Faith in the feed: virtual pastors and monks court young Koreans SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) — “I have to go prepare for Sunday service now, so we’ll wrap up today’s stream here. Thank you for watching.” With that, a 2D avatar known as “Pastor Kim” waves goodbye. The chat window erupts in emojis, hearts and rapid-fire comments. Viewers type “Amen,” “LOL” and “See you next time” in the same breath. Welcome to South Korea’s newest religious frontier: virtual YouTube. Far from pulpits and pews, young clergy members are turning to avatars, livestreams and gaming culture to reach a generation that has largely drifted away from organized religion. The message is clear: faith, rebranded for the algorithm age. Over the past year, virtual religious creators have quietly built online followings. One of the earliest was “Illegal Monk,” who began streaming in July last year on Naver’s CHZZK and YouTube. Presenting himself as a monk born in 1994 from the fictional “Uimon Temple of Chizik Mountain,” he mixes Buddhist teachings with internet humor. His debut broadcast drew attention when he performed Cheondojae — a traditional Buddhist ritual for the dead — for the fictional “Saja Boys,” characters inspired by Korea’s grim reapers in the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. His channel now has about 65,000 subscribers. In November 2025 came “Pastor Kim,” followed in January this year by “Father Leon,” a Catholic VTuber. They represent different faiths, but share a common mission: speaking to young people in the language of K-pop, webtoons, games and livestream culture. “I keep saying I should go to church but never do — so it’s a miracle that Father shows up in my algorithm,” one follower wrote. Their digital outreach reflects a deeper problem. According to Hankook Research, 51 percent of respondents in its January–November 2025 survey said they had no religion. Only 20 percent identified as Protestant, 16 percent as Buddhist and 11 percent as Catholic. Among those aged 18 to 29, nearly 69 percent said they had no religion. Long-term data from Gallup Korea shows the shift clearly. In 2004, about 45 percent of Koreans in their 20s said they were religious. Today, that figure has fallen to the low 20 percent range. Religion, once a major social anchor, is losing ground among younger generations. “Korea is becoming polarized in belief,” said Jung Jong-hyun, a sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan University. “Those who are religious tend to be very active, while those without religion are largely indifferent. This divide is growing.” At stake, he added, is institutional survival. Behind the animated characters are real religious figures. Illegal Monk is an ordained monk of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Father Leon belongs to the Catholic virtual creator group “Holy Live.” Pastor Kim is an ordained minister of the Korea Nazarene Church. All keep their personal identities private, but operate within their respective institutions. They also share a surprising degree of collaboration. When Father Leon introduced his new character design, he joked, “Some of you might recognize the illustration style. The same artist worked on Illegal Monk. I guess that makes us brothers. VTubers are bringing religious unity.” Indeed, Illegal Monk and Father Leon share an illustrator and have appeared together in joint livestreams. Different traditions, same digital universe. Their content follows familiar online formulas. They read chat messages in real time. They joke with viewers. They reference memes and games. They react to trending videos. In between, they insert short sermons, prayers or reflections. Religion is no longer delivered in long lectures. It comes in clips, comments and casual conversation. Illegal Monk says he wants to make Buddhism feel less intimidating. Father Leon aims to lower psychological barriers to church. Pastor Kim believes the Gospel must go where young people already gather — including online subcultures. Instead of asking youth to return to institutions, they are meeting them on their phones. 2026-02-23 17:41:27

BOK governor sees economic recovery despite last year's stagnation SEOUL, Feb 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s central bank expects economic growth in 2026 to rise significantly compared to the previous year, despite last year’s performance falling short of initial market expectations. "Despite uncertainties surrounding US tariff policies, domestic demand is recovering on the back of favorable consumer sentiment, while exports continue their upward trend led by the robust semiconductor sector," BOK Governor Rhee Chang-yong stated during a parliamentary report to the Strategy and Finance Committee on Monday. Regarding inflation, Rhee projected that consumer price growth would maintain a stable trajectory near the 2 percent target. He, however, left the door open for possible fluctuations in international oil prices and exchange rates - which could serve as potential risk factors. The volatility of the won-dollar exchange rate and stock prices was also identified as a significant concern. "While the rise in the exchange rate has been tempered by year-end measures to stabilize foreign exchange supply and demand, the market remains highly volatile, still influenced by external variables such as the movements of the US dollar and the Japanese yen," Rhee noted. On the equity market, he explained that while stock prices rose sharply driven by the boom in key sectors like semiconductors, volatility is now increasing due to concerns over overinvestment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the potential displacement of traditional industries. Governor Rhee further emphasized the need for vigilance regarding financial stability. "Credit risks remain prevalent in vulnerable sectors, such as the self-employed, while concerns persist over accumulating financial imbalances caused by rising housing prices in the Seoul metropolitan area," he said. The BOK plans to calibrate its future monetary policy by comprehensively evaluating economic growth, inflation, and financial stability, as global and domestic uncertainties remain elevated. Following Governor Rhee's remarks, yields in the Seoul bond market saw a broad uptick on Monday. The benchmark three-year government bond yield closed at 3.154 percent per annum, rising 1.1 basis points from the previous trading day. The 10-year Treasury yield rose by 3.8 basis points to finish at 3.578 percent. The South Korean economy contracted by 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the BOK on Jan. 22. On an annual basis, the economy recorded a growth of 1.0 percent, significantly missing the central bank's original consensus of 1.8 percent. 2026-02-23 17:40:09

