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K-pop boy band NCT's duo sub-unit wrap up 1st Asian tour SEOUL, August 10 (AJP) - K-pop boy band NCT's sub-unit JNJM, consisting of Jeno and Jaemin, wrapped up their first Asian tour with three sold-out concerts in Bangkok over the weekend, their agency SM Entertainment said on Monday. The concerts drew a total of 27,000 fans, bringing their tour to an end after 13 shows across six Asian cities including Bangkok, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Macao, Seoul and Tokyo. The tour kicked off in Seoul in June. During the Bangkok finale, the two members performed six songs including "BOTH SIDES," "HASHTAG," "I.D.O.L.," "sexier," "What It Is" and "WIND UP." The finale also featured talks and other events with fans, giving the two members a chance to interact with the audience and showcase their onstage chemistry. "Every moment of this unit fan meeting tour was precious and happy," NCT JNJM said through SM. "We are sincerely grateful for the warm support sent to us in each region. We hope our charm and energy as a duo came through to everyone, and although this fan meeting tour has ended, we will keep working hard to return with different sides of ourselves." "Every moment of the tour was precious and made us happy," NCT JNJM said. "We are truly grateful for the warm support we received throughout the tour," adding that they will continue working hard to show new sides of themselves. NCT JNJM debuted as a unit in February with their first mini album "BOTH SIDES." The release pushed the duo past half a million in sales, topping major charts in South Korea as well as Japan's Oricon daily album chart. It also reached the top 10 on iTunes' Top Albums chart in 17 regions. AJP Takeaways: - NCT JNJM, the duo unit of NCT members Jeno and Jaemin, wrapped their first tour with three sold-out shows in Bangkok from Aug. 7 to 9. - The Bangkok finale drew 27,000 fans and brought the tour to 13 shows across six Asian cities. - The tour began in June in Seoul and continued through Bangkok, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Macao, and Tokyo. - NCT JNJM debuted in February with "BOTH SIDES," which became a half-million seller and topped Oricon's daily album chart in Japan. - The tour confirms Jeno and Jaemin's unit demand beyond NCT's full-group activities, especially in Asia. 2026-08-10 17:24:40
World-OKTA opens AI startup course ahead of Shenzhen finals SEOUL, August 10 (AJP) - The World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations, known as World-OKTA, is recruiting participants for a four-day online course on agentic AI, the classroom stage of a startup competition that culminates in Shenzhen this autumn. The training runs from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21 on Zoom, Korea time, with applications closing Aug. 14. Eight modules trace a venture from idea discovery and customer research through problem-solution fit, business modeling, market analysis, venture capital, AI tools such as ChatGPT, AI-driven marketing and the building of AI-native firms. Those who finish all eight receive a certificate. The faculty includes Rick Rasmussen, an industry fellow at the University of California, Berkeley's Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, Stanford University professor Michael Lepech and Thomas Toy, a general partner at Startup Capital Ventures. "I hope this training will let aspiring founders and startup professionals apply AI technology to the actual process of building a company, and sharpen business models aimed at global markets," said Sun Park, chairman of World-OKTA's Global Startup Committee. The competition itself is open to companies joining the 2026 Korea Business Expo Shenzhen, moving from September preliminaries and online semifinals to an Oct. 9 final at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. 2026-08-10 17:23:14
Chinese shipping line launches regular Arctic container service to Europe SEOUL, August 10 (AJP) - A Chinese shipping company is launching what is described as the first regular container service linking Asia and Europe via the Arctic, as melting sea ice and geopolitical risks along traditional shipping routes draw growing attention to the Northern Sea Route. Chinese carrier Sea Legend will begin operating a scheduled container service this week between Ningbo in eastern China and Felixstowe in the United Kingdom, the Financial Times reported Monday. The company has scheduled eight fixed sailings between August and October connecting Ningbo with Felixstowe, Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Hamburg in Germany. Sea Legend, which mainly operates small and midsized container ships, plans to use the Arctic route primarily to transport electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar products to Europe. The route could cut the voyage between China and Europe to about 20 days, depending on Arctic conditions, roughly half the approximately 40 days required on conventional routes. The move comes as climate change continues to reduce Arctic sea ice, opening the region to more commercial shipping during the summer months. A record 23 vessels transited the Northern Sea Route in summer 2025, up from 15 in 2024. During the summer navigation season, sea ice can retreat far enough north to allow some vessels without icebreaking capabilities to make the passage. Interest in the Arctic route has also increased as shipping companies seek alternatives to traditional maritime chokepoints facing heightened geopolitical risks. Following attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on July 23, global oil prices climbed back above $100 per barrel. The Arctic route allows vessels traveling between Asia and Europe to avoid the Red Sea and other chokepoints along the conventional route. However, Danish shipping giant Maersk has said it does not intend to use the Arctic route, citing concerns over potential damage to the region's fragile ecosystem. According to an analysis by Allianz, more than 500 shipping accidents were reported in the Arctic region over the past decade, with mechanical damage or failure accounting for roughly half of the incidents. 2026-08-10 17:23:13
