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Samsung Electronics Union Plans Long-Term Protest Outside CEO's Home The Device Experience (DX) division of Samsung Electronics, represented by the union Donghaeng, plans to hold a protest outside the home of CEO Lee Jae-yong, demanding the resolution of compensation disparities.The union will hold an inaugural ceremony on the 18th and intends to continue protests and individual demonstrations near Lee's residence in Yongsan, Seoul.According to Yonhap News, a union representative stated, "We do not have a set end date for the protest and plan to conduct it long-term. On days when we cannot file for a protest, we will continue with individual demonstrations."The union claims that during the wage negotiations agreed upon in May, the DX division was marginalized, and the compensation gap with the Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees semiconductors, is excessive.They are demanding: 1,000 shares of company stock per employee in the DX division, the establishment and distribution of a common fund based on a certain percentage of overall performance, and uniform application of base salary increases across the company.On August 21, they also held a protest near Samsung's Seocho office in Gangnam, arguing that the decline in profitability is due to management failures and requesting communication with executives regarding the demands of DX employees.In the business community, there are criticisms that the demand for 1,000 shares per employee in the financially struggling DX division is unreasonable. There are also concerns about the lack of justification for collective action, given that wage negotiations had previously been settled through government mediation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 09:16:00
Stokke Launches YOYO5 Stroller at Pop-Up Store in Seoul Stokke, the Norwegian premium baby products brand, has introduced its YOYO5 stroller, which can be easily folded and unfolded with one hand. This product was launched in South Korea last month, making it the first market globally to receive it.The pop-up store 'YOYO5 Seoul Forest House,' located near Seoul Forest in Seongdong-gu, will allow visitors to experience the new YOYO5 stroller until September 6.The standout feature of the YOYO5 is its 'one-hand folding' capability. Parents often find themselves in situations where they need to fold the stroller while holding their child, navigating narrow cafes, or managing luggage at the airport. The YOYO5 addresses these challenges effectively, making it particularly useful in scenarios where both hands are needed. After trying it out, I found it easy to learn how to operate.The stroller's portability is also impressive. Designed to meet cabin luggage size requirements, the YOYO5 can be conveniently carried at airports or travel destinations, making it ideal for families on the go.The seat has been made wider and longer than previous models, featuring an expanded head cushion and an adjustable harness for added comfort. The backrest can be adjusted from 97 to 149 degrees.The YOYO5 Seoul Forest House is divided into five areas showcasing the stroller's features: travel, urban, cafe, park, and dining. The travel zone mimics an airplane interior, highlighting the one-hand folding and portability. The urban zone simulates roads and stairs to demonstrate driving comfort and handling, while the cafe zone showcases the stroller's maneuverability in tight spaces. The park zone includes a photo area for visitors to take pictures with the YOYO5.Visitors can leave their own strollers at the entrance and borrow a YOYO5 to test drive around Seoul Forest. The event also features a DIY program for families to create stroller mobiles and small fitness classes led by prenatal and postnatal trainers. Completing a stamp tour will earn participants a voucher for gelato or cafe drinks, so be sure not to miss out.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 09:12:10
Hyundai, POSCO break ground on $5.8 billion low-carbon steel mill in Louisiana SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) -A major multi-company Korean investment in the United States got underway Friday as Hyundai Steel and POSCO broke ground on a $5.8 billion electric-arc-furnace steel mill in Louisiana, designed to anchor a made-in-America automotive steel supply chain. Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana Steel, or HPLS, held a ceremonial groundbreaking in Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, on Sept. 4, bringing together Hyundai Motor Group, POSCO and government officials from South Korea and the United States. The project will be owned 50 percent by Hyundai Steel, 20 percent by POSCO, and 15 percent each by Hyundai Motor and Kia, giving Hyundai Motor Group companies a combined 80 percent stake. The plant will have annual capacity of 2.7 million tons of hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel products, with commercial production targeted for early 2029. Full-scale construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter, although site preparation has already been underway for months. HPLS' website shows clearing, drainage, road construction and groundwork progressing from March through August. Located on roughly 1,822 acres beside the Mississippi River, the facility will have access to deep-water ports, railroads and interstate highways as well as abundant energy supplies. The location is also positioned to serve Hyundai Motor Group's automotive plants across the U.S. South and Mexico. The venture is part of Hyundai Motor Group's $26 billion U.S. investment plan through 2028 and represents the group's first steel production base in North America. