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Jeon Ji-hyun's 'Gunchi' and Kang Dong-won's 'Wild Thing' Dominate Weekend Box Office Films 'Gunchi' and 'Wild Thing' have secured the top two spots at the weekend box office, marking a successful run for Korean cinema. Following its invitation to the Cannes Film Festival, 'Gunchi' is nearing 5 million viewers, while 'Wild Thing,' starring Kang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun, has also performed well in its opening weekend.According to the integrated ticket sales network on June 8, 'Gunchi' attracted 603,876 viewers from June 5 to 7, maintaining its position as the weekend box office leader. The film's cumulative audience stands at 4,727,528, just shy of the 5 million mark.'Gunchi' tells the story of survivors trapped in a building due to an unidentified infection outbreak, facing off against infected individuals who evolve in unpredictable ways. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, known for expanding the zombie genre with 'Train to Busan' and 'Peninsula,' the film features a cast that includes Jeon Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-bin, Kim Shin-rok, and Go Soo.The film garnered significant international attention even before its release. 'Gunchi' was invited to the Midnight Screenings section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where it first connected with global audiences. Following its Cannes debut, the film has quickly drawn viewers in South Korea, reaffirming the strength of Yeon Sang-ho's K-zombie genre.In second place is 'Wild Thing,' which opened on June 3 and attracted 321,190 viewers during the same period, bringing its total audience to 543,724. Despite competition from foreign films like 'Backroom,' 'Michael,' and 'The Mandalorian and Grogu,' 'Wild Thing' has maintained a strong presence in the box office alongside 'Gunchi,' showcasing the impact of Korean cinema.'Wild Thing' is a comedy about a three-member mixed dance group called 'Triangle,' which was once a sensation in the music industry but disbanded due to an unexpected incident. The film follows their reckless challenge to seize a second chance 20 years later, with Kang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun portraying the members, joined by Oh Jung-se and Shin Ha-kyun.As a dark horse in the box office, 'Wild Thing' has resonated with audiences through its blend of 2000s music nostalgia, comedy, and the performances of its cast. It has achieved a CGV Egg Index score of 93%, indicating stable viewer ratings. Online, the film's ballad 'I Like You' challenge has gained traction, further enhancing its popularity beyond the cinema.Among foreign films, 'Backroom' followed closely with 199,822 viewers during the same period, bringing its total audience to 799,641. The film explores the bizarre experiences of Clark and Mary in a strange space characterized by yellow walls and endless fluorescent lights.'Backroom' has gained word-of-mouth popularity, particularly among Gen Z audiences who have engaged with its world through short videos and memes. Being the first country to release the film has also contributed to its spread on social media and video platforms, establishing it as a successful foreign thriller.With 'Gunchi' leading the box office and 'Wild Thing' generating buzz in its opening weekend, the trend of successful Korean films is becoming increasingly evident. Although the two films differ in genre and tone, both are continuing to thrive based on audience reactions, maintaining interest both inside and outside theaters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:36:00 -
Trade Chief Yeo Han-goo Advocates for Diversifying Trade Networks to Boost Exports Yeo Han-goo, the head of the Trade Negotiation Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated on June 8 that despite the rapidly changing global trade environment and increasing uncertainties, South Korea's economy achieved significant milestones last year, surpassing $700 billion in exports and reaching the highest cumulative export amount by May. He emphasized the need to diversify trade networks to maintain this upward trend in exports. During the first meeting of the 2026 Trade Policy Advisory Committee held at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yeo said, "We will implement proactive trade policies to directly address corporate challenges while demonstrating leadership in international trade norms to realize a trade policy centered on national interests." The Trade Policy Advisory Committee, a private advisory body of the Ministry, consists of 30 experts from various fields to gather opinions on trade policy. This meeting marked the first gathering of the newly formed committee following the expiration of the sixth term earlier this year. The newly launched seventh committee has been strengthened with experts in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital industries, and consumer goods, maintaining a total of 30 members. Participants discussed the rapidly changing global trade environment and shared opinions on policy tasks aimed at expanding export markets and stabilizing supply chains. They also proposed various suggestions on key trade issues, including participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a means to expand trade networks and enhance market access for South Korean companies. The CPTPP, a multilateral trade agreement led by Japan, has included 12 countries since its launch in 2018, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The member countries account for 15% of the world's GDP, prompting the South Korean government to explore membership. However, domestic opposition and international approval processes remain significant variables. The Ministry stated, "We will broadly gather opinions on trade policy through various public-private communication channels, including the Trade Policy Advisory Committee, and plan to respond effectively to the rapidly changing global trade environment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:36:00 -
