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  • Tesla Vehicle Collides with Sign at Yeouido IFC Mall, Raises Concerns
    Tesla Vehicle Collides with Sign at Yeouido IFC Mall, Raises Concerns A collision involving a Tesla vehicle has raised questions about potential malfunctions. According to Yonhap News, at approximately 2:45 p.m. on August 18, a Tesla test drive vehicle crashed into a sign at the Yeouido IFC Mall in Seoul. Three individuals in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The vehicle collided with the sign shortly after exiting a parking lot near the Yeouido store. It has been determined that the vehicle was not in autonomous driving mode at the time of the incident. However, despite the severity of the crash, the airbags did not deploy, leading some to speculate about a possible malfunction in the vehicle. Meanwhile, there were no indications of alcohol or drug use by the driver. Police plan to investigate the matter further. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 16:48:00
  • POSCOs 58-Year Strike-Free Record Ends as Union Gains Right to Strike
    POSCO's 58-Year Strike-Free Record Ends as Union Gains Right to Strike POSCO, South Korea's leading steelmaker, has seen its 58-year history of no strikes come to an end. The company has secured its first legal right to strike amid unresolved differences in wage and collective bargaining negotiations.On August 18, the Central Labor Commission announced a decision to halt mediation between POSCO and its labor union. Earlier, the union had conducted a vote on collective bargaining actions, with 97.1% participation and 92.2% in favor, allowing them to legally strike.Since beginning wage negotiations in June, POSCO and the union have held six rounds of talks without reaching an agreement. The union declared a breakdown in negotiations on July 23 and requested mediation from the Central Labor Commission.Initially, the mediation period was set to end earlier this month, but the Commission recommended an extension, believing there was still room for additional negotiations. Both parties accepted this recommendation and continued discussions until today.The key issues in this year's negotiations include wage increases and performance bonuses. The union is demanding a 7.1% increase in base salary, along with a 600% incentive bonus, 50 shares of employee stock ownership, five years of natural salary increases, and a 200% holiday bonus.In contrast, management has proposed a 1.5% increase in base salary, contingent on achieving this year's target operating profit, along with a 2.5 million won incentive bonus for meeting goals. They also included proposals for expanding individual rewards, enhancing special promotions, and improving conditions for on-site employees.However, management argues that the union's demands are excessive given the prolonged downturn in the steel industry, making it difficult to accommodate all requests. The financial resources needed to meet the union's demands are estimated at approximately 1.4 trillion won, double the amount requested last year, according to POSCO.Despite the Commission's decision to halt mediation, this does not immediately lead to a strike. The union plans to determine specific strategies and timelines through its strike preparation committee while continuing practical discussions with management, leaving open the possibility for a dramatic compromise through further negotiations.Since its founding in 1968, POSCO has maintained a strike-free labor relationship for 58 years. However, this year, tensions have escalated due to issues beyond wages, including the direct employment of subcontractor workers.In April, POSCO decided to directly hire about 7,000 employees from subcontractors supporting operations at its Pohang and Gwangyang steelworks. This decision has heightened tensions as it intersects with existing production staff's interests regarding job classifications, wage systems, and treatment.The steel industry is closely monitoring the likelihood and intensity of a potential strike. Given the ongoing challenges of oversupply from China and the rise of global protectionism, any production disruptions could significantly increase POSCO's operational burdens in the second half of the year.POSCO supplies steel products to major domestic industries, including automotive, shipbuilding, and construction. Therefore, if a strike prolongs or production disruptions escalate, it could impact the supply of steel products to these industries.In response to the Commission's decision, POSCO stated, "We regret that the union chose to secure the right to strike rather than seek further agreement, despite several additional discussions during the extended mediation period. The company plans to continue communicating with the union and employees about the challenging business environment."They added, "Even if a strike occurs, we will do our utmost to ensure that it does not affect key domestic and international industries such as automotive, shipbuilding, construction, and home appliances by establishing an emergency response system."The union emphasized, "We have fulfilled our responsibility for dialogue until the end and accepted the extension of the mediation period, providing ample time for the company to make a decision. If management continues to ignore the legitimate demands and resolve of our members, we will proceed with a phased struggle and action without wavering." 2026-08-18 16:48:00