Genesis Wraps Up 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Genesis said Sunday it successfully concluded the 2026 Genesis Invitational, held Feb. 19-22 local time at Riviera Country Club in California. Marking the tournament’s 100th anniversary, the event is one of the PGA Tour’s top “signature events,” drawing leading players including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 2 Rory McIlroy and No. 3 Justin Rose to compete for prize money and FedExCup points. Jacob Bridgeman won at 18-under-par 266. McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama finished one stroke back in a tie for second. Genesis awarded Bridgeman $4 million and a GV80 Coupe Black. Max Greyserman made a hole-in-one on the 14th hole in the final round. During the tournament, Genesis displayed 18 vehicles, including the GV60 Magma model, the electrified GV70 and the GV80 Coupe, to spectators and to TV audiences across the United States. Genesis also set up a “Genesis 14th Hole Lounge,” featuring Genesis Golf Collection sales, a golf swing simulator experience and a display of Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot, Spot. Genesis said it ran its “California Rises” campaign for a second straight year, launched last year with the PGA Tour and TGR Live to support recovery from California wildfires. As part of the campaign, Genesis held a “Birdies for Good” event, pledging $1,000 for each birdie or eagle on five holes — Nos. 10, 14, 16, 17 and 18 — and $25,000 for each hole-in-one. The effort raised about $320,000 in relief funds during the tournament. Genesis said it plans to donate a total of $1 million, including those funds, to local charities including the American Red Cross, the California Fire Foundation and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation. Genesis, the title sponsor for the 10th year, previously extended its sponsorship agreement for the Genesis Invitational through 2030 with the PGA Tour and the Tiger Woods Foundation ahead of this year’s tournament. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:39:20

IVE’s Leeseo Says All Members Are Adults This Year as Group Returns With ‘REVIVE+’ IVE’s youngest member, Leeseo, shared her thoughts on turning 20. On the afternoon of the 23rd, IVE held a comeback showcase for its second full-length album, “REVIVE+,” at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District. “The biggest change is that, starting this year, all IVE members are adults,” Leeseo said, adding that fans can expect a wider range of sides from the group. Leeseo, born Feb. 21, 2007, said returning with a second full-length album after becoming an adult makes “each day feel like a dream.” “But honestly, I don’t think much has changed,” she said. “I want to stay happy as the youngest in IVE forever. Since this is my first comeback as an adult, I really want to do well.” Member Rei said she noticed a shift during the group’s second world tour last year. “It was the same songs, but compared with debut, Leeseo’s vibe, expressions and gestures naturally changed,” Rei said. “As an older member, it felt amazing to see.” IVE’s second full-length album, “REVIVE+,” is set for release at 6 p.m. on the 23rd. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:33:16

