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BTS's 'Butter' Music Video Surpasses 1.1 Billion Views, Marking Seventh Record 그룹 방탄소년단의 ‘버터(Butter)’ 뮤직비디오가 11억 뷰를 돌파했다. 소속사 빅히트 뮤직에 따르면 2021년 5월 공개된 방탄소년단의 디지털 싱글 ‘버터’ 뮤직비디오는 27일 오전 2시께 유튜브 조회 수 11억회를 넘어섰다. 이로써 방탄소년단은 ‘다이너마이트(Dynamite)’, ‘작은 것들을 위한 시(Boy With Luv) (Feat. Halsey)’, ‘디엔에이(DNA)’, ‘마이크 드롭(MIC Drop) (Steve Aoki Remix)’, ‘페이크 러브(FAKE LOVE)’, ‘아이돌(IDOL)’에 이어 팀 통산 7번째 11억 뷰 뮤직비디오를 보유하게 됐다. ‘버터’ 뮤직비디오는 흑백과 컬러, 슈트와 운동복, 무대와 체육관 등을 교차시키는 대비 연출이 특징이다. 일곱 멤버의 유연하면서도 파워풀한 안무와 머리카락을 쓸어 올리는 동작, 손키스 퍼포먼스, 경쾌한 풋워크 스텝 등이 포인트로 꼽힌다. 이 뮤직비디오는 공개 당시 13분 만에 1000만 뷰를 넘겼고, 21시간 만에 1억 조회 수를 돌파하며 K팝 역대 최단기 1억 뷰 기록을 세웠다. ‘버터’는 중독성 강한 댄스 팝 장르의 곡이다. 도입부부터 이어지는 베이스 라인과 청량한 신디사이저 사운드가 특징으로, 2020년 8월 발표한 ‘다이너마이트’에 이은 방탄소년단의 두 번째 영어 곡이다. ‘버터’는 2021년 6월 5일 자 미국 빌보드 메인 송 차트 ‘핫 100’ 1위로 데뷔했다. 이후 통산 10차례 정상에 올랐고, 총 20주간 차트에 머물렀다. 한편 방탄소년단은 ‘다이너마이트’ 21억 뷰를 비롯해 ‘작은 것들을 위한 시’ 19억 뷰, ‘디엔에이’ 16억 뷰, ‘마이크 드롭’ 15억 뷰, ‘페이크 러브’와 ‘아이돌’ 13억 뷰 등 다수의 억대 조회 수 뮤직비디오를 보유하고 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 16:44:00 -
South Korea enters peak heat wave after monsoon fades SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) -South Korea plunged into its most intense heat wave of the summer on Monday as the seasonal monsoon effectively came to an end, pushing heat indices above 38 degrees Celsius in parts of the country and prompting the government to raise its highest-level heat emergency alert. Most of the country remained under heat advisories or warnings, while severe heat alerts were issued across parts of the southeastern Yeongnam region, including Changwon, Jinju, Gimhae, Yangsan, Pohang, Gyeongju and Gyeongsan, where the perceived temperature was forecast to exceed 38 C. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety upgraded the national heat disaster warning to "serious," the highest of the four-tier crisis system, as extreme temperatures threatened public health, livestock and crops. The heat wave has already taken a growing toll. A Thai farm worker in his 30s collapsed and died while working in a field in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, on Friday in a suspected heat-related incident. Health authorities reported a steady rise in heat-related illnesses across the country. South Jeolla and Gwangju had recorded 110 patients as of Friday, while South Gyeongsang reported 112 cumulative cases since mid-May. Chungcheong Province added four more heat exhaustion patients on Sunday, bringing its total to 84, including cases of heatstroke, heat cramps and heat syncope. Daegu has reported 45 heat-related illnesses since the first case this season in May. The oppressive conditions have emptied streets, farms and even beaches during the hottest hours of the day, with many residents choosing to remain indoors under air conditioning. Others without access to cooling, particularly vulnerable elderly and low-income residents, have sought refuge in parks, shopping malls, banks and other public buildings with air conditioning. Authorities also warned that the prolonged heat is beginning to strain livestock and agriculture. As of Thursday, more than 10,500 animals had died from heat stress in South Gyeongsang Province alone, including about 2,500 pigs and more than 8,000 poultry. South Jeolla and Gwangju reported the deaths of over 16,000 livestock, while Chungcheong Province recorded nearly 24,000 losses. North Jeolla reported more than 60,000 livestock deaths, and North Chungcheong reported over 21,000. Officials said poultry are particularly vulnerable because of dense farming conditions, while pigs have relatively poor natural ability to regulate body temperature. The highest temperatures were recorded in the southeast. Gyeongju registered 39.1 C on Monday afternoon, the highest official daytime temperature nationwide, while an automated weather station in Daegu's Sinam district measured 39.2 C. Heat indices exceeded 37 C in several locations, including Gyeongju, Goryeong and northern Daegu, approaching levels considered life-threatening for prolonged outdoor exposure. The Korea Meteorological Administration considers a heat index of 38 C or an air temperature of 39 C sufficient to pose serious risks to human health and recommends suspending outdoor work and activities, taking frequent breaks and staying well hydrated. Forecasters said the extreme heat is expected to persist for the time being, with widespread tropical nights likely to continue as temperatures remain unusually high even after sunset. 2026-07-27 16:41:07 -
Samsung and SK Hynix Shine, But Other Industries Like Shipbuilding and Energy Thrive While the remarkable performance of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, fueled by the AI supercycle, has garnered significant attention, other key industries such as shipbuilding, energy, and materials are steadily strengthening their fundamentals. Notably, companies in sectors closely related to AI and semiconductors are showing significant improvements in their performance.According to industry reports, Hanwha Ocean recorded a revenue of 5.4432 trillion won and an operating profit of 736.1 billion won in the second quarter. This operating profit marks a 98% increase compared to the same period last year. For the first half of the year, the cumulative revenue reached 8.6531 trillion won, with an operating profit of 1.1772 