Journalist
Yoo Joonha
joonhayoo94@ajupress.com
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Rosé and Bruno Mars win IFPI Global Single Award for APT. SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A collaborative track between South Korean singer Rosé and American artist Bruno Mars has become the first K-pop song to top the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Global Single Chart. The rock-pop single "APT." led the worldwide sales and streaming rankings for 2025. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) on February 19, "APT." secured the top position on the annual chart, which calculates global performance by converting consumption data from streaming and download platforms into unit totals. The IFPI stated that the track secured the number one spot during a year defined by global hits with significant longevity. The organization noted that the achievement marked several milestones, as it is the first time an artist from outside North America or Europe has topped the chart. It also represents the first time a winning single has featured non-English lyrics. South Korean artists have previously appeared on the ranking, beginning with Psy for "Gangnam Style" in 2012. Members of BTS also reached the chart in 2020 and 2021, while Jungkook appeared on the list in 2024. Rosé is the first South Korean artist to reach the number one position. Bruno Mars returned to the top of the IFPI chart 14 years after his 2011 win for "Just The Way You Are." The singer also held the fourth position on the 2025 chart for "Die With A Smile," a duet with Lady Gaga. Other notable entries on the 2025 list included two songs from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters." The original soundtrack "Golden" placed second, while "Soda Pop" ranked 13th. The chart success comes as BLACKPINK prepares to release a third mini album titled "DEADLINE" on February 27. The project is the first group release in approximately four years since the second full-length album "BORN PINK" debuted in 2022. The upcoming five-track album features the title track "GO" and the pre-released single "JUMP." The remaining tracks are titled "Me and My," "Champion," and "Fxxxboy." 2026-02-20 15:40:43 -
BTS Comeback D-29: BTS on the Charts, RM on the Canvas Editor’s Note — As BTS prepares to return as a full seven-member act with a new album set for March 20 and an open-stage performance at Gwanghwamun on March 21, following a near four-year hiatus for rotational military service, AJP revisits the group’s 13-year trajectory. This series reexamines BTS’s history, music, performance identity and enduring appeal. The fifth installment traces the roots and growth of RM. SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - BTS’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, has surged to No. 1 on Spotify’s “Countdown Charts Global,” holding the top position for five consecutive weeks since Jan. 21. Based on global pre-save data, the chart is widely regarded as a barometer of pre-release demand. With 3.45 million pre-saves, ARIRANG has already established itself as one of the most anticipated releases of the year. At the center of that momentum stands BTS’s leader, RM — an artist whose personal evolution has become inseparable from the group’s global ascent. The Intellectual Architect of BTS Born in 1994, RM emerged from Korea’s underground hip-hop scene long before BTS became a stadium-filling name. As a teenager, he was already writing about identity, pressure and belonging — themes that continue to define his work. His original stage name, Rap Monster, reflected raw ambition and technical bravado. In 2017, he shortened it to RM, later interpreting it as “Real Me,” signaling a turn toward introspection and artistic maturity. International audiences quickly noticed his fluent English, famously acquired by repeatedly watching the sitcom Friends. The skill positioned him as BTS’s principal spokesperson in overseas interviews and award ceremonies, earning him the fan nickname “President Namjoon” for his composed, articulate presence. A defining moment came in 2018, when he delivered a speech at the United Nations as part of the “Love Yourself” campaign. The address framed him not only as a pop star, but as a generational voice speaking about vulnerability, self-worth and youth in the modern world. Solo Work: Vulnerability Over Spectacle While BTS’s group releases are built for arenas and global broadcasts, RM’s solo catalog has consistently turned inward. His 2015 mixtape RM emphasized aggressive technique and confidence. Three years later, mono. stripped away that bravado, replacing it with muted tones and emotional solitude. In 2022, Indigo — which he described as “the archive of my twenties” — blended alternative rock, hip-hop and jazz influences through wide-ranging collaborations. His 2024 release Right Place, Wrong Person further explored dislocation and the sense of being intellectually and emotionally out of sync with one’s surroundings. Across these projects, RM has repeatedly returned to questions of identity, alienation and self-definition. Rather than offering easy answers, his music documents an ongoing negotiation between authenticity and visibility in the age of global celebrity. From Lyrics to Canvases That reflective temperament extends beyond music. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has announced “RM x SFMOMA,” an exhibition scheduled to run from Oct. 3, 2026 to Feb. 7, 2027. Curated by RM, the show will feature about 200 works from his personal collection alongside the museum’s holdings. RM is widely known as a serious collector, reportedly owning more than 2,000 pieces. His interests range from Korean modern masters such as Yun Hyong-keun and Kim Whanki to Western figures including Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe and Paul Klee. In a statement announcing the exhibition, RM said: “We live in an age defined by boundaries. I hope this exhibition can be a small but sturdy bridge.” The message echoes the themes of his songwriting — a search for connections between self and society, East and West, the personal and the universal. Beyond Pop Stardom As ARIRANG dominates global pre-save charts, RM’s trajectory signals something larger than commercial success. On streaming platforms, he leads one of the world’s most influential music acts. In museums, he is building conversations across cultures and traditions. Few idols have managed to sustain such parallel careers with comparable seriousness. For fans, RM remains BTS’s intellectual anchor. For global audiences, he represents a new model of cultural figure — one who treats fame not as a destination, but as a platform for dialogue. As the comeback draws near, the charts measure anticipation. RM, meanwhile, continues to measure something deeper: how far popular culture can reach, and how thoughtfully it can still speak. 2026-02-20 14:15:41 -
SK hynix shares gain traction after BlackRock lifts stake to 5% SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -Shares of SK hynix gained momentum after the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, raised its stake in the chipmaker above the 5 percent threshold for the first time in nearly eight years, according to a regulatory filing. BlackRock’s increased exposure comes as global investors seek to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom, with SK hynix emerging as a dominant supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI accelerators. A disclosure filed with Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service showed that BlackRock Fund Advisors and its related parties held 36,407,157 shares in SK hynix as of Feb. 10, equivalent to a 5.00 percent stake. The holding rose by 100,808 shares, or 0.01 percentage point, from the previous report on Feb. 9, when the group owned 36,306,349 shares, or 4.99 percent. The total number of voting shares outstanding stood at 728,002,365. The filing noted that the shares are owned by various funds managed by BlackRock and its affiliates, with the firm acting as an investment adviser and deemed holder. It also stated that none of the individual funds or clients independently holds a 5 percent stake. This marks the first time since May 9, 2018 that BlackRock’s aggregate holding in SK hynix has exceeded the 5 percent level. Market observers say international funds have been shifting capital away from the U.S. toward higher-return, technology-focused Asian markets, particularly South Korea and Japan. Korean memory chipmakers have emerged as key beneficiaries of the trend, riding what analysts describe as a once-in-decades boom driven by extremely tight supply and explosive demand for AI-related memory products, especially HBM. Both SK hynix and Samsung Electronics have posted strong rallies this year, rising about 35 percent and over 50 percent, respectively, on expectations of sustained earnings growth fueled by AI investment. Compared with early 2025, SK hynix’s share price has risen nearly fivefold, while Samsung Electronics’ stock has more than tripled. As of 2:00 p.m.. SK hynix shares climbed 6.38 percent to 951,500 won, moving closer to the symbolic 1-million-won mark. 2026-02-20 13:59:05 -
K-pop girl band Hearts2Hearts to drop new single 'RUDE!' SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -K-pop girl band Hearts2Hearts will release a new single "RUDE!" on Friday to celebrate its first anniversary. Along with the new song, its music video will also be released through the SMTOWN YouTube channel. SM Entertainment said in a statement that the eight-member band's new track RUDE!, a synth house dance track, will be released at 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) through various music and video platforms. The band's agency said that the new track offers a different vibe compared to "FOCUS," Hearts2Hearts' cool and chic house-based song relesed in October last year. The group is set to unveil the very first actual performance stage of RUDE! during the band's fan meeting "2026 Hearts2Hearts FANMEETING HEARTS 2 HOUSE," scheduled for Feb. 21 and 22 at Olympic Hall in Seoul's Olympic Park. The group is also to meet international fans through a North American showcase in New York on Mar. 19 and Los Angeles on Mar. 22, followed by a fan meeting in Jakarta on Mar. 28. 2026-02-20 11:30:13 -