  • Infrastructure Key to Success of Saemangeum Smart Waterfront City
    Infrastructure Key to Success of Saemangeum Smart Waterfront City Saemangeum Smart Waterfront City must prioritize the development of residential infrastructure following its initial sales success, experts say. With Hyundai Motor Group's 9 trillion won investment increasing the likelihood of attracting businesses and workers, the timing of industrial facilities and residential infrastructure will be crucial to the city's success.According to the Saemangeum Development Corporation, 45 residential lots for single-family homes will be offered in September, with plans to supply apartment lots starting in 2027. Last year, 67 single-family lots and two neighborhood commercial lots sold out within 31 days of being announced.However, selling land does not directly lead to population influx. Housing construction and occupancy can only begin once the infrastructure work is completed. Both single-family homes and apartments that can accommodate numerous workers, along with commercial, educational, medical, and transportation facilities, must be developed simultaneously for the city to function effectively.The most concrete initiative among the residential infrastructure projects is the establishment of foreign educational institutions. The corporation plans to open a unified educational institution for children of expatriates and foreign workers by 2030, with a budget of 82.6 billion won for construction. Next month, they will sign a memorandum of understanding with an Australian school operating corporation.Nonetheless, challenges remain regarding the school's opening. While the corporation can oversee the construction, it has yet to determine who will bear the operational deficits that may arise after the school opens. Discussions are ongoing with North Jeolla Province regarding long-term operational support. The selection of the school corporation, funding distribution, and administrative procedures must be completed as planned for the school to open in 2030.Healthcare and transportation infrastructure are still in the planning stages. The corporation has signed an MOU with Wonkwang University for medical services, but specific plans regarding hospital size and construction timelines have not yet been established. Discussions are also underway with local governments, including Gimje City, about an AI-based public transportation system, but routes and operational methods have not been finalized.Kwon In-taek, head of the Future Business Division at the Saemangeum Development Corporation, stated, "Establishing educational, medical, and transportation facilities in a location far from existing metropolitan areas is challenging. These facilities must be ready for the waterfront city to transform into a global city."Sejong City experienced similar issues during its initial development, where the expansion of schools, hospitals, and public transportation lagged behind housing and government office occupancy, causing inconvenience for residents. The demand for students was not adequately reflected, necessitating the construction of additional schools, while shortages of hospitals and pharmacies and traffic congestion were also noted. Subsequently, bus routes and medical facilities were gradually expanded, improving living conditions.Given that Saemangeum is being developed from scratch on a large reclaimed land site, timely provision of living infrastructure is even more critical. Delaying the supply of schools, hospitals, and public transportation due to initially low occupancy could lead to a vicious cycle of delayed population influx due to inconvenient living conditions.To maintain industrial facility occupancy, the timing of housing occupancy, school openings, and the establishment of hospitals and transportation networks must be coordinated to avoid creating a "city with businesses but no residents."Seo Jin-hyung, a professor at Kwangwoon University, emphasized, "To make Saemangeum a sustainable city, it is essential to attract industries specialized in the region to create quality jobs. Population must gather around industries, and disposable income for workers must increase to lead to the expansion of living infrastructure and regional economic revitalization, making the establishment of basic infrastructure crucial." 2026-08-18 16:40:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Visits Flood-Affected Areas in Gyeongnam Instead of DJ Memorial
