s annual chart for nine consecutive years — the longest run in its history and a rare marker of sustained listening demand. Rather than diluting the brand, the hiatus expanded it. Solo albums and global tours pushed each member’s reach further, transforming BTS from a release-cycle-driven act into something closer to a long-term cultural franchise. BIGBANG and BLACKPINK: scarcity, scale and global pull BIGBANG remains one of K-pop’s rarest forces — a group whose limited activity only amplifies its impact. While concrete release plans remain unconfirmed, the group is set to mark its 20th anniversary with a group activity in April, an appearance alone enough to reset expectations across the industry. Following the release of “Still Life,” T.O.P formally stepped away, leaving G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung as the current lineup. With reports pointing to T.O.P’s solo return in 2026, fan speculation about future collaborations among the original members has resurfaced. G-Dragon’s standing as a cross-generational icon remains unshaken. His third full-length solo album Übermensch capped a dominant awards season across South Korea and China, reaffirming both his artistic authority and commercial pull more than a decade into his career. BLACKPINK continues to operate on a different plane entirely. Through blockbuster world tours and parallel solo careers, the group has shown that female acts can function as enduring global IPs with diversified revenue streams. A full-member comeback is confirmed for 2026, with album and tour details still under wraps — and anticipation already building. Jennie reinforced her solo stature at the 40th Golden Disc Awards in 2026, taking both the Digital Song Main Prize and the Grand Prize (Record of the Year). In 2025, she also became the first K-pop soloist to receive the Global Force Award at Billboard Women in Music in the United States. Rosé has posted her own run of milestones. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.,” won Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, making her the first K-pop artist to claim a top-tier VMA category. Her solo album Rosie reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 — the highest placement ever achieved by a female K-pop solo artist. "APT" is shortlisted for both the Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the upcoming Grammy Awards. A reset moment for K-pop’s live economy What unites these four acts is not nostalgia, but durability. Their catalogs, stagecraft and global fan bases arrive at a moment when K-pop faces criticism for creative stagnation and a shortage of true blockbuster hits. The timing also carries financial weight. HYBE’s profitability dipped in 2025 amid heavy investment in new IPs and overseas restructuring, but analysts see a sharp rebound ahead. “With BTS returning, HYBE’s earnings trajectory is expected to turn decisively upward in 2026,” said Jang Ji-hye, an analyst at DS Investment & Securities. Add growing speculation about a reopening of China’s concert market, and veteran acts with proven touring power may be uniquely positioned to benefit. In 2026, K-pop’s legacy names aren’t chasing trends — they’re reminding the industry where the standard was set. 2026-01-14 16:06:37

Asian markets mixed as KOSPI slips after earlier gain on semiconductor strength SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Asian markets opened mixed on Wednesday, as South Korean shares rose on early semiconductor and energy gains but slipped amid broader caution across the region. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI was down 0.4 percent at 4,673 and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ also fell 0.8 percent to 941.4 as of around 11 a.m., as initial gains shortly after trading began earlier in the day gave way to selective profit-taking. Semiconductor shares traded mixed, with Samsung Electronics rising 1 percent to 139,000 won ($94.8) while SK hynix slipped 0.7 percent to 733,000 won after recent gains. Hanmi Semiconductor surged 3.0 percent to 178,300 won, extending gains after the company announced the appointment of a former Apple semiconductor executive as vice president and disclosed a new supply contract with SK hynix. The company also revealed a 9.65 billion won contract to supply TC bonder equipment used in high-bandwidth memory production, with delivery scheduled for early April. Energy and industrial shares also remained strong. Doosan Enerbility jumped 2.8 percent to 89,400 won, as investors continued to favor nuclear- and power-related stocks amid expectations of sustained global energy investment. Auto-related shares traded mixed, with Hyundai Motor falling 1.2 percent to 401,000 won, giving back some of its recent gains following a strong rally earlier in the week. The South Korean won weakened to 1,475.2 per dollar, extending the greenback's ongoing strength. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.4 percent to 54,320.1, supported by gains in exporters and technology shares. China's Shanghai Composite Index also climbed 0.3 percent to 4,150.2. 2026-01-14 11:26:21

