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  • Samsung SDS Launches National AI Research GPU Computing Service
    Samsung SDS Launches National AI Research GPU Computing Service Samsung SDS has introduced the latest GPUs for national AI research, enabling domestic researchers to utilize a world-class computing environment.On August 11, Samsung SDS announced that it has been selected as the GPU resource supplier for the '2026 AI Research Computing Support Project,' supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute for Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP). The service commenced on July 20.This initiative aims to provide AI research GPU resources to researchers in academia and research institutions in South Korea.The project focuses on supplying computing resources to research entities that struggle to secure large-scale computing infrastructure independently, allowing them to conduct research on ultra-large AI models and large language models (LLMs).The project has a budget of approximately 15.3 billion won and will provide services until March 2027. The evaluation criteria for selecting the supplier included GPU supply plans, resource scale, research environment quality, operational support systems, and security capabilities. According to the company, multiple suppliers were selected, with Samsung SDS ranked first.Samsung SDS will provide not only NVIDIA H100 (Hopper) GPUs but also the latest B300 (Blackwell Ultra) based GPU cluster. The B300 exceeds the specifications required in the request for proposal (RFP) for Hopper-level GPUs. It offers significantly improved performance and large memory capacity for training and inference of large parameter models compared to previous generations.The domestic research community has raised concerns about the urgent need to bridge the gap between available resources and global infrastructure levels due to competition for the latest GPUs. Samsung SDS's direct investment in the national AI research GPU computing project is seen as a foundation for domestic researchers to conduct their work in a top-tier computing environment.Samsung SDS also provides a large-scale clustering configuration that pools multiple GPUs into a single resource pool, along with a high-speed interconnect network.This setup allows researchers to flexibly respond to both long-term large projects and short-term experimental tasks. Beyond simply supplying GPUs, the company pre-configures and provides CPU, memory, storage, network, and development environments. This support alleviates the burden of infrastructure setup, allowing researchers to focus on their work.Additionally, Samsung SDS launched NVIDIA's B300 GPU-based GPUaaS (GPU as a Service) through its Samsung Cloud Platform (SCP) in March, becoming the first in South Korea to do so. In July, it integrated the second-generation NPU, Renegade (RNGD), based on the domestically produced neural processing unit (NPU) called FuriosaAI, into SCP, launching NPUaaS (NPU as a Service).Lee Ho-jun, Vice President and Head of Cloud Services at Samsung SDS, stated, "Through this project, we will provide stable services so that domestic researchers can achieve innovative results based on world-class AI infrastructure. We will continue to contribute to expanding the national AI research infrastructure and enhancing South Korea's AI competitiveness."Samsung SDS has been building its capabilities in operating high-performance AI infrastructure, having introduced NVIDIA A100 and H100-based GPUaaS in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The company has experience supplying GPU resources to over 60 AI SMEs, startups, research institutions, and universities as a cloud service provider in the high-performance computing support project led by the Ministry of Science and ICT. 2026-08-11 08:24:00
  • Webtoon Entertainment Reports Q2 Revenue of 507.9 Billion Won Amid Currency Impact
    Webtoon Entertainment Reports Q2 Revenue of 507.9 Billion Won Amid Currency Impact Webtoon Entertainment reported a revenue of 507.9 billion won for the second quarter of this year, a 2.8% decrease compared to the same period last year, primarily due to currency fluctuations. However, on a constant currency basis, revenue increased by 5.2%, driven by strong growth in its Korean operations and balanced growth across paid content, advertising, and IP sectors.The company announced its second-quarter results on August 10. Revenue amounted to $338.47 million (approximately 507.9 billion won), based on an average quarterly exchange rate of 1,500.74 won. Excluding the impact of currency fluctuations and non-consolidated businesses, revenue on a constant currency basis was $366.4 million, reflecting a 5.2% increase year-over-year.By business segment, paid content revenue was $263.9 million, a 4.0% decrease from the previous year. However, on a constant currency basis, it grew by 4.3% to $286.7 