    Jang Dong-hyuk Visits Flood-Affected Areas in Gyeongnam Instead of DJ Memorial 장동혁 국민의힘 대표가 가뭄과 수해 등으로 피해를 겪은 현장을 찾으면서 민생 챙기기에 나섰다. 그간 6·3 지방선거 투표용지 부족 사태로 장외 투쟁에 집중했으나 민생 행보를 통해 보폭을 늘리는 모양새다. 국민의힘 지도부는 18일 집중호우 피해가 발생한 경남 거제와 통영 지역을 찾아 피해 상황을 점검했다. 장 대표는 당초 이날 김대중 대통령 서거 17주기 추모식에, 정점식 원내대표는 당 원내대책회의에 참석할 예정이었으나 일정을 취소하고 수해 현장으로 향했다. 당 지도부는 오전에 산사태가 발생한 경남 거제시의 한 아파트와 피해 주민들이 임시 거주하는 초등학교 체육관 등을 찾았다. 현장에는 박상웅 경남도당위원장과 거제가 지역구인 서일준 의원, 김태규·서지영·서천호 의원 등이 함께했다. 피해 주민들은 지도부에 "거제시를 특별재난지역으로 하루빨리 선포해달라"고 요청했다. 장 대표는 "특별재난지역 선포는 국회로 돌아가자마자 살피겠다. 피해 복구가 최대한 신속히 이뤄지도록 끝까지 살펴보겠다"고 답했다. 오후에는 통영으로 이동해 산양읍과 봉평동 도로 피해 상황을 점검하고, 미수동의 아파트를 찾아 주민들을 위로했다. 장 대표는 이날 피해 현장을 다녀온 뒤 페이스북에 "거제와 통영의 피해 현장 곳곳을 살폈다. 언론에 보도된 것보다 피해 규모가 훨씬 컸다"며 "수재민들이 조속히 일상으로 돌아가실 수 있도록 신속한 피해 복구가 최우선"이라고 강조했다. 이어 "정부는 행정 지원에 총력을 기울이고 완전한 복구가 이루어질 때까지 최선을 다해야 한다"며 "기후변화에 대응해 재난관리 시스템을 근본적으로 혁신해야 한다"고 주장했다. 정 원내대표도 페이스북을 통해 "부산‧경남의 고통은 곧 국가적 재난"이라며 정부를 향해 "특별재난지역 지정을 비롯한 실질적인 지원 대책을 마련하라"고 촉구했다. 장 대표는 정기국회를 앞두고 현장 행보를 늘리며 민생 챙기기에 나선 모습이다. 지난 13일에는 경기 고양시 창릉 신도시의 공사 현장을 방문해 '뉴홈 사전청약' 피해자들과 간담회를 가졌고, 14일에는 가뭄 피해를 겪은 경남 밀양을 찾았다. 박성훈 수석대변인은 전날 기자들과 만나 장 대표가 "올림픽공원에서 마지막 인사를 하는 날"이라고 언급한 것에 대해 "국회 안에서 싸울 수 있는 부분은 안에서 싸우고, 또 현장 목소리가 필요한 부분은 찾아보겠다는 뜻"이라고 말했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 16:36:00
  • Shinhan Donghae Open Set to Kick Off on September 10, Highlighting Korea-Japan Golf Rivalry Ahead of Asian Games
    Shinhan Donghae Open Set to Kick Off on September 10, Highlighting Korea-Japan Golf Rivalry Ahead of Asian Games The Shinhan Donghae Open, now in its 42nd year, will take place from September 10 to 13 at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, featuring intense competition among top golfers from Korea and Japan ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.Founded in 1981 by the late Lee Hee-gun, honorary chairman of Shinhan Bank, along with Korean golfers in Japan, the tournament aims to promote the development of golf in Korea and discover outstanding players.This year's event is co-hosted by the Korea Professional Golf (KPGA) Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO). With the Asian Games set to begin in September, the tournament is expected to serve as a precursor to the Korea-Japan rivalry, allowing athletes from both countries to sharpen their competitive edge and preview the upcoming showdown.The player lineup is impressive, featuring Kim Sung-hyun and Moon Do-yeop, who are set to compete in the Asian Games, as well as Kazuki Higa from Japan. Other notable participants include Jang Yu-bin, who has secured two victories this season and has a total of five wins on the KPGA Tour, along with veterans Song Young-han and Lee Tae-hoon, who are also eyeing the championship trophy.Additionally, promising amateur golfer Jeong Ui-seok, who earned a spot in the main event by winning the 3rd Shinhan Donghae Men's Amateur Golf Championship last month, will also participate.In the past five years, the tournament has seen two victories for Korea and three for Japan. The winners have alternated between the two countries, with Seo Yo-seop (2021), Kazuki Higa (2022), Ko Gun-taek (2023), and Kensei Hirata (2024) taking home the trophy, while Higa reclaimed the title last year after a three-year gap.Jin Ok-dong, chairman of Shinhan Financial Group, stated, "The Shinhan Donghae Open, which began in 1981, has grown alongside the development of golf in Korea and is a representative golf tournament. I hope this event, featuring top players from both countries ahead of the Asian Games, will serve as a meaningful opportunity for golf exchange between Korea and Japan."Tickets for the tournament will be available for purchase starting August 18 through the official sales channel, Unitix. Admission is free for youth under 19 and children.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 16:36:00
  • Vascular disease biotech firm makes strong KOSDAQ debut
