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Dynamis One CEO Park Byeong-rim: Emotions, Not Technology, Define Gaming's Future "High-quality resources created by artificial intelligence (AI) are now accessible to everyone. Therefore, the experience of accumulating user emotions will be a key factor in determining the competitiveness of the gaming market moving forward."Park Byeong-rim, CEO of Dynamis One, shared this insight during a recent interview with Aju Economy, discussing the changes in the gaming market in the AI era and the company's development philosophy regarding subculture genres. A seasoned producer with experience in developing subculture games at global gaming companies, Park founded Dynamis One in 2024 and is currently developing its first subculture game, 'Astrae Oratio.'The advancement of generative AI is fundamentally transforming the game development environment. With a significant increase in development efficiency, even small teams can now achieve graphics and production quality comparable to that of large studios. However, this technological leveling has also led to unexpected side effects, including the proliferation of low-quality, mass-produced content known as 'AI Slop' in the global market.Park noted, "In an environment where anyone can produce results above a certain level, the ability to create 'unique emotions that can only be felt in this work' has paradoxically emerged as a core competitive advantage for developers."In light of these changes, the gaming industry faces the challenge of redefining the relationship between AI technology and human creativity. Park emphasized, "While repetitive and standardized tasks should be optimized by AI, areas such as the narrative context of characters and emotional immersion, which are difficult for machines to replicate, must be filled with the unique interpretations of human creators." He explained that a hybrid approach, clearly dividing the roles of AI and humans, will be a key strategy for future game development.He believes that the ability to design a structure where technology and human creativity can mutually benefit each other will determine a work's competitiveness. He specifically identified the subculture genre as a prime area where a creator's emotional interpretation can translate into commercial success.The 'ACGN content' encompassing animation, comics, games, and novels has formed a cross-border ecosystem based on the expansion of digital platforms and the growth of global fandom. Once considered the domain of niche enthusiasts, subculture has now become a major pillar of the entertainment industry.Subculture is characterized by users not only consuming content but also reinterpreting characters and narratives in their own ways, leading to various forms of secondary creation such as merchandise collection, cosplay, and fan art. This interplay of consumption, participation, and communication is seen as the essence of subculture culture.Park is also a subculture user who enjoys comics, animation, and Japanese console games. His preferences and experiences have naturally influenced the direction of game development. He explained that he chose to focus on subculture game development by selecting a field he knows and loves best.However, as the market grows, competition intensifies. High-quality graphics and flashy production have become basic requirements rather than differentiators. In this regard, Park stated, "The future landscape of the market will be determined by 'what you make people remember' rather than 'what you show them.'"He added, "Users are not satisfied with merely acquiring characters. They grow alongside the characters in the virtual world, immersing themselves in the settings and stories embedded throughout the work, creating their own memories. This experience forms a solid fanbase and establishes a virtuous cycle that extends the life of the IP, which is the true formula for success in today's subculture market."Founded under the vision of 'realizing the dreams of otaku' in 2024, Dynamis One defines the essence of subculture as 'a genre that accumulates affection.' The philosophy is to return value commensurate with the time and emotions invested by users, developing their attachment to characters and narratives into long-term experiences, which is the core role of subculture games.The first project that most clearly embodies this direction is the subculture role-playing game (RPG) 'Astrae Oratio.' It aims to build characters and narratives based on an original intellectual property (IP) and create experiences that users can remember and immerse themselves in for a long time.Park stated, "The depth of emotional connection that can be maintained is what determines the value of the IP, rather than just the number of users. A strong original IP is only completed when users form deep bonds with the characters and coexist with the world of the work over a long period." His goal is not just to create a game but to realize a world and emotions that remain in users' memories for a long time.This philosophy is also reflected in the concept of 'Organic Art' that Dynamis One emphasizes. In an era where content creation using generative AI is rapidly becoming commonplace, the core idea is that expressions imbued with the creator's intent and emotions hold greater value than the technology itself.Park explained, "Analog expressions that only humans can create, such as subtle fluctuations, intentional gaps, and exaggerated productions, breathe true life into characters and worlds, rather than perfectly refined digital results." He interprets Organic Art not merely as a pursuit of visual perfection but as stemming from the emotional focal point shared by the development team.He repeatedly stressed the importance of the creative environment. "To become a development company with a unique color in the market, an environment where creators can fully immerse themselves and feel creative joy must be established before titles or portfolios. Only when internal creators' immersion and passion are