• 
  Firefighters battle worst-ever wildfires as death toll rises to 28 SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - With massive wildfires ravaging the southeastern part of the country for a week, the death toll continues to rise, leaving at least 28 people dead and dozens more injured as of Friday. Nearly 40,000 residents have been forced to evacuate as around 48,000 hectares of land and forests have been burned, making it the worst wildfire ever. The fires also decimated around 3,500 houses and other buildings, turning them into ashes, while affecting villages and tow March 28, 2025
• 
  PHOTOS: Historic temple destroyed in wildfire SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - A devastating wildfire has engulfed and largely destroyed the ancient Gounsa Temple in Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province. The temple, dating back to 681, was a significant cultural landmark. Most of the temple complex was consumed by the flames. Fortunately, cultural artifacts, including the Stone Seated Buddha, had been moved off-site prior to the fire, averting their destruction. Images from February, before the blaze, highlight the extent of March 28, 2025
• 
  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