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Hana Securities Raises Target Price for Kolmar Korea, Predicts Strong Performance Hana Securities has projected that Kolmar Korea's performance will exceed market expectations for the time being, raising its target price to 140,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating.Park Jong-dae, a researcher at Hana Securities, stated in a report that "this year, the Korean cosmetics industry is enjoying its largest global momentum ever, with exports increasing by over 25% compared to the previous year."He estimated that Kolmar Korea's consolidated sales and operating profit for the second quarter would grow by 14% and 28% year-on-year, reaching approximately 831.5 billion won and 94.4 billion won, respectively, calling it a significant performance considering last year's high base.While acknowledging the disappointment of losses in the North American business, he noted the stabilization of operations in China and the potential for Yeonwoo to turn a profit as positive signs. He added, "In the context of increased uncertainty in supply due to the Middle East conflict, having a large inventory of plastics has been beneficial for securing orders."Furthermore, he remarked that although the peak season for sunscreen products has passed in the second quarter, growth rates are expected to remain strong in the second half of the year. "Ninety percent of sunscreen exports are directed towards Europe, and the effects of entering new regions and channels are significant," he explained.He also emphasized the need to watch for potential reorders of cream products from a global luxury brand, noting that initial sales in the first quarter have shown positive consumer responses, increasing the likelihood of reorders. This marks the first time a Korean original design manufacturer (ODM) has produced high-end skincare products for a global luxury brand.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:48:00 -
Samsung Electronics Reports Record Q2 Operating Profit of 89.4 Trillion Won Samsung Electronics achieved a record operating profit of 89.4 trillion won ($67.5 billion) and revenue of 171 trillion won ($130.5 billion) in the second quarter of this year, marking the third consecutive quarter of record results. Despite a performance bonus provision nearing 20 trillion won, the company reported more than double the operating profit of last year’s annual total in just one quarter. The expansion of investments in artificial intelligence (AI) has led to a supercycle in memory semiconductors, resulting in unprecedented performance among global tech giants.On July 7, Samsung Electronics announced that its consolidated operating profit for the second quarter was 89.4 trillion won, a staggering 1,810.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Revenue rose by 129.3% to 171 trillion won. The operating profit exceeded market expectations of 84.16 trillion won by 6.2%.Since the fourth quarter of last year, Samsung has set new records for both revenue and operating profit for three consecutive quarters. Notably, the second quarter operating profit surpassed last year’s total annual operating profit of 43.6 trillion won. The combined operating profit from 2021 to 2023 is estimated to be over 82.87 trillion won.When compared to other global tech giants, Samsung's results are remarkable. Nvidia and Apple reported their highest quarterly operating profits at approximately $53.5 billion (about 82 trillion won) and $50.9 billion (about 78 trillion won), respectively. Samsung's operating profit for this quarter alone exceeded these previous records.Additionally, this performance includes one-time costs such as a large performance bonus provision in the Device Solutions (DS) division. In May, the DS division's labor and management agreed to introduce a special management performance bonus linked to operating profit. The related provisions, estimated to be close to 20 trillion won, suggest that the second quarter operating profit could exceed 110 trillion won when excluding these costs.The surge in performance was driven by memory semiconductors. Continued global investment in AI infrastructure has intensified supply shortages, particularly for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and enterprise solid-state drives (eSSD). The demand for AI has also spread to general DRAM and NAND flash, leading to a sharp increase in memory prices. Industry estimates suggest that the DS division alone generated around 80 trillion won in operating profit.Samsung's substantial memory production capacity has also provided a competitive advantage in a supplier-dominant market. Recently, the company became the first in the world to mass-produce the sixth-generation HBM, HBM4, while also increasing the share of high-value products. As Samsung continues to secure long-term supply contracts with global tech companies and expand production capacity, concerns about a semiconductor peak-out are beginning to ease.In contrast, the Device Experience (DX) division, which handles finished products, has reported relatively weak performance due to cost pressures from rising prices of key components like semiconductors. Analysts estimate that the operating profit for the Mobile Experience (MX) and Network divisions ranges from 500 billion to 1 trillion won, while the TV (VD) and home appliances (DA) divisions are expected to generate less than 100 billion won. Operating profits for Samsung Display and Harman are estimated at around 500 billion won and between 200 billion to 300 billion won, respectively.Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the expansion of HBM4 supply and improvements in foundry process yields may lead to further increases in performance. Recent market forecasts for Samsung's annual operating profit have risen from 366 trillion won to 374 trillion won over the past month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:44:00