Japan and Korean stocks keep up rally SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Asian equities were mostly higher on Tuesday, led by sharp gains in Japan and Korea. In Seoul, the KOSPI rose 1.5 percent to close at a fresh high of 4,692.6, helped by gains in autos, energy and industrial shares. In contrast, the tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged down 0.1 percent to finish at 948.9. Among blue-chip stocks, Samsung Electronics edged down 0.7 percent to 137,900 won ($93.5), while SK hynix slid down 1.4 percent to 738,000 won, weighing on the broader market. Automakers led the market higher, with Hyundai Motor surging 10.6 percent to close at 406,000 won, marking one of the strongest performances among large-cap stocks and providing a key lift to the benchmark index. The rally came after Hyundai Motor showcased its latest advances in humanoid robotics and autonomous driving at CES 2026, while investor sentiment was further supported by the appointment of a global autonomous-driving expert to lead its software-defined vehicle and self-driving strategy. Energy, defense and industrial shares also posted strong gains. Hanwha Systems jumped 13.8 percent to 88,400 won, while POSCO Holdings advanced 14.1 percent to 353,000 won. Samsung SDI climbed 7.6 percent to 299,000 won, extending gains in battery-related shares. Shipbuilding and utility stocks moved higher as well, with Hanwha Ocean rising 2.6 percent to 149,400 won and Korea Electric Power Corp. gaining 8.6 percent to close at 55,400 won. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar, trading at 1,474.1 after losing 6.1 versus the dollar on continued foreign selling and global-wide greenback strengthening. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 3.1 percent to close at 53,549.2, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.7 percent to 26,783. In contrast, China’s Shanghai Composite edged down 0.6 percent to finish at 4,138.8, as investors took profits following the recent rally. 2026-01-13 18:03:04

Danielle surfaces — a reconciliatory gesture or prelude to counterattack? SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Danielle, a former member of NewJeans, made her first public appearance since being expelled and sued by her agency, offering little beyond emotional allegiance to her group and fans — and careful restraint. In a nine-minute livestream titled “Dear Bunnies,” Danielle addressed the group’s fan base in a teary but measured message, avoiding direct accusations or legal arguments despite the escalating dispute with ADOR. “I fought until the end to stay with the members,” she said, her voice breaking. “NewJeans will always remain in my heart.” She framed the current turmoil not as closure but as transition, calling it “not the end, but a beginning,” and emphasized her enduring bond with both the group and its fandom. “When I think of Bunnies, the first thing that comes to mind is their eyes,” Danielle said. “The moments we faced each other on stage — the feeling that our hearts stayed connected even when the music stopped — those memories quietly support me even now.” Notably absent were any references to ADOR, its parent HYBE, or responsibility for the contract dispute. Instead, Danielle kept her remarks personal and forward-looking, saying that “many things are still in the process of being sorted out,” while underscoring that her emotional ties to NewJeans remain intact. “I can say this with certainty: NewJeans is still in my heart,” she said. “Even if we stand in different places, we remain one in the same spirit.” Her restrained appearance came after ADOR filed a lawsuit against Danielle and her associates, including her mother, seeking contractual penalties and damages reportedly exceeding 430 billion won. Former ADOR chief executive Min Hee-jin is also named in the case. ADOR has said it terminated Danielle’s exclusive contract after determining she could no longer continue as a member of NewJeans or as an artist under the label, characterizing the split as leaving little room for reconciliation. The group’s future without Danielle remains unresolved. A formal comeback has yet to be announced, as member Minji has not agreed to renew her contract with ADOR. A HYBE official said the company is “not yet in a position to comment on NewJeans’ future activities” because discussions are ongoing, adding that it is “respecting Minji’s position and waiting for her response,” while confirming that Danielle is no longer in an artist–agency relationship following the contract termination. Danielle closed the broadcast without outlining concrete plans, saying she hoped to continue sharing “music, silence or small moments” with fans in a sincere way. Reactions among fans were divided following the livestream. Some welcomed Danielle’s reassurance and her continued outreach to fans, while others expressed uncertainty and concern over the limited information shared regarding her legal situation. As ADOR presses ahead with legal action and uncertainty clouds NewJeans’ lineup, attention is shifting to Danielle’s next move — and whether her carefully calibrated message signals an attempt at reconciliation, or the opening phase of a broader legal and strategic counteroffensive. 2026-01-13 14:52:09

