Journalist

Ki Su-jeong
  • New Book Says Identity Is the One Thing ChatGPT Can’t Copy
    New Book Says Identity Is the One Thing ChatGPT Can’t Copy In an era when generative AI can draft text in seconds, a new book asks where human writing should go next. Maeil Business Newspaper Publishing (Saenggakjeonggeojang) will publish “Writing That Beats ChatGPT” on the 17th for content creators such as marketers, creators and editors. Rather than focusing on “good writing” alone, the book lays out a vision and practical methods for producing copy that prompts an immediate response — writing that gets clicked. ◆ ‘Dopamine writing’ that wins in 0.017 seconds The book argues that in today’s “dopamine era,” writers must design stimuli that seize attention in just 0.017 seconds. Author Shin Ik-su, a travel reporter at Maeil Business Newspaper, said, “If you can’t get clicks, you’ll be discarded — even by ChatGPT,” as he introduces a formula tailored to readers’ “dopamine brains,” which react to stimulation first. It describes a new reader behavior sequence: stimulus, click and understanding. In a mobile-first environment where instinct often beats reason, it urges creators to move past the assumption that quality alone is enough and to sharpen hooking strategies that draw the initial click. ◆ A human ‘identity’ AI can’t imitate Shin writes that while ChatGPT may appear to threaten human writing, what ultimately holds attention and opens wallets remains a distinctly human domain. AI can produce smooth, polished sentences instantly, he argues, but writing that grasps desire and psychology and moves people is finished by human hands. He compares dopamine-driven readers to “picky eaters” who consume only what suits their tastes, warning that mediocre content will be ignored without hesitation. As the one weapon to overcome that, he points to “identity” rooted in lived experience — vivid, firsthand experience that ChatGPT cannot replicate, he says. ◆ A platform-by-platform practical guide The book presents field-ready techniques, not just theory. It analyzes how writing rules differ across YouTube, blogs and Instagram, and organizes practical formulas aimed at boosting views. It includes guidance on designing titles and thumbnails, opening strategies to increase time spent, building product detail pages that drive purchases, and copywriting that leads to sales. Shin, whose earlier book “Writing That Brings 1 Million Clicks” drew attention, compiles more than a decade of on-the-job know-how in prompting reader clicks.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 11:06:18
  • New Book Warns Digital Tech and AI Are Eroding Cognitive Independence
    New Book Warns Digital Tech and AI Are Eroding Cognitive Independence Digital technology is quietly encroaching on the human brain, a new book argues, citing neuroscience data. In an era dominated by artificial intelligence and algorithms, the authors say people are trading convenience for the loss of control over their own thinking. BookLab recently published “Lending My Brain — Neuroscience to Reclaim the Sovereignty of Thought in the AI Era.” The book examines how reliance on search changes memory formation, how short-form content reshapes attention systems, and how GPS use affects spatial cognition and the hippocampus. It also offers practical strategies aimed at restoring cognitive skills. The book is co-authored by three experts in medicine, management and technology: Lim Gyu-seong, a gastroenterology and hepatology specialist and medical doctor who heads GenosisAI Healthcare; Kang Si-cheol, a management Ph.D. and AI technology adviser to Seoul Medical Center who serves as vice chairman of GenosisAI Healthcare; and Lee Hui-won, chairman of GenosisAI Healthcare, who has led development of third-generation Human Digital Twin technology. The authors argue that while people in the 21st century have unprecedented access to information, their ability to internalize it is rapidly weakening. Citing research on the so-called “Google Effect,” they say outsourcing memory to digital tools brings measurable changes to synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation mechanisms, and that cognitive decline can damage creativity, critical thinking and judgment. They also focus on the imprint of algorithmic curation and short-form content on cognition. The book describes the neuroscience basis of filter bubbles and confirmation bias, and uses the “popcorn brain” and “dopamine loop” theories to explain how consuming videos in 15-second bursts can fragment attention. As a remedy, the authors propose “cognitive friction,” a strategy of deliberately introducing inconvenience to restore deeper thinking. They outline an “eight-week cognitive sovereignty recovery program” that includes reading paper books, allowing the default mode network to activate through idle time, remembering routes without a map, and writing by hand. The book broadens into a philosophical question about balancing technology and humanity. The authors urge readers to choose between passively receiving information and living as thoughtful creators, framing the central challenge as a shift from knowledge to wisdom and from cognitive offloading to cognitive sovereignty.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-24 17:04:19
  • Seoul gains traction as fine-dining destination
    Seoul gains traction as fine-dining destination SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Seoul is rapidly emerging as a destination for global gourmets, with interest in the city's fine dining rising sharply recently. According to an analysis by Singapore-based online travel agency Trip.com, searches for fine dining restaurants in Seoul are on the rise. The biggest increase came from Singapore at 22.2 percent from a year ago, followed by Japan at 21.7 percent, Thailand at 17.9 percent and Hong Kong at 15.7 percent. Among South Korean users, the increase was 16.8 percent. The agency attributed the increase to the popularity of South Korean dramas and cooking-themed reality shows. Restaurants run by chefs who appeared on the latest season of Netflix's hit cooking competition show "Culinary Class Wars" such as Eatanic Garden, Mosu Seoul and Swaaniye, all Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants, have placed highly on Trip.com's rankings, with booking inquiries surging. The agency said nearly half of its users cited tasting authentic local food as one of the key factors in choosing a travel destination, and food-related bookings rose 43 percent from a year earlier. "Trips where restaurants themselves become the destination will shape Seoul's tourism competitiveness," said Hong Jong-min, head of Trip.com's Seoul office. Seoul's reputation as a fine-dining destination has been growing, as Trip.com's latest list released last year featured 17 South Korean restaurants among top venues across 68 countries. 2026-03-24 13:56:36
  • 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