Journalist

KI SU JEONG
  • New Book 2026 Financial Products and Taxes Covers Latest Tax Changes
    New Book '2026 Financial Products and Taxes' Covers Latest Tax Changes A new guidebook has been released that compiles this year’s changes to financial products and tax revisions. Tax & Finance News said on the 23rd that it has published “2026 Financial Products and Taxes (Revised 11th Edition),” fully reflecting financial tax rules revised and implemented starting in 2026. The book organizes key updates, including the introduction of separate taxation for dividend income from high-dividend companies, taxation of profits from comprehensive investment accounts (IMA) as dividend income, and a cut in the withholding tax rate on pension income. Rather than listing tax provisions, it explains major tax categories tied to finance — including income tax, corporate tax, inheritance tax and gift tax — in an accessible way. It also details how a wide range of products are structured and taxed, from deposits, stocks and funds to REITs, fractional investment products and gold investments. It provides an in-depth look at three widely used tax-saving accounts: pension savings, individual retirement pensions (IRP) and individual savings accounts (ISA). Each chapter opens with a Q&A-style summary and includes comprehensive examples by topic. Appendices include a “financial products list” and a “tax-saving financial products summary” covering tax-exempt and separately taxed products closely tied to comprehensive taxation of financial income and health insurance premium burdens. The book was co-authored by three tax and finance specialists: Kim Yong-min, head of the Jin Finance and Tax Research Institute; Park Dong-gyu, a standing vice president of the Korea Association of Certified Tax Accountants and a former investigator at the Tax Tribunal; and Moon Seong-hoon, a professor of business administration at Hallym University who served on the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Tax Development Deliberation Committee. A Tax & Finance News official said the book is designed so not only financial industry workers and tax professionals but also individual investors can build their understanding step by step, from the basics of taxation and finance. The official said it will serve as a practical guide for planning tax-saving strategies. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-23 16:51:00
  • BTS Set for Full-Group Gwanghwamun Square Return After Military Hiatus
    BTS Set for Full-Group Gwanghwamun Square Return After Military Hiatus After 3 years and 9 months away, BTS is set to reunite on stage as the seven members, who had been separated by mandatory military service, come back together at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. The planned comeback is being framed as more than a pop event, with the group’s walk from Gyeongbok Palace’s Geunjeongmun Gate along the raised stone path known as the “King’s Road” to the stage presented as a symbol of how far K-culture has traveled. Ahead of the full-group return, this report looks at the seven members and their individual paths. ◆ RM, the group’s message architect and compass RM is described as the group’s philosophical anchor, shaping BTS’ worldview by weaving questions of identity and solitude into the conventions of idol pop. In 2025, he spoke about the soft power of K-culture at the APEC CEO Summit, a moment the article cites as reflecting his evolution beyond an artist. Known as an art enthusiast, RM has also helped extend fan culture into galleries, popularizing what fans call an “RM tour.” ◆ Jin, praised for a “silver voice” Jin, the oldest member, is portrayed as a steady emotional center for the team. Popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo has praised his tone as a “silver voice,” and the article says it deepened further on Jin’s 2025 mini-album “Echo.” His music is described as favoring sincerity over vocal showmanship, with restrained emotion in songs about love and separation. ◆ Suga, a meticulous builder bridging tradition and modern sound Suga, also known as Agust D, is credited with sharp lyrics and detailed production that help define the group’s musical finish. The article highlights his work combining Korean traditional sounds — including daechwita and the haegeum — with hip-hop as a distinctive modern reinterpretation. It also notes that in 2025 he donated 5 billion won to Yonsei Severance to establish the “Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center.” ◆ J-Hope, the energy that drives the stage J-Hope is described as the group’s pulse, having started as a street dancer and long served as a performance anchor. The article says his solo work broadened his musical range, spanning lo-fi hip-hop and R&B. It points to his 2025 releases “Mona Lisa” and “Sweet Dreams” as examples, and says his stage energy is expected to be a major force in the full-group performance. ◆ Jimin, a