Korea's National Dance Company "Double Bill" blends the worlds of discipline and freedom SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - What looks like total chaos — fourteen dancers leaping, crawling, and tossing one another in midair amid tightly arranged metal tables — is, in fact, a work of meticulous control. A single misstep could mean a ruined sequence or even a serious injury. Discipline is the axis of American choreographer William Forsythe’s “One Flat Thing, Reproduced.” The tables impose strict rules: confined space, exact timing, predetermined pathways. The dancers must sense one another with the precision of orchestra players, never missing a cue. “Choreography,” Forsythe once said, “is not the same as dance. It is the architecture of the desire to dance.” That philosophy surfaced in every moment — a balance of control and risk, rule and release. Within its rigidity, the work radiated beauty, revealing how the body seeks freedom even inside the tightest constraints. It showed how far movement can reach within limits, how precision and trust can generate their own kind of emotion. When the lights rose again, the stage transformed for Kim Sungyong’s “Crawl,” a work built around the opposite idea: freedom. Open space replaced the rows of tables. Rolling and flexing bodies moved with a breath-like rhythm, expanding and contracting as if discovering the stage anew. Created through Kim’s collaborative method, Process Init, the piece emerged not from instruction but from improvisation. “Sometimes the process felt like walking backward,” Kim said. “But through those pauses and restarts, the work found its own direction.” He fed the dancers simple cues — “heat,” “patience,” “silence” — allowing movement to grow from sensation rather than steps. The result felt spontaneous yet interconnected, a choreography that wrote itself in real time. Audience member Lee Hae-rin, 27, captured the contrast. “Forsythe’s piece felt like every second mattered — like watching precision under pressure. But Crawl was completely different. It felt fluid.” Together, the two works delivered a message that dance does not need to be explained through theory. It can simply display what the body can do — how rules strengthen it, how freedom exposes emotion — leaving room for each viewer’s own interpretation. According to the National Dance Company, about 1,600 people attended the two-day run, a strong turnout for the National Theater. “The contrast between the two pieces was what audiences talked about most,” an official said. “Forsythe is a name you usually see in history books, and this was the first time ‘One Flat Thing, Reproduced’ was performed by Korean dancers — that alone made it special.” For the National Dance Company of Korea, the program was more than a pairing of two works. It demonstrated how discipline and freedom — seemingly opposite forces — can meet onstage and speak the same language. 2025-11-10 19:17:00

Rose's nod by Grammys fails to persuade investors of her Korean label YG SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - BLACKPINK member Rose is leading a wave of female K-pop artists heading into the 2026 Grammy Awards — an unprecedented moment for Korean pop music — but the historic nominations has so far failed to lift investor sentiment toward her label. Shares of YG Entertainment tumbled more than 7 percent to 66,650 won ($46) on Monday, the first trading day after the Recording Academy shortlisted Rose’s “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Despite the headline-making nominations, IBK Investment & Securities cut its target price on YG to 100,000 won from 120,000 won, citing weakness in third-quarter earnings. Operating profit surged 272 percent on year to 31.1 billion won ($21 million), but still fell short of the market consensus of 34 billion won. The brokerage trimmed its 2025 and 2026 operating profit estimates by 17 percent and 12 percent, respectively, while maintaining a buy rating. YG Entertainment shares have been sliding sharply in recent weeks after peaking at 109,800 won ($75) on August 21. The rally earlier in the summer was fueled by the breakout success of the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters — whose production roster included YG-linked creators — and optimism over a potential easing of Beijing’s unofficial ban on K-pop. Released on June 20, K-Pop Demon Hunters became an unexpected global hit and set new viewership records. Its original soundtrack, led by the single “Golden,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 on August 11, marking a major milestone for K-pop. The track was produced by The Black Label’s Teddy and 24, alongside U.S. collaborator Lijae. The OST album, distributed by Republic Records, is officially classified under the K-pop genre on the label’s website. Other producers at The Black Label — 24, Kush, and Vince — contributed additional songs including “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol.” Investor sentiment toward YG also strengthened in early July when BLACKPINK made a full-group comeback for the first time in 22 months. The quartet opened their “Deadline” world tour with two shows at Goyang Stadium on July 5–6, drawing a total of 78,000 attendees. By late August, the group had sold out major venues in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona and London, with only the Asian leg remaining. YG did not debut any new acts this year, but its affiliate label The Black Label enjoyed momentum with its rookie group All Day Project. The group debuted on June 23, rose to No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 chart within three days, and entered the Billboard Global 200 eight days after debut. Despite these successes, YG’s momentum weakened amid questions over its long-term management strategy and concerns about the cooling of the short-term K-pop hype cycle. Founded in 1998 by former Seo Taiji and Boys member Yang Hyun-suk, YG is one of Korea’s “big four” entertainment companies and home to BIGBANG, BLACKPINK and BABYMONSTER. The company also holds a 14.55 percent stake in The Black Label, which manages rising groups MEOVV, izna and All Day Project. Analysts say YG’s outlook remains dependent on its flagship artists and the possibility of China easing restrictions on Korean entertainment. “BLACKPINK continues to anchor profitability, while BABYMONSTER and BIGBANG’s 20th anniversary comeback could support growth next year,” said Kim Hyun-yong at Hyundai Motor Securities. The brokerage expects BABYMONSTER to launch large-scale tours in the West and Japan, while BIGBANG is confirmed to headline Coachella in April 2026. Hana Securities analyst Lee Kihoon said the K-pop sector could see record earnings next year if both BIGBANG and BTS resume full-group activities. “If that happens, it would mark an unprecedented performance year for the entire industry,” he said. Yang Hyun-suk remains YG’s largest shareholder with a 19.3 percent stake, followed by Naver at 8.9 percent, the National Pension Service at 7.2 percent, and China’s Tencent at 4.3 percent. Despite Monday’s sharp decline, NH Investment’s Lee Hwa-jung maintained that YG’s fundamentals remain intact, predicting that structural growth and overseas reopening will support a recovery. 2025-11-10 17:36:43

Asian stocks rise across the board; KOSPI rebounds sharply SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - Asian stocks rose across the board on Monday, relieved by the developments in the United States as Washington appeared to move closer to ending the longest-ever federal government shutdown. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI led regional gains, climbing 3.02 percent to 4,073.24 as the market warmed up the government’s plan to lower the separate tax rate on dividend income from 35 percent to 25 percent. Institutional investors drove the rebound, buying a net 1.3 trillion won ($895 million). Retail investors sold 1.16 trillion won to take profits, while foreign investors, who had supported early trading, reversed course late in the session and sold a net 155 billion won. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both finished higher, with Samsung up 2.76 percent to 100,600 won and SK hynix rising 4.48 percent to 606,000 won. Hyundai Motor added 2.46 percent to 270,500 won. Financial stocks also gained on expectations that a resolution to the U.S. shutdown could revive prospects of Federal Reserve rate cuts. KB Financial rose 4.28 percent to 129,000 won, while Shinhan Financial increased 1.81 percent to 78,800 won. Among battery makers, Samsung SDI advanced 2.94 percent to 315,000 won, while LG Energy Solution inched up 0.43 percent to 465,500 won. Transformer-related shares extended their strong run. HD Hyundai Electric climbed 4.77 percent to 857,000 won, and Hyosung Heavy Industries gained 3.02 percent to 2,254,000 won. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.33 percent to 50,946, supported by the upbeat global backdrop. Semiconductor material supplier Denka, which produces spherical silica and acetylene black, jumped 7.48 percent to 2,435.5 yen ($15.81). Automakers saw mixed trading. Honda slid 4.67 percent to 1,511 yen due to production disruptions following Nexperia’s suspension of automotive chip exports, while Nissan rose 2.11 percent to 359 yen on signs of recovering domestic vehicle sales. China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.53 percent to 4,018, and Taiwan’s TAIEX gained 0.79 percent to 27,869.91. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was up 1.5 percent at 26,658 as of 4:16 p.m., led by retail stocks rather than the tech names that fueled previous rallies. Pop Mart, maker of the “Labubu” figurines, rose 8.6 percent to 222 Hong Kong dollars ($28.6). 2025-11-10 17:33:56