Daewon, Yuhan, Kolon and Samsung Medical Center roll out supplements, gene therapy and AI tools Daewon Pharmaceutical teams with E-Land’s Kim’s Club to launch 14 health supplements Daewon Health said Feb. 23 it will launch 14 premium health functional foods in collaboration with Kim’s Club, a supermarket brand operated by E-Land Retail. The lineup includes a multivitamin, milk thistle, lutein, calcium and coenzyme Q10. The products are designed by age, gender and health goal, and the packaging includes suggested uses tied to common health concerns to help shoppers choose. Daewon Health said all products are formulated to meet at least 100% of Korean nutrient intake standards. It said it combined key ingredients with complementary ingredients to improve nutritional balance and priced the products at 5,000 won or less for a one-month supply to reduce the burden on consumers. Yuhan launches ‘Becompl’ daily vitamin shots in three versions Yuhan said Feb. 23 it launched three products under its premium daily care brand Becompl, designed to help manage daily condition by time of day. The company said the products use a dual format that combines a tablet and liquid in one bottle, allowing consumers to take them without water and improving portability and convenience. Becompl Morning Shot is aimed at liver health. Yuhan said the 30 mL portable product contains milk thistle and Rhodiola rosea extract for easy use on the way to work. Becompl All Day Shot is a premium multivitamin that includes 20 functional ingredients in one bottle. Centered on high-dose B vitamins needed for energy metabolism, it also combines vitamins C and E with minerals and may help with antioxidant support, the company said. Becompl Good Night is designed to improve sleep quality and is intended for nighttime use. Yuhan said it contains lime peel extract, a citrus-derived ingredient that may help support sleep health. Kolon Life Science to broaden indications for next-generation gene therapy candidates Kolon Life Science said Feb. 23 it plans to add new indications for drug candidates KLS-3021 and KLS-2031 and strengthen the foundation for global commercialization. KLS-3021 is a next-generation anticancer gene therapy candidate that loads therapeutic genes (PH-20, IL-12 and sPD1-Fc) onto a recombinant vaccinia virus engineered for greater selectivity toward cancer cells. The company said it is designed to combine the virus’ direct tumor-killing mechanism with breakdown of tumor stroma to help immune cells penetrate cancer tissue, while also inducing an anticancer immune response. To diversify indications for KLS-3021, Kolon Life Science said it is expanding research to include head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer. Another pipeline candidate, KLS-2031, is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-based gene therapy designed to express the genes GAD65, GDNF and IL-10, which are involved in suppressing neuroinflammation and regulating overexcited pain signaling pathways. The company said it is continuing to submit papers on preclinical results related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy and is also pursuing additional indications. AI may enable earlier detection of Parkinson’s disease, Samsung Medical Center says Samsung Medical Center’s AI Research Center said Feb. 23 it has confirmed the potential for earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson-plus syndromes, using multimodal AI that analyzes clinical data such as gait, voice and brain imaging together. Parkinson’s disease is often diagnosed late because early symptoms are not clear. By the time tremors or gait problems appear, the disease may already be significantly advanced. A research team led by neurologist Cho Jin-hwan and radiologist Jeong Myeong-jin collected and standardized clinical information — including gait, voice and brain imaging — from about 500 patients over four years: 363 with Parkinson’s disease, 67 with progressive supranuclear palsy and 61 with multiple system atrophy. The team built an integrated database and developed a gait-based fall-risk prediction model, a voice-test-based Parkinson’s classification system, and an MRI-based automated brain-structure analysis model. In clinical evaluations, the hospital said the voice-based severity classification model, the MRI-based disease differentiation model, and a fall prediction model that analyzes gait and brain imaging together all showed high accuracy. Samsung Medical Center added that the models can also present the basis for their decisions. Cho said, “The earlier Parkinson’s disease is detected, the better the effect of drug treatment, and rehabilitation can slow progression,” adding that AI will help early diagnosis by quickly integrating results from multiple tests.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:15:00

KBO Suspends Four Lotte Giants Players Over Gambling During Taiwan Training Trip Four Lotte Giants players embroiled in a gambling controversy have been handed heavy discipline by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). The KBO said it held a disciplinary committee meeting on Feb. 23 in its conference room for Kim Dong-hyeok, Ko Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop and Kim Se-min. The league confirmed that on Feb. 12, the players visited a gambling-style arcade near their hotel in Tainan, Taiwan, where Lotte was holding its first spring training camp, and used electronic betting games. Lotte reported the matter to the Clean Baseball Center on Feb. 14 after learning of it. Citing Article 151 of its rules on conduct unbecoming, the committee suspended Kim for 50 games and suspended the other three players for 30 games each. Kim was punished more severely because he was reported to have visited the venue three times, while the others visited once, according to the report. The KBO said a police investigation is underway, but it imposed sanctions in advance given the seriousness of the incident, the public backlash and damage to the league’s image. It said additional discipline could follow depending on the outcome of the police investigation. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:06:00

