BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Tops 4 Million Sales in Three Days, Hanteo Says BTS’ new release “ARIRANG” is extending its strong run in the market. Hanteo Chart said on the 25th that the album sold more than 4 million copies in three days, taking the No. 1 spot on its weekly chart. On the first day alone, it sold 3.98 million copies to top the daily chart. The sales figure is being read as more than a measure of popularity. If the group’s comeback performance in Gwanghwamun created a widely shared “return” moment, the 4 million mark shows how strongly that moment translated into purchases. Fans are not only buying music, but also a narrative that combines reunion and return, a symbolic venue and global broadcasting. For BTS, the new album functions both as a collection of new songs and as a tangible marker of a story reconnected after a long break. The result also underscores that physical albums remain a powerful industry indicator in K-pop, even as streaming dominates listening. While fewer people use physical albums to play music, South Korea’s physical album sales hit a peak of 116 million copies in 2023. The market has been driven by collectible consumption, including photo cards, multiple package versions and fan-meeting entry promotions. Against that backdrop, “ARIRANG” stands out, the article said, because it shows BTS can move both a global fan base and the domestic album market at the same time. The first-day total of 3.98 million and the three-day milestone of more than 4 million indicate that comeback attention was converted into purchases, as performance symbolism, fan emotion and K-pop’s collectible model aligned once again. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 09:45:20

South Korean drug kingpin extradited from Philippines to face probe in Seoul SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - A South Korean detained in the Philippines was extradited to South Korea on Wednesday to face an investigation into alleged drug trafficking. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Park Wang-yeol, a notorious drug kingpin known by his alias "Jeonsegye" in Korean, which literally means "worldwide," was extradited from the Philippines early Wednesday morning after nearly a decade of efforts to bring him back to face criminal charges. She added that it demonstrates the government's "strong will that even criminals hiding overseas will pay the price." His extradition comes after President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Manila earlier this month, during which he asked Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cooperate in combating transnational crimes. Park was extradited under a bilateral treaty as part of a temporary handover, which allows a suspect to be provisionally transferred for criminal proceedings in South Korea while trial or sentence enforcement in the Philippines is suspended. The 48-year-old was a key figure in an infamous case involving serial killers who used plantations to conceal victims, in which three South Koreans were killed. He was arrested by Philippine authorities in October 2022, sentenced to 60 years in prison, and had been held there. Even while in prison, he continued his crimes, drawing scrutiny after being caught distributing large quantities of drugs into South Korea via Telegram and other social media platforms. Kang said the government will "uncover his every criminal act to the end" while tracking down accomplices and punishing them strictly. She added that the government would respond to transnational crime with "zero tolerance" and strengthen international cooperation to ensure that criminals have nowhere to hide. 2026-03-25 09:33:55

Comedian Park Mi-seon Says She’s Studying for Insurance License Exam South Korean entertainer Park Mi-seon said she is preparing for a certification exam. On March 24, Park posted a photo on social media with a message urging students to study early. “There’s a time for studying, too. If any students are seeing this, study while you’re even a year younger,” she wrote. She added, “Does the brain age, too? I can’t memorize anything. This is driving me crazy.” Asked by a fan what test she was taking, Park replied, “An insurance exam.” When another fan asked whether she was getting the license to film life and property insurance commercials, she responded, “Correct.” Under current rules, an advertising model must hold an insurance planner’s qualification to directly explain detailed information about insurance products in a video. In November last year, Park appeared on the tvN variety show “You Quiz on the Block” and said breast cancer was found during a comprehensive health screening. She said that when doctors opened her up for surgery, they found it had spread to the lymph nodes. “If it spreads, chemotherapy is essential, so I had radiation treatment 16 times, and I’m currently on medication,” she said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 09:30:05