AI-leveraged cheating in elite university test on AI calls for new class formula in Korea SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - ChatGPT has invaded university classrooms and come to test the ethical integrity of students in Korea, as shown by a large-scale exam cheating scandal at elite Yonsei University in Seoul. The case may be only the tip of the iceberg, with 70 percent of Korean universities still lacking any rules or guidelines on AI use. The issue surfaced when a professor teaching the third-year course "Natural Language Processing (NLP) and ChatGPT" at Yonsei's Sinchon campus revealed that "multiple instances of academic dishonesty have been discovered." The professor urged students to voluntarily come forward to avoid punishment beyond receiving zero points for the midterm, warning that dishonesty could result in disciplinary suspension. The course, with roughly 600 students enrolled, was conducted entirely online. The midterm in mid-October consisted of multiple-choice questions through an online platform. Students were instructed to record their screens, hands, and faces during the exam, but many allegedly changed their camera angles or opened extra browser windows to covertly access AI tools. Within the student community, speculation grew that more than half of the class may have cheated. On Everytime, a popular university community app, an anonymous poll of enrolled students found that 190 out of 359 respondents — about 53 percent — admitted to using unauthorized tools during the test. "It's ironic that a cheating scandal broke out in a course on AI," said Yoo Eun-seo, 22, a theology major at Yonsei. "It's regrettable that students used AI during a restricted exam, but universities should start designing learning systems that integrate AI rather than banning it. Coexistence with AI is inevitable." Another student, Cho Je-yi, 21, said she was "shocked" that cheating occurred even with video monitoring. "It seems this wasn't the first time students gained grades through dishonest means," she said. "When more than half your classmates use AI, not using it starts to feel like a disadvantage. Ethical standards clearly need to be redefined." Cho also noted that distinguishing human-written and AI-generated text has become increasingly difficult. "Tools like Copykiller now have a 'GPT-Killer' function to detect AI content, but many students get flagged unfairly. I've had my own work marked as 'AI-like.' The criteria are vague, and since it's practically impossible to tell the difference, banning AI outright is unrealistic." Three years after generative AI became mainstream, many universities still lack a coherent strategy. A survey by the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) found that 71.1 percent of 131 universities nationwide have no official guidelines on generative AI. By contrast, a 2024 study by Wang, Dang, Wu, and Mac — cited in a KCUE report — found that among the top 100 U.S. universities, 67.4 percent have issued guidelines for faculty regarding AI use, but just 17.8 percent have established rules for students. Only 14.7 percent have institution-wide policies. Several education systems abroad have moved aggressively. The New York City Department of Education banned access to ChatGPT across public schools in early 2024, and Seattle schools also imposed restrictions. The University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Sciences Po in France have prohibited the use of ChatGPT in coursework. Universities in Australia have redesigned exams to prevent students from relying on AI-generated answers. Park Han-woo, professor of media and communication at Yeungnam University and chair of the Korea organizing committee for Internet Research 15 (IR15), said the online format of the exam made it highly likely for students to rely on AI tools. "The issue is not that students used AI," he said. "We need to talk about responsible and ethical use of AI, because banning it altogether isn't realistic." Park said Korean universities must develop new teaching and evaluation models suited for the AI era. 2025-11-10 17:33:34

PHOTOS: Celebrating India – weaving tradition and modernity through fabric and culture SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - The vibrant colors of India’s northeast came to life on the evening of November 7 at the Textile Center in Seoul’s Gangnam District, where Celebrating India showcased the region’s cultural and fashion heritage. Organized by the North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) in Guwahati, Assam, the event was held in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Seoul, the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), and the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK). The opening ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das, who said, “We