Journalist

KI Su-jeong
  • 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
  • South Korea Culture Minister Choi Hwi Young Visits Milan for 2026 Winter Olympics
    South Korea Culture Minister Choi Hwi Young Visits Milan for 2026 Winter Olympics Choi Hwi Young, South Korea’s minister of culture, sports and tourism, will attend the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics as the government’s representative. The ministry said Choi will stay in Milan from Feb. 4-8 to cheer on the national team and review on-site support. On Feb. 5, Choi will visit the athletes’ village to encourage South Korean athletes in final training ahead of the opening and hear their concerns. He will also tour a meal-support center to check preparations for Korean boxed meals provided twice daily to help manage athletes’ nutrition, and thank support staff. On Feb. 6 and 7, he will attend major events, including the figure skating team competition, to support South Korean athletes. On Feb. 7, Choi will visit the Main Media Center to encourage the South Korean press corps covering the Games. The trip will also include sports diplomacy. On Feb. 5, Choi will attend the opening of Korea House and meet officials from the International Olympic Committee and national Olympic committees. The opening will feature K-culture programs including a winter hanbok fashion show, a cover dance to the theme song of “K-pop Demon Hunters,” and a vocal performance. On Feb. 6, he will attend a reception hosted by Italy’s minister for sport and youth to discuss expanding sports exchanges between the two countries. He will also attend the opening ceremony at San Siro Stadium as part of the government delegation and greet the South Korean team as it enters. “I will personally check every factor that affects performance — including the training environment and support — so that our athletes’ hard work is not in vain on the Olympic stage,” Choi said. “We will support them through the end so they can compete without regrets and finish the competition safely without injury.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 08:12:00
  • BTS May Open March 21 Comeback Show With Walk on Restored Gwanghwamun Royal Route
    BTS May Open March 21 Comeback Show With Walk on Restored Gwanghwamun Royal Route BTS are expected to step onto the restored Gwanghwamun Woldae — a ceremonial platform returned to its original form after 100 years — as part of their first full-group return in three years and nine months. The group are set to stage “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang,” a performance marking the release of their fifth full-length album, at 8:00 p.m. on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Organizers are reviewing a plan for the members to march from Geunjeongmun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace, passing Heungnyemun and Gwanghwamun, and ending at the Woldae. The Woldae is a wide raised platform in front of a palace’s main hall and is seen as a symbolic space where the king and the public once interacted. It was damaged by Japan in 1923 and was restored last year, 100 years later. An industry official said the idea appears intended to portray BTS’ return to fans after lengthy military service as a grand march along the restored “royal route.” The official said that if it goes ahead, it would be remembered as a symbolic moment linking Korean history with today’s K-pop. The concert is to be livestreamed worldwide to 190 countries on Netflix. The company said it is the first time in its history it will broadcast a solo concert live by a specific artist. Producers who worked on the Super Bowl halftime show have joined the project, and HYBE plans to use elements such as a media facade on the Gwanghwamun wall to heighten the impact of the march. Safety remains the key issue. The Korea Heritage Service and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have issued conditional approval. BTS’ side must finalize safety measures for the full event, including the march on the Woldae, and pass final review by three weeks before the show. With the performance requiring movement through narrow passages, more advanced crowd-management measures are expected to be needed than usual.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 08:03:17
  • BTS Comeback D-48: BTS Jung Kook tops 10.3 billion stream on Spotify streams
    BTS Comeback D-48: BTS' Jung Kook tops 10.3 billion stream on Spotify streams SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - BTS member Jungkook has surpassed 10.3 billion cumulative streams on Spotify, marking yet another historic milestone for K-pop and the group's anticipated comeback in March. Jungkook surpassed 10.3 billion total streams on his personal Spotify profile (all credits combined). The achievement is a new record for the fastest time an Asian artist has reached the milestone, and also makes him the first K-pop solo artist to surpass the record. The latest marks are particularly notable as it was achieved during Jungkook’s mandatory military service, commonly referred to in Korea as a “military hiatus.” Despite the break in official activities, his Spotify profile continues to log an average of 5.9 million streams per day. His monthly listeners have also remained steady at around 16 million to 17 million, underscoring his reach as a global pop star beyond fandom-driven support. Driving force of the surge is Jungkook’s first solo debut single, ''Seven'' featuring Latto. The track has surpassed 2.77 billion streams, simultaneously setting both a first-ever and fastest-time record among songs by Asian artists. Beyond “Seven,” multiple tracks have crossed the billion-stream threshold, highlighting Jungkook’s strong performance on streaming platforms. The