million, supported by product improvements such as AI recommendations and customer relationship management (CRM) systems in Korea, which contributed to double-digit growth.Advertising revenue reached $47.1 million, a 4.2% increase compared to the same period last year. On a constant currency basis, it grew by 11.5% to $50.4 million, driven by growth in Korea and other regions (excluding Japan).IP business revenue was $27.4 million, down 2.6% year-over-year, but on a constant currency basis, it increased by 4.2% to $29.3 million, fueled by strong performance in Japan and other regions.Regionally, growth in Korea was particularly notable, with revenue on a constant currency basis increasing by 20.0% year-over-year, driving the global platform business.In Japan, the company is investing in three key areas to recover growth: expanding local original content, enhancing user engagement throughout the user acquisition process, and diversifying user acquisition channels through local partnerships. The first webtoon from 'Studio White,' a collaboration with Redice Studio and Kadokawa, titled 'Record of Lodoss War' spin-off, has been launched, and 'Line Manga' gift cards are now available at approximately 15,000 Lawson convenience stores across Japan.In other regions, the company is strengthening its growth foundation through fandom expansion, partnership enhancement, and increasing its presence in Gen Z pop culture. A marketing campaign for the webtoon 'For Grand' has been launched, and a webtoon in collaboration with Duolingo and Paramount has been released. At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), three original Marvel webtoon series, 'X-Men Korea,' 'Tony's Girl,' and 'Deadpool,' have been confirmed.Webtoon Entertainment has strengthened the virtuous cycle structure of the webtoon ecosystem on both on-platform and off-platform fronts in the second quarter. The core of the on-platform business is content development for discovering original IP, which serves as the driving force for the off-platform IP business. The strategy involves continuously producing successful works with a solid fanbase on the platform and expanding the IP business externally based on this foundation.Kim Jun-gu, CEO of Webtoon Entertainment, stated, "In this quarter, we made progress on two strategic priorities to further strengthen the webtoon ecosystem's flywheel. Innovations such as the AI story chat 'Bias' and 'automatic translation' are driving deeper user engagement on the platform." He added, "We are continuously experimenting with AI-based initiatives like short animations while enhancing our IP strategy to secure more long-term value generated by the ecosystem through direct investments in IP."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:24:00
  • Samsung Electronics Showcases Full-Stack Gaming Solutions at Gamescom 2026
    Samsung Electronics Showcases Full-Stack Gaming Solutions at Gamescom 2026 Samsung Electronics will showcase a range of gaming products, including monitors, mobile devices, and storage solutions, at the world's largest gaming exhibition, Gamescom 2026, from August 26 to 30 in Cologne, Germany. This strategy aims to expand its business beyond individual device performance to create a connected gaming experience across PC, console, and mobile platforms.The company announced its participation on August 11, noting that approximately 1,500 gaming and hardware companies are expected to attend this year, following last year's attendance of 360,000 visitors.Under the slogan '#PlaySamsung,' Samsung will display its gaming monitor, the Odyssey G8, high-performance SSDs like the 9100 PRO, and the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.The 32-inch Odyssey G8, released in May, supports dual modes of 6K at 165Hz and 3K at 330Hz. Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience Pearl Abyss's open-world game, 'Crimson Desert,' at Samsung's booth.The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra will be showcased as mobile gaming devices, marking a shift to connect gaming products traditionally focused on PCs and consoles with smartphones.As of January this year, Samsung's mobile gaming hub has reached 160 million monthly active users, indicating its efforts to expand not only hardware but also game distribution and user engagement.Additionally, Samsung will host the 'Play Galaxy Cup' World Finals on August 27-28, featuring 10 teams that advanced from regional qualifiers in North America, Latin America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, competing for the championship in 'PUBG Mobile.'Samsung is broadening its gaming business to include monitors, TVs, smartphones, and cloud gaming. At Gamescom, the company plans to combine hardware displays with content experiences to enhance its engagement with global gamers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:24:00