CJ CheilJedang builds food industry's first automated frozen kimbap line to chase global demand SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - CJ CheilJedang has constructed the food industry's first automated frozen gimbap production facility at its CJ Blossom Campus in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, as the South Korean food giant moves to scale up its global kimbap business. The fully automated line handles every stage of production — from filling and rolling to cutting and tray packaging — and took about 18 months to develop, according to CJ on Wednesday. The company said the system reduces weight variation between products, raises output speed, and meets stringent international hygiene standards through a redesigned process layout. Quality improvements were also built into the line. CJ CheilJedang applied its frozen-rice cooking expertise to optimize the texture and sheen of each product's rice, while ingredient-specific heat treatment settings were calibrated to preserve the color and bite of individual fillings. Flash-freezing technology ensures quality holds through distribution and storage. The investment backs the company's Bibigo frozen gimbap line, which launched in 2023 as part of its broader K-food export push. The products have logged cumulative global sales of over 8 million units, with annual revenue growing at about 130 percent on average. CJ CheilJedang said it plans to use the Jincheon facility as a springboard for further export growth, with a focus on the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The company also intends to expand its U.S. grocery store presence in the second half of this year. "This goes beyond simply securing capacity — it is a strategic investment to accelerate the expansion of K-food's global footprint," a spokesperson said, adding that the firm aims to build Bibigo gimbap into a defining brand of Korean cuisine worldwide. 2026-03-25 09:15:48

Public Golf Course Visits in South Korea Fell 4.2% in 2025; Green Fees Also Down The Korea Public Golf Course Association said average visits to public golf courses in 2025 fell 4.2% from 2024. In data released March 25, the association said the average number of visitors per 18-hole course was 85,642 in 2025, down from 89,376 in 2024. It said attendance has declined each year since 2022. Green fees also fell. In the Seoul metropolitan area, the average weekday fee was 146,000 won, down 8.2% from 159,000 won in 2024. The average weekend fee was 188,000 won, down 8.7% from a year earlier. Outside the metropolitan area, average fees were estimated to have dropped about 1% to 2%. The association said it held its 2026 regular board meeting and general assembly March 24 at Olympic Parktel in Songpa-gu, Seoul. It reviewed and approved its 2025 business results and financial statements and a proposed 2026 budget totaling about 1.696 billion won. At the general assembly, the association also reported its efforts to seek changes to laws and systems affecting the golf industry. It cited proposals to revise what it called unreasonable rules in standard contract terms related to deposits and cancellation fees; to exclude self-employed caddies from coverage under the national pension and health insurance; and to introduce systems reflecting industry conditions in connection with the “Basic Act for Working People” bill and the “worker presumption system.” The association said it supports member companies by providing statistical analysis and publishing a professional bulletin, “Public Golf Course Management Brief.” It said key initiatives this year include regularizing personnel and information exchanges with the Japan Golf Course Managers Association; supporting course management in response to abnormal weather through on-site diagnostics and soil and water-quality analysis; and expanding issuance of official certificates for special achievements such as holes-in-one. At the meeting, Hong Jae-won, CEO of Bellastone CC, and Kim Nam-il, president of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization, which operates Bomun GC and Andong Lake GC, received top awards for management innovation. Excellence awards went to Hwang Yong-hae, deputy general manager at Diamond CC; Son Hyun-kyung, deputy general manager at Solago CC; Lee Ji-min, assistant manager at Seven Valley CC; and Kang Min-su, an employee at West Ocean CC. Association Chairman Woo Jeong-seok said the golf industry’s business environment is changing faster than ever amid domestic and global economic conditions, shifting consumer trends, and new systems and regulations. He said the association will “push forward more strongly” its roles and responsibilities across various areas to improve conditions for public golf courses facing many challenges. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 09:15:00