Controversy Erupts Over Choi Wook's 'Tank' Remarks on YouTube Show Progressive YouTube channel 'Maebul Show' host Choi Wook is facing backlash over his controversial 'tank' remarks. In a recent episode analyzing local election results, Choi referenced certain online communities and aggressive political activities, stating, "Aren't these guys idolizing Chun Doo-hwan? We need to push them out of the online space like a tank." He added, "As for that crime," clarifying his target. Following the remarks, criticism spread online. Viewers commented, "Are you criticizing Chun Doo-hwan while using his style of expression?" and "Is this what you call the spirit of May 18?" Additionally, some users brought up Jeong Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, who previously faced backlash for belittling the May 18 Democratic Movement through Starbucks marketing and issued multiple public apologies. At that time, some progressive online communities reacted strongly, demanding, "This is not just a matter of an apology," and called for him to step down from management and be banned from leaving the country. Moreover, some netizens suggested that President Lee Jae-myung had previously organized a boycott of Starbucks via social media, stating, "We should target Maebul Show as well." In response to the controversy surrounding Choi's remarks, some users pointed out, "Back then, even a single expression drew fierce criticism, but now there seems to be silence," and questioned, "Why is the standard different from when it was Jeong Yong-jin?" They raised concerns about a perceived double standard in criticism based on political leanings. Notably, the controversy has spread beyond conservative communities into some progressive online spaces. Some users remarked, "If the opposing camp had said this, they wouldn't have remained silent," and criticized the choice of language as inappropriate regardless of political stance. Voices from both inside and outside the political arena have called for greater caution from public figures with significant influence, emphasizing that criticizing political opponents and using expressions that evoke military regime violence are separate issues. A political commentator stated, "The more intense the political conflict, the greater the responsibility public figures and influential hosts have regarding their language. Regardless of intent, the expression 'let's push them out with tanks' carries significant symbolism for the public." As of now, Choi's team has not issued a statement regarding the controversy surrounding his remarks. 2026-06-08 08:36:00 -
SK Telecom and NVIDIA Forge Full-Stack Alliance for AI Cloud in Asia SK Telecom is partnering with NVIDIA to establish a gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure. Their collaboration will extend beyond semiconductors to encompass full-stack operations in data center management. On June 8, SK Telecom announced plans to pursue full-stack AI cloud collaboration based on NVIDIA's DSX platform. The two companies aim to gradually expand an AI factory specialized for AI tasks to a gigawatt scale. The DSX platform is NVIDIA's comprehensive framework that defines the design, construction, and optimization methods for AI factories, covering everything from chips and systems to infrastructure software, facilities, and partner technologies. This partnership was solidified during a meeting between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang on June 1 in Taiwan. The AI factory is set to begin operations in Korea in 2027, with plans for SK Telecom to expand it throughout Asia. SK Telecom will join the NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) program to provide AI training and inference services based on NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU, with the Vera Rubin platform expected to be introduced in phases later this year. Key performance indicators will focus on minimizing token costs and maximizing performance per watt. The scope of collaboration will also extend to research and development. SK Group and NVIDIA plan to form a consortium to jointly research next-generation computing architectures that optimize GPU and memory performance from the design stage. This marks a significant expansion of their existing semiconductor collaboration, which has primarily focused on SK Hynix's high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Collaboration in the physical AI sector is also being formalized. SK Telecom is applying NVIDIA's Omniverse-based digital twin technology to SK Hynix's semiconductor manufacturing processes and is enhancing a robot simulation and training platform using NVIDIA's Cosmos and Isaac GR00T platforms. Chey Tae-won stated, "With our close partnership with NVIDIA, we have established full-stack AI infrastructure capabilities that encompass everything from chips to data center operations. By addressing GPU, memory, and energy challenges together, we aim to become a leading AI cloud provider driving the development of the AI ecosystem across Asia." Jensen Huang remarked, "Telecommunication networks are evolving into national AI infrastructures. The network that connects people, businesses, and devices is now the foundation of AI cloud. Through the NVIDIA DSX platform, SK Telecom will build a large-scale AI cloud, providing agent AI, enterprise AI, and physical AI to businesses and industries in Korea and around the world."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:33:00 -
Bitcoin Recovers to $62,000 After Weekend Dip Bitcoin, which had fallen to the $59,000 range over the weekend, rebounded by more than 3% in just one day, recovering to the $62,000 mark. However, it has not yet returned to last week's levels due to the outflow of institutional funds and a shift of investor capital to the stock market. According to CoinMarketCap, a global cryptocurrency market site, Bitcoin was trading at $62,822, up 3.71% from the previous day as of 8 a.m. on June 8. This marks a partial recovery compared to its drop to the $59,000 range on June 5, which was the first time Bitcoin had reached that level since the re-election of President Donald Trump in November 2024. Most altcoins also showed signs of recovery. At the same time, Solana rose 7.55% to $66.33, while Ethereum increased by 7.18% to $1,670.68. Ripple (XRP) was recorded at $1.15, up 5.97%. However, these altcoins have not yet regained their prices from June 5, when Solana was at $68.40, Ethereum at $1,767.12, and Ripple at $1.16. Market analysts