sustained can authentic experiences be fully conveyed to users," he added.Park also mentioned that he is closely monitoring user reactions to the teaser content related to 'Astrae Oratio.' He noted that users have shown high expectations for the new story and world, particularly appreciating the effort put into the background art.He stated, "I believe the background is crucial for conveying the settings and world of the game, and I am working to preserve the brush strokes to reflect the human touch. The recognition from users regarding the effort put into the background has been a great encouragement for the team responsible for the actual work."Dynamis One aims to continue focusing on subculture genre development and establish itself as a game developer with a unique identity. As competitive subculture developers emerge in Japan, South Korea, and China, the company plans to consistently present games infused with its distinct character.Park emphasized, "The subculture game market can no longer be won solely through technology or graphics. We will carve out our path through original IP, emotion-centered experiences, and human expressions." 2026-08-06 10:00:00 -
Kookmin students win prize for vehicle solar standard SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - Five undergraduates from Kookmin University's School of Materials Science and Engineering won the grand prize at a national standardization competition on July 24, taking the award given in the name of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources for a proposed durability test covering solar panels built into vehicle bodies. No existing test protocol subjects such panels to light, heat and vibration at the same time, the combination a panel mounted on a moving vehicle meets in service. The team, competing as Hot Potato, submitted a draft evaluation standard that reproduces all three stresses together, and Kookmin said a judging panel drawn from industry and the standards field rated the work the strongest entry. The technology at issue is vehicle-integrated photovoltaics, in which solar cells are fixed to the body of a car or other vehicle and generate electricity while it is being driven. Perovskite is the material widely expected to succeed silicon in solar cells, and it is more fragile under combined environmental stress, which is the problem the students set out to address. The team consisted of Choi Jun-hyuk, Yang Seo-yun, Seo Han-i, Sung Yeon-seung and Han Seon-gu. Their proposal grew out of the department's Engineering Design course, taught by Hong Seung-hyun, who advised the team. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and the Korean Standards Association co-hosted the contest at SKY31 Convention in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Ten teams from five universities entered, drawn from Gachon University, Kongju National University, Kookmin, Sejong University and Far East University. Seven of the 10 took prizes across the grand, top excellence, excellence and special categories. Rival entries covered 3D printing construction processes and evaluation criteria for self-healing concrete. Each team was asked to take a technology from its own field of study and work through the process of turning it into a standard. The competition sits inside a government program that trains engineering students to write technical standards rather than only build to them, part of a broader push to place Korean rules at the center of emerging industries. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) funds the program, and the five universities in the field are the institutions carrying it out. Kookmin has now won the top award at both editions of the contest. Materials science students from the university took the same ministerial grand prize at the first competition, held at the same venue on Nov. 21, 2025, along with awards from the Korean Standards Association and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. The Hot Potato team receives an overseas exchange program as its prize. --- AJP Takeaways ● The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources awarded its top prize at the second Advanced Industry Standardization Competition to five Kookmin University materials science undergraduates on July 24 for a draft test standard covering solar panels built into vehicle bodies. ● The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and the Korean Standards Association drew 10 teams from five universities to the contest, with seven taking prizes. The field and the competing entries, including 3D printing construction processes and self-healing concrete criteria, were not in the university announcement. ● Kookmin has taken the ministerial grand prize at both editions of the contest, having won the first on Nov. 21, 2025. ● The Hot Potato team proposed reproducing light, heat and vibration stress at the same time, a combination no existing protocol applies to perovskite panels mounted on moving vehicles. 2026-08-06 09:56:18 -
Kimjang Festival Expands to Include Jeonnam Companies This Year This year, Jeonnam companies will participate in the Kimjang Festival in Gwangju. The festival will be held from November 27 to December 13 at Kimchi Town in the Nam-gu district of Gwangju. The Gwangju Metropolitan City will recruit kimchi suppliers for the main event from August 13 to 20. About 10 companies are expected to be selected. Since 2014, the festival has aimed to provide citizens with safe, high-quality kimchi and enhance the competitiveness of the local kimchi industry. Eligible applicants must be kimchi manufacturing and processing companies located in Gwangju that have received both HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification and traditional food quality certification for napa cabbage kimchi as of the announcement date. Additionally, they must have achieved domestic and international sales of over 700 million won last year and have a daily kimchi production capacity of over one ton. Selected companies will be evaluated at a tasting event held by the World Institute of Kimchi, where they will be assessed on their adherence to the shared recipe, brining condition, taste, and overall quality.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 09:52:10 -
