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Mixed Reactions to Na Hong-jin's New Film 'Hope' on Opening Day Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' premiered on July 15, generating significant buzz online as audience reviews poured in, many of which were marked as no spoilers.While film critic Lee Dong-jin and director Lee Chang-dong praised it as the "pinnacle of pure entertainment" and noted the "astonishing quality and quantity of action," initial audience feedback has been sharply divided, with many expressing overwhelming disappointment.One viewer (A) remarked, "The first half is overwhelming. It's truly insane," adding that while it felt a bit slow at times, it ultimately captivated the audience in a way that was unprecedented for zombie or creature films. However, they noted, "The second half felt a bit anticlimactic, but it wasn't excessively drawn out," and praised the cinematography as "stunning." Conversely, another viewer criticized the dialogue, stating, "The delivery was the worst," and lamented that during chase and combat scenes, it was nearly impossible to hear what actress Jung Ho-yeon was saying.A different viewer (B), who identified as a film major, left a lengthy critique, stating, "I tend to be quite lenient with films, but this one exceeded that threshold of inadequacy," highlighting the dialogue as the film's most significant flaw. They expressed confusion throughout, thinking, "Huh? What? What did they just say?" and criticized the disjointed conversations that felt unrealistic.They further noted, "All characters seem to express only one emotion: anger. There’s hardly any fear, just a repetitive sentiment of 'I’m angry, and you should be too,'" which left them thinking, "So what?"Regarding the plot, they stated, "The storyline is completely shattered. It’s not even set in a Korean context, and there’s no explanation; it just pushes the idea that 'this is how the world is.'" They felt the film repeated the same patterns throughout its over two-hour runtime.They concluded, "I thought Na Hong-jin was one of the top directors in Korean cinema, but I never expected such a poor work from him," adding that while many criticized Jung Ho-yeon’s performance, it was unfortunate for an actress to have to deliver such lines.Another viewer (C) expressed disbelief, asking, "Is this really a Na Hong-jin film? I thought our theater was showing a different movie from the start to the end."In contrast, viewer (D) offered a mixed review, stating, "It’s the worst film in Na Hong-jin’s filmography, yet it’s the most entertaining Korean film I’ve seen recently." They acknowledged the lack of story and world-building, as well as numerous issues with the CGI and script, but noted, "Despite that, I never once thought, 'How much longer is this?' It was definitely worth watching in theaters."Viewer (E) suggested that Na Hong-jin realized mid-production, "Oh no, this is a problem," but felt it was too late to salvage the film, resulting in a sense of half-hearted completion.Viewer (F) echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Aside from the first half, I kept thinking, 'What am I watching?'" They criticized the dialogue quality and suggested that Jung Ho-yeon needs to refine her delivery and breathing before focusing on emotional acting. They also expressed disappointment with the supporting actors' dialogue delivery, which disrupted immersion, stating, "The narrative itself is nearly nonexistent, and the story evaporated. I wished it would end quickly, second only to Marvel's notorious flop 'Eternals.'"As audience reactions continue to diverge sharply on the film's opening day, many online are commenting that 'Hope' is a film of extreme opinions, with some calling it the most controversial work of Na Hong-jin's career.'Hope' marks Na Hong-jin's first feature film in nearly a decade, combining elements of action, science fiction, mystery, and thriller. It was anticipated as one of the biggest Korean films of the year, but the starkly contrasting audience reviews have sparked intense discussions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 07:40:00 -
Argentina Advances to World Cup Final with Comeback Win Over England Defending champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, defeated England 2-1 to advance to the final of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup.Argentina achieved this comeback victory on July 16 at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, USA. The team, which won the 2022 Qatar tournament, will now compete in consecutive finals. Throughout the knockout stage of this tournament, Argentina has won all four matches either in extra time or by coming from behind.Argentina will face Spain for the championship trophy on July 20 at 4 a.m. at New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Spain secured its place in the final by defeating France 2-0 in the semifinal held the previous day.If Argentina wins this tournament, it will become the third nation to achieve back-to-back World Cup victories, following Italy (1934 Italy, 1938 France) and Brazil (1958 Sweden, 1962 Chile). Additionally, it would mark Argentina's fourth World Cup title.England's defeat means the team will miss its first final in 60 years since the 1966 home tournament. England will play