trillion won. Hanwha Ocean attributed its strong performance to the conversion of order backlog into revenue and an increased share of high-profit projects. The company noted that 1.5 trillion won in revenue from marine projects was temporarily reflected, and the profitability of high-value ship types, such as LNG carriers, contributed to this growth. As of the end of June, the company’s order intake also reached $4.35 billion, expanding its foundation for future growth.Doosan Enerbility reported an operating profit of 314.3 billion won in the second quarter, a 15.9% increase from the previous year, exceeding expectations. The Enerbility division's order intake for the first half of the year reached 7.1225 trillion won, with a backlog of 26.3509 trillion won as of the end of June, indicating a strong outlook for continued performance. Doosan Enerbility aims to achieve its annual order target of 13.3 trillion won this year.SKC, which successfully completed a capital increase, recorded an EBITDA of 29.1 billion won in the second quarter, tripling from the previous quarter. Revenue was 645.4 billion won, and while the company continued to report an operating loss of 14.4 billion won, the loss was approximately 50% smaller than the previous quarter. The improvement in performance was driven by demand related to energy storage systems (ESS) and AI data centers. Sales of copper foil for ESS increased by 76% compared to the previous quarter, and revenue from test sockets for AI data centers rose by 66%. SKC is optimistic about its glass substrate business, which is set to receive a 600 billion won investment, and aims for its Malaysian copper foil plant to turn a profit next year.LG Innotek also achieved a revenue of 5.5272 trillion won and an operating profit of 245.8 billion won in the second quarter, overcoming the seasonal downturn and achieving an earnings surprise. Revenue increased by 41% year-on-year, reaching an all-time high for the second quarter, while operating profit surged by 2057%. The improvement in performance was attributed to increased demand for high-value camera modules and semiconductor substrates for mobile devices. The ongoing expansion of high-value semiconductor substrates, including RF-SiP, FC-CSP, and FC-BGA, has also contributed to this growth. Additionally, increased sales of mobility components such as vehicle cameras and communication and lighting modules have bolstered results.Industry insiders noted, "The improvement in second-quarter performance across heavy industries is a result of high exchange rates, increased facility investments due to enhanced energy security, and rising power demand driven by AI proliferation. This demand is unlikely to diminish in the short term, suggesting that the trend of improved performance is likely to continue for the foreseeable future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 16:40:00
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KOSPI Rises 0.97% at Close After Midday Decline Amid Foreign Selling The KOSPI index, which had turned lower due to significant foreign selling, closed higher thanks to buying from individual and institutional investors. After starting the day with a rise of over 1%, the index fell back due to increased foreign selling but managed to rebound with renewed buying interest.On July 27, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI closed at 6,755.75, up 65.13 points (0.97%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6,806.27, up 115.65 points (1.73%), but turned lower as foreign selling intensified. It later recovered and finished higher as buying from individuals and institutions increased.In the securities market, individuals purchased a net 1.9799 trillion won, while institutions bought a net 862.3 billion won, driving the index upward. In contrast, foreign investors sold a net 2.9039 trillion won.The top stocks by market capitalization on the KOSPI showed mixed results. Samsung Electronics (up 1.80%), SK Hynix (up 3.24%), Hyundai Motor (up 0.50%), LG Energy Solution (up 1.06%), Samsung Biologics (up 1.78%), and KB Financial (up 0.64%) all gained. However, SK Square (down 1.17%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (down 0.08%), and Samsung Life Insurance (down 2.04%) declined.The KOSDAQ index closed at 764.86, up 16.64 points (2.22%) from the previous day. It opened at 760.54, up 12.32 points (1.65%), and continued to rise throughout the session.In the KOSDAQ market, institutions led the upward trend with a net purchase of 272.7 billion won, while individuals and foreigners sold a net 143.9 billion won and 129.1 billion won, respectively, as they took profits.All top stocks by market capitalization in the KOSDAQ showed strong performance. Alteogen (up 3.83%), EcoPro (up 3.20%), EcoPro BM (up 2.03%), Rainbow Robotics (up 6.57%), JUSUNG Engineering (up 6.31%), Rino Technology (up 1.75%), Wonik IPS (up 5.47%), PSK (up 1.46%), HLB (up 0.48%), and ABL Bio (up 0.28%) all closed higher.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 16:40:00