performer shaped by modern dance Jimin’s stage presence is described as narrative-driven, rooted in his background in dance, including entering Busan Arts High School’s dance department as the top student. The article notes his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with “Like Crazy,” and cites his more recent “Who,” saying his music closely translates an inward search for inspiration. His blend of movement and vocal presence is described as an irreplaceable color within the group. ◆ V, an icon across music and visual culture V is portrayed as influential beyond music, with impact in fashion, exhibitions and photography. The article points to his solo album “Layover” as showing a restrained sensibility and a clear artistic stance. Rather than following trends, it says, his image has become a cultural marker shaping how pop culture is consumed in 2026. ◆ Jung Kook, a benchmark for global pop Jung Kook, the youngest member, is described as having set measurable highs for K-pop. With “Seven” and “GOLDEN,” the article says, he broke records as the first Asian solo artist to do so, moving beyond the label of “the group’s youngest” to a global pop-star position. It cites his steady live vocals, performance and songwriting as key drivers of BTS’ continued strength in the global market. The seven members, the article concludes, have each shone on their own paths before converging again. It says 260,000 people are expected to gather at Gwanghwamun Square, where the group will walk the “King’s Road” and perform “Arirang.” The performance is framed not simply as a return, but as a statement of pride built over 13 years of K-culture — and the opening of a new chapter for BTS.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-21 06:05:28
  • BTS to Reunite at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square as Police Expect 260,000
    BTS to Reunite at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square as Police Expect 260,000 After being separated by mandatory military service, seven young men are set to reunite on the stage at Gwanghwamun Square, ending a 3-year, 9-month pause. BTS will return as a full group at 8 p.m. Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, their first complete lineup performance in 3 years and 9 months since the June 2022 anthology album “Proof.” The comeback stage will also open the group’s fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG.” Police estimate as many as 260,000 people will gather at the site. The show will be livestreamed on Netflix to more than 190 countries, with real-time screenings also planned on large outdoor screens in major cities across Asia, the Americas and Europe, according to the report. ◆ From Gyeongbokgung to the main stage, a ceremonial walk Organizers plan an opening that begins not on the stage but on a route through Gyeongbokgung Palace. The members are to start at Geunjeongmun Gate, pass Heungnyemun Gate and the Gwanghwamun gatehouse, then cross the recently restored “Woldae” platform before heading to the main stage — a recreation of the “king’s road” once reserved for Joseon-era monarchs. The report said the members are expected to wear stage outfits that reinterpret traditional clothing in a modern style. The Woldae, which the report said was buried under tram tracks during Japan’s colonial period and restored to its original form after more than 100 years, is described as a key part of the staging. The Korea Heritage Service supported the production by making the unusual decision to close the palace on Saturday, the report said. ◆ A 1-kilometer viewing zone; free admission The stage has been set at the north end of Gwanghwamun Square, and admission is free. Viewing areas stretch about 1 kilometer past the statues of King Sejong and Adm. Yi Sun-sin to near City Hall Station. The report described it as the largest single event since the square opened. For safety, designated seating was expanded from 15,000 to 22,000 seats, but police still expect crowds could approach 260,000. Seoul plans to place large screens and additional high-performance speakers around the square so people outside the main zones can follow the show, the report said. ◆ Subway pass-throughs and heavy security; 14,700 personnel deployed Fans were urged to check transit restrictions. Trains on Seoul Subway Line 5 will pass through Gwanghwamun Station without stopping from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2 will be pass-through only from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 will also not stop from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., the report said. Jonggak and Anguk stations may face additional controls depending on congestion. A total of 14,700 personnel will be deployed, including 6,500 police officers, along with staff from the Seoul city government and Hybe, the report said. Authorities plan to manage crowd density by zone and position emergency medical and rescue teams