Journalist
Kang Min seon
mingtung@ajunews.com
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BTS’ Jimin and V Share Message Ahead of Gwanghwamun Comeback Concert BTS members Jimin and V shared their thoughts with fans ahead of a concert set for Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area. V wrote on the global fan platform Weverse on the 20th that he was nervous because it had been a while since he performed on stage, but said he was preparing to show what the group had worked on. “Our biggest wish is that the show ends safely without anyone getting hurt,” he wrote. “On the day of the concert, please enjoy it with a relaxed mindset and an atmosphere where we look out for each other. I think that will make it an even more beautiful day.” He added, “Thank you for always supporting us. I love you. I missed you a lot, too. See you tomorrow!” Jimin also posted a message to fans the same day. “Finally today — I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day,” he wrote. “So I’m excited, but also anxious. Thank you. See you in a bit. ARMY, I love you.” Earlier, BTS released its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” at 1 p.m. on the 20th. A comeback group live broadcast, “STUDIO NOTES ARIRANG,” is scheduled for 2 p.m. the same day on the group’s Weverse team channel. A concert titled “BTS Comeback Live ARIRANG” is set for 8 p.m. on the 21st in the Gwanghwamun Square area. “ARIRANG,” BTS’ first new album in three years and nine months, is reported to include 14 tracks, including the title song “SWIM.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 14:42:51 -
New Look at Kim Si-seup, Early Korean Travel Writer Linked to King Danjong □ A book to read alongside the film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ The film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ is drawing strong interest, and many viewers have been moved by the death of the ill-fated King Danjong. Not shown in the movie, however, Kim Si-seup (pen name Maewoldang) is a key figure in the Danjong story. Kim’s decision to set out on wide-ranging travels, described as “tangyu,” grew out of anger over Grand Prince Suyang’s seizure of the throne. According to Yi Geung-ik’s , Kim collected the bodies of five of the Six Martyred Ministers — including Seong Sam-mun and Bak Paeng-nyeon — buried them at Noryangjin and marked the graves with small stones. Kim also held a “chohonje,” a rite to summon Danjong’s spirit, at Donghaksa temple in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province. The article also recounts an episode involving Han Myeong-hoe. After seeing Han’s writing at a pavilion at Apgujeong — “靑春扶社稷(young, he supports the state) 白首臥江湖(old, he rests by rivers and lakes)” — Kim rewrote it as “靑春危社稷(young, he endangers the state) 白首汚江湖(old, he sullies rivers and lakes).” The book introduced here traces Kim’s life from birth to death in chronological, accessible prose. On-site photographs throughout aim to bring him closer to readers as a vivid, present figure. Kim is described as a prodigy who wrote classical Chinese poetry at age 3 and read the Confucian classics from age 5. The book says his early promise was blunted by personal loss — the deaths of his mother, maternal grandmother and King Sejong in succession. His father took a stepmother, and the word “father” does not appear even once in Kim’s writings, the book says. The coup known as the Gyeyu Jeongnan, in which Suyang seized the throne, pushed Kim’s life in a direction opposite what those around him expected. Studying at Jungheungsa temple on Bukhansan, Kim heard the news and burned all the books he had. After three days in seclusion with his door locked, he chose “tangyu” — traveling across Joseon to see the land firsthand and feel the hardships of ordinary people. The book follows where he went, what he saw and thought, and what he wrote. It says he ultimately relied on Buddhist temples and died at Muryangsa temple in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province. □ Recasting Kim as Korea’s first travel writer and first novelist The book also seeks to reposition Kim as Korea’s first travel writer and first novelist. He is widely known as a figure of principle, but his role as the author of , described here as Korea’s first novel, is less recognized. The five stories in are all set in Korea, with characters and settings tied to historical events such as the Red Turban Rebellion and Japanese pirate raids, the book says. It also notes the work’s imaginative use of folk motifs — ghosts, an undersea dragon palace, the king of the underworld and a wager with the Buddha. The book says Kim was also the first to travel widely across the country, from Sinuiju in the far north to the southern coast, a feat requiring unusual resolve in the early Joseon period. As he traveled, he recorded cultural heritage in verse, and his journeys became a creative process of empathizing with people’s lives and documenting historical sites. It adds that much of his life on the road took place in his 20s and 30s. □ Temples, shrines, stone steles and portraits: Tracking Kim’s traces nationwide The book’s other feature is its detailed mapping of sites linked to Kim across the country. It records, and shows in current photographs, where to find Muryangsa in Buyeo, which has a stupa said to hold his relics; 13 shrines housing his spirit tablet; 11 stone monuments engraved with his poems; and six locations with portraits of him. The author says such detail was possible through field visits, and the material is aimed at readers who want to follow Kim’s footsteps. So Jong-seop was born in 1966 at Muryangsa temple in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province. He served as editor-in-chief at Sisa Journal and at Asia Economy. He is currently political desk chief at Asia Economy and hosts the YouTube channel ‘So Jong-seop’s Current Affairs Show.’ In 2011, he founded the Maewoldang Kim Si-seup Memorial Association and serves as its president, and he has led 60 ‘Kim Si-seup field trips’ to date. He also runs the YouTube channel ‘So Jong-seop’s Common Sense School.’ He has written several books, including , , and . * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 13:58:38 -
David Golf’s Advancer Line Sells Out as Demand Surges for Key Models David Golf said golfers have shown strong interest in its Advancer lineup, with some models selling out shortly after release. The company said the Advancer No. 3 fairway wood sold out quickly in February, and the Advancer Max driver in the 9-degree model has also exhausted its initial supply, underscoring demand. On-course feedback has been clear, the company said, with golfers saying forgiveness and distance have improved noticeably. The lineup is being credited with reducing pressure on accuracy while still delivering stable distance in play. Kim Hyun-tae, a director at David Golf, said multiple tour professionals, including Lee Ji-hoon and Cho Young-jae — both described as KPGA two-time winners — have chosen Advancer as a new weapon for the 2026 season. He said results for players who switched clubs have improved significantly from the previous year, driving steady interest and inquiries from golfers seeking better performance. David Golf describes the Advancer lineup as a “Score Changer,” saying it was developed to focus on real results on the course — improved scores — rather than only feel at impact or psychological satisfaction. The company said it showcased the Advancer lineup at the “2026 PGA Show,” described as the world’s largest golf expo, and drew interest from global buyers. It said it is preparing to enter overseas markets and expand sales with about 100 buyers. David Golf said additional inventory of the Advancer fairway wood has arrived and sales have resumed. Preorders for the Advancer Max driver in the 9-degree model are available through the company’s official Naver Shopping store, with deliveries to begin rolling out in early April.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 09:48:00 -
Book Claims AI and Cell Science Could Enable Healthy Living to Age 200 A new book argues that humanity’s long-held goal of living a long life in good health is moving closer to reality through the convergence of artificial intelligence and cellular science. BookLab recently published “AI 200se Mubyeongjangsu” (“AI: Healthy Longevity to Age 200”). The book challenges the idea that aging is an unavoidable law of nature, redefining it as a condition that can be managed and treated, and it lays out what it calls a scientific roadmap toward a 200-year lifespan. The book is co-authored by four specialists: Park Sang-cheol, described as a world-renowned scholar in aging studies in South Korea; Lee Hee-won, a CEO who has led development of third-generation human digital twin technology; Kang Si-cheol, a doctor who has worked for more than 30 years in advanced-technology humanities and AI medicine; and Lim Gyu-seong, a clinic director who leads AI health care research and distributes practical health solutions. The authors align their approach with Harvard Medical School professor David Sinclair’s aging research, and they argue that, with aging now listed in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases, reversing aging is no longer fantasy but a medical task. A central theme is Park’s proposed shift in thinking that “aging is an active defense process for survival.” At the core of the book is technology it describes as using AI to decode signals from the human body. It examines how key aging indicators — including telomeres, mitochondria and the epigenome — interact with AI, and it portrays AI as a kind of “human body translator” that precisely analyzes an individual’s metabolic fingerprint to produce optimal, real-time health solutions. The book also highlights personalized precision nutrition, arguing that people can respond differently to the same foods depending on biological traits. It presents the possibility of AI-designed diets and “life design,” and calls for a “life integrated dashboard” that spans finances, relationships and lifelong learning in preparation for a 200-year era, aiming not only to extend lifespan but to improve quality of life. It also introduces the Genobiofit solution devised by Lee based on his own health recovery experience. The book describes it as a practical approach developed as an alternative for people who have difficulty exercising, intended to scientifically activate mitochondrial function. Book information is as follows: The title is “AI 200se Mubyeongjangsu,” co-authored by Lee Hee-won, Park Sang-cheol, Kang Si-cheol and Lim Gyu-seong. The publisher is BookLab Co. The ISBNs are 979-11-7598-171-3 for the print edition and 979-11-7598-172-0 for the e-book.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-18 15:03:39 -