title track from his solo album ''GOLDEN,'' ''Standing Next to You,'' has surpassed 1.39 billion streams. His collaboration with Charlie Puth, ''Left and Right,'' has exceeded 1.15 billion streams, while his solo single ''3D'' has recorded more than 1.1 billion streams. With Seven, Left and Right, Standing Next to You, and 3D, Jungkook now has four tracks that have surpassed the 1.1 billion-stream mark. Jungkook upholds the record for both the first and the largest number held by an Asian solo artist. Additional tracks continue to draw steady attention, including the official soundtrack for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ''Dreamers,'' which has reached 510 million streams, and his self-composed track ''Still With You,'' which has recorded 410 million streams. Long-running chart performance is also drawing attention beyond cumulative plays. Seven has remained on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Global chart for 133 consecutive weeks, continuing to extend its own record for the longest chart run by an Asian solo artist. Meanwhile, GOLDEN has charted on Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums Global chart for 117 weeks, sustaining a record-setting run as the longest-charting album by an Asian solo artist. Jungkook’s 10.3 billion milestone has further highlighted his undiminished global popularity during military service, raising expectations for his post-discharge activities. 2026-02-02 10:49:47
  • BTS comeback D-49: Fans map out Gwanghwamun sites linked to the group
    BTS comeback D-49: Fans map out Gwanghwamun sites linked to the group SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - With BTS set to return as a full group on March 21, attention is building not only around the stage at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, but also across nearby districts closely associated with the group’s past global performances. As the countdown enters its final stretch, fans are increasingly extending their itineraries beyond the concert itself, mapping out locations around central Seoul that have become informal pilgrimage sites within the global BTS fandom. Here are several routes frequently mentioned by fans ahead of the performance. Gyeongbokgung’s Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru, featured on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Located directly behind Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace holds one of BTS’ most widely recognized performance moments. In 2020, the group filmed its “IDOL” stage for NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall, the palace’s main ceremonial structure once used for royal inaugurations and state events. Wearing modernized hanbok, the members performed on the palace’s traditional stone pavement, creating a striking visual contrast between historical architecture and contemporary K-pop choreography that drew global attention. Nearby Gyeonghoeru Pavilion also appeared in the same broadcast as the backdrop for BTS’ “Mikrokosmos” performance. The pavilion, historically used for royal banquets, was illuminated by drone lighting during the nighttime stage. Visitors arriving during the first-half-of-the-year evening opening period can view Gyeonghoeru reflected across the surrounding pond under soft lighting. Entry is free for visitors wearing hanbok, a detail often noted by overseas fans planning palace visits. RM’s art walk: MMCA Seoul and Samcheong-dong Following the eastern palace wall leads to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Seoul, an area frequently linked to BTS leader RM, who is widely known for his interest in visual art. RM has publicly shared multiple museum visits over the years, leading fans to refer to the route as part of “Namjooning,” a term used to describe slow-paced cultural walks centered on art and reflection. The museum is scheduled to open a large-scale solo exhibition by contemporary artist Damien Hirst in March, coinciding with the period surrounding BTS’ comeback. Hirst is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the global contemporary art market, and the exhibition is expected to showcase major works rarely seen together in South Korea. From the museum, the route naturally extends into Samcheong-dong’s gallery district. PKM Gallery and nearby Kukje Gallery are among the best-known spaces in the area, long associated with Korean Dansaekhwa and contemporary art exhibitions. Past shows featuring painter Yun Hyong-keun — an artist RM has previously cited with admiration — have also contributed to the area’s prominence among fans seeking cultural stops beyond the concert venue. Dining before or after the show: Seochon’s Sejong Village food street West of Gwanghwamun lies Seochon, an older residential district where narrow alleys house both long-running eateries and newer restaurants. The Sejong Village food street is a common stop for concertgoers looking for meals before or after the show, offering options ranging from charcoal-grilled pork ribs to traditional buckwheat noodles. Farther inside the neighborhood is Tongin Market, known for its “yeopjeon lunchbox” experience. Visitors exchange cash for brass tokens at the entrance before selecting side dishes from market stalls to assemble their own meal. The market’s signature gireum tteokbokki — rice cakes stir-fried in oil with a savory, spicy seasoning — is frequently mentioned by fans as part of a Gwanghwamun-to-Seochon walking route. With BTS’ return expected to draw global attention in March, the surrounding streets, galleries and markets are once again becoming part of the broader concert experience — extending well beyond the two hours spent in front of the stage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-31 10:05:58