BTS to Open Ticketing for Free Gwanghwamun Square Comeback Live at 8 p.m. 그룹 방탄소년단(BTS)이 오는 3월 21일 서울 광화문 광장에서 여는 무료 공연 ‘BTS 컴백 라이브: 아리랑(BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG)’의 예매가 23일 시작된다. 소속사 빅히트뮤직은 예매가 23일 오후 8시부터 온라인 예매처 ‘놀(NOL) 티켓’에서 진행된다고 밝혔다. 약 1시간 동안 열리는 이번 공연은 방탄소년단이 3년 9개월 만에 선보이는 새 앨범 무대다. 예매 대상은 메인 무대 오른쪽 스탠딩석과 이순신 장군 동상 앞까지 배치된 지정석이다. 돌출 무대 주변의 핵심 스탠딩석은 정규 5집 ‘아리랑’ 예약 구매자 중 이벤트 응모로 선정된 2000명에게 우선 배정된다. 티켓은 1인 1매로 제한되며, 예매 수수료는 관객이 부담한다. 주최 측은 일부 지정석은 무대 연출과 안전 구조물로 시야가 제한될 수 있지만, 현장 대형 스크린으로 관람할 수 있다고 밝혔다. 이번 공연은 온라인동영상서비스(OTT) 넷플릭스를 통해 전 세계에 생중계될 예정이다. 주최 측은 “매크로 등 자동 프로그램을 이용한 부정 예매는 관련 법령에 따라 엄격히 처벌될 수 있다”며 주의를 당부했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:03:44

South Korea ends 17-day campaign across ice and snow as Winter Olympics close SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - The 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics concluded Sunday (KST), bringing down the curtain on a 17-day celebration of winter sports across northern Italy. The Games officially ended with a closing ceremony held at the Verona Arena early Sunday morning Korea time. South Korea, which sent a 130-member delegation including 71 athletes, collected a total of 10 medals — three gold, four silver and three bronze — to finish 13th overall. The team achieved its target of winning at least three gold medals, one more than at the 2022 Beijing Games, but fell short of its other goal of breaking into the top 10 in the medal standings. Short track speed skating once again proved to be the backbone of Korea’s medal haul. Two-time gold medalist Kim Gil-li led the charge, helping the team secure two golds, three silvers and two bronzes in the sport. Snowboarding, long considered a weak point for Korea, delivered one of the Games' most notable breakthroughs. Choi Ga-on captured gold in the women’s halfpipe, marking a milestone for the country’s snow events. In men’s snowboard competitions, Yoo Seung-eun earned a medal in big air, while Kim Sang-gyeom added another in parallel giant slalom, underscoring Korea’s growing competitiveness on snow. Overall, snowboarders claimed one gold, one silver and one bronze, exceeding expectations. Built on the traditional strength of ice events and bolstered by emerging success on snow, the Milan-Cortina Games signaled an expanding horizon for Korean winter sports. The next Winter Olympics will be held in the French Alps in 2030. 2026-02-23 16:51:04

For 2026 rematch with Apple, Samsung fields AI photo studio for short-form gen SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - Familiar scenes were repeated at the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics: medalists capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments by flipping open pocket-sized Samsung phones. Despite strong sales of its foldable fleet, Samsung Electronics lost its decade-long position as the world’s top smartphone vendor last year to Apple, buoyed by the popularity of the iPhone 17 lineup. Samsung readies a rematch with the unveiling of its flagship Galaxy S26 series in San Francisco on Thursday. Moving away from traditional hardware specification battles, Samsung is repositioning its top-tier Ultra model — expected to approach 2 million won (about $1,500) — as a fully autonomous “AI Studio” aimed at short-form video creators on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Rather than competing solely on camera sensors, display resolution and processing speed, the company is shifting its focus to software-driven creativity, automation and personalization. The move reflects a long-standing challenge in the domestic market. According to Gallup Korea, more than 60 percent of South Koreans in their 20s use iPhones, while older generations remain more loyal to Galaxy devices. “For younger demographics, a smartphone is a status symbol that must be instantly recognizable,” said Lee Eun-hee, professor emeritus of consumer science at Inha University. “Samsung has historically struggled to match Apple’s strong design identity that creates this sense of pride.” To loosen Apple’s grip on young users, Samsung is positioning the Galaxy S26 as a mobile production suite. Powered by an upgraded neural processing unit (NPU) with a claimed 113 percent performance increase, the device introduces “EdgeFusion,” an on-device generative AI model that allows users to generate images and perform professional-level edits through simple text prompts — without requiring an internet connection. The system enables automatic background generation, lighting adjustment, object removal and style conversion, reducing the need for external editing apps. The Ultra model is also expected to feature an industry-first “Privacy Display,” using Samsung Display’s Flex Magic Pixel technology to restrict side viewing angles. The feature targets young users who frequently consume and produce content in public spaces such as subways, cafés and campuses. Additional upgrades include an improved f/1.4 aperture for low-light photography and a first-ever 60-watt fast-charging system, allowing creators to shoot, edit and upload content throughout the day. “Younger consumers are highly responsive to AI,” Lee said. “Having an autonomous AI agent feels like carrying a personal assistant — or even a digital companion — in your pocket. That appeal could be decisive.” The central question is whether younger consumers are willing to pay the premium. Amid rising global semiconductor and component costs, all S26 models are expected to see price increases of about 99,000 won ($75). Industry estimates suggest the base model will start at around 1.25 million won ($940), with the Plus and Ultra versions beginning at roughly 1.45 million won ($1,090) and 1.8 million won ($1,350), respectively. The top 512GB Ultra model could approach the 2 million won threshold. For many Gen Z consumers, already facing high living costs and stagnant income growth, the higher price point may pose a hurdle. Yet Samsung is betting that advanced AI features will justify the increase by transforming smartphones from communication devices into portable studios. In K-pop, gaming and short-form video culture, smartphones increasingly function as tools for self-branding and content production. Samsung’s strategy reflects an effort to align its flagship devices with this shift. If successful, the Galaxy S26 could help the company reclaim relevance among younger users and narrow the gap with Apple in key markets. If not, higher prices and software-heavy features may struggle to overcome entrenched brand preferences. As the industry watches the San Francisco launch, the Galaxy S26 will serve as an early test of whether consumers are ready to accept higher prices — and what some analysts call a “chipflation tax” — in exchange for next-generation AI capabilities. 2026-02-23 16:50:58