attribute the recent price adjustments in virtual assets to the outflow of institutional funds and changes in risk appetite among investors. Notably, the world's largest Bitcoin-holding company, Strategy, recently disclosed that it sold 32 Bitcoins, which has dampened investor sentiment. This marks the first sale of Bitcoin by Strategy since 2022. Additionally, the ongoing strength of the U.S. stock market, coupled with rising expectations for initial public offerings (IPOs) from major companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX, has led some investment capital to shift from the cryptocurrency market to the stock market. Meanwhile, at the same time on the domestic exchange Bithumb, Bitcoin was trading at approximately 95.15 million won ($61,015), up 1.32% from the previous day. The so-called "Kimchi premium," where domestic prices are lower than international prices, was recorded at -2.998%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:30:00 -
President Lee to Hold Press Conference Marking One Year in Office President Lee Jae-myung will hold a press conference at the Blue House at 10 a.m. on June 8 to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration.This will be the fourth press conference for President Lee, following his initial press briefing a month after taking office in July, a 100-day briefing in September, and a New Year press conference in January.The theme of the press conference is "Irreplaceable Republic of Korea," reflecting his vision for the second year of his administration, aiming to elevate the country from being a focus of global attention to becoming a nation that the world needs.During the conference, President Lee is expected to share his reflections on the past year, outline his vision for the second year, and present four key goals.More than 160 reporters from domestic and international media are expected to attend, with a format allowing for free questioning directed by the moderator and the president, without a predetermined script.The Q&A session will focus on three main areas: livelihood and economy, politics and diplomacy, and social and cultural issues. Two student journalists from university media will also be invited to ask questions about the concerns of the younger generation.Following the press conference, President Lee will meet with key figures at the Blue House at 3 p.m. to discuss the ballot shortage issue that arose during the June 3 local elections and potential reforms for the Election Commission.Attendees will include National Assembly Speaker Chung Jin-suk, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, and Constitutional Court Chief Justice Kim Sang-hwan, excluding the resigned Election Commission Chairman Roh Tae-ock.President Lee aims to share the seriousness of the situation with these key figures and broadly discuss measures to prevent recurrence, institutional improvements, and ways to restore public trust. He has emphasized that ensuring citizens' voting rights and restoring trust in elections are fundamental to democracy and is expected to seek necessary measures.The day before, President Lee expressed on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the Election Commission must take the situation seriously and demonstrate a strong commitment to fundamental reforms and improvements in its operations and overall election management to a level that the public can trust.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:30:00 -
LG Energy Solution to Receive $75 Million in Tariff Refunds from U.S. LG Energy Solution will initiate the process to receive tariff refunds following a U.S. court ruling that invalidated the tariff imposition. According to industry sources, the amount LG Energy Solution is expected to receive is around 100 billion won (approximately $75 million), with the total refund application exceeding 300 billion won (about $225 million). The company completed its tariff refund application in April, in response to a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in February that deemed the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration as invalid. This refund application became possible after the Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs, based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were unlawful. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began accepting refund applications in April, with an estimated 6,000 domestic companies eligible for refunds. Other South Korean battery manufacturers, including Samsung SDI and SK On, are also expected to pursue refund applications. A representative from LG Energy Solution stated, "The exact amount of the refund has not been finalized, but we are indeed undergoing the tariff refund process."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:30:00 -
IBK Securities Raises Target Price for Samsung E&A Amid Investment Expansion IBK Securities maintained a buy rating for Samsung E&A on June 8 and raised its target price to 60,000 won. The firm cited an expected increase in orders due to expanded semiconductor equipment investments and improved conditions for energy project bids. Research analyst Jo Jeong-hyeon stated, "Samsung E&A's non-chemical sector is likely to exceed its annual order target of 3 trillion won, potentially reaching over 5 trillion won. The key factor is the scale of Samsung Electronics' P5 investment." Jo explained that the P5 facility is designed to be a large fab that combines the capacities of the previous P3 and P4 levels, rather than just matching P4. He noted that the demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), high-performance DRAM, and eSSD is increasing due to improvements in the memory market and expanded investments in AI servers, necessitating an increase in production capacity among related companies. He projected that the expansion of P5 investments and streamlined processes will be the source of upward revisions in Samsung E&A's non-chemical order guidance. Regarding the chemical sector, Jo assessed that geopolitical risks in the Middle East cannot be viewed merely as negative factors. He stated, "The risks from the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz could delay some project bids, but they may also stimulate demand for the restoration and reconstruction of existing energy facilities and increase investments in energy security." He also anticipated that new order opportunities in the LNG market would expand. Jo remarked, "Amid the diversification of LNG supply chains and the strengthening of energy security, demand for new EPC contracts is rising. If Samsung E&A can address its lack of references, its opportunities for LNG project contracts will also increase." He added, "Rising memory prices are stimulating an increase in semiconductor equipment investment (CAPEX), while Middle Eastern risks are driving demand for restoration, reconstruction, and LNG supply chain diversification. In a phase where both cash flow and investment justification for clients are improving, Samsung E&A's order guidance remains conservative. When clients open their wallets, Samsung E&A is the first company to show results in numbers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:27:00 -
