Journalist

Kang Min-seon
  • Statement Defending Streamer “Gwagjuice Seyeon” Spreads Amid Cosmetics Collaboration Backlash
    Statement Defending Streamer “Gwagjuice Seyeon” Spreads Amid Cosmetics Collaboration Backlash A natural-ingredient dermocosmetics brand has come under fire over a collaboration with streamer Gwagjuice Seyeon, as a statement defending her spread online and fueled further debate. On the 24th, online communities and social media widely shared a statement from the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, known as Hansa-seong. Titled “We Reject the Divide Between ‘Mainstream’ and ‘Underground,’” it criticizes attacks on women who work as internet broadcast “BJ” streamers and the broader social stigma surrounding them. The group said similar controversies keep recurring, citing cases in which criticism surged after a female BJ partnered with a cosmetics brand and the company later issued an apology. It also pointed to past instances in which TV appearances or brand collaborations were canceled after complaints, arguing that certain content creators are subject to social labeling and exclusion. Hansa-seong said there is a perception that women who earn money using sexual expression should “remain underground,” calling it a discriminatory standard that divides what is considered normal from what is not. “Judging women by ‘rank’ based on their sexuality is a problem,” it said, adding that such attitudes can lead to secondary harm against victims of sexual violence. The statement also argued that demanding certain people be pushed out of society and kept out of sight amounts to hatred, and said women of diverse backgrounds should be able to participate equally in society. The statement drew substantial criticism online as well. Some users said it goes too far to label all criticism of profiting from sexual content as hatred, while others argued it is a logical leap to frame issues of free expression and market choice solely as discrimination. Other commenters said it is inappropriate to place debates over social acceptance on the same level as issues involving sexual violence victims, and questioned interpreting corporate marketing decisions and consumer reactions as “exclusion.” Founded in 2017, the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center presents itself as a women’s rights group. Its main activities include opposing illegal filming and requesting takedowns. It is not known to be a government agency, and it has previously defended Megalia and Womad. 2026-04-24 11:24:26
  • Mosuseoul Apologizes After Customer Alleges Wine Vintage Switch; Online Backlash Follows
    Mosuseoul Apologizes After Customer Alleges Wine Vintage Switch; Online Backlash Follows A wine service dispute at Mosu, the Michelin three-star fine-dining restaurant run by chef Ahn Sung-jae, has drawn attention online after the restaurant posted an apology and commenters criticized its wording. Earlier, a customer identified as A wrote on a Naver cafe that during a visit to Mosuseoul, they ordered an expensive wine but believed a different wine was served. A said the sommelier held up a bottle described as a “2005” vintage and explained it as 2005, but after tasting the wine and checking the pairing list, the customer realized a 2000 vintage was supposed to be served. Mosuseoul posted an apology on its official social media account on the 23rd, saying it “bows its head in apology” over the matter that became known through an online community. The restaurant said that on the 19th, during wine pairing service, “accurate guidance was not provided,” causing confusion. It also apologized for not giving a sufficient explanation during follow-up communication, saying it caused “great disappointment.” Mosuseoul added that it separately apologized to the customer afterward and that the customer “generously accepted” it, but said the restaurant takes seriously that the process still fell short of expectations. “Chef Ahn Sung-jae and the entire Mosu team are taking this matter very seriously,” the statement said, adding that it would review overall service and prevent a recurrence. It said it would not stop at a “showy apology” and would work to rebuild trust with sincerity. Many online commenters reacted negatively to the apology, saying it avoided stating exactly what happened and lacked specific steps to prevent a repeat. Some also criticized the line that the customer “generously accepted” the apology, saying it sounded dismissive. One commenter wrote that the statement did not say what was done wrong, offered no prevention plan and did not mention any disciplinary action for the employee involved. Another said the issue appeared to be about trust, not simply a guidance problem, arguing the customer seemed disappointed by what they viewed as an attempt to gloss over the matter. 2026-04-24 09:39:48
