Singer Bae Ki Sung Says He Met His Wife During Day Drinking, Married After 3 Years Singer Bae Ki Sung introduced his wife on television. Bae and his wife, Lee Eun Bi, appeared on TV Chosun’s “Joseon’s Lovebirds” in an episode that aired Monday. Bae recalled their first meeting, saying he had been day drinking with friends for the first time in a while. “We’d gone to about six or seven places, and she came into the restaurant after work to eat,” he said. “Even though I was drunk and we were supposed to be hanging out among ourselves, I kept noticing her.” Lee said she had liked Bae’s songs as a teenager. “He was sitting behind me, and I kept going back and forth to the bathroom to see his face,” she said. They later ended up sitting together and said they married after dating for three years. Bae said his wife’s life has been very different from his. “She reads a paper newspaper,” he said, adding that he now reads about 60 books a year because of her. “I’d never met anyone like her,” he said. “I thought if I married her, my life would get a little smarter, so I decided to get married.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 08:09:00

Stray Kids Concert Film ‘The Dominate Experience’ Tops Global Box Office Stray Kids’ concert film “Stray Kids: The Dominate Experience,” which captures the group’s largest-ever world tour, has topped the global box office. According to U.S. outlet Deadline, the film, which opened on Feb. 6 (local time), grossed a total of US$19.1 million across 61 markets during the first weekend of February, ranking No. 1 worldwide. In North America, it earned about $5.6 million from 1,724 theaters in its opening weekend. In Mexico, it took in about $2.1 million to rank No. 1. In Germany, it grossed about $1.6 million, marking the biggest opening for a K-pop film in that market. In the U.K. and Ireland, it earned about $1.4 million, becoming the top-grossing K-pop film there. The film also posted solid results in Italy, Spain, Brazil, France, Peru, Chile and Australia. “Stray Kids: The Dominate Experience” documents Stray Kids’ “Stray Kids World Tour ‘Dominate,’” held from August 2024 through October the following year, spanning 56 shows in 35 regions. The film also includes the group’s concert at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium — billed as a first for a fourth-generation K-pop group — along with behind-the-scenes footage. Stray Kids are set to continue activities in 2026 and are scheduled to appear as headliners at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York on June 6 and Rock in Rio in Brazil on Sept. 11. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 08:06:00

South Korea’s Lim Hae Na-Kwon Ye miss free dance at Milan-Cortina Olympics after rhythm dance South Korea’s only ice dance entry at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Lim Hae Na and Kwon Ye, failed to advance past the rhythm dance, ending their first Olympic schedule. Lim and Kwon scored 64.69 points in the rhythm dance — 34.28 in technical elements and 30.41 in program components — in competition held Feb. 10 South Korea time. Well below their personal best of 76.02, they placed 22nd among 23 teams. Only the top 20 advanced to the free dance. It was their lowest score since debuting on the senior circuit in the 2022-23 season. They missed the cutoff by 0.29 points behind Sofia Val and Asaf Kazimov of Spain, who finished 20th. A mistake in the sequential twizzles proved costly when Kwon’s steps tangled and the rotation was not completed, leading to deductions. In the kiss-and-cry, Kwon bowed his head in visible disappointment after the score posted. Afterward in the mixed zone, Lim said, “It’s disappointing because there was a mistake, but overall I was happy,” adding, “Today the energy came through well, and our timing in the choreography was good, so I’m satisfied.” Describing the moments after the error, Lim said they made eye contact and told each other, “We can do it — let’s do the next elements better,” adding that he wanted to tell Kwon it was OK. “Our goal was to qualify for the Olympics, and I’m grateful just to have been on this stage,” Lim said. “Just the fact that we performed at the Olympics is overwhelming.” Kwon, who had cold symptoms ahead of the Games, said nerves also may have played a role. “The movements got out of sync. Honestly, I’m really disappointed,” he said, adding, “After the mistake, I did my best in the remaining sections.” Though they did not reach the free dance, both skaters said the experience mattered. “It was meaningful to perform in front of so many spectators,” Lim said. “I hope our emotions reached the fans.” Kwon said, “I was nervous, but the atmosphere was very impressive, and I tried to enjoy the moments I had left.” 2026-02-10 07:48:00