throughout the area. Access to rooftops and upper floors of 31 nearby buildings will be tightly restricted as part of heightened security measures, the report said. With chilly late-March conditions expected and long waits outdoors likely, the report advised attendees to bring light outerwear and warm items such as scarves and gloves, and to keep belongings to a minimum. ◆ Tour outlook: 34 cities, 79 shows; estimates cite 100 trillion won impact Saturday’s performance is described as a lead-in to the “ARIRANG” world tour, scheduled for 79 shows in 34 cities. The securities industry and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute estimated direct sales from the tour at 2.9 trillion won and the overall economic ripple effect at 100 trillion won, the report said. The concert will be livestreamed on Netflix to more than 190 countries. The report also noted that, with the show airing during a weekend prime-time slot, delivery demand is expected to surge and viewers at home may want to order at least two hours in advance. Related events under “BTS THE CITY SEOUL” will run across Seoul from Saturday through April 12, the report said. 2026-03-21 06:03:28
  • Korea Music Copyright Association backs BTS comeback, eyes renewed “BTSnomics” boost
    Korea Music Copyright Association backs BTS comeback, eyes renewed “BTSnomics” boost After a wait of three years and nine months, BTS is set to return as a full group on March 21 with a comeback live show at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, with a global broadcast reaching 190 countries. The Korea Music Copyright Association, led by Chairman Lee Si-ha, said it is moving to support copyright-related work tied to the group’s return, citing the expected cultural and economic ripple effects. The association said March 20 that it has received and processed album-approval applications for 14 tracks, including the title song “SWIM,” ahead of the release of BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG.” It said it will also proceed with settlements for performance-use fees related to the Gwanghwamun live show and plans close cooperation to help ensure the event runs smoothly. The concert is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people and, combined with the global live broadcast, is projected to be one of the largest events of its kind. The market is already focusing on the so-called “BTSnomics” effect. Analysts expect spillover across albums, concerts, merchandise, tourism and platform spending, with a direct lift for the music copyright market. According to the association, total music copyright collections continued to rise in 2025, but the reproduction-fee category fell 2.7% from a year earlier, reflecting reduced reproduction-based use such as album purchases after the pandemic. It said the success of “ARIRANG,” which has surpassed 4 million in preorders, could help physical albums and the digital reproduction market rebound. An 82-show world tour is also seen as a key factor for expanding performance-use fees. The association said performance-use fees, including stage performances, totaled 60 billion won last year, showing steady growth. With the tour expected to draw more than 4 million people at stadium-scale venues worldwide, it said the domestic and overseas performance copyright markets could gain strong upward momentum. The association also highlighted that all BTS members are its members and write music as creators. It said the group has built extensive music copyright intellectual property, including RM’s leading role in writing lyrics for “SWIM,” underscoring that they are rights holders whose work must be protected. “BTS singing ‘Arirang,’ which carries the emotions of our people, at Gwanghwamun is a symbolic scene that shows the expansion of creation,” Lee said. He added that the association will “stand firmly” to ensure the results of the members’ creative work are fairly compensated worldwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 16:03:22
  • Daseok Society to Hold Spring Symposium on Korean Language Philosophy in Seoul
    Daseok Society to Hold Spring Symposium on Korean Language Philosophy in Seoul The Daseok Society will hold a spring symposium March 13 to mark the 136th birthday anniversary of Daseok Ryu Yeong-mo (1890-1981). The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. at a second-floor classroom of the Seoul YMCA in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Held under the theme, “Our writing and our language are fitting,” the meeting is intended to highlight Ryu’s thought and philosophy of language and to revisit the meaning of the Korean language and script. The society said it is worth reflecting on “the reality that today’s society mixes foreign words and Sino-Korean terms indiscriminately and is gradually forgetting the original meaning of our language.” It added that the gathering will be a chance to reconsider “the meaning of language and life” through the Korean-language philosophy Ryu emphasized. Two presentations are planned. Choi Han-sil will speak on “Ttangbyeol Mokseumsallim Modumsallim,” explaining key concepts in Ryu’s thought. Kim Jong-gil will follow with “God Who Exists Without Being, and Neuli Rolling as a Flow,” outlining Ryu’s distinctive views of God and the universe. Ryu, regarded as a leading Korean thinker and religious philosopher, is known for exploring fundamental questions about humanity, life and the universe using native Korean terms such as “eol,” “haneunim” and “oneulsari.” The symposium is open to anyone interested in Ryu’s thought and Korean-language philosophy. Inquiries can be directed to the Daseok Society. 2026-03-11 14:39:17