have gathered today to celebrate the stories woven into India’s textile heritage. The intricate patterns of our fabrics carry the touch of artisans and embody not just fashion, but the essence of our communities and way of life.” He was followed by Nyato Dukam, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Textile of Arunachal Pradesh, and Kento Jini, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. inister Dukam said, “It is an honor to see India’s traditional textiles introduced to the global audience through this event,” adding his gratitude to the Embassy of India, ICCK, and KOFOTI. Minister Jini noted that “this celebration in Seoul will further strengthen the ties between the people of India and Korea, and help promote the culture of India’s northeastern states.” KOFOTI Vice Chairman Joo So-ryeong remarked, “This year marks both the 52nd anniversary of Korea–India diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of KOFOTI. The two nations have long collaborated in various fields, and we look forward to expanding sustainable exchange, especially in textiles and fashion.” The fashion showcase featured a diverse collection that harmonized the traditional textiles of India’s northeast with modern design sensibilities. The first segment highlighted established designers reinterpreting regional fabrics and embroidery through a contemporary lens, while the second segment presented emerging designers offering experimental and elegant creations that energized the audience. The event drew a wide range of guests, including officials from the Indian Embassy, representatives from Indian state governments, members of Korea’s textile and fashion industries, and media professionals, reflecting a growing bond between the two nations. More than a fashion show, Celebrating India served as a cultural platform introducing India’s craft traditions to the world and deepening the cultural and industrial exchange between South Korea and India. 2025-11-10 17:16:41

Seoul city braces for this week's nationwide university entrance exam SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - More than 550,000 students will take their annual university entrance exam at some 1,300 venues across the country on Thursday, prompting police and relevant officials to brace for safely getting them to their test venues. The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday said that more subway trains, buses and taxis will be put into service on the test day, with free transportation and emergency transport vehicles also provided. In Seoul, about 114,158 students will sit for the test at 228 locations. To reduce rush-hour congestion and help students arrive at their test venues on time, the city advised public offices to open one hour late at 10 a.m. The number of subway trains will be increased by 29 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., with additional trains on standby in case of disruptions. Additionally, around 646 vehicles will be stationed near subway stations and bus stops to transport students to test venues in case of need. Ye Jang-gwon, a city official, said, "We will provide full support to help students safely arrive at their test venues without any inconveniences and focus on their exams." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 16:35:26

Korean tofu major ventures into Europe, riding on U.S. success and K-food wave SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - After a decade of pushing its tofu onto American dinner tables, South Korea's leading tofu maker Pulmuone is preparing a full-scale entry into Europe, buoyed by the global rise of K-food and growing demand for plant-based diets across the region. The company said Monday it will establish a European subsidiary in Amsterdam as early as the end of this year and begin sales in France, Germany and Spain, marking its first major expansion into the bloc. "Both companies and consumers showed great interest in our products at SIAL Paris 2024 and the recently concluded ANUGA 2025 in Germany. We've held concrete discussions and even reached agreements with global warehouse discount chains," a company spokesperson said. The timing reflects Europe's accelerating shift toward greener diets. A survey released in May by the Good Food Institute Europe found that 60 percent of respondents in Germany and 56 percent in the UK consume plant-based products at least once a month. While the survey confirmed strong interest in meat alternatives, it also noted that product familiarity and improved taste remain critical for wider adoption. Tofu, already recognized as a protein-rich and versatile food, is expected to benefit from this trend as it makes a broader push into European grocery aisles. Pulmuone's expansion also coincides with a major upgrade of its Ayer, Massachusetts plant, scheduled for completion in the first quarter of next year. The