  • BLACKPINK’s Jisoo’s Sister Kim Ji-yoon to Make TV Debut on tvN Survival Show
    BLACKPINK’s Jisoo’s Sister Kim Ji-yoon to Make TV Debut on tvN Survival Show BLACKPINK member Jisoo’s older sister will make her broadcast debut on a survival variety show set to air in May. The official social media account for tvN’s “Kill It: Style Creator War” recently announced that influencer Kim Ji-yoon, Jisoo’s sister, will appear on the program. A teaser video released with the post shows Kim, who has 550,000 followers and is known by the nickname “Gunpo Han Hyo-joo.” Kim’s casting comes as attention has focused on a separate controversy involving Jisoo’s older brother. He has faced allegations including illegal filming of sexual activity, an attempted sexual assault case involving a Gangnam-area BJ, and domestic violence. In the attempted sexual assault case, a court rejected a request for an arrest warrant, citing insufficient grounds to support the allegations. As the controversy grew, attorney Eun Hyun-ho of Kim & Chang, legal representative for Jisoo’s one-person agency Blissoo, said the matter “has absolutely nothing to do with the artist or Blissoo.” He said the artist received only limited advice from family members during preparations to establish the agency, adding that no family member has been paid by Blissoo or taken part in decision-making, and that the company “has since been run completely independently.” Some online commenters have questioned that statement, noting that the older brother’s name appears in the production credits for Netflix’s “Monthly Boyfriend,” in which Jisoo appeared. They also pointed to last year’s “Newtopia,” where his name was listed as “Jisoo manager,” keeping the dispute alive. 2026-04-24 08:39:20
  • Online Post Alleges Wine Switch at Seoul Fine-Dining Restaurant MOSU
    Online Post Alleges Wine Switch at Seoul Fine-Dining Restaurant MOSU A post alleging a wine switch at a Seoul fine-dining restaurant has spread online, fueling controversy. On the 21st, a user posted on an online cafe under the title, “I was served a swapped Chateau Leoville Barton vintage at MOSU (MOSU Seoul).” The writer, identified only as A, said the account was “based entirely on facts.” A said the issue arose during a meal with acquaintances when a pairing wine was served with one of the main dishes, “wood-fired Korean beef.” A said a sommelier presented and described a “2005” vintage bottle, but after tasting the wine and checking the pairing list, A realized the service was supposed to be a 2000 vintage. A said the aroma and flavor did not match what was expected for the ordered wine, prompting doubts during the meal that grew after checking information about the bottle. A said that when asking the restaurant to confirm whether the served wine matched what was ordered, the sommelier then explained that a 2000 vintage bottle had been ordered by the bottle and was downstairs, and offered to pour the 2000 vintage in a Bordeaux glass to taste. A said the wine that should have been properly served was the 2000 vintage, and that the two wines differed noticeably, “from the color to the aroma.” A also claimed the two vintages differ by 100,000 won in bottle price at the restaurant, and alleged the sommelier may have known from the start. A said that after requesting a photo of the bottle following the 2005 service, the sommelier said “just a moment” and brought out the 2000 vintage bottle instead. While acknowledging mistakes can happen and labels can look similar, A questioned whether such an error was plausible for a sommelier at a Michelin two-star restaurant, and criticized the response, saying there was no apology that day and the handling was disappointing. The post quickly spread through online communities and social media, drawing attention and debate, including speculation by some users that an actual switch may have occurred. The restaurant’s official position and the facts of the claim had not been confirmed as of publication, and some commenters said further verification is needed. 2026-04-23 08:45:17
  • Korea Talent Donation Association Delivers Supplies, Gifts to Seoul Orphanage