SK Bioscience Reports Q2 Operating Loss of 15.7 Billion Won, Improved Performance from IDT SK Bioscience reported an operating loss of 15.7 billion won in the second quarter of this year, more than halving its deficit compared to the same period last year. The improvement is attributed to better performance from its German subsidiary, IDT Biologika.On August 10, SK Bioscience announced that its consolidated revenue for the second quarter was 155.7 billion won, with an operating loss of 15.7 billion won. The operating loss decreased by 58% from 37.4 billion won in the same quarter last year, while revenue slightly declined from 161.9 billion won year-on-year.The company explained that the temporary impact was due to the postponement of some vaccine supply schedules to the third quarter, with those amounts expected to be reflected in the third quarter results.For the first half of the year, SK Bioscience reported cumulative revenue of 324.3 billion won and an operating loss of 60.3 billion won. Revenue saw a slight increase compared to the previous year, but the operating loss grew due to the relocation of its headquarters to Songdo and increased investment in research and development (R&D).The improvement in performance was driven by IDT Biologika, which was acquired in 2024. Profitability improved due to increased production volumes from major clients, workforce optimization, and enhanced production yields. The company plans to expand its global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business by securing high-value contracts and new clients.SK Bioscience's own vaccine business has also seen success in international markets. Its influenza vaccine, Skycellflu, has secured supply contracts with UNICEF following a previous agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and domestically, it has obtained the maximum volume for the National Immunization Program (NIP).The varicella vaccine, Skyvaricella, has established a foothold in the Latin American market by signing a technology transfer and local production facility agreement with Colombia's state-owned pharmaceutical company VECOL.Development of key pipeline products continues. The 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, GBP410, co-developed with Sanofi, is currently undergoing global Phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe, and the expansion of the commercial production facility in Andong has been completed.Recently, SK Bioscience was selected for support from the National Growth Fund, securing 300 billion won in long-term funding, which will be used for R&D, commercialization preparations, and upgrading production facilities.A company representative stated, "In the second half of the year, we will continue to expand IDT's global CDMO business, increase our own vaccine supply, and develop our key pipeline without interruption to strengthen our foundation as a global biotech company."Additionally, last month, the company passed a regular inspection of manufacturing and quality management standards (GMP) for four vaccines that received prequalification (PQ) certification from the World Health Organization (WHO), recognizing the manufacturing and quality management capabilities of its Andong facility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-10 17:12:00
HYBE's New Girl Group TUIDE Surpasses 1 Million TikTok Followers Before Debut HYBE's new girl group TUIDE is generating buzz on social media ahead of their official debut.According to HYBE's music label ABD, TUIDE's official TikTok account surpassed 1 million followers on August 7, just six days after its first post.TUIDE is a seven-member group consisting of Seohee, Seoyeon, Elena, Jia, Saki, Sea, and Ihani. The group is gaining recognition through social media content without prior survival auditions or pre-debut reality shows, even before all members' faces and profiles have been revealed.One of the standout pieces of content is a performance video for the track "GRLS" from their mini-album "TUNE & PLAY." The video clip titled "Meet my GRLS, TUIDE" has ranked among the top views on their official TikTok channel. On YouTube, the video surpassed 4 million views within two days of its release, reaching third place on the daily trending music videos in South Korea and entering the rising music charts.The performance of "GRLS" emphasizes the individual roles of the members, showcasing their unique characters and teamwork through a flow of solo, unit, and group choreography. This performance serves as an introduction to the group before their official profiles are released.The choreography blends house dance with elements of hip-hop and soul, featuring rhythmic steps, freestyle gestures, and dynamic formations that enhance the song's atmosphere.Earlier, TUIDE held a preview event called "PLAYGROUND" on August 1-2, where they showcased all tracks from their debut album for the first time. This approach allows them to connect with fans by revealing their music and performances before their official debut.TUIDE is set to officially debut on August 24 at 6 PM with the release of their mini-album "TUNE & PLAY," featuring the title track "SUN KISS."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-10 17:12:00