BTS Comeback D-26: Jimin — from charts to cultural reference Editor’s Note — As BTS prepares to return as a full seven-member act with a new album set for March 20 and an open-stage performance at Gwanghwamun on March 21, following a near four-year hiatus for rotational military service, AJP revisits the group’s 13-year trajectory. This series reexamines BTS’s history, music, performance identity and enduring appeal. The sixth installment traces the roots and growth of Jimin. SEOUL, February 23 (AJP) - BTS member Jimin has surpassed 2.3 billion cumulative streams on Spotify with his solo track “Who,” according to the platform’s chart dated Feb. 19. The milestone came 581 days after the song’s release on July 19, 2024, making him the first Asian solo artist without a Western collaboration to reach the figure. Even 19 months after release, “Who” continues to chart — ranking No. 54 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart and No. 1 in South Korea. His second solo album “Muse” has also crossed 3.8 billion cumulative streams, becoming the fastest Korean-language album to do so and the first Korean solo album to exceed that threshold. In the United States, “Who” spent 33 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest run for a K-pop male soloist, while “Muse” remained on the Billboard 200 for 34 weeks. The numbers suggest durability. The backstory suggests design. Born in 1995, Jimin (Park Jimin) entered Busan Arts High School as the top-ranked student in its modern dance department despite having trained in contemporary dance for less than a year. In 2012, he passed Big Hit Entertainment’s regional audition as its sole successful candidate from Busan and moved to Seoul. After a six-month trainee period — the shortest among BTS members — he debuted as the group’s final addition. Dance remains foundational to his identity. His control of line, balance and breath — visible in solo stages such as “Lie,” “Filter” and major award-show performances — reflects formal training rarely emphasized in idol narratives. His 2019 solo performance at the Melon Music Awards later inspired visual artworks exhibited at the Seoul Arts Center, while international figure skaters incorporated his choreography into competitive and touring programs. From performance to authorship Jimin participated in writing and composing every track on his first solo album “Face,” released in March 2023. For “Muse,” released in July 2024, he contributed to the majority of the tracks. His 2018 self-composed song “Promise” set a Guinness World Record for the most-streamed track within 24 hours on SoundCloud at the time, and he later became the fastest Korean solo artist to surpass one billion Spotify streams. Beyond charts and credits, his influence has extended outside music. Filmmaker Gus Van Sant once cited Jimin as a potential collaborator, noting his “peaceful” presence. His impact has also reached professional sport. Japanese Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu referenced Jimin’s movements from BTS’s “Dynamite” during a 2021 ice show and later said he studied his choreography. At the international Star on Ice tour, ice dancers Misato Komatsubara and Tim Koleto performed to “Filter,” incorporating elements of his styling and gestures. Fashion media have highlighted his gender-neutral styling and blend of traditionally masculine and soft aesthetics as reflective of shifting global beauty standards. Luxury houses have also taken notice. Jimin was named a global ambassador for Dior, while The Business of Fashion included him in its “BoF 500” list in 2019. Jimin enlisted for mandatory military service in December 2023 and was discharged in June 2025. Yet his streaming figures did not decline during his absence. Instead, they largely stabilized. Behind his 2.3 billion Spotify streams lies a path that runs from a dance studio in Busan to global arenas, competitive ice rinks and algorithm-driven charts. As BTS approaches reunion activities, his solo career appears less like a side project and more like a parallel axis — built on technique, authorship and a presence that moves fluidly across disciplines. The next installment will focus on V. 2026-02-23 16:36:44