  • BTS’ Gwanghwamun comeback show set to draw huge crowds and boost Seoul economy
    BTS’ Gwanghwamun comeback show set to draw huge crowds and boost Seoul economy BTS’ comeback stage at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square is two weeks away, and the city is already bracing for a surge of visitors. The group is set to hold a concert on the 21st to mark the release of its fifth full-length album, “Arirang (ARIRANG).” Retailers and the tourism industry are preparing for fans of the global BTS fandom known as ARMY arriving from around the world, with attention focused on the event’s economic ripple effects. ◇ 15,000 tickets gone in 30 minutes; officials forecast 260,000 people According to the industry on the 6th, general ticket sales for the Gwanghwamun concert — 15,000 seats sold through NOL Ticket last month — sold out in 30 minutes. Police and the Seoul city government estimate about 260,000 people will gather on the day of the show, centered on Gwanghwamun Square where the stage will be installed and extending to Deoksugung’s Daehanmun Gate and the area around Sungnyemun. Fans who failed to get tickets have already been camping near the seating area to get as close as possible, underscoring the intensity on the ground. Nearby lodging has been scarce. Hotels and guesthouses in the area are fully booked, and remaining rooms are being offered at prices several times higher than usual. Nearby shopping districts such as Myeongdong are also promoting BTS-related merchandise as they prepare for an influx of foreign visitors. ◇ Gyeongbokgung to close; Sejong Center cancels shows amid safety concerns The Korea Heritage Service said it will close Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Palace Museum of Korea on the 21st to prevent safety accidents tied to crowding. The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts also canceled all indoor performances scheduled for that day, including musicals and ballet. BTS members are expected to follow a “king’s road” route — starting at Geunjeongjeon Hall inside Gyeongbokgung, passing the Woldae platform at Gwanghwamun and then taking the stage — a plan that organizers say will be broadcast live worldwide. ◇ KCTI estimates up to 1.2 trillion won per show; Gwanghwamun seen amplifying impact Industry officials expect the concert’s economic impact to reach the trillions of won. The Korea Culture & Tourism Institute has estimated that a single BTS concert in South Korea at a 65,000-seat venue after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic could generate an economic ripple effect ranging from at least 619.7 billion won to as much as 1.2207 trillion won. A research team led by Korea University Business School professor Pyeon Ju-hyeon found the direct and indirect economic impact of BTS’ three-day final concert at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in 2019 totaled about 922.9 billion won. A single concert held at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in 2022 was also assessed to have produced an economic effect approaching 1 trillion won. Some in the culture and tourism industry said the Gwanghwamun show’s reach could be larger because it will be livestreamed worldwide via Netflix and staged at what they called the symbolic heart of the nation’s capital. They said the impact could extend beyond tourism revenue to indirect value such as promoting K-culture and strengthening national branding. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-07 06:03:24
  • Hong Hyeong-pyo Solo Show DENSITY Opens March 10 at MOMA K Gallery
    Hong Hyeong-pyo Solo Show 'DENSITY' Opens March 10 at MOMA K Gallery Seoul’s MOMA K Gallery in Gwanak District will present artist Hong Hyeong-pyo’s solo exhibition, “DENSITY; Time That Piled Up, Grew and Remained,” from March 10 through April 9. The show centers on how repeated time and labor accumulate on the canvas, featuring Hong’s “Gobongbap” and “Pumpkin” series. Hong builds up and presses down layers of paint in a repeated process, creating a distinctive texture and sense of weight. The approach emphasizes visible traces of time rather than quick completion. While the two series use different subjects, they share the same perspective. A heaping bowl of rice and a pumpkin grown from the ground are both outcomes shaped over a long period. Hong focuses less on what is depicted than on the time in which it existed. Admission is free. More information is available from the gallery. The gallery said, “Through this exhibition, visitors will have an opportunity to newly discover the weight of time accumulated in everyday objects we have passed by without noticing, and the rhythm of life condensed within it.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 13:45:15
