Journalist

Joonha Yoo and Ryu Yuna
  • EXO, BTS, BIGBANG and BLACKPINK set to reclaim the real K-pop stage in 2026
    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
    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
    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?
    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
    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
    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
  • Hot Stock: Hanwha Systems almost hits the ceiling on Trump-era military ambitions
    Hot Stock: Hanwha Systems almost hits the ceiling on Trump-era military ambitions SEOUL, January 09 (AJP) - Shares of Hanwha Systems surged close to the daily trading ceiling on Friday, fueled by expectations of a sharp increase in U.S. military spending. The stock jumped as much as 24.7 percent to 75,200 won ($51.7) intraday before paring gains to 74,200 won by 2:30 p.m., far outperforming the benchmark KOSPI, which was up less than 0.5 percent. The rally followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who vowed to raise the U.S. defense budget by more than 50 percent to $1.5 trillion by 2027, after ordering what he described as a “surgical” military raid in Venezuela and issuing increasingly confrontational remarks toward other regions, including Greenland. Defense stocks had been volatile earlier in the week after Trump criticized U.S. defense contractors for prioritizing dividend payouts and share buybacks. Sentiment, however, rebounded on expectations that a significantly larger defense budget would translate into expanded government contracts. Major U.S. defense firms, including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, recovered earlier losses following Trump’s budget comments, helping lift defense shares globally. Hanwha Systems, an affiliate of Hanwha Group, specializes in radar, command-and-control systems and electronic warfare solutions. The company has also been expanding into space-related businesses, including satellite communications and other advanced defense technologies. The sharp rise came amid broad gains across South Korean defense stocks, including Hanwha Aerospace, while trading volume in Hanwha Systems spiked markedly, underscoring strong intraday demand. 2026-01-09 15:55:33
  • Shipbuilders lift South Korean stocks as Asian markets trade mixed
    Shipbuilders lift South Korean stocks as Asian markets trade mixed SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - Asian equities were mixed on Thursday, while South Korean stocks ended marginally higher as a sharp rally in shipbuilding shares offset weakness in technology-heavy stocks. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI edged up 0.03 percent to close at 4,552.37, finishing largely flat as gains among shipbuilders countered declines elsewhere. Buying in the sector was driven by rising expectations of large shipbuilding and offshore project orders linked to Canada. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ underperformed, slipping 0.3 percent to 944.06, as investors locked in profits in selected growth and small-cap shares. Shipbuilders led the market higher. Hanwha Ocean jumped 6.6 percent to 129,300 won, emerging as one of the day’s top performers on optimism over potential large-scale contracts. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries climbed 4.9 percent to 584,000 won, while SK Oceanplant gained 5.4 percent to 20,850 won. Samsung Heavy Industries rose 4.1 percent to 26,400 won, and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction added 1.9 percent to 24,750 won, reflecting broad-based strength across the sector. The rally was further supported by fresh order news. HD Hyundai Marine Engine said it had signed a ship engine supply contract with China’s Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding, according to a regulatory filing. The contract is valued at 24.3 billion won ($18.2 million), equivalent to 7.7 percent of the company’s 2024 consolidated revenue of 315.8 billion won. Outside shipbuilding, entertainment stocks rebounded after recent volatility. Shares of major K-pop agencies rose as investors looked beyond fading expectations for an easing of China’s restrictions on Korean cultural content and refocused on longer-term growth prospects. SM Entertainment gained 1.3 percent to 117,000 won, while YG Entertainment surged 5.1 percent to 67,600 won. JYP Entertainment rose 1.7 percent to 71,200 won, and Hybe added 1.5 percent to 334,000 won, supported by expectations of high-profile artist comebacks slated for 2026. The Korean won weakened slightly amid steady demand for the U.S. dollar, closing at 1,451.59 per dollar as of 4:20 p.m. local time. Elsewhere in Asia, major markets finished little changed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.6 percent to 51,117.3, while China’s Shanghai Composite edged down 0.07 percent to 4,083, as investors remained cautious ahead of global economic data and policy signals. 2026-01-08 17:44:58
  • KOSPI unfazed in upward march as Asian markets turn subdued