BTS live return takes world by storm, album tests "creative mettle"  SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - The livestreamed BTS open-air stage performed before more than 100,000 people in Gwanghwamun for a comeback after a four-year hiatus drew 18.4 million viewers, according to Netflix, marking one of the largest synchronized global concert events to date as the group returned with its first studio album in six years Arirang,” described by The New York Times as “a raucous test of its creative mettle amid rapidly changing genre norms." The performance entered Netflix’s weekly Top 10 in 80 countries and ranked No. 1 in 24, with viewers across time zones tuning in simultaneously, turning the Seoul stage into a shared global broadcast. RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook took the stage at “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG” in central Seoul before extending the momentum overseas and two days later headlined a second event at Pier 17 in New York. Held atop a rooftop venue overlooking the East River, the Pier 17 showcase gathered around 1,000 invited fans selected through Spotify streaming data — many already chanting lyrics and replicating choreography to songs released only days earlier. Online response scaled in parallel. The campaign generated more than 2.62 billion impressions across Netflix-owned channels, with related hashtags trending across the United States, South Korea and major markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America. The rollout highlights a shift in K-pop’s delivery model, combining large-scale physical concerts with streaming platforms and data-driven fan targeting to extend reach beyond geography. The music itself is drawing scrutiny alongside the scale. In a Critic’s Pick review, The New York Times described the album “Arirang” as “a raucous test of its creative mettle amid rapidly changing genre norms,” positioning the release as both a commercial milestone and an artistic checkpoint. The review notes the album’s maximalist structure and genre shifts, framing it as a project balancing experimentation with the demands of global success and the expectations surrounding BTS and its agency Hybe. Netflix is set to release a documentary, “BTS: THE RETURN,” offering a behind-the-scenes look at the reunion, album production and stage preparation, extending the narrative beyond the live performances. Ultimately, the comeback reflects both scale and uncertainty. As the New York Times review concludes, beneath the group’s vast commercial machinery may still lie “a work of odd and satisfying art” — suggesting BTS’ return is not only a global event, but also an open question about how far it can stretch creatively within its own success. 2026-03-25 09:11:47

South Korea Changes Korean Spelling of Mongolia’s Capital to ‘Ulaanbaatar’ The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of Korean Language said on the 25th they reviewed the Foreign Ministry’s request to change the Korean spelling of Mongolia’s capital and decided to revise it from “Ulaanbaatar” written as “Ulan Bator” in Korean to “Ulaanbaatar.” The capital’s name has long been written in Korean by convention as “Ulan Bator (Ulan Bator).” Officials said that form reflects a Russian-language spelling and differs from local Mongolian spelling and pronunciation, creating administrative inconvenience. To address confusion in the field, the ministry and the institute convened the “2026 First National Institute of Korean Language Committee on Foreign Proper Names” and decided the standard Korean rendering should follow “Ulaanbaatar (Ulaanbaatar).” A Foreign Ministry official said Mongolia had asked South Korea to change the spelling “in consideration of the close relationship between the two countries,” adding that public inquiries had continued because of the confusion. The official said the ministry welcomed the decision and expected it to contribute to “future-oriented” ties and to expanding friendly perceptions between the two peoples.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 08:54:38

SK hynix files for US IPO listing SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - SK hynix has begun taking steps for a U.S. stock-market listing, the chipmaker said on Wednesday. It filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the previous day, seeking a listing on a U.S. stock market via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). ADRs allow non-U.S. companies to trade their shares on U.S. stock exchanges through depositary banks rather than by listing shares directly, making it easier for investors to purchase foreign stocks. Its global rivals such as Taiwan's TSMC, use ADRs to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and attract international investors. SK hynix said it aims to be listed within the year, pending the SEC's review, though details such as the size, structure and timing of the IPO have yet to be finalized. 2026-03-25 08:43:05