  • Hana Financial and Ministry of Veterans Affairs Collaborate to Improve National Cemetery
    Hana Financial and Ministry of Veterans Affairs Collaborate to Improve National Cemetery Hana Financial Group is partnering with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs to enhance the environment of the National Cemetery.On August 11, Hana Financial announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs to improve the national cemetery grounds and visiting environment, coinciding with the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation.The agreement aims to renovate aging tombstones within the national cemetery to honor veterans and provide a safer, more pleasant visiting experience for families and guests.Initially, Hana Financial plans to refurbish approximately 2,000 aging stone tombstones located in the Independence Heroes section of the National Daejeon Cemetery and the Soldiers' section of the National Seoul Cemetery.According to Hana Financial, the National Seoul Cemetery, established over 70 years ago, has seen an increase in tombstones requiring maintenance. Additionally, the number of unmaintained graves has risen due to the deaths of direct descendants, making management more challenging.The company will also expand visitor amenities. Hana Financial plans to install a total of 15 smart shade structures, with 10 at the National Daejeon Cemetery and 5 at the National Seoul Cemetery. These smart shade structures will be strategically placed around visitor pathways and shuttle bus waiting areas. They will utilize solar power and feature automatic sensors to detect temperature and wind speed, allowing for remote control and adjustment.Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo stated, "The noble sacrifices and dedication of our veterans are the precious foundation of today's Republic of Korea. We will continue to provide practical support to veterans and their families."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:20:00
  • Assassins Invited to Toronto International Film Festival with Director and Cast Attending
    Assassins Invited to Toronto International Film Festival with Director and Cast Attending The film 'Assassins' has been officially invited to the Gala Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), with director Heo Jin-ho and cast members Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho confirming their attendance.Previous films that have been featured in TIFF's Gala Presentations include 'Can't Help It' (2025), 'Harbin' (2024), 'Ordinary Family' (2024), 'Concrete Utopia' (2023), 'Smuggling' (2023), and 'Hunt' (2022), all of which received acclaim from both audiences and critics.Director Heo Jin-ho and the cast will participate in the world premiere, engaging with global audiences for the first time. 'Assassins' is set to debut on the international film festival stage ahead of its official release during the Chuseok holiday, heightening anticipation for this well-crafted film.Meanwhile, 'Assassins' explores the mystery and background of the assassination attempt on the First Lady of South Korea on August 15, 1974, drawing inspiration from real events while adding cinematic imagination. With Heo Jin-ho's direction and the ensemble cast of Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, the film is expected to be a highlight in theaters this Chuseok.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:20:00
  • Eugene Investment & Securities Lowers Target Price for KEPCO KPS After Earnings Miss
    Eugene Investment & Securities Lowers Target Price for KEPCO KPS After Earnings Miss Eugene Investment & Securities announced on August 11 that KEPCO KPS's second-quarter operating profit fell significantly short of market expectations, prompting a target price reduction of 18% to 55,000 won. The investment firm maintained its 'Buy' rating. KEPCO KPS reported second-quarter revenue of 437.9 billion won, a 4% decrease from the same period last year, while operating profit dropped 34% to 43.6 billion won.Expenses increased by 9% to 217.6 billion won, impacting profitability. This rise was attributed to expanded hiring of temporary workers and outsourcing costs due to increased safety management and verification procedures during planned preventive maintenance projects. Conversely, material costs decreased by 22% as the burden from materials for life extension projects from the previous year diminished.Looking ahead, a normalization of performance is expected starting in the third quarter. Eugene Investment & Securities forecasts KEPCO KPS's third-quarter revenue and operating profit to reach 412 billion won and 51.6 billion won, respectively. The analysis suggests that many long-term planned preventive maintenance projects are nearing completion, leading to a normalization of revenue recognition from nuclear power, along with anticipated contributions from external sectors such as the Gwangyang biomass O&M