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun said steel produced at the plant would support not only Hyundai's operations but also other U.S. automakers as they build next-generation vehicles. “HPLS is a starting point for the steel industry to move toward a more circular and sustainable future,” Chung said at the ceremony, adding that the project would demonstrate that industrial innovation and sustainability can coexist. The plant is being billed by HPLS as the world's first fully integrated electric-arc-furnace steel mill dedicated to automotive steel production. Instead of relying on the conventional blast-furnace route, the plant will use natural gas in the iron-reduction process together with electric-arc furnaces, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 70 percent compared with traditional blast-furnace production. Hydrogen could eventually replace natural gas if clean hydrogen becomes commercially competitive, according to South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources' separate release, adding the lower-carbon process is intended to help Hyundai, Kia and other automakers meet increasingly stringent carbon-reduction requirements across their supply chains. HPLS said the project is expected to create more than 1,300 direct jobs. Company CEO Hyung Jin Kim said the positions would carry an average annual salary of about $95,000. The Louisiana investment also provides Korean steelmakers with a local production base at a time when selling imported steel into the United States has become more difficult. The United States remains a net importer of steel, but Section 232 tariffs and other trade remedies have raised barriers to exports. U.S. steel demand reached about 90.9 million tons in 2025 against domestic production of 81.9 million tons, according to figures cited by Seoul's Industry Ministry. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan described the plant as a combination of South Korea's steelmaking expertise and Louisiana's energy resources and industrial infrastructure. “Connecting each other's strengths to improve the competitiveness of both countries is a new model for Korea-U.S. industrial cooperation,” Kim said. Kim also used the visit to press U.S. officials for support in resolving investment obstacles. In a meeting with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, he asked Washington and state authorities to consider easing tariff burdens on factory equipment and materials that are difficult to procure within the United States. Landry said the investment would create high-quality jobs and new opportunities for Louisiana businesses. About 250 government and corporate officials attended the groundbreaking, including Kim, South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha, Landry, U.S. Commerce Department Under Secretary William Kimmitt, POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa, Hyundai Steel President Lee Bo-ryoung, Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Muñoz and Kia CEO Song Ho-sung. AJP Takeaways: - Hyundai Steel, POSCO, Hyundai Motor and Kia launch a $5.8 billion electric-arc-furnace steel project in Louisiana. - Plant targets 2.7 million tons of annual capacity and commercial production in early 2029. - Facility is designed to cut carbon emissions about 70 percent versus conventional blast-furnace production. 2026-09-05 09:09:00
Korean Sports Agency Proposes Record Budget of 448.4 Billion Won for 2027 The Korean Sports Agency has proposed a record budget of 448.4 billion won for 2027, aimed at enhancing fairness in sports, promoting youth and community sports, and improving the performance of national athletes.This budget aligns with the Lee Jae-myung administration's national agenda to boost community sports participation and increase investment in professional sports. The agency noted that the budget increase followed a visit by Park Hong-keun, the Minister of the Planning and Budget Office, to the Jincheon National Training Center in May, where he gathered feedback from national athletes and coaches, leading to substantial support in the professional sports sector.Specifically, 21.6 billion won has been allocated to enhance fairness and restore trust in the sports community. An additional 1.1 billion won has been earmarked for improvements to the election system of sports organizations and the establishment of a swift disciplinary system. To increase the reliability of officiating, the number of permanent referees will rise from 137 to 586, and 5 billion won will be invested in new AI-assisted officiating equipment, totaling 26.1 billion won for improving officiating fairness, a 20.5 billion won increase from the previous year.Investment in youth and community sports will also see a boost of 56.9 billion won. The 'Youth Sports Infrastructure Development' project will receive 37 billion won, an increase of 33.2 billion won from last year, while the Sports Division League project will be allocated 47 billion won, up by 19.8 billion won. Additionally, a new initiative for 'Child-Friendly Sports Classes' targeting preschoolers in declining population areas will receive 2 billion won to expand early sports participation opportunities.The budget for national team training support will increase by 31.8 billion won. This includes funding for overseas training camps (5.6 billion won), the establishment of an AI performance analysis system (1.5 billion won), and preparations for pre-training camps for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics (900 million won). Notably, a 10 billion won air mat training facility will be developed for winter sports athletes, including snowboarder Choi Ga-on, to enable year-round aerial training.Furthermore, support for promising athletes will see an increase of 6.8 billion won, allowing national team candidates to extend their domestic training days from 28 to 40 days per year. The number of sports included in