Arko Announces New Recruitment for Review Committee Candidates, Inviting Public Nominations The Korea Arts Council (Arko) announced on August 6 that it will form a new review committee to enhance the professionalism, fairness, and practical relevance of its members.Applications will be accepted from August 10 to 26 at the National Cultural Arts Support System (NCAS). Selected experts will serve as reviewers, evaluators, and advisors for Arko projects for three years, starting with the 2027 support program.To broaden participation from field experts, the eligibility criteria have been flexibly revised. Individuals recognized for their outstanding practical experience and expertise in the past five years will also be considered equally qualified. Additionally, a public nomination system will be in place until August 21, allowing anyone to recommend candidates.Moreover, candidates can combine various activities within the cultural arts ecosystem to meet the 10-year experience requirement, even if they do not have a decade of experience in a single field. Those with notable achievements in the last five years will also be recognized as equally qualified.The public nomination system allows anyone to recommend candidates until August 21. Recommended experts must register their career and activity information in the NCAS by August 26 to be considered for evaluation.The recruitment covers eight fields: literature, visual arts, theater/musical, dance, music, traditional arts, multidisciplinary arts, and general culture. Applicants can choose up to two fields to apply. The final appointments will be made in October after administrative review, genre-specific evaluations, and checks for potential violations of artists' rights. Current committee members must also reapply due to the end of their terms.Chairman Lee Beom-hun stated, “The quality of support evaluations starts with the professionalism and diversity of the review committee. Along with the public nomination system, we plan to improve eligibility criteria to consider not only the duration of experience but also the quality of activities and their impact in the field, thereby broadly expanding the pool of candidates.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 09:52:00 -
Automakers recalling half a million vehicles over various defects SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - A combined 512,393 vehicles across 13 models from Hyundai Motor, Kia, Honda and Stellantis will be voluntarily recalled to fix manufacturing defects, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Thursday. Hyundai accounts for the bulk of the recall, with nearly 400,000 vehicles affected including 104,781 across two models including the Tucson, for which repairs have been underway since July 30 due to a software error in the forward collision-avoidance assist system that could cause malfunctions. Another recall by the automaker, set to begin next week, will affect 127,059 vehicles across five models — the G80, G90, GV70, GV80 and Grandeur, due to a risk of fuel leaks and fire caused by improperly fastened nuts on an engine crossover pipe. Hyundai will also recall 168,181 Avante and Grandeur hybrid vehicles due to a software flaw that could cause certain components to overheat, raising the risk of fire. Affiliate Kia will recall 109,237 vehicles across two models including the Carnival and K8, starting next Wednesday due to the same improperly fastened engine crossover-pipe nuts found in some Hyundai models. Imported brands are also affected, with Honda recalling 2,424 Odyssey vehicles and Stellantis recalling 711 Jeep Cherokee vehicles since early this week due to various defects. The affected automakers will notify vehicle owners of the recall with detailed instructions, while those who have already paid for repairs may seek reimbursement from the manufacturers. AJP Takeaways: - South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on Aug. 6, 2026 that 512,393 vehicles across 13 models from Hyundai Motor, Kia, Honda and Stellantis will be voluntarily recalled to fix manufacturing defects. - Hyundai Motor is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles in total, the largest share of the combined recall. - Kia Corporation, a Hyundai Motor affiliate, will recall 109,237 vehicles across two models, including the Kia Carnival and Kia K8, starting August 12, 2026, due to the same improperly fastened engine crossover-pipe nuts found in some Hyundai Motor Company models. - Honda Motor is recalling 2,424 Honda Odyssey vehicles due to various defects, with the recall underway since early August 2026. - Stellantis N.V. is recalling 711 Jeep Cherokee vehicles due to various defects, with the recall underway since early August 2026. 2026-08-06 09:51:28 -
Paros AI Bio Selected for National AI Drug Development Project Paros AI Bio has been selected as a performing organization for a national project focused on developing AI-based cancer drugs. On August 6, Paros AI Bio announced that it, along with JackTusOnco, has been chosen for the AI-based candidate substance exploration segment of the '2026 Pharmaceutical Bio Venture Collaborative Technology Development Project' organized by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups. Paros AI Bio has built experience from candidate substance discovery to clinical entry using its proprietary AI drug development platform, Chemiverse. The company is expanding external research collaborations and has been selected for three research and development projects this year, overseen by the National New Drug Development Project Group, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In this project, Paros AI Bio and JackTusOnco plan to discover candidate substances that inhibit the iron-regulatory protein IRP2 using AI. The two companies will conduct joint research over 24 months, with a total