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Renowned Japanese Mystery Author Keigo Higashino Dies at 68 Keigo Higashino, a leading Japanese mystery novelist, has passed away from colon cancer at the age of 68.Publishing company Kodansha announced on its official website that Higashino died in the early hours of July 23. His funeral was held as a private family ceremony, per the wishes of his family.Born in Osaka, Japan, in 1958, Higashino graduated from Osaka Prefectural University with a degree in electrical engineering and worked as an engineer at an automotive parts company. He began writing novels while working and made his official debut in 1985 with 'After School,' which won the 31st Edogawa Rampo Prize.Initially focusing on traditional detective fiction, Higashino later expanded his themes to explore human guilt, family relationships, social prejudice, and ethical issues in science and technology, establishing himself as a prominent popular novelist in Japan.In 1999, he received the 52nd Mystery Writers of Japan Award for 'Secret,' a story about a family living with hidden secrets. This work was also nominated for the Naoki Prize, significantly raising his profile in the literary world.In 2006, Higashino won the 134th Naoki Prize and the 6th Honkaku Mystery Award for 'The Devotion of Suspect X,' featuring the genius physicist Manabu Yukawa. The novel dominated Japan's mystery rankings and was nominated for the Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America in 2012.'The Devotion of Suspect X' and the 'Galileo Series' gained immense popularity for their unique cases and intricate logical structures, with the series selling over 16 million copies since Yukawa's first appearance in 1996. Subsequent titles included 'Detective Galileo,' 'Precognitive Dreams,' 'The Saint's Rescue,' 'The Equation of Mid-Summer,' and 'The Parade of Silence.'The 'Kyoichiro Kaga Series,' featuring detective Kaga Kyoichiro, is also among his notable works. Starting with 'Graduation,' it includes titles like 'The Sleeping Forest,' 'Evil,' 'Red Finger,' 'The Newcomer,' and 'The Wings of the Giraffe.' 'The Wings of the Giraffe' won the 48th Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize in 2014.Higashino consistently published works that crossed genre boundaries, including the 'Masquerade Series,' 'White Night,' 'Letter,' 'The Bond of Stars,' and 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store.''The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' won the 2012 Chuo Koron Literary Prize, while 'Dreams' received the 2013 Shibata Renzaburo Prize. He was awarded the Noma Publishing Culture Prize in 2019 and the Kikuchi Kan Prize in 2023, the same year he received the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government for his contributions to academia and the arts.Higashino's works set unprecedented sales records in the Japanese publishing market. By 2023, he had published 100 books, surpassing 100 million copies sold domestically, and by 2025, his total sales, including international editions, exceeded 160 million copies. Kodansha's official guide lists a total of 106 works.Many of his works have been adapted into films and dramas. In Japan, the 'Galileo' series, featuring Masaharu Fukuyama as Yukawa, was a box office success, and adaptations of 'White Night,' 'Secret,' 'The Bond of Stars,' 'The Newcomer,' 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store,' and 'Masquerade Hotel' have also been produced.In South Korea, numerous works, including 'The Devotion of Suspect X,' 'White Night,' 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store,' and 'Letter,' have been translated and published, gaining a wide readership. 'The Devotion of Suspect X' was reinterpreted as the film 'Suspect X,' while 'White Night' was adapted into 'White Night: Walking in the White Darkness.'Higashino served as the chairman of the Mystery Writers of Japan from 2009 to 2013 and was a judge for the Naoki Prize from 2014 to 2019, evaluating the works of emerging authors.His final new book is the 11th installment in the Galileo series, 'Eternal Memory,' set to be published on August 5 by Bungei Shunju. This will be Higashino's 106th work and marks the 30th anniversary of Yukawa's debut.'Eternal Memory' begins with a case involving detective Kaoru Utsumi being attacked by an elderly man. The publisher has introduced the work as the latest full-length novel in the Galileo series and plans to release it as scheduled.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 16:36:00
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Special Prosecutors Investigate Allegations of Cover-Up in Deutsche Motors Case The second special prosecutor team investigating allegations of a cover-up in the Deutsche Motors case, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, has initiated additional search and seizure operations at the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The team is focusing on whether there was any involvement from the Ministry of Justice, the presidential office, or Kim Geon-hee's side in the decision not to prosecute her, as well as the circumstances surrounding changes to the investigation records.During a regular briefing on July 27 at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon, Kim Ji-mi, the deputy special prosecutor, stated, "We are currently conducting searches related to the cover-up of the Deutsche investigation involving the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."The search targets include computers and messaging apps used by then-Minister of Justice Park Seong-jae, Deputy Minister of Justice Shim Woo-jeong, and the head of the Criminal Planning Division. The