Tving Reports First Quarterly Profit, Complicating Wave Merger Talks Online video service (OTT) Tving has reported its first quarterly profit since its launch, but the calculations surrounding its merger with Wave have become more complex.Since the two companies began serious merger discussions in 2023, the competitive landscape in the OTT market has shifted from subscriber acquisition to profitability through advertising and live content. This has prompted major shareholders to reassess the merger's benefits, especially as Tving demonstrates its potential for independent survival.According to CJ ENM, discussions regarding the merger between Tving and Wave will intensify in the second half of the year. Tving's Chief Financial Officer, Jang Hyun-kyung, stated, "We plan to advance merger discussions in the second half and continue consultations with strategic investors in conjunction with discussions with KT."Tving and Wave signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the merger in December 2023. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) conditionally approved the merger in June of the previous year, with a key condition being the maintenance of existing pricing plans until the end of this year, considering the potential for price increases post-merger.Over a year after the FTC's approval, neither party has produced concrete results regarding the merger. While Tving and Wave have engaged in preliminary collaborations, such as content sharing and personnel exchanges, they have yet to reach a final agreement among major shareholders.Industry insiders express concern that the prolonged merger discussions may have caused the domestic OTT sector to miss its 'golden time' for maximizing integration benefits. Since the merger discussions began in 2023, the competitive environment has rapidly changed, with Coupang Play expanding its influence through sports broadcasting and the emergence of mass-produced short-form dramas from China, leading to a swift dispersion of viewer engagement.Tving reported a 40% year-on-year revenue growth in the second quarter, reaching 140.7 billion won, and achieved an operating profit of 6 billion won. This success is attributed to its strategy of securing users through live content, such as professional baseball, and increasing advertising revenue.As Tving shows potential for independent profitability, questions arise about the necessity of merging with Wave, which has been accumulating losses. Even if the two companies combine their subscriber bases to increase scale, there are doubts about their ability to compete effectively with global OTT services like Netflix.KT is also evaluating the merger's benefits in light of the changing market environment. KT CEO Park Yoon-young stated on July 23, "Given the rapid changes in the content market, there are many factors to consider regarding company profits."Some experts caution that Tving's second-quarter profit alone does not guarantee its independent survival. The profit is a result of both revenue growth and cost efficiency, while the burden of content investment, including broadcasting rights for professional baseball, continues.Kim Yong-hee, a professor at Sun Moon University, noted, "We need to observe whether Tving can maintain its profit trend. The merger is not merely about increasing scale to compete with global OTTs like Netflix; it is a choice to reduce overlapping investments and secure more customers for sustainable OTT operations."He also suggested that the merger's benefits lie more in the efficiency of content investment and platform operations than in simply combining subscriber numbers. "To operate a typical OTT, a certain level of drama and entertainment content must be secured annually. If the two companies merge, they can reduce the burden of production and supply while expanding their subscriber base. While it may be challenging for each to reach 10 million subscribers independently, merging could make that possible," he analyzed.He added, "In South Korea, a two-track strategy is needed to secure scale and efficiency through integration while increasing subscribers through partnerships with local OTTs overseas."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-10 17:04:00
The Key to AI Success: An AI-Ready Data Platform As AI and advanced analytics technologies rapidly spread, the standards for corporate competition are changing. The critical question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but whether a company has the environment to create real business value based on reliable data. In other words, the key to corporate competitiveness in the AI era lies in 'Data Readiness.'Many companies recognize the importance of data and are accelerating their investments in AI, but the reality is more challenging than expected. A recent survey by Cloudera, which included over 1,200 IT leaders across 14 countries, found that 89% of global respondents (93% in South Korea) believe that executives view data infrastructure as a core issue for AI expansion.Additionally, 86% reported having established a data strategy linked to business objectives, and the same percentage of companies indicated they are increasing investments in data infrastructure and cloud services. This indicates that data is no longer just an asset of the IT department but has become a central agenda for corporate management.However, investment and interest do not automatically translate into data competitiveness. The biggest obstacles are data silos within organizations and low data accessibility. The survey revealed that only 30% of companies reported having fully integrated data, while more than half indicated that their data is only partially connected.In South Korea, the situation is even more severe, with 80% of responding companies stating that their data is not fully connected. Most data is dispersed across different systems, making it difficult to utilize it company-wide.This lack of data readiness leads to poor performance. According to the report 'Overcoming the Complexity of AI Data Readiness' by Cloudera and Harvard Business Review Analytics Services, 73% of business leaders struggle with data preparation for AI, citing data silos and difficulties in source integration (56%), lack of data strategy (44%), quality and bias issues (41%), and regulatory constraints (34%) as the main causes.In fact, a study by the RAND Corporation found that about 80% of AI projects fail to achieve