AJU PRESS - ASIA NEWS HUB

Journalist

Kim Hee-su khs@ajuapress.com

[[K-Pop]] Soundtrack from K-pop anime tops Billboard Hot 100 again A scene from "KPop Demon Hunters." Courtesy of Netflix SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - One of the main theme songs from Netflix's hit South Korean anime has returned to the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. According to Billboard on Monday, "Golden" from the soundtrack of "KPop Demon Hunters" reclaimed the top spot on the U.S. singles chart this week, after slipping to second place behind American singer Alex Warren's "Ordinary" last week. The song, performed by South Korean-American singer-songwriter Ejae together with American singers Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, is one of the smash hits featured on the soundtrack of the anime, which is about a story of fictional K-pop superstars having "secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats." Billboard hailed the album's success, saying it "becomes the first soundtrack to generate four simultaneous top 10s over the chart's 67-year archives." Three other songs from the soundtrack such as "How It's Done," "Soda Pop" and "Your Idol" were also included in the top 10 of the chart. 2025-08-26 15:16:39
[[K-Pop]] Multinational units of K-pop girl group BlingOne meet fans in Seoul SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BlingOne, which has no South Korean members at all, held a fan event in Seoul on Monday as its Chinese and Peruvian unit members came together. Formed through the World K-Pop Center's global audition project "Click the Star," which aims to discover and nurture aspiring K-pop stars from 32 countries across the world, BlingOne began their journey with three Peruvian members in June last year and six Chinese members in February this year, while their Indonesia and South Korea units are expected to debut soon. The Chinese unit has since undergone some changes in its member lineup. "The group's name means 'to bling the world as one,'" said Yu Dong-ming of the center. "This is especially meaningful as it marks the first time since their debut that the Peruvian and Chinese members have come together." In his opening remarks at the event, Peruvian Ambassador to South Korea Paul Duclos welcomed the multinational group's members, expressing his expectation for their "excellent performance" here. Highlighting K-pop's power to connect different countries, he added, "Their talent, abilities, and passion for music also serve as a symbol of friendship and unity." The girls also expressed their excitement. "I've always missed my fans, and I'm overwhelmed to be here in such a special place," said Chinese member Chloe. Reflecting on the days she dreamed of making her debut, Peruvian member Mia said, "Being able to meet fans and connect with them at this up-close and personal event is truly a great gift." Cristina, 23, a Peruvian fan who attended the event with her sister, said, "I married a South Korean man and currently live here, but I became a fan of BlingOne after seeing their performance in Peru while visiting my family." Meanwhile, BlingOne will perform at a music festival this weekend in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, along with various singers and performers including Ailee, Chungha, Rain, Triple S, and Xiumin of EXO. 2025-08-26 10:09:39
Modern take on Joseon royal ritual staged in Seoul SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - When the lights go down, more than 40 dancers move in unison across a massive stage. As they perform, audiences are immersed in "One Dance" ("Ilmu" in Korean), the ceremonial dance of the royal ancestral ritual at Jongmyo Shrine, accompanied by music dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. With minimal stage props, the stage is filled only by the flowing sleeves of dancers dressed in white, orange, green, and blue hanbok, traditional South Korean attire. Their movements scatter outward and then return to order, creating a rhythm of harmony. A media showcase event by the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theater opened Thursday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, where it will run for four days through Sunday. The show offers a modern reinterpretation of "Ilmu," part of Jongmyo Jeryeak, which has been designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by both the South Korean government and UNESCO. Now in its fourth year, this year's production features upgraded lighting and visual design, along with new dancers. The show has garnered international acclaim, with sold-out performances in New York in 2023 following its 2022 premiere, and has since been staged annually in Seoul. Director Jung Ku-ho explained the stage structure, saying, "In the traditional Jongmyo Jeryeak, 64 dancers form lines in the square courtyard of the shrine. We tried to reconstruct that framework in a modern way on stage, simple but powerful." He added that he used "two open rectangular frames" to create "shifting architectural forms that float and come together, making a square, seen from different angles above and below." Choreographer Jung Hye-jin said, "'Ilmu' is not only the dance of the Jongmyo ritual but also a dance of alignment. The show was inspired by the idea of dancers moving in line and incorporates elements of South Korean folk dance expressed in a contemporary style across four acts. The final act, 'Shin Ilmu' ('New Ilmu'), is a newly created choreography." She continued, "If the traditional 'Ilmu' is a static dance with energy directed inward, the contemporary version seeks to release that energy outward with stronger expression. Tradition and modernity merge to reveal a new movement in the finale." Choreographer Kim Sung-hoon elaborated on the costumes, saying, "The dancers wear blue tops, red pants, and a white centerpiece to symbolize the Taegukgi (the South Korean national flag). Some formations even visualize the flag's design in motion." "Every breath has to be synchronized. Every dancer devoted countless hours to perfecting even the smallest gestures, demanding both intense focus and mental strength," said Choi Tae-hun, principal dancer of the theater. Following its Seoul run, the show will be staged in Gangneung, Gangwon Province next Friday and in Daegu Metropolitan City from Sept. 4 to 5. 2025-08-22 16:50:28
South Korean officials in Washington to finalize tariff talks before Lee-Trump summit SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - South Korea's top trade officials met with their U.S. counterparts in Washington on Thursday, just four days ahead of the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to fine-tune key trade issues, particularly those tied to last month's tariff agreement. Yeo returned to the U.S. less than a month after concluding a deal on July 30, narrowly beating the deadline set by Trump to avoid a 25 percent tariff hike. While the two countries have agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent, Thursday’s talks focused on finalizing the technical details to be addressed during Monday’s summit at the White House. After his July visit, Yeo told reporters, "further negotiations would continue," explaining that only the tariff rate had been agreed upon at that stage. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is also scheduled to arrive in Washington on Friday. He is expected to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, along with other senior officials. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the early arrival of key trade and industry ministers is intended to “thoroughly prepare” for the upcoming summit on August 25. 2025-08-22 14:48:20