the preliminary national team development program will expand from five to eight. Other budget allocations include participation in international multi-sport events like the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade and preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics (9.3 billion won), adjustments for national sports competition expenses (3.7 billion won), and improvements in the treatment of sports personnel (3 billion won).Yoo Seung-min, the president of the Korean Sports Agency, stated, "This budget proposal will serve as a crucial turning point for Korean sports. We will accelerate reforms in the sports sector by incorporating the voices of the public and the field to regain trust from the people."He added, "It is particularly meaningful that the demands from the field have led to substantial budget increases, following Minister Park Hong-keun's visit to the Jincheon Training Center to listen to athletes and coaches. I thank the Planning and Budget Office and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for their special attention and support for the sports field, and I urge the National Assembly to actively engage and cooperate so that the people can enjoy a healthy and happy life through sports, and Korean sports can make another leap forward."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 09:04:10
HLB Seeks FDA Approval for Cancer Drug Liraglutide Amid Challenges HLB is awaiting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision on its cholangiocarcinoma treatment, Liraglutide, by the end of this month. Following three complete response letters (CRLs) for its liver cancer drug, investor confidence has been shaken, making this approval review a critical test of HLB's drug development capabilities.According to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry on September 5, the FDA's review deadline for HLB's U.S. subsidiary Elevate Therapeutics' New Drug Application (NDA) for Liraglutide is September 27. Liraglutide is being evaluated as a second-line treatment for patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma who have FGFR2 gene fusions or rearrangements.In July, HLB completed a late-cycle meeting with the FDA, which is a procedure where the FDA and the applicant discuss post-approval commitments and other matters before the review concludes. It is reported that the meeting primarily addressed post-marketing requirements (PMR) and post-marketing commitments (PMC). Notably, the company stated that no new issues or red flags that could significantly impact the approval decision were raised during this meeting.The heightened market interest stems from HLB's recent setbacks in its liver cancer drug approval attempts. In July, HLB received its third CRL for the combination therapy of Riboceranib and Camrelizumab, which was being developed as a first-line treatment for liver cancer. The FDA cited the need for additional information regarding the manufacturing and quality control standards (cGMP) at the facilities of China's Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine. HLB clarified that there were no concerns regarding clinical efficacy or safety data, but the repeated delays have weighed on the company's drug development timeline and investor sentiment.If Liraglutide secures FDA approval, it could alleviate some of the uncertainties stemming from the delays in liver cancer drug approvals for HLB. This would also mark a significant milestone as it could be the first instance of a domestic pharmaceutical and biotech company receiving FDA approval for an oncology product.Industry experts believe that the outcome of this review will impact HLB's future funding and drug development strategies. A successful approval would provide HLB with commercialization experience in the U.S. and a foundation for developing subsequent indications. Conversely, a failure could increase the burden of restoring investor confidence and securing funding for the company, which would need to pursue a reapplication for the liver cancer drug.Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that BlackRock, the world's largest asset management firm, has been increasing its stake in HLB as it continues to acquire shares in domestic biotech companies. BlackRock raised its stake in HLB to 5.01% in March, increased it to 6.05% in June, making it the second-largest shareholder after Chairman Jin Yang-gon, and further raised it to 7.15% in July.Particularly, the continued buying activity after HLB received CRLs for its liver cancer drug candidates Riboceranib and Camrelizumab has drawn attention. Market analysts interpret this as a positive assessment by BlackRock of HLB's chances for drug approval and its long-term corporate value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 09:04:00
Fashion Industry Adjusts Sales Strategies Amid Changing Seasons The fashion industry is changing its sales strategies in response to a prolonged summer and a shortened transitional season. Companies are moving away from the traditional sequential release of seasonal products, opting instead to introduce items earlier and emphasize seasonless products that can be used across multiple seasons.According to industry sources, major fashion companies are planning and launching transitional season products earlier than in previous years. They are increasing the proportion of items like cardigans and lightweight jackets that can adapt to temperature changes, while also introducing classic autumn materials such as leather and suede to the market sooner. This strategy aims to extend the sales period by focusing on items that can be used across several seasons rather than just one.An industry representative stated, "While there has always been a trend to showcase autumn products at this time, the recent shortening of the transitional