Yamaha Korea, Hyundai SangGong Motors Show 2026 Sports Boats and Outboards at KIBS Yamaha Korea’s Hyundai SangGong Motors took part in the 19th Korea International Boat Show (KIBS), showcasing 2026-model sports boats, outboard motors and other marine leisure products, the company said, calling the exhibition a success. The event was held March 6-8 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, drawing large numbers of marine leisure industry officials and visitors from Korea and abroad. KIBS, co-hosted by Gyeonggi Province and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, is the country’s largest marine leisure industry exhibition, featuring yachts, boats and marine equipment. Organizers also describe it as one of Asia’s three major boat shows. This year’s show was held alongside the Korea International Fishing Show and the Camping & Picnic Fair, offering a broader look at marine leisure and outdoor industry trends. At the exhibition, Yamaha Korea Hyundai SangGong Motors highlighted new products including the “2026 Sports Boat 255XD.” The model won KIBS’ Product of the Year award in the overseas category for boats, yachts and personal watercraft, the company said. The 255XD delivers a combined output of more than 500 horsepower and includes Yamaha technologies such as WakeBooster, DRIVE-X and Cool Touch soft seats. The company said it is optimized for wake surfing and wakeboarding. The company also displayed 2026-model WAVERUNNER personal watercraft. It said the PWC line is a flagship model for Yamaha Marine, which is marking its 40th anniversary, and features agile handling, strong power and durability. Yamaha also expanded its outboard lineup, unveiling four new models for the first time at the show: the F400AST2, F350BST2, F200SET and F250SET. The F400AST2 and F350BST2 apply DES digital electronic steering, which the company said is the first such system for outboards. The electric-powered system is designed to improve steering convenience and simplify installation and maintenance. A pearl white color option was added alongside the existing gray. The F200SET and F250SET use a 4,169cc large-displacement engine for higher output. The company said weight was reduced through lightweighting technology while durability was strengthened. With the DEC system, the models also allow more precise throttle control. A separate booth offered hands-on demonstrations of Yamaha’s next-generation integrated boat control platform, HELM MASTER EX. Visitors could try features including autopilot and joystick control, the company said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-16 09:03:41 -
Mobile Appliance Adds Aerospace, Science and Technology Experts to Board Mobile Appliance, a KOSDAQ-listed company, is accelerating its future strategy by bringing in top experts in aerospace and science and technology. The company said it held a board meeting on the 13th and disclosed that it decided to appoint key figures in national science and technology policy and aerospace as registered directors, including two former vice ministers of the Ministry of Science and ICT, a Seoul National University aerospace engineering professor and a former senior official from a national intelligence agency. The newly appointed directors are Lee Sang-mok, former first vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT; Choi Jae-yu, former second vice minister of the ministry; Jeon Sang-hoon, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Seoul National University; Kim Jong-su, former director at a national agency; and Moon Kyung-ju, a representative tax accountant at Wooridle Tax Corp. The company said forming a science-and-technology-focused board that includes senior officials who oversaw government science, technology and satellite policy, along with aerospace specialists, is rare among listed companies in South Korea. Industry observers said the appointments appear to be a strategic move aimed at entering next-generation technology businesses. A company official said the board overhaul was a strategic decision to move beyond its existing businesses and become an advanced technology company, adding that it plans to pursue new businesses step by step in areas including aerospace, advanced technology and global projects. An industry official called it highly unusual to have both government science and technology policy figures and aerospace experts on the same board, saying it signals a strong intent to expand beyond its existing automotive electronics and IT solutions business into major new ventures such as satellite communications, AI-based advanced solutions, and space and aviation-related technology. The official said market attention to the company’s new-business strategy is expected to rise. Separately, the company said its current management will be replaced at a regular shareholders meeting at the end of this month. It said it plans to strengthen an independent, professional manager-led management system based on an advanced governance structure that clearly separates the roles of major shareholders and management. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-13 16:21:18 -