Boston-area facility, buoyed by robust U.S. tofu sales, will more than double its output to 9,000 blocks per hour from 4,500 currently. Products from the expanded plant will supply both North American and European markets. The company is pushing ahead even as its overseas business remains in the red. Pulmuone plans to streamline operations by shedding unprofitable units, including its Chinese subsidiary. At home, tofu consumption has stagnated as the domestic market remains oversaturated. Tofu exports peaked in 2020 at 7,770 tons worth $11.92 million before plunging during the pandemic to less than one-third of that level by 2022. Exports have since recovered to pre-COVID levels, supported by renewed interest in plant-based protein and Korean cuisine. Although several Korean firms export tofu, Pulmuone far outpaces its rivals with dominant overseas sales and holds about 42 percent of the domestic market. Overseas revenue has steadily increased, rising from 11.9 percent of total sales in 2019 to 19.8 percent last year. The company generated 635.1 billion won in overseas sales in 2024. In the United States, Pulmuone controls roughly 75 percent of the tofu market and has maintained its No. 1 position for a decade. Its success has been driven by extensive product localization—eliminating the bean odor disliked by Western consumers while improving freshness through upgraded logistics and cold-chain systems. The company has set a long-term goal of achieving 1 trillion won in U.S. tofu sales, aiming to increase household penetration across the market. "Much of our U.S. tofu is drier and higher in protein, less silky than domestic varieties. We even sell cheese-like mini tofu cubes, as Western consumers tend to dislike the pudding-like texture of Korean tofu," the spokesperson said. Pulmuone plans to apply the same formula in Europe, with high-protein, extra-firm tofu leading its initial lineup. The company is regarded as a pioneer in exporting Korean food culture. It opened its first U.S. tofu plant in Los Angeles in 1995 and now operates factories in Fullerton, California; Tappan and Ayer in New York; two facilities in Beijing; and five plants across Japan. It is also accelerating expansion into Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. 2025-11-10 16:26:57

Underperformance of KRW exposes fragility of economy overly exposed to USD and chips SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - South Koreans involved in trade settlements or overseas spending may need to brace for the U.S. dollar staying above 1,400 won for an extended period, as structural vulnerabilities in the Korean economy and a strong preference for dollar-denominated assets continue to undermine the local currency. The dollar eased to 1,451.50 won on Monday after briefly topping 1,460 late last week — its highest since last April when the country grappled with the presidential impeachment process and tariff threats that escalated under U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite a broadly steady greenback, the Korean won lost nearly 2 percent last week, marking the steepest decline among major currencies. The dollar index edged up just 0.15 percent. The euro strengthened 0.23 percent against the dollar, the yen 0.33 percent, and the pound 0.11 percent. Even currencies that weakened — the Swiss franc (-0.10%), Swedish krona (-0.42%) and Canadian dollar (-0.14%) — fell far less than the won. The immediate catalyst for the won’s sharp slide was heavy foreign selling of Korean equities. Overseas investors offloaded 7.26 trillion won ($5.2 billion) worth of shares on the Korea Exchange between Nov. 3 and 7 — the largest weekly net outflow on record. The amount exceeded the entire October outflow of 5.34 trillion won and almost erased September’s 7.44 trillion won net inflow. The Kospi, which had broken above 4,200 earlier this month, quickly reversed as foreigners dumped chipmakers amid renewed concerns over an AI-driven overvaluation. The selloff added further downside pressure on the won. Another source of structural depreciation is Koreans’ powerful appetite for overseas securities. Between January and September, Korean residents invested $99.85 billion in foreign stocks and bonds — more than triple the $29.65 billion that foreigners poured into Korean securities. Although Korea posted a large current account surplus of $82.77 billion in the first nine months, outbound net assets — driven by direct and portfolio investment — reached $80.99 billion, nearly offsetting the surplus. The promise of government-driven direct investments in the U.S., capped at $20 billion annually as part of a bilateral trade deal, means further outflow. “It’s the substantial outflow of dollars for financial investment,” said Kwon Ah-min, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities. “That’s the only clear direct explanation, given that