France in the third-place match on July 19 at 6 a.m. at Miami Stadium in Florida.During the match, Argentina fought fiercely in midfield throughout the first half, ending the period in a scoreless tie. However, in the 55th minute, they conceded a goal to England's Anthony Gordon, falling behind 1-0.In response, Argentina ramped up its attack, utilizing Messi's dribbling and passing. They substituted Nicolás González in the 64th minute and Lautaro Martínez in the 80th minute to bolster their offensive presence.Despite numerous attempts, Argentina struggled to find the equalizer, thwarted by England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and some misfortune hitting the post.Finally, in the 85th minute, Argentina equalized. From a corner kick, Messi assisted Enzo Fernández, who scored with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.Buoyed by the goal, Argentina took the lead in stoppage time at 90+7 minutes. Messi delivered a cross from the right side, which Martínez headed into the net, making it 2-1.Argentina held on to its lead in the remaining minutes, securing a thrilling comeback victory and a spot in the final.Messi added two assists in the match, bringing his total to four assists (along with eight goals) in the tournament. According to the rules for ranking players tied in goals, Messi moved ahead of Kylian Mbappé (France, eight goals, three assists) to lead the scoring chart.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 07:24:00
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U.S. Stocks Rise as Inflation Eases and Earnings Beat Expectations U.S. stock indices rose across the board as producer prices unexpectedly fell, alleviating concerns over interest rate hikes, while strong earnings from major financial firms boosted investor sentiment.On July 15, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 150.37 points, or 0.29%, at 52,658.64. The S&P 500 gained 28.81 points, or 0.38%, finishing at 7,572.40, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 162.22 points, or 0.62%, to close at 26,269.23.The inflation data drove the market's upward movement. The U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for June fell by 0.3% from the previous month, surprising analysts who had expected it to remain flat. This marked the largest decline in 14 months. Year-over-year, the increase slowed from 6.0% in May to 5.5% in June. Following the consumer price index (CPI) report released the day before, the easing inflation trend has reduced the likelihood of an immediate interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve.However, inflation concerns remain due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Recent clashes between the U.S. and Iran have led to rising international oil prices, prompting some analysts to caution against assuming inflation has stabilized based solely on the June data. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh also stated during a congressional hearing that the central bank has not yet achieved its inflation stability goals.Corporate earnings for the second quarter also supported the market. BlackRock and Morgan Stanley reported results that exceeded market expectations, with BlackRock rising 6.6% and Morgan Stanley up 0.4%. Analysts project that S&P 500 companies will see a 23.7% increase in net income for the second quarter compared to the same period last year.Large technology stocks performed well, with Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon each rising over 3%, contributing to the overall index gains. PayPal surged 17.2% following reports of a buyout proposal from Stripe and private equity firm Advent International.In contrast, semiconductor stocks faced declines, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index falling 2%. SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADR), which had surged 8.8% in the domestic market the previous day, dropped 9%.In the bond market, the easing inflation led to a decline in Treasury yields. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell by more than 3 basis points to 4.553%, while the 2-year yield dropped 5 basis points to 4.143%.International oil prices rose slightly amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closed at $79.60 per barrel, up 0.33%, while Brent crude finished at $84.95, a 0.26% increase.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 07:04:00
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SK Hynix ADR Falls 9% After 27% Surge SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADR) dropped 9% a day after surging over 27%. This decline is attributed to profit-taking following a rapid price increase and a general weakness in U.S. semiconductor stocks.On July 15, SK Hynix ADR closed at $176.46, down 9.0% from the previous trading day on the Nasdaq. The stock opened at $182 and briefly rose to $187.64 before reversing course. At one point, it fell to $166.50, more than 14% below the previous day's closing price.The previous day's surge of 27.29% was fueled by global investment bank Barclays' recommendation to 'overweight' SK Hynix ADR, setting a target price of $330. Expectations for increased demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and DRAM due to the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) also contributed