Kurly posts record Q1 as Coupang stumbles SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - South Korean online grocer Kurly logged its strongest-ever quarterly earnings in the first three months of 2026, riding a wave of consumer migration away from market leader Coupang as the country's e-commerce hierarchy shows fresh signs of strain. According to regulatory filings released Monday, operating profit jumped to 24.2 billion won ($16.4 million) in the first quarter, a 1,277 percent skyrocketing surge from a year earlier and 1.9 times the company&# May 11, 2026

LVMH chair inspects shops in Korea amid weakening sales SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of French luxury titan LVMH, arrived in Seoul on Monday for an intensive inspection of the South Korean market as the world’s largest luxury group faces slowing global momentum and weaker growth in Korea relative to rival luxury houses despite the country’s continued luxury boom. Accompanied by his eldest daughter, Delphine Arnault, CEO of Christian Dior Couture, the LVMH chief’s visit comes at a pivotal mom May 11, 2026

Kookmin University researchers develop high-efficiency catalyst for hydrogen production SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - A research team at Kookmin University has developed a new heterostructure catalyst that significantly improves the efficiency of hydrogen production in alkaline water electrolysis. The team, led by Professor Lee Chan-woo of the Department of Chemistry, identified the specific mechanism that allows the catalyst to accelerate the water-splitting process, the university said Monday. The research focuses on Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (AEMWE), a ne May 11, 2026

Eight out of 10 Korean retail investors pocket over $6,000 from Q1 stock cashouts SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Eight out of 10 South Korean retail investors who cashed out stocks in the first quarter walked away with profits, earning an average of 8.48 million won ($6,100), nearly double the 4.96 million won average loss suffered by the remaining investors, according to data released by Shinhan Securities on Monday. According to the brokerage’s analysis, Samsung Electronics provided both the joy and misery for retail investors during the first quarter. Among May 11, 2026

NCT's Taeyong to release first full-length solo album 'WYLD' SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) -Lee Tae-yong, the leader of NCT, will release his first full-length solo album titled WYLD on May 18, SM Entertainment said Monday. The 10-track project marks a significant milestone for the 30-year-old performer who has been a central figure in South Korea's global music expansion since his debut in 2016. The release underscores the artist's creative evolution as a producer and songwriter for both his individual projects and the wider NCT collective. May 11, 2026

2PM to return with full-group concert in Korea coming August SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - K-pop group 2PM will return to the South Korean stage as a full six-member act this August for its first domestic solo concert in three years, management agency JYP Entertainment said Monday. The group will hold the 2026 2PM Concert THE RETURN in INCHEON on August 8 and 9 at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. The performances will mark the first solo show in South Korea featuring all six members since September 2023, when the group held a concert to commemorate May 11, 2026

SHINee to return with new EP 'Atmos' on June 1 SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - SHINee, one of K-pop's most influential bands known for its experimental music and trend-setting performances, will return on June 1 with its sixth mini album “Atmos,” SM Entertainment said Monday. Debuting in 2008 under SM Entertainment as a five-member group, SHINee built a strong global fanbase with hits such as “Replay,” “Ring Ding Dong” and “Sherlock,” while earning recognition for pushing the boundarie May 11, 2026

ASIA INSIGHT: China's inflation signal, the Strait of Hormuz, and Korea's strategic crossroads For much of the past two years, the dominant concern surrounding the Chinese economy was not inflation but stagnation. Economists spoke openly of deflationary pressure, collapsing real-estate confidence, weakened domestic consumption and a manufacturing slowdown severe enough to shake the foundations of the world’s second-largest economy. Beijing’s policymakers responded with cautious monetary easing, infrastructure stimulus and selective industrial support, while glob May 11, 2026

S-Oil swings to $837 million Q1 operating profit on crude price surge SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - S-Oil returned to profit in the first quarter as a jump in crude prices triggered by the Middle East conflict delivered hefty inventory gains, more than offsetting headwinds from scheduled maintenance and a domestic petroleum price cap. According to regulatory filings released Monday, the Aramco-controlled refiner posted a consolidated operating profit of 1.23 trillion won ($835.7 million) for the January to March period, swinging from an operating loss of 21.5 May 11, 2026

Hyundai Rotem partners with Korea Aerospace University to strengthen space business SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Rotem has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace University to cooperate in the space industry, the company said Monday. The agreement, signed on Friday, is aimed at building an industry-academia cooperation platform in the space sector through joint research, networking and talent development. Under the MOU, the two sides will work together on joint research and commercialization of next-generation space technologies, establish a May 11, 2026