investigation also aims to secure data from the server of the anti-corruption investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and documents stored on PCs.Kim explained, "This search is to confirm whether there was any involvement from the Ministry of Justice, the presidential office through the Ministry of Justice, or Kim Geon-hee in the non-prosecution decision, as well as to investigate the changes in the investigation records at that time."The special prosecutor's team is expected to indict Kim Tae-hyo, the former first deputy director of the National Security Office, this week on charges related to insurrection. Additionally, they have conducted investigations into Kim Jong-wook, the former head of the Coast Guard, who is facing charges related to insurrection.Furthermore, two corps commanders under the Ground Operations Command have been added as suspects for their roles in preparing for martial law and related activities.In connection with the Chae Hae-byeong case, investigations are ongoing into the former commander of the Army's Counterintelligence Command and the head of the counterintelligence unit for their alleged abuse of power in obstructing the collection of information related to 'VIP channels.' The special prosecutor's team is also continuing to interview witnesses related to the Guardian Task Force (TF).Following recent amendments to the Special Prosecutor Act, the team has requested the opinion of the insurrection special prosecutor regarding the indictment of Cho Seong-hyeon, the former commander of the Army's Capital Defense Command. They are also seeking to identify cases previously deemed non-prosecutable by the insurrection special prosecutor that may fall under the scope of the current investigation.Regarding allegations of changes to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong was summoned for questioning last week, and a second round of suspect interviews is scheduled for next week following forensic analysis of seized materials. The special prosecutor's team has determined that cooperation with Won is proceeding smoothly and has not extended his travel ban.Additionally, in connection with allegations of covering up the Unification Church investigation, the former head of the National Police Agency's Criminal Intelligence Division and former Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun have been investigated as suspects, with plans to continue interviewing Unification Church officials as witnesses.The special prosecutor's team plans to visit the Seoul Eastern Detention Center on July 28 to conduct an investigative interview with Kim Yong-hyun, the former Minister of National Defense, who is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder for insurrection-related purposes.Meanwhile, regarding allegations of obstructing the arrest of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Kim Ki-hyun from the People Power Party, who have been summoned, have expressed their intention to submit written statements, although they have not yet done so, according to the special prosecutor's office.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 16:36:00
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Lotte Global Logistics Donates Proceeds from Charity Bazaar Lotte Global Logistics announced that it held a charity bazaar, 'LGL Hanmaeum Flea Market,' and donated all proceeds to the social welfare organization Angels Haven on July 27.The bazaar was conducted under the slogan, 'Give wings to unused items, and hope to our neighbors.' Last month, employees of Lotte Global Logistics voluntarily donated unused items, which were sold back to employees at a flea market held at the company's headquarters in Seoul on July 10.Lotte Global Logistics combined the bazaar proceeds with company funds and delivered the donation to Angels Haven on July 24. The funds will be used to support children and youth at the Eunpyeong Angels Haven care facility.This initiative was organized by the Lotte Global Logistics Workers' Committee, which represents employees in activities aimed at company development and improving employee rights.A company representative stated, "We will continue to practice ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management to fulfill our social responsibilities and strengthen our partnership with the community, promoting a culture of warm sharing."Meanwhile, Lotte Global Logistics published its '2025 Sustainability Management Report' on June 30, detailing its ESG management achievements, including the launch of the eco-friendly packaging solution LecoP, industry-leading renewable energy transition efforts, and employee participation in eco-friendly activities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 16:36:00