Omega to Provide Official Timekeeping for TGL Final Series Swiss watchmaker Omega is providing timekeeping technology throughout the TGL screen golf league season, aiming to support a faster, more structured competition format. Omega has handled timekeeping for all TGL matches held since December at the SoFi Center in Florida, including the league’s central “40-second shot clock.” As the official timekeeper, the company said its role goes beyond measuring time, helping raise pace and tension while influencing players’ strategic decisions. TGL is a hybrid golf league that combines simulator-based long-game play with short-game shots on an indoor, high-tech green. The 40-second shot clock is designed to create quicker action and a team strategy-focused structure, making time a decisive factor. Omega has placed shot-clock timing displays on both sides of the venue’s large front screen to heighten visual engagement. “Precision, power, time, technology and team dynamics are Omega’s core values, and they align with TGL’s fast, technology-driven play and emphasis on teamwork,” Omega said. The company added that TGL’s push to reshape traditional golf also matches Omega’s “pioneering spirit,” calling the partnership a way to put those values into practice. Omega’s timekeeping will continue during the final series, scheduled for March 24 and 25 in a best-of-three format. Jupiter Links GC, featuring Tiger Woods and Kim Ju-hyeong, will face Los Angeles Golf Club, which includes Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, with the title at stake. Omega has served as an official timekeeper at international sports events for more than 90 years, starting with the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Since 2001, it has also been the title sponsor of the Omega European Masters, maintaining ties to golf.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 08:36:18

KBO Season Opens With LG, KT and Samsung Slight Favorites; Asia Quota Looms Large The KBO League heads into the 2026 regular season with what analysts expect to be one of its tightest races in years, with a newly introduced “Asia quota” rule seen as a key variable that could swing the standings. The 2026 season opens March 28 and will run 144 games per team, 720 games total. Five openers are scheduled for 2 p.m.: KT Wiz vs. LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul; Kiwoom Heroes vs. Hanwha Eagles at Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon; KIA Tigers vs. SSG Landers at Incheon SSG Landers Field; Lotte Giants vs. Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park; and Doosan Bears vs. NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park. Commentators said the league looks unusually balanced. Min Hoon-ki, a SPOTV analyst, said in a phone interview March 23 that while the past two or three seasons were competitive, “this year is truly an all-time scramble.” Excluding Kiwoom, he said, the other nine clubs have improved and “a dogfight without a runaway team” could last to the end. Kim Sun-woo, an MBC Sports Plus analyst, also said the field has leveled out enough that it is difficult to pick even the top five. Even so, analysts gave a slight edge to LG, Samsung and KT. Min said defending champion LG has fewer uncertainties and strong depth. He said KT has a solid pitching staff and strengthened its lineup by adding Kim Hyun-soo and Choi Won-jun. Min said Samsung upgraded its offense by signing Choi Hyeong-woo, but added that staying healthy will be crucial. Kim said exhibition games suggested LG “still looks strong,” and that Samsung’s lineup remains potent despite injuries, with the two clubs appearing a step ahead. The new Asia quota system is expected to be the biggest wild card. Under the rule, teams can sign one player from an Asian league — including Australia — at up to $200,000, with no position restrictions. Nine of the 10 clubs used the slot on a pitcher. KIA was the only team to sign a position player, adding Australian infielder Jared Dale. By nationality, seven of the Asia-quota players are Japanese, two are Australian and one is Taiwanese. Min said the change effectively gives teams a fourth foreign player and could have an outsized impact if an Asia-quota pitcher emerges as an ace or a closer. Kim said the rule is likely to influence the standings because nearly every club, except KIA, used it to bolster pitching. He added that for SSG — with ace Kim Kwang-hyun no longer on the roster — the performance of Japan’s Takeda Shota has become “extremely important.” Another storyline is whether Lotte, which finished first in the exhibition standings, can carry that momentum into the season. It was Lotte’s first time atop the exhibition table since 2022, when it tied for first with LG and KIA, and its first outright exhibition title since 2011. Kim credited Lotte’s strong exhibition run to standout performances by younger players and intense internal competition that has lifted the team’s hitting. He said Lotte lacked power and home runs last season, but could be worth watching if its revamped offense translates to the regular season. Min was more cautious, saying the key question is whether a young core can withstand a long season, adding that while Lotte should compete, it is unclear whether it has top-five strength.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 00:06:00