the expected business outcomes, nearly double the failure rate of typical IT projects.International examples illustrate how detrimental a lack of data readiness can be. The U.S. real estate platform Zillow ambitiously pursued its 'Zestimate' AI model to predict home prices for its Zillow Offers business. However, the model failed to timely reflect rapidly changing market data post-pandemic, leading to continued overvaluation of home prices. Ultimately, in the third quarter of 2021 alone, Zillow incurred a loss of $421 million and had to shut down the business, reducing its workforce by 25%. This case demonstrates that even the most sophisticated algorithms can become detrimental without fresh and reliable data.Conversely, there are success stories from companies that invested in data integration first. Global investment bank Standard Chartered built an enterprise data fabric to efficiently manage dispersed data and varying regulatory environments across countries. They integrated management from data collection to access rights, security policies, and data lineage, establishing a foundation for analyzing and utilizing enterprise data for AI while complying with national data sovereignty and financial regulations. Their standardized data pipeline reduced the data pipeline development cycle by about 40%, significantly enhancing data utilization speed and operational efficiency.However, the challenges do not end there. As companies rush to adopt AI, the phenomenon of 'AI silos'—where different departments invest in overlapping tools—has emerged as a new issue. When tools vary by department, the consistency of data and models is compromised, complicating governance. Experts advise that organizations need to build an integrated data and AI platform to address this issue.AI can only deliver results when it is based on high-quality data. If data is scattered across multiple systems or if access rights and governance are inadequate, even the most advanced AI models will struggle to achieve the desired outcomes. Ultimately, the essence of data readiness lies not in how much data is collected, but in how well it is integrated, managed in a trustworthy manner, and safely utilized when needed.The competition in AI is now a competition for data, not just models. Companies must not only store data but also connect it as a single asset, enabling free utilization in AI and analytics environments, regardless of its location.The divergence between Zillow's failure and Standard Chartered's success ultimately comes down to one factor: how effectively they managed data as a trustworthy asset. Only companies that build an 'AI-Ready Data Platform' will be able to create new business value and secure a sustainable competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-10 17:04:00
Fans Drive Content Creation: Disney and Spotify Join the Trend Fan-created content is emerging as a new pathway for engaging with original works. Following Naver Webtoon’s support for fan creations based on author consent, global content companies like Disney and Spotify are also incorporating fan-generated works into their official ecosystems.On August 10, Naver Webtoon reported that 'Job Change Log,' the first IP from its AI story chat service 'byUs,' has seen a 67% increase in views since its launch. The proportion of new users accessing the content has more than doubled, indicating that fans are increasingly consuming and creating new stories based on the original work.byUs is an AI story chat service that allows users to engage with characters from approved webtoon IPs, taking on the role of the protagonist to develop the narrative. Naver Webtoon is expanding services that draw fan creations into its official ecosystem, utilizing original IPs.One such tool is 'CutsMake,' which enables users to create short animated episodes using webtoon characters and scenes. Since its launch, views for the webtoon 'Operation Name: Pure Love,' which was on hiatus, have increased by 27%. This demonstrates that fan creations can sustain interest in the original work even during breaks in serialization.Global content companies are also integrating fan creations into their official content ecosystems.Disney plans to collaborate with TikTok to showcase fan videos utilizing its major IPs, including Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, on its Disney+ short-form service. The company is also running a program that provides creators with access to official content and a reward system, aiming to broaden the scope of IP utilization by incorporating fan-made content into its platform.Spotify is also working on features that allow fans to create cover songs and remixes using AI, with the consent of artists. The platform has secured over 30,000 label catalogs with major partners and aims to integrate fan creations into a legal ecosystem, creating a structure that generates new revenue for both artists and the platform.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-10 17:04:00
Home Mortgage Rates Rise Above Bank Loans, Yet Demand Increases The general interest rate for the government-backed Home Mortgage Loan has begun to exceed the average mortgage rates offered by commercial banks. Until last year, these rates were lower than bank loans, but five rate hikes this year have reversed that trend. Despite this, the total debt service ratio (DSR) regulation exemption has continued to attract demand, pushing the outstanding balance of Home Mortgage Loans to over 115 trillion won.According to the Korea Housing Finance Corporation, the general interest rate for the 'Akkime Home Mortgage Loan' in August ranges from 4.90% to 5.20% per year.The interest rates for Home Mortgage Loans have risen sharply this year, with increases of 0.25 percentage points in January, 0.15 in February, 0.30 in April, 0.25 in May, and 0.30 in July, totaling a 1.25 percentage point increase.As a result, the interest rate advantage that existed over bank loans until last