[[K-Pop]] Jimin earns first solo MTV VMA nomination for 'Who' SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - BTS member Jimin has earned his first solo nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards, marking a new milestone in his career apart from the group's global dominance. MTV officially announced Wednesday through its X (formerly Twitter) account that Jimin's solo track "Who" is nominated for Best K-Pop at this year's awards ceremony. The nomination places him among a formidable lineup of K-pop stars, including aespa, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Stray Kids, and Rosé. While BTS has taken home multiple VMAs in past years, this is Jimin's first time contending for the trophy as a solo artist. The MTV Video Music Awards, launched in 1984, have long been considered one of the most influential music award shows in the world. Often regarded as the pop music industry's answer to the Oscars, the VMAs have hosted some of the most iconic performances and career-defining moments in modern music history. The addition of the Best K-Pop category in 2019 reflected the genre’s growing presence on the global stage and recognized the rising influence of South Korean artists in mainstream pop. "Who," released last year, has been praised for showcasing Jimin’s distinct vocal tone and emotional depth. The song charted well globally and has contributed to his growing recognition as a standalone performer. With the nomination, Jimin joins the ranks of other K-pop idols making strong individual statements beyond their group identities. Fan voting for the 2025 VMAs is currently open on MTV's website. The awards ceremony will take place on September 7. 2025-08-06 09:19:25

KAIST study finds that inflammation during pregnancy may cause childhood asthma and allergies SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - KAIST researchers have discovered how inflammation in the placenta during pregnancy can alter a baby's immune system, leading to stronger allergic reactions such as asthma after birth. The study is the first in the world to show exactly how this prenatal inflammation affects immune development and raises new possibilities for early prediction and prevention of childhood allergic diseases. The findings were announced on August 4 by KAIST, whose research team was led by Professor Lee Heung-kyu from the Department of Biological Sciences. According to the team, inflammation in the mother's body during pregnancy can influence the fetus through the placenta by disrupting its ability to regulate stress hormones. This, in turn, changes how the baby's immune system develops, especially the activity of T cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the body's immune memory. The researchers conducted an experiment using pregnant mice. To create an inflammatory condition, they injected the animals with a toxin called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is commonly used to trigger immune responses in lab studies. As expected, the inflammation spread to the placenta. The team found that the inflamed placenta produced increased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a chemical signal that activates neutrophils. Neutrophils are immune cells that form the largest portion of white blood cells in the human body, making up between 40 to 75 percent. They play a key role in the body's innate immune system by attacking bacteria and fungi. When neutrophils became active in the placenta, they caused tissue damage, which triggered stress in the fetus. As a result, the fetus began producing large amounts of a stress hormone known as glucocorticoid. This hormone caused a shift in the development of the fetus's immune system. Specifically, the T cells in the fetus, immune cells responsible for remembering threats like viruses or allergens, lived longer and developed stronger memory functions. After birth, this change had consequences. When these offspring were repeatedly exposed to allergens such as house dust mites, their immune systems reacted more aggressively than usual. The mice showed strong eosinophilic inflammation, a type of allergic response that plays a key role in asthma. Eosinophils are immune cells that become overactive in people with allergies and contribute to inflammation and tissue damage. "Through this study, we were able to demonstrate for the first time how a mother's immune response during pregnancy, particularly inflammation, affects the allergy-related immune system of the fetus through the placenta," said Lee Heung-kyu. "This will serve as a scientific basis for developing early detection biomarkers and preventive strategies for childhood allergic diseases." The first author of the paper is Kwon Myung-seung, a Ph.D. graduate of KAIST's Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering and currently a clinical fellow in gynecologic oncology at Konyang University Hospital. The study was published on July 1 in the journal Mucosal Immunology, a leading publication in the field of immune responses related to the body's mucous membranes. The paper is titled Placental inflammation-driven T cell memory formation promotes allergic responses in offspring via endogenous glucocorticoids. The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of South Korea, under the Basic Research Program and the Biomedical Technology Development Program. 2025-08-04 17:37:03

[[K-Pop]] aespa to release sixth mini album "Rich Man" next month SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - SEOUL, Aug. 4 (AJP) – K-pop girl group aespa will release their sixth mini album titled "Rich Man" on September 5, their agency SM Entertainment announced on Monday. The album will include six tracks, led by the title song "Rich Man." SM said the group is taking a different musical direction from their previous release "Dirty Work" and aims to continue their commercial momentum. Since debuting in 2020, aespa has become one of South Korea's leading girl groups. Known for blending digital avatar concepts with music and storytelling, they have gained international attention with hits such as "Next Level" and "Savage." The group has also performed at global events including Coachella and major music awards across Asia. A teaser video released earlier introduced the slogan "I am enough as I am, I am a 'Rich Man'," highlighting the group's confident and bold new visual concept. Pre-orders for "Rich Man" began on August 4 at both online and offline music retailers. 2025-08-04 15:21:29