SK and Nvidia chiefs hold AI talks over chicken and beer in Santa Clara SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group missing from the famous chicken-beer meeting in Seoul among key Korean tycoons during Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's visit to South Korea last October, had a separate chimaek moment with Huang in Silicon Valley as SK hynix vies with Samsung Electronics for next-generation memory packages to Nvidia's AI accelerators. According to industry officials on Monday, Chey met Huang on Feb. 5 (local time) at a Korean-style fried chicken restaurant in Santa Clara, California. The venue is known as a favorite of Huang. Chey’s younger daughter, Choi Min-jung, CEO of Integral Health, and Huang’s daughter, Madison Huang, a senior director at Nvidia, accompanied them to underscore the depth of their personal relationship. The talks were reported to have focused on cooperation centered on supplies of next-generation high-bandwidth memory, or HBM. With Nvidia preparing to launch its next AI accelerator, “Vera Rubin,” in the second half of this year, a stable supply of SK hynix’s sixth-generation HBM, known as HBM4, is seen as a key issue. SK hynix currently is responsible for about 70 percent of Nvidia’s HBM3E volume for Blackwell and is said to be assigned with more than 60 percent of the initial HBM4 volume for Vera Rubin. The two companies also likely shared mid- to long-term cooperation plans across next-generation memory, including HBM4E, custom HBM (cHBM), LPCAMM, a low-power DRAM module for servers, and NAND flash. Industry officials said Solidigm’s AI business strategy was also likely on the agenda. SK Group recently changed the name of its U.S. NAND subsidiary and plans to invest about US$10 billion as it pushes to transform Solidigm into an AI solutions company. Some in the industry say cooperation with Nvidia, which has AI solutions spanning autonomous driving and robotics, could expand beyond semiconductors to areas such as building next-generation AI data centers. Chey has been staying in the United States since early this month to personally manage global AI-related networking, the report said. SK Supex Council Chairman Chey Chang-won attended an early-month meeting of the heads of 10 major conglomerates hosted by the president in his place, a move some interpreted as reflecting Chey Tae-won’s focus on major global issues in Silicon Valley, including strengthening ties with Nvidia. 2026-02-10 07:45:18