research budget of 1 billion won, of which Paros AI Bio will receive 400 million won. Paros AI Bio will be responsible for candidate substance design and optimization using Chemiverse, while JackTusOnco will handle compound synthesis, biological validation, and non-clinical research. The two companies aim to enhance development speed and success rates by validating AI-predicted candidate substances through experiments and incorporating the results back into AI model training. Yoon Jeong-hyuk, CEO of Paros AI Bio, stated, "The selection for this project is a significant example of how the Chemiverse platform can be utilized across various new targets and research fields." Previously, Paros AI Bio signed a memorandum of understanding for joint research in AI-based drug development with the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation. This agreement aims to combine Paros AI Bio's AI drug design platform with K-MediHub's structural biology research capabilities to advance the development of next-generation EGFR-targeted cancer drugs. Recently, in the field of AI drug development, the ability to secure and utilize three-dimensional structural information of proteins during the candidate substance discovery process has emerged as a key competitive advantage. The company explained, "As the need for new treatments targeting EGFR mutation lung cancer and patients resistant to existing therapies grows, approaches that combine AI design and structural biology are gaining attention."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 09:48:00 -
LG Uplus's 'Alphaki' Becomes First IDaaS in Korea to Obtain CSAP Certification LG Uplus announced that its integrated account management service, 'Alphaki,' has become the first domestic Identity as a Service (IDaaS) to receive the Cloud Service Security Certification (CSAP) for Software as a Service (SaaS) standards. The company plans to expand the supply of Alphaki to government agencies, public institutions, and state-owned enterprises following this certification.CSAP is a system evaluated and certified by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) to ensure that cloud services comply with information security standards, as mandated by the 'Act on the Development and Protection of Cloud Computing.' This certification is considered a prerequisite for supplying private cloud services to public institutions. The government has revised the national cloud security guidelines in the first half of this year and plans to implement a new security framework starting in July 2027.Launched last year, Alphaki is a cloud-based service that integrates the account information of corporate employees and manages access rights to various work systems and SaaS applications. It offers a single sign-on (SSO) feature that allows users to access multiple work services with one account. The service also detects abnormal logins and unauthorized access in real-time to respond to security threats.To enhance security, Alphaki employs 'homomorphic encryption' technology, which allows computations on encrypted data without decryption. It also utilizes post-quantum cryptography (PQC) based authentication technology designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers.LG Uplus is developing a version of Alphaki tailored for public cloud environments and is currently conducting free technology proof-of-concept (PoC) trials with some public institutions. Based on the results of these trials, the company plans to enhance the service and officially launch Alphaki for public institutions as early as the first quarter of next year.Park Seong-yul, head of LG Uplus's Enterprise Business Innovation Group, stated, 'Alphaki is a security SaaS developed directly by a domestic telecommunications provider, encapsulating LG Uplus's accumulated security technology and service capabilities. We will strive to establish it as a trusted service in the public sector.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 09:48:00 -
Chinese Yuan Bonds Attract Global Investment Despite Low Interest Rates Global funds have flocked to Chinese yuan bonds.The Chinese Ministry of Finance issued 15 billion yuan in offshore yuan-denominated bonds in Hong Kong on August 5, achieving a high subscription rate of 4.67 times, according to the China Securities Journal on August 6.The bonds included 5 billion yuan maturing in two years, 4 billion yuan maturing in three years, 4 billion yuan maturing in five years, 1 billion yuan maturing in 15 years, and 1 billion yuan maturing in 30 years. The interest rates were set at 1.27% for the two-year bonds, 1.30% for the three-year bonds, 1.43% for the five-year bonds, 1.99% for the 15-year bonds, and 2.24% for the 30-year bonds. All but the 30-year bonds had interest rates in the 1% range.These rates are significantly low. As of August 5, the yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds was 4.60%, South Korea's was 4.13%, and Japan's was 2.81%. Even China's 30-year bonds had lower yields than Japan's 10-year bonds.Despite the low rates, the strong demand can be attributed to the abundant offshore yuan liquidity in Hong Kong. As of the end of May, offshore yuan deposits in Hong Kong reached a record 1.13 trillion yuan, and the yuan clearing volume in June increased to 53.2 trillion yuan, surpassing that of Hong Kong and U.S. dollars. With an increasing amount of yuan seeking investment opportunities, bonds issued by the creditworthy Chinese government are seen as a relatively safe option.China's regular bond issuance and its aim to develop yuan bonds as a benchmark are also considered factors contributing to the strong interest. Last year, China issued 68 billion yuan in offshore yuan bonds in Hong Kong. This year, it plans to issue 84 billion yuan in bonds over six rounds. As the liquidity of Chinese government bonds increases, they are expected to establish themselves as a benchmark. Once they become a benchmark, they can be used as hedging instruments or included in indices, leading to increased demand. The high subscription rate reflects expectations that the prices of Chinese government bonds will rise in the future.In line with the yuan internationalization policy, there are analyses suggesting that foreign central banks and sovereign wealth funds are increasing their holdings of yuan assets to diversify their foreign exchange reserves.Pang Ming, a researcher at the China Chief Economist Forum, stated, "The four rounds of yuan bond issuance this year have all received enthusiastic responses, indicating that the status of yuan assets as safe assets is rising. The attractiveness of the yuan as a global reserve currency is increasing, and the internationalization of the yuan will continue to progress steadily."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 09:44:00 -