[[K-Pop]] Day6 marks 10th anniversary with stadium concert and first full album in six years SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - K-pop rock band Day6 is celebrating a decade together with a large-scale concert and the release of a new full-length album, JYP Entertainment said on Monday. The band’s fourth studio album, "The Decade", will be released on September 5 at 6 p.m., nearly six years after their last full album, "The Book of Us: Entropy", which came out in October 2019. To kick off the celebrations, Day6 will hold a solo concert titled "Day6 10th Anniversary Tour " on August 30 and 31 at the Goyang Sports Complex north of Seoul. The venue will be the first of its kind for a South Korean band to headline, marking a milestone for the group. All four members, Sungjin, Young K, Wonpil, and Dowoon, are scheduled to perform. The anniversary project was announced through a video titled "Day6 10th Anniversary Announcement: The Decade of Us", which was posted on the band's official social media channels at midnight on August 4. Additional details about the upcoming anniversary concert will be released through Day6's social media, the agency said. Day6 debuted on September 7, 2015. Over the past decade, the group has carved out a distinct identity within the K-pop scene with their band format and emotionally driven music, earning a loyal fanbase known as "My Day". In May, the band released a digital single titled "Maybe Tomorrow", which reached the top ranks of domestic music streaming charts. That same month, they drew approximately 96,000 fans to a six-show run at the KSPO Dome in Seoul as part of their "3rd World Tour ". In July, they hosted their fourth official fan meeting, "Day6 4th Fanmeeting ", over two weekends at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium. 2025-08-04 14:36:43

President Lee to take five-day summer break starting August 4 SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will take a five-day summer vacation next week but plans to stay updated on key national affairs throughout the break, according to the presidential office. "President Lee will be on summer leave from August 4 to 8," the office said on Saturday. "Starting from the weekend of August 2, he will stay on Jeodo Island in Geoje, where he plans to reflect on the current political landscape and spend time recharging through reading and watching films." The office emphasized that the president will continue monitoring major state matters during his vacation, including those related to public livelihoods. "The presidential office will maintain a reporting system in case of urgent developments," it added. 2025-08-01 15:00:22

[[K-Pop]]  ILLIT drops new version of hit song 'jellyous' featuring singer-songwriter Sophie Powers SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - K-pop group ILLIT released a new version of its hit track "jellyous" featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Sophie Powers on Thursday, August 1 at 1 p.m. The original version of "jellyous" appeared on ILLIT’s third mini album "BOMB," released in June. With its catchy melody and high-energy choreography, the track has drawn strong attention from fans. The newly unveiled version brings a different texture, combining ILLIT’s lively performance with Powers’ distinctive rap style. Sophie Powers did not just feature on the track but also wrote her own rap verse. Her straightforward, expressive lyrics added a fresh edge to the song’s message. Belift Lab described the collaboration as a balanced mix of the two artists' distinct styles. "jellyous (Feat. Sophie Powers)" is a collaboration that harmonizes the unique musical colors of ILLIT and Sophie Powers," the agency said. "We hope fans enjoy the featured version, which offers a different feel from the original." Powers, a Canadian singer-songwriter, gained attention earlier this year through her appearance on the twenty-third season of "American Idol." Her quirky and humorous approach to performance made a strong impression on viewers. Clips of her appearance quickly spread on TikTok and other short-form platforms. Since then, she has released a series of original songs that have resonated with Gen Z audiences around the world. Her collaboration with ILLIT follows previous signs of mutual fandom. Powers once posted a video of herself taking part in ILLIT’s "Tick-Tack" dance challenge on social media, and also appeared in a web video singing the group’s track "Magnetic." ILLIT later returned the gesture by joining the dance challenge for Powers’ single "move with me." ILLIT is scheduled to officially debut in Japan on Sunday, September 1 with its first Japanese-language single, "Toki Yo Tomare" (時よ止まれ). The group has also announced a special edition release in partnership with the Care Bears character brand. 2025-08-01 14:42:21

[[K-Pop]] LE SSERAFIM sells out Manila concert, drawing rare response in Philippines SEOUL, August 01 (AJP) - SEOUL, Jul. 25 (AJP) – South Korean girl group LE SSERAFIM has sold out its upcoming Manila concert in a matter of moments, a rare outcome even in the increasingly active K-pop scene in the Philippines. The five-member group, Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae, is set to perform on Aug. 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of its 2025 "EASY CRAZY HOT" Asia tour. The local promoter Applewood said in a statement, "It is uncommon for K-pop concerts to completely sell out in the Philippines. LE SSERAFIM received strong attention from the start, with numerous inquiries coming in even before the concert was confirmed. After ticket sales opened, seats were gone in no time, showing just how high the local interest was." While more than ten K-pop acts typically hold solo concerts in the Philippines each year, full sellouts remain rare. LE SSERAFIM's performance has stood out as an exception, signaling the group's growing traction in Southeast Asia. Local media also took notice. Billboard Philippines, ABS-CBN, The Manila Times, and the Manila Standard all covered the concert announcement, adding to the wave of attention around the event. Following the Manila concert, LE SSERAFIM will perform in Bangkok on August 9 and 10, then in Singapore on August 16. The group will head to North America in September, where all six scheduled shows have already sold out. An encore concert is planned for November at Tokyo Dome. 2025-08-01 14:27:58