Ukraine War in 5th Year: Trump's long-delayed '24-Hour' promise *Editor’s Note: As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its fifth year, AJP reviews how the war began, how it has evolved, and where it is heading — and asks the most urgent question of all: will it end? This second installment examines the delayed peace negotiations. SEOUL, Feb. — (AJP)-“I will end that war within 24 hours.” Since his campaign days, US President Donald Trump repeatedly portrayed himself as a “peacemaker,” confidently claiming he could bring the Russia-Ukraine war to a swift end. Emphasizing his personal ties with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump insisted that his unique relationships would allow him to broker peace where others had failed. While the international community remained skeptical of the “24-hour” timetable, some observers expressed cautious hope that a strongman-style leader like Trump might succeed in forcing a settlement. Shortly after taking office in January last year, Trump appointed a special envoy and began preliminary efforts toward a ceasefire, raising expectations of rapid progress. More than a year later, however, the war remains unresolved. Stalled Diplomacy Despite mobilizing sanctions, pressure tactics, and diplomatic persuasion — particularly toward Russia, which has shown limited enthusiasm for a ceasefire — Trump has struggled to produce results. Critics argue that he has been drawn into Putin’s delaying tactics and “false hopes,” rather than shaping the process himself. Meanwhile, the conflict, which Russia initially described as a “special military operation” that would end within weeks, is approaching its fourth anniversary — longer than the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. Limited Gains Trump’s mediation has not been entirely fruitless. Under U.S. auspices, Russia and Ukraine returned to the negotiating table, achieving temporary local ceasefires and limited prisoner exchanges. Zelensky also signaled flexibility on Ukraine’s long-held demand to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization, briefly raising hopes for momentum. Yet fundamental disagreements remain. Russia continues to demand permanent control over occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk and Luhansk, while insisting that Western forces be barred from the country. Ukraine, for its part, refuses to compromise on sovereignty. Kyiv also fears that without firm Western security guarantees, any pause in fighting would allow Moscow to regroup and attack again. A Military and Political Deadlock Russia has steadily expanded its control in occupied areas, signaling its intent to force Ukraine into submission through military pressure. At the same time, Western support — particularly from Europe and the United States — continues to sustain Ukraine’s defense. Russia itself has suffered heavy material and human losses. As a result, neither side appears capable of imposing a decisive outcome. “None of the conditions for ending the war have been met,” said Ruth Deyermond, a professor at King’s College London, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “Neither side is in a position to secure a decisive victory, and while both face pressure, neither looks close to collapse,” she said. Economic Pressure Builds Some analysts believe economic factors could eventually accelerate negotiations. Russia’s economy, heavily dependent on oil and gas exports, has been hit by sanctions and weak prices. According to a report by The Washington Post, Russian officials have warned Putin that financial stress could intensify by summer. Oleg Ignatov, a Russia expert at the International Crisis Group, said both sides may prefer to seek the best possible terms now rather than prolong the war for years. “Under growing internal and external pressure, Russia and Ukraine are likely to explore ways to end the war on favorable terms,” he said. Missed Deadlines Trump’s credibility as a mediator has been weakened by repeated deadline failures. During his 2023 campaign, he vowed to end the war “within 24 hours.” After taking office, he extended the timeframe to six months, then two weeks, then 50 days, and later just 10 to 12 days. Each deadline passed without a breakthrough. Zelensky recently revealed that Trump is now targeting a summer resolution, but many Ukrainians view the pledge with skepticism. Recent US-led peace talks ended without agreement, while Russian strikes on major Ukrainian cities have continued. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the attacks showed that “Putin’s place is not at the table of peace, but at the dock of a tribunal.” Despite renewed diplomatic efforts and plans for further negotiations, analysts say a swift end remains unlikely without a major shift in military or political conditions. Trump’s central campaign narrative — that personal relationships and political will could quickly resolve the conflict — has collided with the realities of geopolitics. For now, slogans and timetables have proved no match for one of Europe’s most entrenched wars. 2026-02-10 07:33:08

Park Kyung Gu, Early Busker Busker Member and Eoljinity Musician, Dies at 38 Park Kyung Gu of the band Eoljinity has died, his family said. He was 38. In a post on social media on Feb. 7, the family said, "It still doesn't feel real, but on behalf of our family we are sharing this obituary," adding, "We would appreciate it if you could be with us with warm hearts as he takes his final journey." The exact cause of death was not disclosed. Fans responded online with messages including, "Thank you for the good songs," "May he rest in peace" and "We will keep the music you left behind as memories." Park busked with Jang Beom June of Busker Busker and wrote and composed Jang's second solo album, "Between Hongdae and Konkuk University." On Feb. 9, Jang posted a tribute video titled "Park Kyung Gu Best Clip (Best Live Clip)" on his YouTube channel.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 07:00:00