Hyundai Sungwoo Group Expands Indigo Junior Program to Develop Young Racing Drivers Hyundai Sungwoo Group said it is continuing to back promising drivers through its Indigo Junior Program, an initiative aimed at expanding South Korea’s motorsports base and developing the next generation of racing talent. The group said it held a sponsorship signing ceremony March 9 at the Indigo Camp in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, with drivers Kwon O-tak and Shin Ga-won. Under the agreement, the two will receive support from Hyundai Sungwoo Group and Solite Indigo Racing, including technical assistance, professional coaching and mentoring designed to help them keep improving as drivers. Launched in 2020, the Indigo Junior Program is a talent-development effort for young drivers with growth potential, intended to help them advance into competitive professional racing. Hyundai Sungwoo Group said the program is part of its broader push to energize the domestic motorsports industry while identifying and nurturing talent over the long term. The program is structured as a step-by-step development system rather than a simple sponsorship, the company said. It supports drivers from kart racing through higher-level touring car competition, including TCR, by providing staged opportunities to train and gain experience. Kwon, 16, and Shin, 18, were selected after strong results in domestic kart and racing events, the group said. Kwon finished first overall in the 2025 KIC Kart Racing Cup Senior season and also won the 2025 Motoarena Kart Racing Cup season overall. Shin, a female driver, finished first overall in the 2025 RMC Senior season and placed second in the 2025 Radical Cup Korea R4·R6 class. Solite Indigo Racing said it plans to provide sponsorship funding along with mentoring and training programs, drawing on its overseas race experience and team-management know-how to help the drivers build competitiveness at home and abroad. An official from Hyundai Sungwoo Group called the Indigo Junior Program “a long-term development project” designed to help promising domestic drivers grow systematically in a stable environment. The official said drivers such as Lee Chang-wook of Kumho SLM and Park Jun-ui of Solite Indigo Racing have advanced through the program and are now active on various stages in South Korea and overseas. The official added that the group will continue investing to broaden the base of South Korean motorsports and strengthen global competitiveness. Hyundai Sungwoo Group is an auto-parts-focused group centered on holding company Hyundai Sungwoo Holdings. Its affiliates include Hyundai Sungwoo Casting, which makes alloy wheels and cast products, and Hyundai Sungwoo Solite, which specializes in lead-acid batteries, including automotive batteries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-13 10:00:14 -
Internet Newspaper Ethics Committee Completes First 2026 Training for New Reporters The Internet Newspaper Ethics Committee, chaired by Lee Jae-jin and known as the “Inshin Yunwi,” said it held the first session of its “2026 Basic Training for New Internet Newspaper Reporters” over two days, from the 10th to the 11th, at the Korea Press Foundation’s Media Education Center. The program was attended by more than 20 new reporters from outlets that have pledged to take part in the committee’s voluntary self-review system. The committee said the training was designed to help new reporters build core reporting and writing skills while strengthening ethics awareness and digital capabilities needed in a changing news environment. The course was jointly operated with the Korea Press Foundation. The curriculum focused on practical skills, including straight-news writing theory and exercises, Korean spelling and dictionary use, suicide coverage and reporting ethics, internet media ethics and self-review cases, and the use of generative AI for reporting. Park Young-rye, head of the committee’s article review office, led a lecture on internet media ethics and self-review using real review cases. Song Sang-geun, a professor with a special appointment at Ewha Womans University’s Journalism Education Institute, taught writing theory and hands-on practice. Training programs run in cooperation with the National Institute of the Korean Language and the Korea Suicide Prevention Center, along with instruction on using generative AI, were also included. Participants were also required to complete the Korea Press Foundation Media Academy’s online course, “Practical Guidelines for Disaster Reporting,” before the end of the program, the committee said, making the training a comprehensive course that also covers disaster-reporting ethics. An Inshin Yunwi official said the program was created to help new reporters systematically learn the basic qualifications of journalists and strengthen practical reporting skills. The official said the committee hopes the training will help participants grow into journalists trusted in the field and said it will continue regular education programs to promote a responsible media environment. The committee said it plans to run the basic training course three times this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-12 11:21:09 -