current-account and capital-market conditions are otherwise favorable.” She added: “The dollar globally is softening, the yuan is strong, and trade conditions are favorable — yet the dollar-won rate hasn’t dropped. That tells the story.” Kwon said a move toward the 1,500 level cannot be ruled out, though it is unlikely this year. “When the rate hit 1,485 earlier this year, Treasury yields were at 4.5 percent and tariff risk was higher. Now yields are more stable and the Fed tone is relatively dovish.” She noted that authorities would likely prevent a break above 1,500, using National Pension Service hedging bands around 1,470–1,480 and conducting smoothing operations if needed. Market consensus is divided on whether the pair will test 1,500 — but most agree that a return below 1,400 will be difficult. The forex market has stabilized somewhat on expectations that the 40-day U.S. federal government shutdown — the longest in history — may soon end. But the relief is likely temporary, analysts say, because the won’s fragility is rooted in Korea’s over-reliance on semiconductor exports and susceptibility to U.S.-driven tariff and policy risks. “It’s no longer a situation that can be controlled by domestic factors,” said Cho Yong-ku, an analyst at Shinyoung Securities. “Stabilization depends on the dollar index easing and foreign funds returning.” Cho added that a Fed rate cut, if it comes, could slow the pace of depreciation, but would not resolve structural vulnerabilities. 2025-11-10 16:05:25

China suspends sanctions on Hanwha Ocean's US subsidiaries SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - China has suspended sanctions on South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean for one year, Beijing's Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. The ministry said it decided to halt retaliatory measures against the shipbuilder's five U.S. subsidiaries, after the U.S. suspended its so-called Section 301 measures, which include punitive tariffs on Chinese maritime logistics and other goods. Earlier last month, China imposed sanctions on them to prohibit them from engaging in transactions with Chinese entities, citing their cooperation with the U.S. The affected subsidiaries were Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Hanwha Shipping, Hanwha Ocean USA International, Hanwha Shipping Holdings, and HS USA Holdings. The suspension, which temporarily lifts sanctions on them with immediate effect, came after Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed on several trade-related issues to ease tensions during a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju late last month. The shipbuilder expressed relief at the move, saying, "We welcome China's decision and hope the suspension will strengthen our partnerships with Chinese businesses." In particular, Hanwha Phil Shipyard is a key site for the country's "MASGA" (Make America Shipbuilding Great Again) project, which is part of a border tariff-related deal with the U.S. Despite Washington's requirement to use U.S.-made parts for security reasons, some experts had expressed worries that, if China's sanctions were to take effect, the shipbuilder could face difficulties in procuring certain components, such as ship valves, which are monopolized by Chinese companies. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 15:50:44

HD Hyundai Heavy wins order for two mega container ships SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured an order worth 435.3 billion won for two large container vessels, strengthening its presence in the global market. The company said on Monday that it has recently signed a contract with Thailand's Regional Container Lines to build the vessels at its shipyard in Ulsan, with deliveries scheduled in phases through October 2028. The mega container ships, with a cargo capacity of 13,800 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), will measure 337 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and 27.3 meters in height. They will also be equipped with scrubbers to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Including the latest one, HD Hyundai Heavy has secured 61 orders so far this year, more than double the 28 ordered in 2024 and 29 in 2023. According to shipping service provider Clarksons Research, global demand for container ships is expected to grow by an average of 2.8 percent annually until 2037. Experts believe that the restructuring of global supply chains amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China will create new opportunities for domestic shipbuilders. An HD Hyundai Heavy spokesman said, "There has been strong demand for container ships thanks to our eco-friendly technology and stable quality control. To build on this momentum, we also aim to expand into new global markets. * This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 14:56:59