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Dongkuk Steel's Incheon Plant Bounces Back from Shutdown Crisis On July 22, Dongkuk Steel's Incheon plant was operational again after experiencing its first-ever shutdown last year. The 120-ton electric furnace was actively producing molten steel, filling the workshop with intense heat as the electrodes melted scrap metal. While robotic arms measured the temperature of the molten steel, the glowing metal was transformed into semi-finished billets through the casting process. The plant appeared to have regained its vitality after a period of stagnation.The Incheon plant serves as a key production base for Dongkuk Steel's future electric furnace technology. It features two electric furnaces and two rolling lines, with an annual production capacity of 2.2 million tons, accounting for 18.3% of the country's total rebar production capacity.Last year, a downturn in the construction industry led to a significant drop in domestic rebar demand, prompting Dongkuk Steel to halt operations on some production lines at the Incheon plant for the first time in its history. The work schedule, which had been operating on a four-shift, three-team basis, was adjusted to a three-shift, two-team system, causing the plant's operating rate to plummet to 50%.The revival of the plant was driven by the overseas market. To offset domestic sluggishness, Dongkuk Steel began expanding exports in late 2023, completing product certifications for Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. As a result, the plant's operating rate has recovered to around 70%, with the export share increasing from single digits to between 17% and 20%.The key to this transformation is technology. The Incheon plant is equipped with the country's only eco-friendly, large-capacity shaft-type electric furnace, known as the ECO-ARC. This system recycles waste heat generated in the electric furnace to preheat the scrap metal for the next batch, significantly reducing electricity consumption and production costs.While a conventional electric furnace requires about 400 kWh of electricity to produce one ton of molten steel, the ECO-ARC only needs approximately 260 kWh, achieving a 35% reduction in power usage.Dongkuk Steel is also accelerating the development of the next-generation eco-friendly facility, the Hyper EAF, which aims to further enhance waste heat recovery and scrap preheating technologies to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions.However, challenges remain. Although the plant's operating rate has improved due to increased exports, the ongoing steel industry downturn has left the first rolling mill, which produces rebar, still inactive. Additionally, the burden of high electricity costs complicates profitability. The Incheon plant incurs annual electricity expenses of up to 70 to 80 billion won, and the introduction of a regionally differentiated electricity pricing system could further increase costs for the plant located in the metropolitan area.Lee Chan-hee, executive director of the Incheon plant, stated, "We aim to transform into an AI-based factory to enhance worker safety, cost efficiency, and quality competitiveness, making the Incheon plant the last electric furnace standing in the metropolitan area. However, maintaining competitiveness requires a reasonable electricity pricing system to support our efforts." 2026-07-27 16:36:00
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BTS' 'Butter' becomes seventh music video to surpass 1.1 billion views on YouTube SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - K-pop juggernaut BTS' hit single "Butter" has garnered over 1.1 billion views on YouTube, their management agency said on Monday. Released in May 2021, the song's music video reached the milestone earlier in the day, becoming the group's seventh video to achieve the feat. It became their seventh music video to surpass 1.1 billion views, following "Dynamite," "DNA," "Fake Love," "IDOL," "Boy With Luv" and "MIC Drop." "Butter," BTS' second English-language single following "Dynamite," released roughly a year earlier, is a dance-pop track featuring an addictive melody and upbeat sounds. The song surpassed 10 million views just minutes after its release and reached 100 million views in less than a day. It also debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the main singles chart, and remained on the chart for about 20 weeks. Meanwhile, BTS will perform at MetLife Stadium in New York this weekend as part of their world tour "Arirang," which kicked off in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province in April. 2026-07-27 16:34:45 -
SM Entertainment and SAMG Entertainment Collaborate on K-Pop Animation SM Entertainment is partnering with global IP content company SAMG Entertainment to co-produce an animation centered on K-pop.On July 27, SM announced that it has signed a co-production agreement with SAMG for the animation titled 'Superhero Idol Project,' aimed at developing new animation IP for the global market.The 'Superhero Idol Project' combines the K-pop universe with animated content. The series is planned to consist of 13 episodes, each approximately 20 minutes long, with a target release on global OTT platforms in 2028.This project primarily targets teenagers and young adults in their 20s and 30s. It aims to attract both K-pop fans and animation viewers through storytelling that merges artist IP with superhero narratives.SM will be involved in the planning and production of the key music featured in the project, as well as in the singing and overall performance. The company intends to leverage its accumulated expertise in music production and performance to enhance the quality of the animation content.Both companies plan to expand this project beyond animation production into an integrated IP business model that encompasses music, concerts, management, and video licensing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 16:32:00