Convenience store chain GS25 to roll out tomato pre-order sales to satisfy picky customers

SEOUL -- In a bid to satisfy picky customers, South Korea's major convenience store chain, GS25, is set to introduce a pre-order project for tomatoes. Under this initiative, the store chain's operator will accept orders from customers and deliver the fruits, cultivated in the southern port city of Busan, directly to their doorsteps. Additionally, any dissatisfied customers will receive a 100 percent refund. According to GS Retail, the operator of GS25, sales of fresh fruit

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

[MWC 24] KT partners with Amazon to co-develop generative AI and mobile services for enterprises

BARCELONA -- In a bid to compete with top global generative artificial intelligence service providers such as Google and OpenAI, South Korea's major telecom company KT has forged an alliance with Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing and internet server service wing of e-commerce giant Amazon. Generative AI is a type of AI that can create new content such as images, text, and music based on patterns it has studied through machine learning processes. Enterprises of all sizes

February 29, 2024

[MWC 24] S. Korean care robot company Hyodol wins health tech award at MWC

BARCELONA -- South Korean care robot company, Hyodol, has achieved a significant breakthrough at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona by clinching an award in the "Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Health and Wellbeing" category. Hyodol specializes in the development of doll-shaped robots resembling six-year-old children. Equipped with a mobile communication module, processor, various sensors, and speakers, these care robots are powered by ChatGPT, an artifici

February 29, 2024

AI developer Upstage to release on-device AI-based office software solution in March

SEOUL -- South Korean artificial intelligence technology developer Upstage has worked with Polaris Office, a domestic office productivity software developer, to create an on-device generative artificial intelligence solution that can generate text, translate, and summarize documents in real-time. The solution, which does not require any internet connection, is scheduled to be released in March 2024. An on-device software is a standalone program that does not need a connection to a

February 29, 2024

K-pop band aespa selected as global ambassador for Amore Pacific's hair cosmetic brand

SEOUL -- K-pop sensation aespa has been chosen as the global ambassador for Amore Pacific's hair cosmetic brand, Mise en Scene, in a strategic move to captivate Asian K-pop enthusiasts. Amore Pacific, South Korea's leading cosmetics manufacturer founded in 1945, has solidified its position as a pioneer in the beauty industry, offering a diverse range of skincare and haircare products catering to all age groups. Renowned for its collaboration with top celebrity brand amb

February 28, 2024

Pulmuone selected as most admired S. Korean food company

SEOUL -- South Korea's food company Pulmuone was picked as the most respected domestic food maker by the Korea Management Association Consulting (KMAC), a major consulting group. The company has received an award from the non-profit organization, which recognizes outstanding companies based on their innovation capacity, shareholder value, and consumer trust. Pulmuone secured the top position in the general food sector based on the KMAC's survey of 11,800 people conducted b

February 28, 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

[MWC 24] Samsung's smart health monitoring solution 'Galaxy Ring' garners attention at MWC

BARCELONA -- At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Samsung attracted visitors through a smart ring designed to monitor health conditions. The wearable device called "Galaxy Ring" can be comfortably worn even during sleep. Galaxy Ring, first revealed at the MWC 2024, is available in three colors -- black, gold, and silver. A total of nine sizes will be released to fit different finger sizes. Currently, the products are displayed inside a transparent acrylic casing t

February 28, 2024

S. Korean battery maker Samsung SDI makes foray into Viet Nam's electric motorcycle market

SEOUL -- South Korea's battery manufacturer, Samsung SDI, has entered Viet Nam's electric motorcycle market, capitalizing on the country's transition towards clean-energy transportation. With over 65 million motorcycles registered and operational in Viet Nam as of 2022, the market presents significant opportunities for electric two-wheelers. Approximately 10 percent of newly registered motorcycles in Viet Nam are powered by battery packs, reflecting a growing trend tow

February 27, 2024