    Vascular disease biotech firm makes strong KOSDAQ debut SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korean biotech firm Ingenia Therapeutics made its KOSDAQ debut on Tuesday. Its shares closed at 17,990 won (US$12.70) on their first day of trading, up 49.92 percent from the offering price of 12,000 won. The strong debut may have been supported by the firm's plans to develop more drugs and pursue additional global licensing deals. It develops treatments aimed at restoring damaged small blood vessels by modifying signals in the cells that form their inner walls, using technologies developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS). One of its key technologies is TIE-body, an antibody platform that activates TIE2, a receptor that helps keep blood vessels stable. Ingenia Therapeutics is also developing LCIDEC, which combines this technology with a system designed to remove proteins that cause disease. Research and development continued after U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, acquired EyeBio for up to $3 billion. The drug, now called MK-8748, is in Phase 3 trial, the final stage of clinical trials before a drug can seek approval, for wet age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that can cause vision loss in older adults. Another study is planned for diabetic macular edema, a condition that can cause retinal swelling in people with diabetes. The firm is also developing other drug candidates. IGT-303, a potential treatment for chronic kidney disease, is currently in a Phase 2a clinical trial in Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. It plans to seek a global licensing deal for the drug next year. It is also working to begin clinical trials of IGT-532, a potential treatment for cancers that form solid masses in organs or tissues. "The KOSDAQ listing marks a major turning point for us," CEO Han Sang-yeol said. "We will focus on developing more drug candidates and proving our technology in the global market." AJP Takeaways • Ingenia Therapeutics listed on South Korea's KOSDAQ market on Aug. 18, 2026, with its shares closing 49.92 percent above the 12,000 won offering price at 17,990 won. • The South Korean biotech company develops treatments aimed at restoring damaged small blood vessels, based on technologies from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS). • Its retinal disease drug IGT-427, licensed to EyeBio in 2022 in a deal worth more than 1 trillion won, is now being developed by Merck & Co. as MK-8748 and is in Phase 3 testing for wet age-related macular degeneration. 2026-08-18 16:35:51
  • Yoo Joo-wan of Wisdom Pallet: Stock Market Requires Response, Not Prediction
    Yoo Joo-wan of Wisdom Pallet: Stock Market Requires Response, Not Prediction "No one can accurately predict the highs and lows of the stock market. The key is to calmly 'respond' with scenarios in place, and always hold a certain percentage of cash to seize real buying opportunities when others are paralyzed by fear," said Yoo Joo-wan, head of Wisdom Pallet's investment delegation.Yoo has gained attention in the financial investment industry for his outstanding real-world investment results. In May, he ranked 80th out of 25,314 participants in the Kiwoom Securities real investment competition for overseas regular events, achieving a return of 106.15% (top 0.32%). Earlier, in April's domestic regular event, he placed 384th out of 44,816 participants with a return of 104.28% (top 0.86%), marking two consecutive months in the top 1% of both domestic and international stock markets.Investment Journey Inspired by His FatherYoo's entry into the stock market dates back to 2014, motivated by witnessing his father, a full-time investor, struggle in the market. Determined to "study properly and beat the market," he began self-studying charts and supply-demand dynamics during high school. His confidence in pursuing a career in finance solidified when he ranked 60th out of 10,000 participants in the Kiwoom Securities college investment competition.After entering the financial sector in 2021 and working in various roles, including mergers and acquisitions advisory, he joined Wisdom Pallet last year. The firm is known for its strengths in differentiated operations based on public offering demand forecasting and institutional networks. Yoo participates in investment competitions to demonstrate that he can generate profits in any market environment, beyond just investment theory.The core of Yoo's real trading strategy lies in thorough pre-market preparation and focusing on leading stocks in key sectors. He wakes up at 6:30 a.m. daily to analyze the previous night's U.S. market trends, post-market disclosures, and major news, categorizing sectors of interest for the day. He trades only the 'daily leaders' with the highest volatility and trading volume between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., the time when market fluctuations peak. "Even if stock A is the leader at the market's opening, if money shifts to stock B during the day and it surpasses A in growth, I switch to B without hesitation," he explained, emphasizing that quickly identifying the day's top-performing stocks is key to success.For short-term trading, he strictly adheres to a 5% stop-loss rule. If he detects a significant drop accompanied by meaningful trading volume, he interprets it as a signal of institutional exit and sells immediately. Conversely, for long-term investments, he employs a strategy