to the buying momentum. However, the rapid price increase led to a wave of profit-taking on this day.As the ADR price surged in a short period, concerns grew that it had become excessively high compared to the shares listed on the domestic market. At one point, the ADR traded more than 50% above its value based on the domestic stock price.Starting July 29, investors will be able to convert ADRs into domestic shares, which may increase trading aimed at narrowing the price gap between the two markets. This could potentially reduce the current significant price disparity.The overall weakness in U.S. semiconductor stocks also played a role in the decline. While the Nasdaq index rose that day, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell by more than 2%. The drop in major semiconductor stocks contributed to continued selling pressure on SK Hynix ADR.Since its listing on the Nasdaq on July 10, SK Hynix ADR has experienced significant volatility. After starting at an offering price of $149, it soared to $193.92 before settling at $176.46. The current price remains approximately 18% higher than the offering price.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 07:00:00
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Wash: Fed Will Maintain Independence Despite Trump's Interference Attempts Kevin Wash, Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, stated that the central bank will uphold its independence even if President Donald Trump attempts to interfere with monetary policy.According to reports from the Associated Press, Wash made these comments during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on July 15. He said, "President Trump has never tried to influence monetary policy," adding, "Even if such attempts occur, I will remain steadfast in my duties."He emphasized, "The President and the Treasury Secretary have chosen individuals who will work independently, and I will continue to do so in the future."Trump has repeatedly argued that the current interest rate, which stands at 3.50% to 3.75%, should be lowered by 1%. While Wash has reiterated his commitment to not exert direct influence since taking office, he continues to stress the need for interest rate reductions.Wash noted that increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) could temporarily raise prices but is unlikely to lead to sustained inflation. He acknowledged, "There is a possibility that price indicators may rise over the next 12 months," but clarified, "A one-time price increase does not necessarily indicate inflation," suggesting that supply increases may follow.In response to recent warnings from some Fed officials about inflation risks, he remarked that these views may differ from his own, describing it as a "good-natured family dispute."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 06:52:00
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Trump Discusses Collaboration with South Korean Shipbuilders for U.S. Navy Vessels President Donald Trump has mentioned the possibility of collaborating with South Korean shipbuilders to increase the number of U.S. Navy vessels. He also indicated that the U.S. may consider purchasing ships built overseas.According to Reuters, Trump made these remarks on July 15 during the Defense Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. He stated, "We will look at some companies coming from Korea and other regions."He added, "They are working with us in the shipbuilding sector, and we will also purchase some ships built externally." Trump emphasized the need for many vessels in the Navy, noting that existing ships are aging.It is unclear whether the 'externally built ships' Trump referred to specifically means U.S. Navy vessels made outside the country. However, given that he mentioned South Korean companies immediately before this statement, it suggests that options for building ships outside the U.S. are being considered.Previously, at the G7 summit last month, Trump asked South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol if the U.S. could quickly build ten naval ships. This latest statement raises questions about the potential for concrete collaboration in naval shipbuilding between the U.S. and South Korea.Currently, the U.S. generally restricts the construction of its naval vessels abroad. However, the President can allow exceptions if deemed necessary for national security, leading to speculation about whether this could result in actual shipbuilding in South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 06:44:00
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Russia Warns Western Troops in Ukraine Would Be Military Targets Russia has warned that it would consider Western multinational forces deployed in Ukraine after a ceasefire as military targets. On July 15, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated, "The deployment of troops from the so-called 'Alliance of Will' in Ukraine is unacceptable to Russia." She added, "This is essentially foreign intervention and would heighten the threat to Russian security. Such units would become legitimate military targets." This statement comes as Western nations are pushing to deploy multinational forces in Ukraine to ensure its security following a ceasefire or peace agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 13 to discuss the operation of multinational forces. They also agreed to conduct joint training to assess the rapid deployment of troops and equipment. The first training exercise is scheduled to take place this fall in Poland, involving British and French forces. However, the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine is planned to occur only after a ceasefire or peace agreement, according to the 'Alliance of Will' framework.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 06:40:00