K-Pop Demon Hunters claims double "golden" at Golden Globes SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) - Harvesting last year’s syndrome K-Pop Demon Hunters has finally reached the moment awards seasons are meant to deliver: recognition catching up with momentum. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards held on Jan. 11 in Los Angeles, Netflix’s animated feature claimed two of the night’s most coveted prizes — Best Animated Motion Picture and Best Original Song – Motion Picture for its breakout hit “Golden.” It was a rare double victory, neatly completing a trajectory that began on streaming charts and playlists last year. Directed by Korean-Canadian filmmaker Maggie Kang alongside Chris Appelhans, K-Pop Demon Hunters became the first animated feature led by a Korean director to win a Golden Globe. Blending K-pop idol culture with supernatural fantasy, the film follows a fictional girl group juggling global stardom with the task of protecting the human world from dark forces — a premise that could have remained niche, but instead proved strikingly universal. The soundtrack functioned as the film’s real-world engine. “Golden,” performed by the fictional group HUNTRIX and sung by Korean American artist EJAE, topped major music charts last year, crossing from fandom-driven success into the mainstream. At the Golden Globes, the song prevailed over heavyweight contenders from films such as Avatar: Fire and Ash and Wicked: For Good, confirming that its popularity was not a fleeting algorithmic spike but a work with staying power. EJAE’s acceptance speech gave emotional clarity to the film’s arc. She spoke of spending nearly a decade chasing her dream of becoming a K-Pop idol, only to face repeated rejection. “I thought my voice wasn’t good enough,” she said. Music, she explained, became a way to endure closed doors — and now, unexpectedly, a way to help others do the same. The message resonated beyond the room: rejection as redirection, persistence as craft. The numbers behind the film explain why the awards felt overdue rather than surprising. Released globally on Netflix in June 2025, K-Pop Demon Hunters ranked No. 1 on the platform’s global weekly chart for nine consecutive weeks and remained in the Global Top 10 for more than six months, according to Netflix data. Few animated titles — or films of any genre — have sustained that level of visibility without theatrical saturation. With Golden Globe trophies in hand, K-Pop Demon Hunters now heads into the Grammy and Oscar races, extending its "golden" momentum across major global awards. 2026-01-12 14:27:23

Asian equities end first full week of 2026 strong as Korean defense stocks surge SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - Asian equities finished strong on Friday, with South Korean stocks extending gains as defense shares surged on expectations of increased military spending following remarks by Donald Trump. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 0.8 percent to close at 4,586.3, supported by sharp rallies in defense-related stocks. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ also finished higher, gaining 0.4 percent to 947.9. Defense stocks led the market after Trump outlined plans to significantly raise U.S. defense spending, fueling optimism over stronger global demand for military equipment. Hanwha Systems surged 27.5 percent to 76,900 won ($52.7), while Hanwha Aerospace climbed 11.4 percent to 1,214,000 won, marking some of the strongest performances on the main board. The rally followed a strong rebound in U.S. defense stocks overnight after Trump’s remarks. Shares of major U.S. contractors, including Lockheed Martin, RTX and General Dynamics, rose in New York trading on expectations of larger government contracts, a move that carried over into Asian markets and supported buying in Korean defense shares. Automakers also posted solid gains. Hyundai Motor jumped 7.5 percent to 366,000 won, while Kia rose 6.7 percent to 133,200 won, as investors continued to favor globally competitive exporters. Among heavyweight technology shares, Samsung Electronics edged up 0.1 percent to 139,000 won, while SK Hynix fell 1.6 percent to 744,000 won, underperforming the broader market amid profit-taking. Entertainment stocks weakened amid lingering uncertainty over overseas content demand. YG Entertainment slipped 1.5 percent to 67,200 won, SM Entertainment fell 2.7 percent to 114,700 won, Hybe declined 1.34 percent to 331,000 won, and JYP Entertainment dropped 2.4 percent to 69,800 won. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar, closing at 1,458.7 per dollar, tracking broader dollar strength in regional markets. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.61 percent to 51,939.9, while China’s Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.9 percent to 4,120.4, as regional sentiment improved. 2026-01-09 17:13:43