season has led to earlier releases of not only cardigans and jackets but also autumn materials like leather and suede. The timing for seasonal product launches is being pushed forward." Indeed, industry movements have accelerated. Half Club has moved its September regular event, focused on autumn products, about 20 days earlier than last year. Jill Stuart New York Men began selling leather outerwear made from goat leather, suede, and lambskin approximately a month earlier than last year. Searches for 'men's leather jackets' and 'men's suede jackets' on LF Mall doubled compared to the same period last year during a ten-day period starting August 17.The earlier sales strategy is yielding tangible results. Jill Stuart New York Men's goat suede 'swing top jumper' and 'lambskin leather band neck jumper' have surpassed an 85% sales rate within three weeks of their launch, nearing a complete sellout of initial stock. This approach of aligning product launches with actual demand rather than seasonal expectations is proving effective in the market.Industry experts believe this trend will not be a temporary change. The autumn and winter (FW) season is crucial for selling high-priced items like coats, leather, and outerwear. However, the prolonged summer has shortened the sales window, making it essential to fill the gaps between seasons. As a result, there is a growing trend to increase the availability of seasonless products that can be worn for extended periods, and to offer items that can be layered to meet demand from early autumn through winter.Changes in consumer behavior are also supporting this trend. As the boundaries between seasons blur, consumers are increasingly opting for items that can be used across multiple seasons rather than purchasing new clothes for each season. Cardigans and jackets can serve as both inner and outer layers depending on the temperature, while leather and suede items have become versatile enough for various styling options.Lee Eun-hee, a professor of consumer studies at Inha University, noted, "The fashion industry is shifting towards products that transcend seasons rather than strictly defining them. Consumers are also increasingly choosing to mix and match necessary items instead of adhering to fixed seasonal styles, leading to a higher demand for versatile products." 2026-09-05 09:04:00
Three Universities Selected for 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' Initiative The Lee Jae-myung administration's national project, known as the 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' initiative, has selected three universities—Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University—as the first recipients of substantial government support. This large-scale project will allocate approximately 70 billion won (about $60 million) annually to each university over the next five years, drawing significant attention from the academic community.However, as the government intensifies its focus on developing regional national universities, concerns and criticisms have emerged from both inside and outside the education sector. Critics argue that the original goal of educational reform—transforming regional national universities into world-class research and education hubs—has been overshadowed by the overarching political and administrative logic of the '5 Extremes 3 Specialties' national balanced development initiative.The decisive factors for the selection of Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University in this first evaluation were their strong regional collaboration structures and strategic specialization. Pusan National University solidified its status as a leading regional university by leveraging the robust industrial infrastructure of the southeastern region, particularly in marine, shipbuilding, and aerospace sectors. Chonnam National University combined its plans for administrative integration in Gwangju and Jeonnam with the attraction of the SK semiconductor ecosystem, while Chungnam National University secured policy credibility by presenting a clear roadmap through collaboration with KAIST and local governments. Their bold academic restructuring, including the establishment of a dedicated AI college, also caught the attention of evaluators.In contrast, the six other national universities that were not selected are experiencing significant shock and repercussions. Analysts suggest that a common misstep among these institutions was their tendency to follow others and present lackluster proposals. For instance, Jeonbuk National University highlighted future mobility and AI development through a partnership with Hyundai Motor, but its efforts remained limited to a non-binding memorandum of understanding. It failed to differentiate itself in the semiconductor and AI sectors, which were already dominated by other universities. Similarly, Gangwon National University reportedly relied on existing administrative achievements of 'one national university per province' and produced a plan that lacked distinctiveness. Kyungpook National University, despite early claims in the semiconductor field, lost its competitive edge in the regional competition for large-scale corporate investments in Gwangju and Jeonnam.As the remaining national universities prepare for the second and third rounds of evaluations, they must seek differentiated strategies that go beyond merely aligning with local industries. They need to ensure that their unique research capabilities and rigorous academic restructuring are at the forefront of their specialization efforts. The six universities that did not succeed must confront their realities and engage in thorough self-reflection. They should abandon already saturated fields, such as marine and aerospace at Pusan National University or semiconductors at Chonnam and Chungnam