project.Hwang Seong-hyun, a researcher at Eugene Investment & Securities, noted, "The decline in revenue from external and overseas projects, along with the increased hiring of temporary workers and outsourcing costs during planned preventive maintenance, had a significant impact."He added, "The outlook for performance normalization in the second half of the year remains valid due to the expansion of planned preventive maintenance units. Attention should also be paid to nuclear power life extension, overseas nuclear maintenance, and nuclear project orders resulting from investments in the U.S." He concluded that while the target price has been lowered due to annual performance adjustments, the stock price remains at a low level considering its dividend appeal.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:16:00
  • Daishin Securities Raises Lotte Rental Target Price by 15% Amid Profitability Improvements
    Daishin Securities Raises Lotte Rental Target Price by 15% Amid Profitability Improvements Daishin Securities announced on August 11 that it has raised its target price for Lotte Rental from 46,000 won to 53,000 won, an increase of 15.2%. The firm cited expectations for improved profitability due to an expanded market share in the rental business and a higher proportion of used car rentals, as well as potential business synergies from a change in the major shareholder. The investment recommendation remains a 'buy.'Park Kang-ho, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, "Profitability is improving due to increased market share and the growing proportion of used car rentals in both the short- and long-term rental markets. We believe the likelihood of a change in the major shareholder has increased due to the recognition of the value of a differentiated mobility portfolio."Lotte Rental reported second-quarter revenues of 765.7 billion won, a 2.3% increase from the same period last year, while operating profit rose by 9.6% to 84.6 billion won. Although the operating profit slightly fell short of the market expectation of 86.8 billion won, it was analyzed to have increased by 11.7% year-on-year when excluding a one-time cost of 1.7 billion won due to changes in accounting practices. Notably, the operating profit from the rental segment is estimated to have increased by 32.9% to 58.2 billion won.The analysis indicates that the improvement in profitability is driven by an expanded market share in the domestic rental market and an increased proportion of used car rentals. Daishin Securities forecasts that Lotte Rental's operating profit margin will improve by 0.8 percentage points to 11.5% this year, with revenues and operating profits expected to rise by 5.5% and 13%, respectively, to 3.08 trillion won and 352.9 billion won.The potential change in the major shareholder is also seen as a factor for reevaluating the stock price. The global private equity firm Texas Pacific Group (TPG) is pursuing the acquisition of a 61.18% stake in Lotte Rental held by the Lotte Group. Given that TPG is the second-largest shareholder of Kakao Mobility, there is an expectation for additional growth through business synergies between rental and mobility platforms.Park added, "Lotte Rental has a comprehensive solution portfolio that encompasses rental, maintenance, care, used car rentals and sales, and overseas market entry. The valuation is attractive with a price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of 8.8 times and a price-to-book ratio (PBR) of 0.9 times based on 2027 earnings."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:12:00
  • Meritz Securities: Studio Dragon to Improve Profitability with AI Cost Savings
    Meritz Securities: Studio Dragon to Improve Profitability with AI Cost Savings Meritz Securities reported on August 11 that Studio Dragon is expected to improve profitability through reduced amortization costs related to content and cost savings achieved by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). The firm maintained a 'buy' rating but lowered its target price from 48,000 won to 43,000 won, reflecting a 10.4% decrease based on revised earnings estimates.Jung Ji-soo, a researcher at Meritz Securities, stated, "The company is strengthening its restructuring efforts through a strategy to enhance intellectual property (IP) value, including diversification of channels and genres, the establishment of an official YouTube channel, and the creation of a royalty and revenue-sharing structure. We anticipate that the introduction of AI will lead to a 30% efficiency improvement in production costs in the medium to long term."In the second quarter of this year, Studio Dragon reported consolidated revenue of 145.3 billion won, a 26.9% increase compared to the same period last year, and an operating profit of 15.4 billion won, marking a return to profitability. The operating profit aligned with market consensus of 14.8 billion