In South Korea, even sleep becomes a public competition SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - In South Korea, where overwork and sleep deprivation have become almost a national condition, even rest now comes with rules, timers and a scoreboard. At the Han River on Saturday afternoon, 170 contestants arrived armed with plush toys, mosquito-proof determination and creative signs — including one reading, “Don’t wake me up unless you’re a prince” matched in modern-day Sleeping Beauty gown for Seoul’s annual Han River Na May 4, 2026

South Korean film 'My Name' wins Audience Award at Italian festival SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korean film "My Name," directed by Chung Ji-young and centering on the 1948 Jeju 4.3 massacre, won the Audience Award at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy on Monday, the film's distributor Let's Films said. The victory at Europe's largest festival dedicated to Asian cinema suggests that South Korean historical narratives are gaining universal resonance through popular vote. The Audience Award is determined by direct ballots May 4, 2026

Playgrounds stay empty as Korean children simply have no time to play SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - As South Korea observes the 104th anniversary of Children’s Day this Tuesday, the festive banners and gift-wrapped toys mask a sobering reality. The holiday, envisioned by pioneer Bang Jeong-hwan as a day to prioritize the "happiness and well-being" of the nation’s youth, has become a poignant reminder of a childhood increasingly spent in the shadows of high-stakes testing and digital screens. Data suggests that for the average South May 4, 2026

South Korea online shopping hits record as travel demand defies fuel surcharges SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korea's online shopping transactions hit an all-time monthly high in March as travelers booked spring holidays despite soaring fuel costs driven by the Middle East conflict. Data from Statistics Korea showed monthly transactions reached 25.6 trillion won, marking the first time the figure has surpassed 25 trillion won since tracking began in 2017. Total volume grew 13.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Travel and transport services May 4, 2026

South Korea legalizes credit card issuance for minors SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korea officially authorized the issuance of credit cards to minors aged 12 and older on Monday, institutionalizing a digital payment system that reflects the country’s rapid transition toward a cashless economy. The measure, which took effect May 4, replaces a temporary pilot program with a permanent legal framework under the Specialized Credit Financial Business Act. The regulatory shift aims to eliminate the widespread but technically prohibited May 4, 2026

K-pop girl band aespa prepares for second full-length album with pre-release single 'WDA' SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korean girl group aespa will release a pre-release single titled Whole Different Animal on May 11. The track serves as the initial signal for the rollout of the group's second full-length album. The release strategy replicates a successful formula used during the campaign for their first studio album. The group's previous pre-release track Supernova recorded top positions on major music charts in South Korea and established strong momentum for t May 4, 2026

Seven in 10 older elementary students in Korea use AI SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - Seven out of 10 South Korean elementary school students in upper grades use generative artificial intelligence tools, surveyed showed Monday, with nearly 15 percent frequenting them to underscore how deeply AI has entered childhood education and daily life in one of the world’s most digitally connected societies. According to a nationwide survey released Monday by the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, 72.1 percent of fourth- to sixth-grade e May 4, 2026

Agency apologizes for G-Dragon racial slur attire SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - K-pop star G-Dragon's agency has issued an official apology Monday after the Big Bang member performed in a stage outfit containing a Dutch racial slur. The incident in Macau has renewed concerns regarding the South Korean entertainment industry's frequent lack of cultural and linguistic verification in fashion. Styling choices in K-pop often derive from a focus on visual aesthetics that ignores the social or historical weight of foreign fashion graph May 4, 2026

BOK deputy governor flags rate hike possibility, bond yields tick up SEOUL, May 4 (AJP) — Bank of Korea Deputy Governor Ryoo Sang-dai on Sunday signaled that South Korea’s monetary policy may be shifting toward tightening rather than easing, becoming the first monetary board member to publicly lean toward a rate hike amid mounting inflationary pressure tied to Middle East tensions. “Given the external shock and broader economic conditions, my personal view is that monetary policy is moving closer to a hiking cycle than a r May 4, 2026

Korean shipbuilders draw 6 orders for very large carriers amid Hormuz disruption SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) -South Korea’s major shipbuilders secured more than 1 trillion won ($677 million) in fresh gas carrier orders as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz drive longer shipping routes and accelerate demand for alternative-fuel transport vessels amid a reshaping global energy trade. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said Monday it won a 504.8 billion won ($343 million) order from Korea-based KSS Line to build three very large gas carriers (VLGCs), according to a reg May 4, 2026