National Universities, and instead focus on developing unique advantages, such as Jeonbuk National University's potential in agricultural biotechnology by leveraging the region's top agricultural research infrastructure.However, beyond the self-reflection of the unsuccessful universities, a more fundamental and serious issue lies in the government's evaluation practices and policy direction. Each selected university will receive up to 400 billion won (approximately $340 million) in public funding over five years. Yet, a closer examination of these institutions raises questions about whether this truly constitutes educational reform. Chonnam National University has faced police investigations over allegations of misappropriating funds from the RIS project and received institutional warnings for improper budget usage in a recent comprehensive audit. Chungnam National University received a failing D grade in the evaluation of its Glocal University 30 implementation.Without strict punitive verification of past project failures and misconduct, simply handing over large sums of money based on 'paper blueprints' and regional administrative frameworks could lead to bureaucratic moral hazard controversies.Moreover, the deep-rooted self-preservation mentality among national university faculty, who seek to secure government funding without making necessary structural changes, combined with bureaucratic practices that politically allocate universities within the '5 Extremes 3 Specialties' framework, raises significant concerns. The original intent of the 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' initiative was to break the hierarchy of universities in the metropolitan area and elevate the academic standards of regional institutions to match those of Seoul National University.However, the reality is quite the opposite. A true 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' initiative should not reduce universities to mere subcontractors for short-term workforce supply for local growth engines. Without enhancing academic excellence across humanities and basic sciences and implementing rigorous structural reforms, the financial redistribution based on the '5 Extremes 3 Specialties' framework is likely to end in a history of budgetary waste.Additionally, the concentration of billions of won in funding to just three universities has led to a new hierarchy among national universities and poses a risk of neglecting the potential collapse of regional private universities under the guise of regional balanced development. If the current policy framework, which has devolved into a mere tool of industrial policy, is not fundamentally overhauled, the outcome will not be 10 Seoul National Universities, but rather 10 symbols of financial waste. 2026-09-05 09:04:00
England Evaluates Players After World Cup Third-Place Finish Under Tuchel The Football Association (FA) of England has initiated a post-tournament evaluation process, seeking input from players who participated in the World Cup.According to the BBC on September 5, the FA has begun its standard post-tournament assessment following major international competitions. Head coach Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff participated in performance analysis of the North America World Cup last week, with a comprehensive report on the tournament's outcomes expected to be submitted later.England achieved a third-place finish in the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, marking its best result since winning the tournament in 1966.The FA has expressed unwavering confidence in Tuchel's leadership while also deciding to incorporate player feedback into the evaluation process, which has drawn attention.The BBC noted, "The involvement of players in the evaluation is somewhat intriguing," adding that within the squad, there is a sentiment that Tuchel's substitutions and tactical approach contributed to their defeat against Argentina in the semifinals. After taking a 1-0 lead with an early goal from Anthony Gordon, the team ultimately lost 2-1.Following the loss to Argentina, at least three veteran players privately expressed dissatisfaction with Tuchel's tactics in the second half, suggesting that his overly defensive substitutions led to conceding two late goals and the defeat.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 08:32:00
Ha Ji-won Discusses Her Role as a Fallen Star in 'Bi-gwang' Actress Ha Ji-won has shed her glamorous image to portray a more relatable character in the film 'Bi-gwang.' In the movie, she plays Nam-mi, a fallen top star who endures the harsh realities of life while grappling with her past glory. Through her performance, Ha Ji-won effectively conveys the emotional turmoil of Nam-mi, proving her talent once again. "Before entering 'Bi-gwang,' I was in a period of deep reflection about myself. I was contemplating who Ha Ji-won is as a person and as an actress, and during that time, I was also working on painting. I was exploring stories about myself in the world, not just living as an actress on stage. It was during this time that I met Nam-mi, a character who also carries wounds and struggles as an actress. So, the year I spent waiting for this project was not just time passing; it was a time filled with contemplation," she said. 