SB Electric Deploys SolarDoctorPatch Monitoring on Vietnam Rooftop Solar Sites SB Electric, a solar power plant specialist, has deployed its panel-level monitoring solution, SolarDoctorPatch, at rooftop solar facilities on buildings in Vietnam’s Long An province and Ho Chi Minh City. The company said the project was carried out to apply panel-level monitoring and fire-safety technology at rooftop systems at an industrial facility and a newspaper company in Vietnam. At Songwol Towel’s factory in Long An, the rooftop solar plant, with a capacity of about 148.59 kilowatts, was upgraded from inverter-level monitoring to a panel-level control system. The site also added a rapid shutdown (RSD) function designed to cut voltage in an emergency. In central Ho Chi Minh City, the technology was piloted on one of four inverter sections at the rooftop solar plant at Tuổi Trẻ newspaper, a 17.70-kilowatt system. The building is in an environment where nearby structures create shading that reduces output. SB Electric said panel-level monitoring and booster equipment confirmed improved generation efficiency in shaded areas. “For rooftop solar plants and solar installations on urban buildings, panel-level monitoring and output-optimization technology are key factors that determine operating efficiency,” an SB Electric official said. The official added that the company plans to manage an expansion of the technology’s application to commercial and office buildings in urban areas based on the latest deployment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 10:03:19 -
ChungjuMan’s Kim Seon-tae launches personal YouTube channel, draws ad buzz in comments Online posts have highlighted a wave of promotional comments tied to the launch of a personal YouTube channel by Kim Seon-tae, known as “ChungjuMan” for running the official YouTube channel of Chungju city in North Chungcheong province. On March 5, multiple online communities circulated posts pointing to comments that appeared to show companies and public institutions boosting the new channel. The posts listed comments from more than 50 companies, including Kyobo Life Insurance, Kia, Lotte Wellfood, Binggrae, Samsung SDS, Samil Pharmaceutical, Speak and YouTube Korea. They also cited participation from more than 20 institutions, including the National Agricultural Museum, the National Institute of Ecology, the National Health Insurance Service, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Republic of Korea Army. In the comments, some wrote, “You said you want to make money, so we came. We’re here to plant a money tree to celebrate your YouTube opening,” and “Looks like there will be a long line of advertisers — should we line up on CatchTable?” Others added, “We heard you want to make money. We’re ready,” “We’ll make sure there are no tax issues all the way to the Blue House,” and “We’ll get in line first. Can we send a transfer?” Kim previously addressed his plans in a video posted March 3 titled “I’m Kim Seon-tae,” saying he “wanted to make more money.” His channel drew attention after surpassing 900,000 subscribers within three days of opening, and many companies have been sending advertising inquiries, according to the report. Some commenters reacting to the posts speculated about potential ad revenue, writing, “How much would the ad fees be if he takes all of that?” and “If you assume 20 to 30 million won per deal, just filming those would come to about 2 billion won in ad pay.” Others wrote, “Even just leaving a comment becomes viral in communities,” and “He quit being a public official to make money — the path is already laid out from the first try.” A separate post on Blind, an anonymous workplace community, showed criticism of Kim’s move. On March 5, a public official posted under the title “Chungju’s Kim Seon-tae is kind of cold,” arguing, “If you’re making a new promotional YouTube, you should bring the people from the same team with you.” The writer added, “With 800,000 subscribers, it becomes a company, and you need staff,” and said that because they were on the same team and appeared in videos together, “there’s some bond, but he’s going out alone.” Another public official responded, “There are a lot of gloomy public officials. They have no ability, but they’re the best at criticizing others.” Kim earned the nickname “ChungjuMan” while handling production and operations for Chungju’s promotional YouTube content, the report said. It also said he submitted a resignation letter to the personnel department on the 13th and then began a long leave. At the time, Kim said, “After 10 years in public service and seven years living as ChungjuMan, I’m now going to say goodbye.” He added, “The fact that someone as lacking as me was lucky enough to succeed was thanks to subscribers’ support.” He also said, “I want to thank the citizens of Chungju who supported me and my colleagues at Chungju City Hall who always showed consideration. The seven years I spent with you were the happiest time of my life. I hope you will continue to love Chungju.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-05 09:58:02