Netflix puts viewer attention at center of ad strategy SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Global OTT service Netflix is putting viewer attention at the center of its advertising strategy, the company said Friday. The streaming platform is also expanding programmatic ad buying and plans to offer its ad-supported plan in 27 countries next year. Park Young-sun, Netflix's industry lead in Korea, outlined the strategy at The Trade Desk's "Open Forum: Omnichannel in the AI Era" in Seoul on Thursday. "In the past, rea September 18, 2026

National Museum of Korea visitors top 5.25 million SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - The National Museum of Korea drew more than 5.25 million visitors in the first eight months of 2026, crossing the 5-million mark about six weeks earlier than last year, when it set an annual attendance record. Attendance totaled 5,254,884 from January through August, up 21.4 percent from 4,328,979 in the same period a year earlier. Visitor traffic remained heavy through the summer. The museum surpassed 3 million visitors in May and 4 million in July, September 18, 2026

Korea, Indonesia sign halal pact ahead of import mandate SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Korean food and cosmetics makers gained state support for Indonesia's upcoming halal mandate, the food safety ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) at the fifth Summit of Halal 20, which opened in Indonesia. The deal follows up on President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Jakarta in March and covers technical c September 18, 2026

Sumair launches South Gyeongsang tour package from Gimpo SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Regional airline Sumair has launched a package tour connecting Seoul-area travelers with smaller cities in South Gyeongsang Province, combining flights, accommodation, meals and local guides. The airline said Friday it partnered with the Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation and Hadong Nolluwa Cooperative to launch the three-day “South Coast Local Tour,” covering Sacheon, Namhae and Goseong. Sumair has operated four daily round trips between Gimpo a September 18, 2026

Seoul markets take Japan's 31-year high rate in stride SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) -South Korean capital markets responded coolly to the Bank of Japan's rate hike to a 31-year high Friday, with the widely expected move causing little ripple as the global tightening cycle had largely been priced in. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.25 percent in a 7-2 vote at the end of its two-day monetary policy meeting, resuming tightening after a three-month pause. The increase took the policy rate September 18, 2026

Hanwha Systems joins national AI-based space surveillance project SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems has begun developing an AI-powered space situational awareness system aimed at detecting and tracking objects in orbit and assessing collision and reentry risks. The company said Friday it signed a contract with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute on Sept. 9 to participate in the development of South Korea’s national Space Situational Awareness system, or K-SSA. The project comes as the rapid growth of satellites in low September 18, 2026

KOSPI gains 1.8% as foreign buying lift market SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks rebounded Friday morning as falling U.S. Treasury yields and oil prices lifted technology shares, with foreign investors leading the chip buying spree. As of 10:30 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI stood at 6,835.12, up 1.8 percent. The index opened sharply higher and climbed as high as 6,885.70 before trimming gains. Foreign investors bought a net 151.5 billion won ($109 million) of KOSPI shares, reversing course after eight consecu September 18, 2026

Foreign investors return to South Korean stocks after months of selling SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Foreign investors turned net buyers of South Korean stocks in August, ending seven months of selling, while sharply reducing their bond holdings, according to data released by the Financial Supervisory Service on Friday. They bought 344 billion won (US$249 million) worth of listed South Korean stocks in August, marking their first monthly net purchase since December last year. Most of the purchases were made on the main board, with foreign investors September 18, 2026

Super Junior Yesung to roll out second album SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - K-pop boy group Super Junior's member Yesung will release his second full-length album "Where We Are" taking part in its overall creative direction and writing lyrics for nine of its tracks, SM Entertainment said Friday. Yesung contributed ideas to the album's music selection, visual concepts and styling, according to the agency. Built around the theme of time, "Where We Are" looks back on the singer's past decade thro September 18, 2026

NCT 127 kicks off fifth tour in Seoul SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - K-pop boy group NCT 127 will kick off its fifth concert tour with three shows in Seoul beginning Friday, SM Entertainment said. The group will perform at KSPO Dome in Olympic Park from Sept. 18 to 20 under the title "NEO CITY : SEOUL - THE REDLINE." The concerts will feature songs from NCT 127's seventh studio album "BLINGY" alongside tracks spanning the group's 10-year career. The Sept. 19 and 20 shows will also be str September 18, 2026