'Bi-gwang' wrapped filming in September 2021 and took a long time to reach theaters. Ha Ji-won expressed that after such a long wait, she viewed the completed film with a different perspective than during filming. "The release has been so long awaited that it's hard to express in words. I really counted down the days. I had seen a rough cut after filming and dubbing, but I watched the final version for the first time recently. Revisiting a project after some time allowed me to see it not just from Nam-mi's perspective but also from the audience's viewpoint. I noticed things I hadn't seen before, and even though it's my film, I enjoyed watching it," she said. Rather than feeling anxious about the delayed release, Ha Ji-won focused on trusting her choice of project. The extended preparation time allowed her to connect with Nam-mi on a deeper level. "I didn't feel anxious. Once I choose a project, I tend to trust and wait for it. Filming was delayed due to COVID-19, and the preparation took about a year longer, but I believe that time allowed me to embrace Nam-mi more fully," she explained. To understand Nam-mi better, Ha Ji-won took time to reflect on herself. She felt that through observing Nam-mi's relationships and wounds, she could experience the character's pain and growth. "I tried to accept the situations in the script as Ha Ji-won. Nam-mi's circumstances are incredibly challenging. I looked closely at the wounds and background she experiences, and I thought of her as a character who matures through that process. I also felt that Dong-joo, a child in the film, resembled Nam-mi. He lacked sufficient love, became an actor, and in that sense, Nam-mi saw him as a painful reflection of herself, someone she could either take in or abandon," she said. Although Ha Ji-won has not experienced a fall from grace like Nam-mi, she sought to connect with the emotions of the character as an actress. "I tried to immerse myself in that situation. When you place yourself in such circumstances, you can feel the emotions. I could relate more because both Nam-mi and I are actresses. Of course, I haven't experienced a significant fall like Nam-mi, but as a female actor, I have my own existence in society. I become more cautious, think twice, and feel a greater sense of responsibility. More broadly, we all live as the person society expects us to be—whether it's the person our mothers want us to be, or what our companies or schools expect. I think I understood Nam-mi through those reflections," she said. Nam-mi's transformation from a top star to a fallen actress required a significant change in appearance. Ha Ji-won meticulously adjusted her look and mannerisms to reflect the gap between her glamorous past and her more grounded present. "The director set up the character very well. The gap is part of Nam-mi's charm. When she was a top star, her speech was a bit rougher and more assertive, and she had a glamorous gold dress look. In contrast, after her fall, I made my hair look more damaged and gave the impression of neglecting skincare. While the early Nam-mi had a healthy vibe, eight years later, she needed to feel more lived-in. So, I discussed external changes, speech, tone, and breathing with the director extensively," she said. In the film, the relationship between Jung-gu and Nam-mi is complex. Ha Ji-won noted that actor Ryu Seung-ryong helped create the right mood for their interactions. "He was cast as Jung-gu before me. I really wanted to work with him, and it was an honor. He is usually very funny and tells dad jokes, but he didn't during filming. Our roles are familiar yet strange, and the relationship is complex. Instead of rehearsing, he naturally created the mood on set. I was grateful for how well he received my performance, and I wish we had more scenes together," she said. Working with Kim Sun-young and Kim Hae-sook also contributed significantly to portraying Nam-mi's grounded life. Ha Ji-won expressed her regret that their family scenes felt too brief. "It was a real honor to work with Sun-young. The sense of reality that emerged during rehearsals was wonderful, and I learned a lot from expressions like 'mayonnaise hair' and the smell of kimchi. I would love to act with her again. It was also an honor to work with Kim Hae-sook. All the seniors I filmed with in this movie were fantastic. Their performances conveyed a sense of real life. It was so enjoyable, and I felt it was too short with my family on screen," she said. For Ha Ji-won, the most important aspect of delivering a realistic performance was to physically feel the emotions. She believed that Nam-mi's emptiness and resilience needed to be naturally expressed through her gaze and breathing. "I think the tone of the dialogue and breathing come from feeling deeply. Nam-mi is a character who struggles to endure life, so her gaze needed to convey emptiness at times rather than intensity. During the preparation phase, I was very intense, but on set, I actually tried to empty myself more. I needed a gaze that didn't convey strength or intensity, as there are moments when she has so many stories and wounds but lacks the strength to endure. It was important to feel those emotions," she said. Recently, Ha Ji-won has been engaging with a new generation through her YouTube content '26th Batch Ji-won.' She explained that this project stemmed from her curiosity about living in the world, not just as an actress on stage. "I had a curiosity about the world beyond the stage. I always wanted to communicate with different generations to understand the world better, and during that time, I received the proposal for '26th Batch Ji-won.' I was genuinely curious and wanted to know more. What I appreciated was that my peers and seniors treated me as a 26th batch freshman, even though they were younger than me. That allowed me to immerse myself, and I was grateful for that," she said. For Ha Ji-won, aging as an actress means continuously taking on new challenges. Engaging in music broadcasts, creating YouTube content, and revisiting action roles are not easy choices, but she believes these experiences help her grow. "These days, I'm doing music broadcasts, '26th Batch Ji-won,' and revisiting action roles. Honestly, none of this is easy for me. It's challenging, nerve-wracking, and a test. But I feel that even if it's hard, going through these experiences expands me. My heart and my view of the world are gradually widening. While it's important to build depth and skill, I also think it's crucial to broaden my perspective of the world. That way, I can engage more with the world and contribute to diverse characters and genres," she said. For Ha Ji-won, 'Bi-gwang' tells Nam-mi's story while also resonating with everyone living in their own circumstances. She hopes that viewers will take a moment to breathe and reflect on themselves while watching the film. "It's important to have a moment to breathe and think about who I am. It could be within the family or at work. When we take a moment to reflect on ourselves, I believe we become happier as we understand our existence better. 