Review: Ryoo Seung-wan’s ‘Humint’ hits a new peak of classic spy-action elegance “It’s romantic. The lighting, the temperature, the humidity …” a guest on a variety show once said. The point was that place, weather and how you feel combine to create an atmosphere. Movies work the same way: your mood and experience can become part of how you judge what you see. “ChoiCine Review” is a column that introduces films through the writer’s own perspective, in a more relaxed, everyday voice. Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s films arrive with a recognizable rhythm. If his earlier work moved like upbeat disco or punk, his new film, “Humint,” shifts into something closer to a full orchestra — heavier, colder and more controlled. The result is a polished new high point for Ryoo’s brand of action, refined even beyond “The Berlin File.” The story follows Jo, a National Intelligence Service black-ops agent known as Manager Jo (Zo In-sung), who is tracking an international crime case in Southeast Asia when he picks up a clue left by an informant killed during his earlier human-intelligence operation. He heads to Vladivostok, where he makes contact with Chae Seon-hwa (Shin Se-kyung), an employee at a North Korean restaurant, and selects her as a source for a new operation. Elsewhere, Park Geon (Park Jung-min), a State Security Department team leader sent to investigate disappearances near the border, senses that North Korea’s consul general, Hwang Chi-seong (Park Hae-joon), is involved. Using the pasts of Chae and Park as leverage, Hwang pressures them, and the players begin a dangerous balancing act. Rather than replaying power struggles head-on, Ryoo focuses on what is left unsaid — the gaps between records. The film keeps the poise of classic spy cinema while stripping away excess technique, making “Humint” one of the most tightly constructed espionage entries in his filmography. That control shows in the locations and staging. A Latvia shoot stands in for Vladivostok, bringing a chill texture to the screen. Buildings marked by Russia’s past create an unfamiliar mood, while heavy concrete surfaces help visualize the harsh reality surrounding the characters. The camera alternates between wide landscapes and tight close-ups at key moments, holding on faces to capture emotional shifts. The contrast between the weight of the setting and the instability in the characters’ expressions helps regulate tension scene by scene. The action is designed to match character and tempo, not just deliver thrills. Movements shaped through actual NIS training add professional detail, and the direction counts bullets in gunfights to give scenes a realistic weight. The texture of each fight reflects the characters’ circumstances and temperaments, pushing the story forward. Zo handles firearms with a composed, agentlike presence, using his physicality to give the action a measured style. Park Jung-min brings contained movement with bursts of energy, from his first appearance throwing darts to a car chase. Park Hae-joon tightens suspense with a coldness that turns everyday tools into weapons, while Shin anchors the film with a forceful performance built around decisive choices for survival. Together, the cast’s physical performances lock into an ensemble, building individual arcs within shared spaces and drawing a clear line between harsh reality and human conflict. “Humint” opens in theaters on the 11th. It runs 119 minutes and is rated for viewers 15 and older.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 06:03:00

18-year-old snowboarder Yoo Seung-eun wins women’s big air bronze at 2026 Milan Games * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 04:51:00

South Korea’s Lee Na Hyun places ninth in Olympic women’s 1,000 meters, targets 500 medal Lee Na Hyun of Korea National Sport University became the first South Korean to finish in the top 10 of the Olympic women’s 1,000 meters and said she will now focus on chasing a medal in her main event, the 500. After the race on Monday (Korea time), Lee said, “It wasn’t a perfect race, but I think I set a meaningful time,” adding, “If I prepare well, I think I can try for a medal in the 500.” Lee finished ninth in 1 minute, 15.76 seconds. The result surpassed the previous best South Korean finish in the women’s 1,000, 11th by Yoo Sun Hee at the 1992 Albertville Games. “I thought I could maybe get as high as seventh if things went well,” Lee said. “I didn’t reach my target place, but it’s still a meaningful result, so I’m satisfied.” Lee said she will use what she learned in the 1,000 to prepare for the women’s 500. “Looking at the times from competitions held here, the differences between skaters were big,” she said. “I thought a lot about what the ice would be like and how I should skate.” She added, “First I’ll go back into the athletes village, calm down, and watch today’s video to set a strategy” for the 500. Lee said watching her rivals also motivated her. “I learned a lot watching Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok,” she said. “It made me think I need to work harder, and my goal of standing on the podium became clearer.” In the race, Kok first took the lead with an Olympic record of 1:12.59, before Leerdam lowered it to 1:12.31 to win gold. Lee will compete in the women’s 500 on Feb. 16, aiming to contend for a medal.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-10 04:24:00

South Korea’s Jeong Hye-seon sits 24th after two runs in Olympic women’s luge South Korea’s Jeong Hye-seon (Gangwon Provincial Government) ranked 24th after the first two runs of the women’s singles luge at her first Olympics. Jeong posted a combined time of 1 minute, 49.587 seconds in runs 1 and 2 on Monday morning (Korea time) at the Cortina Sliding Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. She was 24th among 25 competitors. Jeong earned her Olympic berth on her third attempt after being selected to the national team in 2014. At 31, she is competing in her first Olympics and is the only South Korean athlete entered in luge at these Games. Starting 18th in the first run, Jeong built speed off the start but lost balance in an early corner and hit the wall. She finished in 55.118 seconds, placing 25th. In the second run, she cut her time to 54.469 seconds but moved up only one spot. Jeong will skate runs 3 and 4 on Feb. 11 to determine the final standings. 2026-02-10 03:57:00