    Korea Talent Donation Association Delivers Supplies, Gifts to Seoul Orphanage The Korea Talent Donation Association, led by Chairman Choi Se-gyu, said it visited SOS Children’s Village in Sinwol-dong, Seoul’s Yangcheon District, on the 21st and held a ceremony to deliver daily necessities and gifts for children in need. The event was hosted by announcer Shim So-won. The association said donations and support were provided by Lee Wan-guk, chairman of Shambala CC; Yoon Jong-cheol, CEO of Utrax; Koo Bon-hoon, ESG committee chair at Samgu I&C; Lee Gi-sik, CEO of Hyosung ENG; Song Myeong-ui, chairman of Whale Food; Han Dong-bin, CEO of Winner Technology; Won Mi-hee, head of the Yeowoorak Arts Troupe; Yoo Jeong-yeol, CEO of Hi-Tech Yuil; Kim Dong-oh, CEO of Dongoh Construction; Kim Han-byeol, CEO of Philip Construction; Hwang Cheong-seong, honorary branch manager at Kyobo Life Insurance; Kim Seung-gi, an advisory member of the association; Ko Jeong-yong, CEO of Aizen Pharma Korea; Kim Hye-jeong, CEO of Neokim; Choi Gyu-hyeong, CEO of Daeil E&P; Kang Cheol-su, head of Ace Medical; and singer Jang Hae-ok of Hallyu Star Entertainment. It said Kim Young-gi, chairman of KuuKuu, and Hwang Eun-ju, president of Yonsei University FCEO Alumni Association, donated rice; Jang Jong-cheol, CEO of Imjin Industry, and Myung Jeong-gil, CEO of MG Company/ Tteurak Sangjo, donated ramen; Jung Mi-hwa, CEO of EK Book, donated children’s books; Kim Jeong-an, chairman of People Sharing Hope, donated daily necessities; Hong Seung-soon, CEO of Belcarino, donated wristwatches and wallets; Eo Jeon-gwi, described as the holder of a Guinness record related to one of the world’s three major bicycle categories, donated bicycle helmets; singer Kim Da-hyeon donated a seaweed set; and Ma Seung-hwan of Dalbit donated a kitchen dish set. Choi said, “Everyone is struggling because of high prices, but the warm spirit of giving has not cooled,” adding that “at times like this, it is important to deliver sincere support to places that need help.” He said the association would continue working to establish a sustainable culture of giving. The association said it works to support marginalized groups through volunteer talent donations. Its activities include free weddings for couples with disabilities, performances for military units and prisons, support for multicultural families, concerts to help child-headed households, startup consulting, free moving assistance and rural volunteer work. The association released a list of additional sponsors and attendees after the event: Kim Ju-hyeon; Song Soon-hee, team leader at Samsung Life Insurance’s Mokdong branch; Gong Mi-hwa, a Kyobo Life Insurance consultant; Han Jang-hyeon, CEO of Y&M Construction; Ha Chang-su; Kim Jin-hyeon, head of Lotte Art Planning; Park Myeong-rae, CEO of L&K Pharm; Kim Geum-ju; Choi Jeong-myeong; Jeong Seon-ja, an advisory member of the association; Choi Ji-young of Aranggung; Lee Seok-muk, division head at Builtone; Lee Sang-deok, head of Hanil Trading; Shin Jun-uk, head of Anyang Jungang Hanwoo Gopchang; poet Choi Hae-yeon; Park Ji-hu; Park Sang-jun (Ryu Jeong-a); Lee Sang-yoon, CEO of Hohyeon; Choi Sang-gwi, digital artist; Kim Sang-hyeon of the Incheon New Knowledge Association; Lee Yong-jin, an operations committee member of the association; Kim Ji-yoon, head of Samsung Real Estate; So Chun-seop, CEO of Inszone; Yoon Seung-ho, transportation business; Park Gyeong-seop, chairman of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Reporters Group; Lee Yeo-jin, a director of the association; singer Geumbit Yerim; singer Han Hyeong-gyo of the Korea Entertainment Arts Federation; Yang Seul-gi, a traditional Korean musician; Jeong Bok-hee, director at DMC Trips; Choi Byeong-yeon, deputy director at Seoul Mideum Dental Clinic; Kim Yong-ik, head of Arichai; Jeong Jin-yeong, senior welfare director at the Yeongjong Civic Coalition; actor Han Ji-il; Han Yun-jin, vice president of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Reporters Group; Han Ji-yeon, news director of the group; Jeong Eun-gyeong, a freelance broadcaster with the group; Jeong Yeon-ju of the World Women Peace Volunteer Group; Jang Seong-suk; Moon Seong-soon; Han Hye-soon; Choi Cho-young; Kim Young-ju; Park Byeong-gu; Kang Young-soon, a public official; Park Hae-gyeong, a director of the Korea Calligraphy and Painting Association; Oh Du-seong, chairman of the Federation of Small Business Owners; Kim Young-jung, external cooperation chair of the federation; and members of Talent and Creative Golf. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 07:51:19
  • Wolf escaped from Daejeon zoo undergoes surgery to remove fishhook after capture