'Bi-gwang' offers a time to feel that in your heart, so I hope you come to see it," she said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 08:04:00
Free Tuition at Regional National Universities May Widen Educational Inequality The South Korean government announced plans to fully waive tuition for new students at 30 regional national universities starting in 2027. However, research suggests that this generous financial support may inadvertently hinder low-income high achievers. Despite their academic excellence, economically disadvantaged students tend to opt for fully subsidized universities instead of more expensive top-tier institutions. This raises concerns that the government's 'free tuition' initiative could entrench educational inequality, effectively pushing low-income students to regional schools while wealthier students dominate prestigious universities in Seoul. On September 4, a research team led by Professor Jeong Dong-wook at Seoul National University published a paper in the Journal of Educational Administration, analyzing the impact of national scholarship policies on college and major selection across income levels. The study compared data from the 2008 cohort, before the introduction of the national scholarship program, with the 2018 cohort, after the program's expansion, to track the college enrollment patterns of low-income students. Why Are High Achievers from Low-Income Backgrounds Attending Fewer Top Universities? The findings indicate that while the national scholarship program has successfully increased the overall college enrollment rate for low-income students, a troubling trend emerges when focusing on high-achieving students with grades in the top 20 percent. Since the implementation of the scholarship program, the likelihood of middle- and upper-income high achievers attending top universities has significantly increased. In contrast, the enrollment rate for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds has decreased relative to other income groups. Why are these students choosing to forgo admission to prestigious universities despite receiving scholarships? Choosing Scholarships Over Academic Potential: The 'Undermatching' Phenomenon The answer lies in the scholarship's 'tuition assistance ratio.' Current national scholarships provide a fixed amount based on income brackets. Consequently, if a student is accepted to an expensive private university, even with a scholarship, they may still face substantial out-of-pocket expenses. When factoring in the high cost of living in Seoul, the financial burden can become overwhelming. As a result, low-income high achievers often lower their sights, opting for less prestigious universities or affordable public institutions where tuition is fully covered by scholarships. This phenomenon, known as 'undermatching,' refers to students attending colleges that do not match their academic capabilities. This trend is also evident in major selection. As the tuition assistance ratio increases, wealthier students are more likely to pursue high-paying fields such as engineering or medicine, while low-income students gravitate toward less expensive humanities or natural sciences, limiting their options. The Pitfalls of the Free Tuition Policy: "Wealth Determines University Access" The research team's analysis highlights a critical contradiction in the government's recent announcement of full tuition support for new students at regional national universities. The government aims to prevent regional decline and retain talented individuals by making these institutions completely free starting in 2027. However, applying the undermatching theory reveals a more serious issue. If regional national universities become entirely free, low-income high achievers, despite their qualifications for top universities in Seoul, may feel compelled to prioritize these free options due to financial pressures. Conversely, students from higher-income families, who can afford the steep tuition and living costs of prestigious private universities, are likely to continue flocking to top institutions in Seoul without being constrained by the free tuition initiative. Ultimately, what began as a well-intentioned policy to support regional national universities may inadvertently reinforce a modern form of class division, where access to higher education is starkly divided along economic lines. The research team concluded, "While national scholarships have increased overall college enrollment for low-income students, they do not guarantee autonomy in college and major selection. We must seriously recognize the undermatching phenomenon, where financial burdens lead low-income students to choose institutions that do not reflect their academic achievements." It is now crucial for the government to move beyond simplistic measures like reducing tuition to zero and consider more nuanced support, such as living expense assistance, to enable low-income high achievers to select universities that align with their capabilities without financial fear.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 08:04:00