AJU PRESS - ASIA NEWS HUB

Journalist

Abraham Kwak khs@ajunews.com

[[K-Pop]] Stray Kids break record, topping Billboard 200 for seventh time SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids have claimed their seventh No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with their latest full-length album. According to Billboard's preview on Sunday, the group's latest album "Karma" debuted atop the chart, surpassing the soundtrack album of Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." "All seven of the group's Billboard 200 chart entries have debuted at No. 1, beginning with 'Oddinary' in 2022," it said. Since first topping the chart with "Oddinary" in 2022, the group has achieved consecutive No. 1 debuts with "Maxident," "ATE," "Hop," and three more albums, becoming the K-pop group with the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. The record surpasses K-pop juggernaut BTS, which notched six No. 1s on the chart. Their latest album, released on Aug. 22, contains 11 tracks, including the title song "Ceremony," which reflects the group’s growth through overcoming various conflicts. Debuting in March 2018 through a reality show of the same name, the group produces much of its own music through a unit 3RACHA, composed of members Bang-chan, Chang-bin, and Han. With their hip-hop–based sound, the eight members have built a distinctive style through powerful performances. Critics praised the group's artistry. Music critic Lim Hee-yoon said their success came from "sticking to their own color rather than relying on foreign producers or features," while Jeong Min-jae said that "their participation in songwriting has shaped their individuality, though the group still lacks a hit in South Korea." 2025-09-01 13:12:47
South Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-jun wins again over visa denial SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - A Seoul court has once again ruled in favor of South Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-jun, ordering the cancellation of the government's decision to deny him a visa to enter the country. The Seoul Administrative Court on Thursday sided with the 48-year-old singer, also known by his U.S. name Steve Seung-jun Yoo, in his third lawsuit against the South Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles, which had repeatedly rejected his visa applications. Yoo, once a popular singer in South Korea, was banned from entering the country in 2002 after he obtained U.S. citizenship to avoid mandatory military service, just three months after pledging to enlist. He applied for an F-4 overseas Korean visa at the LA consulate in 2015, citing a law allowing those over 38 years old who had renounced South Korean nationality to be eligible. However, the consulate repeatedly denied his requests despite multiple Supreme Court rulings in his favor in 2020 and 2023, citing concerns that his entry could harm national interests. In this third ruling, the consulate argued that granting Yoo a visa could undermine public order, but the court rejected the claim, saying the grounds were insufficient. The court added that the ruling does not mean Yoo's past actions were appropriate, dismissing a separate case he filed against the Ministry of Justice seeking to nullify the ministry's 2002 entry ban. Still, his return to South Korea remains uncertain as the ban remains valid. The consulate may continue to deny his visa unless the ministry lifts the ban. 2025-08-29 16:54:01
US Senator emphasizes balance between nuclear deterrence and USFK flexibility SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) -A United States senator said Thursday that Washington can uphold its nuclear deterrence commitment to South Korea while keeping U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) flexible enough to respond to wider challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat representing New Jersey, made the comments at a Capitol press conference as the U.S. considers expanding the operational scope of the 28,500 USFK troops under the concept of "strategic flexibility." The idea not only covers deterring North Korea but also countering China and handling other regional contingencies. "We can guarantee extended deterrence while having strategic flexibility," Kim said. "That means we can support the defense of the Korean Peninsula and still have the ability to respond to contingencies across the Indo-Pacific." His remarks came a day after President Lee Jae Myung told reporters that Seoul was reluctant to accept Washington's push for more flexibility in USFK operations ahead of his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Kim suggested, however, that flexibility is unavoidable given the shifting regional balance, describing the Indo-Pacific as a "very dynamic and potentially dangerous" environment. The senator also underlined that the current force level should remain intact. "I do not believe we should change the force level unless there is a mutual agreement between the two allies. The U.S. must not unilaterally cut troops as happened in past administrations," he said. Kim added that any unilateral moves by Washington would damage the alliance. "If the U.S. were to take unilateral actions without consultation with Seoul, it would send the wrong message to other countries about the status of the U.S.-South Korea alliance," he said. 2025-08-29 14:13:07
Skin clinics top choice for foreign medical tourists in South Korea SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - More than half of foreign patients who visited South Korea last year visited skin clinics, medical statistics reveal. According to a report by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) released on Thursday, of the 1.17 million foreigners who received medical treatments here last year, some 705,044 visited skin-related clinics, accounting for 56.6 percent, a whopping 117-fold increase from a mere 6,015 in 2009. The next most frequent treatment was cosmetic surgery at 11.4 percent, followed by internal medicine (10 percent) and health check-ups (4.5 percent). By nationality, the majority of foreign patients were Japanese (37.7 percent) and Chinese (22.3 percent), together accounting for about 60 percent. They were followed by Americans (8.7 percent), Taiwanese (7.1 percent), and Thais (3.3 percent). Meanwhile, medical tourism continues to grow, with foreign patient numbers surpassing 1 million for the first time last year. Out of some 7 million foreign visitors here during the first five months of this year, nearly 6 million or about 80 percent shopped at cosmetics retailer Olive Young, according to a straw poll last month amid the soaring popularity of South Korean beauty products overseas. 2025-08-28 16:10:41
[[K-Pop]] BTS' 'Fake Love' racks up over 1 billion streams on Spotify SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Another song by K-pop juggernaut BTS has surpassed 1 billion streams on the world's largest streaming site Spotify, according to their management agency BigHit Music this week. "Fake Love" from their third full-length album "Love Yourself: Tear" reached the milestone last Sunday since its release in May 2018, becoming the septet's fifth song to do so after "Dynamite," "My Universe," "Butter," and "Boy With Luv." The song, which conveys the heartbreak of realizing that a love once thought to be fate was actually a lie, peaked at No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 just two weeks after its release. Meanwhile, BTS member Jungkook's "3D," featuring American rapper Jack Harlow, recently surpassed 1 billion streams, joining his earlier hits like "Left and Right," "Seven," and "Standing Next to You." He now has the most billion-stream songs of any K-pop solo artist on Spotify. 2025-08-27 16:32:25
[[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