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Buffet Service Ends at Songpa's Helio City Amid Controversy The buffet service at Helio City, a large apartment complex in Songpa District known for its unique dining options, has ended, following reports of unmannerly behavior by some patrons. According to the real estate industry on July 7, the catering company 'Jun Food and Culture' announced that it would cease operations after July 2 due to the expiration of its contract. Since July 2024, the company had provided buffet services featuring 50 to 60 menu items for lunch at 9,000 won and dinner at 10,000 won. The buffet, which included a variety of side dishes and main courses, gained attention online as a 'value buffet.' Initially, it was so popular that long lines formed during meal times, but usage gradually declined. Some residents expressed that the service felt burdensome for an apartment community. Additionally, rising prices for food and raw materials due to the Middle East conflict reportedly increased operational challenges. Complaints about unmannerly behavior from some customers also surfaced. A post in a real estate community claimed that some patrons paid for one serving but took two to three servings or secretly packed food to go, sparking controversy. However, a representative from the Helio City complex refuted claims that the restaurant closed due to operational difficulties. The official stated that Jun Food and Culture did not participate in the re-bidding process, and a new company, 'Seongsu Haneul,' is set to take over. The representative added, "We plan to resume restaurant operations as soon as we receive the necessary permits from the Songpa District Office."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:44:00
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President Lee: 'Setbacks in Bidding are Stepping Stones for K-Defense Industry' President Lee Jae-myung stated on July 7 that Hanwha Ocean's failure to be selected as the preferred bidder for Canada's submarine project (CPSP) is a reminder that challenges often come with both successes and disappointments. He emphasized the importance of continuing to move forward. In a post on Facebook, President Lee remarked, "Although we did not achieve the expected results in this Canadian submarine project, I believe we have once again demonstrated our capabilities to the international community." He added, "Above all, our submarines have proven their excellent performance and technology by competing confidently with leading submarine nations. I am confident that today’s experience will serve as a valuable foundation for further enhancing our technology and competitiveness." President Lee affirmed, "The bold challenges of K-defense will continue. The government will do everything possible, from research and development to export support and strengthening international cooperation, to ensure that our submarines protect peace and safety in the world's oceans." He also noted, "The defense industry of South Korea is emerging as a new growth engine that the world is paying attention to and is a core industry for national competitiveness. These achievements are the fruits of the hard work of countless researchers, engineers, businesspeople, and our service members who have worked together." President Lee mentioned that July 8 is designated as 'Defense Industry Day' to commemorate the day the turtle ship was first deployed in combat. He expressed deep gratitude and respect to all those who have contributed to elevating the status of 'K-defense' to a global level. Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, acknowledged on Facebook the Canadian government's decision, which considered various factors such as economic and industrial cooperation, security, and costs. He expressed disappointment, stating, "It is true that I feel a great sense of loss, as I was directly involved in the field as a special envoy of the President and poured all our efforts into this project with our 'Defense Industry One Team.'" Kang emphasized that the significance of this challenge is not small, stating, "It has served as a clear opportunity to imprint the technological prowess of South Korean submarines and our industrial competitiveness in the global market." He concluded, "I will not let this result be merely a consolation of 'we lost but fought well.' We will address the shortcomings and further strengthen our advantages to ensure that we achieve shining results in the next challenge." 2026-07-07 08:44:00
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Chijijik Surges to Record 5.24 Million Users Amid World Cup Boost Naver's streaming platform Chijijik has surpassed 5 million monthly active users (MAU) for the first time, thanks to the impact of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup broadcasts.According to data analysis firm WiseApp & Retail, Chijijik recorded 5.24 million MAU last month, marking the highest figure since its launch. This represents an increase of 2.48 million from the previous month (2.76 million), reflecting the effects of the World Cup, which began on June 12.By age group, users in their 40s saw the largest increase, with 780,000 new users. This was followed by users in their 20s (640,000), 30s (480,000), under 10 (250,000), 50s (250,000), and those over 60 (90,000).Naver attracted users to Chijijik with its 'Watch Together' feature, allowing viewers to watch matches alongside streamers. The match between South Korea and Mexico recorded a cumulative viewership of 4.78 million, while the final group stage match against South Africa reached a peak of 4.938 million viewers.Other broadcasting apps that participated in mobile coverage also saw user increases. KBS+ had approximately 500,000 MAU in June, an increase of 180,000 from the previous month, while JTBC NOW reported 230,000 MAU, up by 170,000.This survey was based on a sample study conducted by WiseApp & Retail among South Korean Android and iOS smartphone users.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:40:00