  • Korea Music Performers Association Sees More Actors Join as OST Rights Gain Focus
    Korea Music Performers Association Sees More Actors Join as OST Rights Gain Focus K-content is expanding its global reach, and the definition of a “music performer” is widening with it. What was long seen as the domain of singers now increasingly includes actors who sing on screen in dramas and films, especially as original soundtracks and film music are consumed worldwide through OTT services and streaming platforms. As songs from dramas and movies travel across borders, the work and rights of actors who perform those songs are drawing new attention. What was once treated as a directing device or fan service is increasingly viewed as standalone music content, and more actors are recognizing themselves as performers as well as actors. The shift is reflected in new members joining the Korea Music Performers Association, led by Chairman Lee Jung-hyun. Actor Shin Hyun-joon recently joined after releasing the album with Jung Joon-ho. He also drew attention last year when he sang the OST with fans at a fan meeting in Peru. Actor Byun Woo-seok, who played top star Ryu Sun-jae in tvN’s 2024 hit drama and sang the OST himself, has also become a member. Since last year, actors including Choo Young-woo, Lee Sun-bin, Jung Hae-in, Kim Min-seok and Cynthia have joined after performing songs in dramas and films. Industry officials say the trend reflects an evolving K-content business structure in which “performance” released through official recordings is increasingly treated as a specialized field and a right that deserves protection, regardless of how central music is to an actor’s career. “K-dramas and films’ global success is also raising the value and impact of OSTs,” said Kim Seung-min, the association’s executive director. “An actor’s song is no longer a simple add-on. It is independent content and an area of rights that must be protected. The recent expansion of our membership spectrum clearly shows this change.” Actors who join can receive neighboring-rights royalties and broadcast compensation for OSTs, insert songs and theme music they performed. Tracking and claiming usage across broadcasters, streaming services, IPTV and overseas platforms is, in practice, nearly impossible for individuals. The association manages domestic and international usage on performers’ behalf and handles rights administration. The association also pursues retroactive payments for past uses that occurred before membership, through negotiations with businesses, providing tangible benefits even to actors who participated in OSTs for works aired long ago. It also cites as a strength its 36 years of negotiating experience at home and abroad, which it uses to collect additional neighboring-rights royalties that individual performers may struggle to claim. Music-use revenue generated on YouTube, global OTT services and overseas streaming platforms is managed through reciprocal agreements with foreign performers’ organizations, the association said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-04 10:27:24
  • BTS’ Jung Kook Ranked Among World’s 25 Most Famous People, Website Says
    BTS’ Jung Kook Ranked Among World’s 25 Most Famous People, Website Says BTS member Jung Kook has been named to a list of the “Top 25 Most Famous Persons in the World.” According to a recent ranking released by the information website WorldFamousThings.com, Jung Kook placed 18th. The list includes major figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Taylor Swift. Jung Kook was the only K-pop singer included, the site said. The outlet described him as a “globally influential music star,” saying his “powerful voice and strong performances” have won fans worldwide and helped establish him as an international icon. It highlighted his solo work, including “Seven” and “3D,” pointing to his strong fan base and market power. His profile has also been reflected in fashion and luxury branding. Jung Kook was recently selected as an official global ambassador for Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot, and was named the first male global ambassador for Chanel Beauty, the report said. The article also noted that he was included in AOL’s “Top 15 Most Famous Persons in the World,” and ranked 11th on Esquire’s list of the “50 Most Stylish Men in Music.” 2026-02-25 08:09:16