OpenAI to Revamp ChatGPT into 'Super App', Declares 'Chatting is Dead' OpenAI is set to significantly overhaul its core service, ChatGPT. According to a report by the Financial Times on June 8, citing over ten current and former employees, OpenAI plans to transform ChatGPT from a simple chat tool into a 'super app' that encompasses agent capabilities, coding, and image generation. An internal executive stated, "Chatting is dead." The revamped ChatGPT is expected to be designed to encourage the use of apps developed by partners such as Canva and Booking.com, with a phased rollout planned through its website and mobile app in the coming weeks. This shift in product strategy is seen as a response to pressures for revenue diversification, as agent and coding tools are projected to generate higher profits than simple chatting. Apple WWDC 2026 Kicks Off with Tim Cook's Final Keynote Featuring Gemini-Powered Siri Apple is hosting its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8. This will likely be Tim Cook's final keynote before he hands over the CEO position to John Ternus on September 1. A key announcement will be the redesigned Siri, powered by Google's Gemini. Apple has licensed a custom Gemini model with 12 trillion parameters for approximately $1 billion annually. In iOS 27, Siri will be separated into an independent app, allowing users to set third-party AIs like Claude and Gemini as their default assistants. This marks the first time Apple, which has prioritized privacy, has entrusted core functionalities to an external AI model, drawing significant industry attention. SpaceX Plans Record IPO as OpenAI Prepares for Public Offering SpaceX is pursuing a Nasdaq listing at $135 per share, aiming for a total valuation of $75 billion. If successful, it would break the record for the largest initial public offering (IPO), surpassing Saudi Aramco. The price is expected to be finalized on June 11. SpaceX, which merged with xAI, reported $18.7 billion in revenue for 2025 but faced a net loss of $4.9 billion due to integration costs. Starlink remains the only profitable division, accounting for about 69% of total revenue in the first quarter. OpenAI has also submitted confidential IPO documents with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as underwriters, targeting a September listing. Trump and Sanders Call for Government Stake in AI Companies Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed the 'American AI Sovereign Fund Act,' which would impose a one-time tax on 50% of shares from frontier AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, directing the funds to the federal sovereign wealth fund. This proposal stems from concerns that these companies have amassed vast wealth by using millions of copyrighted works without permission. President Donald Trump has also expressed support for a partnership structure where the government holds stakes in AI companies. This unusual alignment between two politically opposing figures raises concerns about the complexities surrounding the IPO environment for AI companies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:24:00 -
Trump: Netanyahu Has No Choice but to Accept Iran Deal Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have no choice but to accept any agreement the U.S. reaches with Iran. In a phone interview with the Financial Times on June 7, Trump said regarding Netanyahu's acceptance of a U.S. deal with Iran, "He will have no choice." He emphasized, "I make all the decisions; it’s not his decision." This statement came shortly after Iran launched ballistic missiles toward northern Israel, citing support for Hezbollah. Earlier, the Israeli military had attacked Hezbollah positions in Beirut, Lebanon, which are backed by Iran. Trump reportedly spoke with Netanyahu about an hour before making his comments. He had previously indicated to Axios that he would call Netanyahu to advise against retaliation against Iran as he pursued an agreement. In his interview with the Financial Times, Trump asserted that Iran's missile attack would not affect his commitment to seeking a diplomatic resolution. He stated, "It will have no impact on the agreement," adding, "We will see how it ends. But their attack was completely ineffective," describing it as part of a longstanding conflict that has persisted for thousands of years or, depending on how one calculates, for 47 years. The Financial Times noted that Trump did not specify whether a deal with Iran was imminent. However, he had previously mentioned to Fox News that only a few days remained until an agreement could be reached before the attacks occurred. Trump expressed confidence that negotiations were ongoing, stating, "I believe the agreement is still in progress. We will see what happens." He emphasized that while the agreement could be finalized based on its content and conditions, the recent events would not affect it. He also reaffirmed his stance that military action could be taken if no agreement is reached. Trump explained, "Not reaching an agreement means one of two things: either we will address additional targets that we have not previously handled militarily, or it could mean that we continue to maintain a maritime blockade against Iran," noting that this blockade is likely stronger than any attack on Iran.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 08:24:00