of gradually buying high-quality stocks that have fallen excessively relative to their earnings during downturns.Market Outlook for the Second Half: Focus on Response Over PredictionAs the stock market cools after a surge, Yoo emphasizes the importance of maintaining cash reserves for the second half of the year. He cautions, "Investors who have fully invested when the index is falling cannot take action regardless of whether the market rises or falls afterward. Avoiding 'all-in investments' based on predictions and keeping cash on hand allows you to capitalize on opportunities when they arise."He identifies promising investment sectors as: 1) semiconductors centered around Samsung Electronics after a short-term decline, 2) aerospace themes in an oversold phase, and 3) undervalued auto parts stocks with a price-to-earnings ratio of 1-2. He particularly notes, "Auto parts stocks with a market capitalization around 100 billion won and operating profits in the hundreds of millions, yet trading at a PER of 1-2, present a buying opportunity at the bottom."Wisdom Pallet's Strengths and Future AspirationsCurrently, Yoo is part of Wisdom Pallet's investment delegation, which excels in differentiated operations based on public offering demand forecasting and institutional networks. The firm's system, which comprehensively analyzes stock price trends from the public offering stage to post-listing, combined with Yoo's real trading instincts, enhances asset management efficiency.Yoo expressed, "I find great fulfillment in directly communicating with clients and providing tangible returns through asset management, rather than just analyzing data at a desk. I aim to combine Wisdom Pallet's market analysis capabilities with my practical response expertise to establish myself as a professional PB who safely grows client assets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 16:32:00
  • KOSPI Surges Past 7200 Before Closing Down 1.5%
    KOSPI Surges Past 7200 Before Closing Down 1.5% The KOSPI index surged over 3% during the day, briefly surpassing the 7200 mark, before reversing course and closing down 1.5%. The index initially rose on the strength of U.S. semiconductor stocks but later gave back its gains due to profit-taking and institutional selling.On August 18, the KOSPI closed at 6869.83, down 108.11 points (1.55%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 7127.77, up 2.15%, and reached a high of 7216.62, marking a 3.42% increase at one point. However, it later fell, dipping to as low as 6788.78 during the session, with a difference of 427.84 points between the day's high and low. Trading volume was recorded at 399,036,000 shares, with a total trading value of 29.6448 trillion won.In the early part of the day, semiconductor stocks led the index's rise. This was influenced by strong performances in the U.S. market, where Micron rose 4.1%, SanDisk increased by 8.9%, and Western Digital climbed 5.4%. Optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) investments contributing to actual revenue growth also fueled positive sentiment towards AI infrastructure investments.Samsung Electronics closed down 2.19% at 268,500 won, after reaching a high of 288,000 won, up 4.92%, during the day. SK Hynix also ended up 1.03% at 166,200 won, having surged nearly 9% to 179,200 won at one point.However, the mood shifted sharply in the afternoon. After five consecutive days of gains, profit-taking became more pronounced, compounded by renewed geopolitical risks from the Middle East that pressured investor sentiment. Foreign net buying decreased, while institutional net selling expanded, leading to a larger decline in the index. Retail investors purchased a net 731.3 billion won, while foreign investors bought a net 86.1 billion won, but institutions sold a net 784.9 billion won.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, “Investor sentiment towards the semiconductor sector remains positive, but the pullback following five consecutive days of gains and profit-taking led to weakness. The reduction in foreign net buying and the increase in institutional selling contributed to the overall sector decline.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 16:32:00
  • KOSPI Falls After Five Days of Gains Amid Institutional Selling