  • South Korea’s Kim Sang-gyeom wins Olympic silver; Yoo Seung-eun takes bronze in snowboard big air
    South Korea’s Kim Sang-gyeom wins Olympic silver; Yoo Seung-eun takes bronze in snowboard big air South Korea’s once-thin record in snow sports gained two landmark Olympic medals in Livigno, Italy. Kim Sang-gyeom, a 37-year-old snowboarder who kept training while working construction day jobs, won silver to deliver South Korea’s 400th Olympic medal overall. A day later, 18-year-old Yoo Seung-eun overcame injuries to win bronze, the first Olympic medal by a South Korean woman in a ski or snowboard event. Kim and Yoo earned their medals one day apart in snowboarding at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, expanding South Korea’s footprint beyond its traditional winter strengths. ◆ From day laborer to Olympic medalist: Kim Sang-gyeom’s fourth try Kim won silver in the men’s parallel giant slalom final at Livigno Snow Park. It was the first medal for South Korea’s team at these Olympics. Kim began athletics as a child while dealing with asthma, then took up snowboarding in middle school on a teacher’s recommendation. After graduating from Korea National Sport University in 2011, he continued without a corporate-backed team, working part-time during training and taking day labor jobs at construction sites in the offseason to support himself. He showed early promise by winning the parallel giant slalom at the 2011 Erzurum Winter Universiade in Turkey, but struggled at the Olympics: 17th in qualifying at the 2014 Sochi Games to miss the round of 16; eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games; and 24th in qualifying at the 2022 Beijing Games. His best world championships finish was fourth in parallel giant slalom in 2021. Kim’s results improved in his mid-30s. He won his first FIS Snowboard World Cup medal — silver — in November 2024 in Meilin, China, 15 years into his career, then added bronze in March last year in Krynica, Poland. At his fourth Olympics, Kim advanced eighth in qualifying and reached the knockout rounds. In the quarterfinals, he upset Roland Fischnaller of Italy, the No. 1 rider in this season’s FIS World Cup parallel giant slalom rankings. Kim reached the final but lost to Benjamin Karl of Austria by 0.19 seconds to take silver. “Finally, I did it. I’m really happy,” Kim said in a broadcast interview after the race. “I’m so glad to win a medal at my fourth Olympics. Today I rode at more than 90 points.” Thanking his family, he added, “Thank you for waiting. My family gave me a lot of strength. Thanks to everyone who believed in me, I didn’t give up and made it this far. I’ll hang this medal on my mom, dad and my wife.” “Snowboarding is my life,” he said. “There’s still a lot to get through, but I believe if I keep at it, there will be even better results.” Kim’s medal also marked a milestone for South Korean Olympic history. South Korea’s ski and snowboard programs won their first Olympic medal in 2018, when Lee Sang-ho took silver in the same event. Kim’s result added another medal in parallel giant slalom eight years later. It was also South Korea’s 400th Olympic medal overall. South Korea won its first Olympic medal at the 1948 London Summer Olympics, when weightlifter Kim Seong-jip earned bronze. Through the 2024 Paris Games, South Korea had won 320 Summer Olympic medals (109 gold, 100 silver, 111 bronze). Through the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, it had won 79 Winter Olympic medals (33 gold, 30 silver, 16 bronze), for a total of 399 before Kim’s silver. ◆ Yoo Seung-eun breaks through with South Korea women’s first snow-sports medal The next day, Yoo won bronze in the women’s snowboard big air final with 171.00 points across her first two runs. It was the first Olympic medal for a South Korean woman in skiing or snowboarding, and a notable result in a freestyle event judged on tricks and execution rather than alpine-style racing decided by fractions of a second. Yoo, born in 2008, reached the podium after a long stretch of rehabilitation. Soon after making her World Cup debut in 2024, she suffered an ankle injury that kept her off the snow for an extended period. Ahead of the Olympic season, she also broke her wrist during training. With big air’s high risk of falls, some questioned whether she could even compete at the Games. In her first final run, Yoo landed a “backside triple cork 1440,” a difficult trick involving a backward rotation and four spins, scoring 87.75 points. She added her second-run score to reach 171.00 overall, and despite an unsteady landing on her third run, her earlier scores held up for bronze. “I still can’t believe it. It’s an honor just to be on the same stage as the athletes I respect,” Yoo said after the medal ceremony. “For a year, I couldn’t do much because of injuries, but this experience gave me the courage that I can do it again next time. I’m really proud of myself.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 16:23:33