    KOSPI unfazed in upward march as Asian markets turn subdued SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - South Korean stocks surged Wednesday while most Asian markets traded lower, as renewed foreign buying and strength in artificial intelligence-related shares propelled the benchmark to fresh highs. In Seoul, the KOSPI rose 1.0 percent to 4,572.50 as of 11:00 a.m., extending its year-to-date rally and marking another record level. The advance followed a rotation in investor leadership, with foreign investors taking the baton from retail traders after Tuesday's rally. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.8 percent to 948.40, weighed down by losses in entertainment and biotechnology stocks. Overall market sentiment remained stable, with investors rotating among sectors rather than pulling money out of equities. Gains in defense, artificial intelligence and select industrial stocks helped offset weakness elsewhere. Chipmakers led the advance. Samsung Electronics climbed 2.3 percent to 142,100 won ($98.10), while SK hynix jumped 3.6 percent to 752,000 won, extending gains on sustained optimism toward AI-related demand. The rally followed remarks by Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, who highlighted accelerating demand for advanced computing and memory technologies during his keynote address at CES 2026. Huang's comments reinforced market expectations for continued investment in AI infrastructure, supporting the medium-term demand outlook for high-bandwidth memory and advanced semiconductors produced by Korean chipmakers. Battery and industrial shares traded mixed. LG Energy Solution fell 1.6 percent to 371,500 won, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 3.3 percent to 568,000 won on continued optimism over shipbuilding orders. Hanwha Aerospace slipped 0.7 percent to 1,015,000 won after recent strong gains. Entertainment stocks underperformed after President Lee Jae Myung's visit to China failed to deliver progress on the long-anticipated lifting of the de facto ban on Korean concerts and entertainment activities. HYBE fell 4.2 percent to 321,500 won, while JYP Entertainment dropped 3.3 percent to 69,200 won. SM Entertainment slid 4.7 percent to 111,600 won, and YG Entertainment declined 3.9 percent to 62,900 won. In the foreign-exchange market, the won traded narrowly at around 1,448.3 per dollar, as gains in equities were offset by lingering external uncertainties. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese stocks moved lower in early trade. The Nikkei 225 slipped 0.5 percent to 52,284.2, pressured by declines in financial and technology shares. Toyota Motor fell 2.6 percent to 3,344 yen ($21.30), while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group edged down 0.3 percent to 2,617 yen. SoftBank Group slipped 0.3 percent to 4,704 yen. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite edged down 0.1 percent to 4,080.4, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.5 percent to 26,588.9, as investors remained cautious amid unresolved geopolitical risks. 2026-01-07 11:23:38
  • Hot Stock: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gains over 6% on LNG carrier order
    Hot Stock: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gains over 6% on LNG carrier order SEOUL, January 06 (AJP) - Shares of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries surged more than 6 percent on Tuesday after its parent secured a major LNG carrier order, reinforcing expectations for a strong orderbook this year. The stock closed up 6.2 percent at 545,000 won, after climbing as high as 550,000 won during intraday trading. Buying interest intensified following news that HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) had landed a 1.5 trillion won ($1.02 billion) contract to build four ultra-large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. HD KSOE disclosed that it signed the deal with a shipowner in the Americas to construct four 200,000-cubic-meter LNG carriers, which will be built at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard and delivered sequentially through the first half of 2029. The order highlights HD KSOE’s competitiveness in the high-value LNG carrier segment, where demand is expected to remain robust as global energy companies expand liquefaction capacity and modernize aging fleets. According to a report from Clarksons, global LNG trade volumes are projected to grow steadily over the next decade, providing long-term structural support for demand for advanced LNG carriers such as those built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The newly ordered vessels will be equipped with high-efficiency shaft generators and LNG reliquefaction systems, technologies designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions—features increasingly favored by shipowners amid tightening environmental regulations. Investor sentiment toward the broader shipbuilding sector has also improved on expectations of a sustained order upcycle and rising demand for eco-friendly vessels. Separately, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it has delivered a 22,000-cubic-meter liquefied carbon dioxide carrier to Greece-based Capital Clean Energy Carriers. The vessel, named ACTIVE, is the first of four such carriers ordered from the shipbuilder in 2023 and 2024. 2026-01-06 17:37:57