won. Strong pre-sales for the global OTT release of 'Tomorrow, I Will Go to Work!' and regional sales of 'Secret Audit' contributed to this performance, alongside a reduction in amortization costs and expanded use of AI, resulting in an operating profit margin of 10.6%.Meritz Securities forecasts that Studio Dragon's consolidated revenue for the year will increase by 7.2% to 569.1 billion won, with operating profit expected to rise by 55.1% to 47.1 billion won. In the second half of the year, a total of 166 episodes are scheduled to air, including anticipated titles such as 'Slowly but Intensely' and '100 Days of Lies.'Notably, 'Slowly but Intensely' is a major production with an estimated budget of 80 billion won, which is expected to significantly contribute to profits if it performs well with viewers. Additionally, the company aims to enhance long-term profitability through expanded IP commerce and cost efficiencies driven by AI.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:12:00
  • Samsung Securities Raises Target Price for CJ CGV Amid Enhanced Viewing Experience
    Samsung Securities Raises Target Price for CJ CGV Amid Enhanced Viewing Experience Samsung Securities announced on August 11 that it has raised its target price for CJ CGV from 5,300 won to 6,200 won, citing the company's efforts to differentiate the movie-going experience through special theaters and non-film content. However, the firm maintained a 'neutral' investment rating due to ongoing financial burdens, including high financing costs.Choi Min-ha, a researcher at Samsung Securities, stated, "CJ CGV is enhancing the unique experiences available only in theaters by leveraging technology-driven special theaters like ScreenX and 4DX, as well as CGV Only content. Interest in special theaters is rising, coinciding with the global expansion of these technologies and the release of Hollywood blockbusters."He added that the company is continuing to improve its business structure by closing unprofitable locations and reducing fixed costs across its domestic and international operations. The focus is on strengthening the competitiveness of special theaters and renewing sites to enhance the profitability of key locations.Thanks to a strong domestic box office in the first half of the year, the company's revenue increased by 26% compared to the same period last year, while domestic operating losses were significantly reduced to 12.8 billion won from 48.3 billion won in the previous year. Although Vietnam continued to show profitability, China experienced a shift to operating losses due to the high base effect from last year's 'The Nun 2,' and Indonesia also saw a decline in profits.Choi noted that while the company improved its operating profit in the second quarter and returned to net profitability, this was partly due to the reduction of lease liabilities from site closures. He emphasized that financial burdens remain high, with ongoing financing costs of around 50 billion won per quarter.He concluded, "The global expansion of specialized theaters like ScreenX and 4DX is a positive development for the value of related businesses. However, given the ongoing uncertainty regarding financial burdens, we maintain a 'neutral' investment rating and adjust the target price to 6,200 won to reflect changes in valuation estimates."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 08:08:00
  • Jung Hae-in Promotes This Awful Love Amid Controversy Over Co-stars Ancestor
    Jung Hae-in Promotes 'This Awful Love' Amid Controversy Over Co-star's Ancestor Actor Jung Hae-in has begun promoting the Netflix original series 'This Awful Love.'On August 10, Jung posted on his social media with the caption "Jang Tae-ha" and tagged the series.'This Awful Love' is a romantic comedy that follows elite prosecutor Go Eun-sae, played by Ha-young, who suffers from amnesia, and her self-proclaimed boyfriend, boxing coach Jang Tae-ha, portrayed by Jung Hae-in, as they navigate a precarious cohabitation in a small rural town known as 'Yeo Village.'Meanwhile, on the same day, Ha-young revealed during an appearance on KBS 2TV's entertainment program 'Problematic Men' that her great-grandfather was the first doctor in Korea to study Western medicine in Japan. The production team introduced him with the subtitle 'He also treated Emperor Gojong.'Ha-young also shared that her grandfather, father, and sister are all doctors, highlighting a four-generation legacy in the medical field.Following the broadcast, it was reported that Ha-young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, practiced medicine during the Japanese colonial period, sparking controversy online regarding his actions. Ha-young's agency, Visters Entertainment, confirmed that Ahn Sang-ho is indeed her great-grandfather but stated that the allegations circulating online are unfounded.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 07:52:00