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Was the Target of the 'Musubno' Controversy Really Lissenne Won? The controversy surrounding Lissenne Won's use of the Gyeongsang dialect term 'Musubno' continues, with interpretations suggesting that the post by a Gyeongnam MBC PD was aimed not at the idol but at the PD behind the YouTube content.Recently, a post appeared on an online community stating, "I suddenly thought of this while reading comments from another community," offering a different perspective on the controversy.The author of the post, identified as A, argued, "That person was not targeting the idol but the PD. It seems they were displeased that a young male PD, who was just making content with a female idol while laughing and joking, was being praised as a 'genius PD' for promoting both the idol and Geoje."A continued, "At first, I couldn't understand why they suddenly targeted the idol, but when I considered it as an inferiority complex towards the YouTube PD, everything fell into place. There might have been a feeling that a YouTube PD, who came from humble beginnings, was getting more attention than a broadcast PD, leading to a sudden attack as if to say, 'Let me say something as a pure-bred broadcast PD.'"This post has since spread across various online communities, resonating with netizens.Other users commented, "Thinking that way makes sense," and "It seems the content itself was more of an eyesore than the idol being the target." Some suggested that the recent popularity of YouTube over traditional broadcasting might have triggered a sense of competition and elitism.The controversy began when Lissenne member Won, from Geoje, naturally used the Gyeongsang dialect term 'Musubno' in a YouTube content.A PD from Gyeongnam MBC, hailing from Busan, expressed his discontent on social media, stating, "I was very upset to see a female idol and a PD exchanging '~no.'" He later elaborated in a lengthy statement that the current use of '-no' is not the correct usage of the dialect and that hate speech is contaminating the language.However, a past explanation from the Korean Language Institute at Dong-A University has resurfaced, arguing that "-no is used not only in interrogative forms but also in exclamations and monologues in the Gyeongsang dialect." This sparked a political debate as figures like Cho Kuk, former leader of the Justice Party, and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, expressed opposing views on social media.Subsequently, online discussions have revisited MBC dramas like 'Noh Mu-jin' and variety shows like 'What Do You Do When You Play?' highlighting the '-no' expression, leading to accusations of double standards regarding why only specific instances are being scrutinized. 2026-07-07 08:36:00
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SM Group Appoints Min Sang-ki as New CEO of Korea Shipping Corporation SM Group's shipping subsidiary, Korea Shipping Corporation, has appointed Min Sang-ki, former president of Konkuk University, as its new CEO.According to SM Group, Korea Shipping Corporation held an extraordinary general meeting and board meeting on July 6 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where they approved Min's appointment as CEO.Min Sang-ki, born in 1955 in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in food engineering from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. He was appointed as a professor at Konkuk University in 1995 and served as the university's president from September 2016 to August 2020 after holding various positions, including dean of the graduate school and vice president for academic affairs.During his presidency, he was recognized for enhancing industry-academia cooperation and establishing a talent development system in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.Korea Shipping Corporation expects that Min's leadership, as an expert in organizational management and talent development, will significantly contribute to enhancing the company's value as a national shipping line and establishing sustainable growth and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management.In his inaugural speech, Min stated, "I will prioritize continuous innovation for growth and the discovery of future opportunities, solidifying our foundation while actively targeting high-value markets. I aim to elevate Korea Shipping Corporation into a global shipping company that offers the highest value and vision."Founded in 1968, Korea Shipping Corporation is a mid-sized shipping company within SM Group, providing global maritime transport services based on a diverse fleet, including bulk carriers, LNG carriers, and tankers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:36:00