Samsung's historic surge lifts KOSPI to record close SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI set a fresh record on Thursday as trading resumed following the Lunar New Year break, led by Samsung Electronics' historic close above 190,000 won. A buy-side sidecar was triggered on the KOSDAQ at 10:41 a.m. amid an aggressive rally in mid- and small-cap shares. The KOSPI jumped 3.1 percent to close at 5,677.3 points, marking a fresh all-time high after hitting an intraday peak of 5,681.7. The strong upward momentum was broad-based across large-cap stocks, with the KOSPI 200 climbing 3.2 percent to 840.2. The rally was symbolically anchored by Samsung Electronics, which settled at 190,000 won, up 5.9 percent, marking the first-ever close above the 190,000 level. The stock briefly touched 190,900 won within the market, setting a new record high. Gains followed overnight strength in U.S. technology shares, with continued enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence and semiconductor demand. SK hynix added 1.6 percent to 894,000 won, while semiconductor equipment makers in the KOSDAQ market posted double-digit gains, reflecting renewed expectations for memory supply tightness and high-bandwidth memory pricing momentum. The KOSDAQ soared 4.9 percent to 1,160.7, significantly outperforming the main board. A buy-side sidecar was triggered at 10:40 a.m., signaling an exceptional surge in futures-linked buying. The measure marked heightened volatility on the upside, underscoring strong speculative momentum in growth stocks. Institutional investors led buying on the KOSPI with purchases of 1.64 trillion won, while foreigners were modest sellers of 923.2 billion won. Retail investors offloaded 860.5 billion won, reflecting profit-taking at elevated levels. On the KOSDAQ, both foreign and institutional investors turned strong buyers. Beyond semiconductors, policy-driven themes gained traction. Shares of Hanwha Solutions surged 27.5 percent to 58,500 won, while Samsung SDI advanced 9 percent to 408,000 won, leading gains in the energy equipment and services sector, which rose more than 16 percent. Investor attention also shifted to shipbuilding stocks after the U.S. administration unveiled its "America's Maritime Action Plan," which calls for cooperation with allied shipyards, including those in South Korea, under a so-called bridge strategy. Under the proposal, initial vessel construction would take place in allied countries before production gradually transitions to U.S. facilities. The framework is seen as opening potential early-stage contract opportunities for Korean shipbuilders, given their established infrastructure and technical competitiveness. However, uncertainties remain over how existing regulatory frameworks, such as the Jones Act, would be addressed or circumvented. Despite these unresolved questions, market participants broadly viewed the announcement as structurally supportive for Korea's globally competitive shipbuilding sector. Korean won strengthened to 1,447.3 per dollar, down 5.7 won from the previous session, easing pressure on foreign flows. Precious metals advanced, with gold rising 2.1 percent to $5,009.5 per troy ounce and silver climbing 5.5 percent to $77.6. Across Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.6 percent to 57,467.8, while China's Shanghai Composite fell 1.3 percent to 4,082.1. Wednesday's session underscored a powerful convergence of semiconductor momentum, policy-driven industrial optimism and liquidity-driven small-cap strength, with Samsung's 190,000-won milestone serving as the defining symbol of the rally. 2026-02-19 18:00:34 -
When Seoul becomes the screen: From neon signs to BTS's digital stage SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - On March 21, Gwanghwamun will not need to be transformed into a concert venue. It already is one. Along the 12-lane, 512-meter boulevard leading to the historic gate, walls of massive digital displays are permanently embedded into the cityscape. Office towers, commercial buildings and transit hubs double as screens. When BTS stages its comeback there, livestreamed on Netflix, the infrastructure will simply shift mode — from advertising and public messaging to performance. The streets will not be rebuilt. They will be activated. For several hours, Seoul’s everyday screens will operate as a single, synchronized stage. That ability — to reorganize public space around light and data at a moment’s notice — did not emerge by chance. It is the result of more than a century of technological accumulation, industrial policy and visual experimentation. Korea’s outdoor advertising began modestly. During the Joseon Dynasty, shopkeepers relied on wooden signboards and tavern markers. In 1886, commercial notices appeared in Hanseong Jubo, the country’s first modern newspaper. Advertising was informational, functional and limited in scale. After the Korean War armistice in 1953, hand-painted storefront signs spread across a devastated capital. In a city rebuilding from rubble, a sign meant survival. Visibility meant existence. The skyline changed in the late 1960s. When restrictions on neon signage were lifted in 1967, red and blue lights spread across Myeong-dong and Jongno. Rooftops began to glow. Commercial districts acquired night identities. Neon became the visual language of industrial ambition. It mirrored South Korea’s rapid economic ascent. Factories multiplied. Exports