year has disappeared. In December of last year, the general interest rate for the Akkime Home Mortgage Loan with a 10-year maturity was 3.65%, which was 0.58 percentage points lower than the average mortgage rate for new bank loans (4.23%). However, the situation began to reverse in April of this year, and by June, the general interest rate for the 10-year Home Mortgage Loan (4.60%) was 0.24 percentage points higher than the average bank mortgage rate (4.36%).Despite the decline in interest rate competitiveness, demand for Home Mortgage Loans remains strong. In June, sales reached 2.1623 trillion won, a 26% increase from the previous month (1.7132 trillion won). The outstanding balance at the end of June was approximately 115.4212 trillion won, the highest level since the second half of 2022 to the first half of 2023, excluding the temporary refinancing product known as the Safe Conversion Loan.The continued demand despite rising rates is attributed to the exemption from DSR regulations. Unlike general bank mortgage loans, Home Mortgage Loans do not apply DSR regulations at the borrower level. For borrowers whose loan limits are restricted based on income and existing debt, the Home Mortgage Loan serves as an alternative, even if the interest rate is somewhat higher. As lending regulations tighten in the banking sector, actual loan amounts become a priority over interest rates, drawing more real demand to Home Mortgage Loans.The recent increases in Home Mortgage Loan rates are directly linked to rising funding costs, such as the issuance rates of mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Since Home Mortgage Loans are funded through MBS issued by the Korea Housing Finance Corporation, an increase in long-term market interest rates puts upward pressure on these rates. The Korea Housing Finance Corporation states that when determining rates, it considers various factors in addition to funding costs as a policy financing institution.Some analysts suggest that the recent expansion of Home Mortgage Loan supply may have influenced the need for rate adjustments to manage demand. A financial sector official noted, "As Home Mortgage Loans are exempt from DSR regulations, there is a significant possibility that real demand will concentrate as the barriers to bank loans increase. Given the challenges in continuing to expand policy financing, the recent rate hikes may also reflect the necessity to manage demand to some extent."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-10 17:00:20
Drought Raises Concerns Over Water Supply for Agriculture and Semiconductor Industry in Honam As a large semiconductor factory is set to be established in Honam, concerns are rising in the agricultural sector regarding water supply. With the ongoing drought, there are fears that the addition of a semiconductor plant will disrupt the supply of agricultural water. According to relevant authorities on August 10, President Lee Jae-myung has directed that the functions of the Gwangju military airport be temporarily relocated to another military airport by mid-2028, allowing the existing Air Force base to be utilized early for the Honam semiconductor cluster. He also ordered that plans for power and water supply to the semiconductor cluster be prepared without delay. The Honam semiconductor industrial complex requires 650,000 tons of water daily, totaling 36.5 million tons annually. The government plans to supply this water from various sources: 300,000 tons from Dongbok Dam, 150,000 tons from Juam Dam and Jangheung Dam, 100,000 tons from Boseonggang Dam, and 100,000 tons from Naju Dam. The primary concern for the agricultural sector is the water supply from Naju Dam, which has historically provided water mainly for agricultural use, unlike Dongbok Dam and Jangheung Dam, which primarily supply domestic water. The government plans to supply 100,000 tons of water for semiconductor use from Naju Dam and the lower Yeongsan River. If this amount is supplied, a significant portion of agricultural water is expected to be diverted. The challenge lies in predicting the actual impact of this diversion on agricultural practices. Water levels vary each year based on weather conditions, making it difficult to calculate available water reserves. Additionally, prolonged droughts, like the current situation, could jeopardize the stable supply of agricultural water. As of now, the water level in Naju Lake is at 51.4%, just above half capacity. There are also concerns that the quality of agricultural water may decline. It is reported that first-class water will be used for ultra-pure semiconductor production, potentially sidelining agricultural water. While the water quality of the Yeongsan River varies by season and flow, it is generally rated at levels four to five. Given that the agricultural water supplied from Naju Lake is currently rated at level two, a decline in water quality seems inevitable. Among eco-friendly farmers, there is significant concern about water pollution. In fact, nearly 1,200 hectares of rice are cultivated using eco-friendly methods near Naju City. A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "To continue eco-friendly agriculture smoothly, the water source must be at least level four or higher," adding that measures will be taken to ensure the quality of agricultural water is managed effectively. The agricultural sector argues that the national push for semiconductor industry development should not come at their expense. Choi Beom-jin, head of the Policy Coordination Office of the Korea Future Farmers Association, emphasized, "It should not be taken for granted that the agricultural sector must sacrifice for the advancement of high-tech industries. The supply of water is directly linked to the survival of farmers," urging that water supply decisions should be made after thorough consultations with the agricultural community. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-10 17:00:00