    Wolf escaped from Daejeon zoo undergoes surgery to remove fishhook after capture SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - "Neukgu," a wolf that escaped from a zoo in Daejeon last week and was caught after a nine-day search on Friday, is recovering at a veterinary clinic after undergoing surgery to remove a fishhook found in its stomach. According to Daejeon city officials, an X-ray revealed a 2.6-centimeter fishhook, along with leaves and fish bones. The fishhook, which posed a risk of perforation, was safely removed. The wolf was captured after rescue workers received a report at around 5:30 p.m. the previous day that it had been spotted near an expressway. After searching surrounding areas for several hours, they located the animal at around 11:45 p.m. and captured it with a tranquilizer gun after midnight. Officials said its pulse and body temperature were normal. A video clip released later shows Neukgu being captured after a 30-minute standoff. The two-year-old male wolf, born at Daejeon O-World, escaped last Wednesday after digging under a wire fence there. 2026-04-17 15:29:07
  • Uniwon to Hold ‘Dark Museum’ Tactile Art Exhibit in Yongsan for Disability Day
    Uniwon to Hold ‘Dark Museum’ Tactile Art Exhibit in Yongsan for Disability Day Uniwon, a MICE industry company, is hosting a special exhibition titled “Dark Museum for the Visually Impaired” at the Yongsan Cultural Foundation’s pop-up hall in Seoul’s Yongsan district to mark Disability Day, highlighting exhibition content designed to broaden sensory experience. The show is billed as a “multi-sensory” exhibition that shifts art appreciation away from a primarily visual approach. In a darkened setting, visitors are guided to experience works mainly through touch and sound, offering both visually impaired and non-disabled audiences a different way to perceive and interpret art. A central feature is tactile reproduction technology. The exhibition includes well-known works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Vincent van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait” and “Portrait of Dr. Gachet,” and Pablo Picasso’s “Portrait of Dora Maar.” Uniwon said an AI algorithm analyzed brushwork, texture and light-and-shadow data from the originals and rendered them in 3D form. Visitors can trace outlines and surface textures with their fingertips to better understand structure and technique. Audio is also integrated. Voice-based commentary is provided for each work so visitors can learn background and meaning without relying on sight. Organizers described the touch-and-audio format as an effort to expand, not just improve access to, the way art is experienced. The exhibition is free and does not require reservations, with visitor routes designed for safe movement in the dark. Organizers said the open, no-cost model is intended to reduce both physical and financial barriers for a wide range of visitors, including those with visual impairments. Uniwon said the project also reflects a “co-production” accessibility model. The Korea Federation of the Blind participated directly in the production process to review accessibility from the perspective of users, a step organizers said improved completeness and practical effectiveness. The company added that corporate sponsorship helped enable the technology and physical production, making it an example of public-private cooperation in culture. The exhibition uses a curation built around famous paintings, aiming to help visitors reconstruct familiar images through tactile experience and reinterpret prior encounters with art through different senses. Uniwon said it plans to continue developing sensory-based exhibition content and contribute to creating an environment where anyone can experience art on equal terms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-17 09:27:18
  • Streamers Gwajuseyeon and BJ K confirm relationship in live broadcast
    Streamers Gwajuseyeon and BJ K confirm relationship in live broadcast Streamer Gwajuseyeon and BJ K have drawn attention after publicly confirming they are dating. On the 13th, K hosted a live broadcast titled “K’s major announcement” on his SOOP channel. Gwajuseyeon appeared alongside him during the stream. “We’re dating,” K said, making their relationship official. K said they first met at an after-party following an acquaintance’s wedding in July last year. He said they stayed in touch, spent about a month in an early stage of getting to know each other, and began dating in August. Throughout the broadcast, the two held hands and kissed, openly showing affection. Gwajuseyeon, born in 2000, is a popular BJ with about 350,000 YouTube subscribers. In 2024, she drew attention after being spotted with HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk on a street in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. K, born in 1989, is considered a first-generation BJ who began internet broadcasting in 2012. He has about 690,000 subscribers and has built a sizable fan base over years of activity. Their public announcement has drawn added interest because both have large followings, and because they disclosed the relationship directly on air while showing affection naturally. 2026-04-14 17:42:18