S. Korea, US agree to lower tariffs to 15 percent after investment and energy deal SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - South Korea and the United States have reached a comprehensive trade agreement that will lower mutual tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent. The deal follows South Korea's pledge to invest $350 billion in the U.S. and purchase $100 billion worth of American energy products. The announcement was made on Jul. 30 (local time) by U.S. President Donald Trump. He met with the South Korean trade delegation at the White House before posting the details on his social media platform, Truth Social. "I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has agreed to a Full and Complete Trade Deal with the Republic of Korea," Trump wrote. "The Deal is that South Korea will give to the United States $350 Billion Dollars for Investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as President." He added that South Korea had also agreed to buy 100 billion dollars’ worth of liquefied natural gas and other energy products, and to make additional investments "for their investment purposes." Trump said South Korean President Lee Jae-myung would visit the U.S. within the next two weeks for a bilateral summit, during which both leaders plan to make a joint announcement on the agreement. As part of the deal, Trump said South Korea had agreed to fully open its market to American products, including cars, trucks, and agricultural goods. "We have agreed to a Tariff for South Korea of 15%. America will not be charged a Tariff." he wrote. Earlier, Trump had warned that without an agreement, the U.S. would begin imposing 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods starting August 1. Seoul has since been negotiating to protect key export sectors such as automobiles and steel, though no specific product-level changes were mentioned in Trump’s statement. South Korea’s presidential office confirmed the deal on Thursday, describing it as a major step in stabilizing the country's trade environment. "The tariff deal removes uncertainty around our export environment," President Lee said in a statement. "Tariffs on our products will now be equal to or lower than those faced by our key export competitors." Lee also emphasized the significance of the investment agreement, saying, "The 350-billion-dollar fund will help solidify a long-term foundation for cooperation in strategic industries." 2025-07-31 08:07:54

Peru celebrates independence in Seoul, spotlighting shared values with S. Korea SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) – Peru marked the 203rd anniversary of its independence on Monday with a diplomatic reception in central Seoul. Hosted by the Peruvian Embassy at the Four Seasons Hotel, the event brought together a diverse crowd of diplomats, academics, business leaders, and media representatives. Peru and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1963. Over the past six decades, the two countries have steadily expanded cooperation across trade, investment, education, culture, and development. In 2011, the Peru–Korea Free Trade Agreement came into effect, significantly boosting bilateral commerce. South Korea is currently one of Peru's top trading partners in Asia. Both countries are also active members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), with Peru having chaired the forum in 2024 and South Korea preparing to host it in 2025. Peruvian Ambassador to South Korea Paul Duclos opened the evening with remarks reflecting on the historical and symbolic significance of Independence Day. "We commemorate the moment when Peru affirmed its commitment to liberty, democracy, and justice," he said. "These are the same values that we share with South Korea, and they are the foundation of our strong and enduring relationship." Ambassador Duclos spoke about the deepening of ties since the FTA, which has facilitated not only economic exchange but also broader engagement. "In just over a decade, we have witnessed remarkable growth in trade, investment, and cooperation in multiple fields." He also highlighted the importance of the two countries' shared commitment to multilateralism. "Both of our nations are committed to regional cooperation. Peru hosted the APEC summit last year, and South Korea will take the lead in 2025. This continuity reflects our strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific." Throughout the speech, Duclos placed emphasis on human connection. "We are very proud to see more Peruvians studying and working in South Korea and vice versa. These exchanges enrich both societies and build bridges of understanding." As the evening continued, guests enjoyed traditional Peruvian cuisine and live performances. "Food and music are among the best ways to connect hearts," Duclos said. "Tonight, we are delighted to share the warmth and diversity of Peru with our friends in South Korea." The ambassador closed by acknowledging the friendships built over the years. "Let us continue to work together, guided by our common values and a shared vision of peace and prosperity." 2025-07-30 17:43:27

[[K-pop]] Red Velvet's Joy to return with solo mini album in August SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - Joy of Red Velvet is gearing up for a solo comeback with a new mini album set for release on August 18, her agency SM Entertainment said Monday. Titled "From JOY, with Love," the album will feature six tracks, including the title song "Love Splash!" It marks her first solo release in over three years since her 2021 special album "Hello," which consisted of remade tracks. "Hello" topped iTunes charts in 26 regions worldwide and reached No. 1 on domestic platforms Genie and Bugs with its title track. SM Entertainment said the new album will deliver a variety of love stories through Joy's distinct sensibility. "Joy will bring a refreshing wave of music to this summer with songs that express different shades of love in her own unique style," the agency said. Pre-orders for "From JOY, with Love" began Monday. The album will be released on major music streaming platforms at 6 p.m. on August 18. 2025-07-28 15:57:12