Virtual artist 'iaaa' performs debut song 'Our Season' at SXSW event in Texas

SEOUL -- iaaa, a virtual artist created by South Korean content startup Studio Meta-K, was showcased at the South by Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin. The virtual human performed her debut song titled "Our Season" at the event designed to celebrate the fusion of various fields, including technology, film, music, and education. iaaa is a member of Studio Meta-K's virtual artist group "Season." She made her debut in February 2024 as a special host on "R

March 13, 2024

Webtoon app service Kakao Piccoma ranked world's 35th highest-grossing app publisher

SEOUL -- Data released by a global web service market analyst firm revealed that Kakao Piccoma, the Japanese webtoon subsidiary of South Korea's web service giant Kakao, secured the 35th spot among the world's highest-grossing app publishers. Webtoons, initially known as webcomics, are digital comic books optimized for viewing on smartphones and other digital devices like tablets. Originating in South Korea in the mid-2000s on web portals like Daum (operated by Kakao) and

March 13, 2024

S. Korea's iconic football stadium becomes main stage for K-pop concerts

SEOUL -- Seoul World Cup Stadium, an iconic football stadium in western Seoul, has become the primary stage for K-pop artists following the remodeling project on Jamsil Sports Complex in southern Seoul. With a capacity of about 45,000 people, this World Cup stadium is regarded as a "dream stage" among South Korean artists, requiring substantial ticket sales potential and immense popularity to host concerts. Seoul World Cup Stadium, constructed in the western district of

March 13, 2024

WeMade to drop global version of popular mobile MMORPG 'Night Crows'

SEOUL -- WeMade, a South Korean game developer, is set to release the international version of its popular mobile massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) "Night Crows," targeting the global market. The original version of the game was launched in South Korea in April 2023. Upon its initial release, Night Crows quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the top 10 popular games on both Google and Apple app stores. By May, it had claimed the number one spot

March 11, 2024

[PHOTO] Top K-pop girl bands highlight Paris Fashion Week

Members of K-pop girl bands received the spotlight at the Paris Fashion Week. The global fashion event, designed to promote luxury brands and promising designers, took place from February 26 to March 5.

March 7, 2024

Action-comedy film 'The Roundup: Punishment' to hit theaters in April

SEOUL -- Action-comedy film "The Roundup: Punishment," directed by Heo Myung-haeng, is about to be released in South Korea. This action film serves as the fourth installment of the detective series that began in 2017 with the hit movie "The Outlaws." Starring Ma Dong-seok, also known by his English name Don Lee, the film depicts the story of a tough detective who tackles an illegal online gambling organization. According to South Korean film production company

March 6, 2024

Koreans spend record 40 hours per month watching YouTube

SEOUL -- A recent study by WiseApp, a mobile app analysis firm, has revealed that South Koreans are now spending an average of 40 hours per month watching YouTube on their smartphones. This is the highest monthly usage time ever recorded in the country, and represents a significant increase from just five years ago, when the average monthly usage time was 21 hours. The study, which was conducted in January 2024, surveyed a sample of users from both Android and iOS platforms. The

March 4, 2024

Girl band TWICE tops Billboard's top 200 popular albums chart for first time

SEOUL -- Girl band TWICE has topped Billboard's top 200 popular albums chart with its album "With YOU-th." The nine-member band became the third K-pop girl group to secure the top position on the album chart, following BLACKPINK and New Jeans. The album, released on February 23, arrived atop the list on the Billboard 200 chart with 95,000 equivalent album units sold in the United States in the week ending February 29. The ranking is confirmed based on the number of a

March 4, 2024

S. Korean TV channel operator releases AI-produced variety show

SEOUL -- MBC, a major South Korean TV network that produced reality competition series Physical: 100, has showcased a variety show created by an artificial intelligence producer. The AI producer called "M-Phago" selected 10 human participants specializing in various fields, including a comedian, a rapper, and a doctor. M-Phago provides missions, edits videos, and determines wages. "This program is designed for outstanding members from a range of fields to carry out

February 28, 2024

BTS' Jungkook ranks 10th on global single chart by international recording association

SEOUL -- Jungkook, the youngest artist of BTS, has become the only South Korean singer named in the top 10 list of the global single chart published by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, a nonprofit organization that represents the global recording industry. The 26-year-old secured the 10th position with his first solo album "Seven." According to the Global Single Chart released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)

February 27, 2024