Journalist

Kang Min-seon
  • Chef Son Jong-won draws buzz with crisp first pitch at SSG home opener
    Chef Son Jong-won draws buzz with crisp first pitch at SSG home opener Son Jong-won, head chef at Eatanic Garden and La Mange Secrete and a cast member of Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars 2,” drew attention after taking the mound for a KBO season opener. SSG Landers selected Son as the ceremonial first-pitch thrower for its 2026 home opening game against the KIA Tigers on Friday at Incheon SSG Landers Field. The ballpark hosted fan events and cheering programs that added to a festive atmosphere. Son drew cheers with what spectators described as a sharp uniform look, a clean throwing motion and steady posture. Before the pitch, he said, “It’s an honor to throw out the first pitch for the opener, and I hope SSG carries good energy through the season and wins the championship.” Online commenters praised the moment, writing, “His form is almost like a player,” “Isn’t he a pitcher, not a chef?” and “Perfect from the visuals to the first pitch.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-28 19:24:17
  • Jungkook’s TikTok Follow of aespa Rekindles Rumors Linking Him to Winter
    Jungkook’s TikTok Follow of aespa Rekindles Rumors Linking Him to Winter Reports that BTS member Jungkook followed girl group aespa on TikTok have resurfaced online rumors linking him to aespa member Winter.  On social media and online communities, users said they spotted Jungkook following aespa’s official TikTok account. The activity prompted renewed discussion of earlier dating rumors involving Winter. The two previously faced speculation that they were dating. Online posts claimed they wore matching fashion items such as shoes and even got couple tattoos, drawing attention from fans. Photos also circulated showing Jungkook attending an aespa concert during his military service. At the time, neither agency issued a clear statement, leading some fans to interpret the silence as tacit confirmation.  Reaction to the latest follow has been divided. Many commenters criticized Jungkook, saying he should have avoided actions that could reignite speculation, while others argued the relationship was already widely assumed and voiced support for the pair. BTS recently drew about 20,000 people to a comeback concert in Gwanghwamun. The group is set to begin a monthlong South American world tour in October.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-28 18:48:16
  • Jureong Jureong Studio, Cheongju Early Printing Museum to Develop AI Guide for Jikji Exhibits
    Jureong Jureong Studio, Cheongju Early Printing Museum to Develop AI Guide for 'Jikji' Exhibits AR and AI content company Jureong Jureong Studio said it signed a mutual cooperation agreement with the Cheongju Early Printing Museum on March 23 and will begin work in earnest on the museum’s digital transformation project. The agreement marks the company’s first public-sector partnership applying its AI technology to cultural heritage. The centerpiece is an intelligent docent system that combines AI with printing-related cultural assets, including “Jikji,” described as the world’s oldest existing metal type book. Under the deal, the two sides will convert museum-held data — including academic materials on Jikji and metal type, exhibition narration scripts and verified images — into AI training assets. They plan to develop a location-based intelligent docent system designed to respond in real time in exhibition zones or in front of artifacts. Jureong Jureong Studio said it will build an AI docent platform using RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) technology, based on the specialized data provided by the museum. The service will use a location-based interface so visitors can experience real-time responses at exhibits. The company said the service will be offered as multimodal AI combining visuals, voice and text. It is designed to automatically provide tailored explanations for different visitor groups, including children, foreigners and people with disabilities. Jureong Jureong Studio said it will plan AI storytelling content and develop the docent system based on the museum’s academic expertise to avoid historical distortion, and will use the project to pursue digital transformation demand among cultural heritage institutions in South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-23 10:03:15
  • BTS’ Jimin and V Share Message Ahead of Gwanghwamun Comeback Concert
    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
    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’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
    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, 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 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 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