surged. Cities learned to shine. For the first time, Seoul advertised itself after dark. The next transformation arrived in the late 1980s. Around the 1988 Seoul Olympics, full-color electronic billboards appeared. Static signs gave way to motion. Images began to circulate. Advertising became cinematic. In the 2000s, LED technology and media facades accelerated that shift. Screens were no longer attached to buildings. They became part of them. Architecture and media fused. Few places capture this evolution better than COEX K-POP Square in Samseong-dong. Its 81-by-20-meter display dominates the district like an urban theater. By 2020, monthly advertising slots cost about 70 million won. Full-day exclusivity commanded similar prices. What began as neon craftsmanship had become premium digital real estate. The market followed the technology. South Korea’s outdoor advertising sector has grown by about 7 percent annually since 2017. It surpassed 4 trillion won in 2022 and reached an estimated 4.3 trillion won in 2024. Digital out-of-home advertising has driven most of that growth. Revenue from digital formats jumped nearly 34 percent in 2022 and rose again in 2023. Globally, the sector is projected to double from 2020 levels by 2027. Once grouped with print and broadcast as “legacy media,” outdoor advertising has been rebuilt as data infrastructure. Today, screens are traded through automated platforms. Campaigns are adjusted by time, traffic flow, weather and demographics. Exposure is measured, priced and optimized in real time. The city itself has become a marketplace of attention. Seen in that context, broadcasting a BTS concert across Gwanghwamun’s urban screens is not merely a fan-oriented experiment. It is the visible outcome of decades of industrial strategy and technological layering. On March 21, as BTS performs and Gwanghwamun’s screens light up in unison, Seoul will not simply host a show. It will function as one. In that glow, projected across glass and stone, will be the story of how Seoul made the night its stage. 2026-02-19 17:59:32 -
BTS Comeback D-30: J-Hope, a messenger of hope through lyrics, rap, and giving *Editor’s Note — As BTS prepares to return as a full seven-member act with a new album set for March 20 and an open-stage performance at Gwanghwamun on March 21, following a near four-year hiatus for rotational military service, AJP revisits the group’s 13-year trajectory. This series reexamines BTS’s history, music, performance identity and enduring appeal. The fourth installment traces the roots and growth of J-Hope. SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - By the time BTS gathers again on stage this spring, the distance between where J-Hope began and where he now stands will be measured not only in chart rankings and stadium crowds, but also in quiet acts of continuity. J-Hope celebrated his 32nd birthday on Feb. 18 not with spectacle, but with another donation. Child welfare agency Green Umbrella announced that he had contributed 100 million won to support students at his alma mater. From 2019 to 2023, he provided scholarships to students at Gwangju International High School and Jeonnam Girls’ Commercial High School facing financial hardship — a pattern of giving that reflects his enduring ties to his hometown. With the latest contribution, he became the 14th member of the Green Noble Trinity Club, reserved for donors whose cumulative giving exceeds 1 billion won. His philanthropy extends beyond education. Proceeds from the “Human Hope: A Joopiter Special” auction, linked to his Human Made collaboration, were donated to animal welfare groups. The birthday boy separately contributed 200 million won to Asan Medical Center to support pediatric treatment, home medical care and psychological services for critically ill children. Such gestures have become a steady undercurrent in his public life. But they are, in many ways, an extension of the discipline and responsibility that have defined his career. From street dancer to center of gravity “I’m your HOPE, you’re my HOPE, I’m J-Hope.” Since BTS’s debut in 2013, the greeting has served as both signature and promise. Born Jeong Hoseok on Feb. 18, 1994, he joined Big Hit Entertainment in 2010 and debuted as the group’s main dancer and lead rapper. Before entering the idol system, he trained in popping at Joy Dance Academy in Gwangju and performed with the street crew Neuron under the nickname “Smile Hoya.” The street dancer never disappeared. His foundation in popping, wave techniques and freestyle remains visible in his stage work, lending BTS performances a sense of elasticity and rhythm that is difficult to replicate. Choreographer Son Sung-deuk and fellow members have repeatedly cited him as the group’s technical anchor — the performer who stabilizes timing, spacing and transitions when live stages become unpredictable. In a group built on precision, J-Hope has long functioned as its internal metronome. Building a solo identity His solo career unfolded alongside his group role, not in competition with it, but in dialogue. In 2018, his mixtape Hope World entered the Billboard 200, signaling that his appeal could stand independently. The following year, “Chicken Noodle Soup” revived a classic dance track for a