As sellers go unpaid, questions mount around luxury platform Balaan's finances

SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - Balaan, a South Korean luxury goods platform, is facing mounting scrutiny over its financial stability after reports emerged of delayed payments to sellers and increasing concerns over the company’s liquidity. Tensions flared on Thursday when a group of sellers gathered at Balaan’s headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, demanding overdue payments. The protest follows a series of unsettling developments that have led some industry analysts to draw pa

March 28, 2025

Two South Korean shows top Netflix's non-English charts

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - Two South Korean shows have topped Netflix's latest charts for non-English series. According to the U.S. streaming giant, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" starring singer and actress IU and heartthrob Park Bo-gum took the top spot for TV shows, while director Yeon Sang-ho's thriller "Revelations" ranked atop the film charts, amassing 5.7 million and 5.5 million viewing hours, respectively for the week ending last Friday. Shortly

March 27, 2025

TRAVEL: Leeum Museum of Art - Private museum preserving S. Korea's artistic soul

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - TRAVEL: Leeum Museum of Art - Private museum preserving S. Korea’s artistic soul Located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the Leeum Museum of Art is a private institution founded by the Samsung Foundation of Culture. A reflection of the collective artistic passion of the extended Samsung family—including the late founder Lee Byung-chul, the late Lee Kun-hee, and Hong Ra-hee—the museum blends their appreciation for Korea’s ancien

March 27, 2025

PHOTOS: Krafton celebrates battle royale game's anniversary with fun-filled event in Seoul

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - Game lovers gathered for a fun-filled event in Seoul's trendy district of Seongsu-dong last week. Under the banner of "PUBG Fan Festa Seoul," the event was hosted by game developer Krafton to celebrate the eighth anniversary of its multiplayer battle royale game "Battlegrounds," where dozens of players parachute onto a large map, acquire equipment, engage in combat, and win by being the last one standing. The three-day event, which

March 27, 2025

Stars rush to donate money for wildfire victims

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - K-pop stars and other celebrities are extending their support to those affected by a spate of massive wildfires that have continued to devastate the southeastern part of the country since last Friday. Versatile star IU made a generous donation of 200 million won (US$140,000), while singer-turned-actress Suzy gave 100 million won ($69,000). Actresses Han Ji-min and Park Bo-young donated 50 million won ($37,000) each. Other fellow stars like Go Min-si, Go Yo

March 27, 2025

Aespa set to captivate global fans with English version of their latest hit song

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - K-pop girl group Aespa unveiled the English version of their hit song "Whiplash" on major music-streaming sites here on Thursday, in an effort to connect with more global fans. The upbeat song, the lead track of their fifth mini album, gained popularity with its addictive melody and energetic dance moves, selling 1.02 million copies in just three weeks after its release in October last year. In particular, the song's shimmy and shoulder-shaki

March 27, 2025

Firms pledge donations to support wildfire recovery efforts

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - An increasing number of South Korean companies have pledged significant donations to support recovery efforts after a series of wildfires ravaged communities. Samsung Group said it would contribute 3 billion won, or about $2.2 million, through the Korean Red Cross. The funds, pooled from eight of its affiliates — including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, and Samsung Life Insurance — will go toward relief and reconstruction in the hardest-h

March 27, 2025

Homeplus extends discount events amid cash flow concerns

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - Homeplus, a major South Korean retail chain currently under court-managed restructuring, has announced a new weeklong sales event — its third in a month — as it seeks to stabilize operations and reassure customers amid mounting financial pressure. Branded the "Founding Customer Appreciation Festival," the promotion will run from March 27 to April 2 and follows two earlier discount campaigns: the annual “Homerun is Back” sal

March 27, 2025

PHOTOS: Wildfire devastates coastal village in North Gyeongsang

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - A wildfire that ignited in Uiseong, a landlocked area of North Gyeongsang Province, has swept eastward, fueled by strong winds, and devastated a coastal village in Yeongdeok. Authorities in Yeongdeok County issued a mandatory evacuation order for all nine townships and districts at 7:30 p.m., March 26.

March 27, 2025

Trump announces 25% tariff on imported cars, raising concerns for Korean automakers

SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - The United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on all imported vehicles not manufactured domestically, a measure that could have significant ramifications for South Korean automakers, particularly Hyundai Motor Group. “What we’re going to be doing is a 25 percent tariff on all cars that are not made in the United States,” U.S. President Donald Trump said during a press conference in the Oval Office. “If they are made in the United

March 27, 2025