  • StreamMusic Launches Web-Based Service to Settle and Manage Overseas Royalties for K-pop Rights Holders
    StreamMusic Launches Web-Based Service to Settle and Manage Overseas Royalties for K-pop Rights Holders StreamMusic, a tenant company at the Korea Creative Content Agency’s CKL Corporate Support Center, has launched an “overseas royalty settlement and management service” for K-pop copyright holders, aiming to address growing challenges in managing rights as the global music market expands. The company said the service is designed to manage overseas royalty income more systematically and transparently. As K-pop has spread globally, royalties have been generated through overseas streaming, concerts, broadcasting and licensing. But differing national copyright systems and settlement structures have made it difficult for individual rights holders to manage the process themselves. The industry has pointed to complex settlement chains involving intermediaries, limited access to data and delays in settlement as key factors reducing visibility into earnings. StreamMusic said its service is built as a web-based “integrated management platform.” It combines contract management, a settlement dashboard and settlement processing in a single system, allowing rights holders to handle overseas royalty-related tasks in one place. A key feature is expanded data access and transparency. Rights holders can view original settlement data directly, and the dashboard breaks down results by platform (including streaming and broadcasting), region, song and quarter. That allows users to see not only totals but also where revenue was generated, by country and platform. The platform also adopts a “song-by-song contract structure,” rather than broad, bundled agreements. StreamMusic said this lets rights holders sign and manage contracts for individual works, enabling more flexible overseas distribution strategies and rights management for specific songs in an industry shaped by varied collaboration models. Beyond viewing data, the service digitizes the process from contracting through settlement. After signing up, rights holders can complete contract execution, rights registration and settlement checks online, StreamMusic said, simplifying procedures that have often been handled offline. The company said the system can also help rights holders recognize income faster. While overseas royalties have often taken significant time to appear as confirmed earnings, users can track settlement flows on an ongoing basis through the data-driven dashboard, which can also support financial planning. Industry observers have described the launch as an example of the digital shift in global copyright management, as the scale and complexity of royalty income rise alongside the growth of the K-pop market. Ryu Jihoon, CEO of StreamMusic, said, “Recovering overseas royalties is an important task to ensure K-pop copyright holders receive their rightful rights and income.” He added, “We will continue working to build an environment where rights holders can check and manage their royalties under more reasonable contract terms and a transparent settlement structure.” The Korea Creative Content Agency said it supports the growth of content startups such as StreamMusic through the CKL Corporate Support Center, including tenant support and production support facilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-14 16:42:37
  • Kiss of Life dance challenge for new song draws sexualization backlash
    Kiss of Life dance challenge for new song draws sexualization backlash Girl group Kiss of Life has come under criticism over a dance challenge for its new song, with some viewers calling the choreography sexually suggestive. The group recently posted a choreography challenge video for its new track, ‘Who is she,’ on its official YouTube channel. In the clip, members face each other and perform a move that appears to mimic choking. The routine also includes both members thrusting their hips at the same time, drawing surprise and complaints online. Some internet users said the scene evokes a specific sexual image and said they were uncomfortable. Comments included: “A producer who fits the team is important,” “It’s unpleasant,” “This is a bit much,” “I don’t know what concept this is,” and “The songs are always good, but the choreography is disappointing.” Despite the controversy, the ‘Who is she’ music video has surpassed 30 million views and continues to gain traction. 2026-04-13 17:06:38