new generation. With Jack In The Box in 2022, he pivoted sharply. The album replaced brightness with tension, playfulness with self-examination. Tracks such as “MORE” and “Arson” presented an artist willing to interrogate ambition, exhaustion and identity. In March 2023, “On the Street” returned to quieter ground, blending lo-fi hip-hop with reflections on his beginnings. His most commercially successful single to date, “Killin’ It Girl” featuring GloRilla, arrived in 2025, marking his strongest solo chart showing and reinforcing his growing international footprint. Projects such as HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1 in 2024 and “Sweet Dreams” in 2025 further expanded his stylistic range, reconnecting him with street dance while exploring R&B and melodic hip-hop. The pattern is consistent: experimentation anchored by craft. Service, return and continuity J-Hope completed his mandatory military service in June 2025 and formally resumed public activities soon afterward, rejoining a group preparing for its first full reunion in years. On stage, his defining elements remain intact — wave sequences, popping accents, controlled improvisation, and signature openings such as those in “MIC DROP.” Yet the performances now carry added weight: the assurance of an artist who has tested himself outside the group and returned with clearer intent. Within BTS, he continues to drive energy and cohesion. As a solo artist, he has built a catalog marked by steady growth rather than abrupt reinvention. And beyond music, his philanthropy has reinforced an image of responsibility that resonates quietly but persistently. In K-pop, optimism is often packaged as concept. For J-Hope, it has functioned more as practice. It appears in the discipline of rehearsal rooms, in the consistency of donations, in the willingness to take creative risks without abandoning fundamentals. It is visible in how he balances spectacle with substance, popularity with accountability. As BTS approaches its long-awaited return, J-Hope stands not as a symbol of nostalgia, but as evidence of maturation — an artist who has learned how to sustain momentum across changing eras. The greeting still opens performances. But after thirteen years, it sounds less like a slogan and more like a record of work done. The next installment will focus on RM. 2026-02-19 17:49:46 -
Korea's auto exports jump 21.7% to $6.07b, second-highest on record for Jan SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) -South Korea’s auto exports opened the year on a strong footing, extending momentum from a record 2025, as a weak won and resilient demand from Europe and other markets for hybrid and secondhand vehicles helped offset lingering tariff pressures in the United States. Outbound shipments in January rose 21.7 percent from a year earlier to $6.07 billion, the second-highest export total ever recorded for the month, according to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Thursday. The solid start follows a record $72 billion in auto exports in 2025, marking three consecutive years above the $70 billion threshold, driven by environmentally friendly vehicles and used-car exports. Hybrid vehicle exports reached $1.71 billion in January, up 85.5 percent on year, while electric vehicle exports increased 21.2 percent to $780 million. Eco-friendly models accounted for 42 percent of total auto export value during the month. By region, shipments to the United States rose 19.2 percent to $2.66 billion as tariff rate was lowered 15 percent from 25 part as a part of a trade deal reached in November. Exports to the European Union climbed 34.4 percent to $871 million, with other European markets surging 44.8 percent. Shipments also expanded to Latin America, Oceania and Africa. Exports to Asia, however, fell 30.1 percent, while those to the Middle East edged down 0.4 percent. In volume terms, auto exports increased 23.4 percent on year to 247,000 units. Eco-friendly vehicles accounted for 92,000 units, up 51.5 percent, representing 37.4 percent of total export volume. Domestic sales also strengthened. January auto sales rose 14 percent to 121,000 units, led by a 48.3 percent surge in eco-friendly vehicle sales to 58,000 units. Electric vehicle sales more than quintupled from a year earlier to 10,098 units. Production climbed 24.1 percent to 361,000 units, supported by both export and domestic demand. All five major automakers increased output from a year earlier, with Renault Korea posting a sharp rebound after temporary factory suspensions in early 2025 for electric vehicle facility upgrades. The ministry attributed the January gains partly to more working days compared with a year earlier, as this year’s Lunar New Year holiday fell in February rather than January. 2026-02-19 11:45:30 -