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Israel and Lebanon Agree on Implementation of 'Buffer Zone' Amid Troop Withdrawal Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement on the implementation procedures for a 'buffer zone' in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops will withdraw and Lebanese forces will take control. Detailed guidelines are expected to be finalized in the coming days.According to Reuters, the two sides held ambassador-level talks mediated by the United States at the U.S. Embassy in Rome over two days starting on July 14.A U.S. official stated after the talks, "We have agreed on the procedures and guidelines for operating the buffer zone, and we will finalize and implement them in the coming days." Future negotiations will move to a practical stage addressing specific implementation plans.Last month, Israel and Lebanon reached a preliminary agreement on the establishment of the buffer zone, facilitated by U.S. mediation. Under this arrangement, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from the area, allowing Lebanese troops to be deployed to maintain security and order.However, there are still variables that could affect the actual withdrawal. Israel has expressed that it finds it difficult to withdraw as long as the armed threat from Hezbollah persists. Hezbollah has also opposed any agreement that requires disarmament.Neither Israel nor Lebanon has issued separate statements regarding the outcome of the talks.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 06:32:00
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Trump Warns Iran: 'No Deadline... Better Act Properly' President Donald Trump stated he will not set a specific deadline before attacking Iran's bridges, but he urged the country to "act properly."On July 15, in response to a question from reporters about whether he would impose a separate deadline before attacking Iran's bridges, Trump said, "I don’t like to set deadlines." He added, "They know the situation well," and warned, "It would be better for them to act properly."In an interview with Fox News the previous day, Trump indicated that if no agreement is reached with Iran, the U.S. could target power plants and bridges as soon as next week. This suggests a potential expansion of targets from military facilities to critical infrastructure.On the same day, U.S. forces conducted additional airstrikes against Iran, targeting coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch facilities near Greater Tunb Island in the Strait of Hormuz.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 06:28:00
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Ten years on, Türkiye's fallen answer roll call ANKARA, July 15 (AJP) - The name of a dead man rang out over a sunbaked park in Ankara on Wednesday, and thousands of voices answered for him. "Burada!" the crowd shouted. Here. Present. Another name followed, and another answer. It went on 253 times, once for each person killed on the night of July 15, 2016, when a faction of the Turkish military tried to seize the state and the public walked into gunfire to stop it. To a foreign ear, the word sounded uncannily like "brother," and for several minutes, it felt as if the crowd was claiming kinship with the dead. A Turkish official seated nearby corrected me. The word means "here," she explained. When the names of martyrs are read aloud in Türkiye, the living answer the roll call on their behalf. The dead are not absent. They are present. That conviction, that the fallen of July 15 remain on duty, was the emotional engine of the ceremony held Wednesday at Baskent Millet Bahcesi, a vast public park in central Ankara, to mark the 10th anniversary of the failed coup. The government has designated the date July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, and this year's program carried the theme "The Will Is Ours, The Victory Is Ours." The coup attempt began on the evening of July 15, 2016, when rogue military units seized bridges in Istanbul, sent tanks into the streets and bombed government buildings in Ankara, including the parliament and the police headquarters. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, vacationing on the Aegean coast, escaped an assassination attempt and called on citizens by video link to resist. They did, in numbers that stunned the plotters. Civilians lay down in front of tanks and stormed occupied installations. By morning the coup had collapsed. The night left 253 people dead and 2,737 wounded, figures the state has since enshrined as a national epic. Ankara blames the network of Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric whose followers had spent decades embedding themselves in the military, police and judiciary. The government designates the movement the Gulenist Terror Organization, or FETO. Gulen, who denied involvement, died in Pennsylvania in October 2024. The choice of venue on Wednesday was not incidental. The park, opened in 2023 on the grounds of the capital's old hippodrome, sits directly across the road from the Ankara Provincial Police Directorate, one of the buildings pounded by tanks, helicopters and F-16s on the night of the coup. Erdogan pointed to it from the stage. "The Ankara Provincial Police Department building right across from us became the target of tanks, helicopters and F-16s," he said. "In these attacks, seven police officers and six civilians, a total of 13 heroes, marched to martyrdom in front of the Ankara Police Department." In Ankara alone, he said, 149 people were killed that night and 1,508 wounded. The ceremony unfolded under a hard July sun. Attendees entered through a park gate, crossed a stretch of grass and gathered on a broad asphalt clearing where heat rose visibly from the ground. The crowd numbered in the thousands and spanned generations: elderly men and women who lived through the night itself, parents with children on their shoulders, and kids who were not yet born in 2016 shouting "Burada!" with everyone else, answering for the dead of a night they never saw. The stage carried its own history lesson, flanked on one side by soldiers bearing the flags of the 16 Turkish states of history and on the other by guards in Ottoman janissary dress. From a seat some 30 meters away, Erdogan was close enough to watch, but the crowd stretched back far beyond the reach of any single pair of eyes. The sound carried everything. After the roll call came prayer. Tayyib Hos, imam of the Bestepe Millet Mosque at the Presidential Complex, recited verses from the Quran in the melodic style familiar from mosque loudspeakers across the Muslim world. Safi Arpagus, head of Türkiye's Directorate of Religious Affairs, then led a prayer for the fallen. Thousands of people raised their hands, palms open to the sky, in the Muslim posture of supplication. Then Erdogan spoke, and he spoke less like a head of state than like a man reading letters from the dead. He told the crowd about Varol Tosun, a police officer killed outside the headquarters across the road. "His wife would sometimes ask him, are you not afraid of anything? Our martyr would answer his wife like our Master Hamza: I fear nothing that my eyes can see." He told them about Omer Ipek, who left his house that night knowing what was coming. "As he left the house that night, he told his older sister, I want to leave a beautiful country for my children," Erdogan said. "To his father, he said, I am going to become a martyr, my children are entrusted to you." He told them about Volkan Canoz, killed at 29, and Muhammed Oguz Kilinc, a police officer's son who died at 26. "I have countless memories of that night for every single one of our 253 martyrs and 2,737 veterans," Erdogan said. "If we tried to tell them one by one, believe me, our hearts could not bear it." The president framed the night of the coup as a resurrection of the spirit of Türkiye's War of Independence a century earlier, and the plotters as instruments of foreign powers. "That night, against the Hashashin gang serving imperialism, we said, just as we did a century ago," he declared, before reciting lines from the national poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy: "I have lived free since the beginning and will live free. What madman will put me in chains?" He reserved his harshest language for the plotters themselves, calling those who have betrayed the nation throughout history "a herd of mankurts," invoking a Central Asian literary figure of a slave stripped of memory and identity. "They are sellouts who dagger their state and nation in the back for the sake of worldly interests," he said. The speech was also a message to the present. Erdogan credited the endurance of his governing coalition, the People's Alliance with the Nationalist Movement Party, whose leader Devlet Bahceli he greeted from the stage, with keeping the country safe from a repeat. "I believe that, by Allah's leave, as long as the People's Alliance remains strong, Turkey will no longer experience dark times," he said. "As long as this nation remains awake, locked together, and protects its unity and solidarity, no one will be able to chain its will." Critics at home and abroad have long noted that the decade since the coup also brought sweeping purges, with tens of thousands of soldiers, police officers, judges and teachers dismissed or jailed over alleged Gulenist ties, and a broad concentration of presidential power. None of that shadow reached the park on Wednesday. What filled the asphalt clearing instead was grief organized into ritual, a state liturgy in which the dead are summoned by name and the living answer for them. Erdogan closed with a warning drawn from the coup night itself, quoting a man who faced down soldiers on Istanbul's Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. "A person dies only once. But they die like a man," he said. "Our state has the power to eliminate any threat directed at it, and to crush the heads of the traitors who try to raise them. Everyone should make their calculations and keep their books accordingly." 2026-07-16 06:26:39