[[K-Pop]] BTS member Jungkook's song garners 2.5 billion streams on Spotify SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - "Seven," a song by Jungkook, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, has garnered over 2.5 billion streams on the world's largest streaming site Spotify, his management agency BigHit Music said on Thursday. Released in July 2023, the song, a serenade about wanting to spend every day with a loved one, became the first K-pop single to achieve the feat and also set a record by remaining on Spotify's global weekly chart for more than 100 consecutive weeks. Earlier, the song was recognized by Guinness World Records as the fastest song by a male artist, having attracted 100 million streams in just about a week after its release. Meanwhile, the seven-member band will release their new album early next year and embark on a large-scale world tour. They have been staying in the U.S. since last month to prepare for the album. 2025-08-21 14:52:23
Ex-first lady's detention period extended to late this month SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - Independent prosecutors investigating multiple allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee can now hold her longer, as her detention period has been extended until the end of this month. In a press statement on Wednesday, prosecutors said the Seoul Central District Court had extended her detention for another 10 days until Aug. 31, as her detention period was set to expire this week. Kim has been detained at a remand prison in southern Seoul since early last week over multiple charges of accepting bribes including a luxury handbag and jewelry, being involved in a stock manipulation scheme, and interfering in candidate nominations during the 2022 by-elections. She was scheduled to appear for questioning later in the day, but she did not show up, citing poor health. During her previous questioning, she reportedly denied all allegations and claimed she couldn't remember. Prosecutors have now rescheduled her questioning and asked her to appear on Thursday. 2025-08-20 17:48:33
Spanish film starring South Korean footballer set for release next month SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - Midfielder Yang Jae-woo, who currently plays for Spanish football team Móstoles CF, has taken a leading role in the Iberian country's upcoming film, slated for release next month. Based on Venezuelan author Ariana Godoy's popular web-based novel, "Sigue Mi Voz" (Follow My Voice) tells the story of a young woman who leads a reclusive life but gradually opens up to the world after being moved by the voice of a late-night radio host, portrayed by Yang. Yang, fluent in both Korean and Spanish, reportedly earned the role through an audition, becoming the first South Korean to star in a Spanish film, though a few others have previously appeared in supporting roles. He moved to Spain when he was 11 years old after being recruited by Villarreal CF's youth team in 2012 and has lived there since. The romantic film is set to hit local theaters there on Sept. 12. 2025-08-20 15:37:23
Two dead, several injured after train hits railway workers in Cheongdo SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - Two men were killed and five others were injured after a passenger train struck a group of railway workers on the tracks in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, police said on Tuesday. The accident occurred around 10:50 a.m. when a train bound for Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, that had departed from Dongdaegu, collided with seven workers inspecting railway damage caused by recent heavy rainfall. There were 89 passengers aboard the train, but no injuries among them have been reported so far. The exact cause of the accident is under investigation, and police are also examining whether the workers complied with safety regulations. 2025-08-19 16:58:44
[[K-Film]] Bong Joon-ho's early short available for screening next week SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's early short film is set for release at local theaters in Seoul next week, multi-screen chain Megabox said on Tuesday. "Incoherence" was chosen to launch the chain's monthly project showcasing renowned filmmakers' early works and short films by up-and-coming directors. The 30-minute short, made by Bong in 1994 as his graduation project for a film institute, is an omnibus with humorous satire of hypocritical elites. Despite having only a limited release at several Megabox theaters starting Aug. 27, the film is expected to attract his avid fans and film buffs eager to trace the early works of Bong, who has directed many acclaimed films including "Parasite," which won multiple Oscars in 2020. 2025-08-19 14:29:27
Lee's approval rating falls to lowest since taking office SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has slid further to the lowest since he took office in early June. According to a survey of over 2,000 voters conducted by pollster Realmeter last week and released on Monday, some 51.1 percent of respondents said Lee was doing well in his job while 44.5 percent said he wasn't. His approval rating fell 5.4 percentage points from the previous week and 12.2 points compared with two weeks earlier, when it stood at 63.3 percent. Realmeter speculated that the decline was largely due to his pardons of several controversial political figures including former Justice Minister and ex-leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party Cho Kuk, who was serving a prison term for corruption and document forgery related to his children's university admissions, and Yoon Mi-hyang, the former head of a charity for wartime sex slavery victims, who was handed a three-year suspended sentence last year for embezzling donations, among others. Amid public criticism over their wrongdoings and irregularities, the two remain unremorseful, claiming their cases were politically motivated by the previous administration. In a separate survey of about 1,000 voters conducted during the same week, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) earned 39.9 percent support, falling below 40 percent for the first time in about seven months, as Lee's approval rating tumbled. But the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) rose 6.4 percentage points to 36.7 percent, narrowing the gap with the DP. Meanwhile, a commemorative stamp marking the 100th day of Lee's inauguration will be issued next month. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, a strip of the stamps will be available for purchase at Korea Post on Sept. 11, with prices ranging from 430 won to 27,000 won (about US$0.22 to $19.50). . 2025-08-18 16:35:38