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Sensory Experiences Highlighted in Sejong's Local Tourism Contest A competition has been launched to discover unique experiential travel products that utilize Sejong City's unique resources, aimed at enhancing the region's tourism competitiveness. The Sejong Cultural and Tourism Foundation announced that it is accepting participants for the '2026 Western Inland Local Specialized Experiential Tourism Content Contest' until July 19.The theme of the contest is 'Sensory Sejong,' which emphasizes satisfying the five senses. The initiative aims to move away from traditional sightseeing and focus on participatory content that allows travelers to experience and enjoy the local culture directly.The competition is divided into six categories to reflect the diverse preferences of travelers: 1) Culinary tours using local ingredients (taste), 2) Tours of natural landscapes and unique spaces (sight), 3) Walking courses and activities (movement), 4) Traditional and handmade craft experience education (creation), 5) Wellness-based relaxation stays (rest), and 6) Other free proposals.Individuals, groups, or local creators who have or operate experiential content utilizing Sejong City's resources are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted until 11 p.m. on July 19 via email after downloading the application form from the foundation's website.The foundation will provide practical commercialization benefits to the content selected through external expert evaluations. This includes opportunities to enter major domestic online travel agency (OTA) platforms, expert consulting to enhance product viability, and promotional photography support. Programs to develop sales channels, such as influencer-led promotional trips (fam tours), will also be conducted.Notably, a total prize of 20 million won will be awarded to the best content selected based on future sales performance and user reviews. Additional benefits include an extended waiver period for OTA platform fees and the publication of planned articles.An information session for the contest will be held on July 9 at 7 p.m. at the foundation's office, where details about the project direction and evaluation criteria will be provided.Kim Ji-hoon, head of the tourism business team at the Sejong Cultural and Tourism Foundation, stated, 'This contest is a project that organically supports the entire process from idea development to commercialization, sales, and promotion. We hope to see many capable businesses participate to invigorate the local tourism ecosystem.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:28:00
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U.S. Stock Market Rise Boosts Bitcoin to $64,000 Bitcoin investment sentiment improved as the U.S. stock market rose. According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $64,278, up 0.83% from the previous day as of 8 a.m. The rise is attributed to a rebound in the U.S. stock market. On July 6, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 53,055.91, up 155.84 points (0.29%), marking a record high. Additionally, inflows into U.S. Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) contributed to the increase in Bitcoin prices. According to CoinDesk, $221.7 million (approximately 338.9 billion won) flowed into U.S. listed Bitcoin spot ETFs, the largest amount in the past two months. AI semiconductor stocks, which had seen profit-taking, also rebounded. Major altcoins also saw gains. Ethereum rose 0.83% to $1,808. Solana increased by 0.80% to $82, while Tether was up 0.01% at $0.99. Meanwhile, at the same time, Bitcoin was trading at approximately 96.56 million won ($63,087) on the domestic exchange Bithumb, reflecting a 3.33% increase from the previous day. The so-called 'Kimchi premium' showed a negative value of -1.95%, indicating that domestic prices were lower than international prices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:24:00
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Daishin Securities: SK Hynix Set for ADR Listing, Target Price Raised Daishin Securities reported that SK Hynix is nearing its American Depositary Receipt (ADR) listing, which is expected to quickly close the valuation gap with global competitors. As a result, the firm raised its target price from 2,343,000 won to 3,900,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating.The SK Hynix ADR is set to be listed on the Nasdaq on July 10. Analyst Ryu Hyung-geun stated, "This will provide an opportunity for the company to be valued on par with its competitors. Given its competitive advantages in business and scale, the valuation discount it has faced will be resolved."Consequently, Daishin Securities has increased its operating profit forecasts for SK Hynix to 291 trillion won for 2026 and 432 trillion won for 2027. Ryu noted, "As the supply shortage of memory semiconductors intensifies, the price increase in the second half of the year is expected to exceed market expectations. By 2027, we anticipate a resurgence in the average selling price (ASP) of DRAM, driven by HBM, similar to the trends observed from 2023 to 2025."He explained that this is particularly favorable for SK Hynix, which has a high exposure to high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Ryu added, "Sales recognition for high-priced follow-up contracts for HBM3E will begin in earnest, and HBM4 sales will ramp up starting in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, initial production from the new factory will be reflected, allowing for a flexible response to strong server demand."Ryu also highlighted the potential for increased shareholder returns. He stated, "Considering the cash inflow from the partial sale of Kioxia shares, the ADR issuance, and the memory supercycle, achieving a net cash of 100 trillion won is just a matter of time. Cash inflows starting in the third quarter can be utilized for shareholder returns."He further noted, "Before expanding the ADR proportion, share buybacks and retirements will be conducted to prevent dilution of equity value."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 08:16:00