    KOSPI Falls After Five Days of Gains Amid Institutional Selling The KOSPI index halted its five-day winning streak, retreating to the 6800 level. Although it initially recovered to the 7200 range, buoyed by strong global memory semiconductor stocks, significant selling by institutions and geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East led to a decline by the end of the trading session. The KOSDAQ also fell over 3% due to simultaneous selling by foreign and institutional investors.On August 18, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI closed at 6869.83, down 108.11 points (1.55%) from the previous trading day.The index opened at 7127.77, up 149.83 points (2.15%), briefly surpassing the 7200 mark early in the session. However, as selling pressure from institutions intensified, the index quickly gave up its gains and fell below the 6900 level. It managed to reduce some losses but finished the day in the 6800 range.Early in the session, memory semiconductor stocks drove the index higher. Following a strong performance in the U.S. market, where companies like SanDisk (up 8.88%), Micron (up 4.13%), and Western Digital (up 5.4%) saw gains, expectations for increased investment in AI data centers and prolonged memory supply shortages attracted buying interest in domestic semiconductor stocks.Investor sentiment towards the semiconductor sector remained positive. Anthropic reported a 14.6-fold increase in second-quarter revenue to $11.5 billion, raising expectations for expanded AI investments. Additionally, the U.S. government's opposition to Apple's purchases of Chinese memory semiconductors alleviated concerns about supply expansion from Chinese memory firms. The previous day, memory-related stocks also performed well in the U.S. market, with Micron (up 4.1%), SanDisk (up 8.9%), and Western Digital (up 5.4%).However, renewed geopolitical uncertainties stemming from the Middle East dampened the upward momentum. With the expiration of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, President Donald Trump demanded Iran's capitulation and warned of potential bombings if Oman obstructed negotiations. This led to a rise in international oil prices, which in turn weakened investor sentiment towards risk assets.On this day, individual and foreign investors made net purchases of 1.217 trillion won and 39.8 billion won, respectively. In contrast, institutions led the index decline with a net selling of 1.1986 trillion won.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (-2.19%), SK Square (-1.65%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-7.57%), Hyundai Motor (-3.97%), LG Energy Solution (-5.01%), and Samsung Biologics (-1.10%) all fell, while SK Hynix (up 1.03%) and Samsung Life Insurance (up 3.16%) saw gains.The KOSDAQ index closed at 834.20, down 30.45 points (3.52%) from the previous trading day.In the KOSDAQ market, individuals made a net purchase of 454.4 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 20.3 billion won and 416.5 billion won, respectively, contributing to the index decline.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Alteogen (-5.10%), EcoPro (-6.94%), EcoPro BM (-6.51%), Rainbow Robotics (-6.19%), Wonik IPS (-3.60%), Rino Technology (-4.24%), and ABL Bio (-5.11%) all declined, while JUSUNG Engineering (up 0.84%) and EO Technics (up 2.48%) gained.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "While investor sentiment towards the semiconductor sector remains positive, the market showed weakness due to profit-taking following five consecutive days of gains. The reduction in foreign net purchases and increased institutional selling, along with rising international oil prices and market interest rates, also exerted downward pressure on the index." He added, "Although sentiment towards the memory sector is favorable, profit-taking is occurring across the broader market, and volatility may increase in the short term depending on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and oil price trends."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 16:24:00
  • LIGHTSUM to make Japanese debut with new album next month
    LIGHTSUM to make Japanese debut with new album next month SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - K-pop girl group LIGHTSUM will make their Japanese debut late next month with the release of their first full-group album in two years, their agency Cube Entertainment said on Tuesday. Set for release on Sept. 23, their Japanese mini album "Re:idol" includes five tracks such as "Doushite," "Fallin' World," "Stop and Go," "夜を歩く君へ" and "POSE! (Kawaii ver.)," a cuter version of the group's 2023 digital single "POSE!" Cube Entertainment is also promoting the release with a reality series, also titled "Re:idol," which has aired on the Japanese streaming platform ABEMA every Sunday at 10 p.m. since Aug. 9. The series offers a glimpse into the group's preparations for their Japan debut. Former 4Minute member Kwon So-hyun, a senior artist from Cube Entertainment, also appears in the series, offering advice and support to the group. AJP Takeaways · LIGHTSUM will make their official Japan debut on Sept. 23. · The debut Japanese mini album, "Re:idol," marks the group's first full-member release in about two years. · The album contains five tracks including four new songs and "POSE! (Kawaii ver.)." 2026-08-18 16:22:33