KOSPI least hit by broad foreigners' regional pullout ahead of long holiday SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) -South Korean shares ended slightly lower Thursday after touching fresh record highs, the least affected in the region by broad foreign withdrawals from East Asian markets ahead of a lengthy Lunar New Year break next week. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.28 percent to close at 5,507.01, snapping a four-day winning streak. The index climbed as high as 5,583.74 during the session, extending its record, before retreating in afternoon trading. Market flows remained volatile. Foreign investors sold a net 1.20 trillion won worth of shares, while individual and institutional investors posted modest net buying. Heavyweight stocks were mixed. Samsung Electronics gained 1.46 percent to 181,200 won, breaking above the 180,000-won level for the first time. SK hynix slipped 0.9 percent after briefly reclaiming the 900,000-won mark. Technology and battery-related shares underperformed, with LG Energy Solution and secondary battery stocks posting sharp losses, while selected industrial names showed relative resilience. On the secondary board, the KOSDAQ dropped 1.77 percent to 1,106.08, pressured by broad-based selling from foreign and institutional investors. In currency trading, the won weakened, with the dollar rising 3.30 won to 1,445.80, adding to cautious market sentiment. Postelection euphoria faded in Tokyo, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 losing 1.21 percent to 56,941.97. China’s Shanghai Composite slid 1.2 percent to 4,084.55, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.85 percent to 26,532.42. Looking ahead, Tokyo will operate as usual next week, while Seoul will reopen on Thursday, Hong Kong on Friday and Shanghai on Feb. 24 after the Lunar New Year holidays. 2026-02-13 16:11:00 -
Seollal in motion: More opt to travel, but tradition lives on SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - On a quiet winter morning, the scent of beef broth fills Korean homes. A carefully arranged table is set before elders. Children bow deeply, offering New Year’s greetings — “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo,” or “May you receive many blessings in the new year.” With a bowl of tteokguk, rice cake soup, another year of life officially begins. That is Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year. Observed on the first day of the lunar calendar, Seollal is one of the country’s most important traditional holidays. The official break typically runs for at least three days, during which families reunite to mark the beginning of the year. While often compared to Thanksgiving in the United States or Lunar New Year celebrations in China, Seollal is distinctive in its emphasis on ancestral rites performed within the home. On the morning of Seollal, many families hold charye, a memorial ritual honoring ancestors. Younger family members perform sebae, a formal bow to elders, who in return offer words of blessing and small cash gifts known as sebaetdon. These customs reinforce intergenerational respect and a sense of family continuity. At the center of the holiday meal is tteokguk. The white rice cake soup symbolizes renewal and purity, while its long, thin slices are traditionally associated with longevity. A common saying holds that one must eat tteokguk to “become a year older.” Although the clear-broth version is the most widely known, regional variations abound — from the oval-shaped rice cakes of Gaeseong-style soup to oyster-based versions in southeastern regions and dumpling-filled broths in Gangwon Province. After the rituals and meals, families often turn to traditional games. The most familiar is yutnori, a board game played by tossing four wooden sticks and moving tokens based on the result. Its simple rules allow children and grandparents alike to join in. In the past, Seollal also featured outdoor folk games such as jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), kite flying, spinning tops, tuho (throwing arrows into a container), and neolttwigi (a seesaw-like jumping game). In today’s urban neighborhoods, many of these activities are more commonly seen at cultural festivals or school programs. A Nation on the Move Seollal is also marked by one of the largest annual movements of people in South Korea. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, about 27.8 million trips are projected during the 2026 holiday period. While this is lower than the 32.07 million recorded in 2025, the decline largely reflects a shorter break — four days this year compared with six last year. On a daily basis, travel intensity is expected to rise, averaging 8.34 million people per day, up from 7.63 million the previous year. Highway traffic is forecast to peak at 6.15 million vehicles on Seollal itself, as travel compresses into a narrower time window. The concentration highlights how the structure of the holiday calendar shapes nationwide mobility patterns. At the same time, the meaning of Seollal has evolved. A recent survey found that 31.4 percent of respondents plan to travel during the holiday, with most choosing domestic destinations. While visiting one’s hometown was once the central obligation of the season, leisure travel is increasingly becoming part of the celebration. Smaller family sizes, changing work patterns and shifting social expectations have also altered how households observe the holiday. Some families shorten visits, rotate gatherings, or replace formal rituals with simpler meals. Yet even as formats change, certain symbols endure. The deep bow. The shared meal. The steaming bowl of tteokguk on a winter morning. These remain constant. 2026-02-13 14:34:19