KOSPI Opens Lower Amid Mixed U.S. Market; KOSDAQ Rises The KOSPI index showed a cautious trend on August 6, influenced by the mixed closing of the U.S. stock market the previous night. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:04 a.m., the KOSPI was down 88.75 points (1.35%) at 6,509.96 compared to the previous trading day. In the securities market, institutions sold a net 73 billion won, while individuals and foreigners bought a net 78.2 billion won and 7.1 billion won, respectively. Most of the top market capitalization stocks on the KOSPI showed weakness. SK Hynix fell 4.92%, followed by SK Square (-4.65%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-3.17%), Samsung Electronics (-3.05%), Samsung Life Insurance (-2.89%), Samsung C&T (-2.16%), Hyundai Motor (-1.11%), LG Energy Solution (-1.04%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-0.79%). In contrast, Samsung Biologics rose 0.94%, and KB Financial gained 0.12%. At the same time, the KOSDAQ index rose 4.80 points (0.60%) to 804.39 compared to the previous trading day. In the KOSDAQ market, individuals and institutions bought a net 84.5 billion won and 4.4 billion won, respectively, while foreigners sold a net 87.3 billion won. The top market capitalization stocks on the KOSDAQ showed mixed results. Simtech surged 10.10%, while Rainbow Robotics (2.79%), ABL Bio (2.24%), EcoPro (1.94%), and EcoPro BM (0.39%) also saw gains. Conversely, Wonik IPS (-1.43%), Juseong Engineering (-1.33%), Alteogen (-1.26%), Rino Industry (-1.05%), and HLB (-0.29%) declined. The domestic stock market is seen as taking a breather following the weak performance of U.S. semiconductor stocks and disappointing earnings forecasts from SanDisk. On August 5 (local time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices fell by 0.17% and 0.83%, respectively, reflecting a mixed market. Most semiconductor and technology stocks closed lower. SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADR) fell 2.2%. SanDisk and Western Digital also dropped 5.4% ahead of their earnings announcements. Additionally, Alphabet, Google's parent company, fell 4.06%, and AMD dropped 7.04%. After the market closed, SanDisk's earnings report led to a more than 5% decline in after-hours trading. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, noted, "The earnings report from SanDisk, released after the market closed, slightly missed market expectations, resulting in a decline of over 5% in after-hours trading. There is a need to be cautious of potential profit-taking in domestic semiconductor stocks today." She added, "Recently, the domestic stock market has shown noticeably reduced intraday volatility compared to July. The perception of overselling in terms of stock prices and valuations remains valid. Even if there is a sharp decline during the day, buying interest at lower prices is likely to support the market, indicating increased downside resilience in the domestic stock market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 09:44:00 -
Netanyahu Hints at Independent Military Action Against Iran Amid US-Iran Negotiations As diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran continue, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that Israel may take independent military action to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.On August 5, local time, Netanyahu stated, "Today, I heard IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi declare Iran's intention to continue its nuclear weapons development," adding, "As the Prime Minister of Israel, my resolve to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is firm."While praising the United States as "Israel's greatest ally," he emphasized, "I will take all necessary measures to ensure Israel's security." This statement is interpreted as a warning that Israel may respond independently, regardless of the outcome of US-Iran negotiations.Netanyahu's remarks came as the US and Iran are engaged in mediation talks to halt military confrontations.Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, stated during a regular briefing the previous day that both sides are exchanging drafts of a potential agreement, indicating progress in mediation efforts. Qatar and other regional mediators are continuing discussions with the involved parties to establish a diplomatic solution.Since June, Qatar and Pakistan have intensified mediation efforts between the US and Iran. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 18 and began negotiations for a final agreement, but discussions faced a temporary stalemate over disagreements regarding maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.Following the resumption of US attacks on Iran from August 8 to 24, Iran reported that it targeted US military facilities and equipment in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.In this context, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi claimed that attempts to overthrow the Iranian regime amid months of military pressure have failed. In a public address, he stated, "The enemies thought they could take control of Iran within 48 hours, as they did in Syria. Their plans have failed," adding, "As long as we unite with our people, no force can overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 09:44:00


